Flu Situation in Hickory Is Worse, Not Better, says Mrs. Elliott, Oct. 19, 1918

“A Statement Concerning the Influenza Situation” from Mrs. J. Worth Elliott, published in the Hickory Daily Record, Oct. 19, 1918

In view of an apparent misunderstanding of the influenza conditions in this community, the effect of which may deprive sufferers of help which is so greatly needed, and because I am in a position to speak from personal knowledge, I feel justified in making this public statement. The situation is much more than our people appear to believe, and demands more serious attention than it has received. Last Monday I began a personal investigation, with the aid of Health Officer Lentz, particularly in West Hickory, and found houses where the entire family was in bed and possible a small child or the husband who could not cook or prepare necessary food for the others.

Working under no association but only moved by the desire to relieve distress, Judge and Mrs. Cline, Officer Lentz and I have since last Monday devoted our entire time to obtaining food and delivering it to the most needy. In our work, Mrs. Hutchinson of West Hickory has been our constant and invaluable aid; she goes into each home with words of cheer and brings out dishes and carries in food. She has a heart of gold which suffers with and serves her people. The graded school teachers have aided us mightily in the cooking department of the high school building. Without them much that has been done could not have been accomplished.

But we should not shut our eyes to the fact that the disease is increasing—not abating. Nothing but harm can come of our saying conditions are better when they are not. Only yesterday we found families of from two to 10 persons in bed or helpless. We have seen the father and mother sick in bed, with a little child in with them or on the floor, without a soul to even hand them a cup of water. We have stood in the yard helpless while the spirit of a child took its flight. We have called at the stricken home where a little body lay unattended. Women get up prematurely and try to wash or cook and they die.

I say these things plainly because our people would make haste to aid the stricken ones if they knew, but only those who go and see can really know. Many have sent contributions of money and food-stuffs and the amount is increasing daily. But these sick people need help in their homes and this I cannot provide, much to my sorrow. If only there were volunteers to go and lend a hand much suffering would be relieved and perhaps lives saved. I do not assume to speak for either the Red Cross or the Community C. Working not under either organization, we assumed this work by no authority, save that of human sympathy. I ask no help for myself or my co-workers. I do ask for these stricken people.