Part 2

Anthony C. Campbell, Esq., County Fuel Administrator, told of the serious conditions with respect to the mining industry in the 5th District, and declared that the output of anthracite coal was being seriously affected by the pandemic. On motion of Mr. Campbell it was then unanimously voted: That such emergency hospitals as the County Medical Inspector deemed necessary be established, that those in charge of the work incident to combating the influenza-pneumonia scourge should call upon the Board of Directors of the Central Poor District, County officials and the various municipal officers in the 5th District for financial assistance in defraying such expenses as may be necessarily incurred in carrying on their work, and that the County Medical Inspector be given any and all assistance required.

The meeting then adjourned, and within a day or two thereafter the County Medical Inspector announced the appointment of various committees “to coöperate with the State Department of Health in the 5th District with respect to the influenza epidemic,” as follows:

GENERAL COMMITTEE.—To have general supervision over the hospitals established. To provide ways and means, and secure appropriations and financial aid from the several municipalities. All funds raised, except State funds, to be placed in the hands of the Treasurer of the General Committee. All expenditures to be approved by the General Committee and its Chairman.

Maj. Gen. C. B. Dougherty (representing the Susquehanna Collieries Co.), _Chairman_; Hayden Williams (representing the Chamber of Commerce), _Secretary_; M. J. McLaughlin (County Commissioner), Wm. H. Conyngham (Red Cross), Lewis P. Kniffen (City Council), R. Nelson Bennett (City Council), Wm. C. Shepherd (Chamber of Commerce), J. L. Reilly (Central Poor District), Dr. S. P. Mengel (Lehigh Valley Coal Co.), Dr. G. A. Clark (City Health Board), Dr. E. L. Meyers (School Board), Miss Mary Trescott (School Board), F. H. Kohlbraker (Susquehanna Collieries Co.), Dr. J. W. Geist (Lehigh and Wilkes-Barré Coal Co.), Frederick E. Zerbey (Kingston Coal Co.), Samuel T. Nicholson (Vulcan Iron Works), M. H. Sigafoos (Hazard Manufacturing Co.), Fred. H. Gates (City Clerk), and Fuller R. Hendershot (County Controller).

EMERGENCY HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.—This committee to have general charge of the establishment of emergency hospitals and direct their conduct and care, including arrangements for and maintenance of subsistence for patients and help.

Dr. S. P. Mengel of Wilkes-Barré, _Chairman_; Drs. Lewis H. Taylor, W. S. Stewart and L. A. Sheridan of Wilkes-Barré, Dr. Cohen of Berwick, Dr. H. B. Wilcox of Kingston, Dr. H. Whitney of Plymouth, Dr. H. J. Lenahan of Pittston, Dr. Jesse Hughes of Nanticoke, Dr. J. H. Bruner of Bloomsburg, and Dr. Walter Lathrop of Hazleton.

CANTEEN RELIEF COMMITTEE.—This committee to have charge of the preparation of food, and the preparation of the same for transportation to outside patients at their homes—this transportation to be provided by the Motor Transportation Committee.

The ladies of the Red Cross Canteen Service are to compose this Relief Committee, with Mrs. E. Birney Carr as Chairman.

ARMORY HOSPITAL COMMITTEE.—This committee, under the direction of the Emergency Hospital Committee, to have charge of the care and maintenance of sanitary conditions of the Armory, and to provide for the disposal of refuse.

Col. S. E. W. Eyer, _Chairman_; Capt. Robert R. Harvey, Lieut. Charles E. Trein, Lieut. Robert D. Raeder, Harry W. French, and Wayne Canfield.

The medical staff for the Armory Hospital to consist of: Drs. W. Clive Smith, D. S. Kistler, Parke Sickler, Charles Long, John T. Howell, Allan C. Brooks, E. J. Flanagan, J. B. Tobias, Maurice B. Ahlborn, Herbert B. Gibby and Walter B. Foss, and their duties being to act as aids to the Superintendent of the Emergency Hospital, and to accept assignments for service from time to time as the demands may require—the schedule of this service to be arranged by the Chairman of the Emergency Hospital Committee, with a minimum demand on the time of the Staff Physicians, and only as the exigencies required.

MOTOR TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE.—This committee to have charge of the motor transportation for the transfer of nurses from hospitals and patients to and from the homes of the sick. Under this committee a sub-committee of men to be organized to arrange for the transportation of food to homes.

Mrs. W. A. Lathrop, _Chairman_; Mrs. Lawrence B. Jones, Mrs. Robert A. Quin, Miss Caroline Marcy, Stephen Pettebone and Frank F. Matheson.

