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Subject: Re: [BRE] Iconoclasts at McPherson/Flu Epidemic
Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2004 05:02:41 EST
From memory only, my sources about the influenza epidemic came through the
college librarian at McPherson in Kansas. We first found mention of Jeremiah
Gayman BAIL's death in that year's college yearbook & *I think* the college
newpaper. I asked if she could check the local newspaper to see if there was an
Obit for Gayman & a more precise death date other than Spring of 1920. She
reported that the McPherson Kansas newspaper front page was full of info about a
widespread flu that had hit that winter, that numerous citizens and college
students had died that winter... *I think* she said the college had asked
students to go home if well (to avoid the illness?) [I think].
Bottom line for my Gayman was there had been so many deaths there probably
hadn't been room in the newspaper for ALL the obituaries that winter. I know
she checked Feb/Mar/April for the March death. [I finally found his more exact
death date by another means, luckily.]
Anyway, this is from memory from years ago, so forgive me if I might be a bit
off on some info. I am sure though that the college librarian was most
helpful in checking sources & about the epidemic of the Winter of 1919-1920.
Judy Florian
Girard, Ohio
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