Letter from Frances Christina Snyder Becker
to her brother Emil Julius Snyder
regarding the Influenza Pandemic of 1918.
Emil was fighting in WW I at the time this letter was written. He died in Macq, France on October 15, 1919 -one year after this letter was written.
Tuesday, October 15, 1918
Dear Bro. Emil,
Its been over a week since I wrote you but between the last one & this letter a lot of things has happened. When you receive the capitals which we will send you again you will see for yourself.
To begin with the "flu" is running a race here in Annapolis & Balt. I guess you heard something about it and one of the meanest sickness ever was here. You start with a heavy cold and if you dont take extra good care and stay in bed you get pneumonia and dont last but only a few days. On Oct. 5th. Henry W. died I know it is some surprise to you to hear that. He was taken sick on a Sat. nigh and the following Sat morning he was dead. We went over there every day and before he was to be buried I was taken sick with the "flu". I started it going and after that the whole bunch of us was down together. Poor Speedy was so sick that the Doctor said she would have pneumonia next morning if we did not give her the best of attention. her fever was 103 and believe me we had to work all afternoon & all night to break it but we sure got her better and today was the first time she came downstairs. George & Jim was sick so they had to close up again & Gus had to come home and cook & help us along he had to stay up all night with the boy downstairs as Marie was quite sick but he sure made a good nurse it was the worst time we ever had, in every bed was some one sick. Dr. R. is making on an average of 300 calls a day from 7 am until 1 o clock every night its hardly a person in Annapolis or Eastport that isn't sick. George Lemke did what he could until he went down but he had to stay in the Hospital and hasn't been home for about a week but is getting better now. Mama has been sick to but is up and around again now so we are all on the mend again but sure had some time of it.
Well Emil will write you soon again but was sorry to kept you waiting so long for a letter. With love from all the family,
Devotedly,
Frances
Read more about "The Influenza Pandemic of 1918", one of the worst in history.
© 2001, Kathleen L. Haun