NURSES’ AID COMMITTEE.—This committee to have charge of the selection and recruiting of all trained nurses, Red Cross nurses and volunteer nurses for the Emergency Hospitals, and visiting nurses for homes.

Mrs. Charles H. Miner, _Chairman_; Mrs. J. Pryor Williamson, Mrs. Charles P. Elliott, Mrs. Paul Bedford, Mrs. Wm. H. Conyngham, Mrs. Charles P. Hunt, Mrs. E. Byron Strome, Mrs. E. B. Wagner, Miss C. L. Best, Miss Ethel Sturdevant, Miss Margaret Bevans, Miss Georgia Grossman, Miss Clara Treglawn, Miss Ruth Williams, Miss Corrigan, Miss Ruth Benscoter and Miss Isabelle Cairns.

DRUG STORE COMMITTEE.—This committee to organize the drug stores, and have them provide and keep in stock such medicines and medical goods as will be required for the Emergency Hospitals. Also, to secure and provide a stock of drugs and supplies for the Emergency Hospitals.

Louis Frank, _Chairman_; Edward H. White, Lieut. Charles E. Trein and Henry W. Merritt.

LUZERNE COUNTY COÖPERATION COMMITTEE.—This committee, representing the municipal governments and the Boards of Health in their respective districts, to coöperate with the General Committee by organizing in their towns a house to house census, and report all cases of influenza and sickness to the Chairman of the General Committee, and to aid and coöperate in every way to prevent the spread of the disease. This committee to be subject to the call of the General Committee for conference, as well as the other committees. Community Captains to report to Community Chairmen, the latter to report to District Chairmen, and they to report daily to the General Chairman of the Coöperation Committee. The latter to report daily to Dr. Miner, representing the State Department of Health.

Percy A. Brown, Wilkes-Barré, _General Chairman_; Hayden Williams, Wilkes-Barré, _General Secretary_; Dr. Joseph Dougherty and Frank McQuown, Ashley; William G. Rowett and Clifford Edwards, Courtdale; Louis Jacobs and William Mundy, Exeter; William Evans and William A. Wallace, Forty Fort; Dr. D. H. Lake and Rush Trescott, Kingston; John Doran and Edward Lawler, Larksville; George Knarr and R. J. Blair, Luzerne; Dr. F. E. Davis and William Oldfield, Nanticoke; O. O. Eisenhower and Harry Brown, Dorranceton; James Doran, Parsons; Dr. H. Templeton and George E. Gwilliam, Plymouth, and Dr. Milton Barton, Plains.

General Headquarters—Greater Wilkes-Barré Chamber of Commerce, Miners Bank Building, Wilkes-Barré.

LUZERNE COUNTY DISTRICT CHAIRMEN.—_District No. 1_, Henry W. Ruggles, Dorranceton; _District No. 2_, H. L. Freeman, Plymouth; _District No. 3_, G. D. Stroh, West Pittston; _District No. 4_, Joseph M. Stark, Hudson; _District No. 5_, Rev. F. Kasaczun, Sugar Notch; _District No. 6_, E. B. Wesley, Nanticoke; _District No. 7_, Harry A. Schmoll, Hazleton.

_District No. 1_, composed of the boroughs and hamlets of Courtdale, Dallas, Dorranceton, Exeter, Forty Fort, Kingston, Luzerne, Pringle, Shavertown, Swoyerville, Trucksville, West Pittston, Wyoming and West Wyoming, and the townships of Kingston, Franklin, Exeter and Dallas.

_District No. 2_, composed of the boroughs of Edwardsville, Larksville, Plymouth and Shickshinny, and the townships of Fairmount, Hunlock, Huntington, Jackson, Lake, Lehman, Plymouth, Ross, Salem and Union.

_District No. 3_, composed of the city and township of Pittston, and the boroughs of Avoca, Dupont, Duryea and Hughestown.

_District No. 4_, composed of the boroughs of Laflin, Miner’s Mills, Parsons and Yatesville, and the townships of Jenkins and Plains.

_District No. 5_, composed of the boroughs of Ashley, Laurel Run, Nuangola, Sugar Notch and Warrior Run, and the townships of Wilkes-Barré, Fairview, Bear Creek, Buck, Wright, Slocum and Denison.

_District No. 6_, composed of the borough of Nanticoke, the village of Macanaqua, the borough and township of Nescopeck, and the townships of Conyngham, Dorrance, Hollenback, Newport and Slocum.

