Sunday, January 31, 2016

Western North Carolina During the Flu Pandemic and World War I, 1919

“Local Affairs” from the Watauga Democrat in Boone, N.C., January 2, 1919.

Mrs. H.S. Jones of Zionville, R.F.D., who lost a son with flu just before Christmas, writes that the other afflicted ones in the family are improving.

Mrs. Linney Barnes, residing on the rich mountain near the village, died of flu last Saturday, leaving a husband and four small children. The remains were interred in the Hines grave yard Sunday afternoon.
The flu has struck the family of Mr. B.A. Foster of Sands R.F.D. extremely hard. Almost the entire family was stricken with the disease, the mother dying and leaving an infant only 24 hours old, and the following day the youngest boy joined his mother in the spirit world. The infant is being cared for by Mrs. Wilba Brown, and the balance of the disease-stricken family are improving.

If you have not joined the Red Cross, do it Now.
 
A happy and prosperous New Year for each and every one of our readers.

Atty. Dick Fletcher of Lenoir spent the holidays with his family in Boone.

Miss Josaphine Lovill, a student at Davenport College, is spending the Christmas vacation at her home in Boone.

Mrs. Wm. Blair, Blowing Rock, has been a visitor at the home of his daughter, Mrs. T.B. Moore in Boone, since the holidays began.

Mr. G.L. Story of Blowing Rock submits the following and asks for its publication: “All the Christian nations of the world at war. All the heathen nations at peace. Stop and think.”

Mrs. J.C. Shull of Shulls Mills, came in on the first passenger train to Boone yesterday morning, she promising herself that privilege for some time past. It matters not how the splendid lady comes, she is always a welcome visitor in Boone.

The Christmas just passed was, perhaps, the most quiet of any in the history of the village—not even so much as a social being given for the younger set, health conditions and good judgment of the people forbidding it.

Prof. W.L. Winkler has purchased the Boone Planing Mills and it is his intention to operate the machinery at the present site until spring, at least, and if it proves a paying investment at that location, he may continue there indefinitely.

On account of the flu, the Christmas Red Cross Roll Call has, so far, been rather disappointing in Watauga, but fortunately, we have a short extension of time, and those who wish to join can yet have that privilege. “A heart and a dollar is all that is necessary to make you a member.”

Mr. J.F. Bobbins (Robbins?), carrier on the Shulls Mills R.F.D., was a pleasant caller at our office yesterday, and we were glad to hear him say that the flu conditions in that section are much improved, there being but very few cases on his entire route.

There is quite a little bit due us on old accounts, and those who owe it would certainly confer a great favor by settling it at once, as we need the money to make some much-needed improvements on the paper. Please heed this, remembering that an “honest man is the noblest work of God.”

Mr. Ben Culler, with his soldier-son Emory, just returned from the military camps, was in town last Friday en route to visiting his sister, Mrs. Will Pennell, who lives two miles out on Route 1, whom he has not seen for 14 years, although they had lived all this time within 12 miles of each other.

Mr. William Story of Route 1, who, for the past 12 years has resided in Montana with his wife and nine children, arrived at the home of his mother-in-law, Mrs. George Vandyke, last Sunday. As we are told, he succeeded well in the west and will again buy property in the county of his nativity.

Regular passenger service was put on the railroad between here and Shulls Mills yesterday morning. We are to have two mixed trains daily, Nos. 7 and 8; No 7 to arrive at 10 and leave at 11 a.m.; No. 8 to arrive in Boone at 2 and leave at 3 p.m. The published schedule for the entire line from Boone to Johnson City, Tenn., will appear in these columns nest week.

Prof. I.G. Greer received the following from Mr. W.W.  Stringfellow, now of Anniston, Ala., which again exemplified the genuine big-heartness of that excellent gentleman: “I enclose check for $25 which please ask the good women of Boone to invest in needed clothes for the inmates of our County Home. I wish you all a very happy Christmas and many Good roads.”

Mrs. R.B. Estes of Alberta, Canada, is with friends and relatives in Watauga for a few weeks visit. The lady arrived in Lenoir more than two weeks ago, and there developed a case of the flu, which detained her for several days, but she is now entirely recovered. Mrs. Estes was formerly Miss Fannie Winkler, born and reared near Boone, and has many friends here who are indeed delighted to see her back, and hope that her stay may be filled with pleasure to the fullest.

Mr. Tracy Councill of the Students’ Army Training Corps at the University of North Carolina arrived in time to spend the holidays with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. B.J. Councill in Boone. Tracy looks fine in his uniform, and says he enjoyed the military phase of college life very much as well as his studies he carried. He has not yet fully decided  just what he will do in the future, but it is more than likely that he will finish his collegiate education in that institution.

Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Livesay, after spending the holidays with relatives in South Carolina, have returned, and on Monday morning Mr. Livesay, who is a past-master in the operation of a steam shovel, again put in motion the clumsy old machine he deserted for a short rest from his labors. The shovel and crew are still at work in the big cut one mile west of Boone, but will soon be through there. The other crew on Brushy Fork is coming in this direction as rapidly as possible.

Messrs. Marion Thomas of Mabel and Don J. Horton of Vilas arrived from Camp Hancock, Ga., last week. Marion was a business caller at our shop Monday, and referred to himself and comrades as “the German killers from Georgia.” He said their stay in the military camps was in a way very pleasant and his opinion of the Red Cross and its efforts looking to the comfort and care of the soldiery is most exalted, and has held himself in readiness to contribute of his means for the worthy cause whenever called upon.

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