It took a month and a half for Warren County to “re-open” as a result of the 1918 Spanish Influenza pandemic.

Closures started in early October and it wasn’t until mid-November when this item appeared in the Warren Evening Times on November 18: “On Monday, the influenza ban will be lifted and the workrooms in the Conewango Club will be open as usual.”

But that didn’t mean the case counts didn’t continue to increase.

“Eighteen cases of influenza were reported to the Board of Health Tuesday,” according to the November 28 edition, “against eight on the previous day. This brought the total up to 864 cases.”

The county’s population was about 40,000 — similar to now — so about two percent of the population contracted the disease.

Each day’s paper was sprinkled with reports of individuals who contracted the disease.

Oct. 20: “IN SERIOUS CONDITION – Alfred Hamilton, cook at the State Hospital, is at his home suffering from a severe attack of pneumonia, which was preceded by an attack of Spanish Influenza.”

Oct. 22: “Mrs. Blanche Nelson Schuler who has been critically ill with influenza is reported somewhat improved.”

Nov. 16: “MESSNER MUCH IMPROVED – W.P. Messner arrived home this morning from Camp Lee, where he went to visit his son John, who recently suffered a relapse after recovering from an attack of the influenza…. Mr. Messner stated Protect Yourself Against The Flu!”

Nov. 30: “The many friends of Mrs. William C. Duff who has been very ill of influenza will be pleased to know she is very much improved today.”

The total number of fatalities in the county is unclear but there were many.

Oct. 29: “PLAGUE CLAIMS MORE VICTIMS IN SHEFFIELD – Daughter of Mrs. Charles Newman succumbs to influenza; Mrs. John Djevesoek dies from pneumonia attack.”

Nov. 30: “The death of Mr. F.A. Van Horn, of Sugar Grove, in the Hospital at Jamestown, NY, early this morning is the second in the same family, his infant child having passed away Thanksgiving Day. His wife is also ill in the same hospital with the same disease – influenza, but there are hopes for her recovery. The age of Mr. Van Horn is about forty years, and he was well known as a good citizen and highly esteemed by all who knew him.”

Nov. 30: “The death of Mrs. Ellen Wright Fox occurred at the family home, 122 Russell St., November 26th, indirect cause being effects of influenza.”

On October 29, the headline was “BOARDS GIVE WARNING OF INFLUENZA DANGER.”

“To be prepared for the serious outbreaks of influenza and pneumonia that are now sweeping over the entire country and that have seized on this community. Public Health Boards everywhere are issuing cautions and instructions to the public not to neglect treatment (for) first symptoms of a cold….”

And there were certainly entities looking to promote products for that treatment.

From Nov. 16: “Don’t trifle with a cold. It’s dangerous. You can’t afford to risk Influenza. Keep always at hand a box of Standard cold remedy.” The product “breaks up a cold and relieves grip (the flu) in three days.”

The Public Health Service also “recommends that the nose be kept greased as a preventative measure against the Influenza germs. For this purpose VapoRub is excellent.”

As such, from the Oct. 29, 1918 edition: “It is directed to the attention of all distributors of Vick’s VapoRub, both wholesale emergency and retail. Such as in the present epidemic – our duty – and your duty – is to distribute VapoRub in the quickest possible manner to those sections stricken (with) influenza.

“Most of us, in these busy days, cannot afford, if it can be avoided to (be sick) a week or more… so it is all the more necessary that at the very first sign of grip or influenza a counter-acting treatment should be taken.”

By mid-November, the disease was on the decline.

“There were only three new cases of influenza reported at the Local Board of Health today, presenting a most favorable condition for the lifting of the ban Sunday and Monday,” according to the Nov. 16, 1918, Warren Evening Times. “Citizens are warned, however, not to relax in their precaution, so that the borough will not be compelled to undergo the same experiences that the people of the borough have resulted in other places.”

This is the final story on the Spanish Flu of 1918 in Warren County and beyond.