_District No. 7_, composed of the city of Hazleton and all territory contiguous thereto.

The following rules, governing the “operation of community organizations and the duties of each organization unit,” were promulgated:

“1. COMMUNITY CHAIRMAN.—Shall act as Chairman of the Executive Committee and be responsible for the operation of each unit. Receive reports daily from all subordinates, and report daily to the Chairman of the District in which the community is situated.

“2. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.—To meet and work only under direction of the Community Chairman. This committee shall assist the Community Chairman in carrying out all rules and regulations.

“3. SECRETARY.—To have some one constantly on duty at the Emergency Station. Keep a record of all cases and any other information required. Prepare a daily report for Community Chairman, also receive all calls for nurses, canteen service, medical attention when physicians are overworked, and be in a position at all times to furnish accurate information. It is preferred that a school teacher be engaged to assist the Secretary.

“4. EMERGENCY STATION.—To be centrally and conveniently located. To be equipped with a telephone for use by the Secretary and other officials. To be open during business hours.

“5. COMMUNITY CAPTAINS.—Under the direction of the Community Chairman and Executive Committee a Captain shall be appointed for each community. In case of an unusually long street, the number of Captains for said street may be increased. Captains will make a daily tour of their streets, and report daily to the Community Chairman, through the Secretary at the Emergency Station, the number of new cases, deaths and discharged cases. Captains will also note sanitary conditions and conditions in general, and aid in eliminating any condition that may cause a spread of disease. Captains will also report any cases needing medical attention or a nurse.

“6. NURSING BUREAU.—To be located at the Emergency Station and be under the direction of Red Cross workers. Here a record should be kept of every woman who volunteers as a nurse or nurse’s assistant. From this Bureau should also be supplied gowns and masks to protect nurses when they go into the homes of the sick.

“7. CANTEEN SERVICE.—To distribute food for the sick in homes where food is needed. Care should be exercised to see that this service is not abused. The Canteen should be established preferably in a church kitchen, and here should be prepared soup or broth to be distributed in jars or pails to the doors of the homes from which calls have been received.

“8. AUTOMOBILE SERVICE.—Secure one car or truck daily for service at the Canteen, and other machines to carry nurses and physicians to homes of patients when necessary.

“9. PUBLICITY BUREAU.—To assume charge of distributing leaflets in different languages, disseminate general information, and assist through publicity in bringing about enforcement of all health regulations.

“MISCELLANEOUS GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

“Impress every member of the community organization with the seriousness of the situation, and make each one responsible toward having people obey all instructions.

“Remember that it is easier to prevent an epidemic than to stop one when conditions become dangerous.

“Don’t frighten people about the situation, but constantly prevail upon them to be careful in not exposing themselves to disease or spreading it.

“Permit no public gatherings or large groups on street corners, in stores, etc.

“Permit no public funerals, and have a police or health officer attend all funerals to enforce the law in this respect.

“Let ‘Safety First’ be the motto of all people.

“It is especially requested that all schools and churches be closed.”

In pursuance of the resolution adopted at the meeting held in the Chamber of Commerce on October 9, as aforementioned, Dr. Miner gave directions for the establishing of emergency hospitals at the following-named places—in addition to those already arranged for at Wanamie and in the Armory at Wilkes-Barré: Catawissa, Exeter, Hazleton, Dupont, Nanticoke and Plains.[2]

Footnote 2:

At this time the regular, or permanently established, hospitals located in the 5th District were as follows: Wilkes-Barré City, Mercy, Wyoming Valley Homœopathic and Riverside Hospitals in Wilkes-Barré; Nesbitt West Side Hospital, Dorranceton; Pittston Hospital, Pittston; Berwick Hospital, Berwick, Columbia County; State Hospital of the Middle Coal Field of Pennsylvania, Hazleton; State Hospital, Nanticoke; Bloomsburg Hospital, Bloomsburg, Columbia County.

On October 10 the first emergency hospital was opened, in the Central High School building at Wanamie, with Dr. William H. Corrigan physician in charge and Miss Emily G. Jones, Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse. The same day the emergency hospital at Catawissa was opened, with Dr. S. B. Arment physician in charge and Miss Hannah C. Breisch, Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse. On October 11 the third emergency hospital was opened, in the High School building at Exeter, with Dr. James Dixon physician in charge and Miss Jessie Cunningham and Mrs. Ernest W. Hogg, Graduate Nurses, as chief nurses.

