The Spanish Influenza Pandemic of 1918 / An Account of Its Ravages in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, and the Efforts Made to Combat and Subdue It

by Oscar Jewell Harvey

Upon motion of Mr. Haynes it was then voted to adjourn until January 22, at which time efforts would be made to devise an immediate plan for the permanent relief of influenza victims; and that the Secretary should invite to this meeting representatives of the Red Cross, the United Charities, and the Poor Boards in Luzerne and Carbon Counties.

The adjourned meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Coöperation Committee held on January 22, 1919, was attended by about twenty persons. Mr. William C. Shepherd presided, and L. K. Eldridge acted as Secretary. Mr. Shepherd stated that it was the consensus of opinion that, so far as possible, all orphans should be kept in their respective homes or be taken care of by relatives or friends. Mr. Brisbin outlined the work being done by the Civilian Relief Department of the Red Cross, stating that cases were being investigated, and that in his judgment the County had organizations enough to take care of the work, but that money was greatly needed.

Thereupon Mr. Hendershot moved that a committee be appointed to confer with the Poor Board, the Red Cross and other organizations with a view to obtaining money for carrying on the relief work. This motion having been carried the Chairman appointed the following committee, to be known as the “Ways and Means Committee”: William H. Conyngham (Chairman), Dr. Charles H. Miner, Anthony C. Campbell, Harold N. Rust and the Rev. Selden L. Haynes.

Charles E. Keck, Esq., Solicitor for the Poor Board of the Central District, then outlined the duties and limitations of that Board, and stated that the members of the Board would be very glad to meet the committee just appointed and go over with them the matter of providing funds for needed relief. At this point Judge S. J. Strauss made some very timely remarks to the effect that a committee should be appointed to provide means for increasing the capacity and usefulness of the Wilkes-Barré Home for Friendless Children. He stated that, in his opinion, additional organizations were not necessary, but that the Committee should co-operate with those already existing.

At a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Coöperation Committee held on January 31, 1919, Mr. Rust, reporting for the Ways and Means Committee, stated that the latter had conferred with the attorney for the Poor Board of the Central District, who informed the committee that in any case where immediate relief was required the Board would investigate and then administer such relief as was necessary.

Mr. Rust was of the opinion that, inasmuch as the taxpayers had provided funds for the Poor Board, action should be taken by this Committee to see that the Board properly took care of worthy cases. Further, that as the law of the State prohibits the paying of rents by the Board, the matter of rents should be taken care of by the Red Cross; that there should be close coöperation between Wyoming Valley Chapter of the Red Cross and the Poor Board of the Central District in the matter of investigating cases; that immediate relief, when needed, should be furnished, and that the disbursement of funds should be divided between the Poor Board and the Red Cross. Mr. Farnham stated that in his opinion the funds of the Red Cross would be available as far as they would go.

On motion of Mr. Rust it was then voted that the Civilian Relief Department of Wyoming Valley Chapter of the Red Cross take to the Poor Board of the Central District the fifty specific cases which they had investigated; that these cases should be checked up against those receiving relief from the Central Poor District, and if it should be ascertained that there were any who were not receiving relief, the District be requested to add such names to their list for immediate investigation and relief; that the District pay for food, coal, etc., and that funds for the payment of rents be placed in the hands of the Civilian Relief Department of the Red Cross.

On motion of Mrs. George Galland it was voted that the Coöperation Committee of the Chamber of Commerce endorses the action of the Commissioners of Luzerne County in agreeing to appropriate $25,000 to the Mothers’ Pension Fund provided the State of Pennsylvania would appropriate $1,000,000 to the general fund.

A meeting of the Coöperation Committee of the Chamber of Commerce was held on February 19, 1919, with William C. Shepherd presiding and L. K. Eldridge acting as Secretary. The minutes of the meeting held on January 31 were read and approved. Mr. Rust reported concerning the conference held by the Ways and Means Committee with the Poor Board of the Central District, stating that the latter had agreed to carry out, so far as possible, the recommendations set forth in the resolution of the Coöperation Committee adopted on January 31. The support promised by the Poor Board would cover medical assistance, food, clothing, and nursing when necessary; the Red Cross to pay rents.

Mrs. McLaughlin reported that the original fifty relief cases had been turned over to the Poor Board, together with 202 additional cases. The Poor Board had stated that 90% of these cases were already in their hands, under investigation. It was also reported that several day nurseries were under consideration, which would permit mothers to leave their children there and take up employment. Mrs. Phelps stated that in a number of cases widows had not yet received their insurance money; that some of the societies in which insurance had been carried were said to be bankrupt, while some of the larger insurance companies were holding up the payment of amounts due on policies of deceased victims of the epidemic.