Dr. Elmer L. Hinman, having been sent to Wilkes-Barré by Dr. Royal S. Copeland, Commissioner of the Health Department of the city of New York, reported to the County Medical Inspector for duty on October 12, and was assigned to the Wanamie Emergency Hospital to assist Dr. Corrigan.

At this time it was estimated that there were at least 1,000 influenza and pneumonia cases, reported and unreported, in Wilkes-Barré—new cases appearing at the rate of nearly 100 per day. The Wilkes-Barré City Hospital refused, because of lack of room and nurses, to receive any more cases. Nurses and doctors everywhere were overworked, and the situation at Glen Lyon (in Newport Township) and in Hazleton and its vicinity was appalling.

In the afternoon of October 12 a meeting of Chairmen of committees and Division Chairman was held with the County Medical Inspector at the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce, when it was decided that trucks should be secured for the purpose of delivering food daily to the homes of the sick, where such service was needed. Whereupon Percy A. Brown and Frank F. Matheson each offered trucks for this purpose. It was suggested that Mrs. P. J. Higgins of Wilkes-Barré should be placed in charge of the cooking at the Armory canteen—the necessary arrangements for this service, however, to be left in the hands of the Canteen Committee.

Dr. Mengel suggested that a telegram be sent to the proper authorities at Washington, urging them to leave here, during the progress of the epidemic, all Red Cross nurses now in this vicinity. General Dougherty reported that he had communicated with the Hon. A. Mitchell Palmer and other Government officials at Washington relative to having army surgeons sent here from Camp Crane, Allentown, Pennsylvania, and he had been assured that ten officers of the Medical Department would be sent.

Dr. S. M. Wolfe of Wilkes-Barré, who had recently returned from Massachusetts, where he had assisted in combating the epidemic, told of the various organized methods and plans pursued in dealing with the disease in that State.

Mr. William J. Ruff, Cashier of the Luzerne County National Bank, Wilkes-Barré, was then elected Treasurer of the General Committee.

At the close of this meeting General Dougherty telegraphed to Maj. Gen. Rupert Blue, Surgeon General, U.S.A., Dr. H. A. Garfield, U. S. Fuel Administrator, and Miss Carrie Noyes, Director of Field Nursing, American Red Cross, at Washington, D. C., as follows:

“The following Red Cross nurses have been called to leave for service on Tuesday, October 15: Miss Edith Evans, Miss Elsie Banker and Mrs. Lena Krum of Wilkes-Barré; Miss Hazel Smith of Tunkhannock, Pa., and Miss Bessie Evans of Kingston, Pa. The influenza situation in Wyoming Valley is of such a serious nature, and there is such a dearth of nurses, that, as Chairman of the General Committee of Wyoming Valley (whose efforts are being directed toward the stamping out of this pestilence, in order to conserve the lives of our citizens and thus maintain the production of anthracite coal, which is now seriously affected by the prevailing sickness), I appeal to you to direct these nurses to remain here to take up their duties in emergency hospitals now being established. I trust that this appeal will be fully appreciated by you. We are fearfully short of nurses as well as doctors. We can use a great many physicians and nurses.”

On October 13 the following-named medical officers from Camp Crane arrived at Wilkes-Barré, and were assigned to duty by Dr. Miner, as noted: Capt. E. L. Hendricks, U. S. Marine Corps, and Lieut. C. F. Bahler, to Glen Lyon; Lieut. Joseph Goldstone, U. S. Marine Corps, to Bloomsburg; Lieut. G. T. Meek to Exeter, and Lieut. J. a.m. Aspy to Hazleton.

At a meeting of the General Committee held in the auditorium of the Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday, October 15, General Dougherty presented a report relative to conditions at Shamokin and Minersville (in the 3d District), where there were 4,000 cases of the “flu”. Col. Eyer reported on the work being done at the Armory to fit it for hospital purposes, and Dr. Miner stated that the Armory Emergency Hospital would be ready for the reception of patients at noon on the following day.

The Rev. John J. McCabe, of St. Joseph’s R. C. Church, Georgetown, told of conditions in Wilkes-Barré Township, where, he said, there were 80 cases of the disease. Dr. Hughes stated that there were about 585 cases in Newport Township and vicinity, and Richard Sheridan reported that there were possibly over 200 cases in Nanticoke.

On motion of the Rev. Mr. McCabe the Chairman named Dr. C. H. Miner, the Rev. J. F. Jedlicka and Dr. E. L. Meyers as a committee to confer with the Controller and Commissioners of Luzerne County, and the Directors of the Central Poor District, for the purpose of securing financial aid in fighting the epidemic. Controller Hendershot, who was present, stated that he would do everything in his power to co-operate with the General Committee in its work. James L. Reilly, Secretary of the Central District Poor Board, who was present, stated that he felt sure the Poor Board would co-operate with the Committee.

Frederick E. Zerbey, Superintendent of the Kingston Coal Company, offered the use of the ambulances of that company to convey patients from the west side of the river.

General Dougherty stated that the State would pay for doctors, nurses, tents, cots, blankets, sheets, etc., employed and used in combating the epidemic, but that all other service would have to be paid for with funds derived from other sources.

On October 16 the Hazleton Emergency Hospital was opened in the building of St. Gabriel’s High School, Hazleton, with Lieut. J. a.m. Aspy physician in charge and Miss Ruth B. Rae, Graduate Nurse, from the Department of Health, as chief nurse. (Later, Miss Rae was stricken with the “flu” and was succeeded as chief nurse by the Mother Superior of St. Gabriel’s, who was a professional nurse. On October 25 Lieutenant Aspy returned to Camp Crane, and was succeeded by Dr. J. W. Leckie as physician in charge at Hazleton.)

On October 12 the Armory Emergency Hospital at Wilkes-Barré was ready with four wards for the reception of patients. Lack of nurses, however, delayed the opening of the hospital until Wednesday, October 16, when, with Capt. E. L. Hendricks, U.S.M.C., as physician in charge, and Mrs. J. Pryor Williamson of Wilkes-Barré, Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse, the doors were opened at one o’clock p.m. for the reception of patients. During the afternoon six female and five male patients from Wilkes-Barré, Nanticoke, Parsons and Miner’s Mills were received, and on the following day eleven males and seven females were received from Wilkes-Barré, Edwardsville, Plymouth, Miner’s Mills, Maltby, Nanticoke and Forty Fort.

The sixth Emergency Hospital in the 5th District was opened on October 17 in the Pulaski School building at Dupont, Luzerne County, with Dr. W. S. Helman of Avoca as visiting physician and Miss Herman, Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse. (Dr. Helman was succeeded on November 9 by Dr. James S. Dixon, and Miss Herman was succeeded on November 19 by Miss Bessie Fadden.)

The seventh Emergency Hospital was opened on October 17 in the Washington School building at Nanticoke, Luzerne County, with Dr. Elmer L. Hinman in charge and Miss Olwen Williams, Graduate Nurse, as chief nurse. (Dr. Hinman returned to New York City on October 26, and was succeeded by Lieut. C. E. Yates.)

On October 17 two medical students, Messrs. J. A. Post and W. R. Stewart, of the University of Buffalo, reported to the County Medical Inspector at Wilkes-Barré to help out with the work of the 5th District. Mr. Stewart was assigned to assist Dr. Corrigan at the Wanamie Hospital, and Mr. Post was assigned to the Exeter, and subsequently to the Plains, Emergency Hospital.

The same day the following-named Army Surgeons arrived at Wilkes-Barré and were assigned to the Hazleton District: Captains Davenport and Danfort to work at Jeddo; Captain Brown at Cranberry; Captain Wroth at Lattimer and Major Wyer in Hazleton. On October 19, however, all these Surgeons were ordered to return to Camp Crane, Allentown.

On October 18 a largely-attended meeting of the General Committee was held, with General Dougherty, Chairman, presiding. The latter outlined the objects and purposes in view with respect to the emergency hospitals which had been established, stating that only patients who could not receive proper attention at their homes should be sent to the hospitals. He also set forth the fact that there was a very great shortage of doctors and nurses in this District, and called upon Miss Nellie G. Loftus, the State nurse in charge of the nurses in this section, to make a statement as to conditions here. This she did, setting forth that there were thirty graduate nurses in the 5th District, five or six of whom were not in active service on account of illness. There were also eleven practical nurses in the District, but at least fifty more graduate nurses could, and should, be placed in service immediately.

Mr. W. C. Shepherd then made the following motion, which was adopted:

“It is the sense of this meeting that all patriotic citizens will, in every case where possible so to do, release nurses from their private employ for the general good of the community. It is their patriotic duty to do this during the present grave emergency.”

Mr. Percy A. Brown, Chairman of the Coöperation Committee, stated that the territory in Luzerne County had been divided into forty sub-districts, and that he had arranged to have an organization in each sub-district. Thirty-two of the forty organizations had already reported to him. He suggested that leaflets, containing brief and simple rules for avoiding influenza and for the care of the sick, be printed in several foreign languages, and widely distributed.[3]

Footnote 3: