Wednesday, October 24, 2018

News From Across the State, Most Related to Epidemic and War, 1918

“Relating to Many Cities and Towns,” from The Review, High Point, N.C., Oct. 24, 1918. You may have noticed requests for alcohol seized to use in the treatment of the flu. Many doctor’s formulas, home remedies and patent medicine contained large amounts of alcohol. I remember being dosed with hot whiskey, honey and lemon for a cough as a little girl. Some patent medicines also included cocaine and morphine, so folks thought of alcohol as a possible treatment for the flu.

The United States Fuel Administration has authorized the mine operators of Bluefield, W. Va., to ship 100 carloads of coal to eastern North Carolina to relieve the fuel shortage incident to the operation of industrial enterprises. Representative John H. Small obtained the promise of the Fuel Administration to divert 10 cars of coal to Elizabeth City for the use of the Crystal Ice and Coal Company.
The Elizabeth City industry had been forced to suspend operations owing to the lack of fuel. The Crystal Ice and Coal Company not only supplied ice for the citizens of the home town, but the fish industry of the coast drew upon the plant for ice. The suspension of the ice manufacturing plant worked a hardship on fish dealers who had their products rejected at Elizabeth City when destined for distant points. The Fuel Administrator for North Carolina had been unable to supply the needs of Elizabeth City.

WILMINGTON—The Department of Justice has assigned Spencer T. Thorne of Rocky Mount to Wilmington as special agent of the department. He succeeds Dorsey Phillips, who has been transferred to the State of Florida. Mr. Thorne was recently given a job with the Department of Justice.

DURHAM—“City and county swept by influenza,” was the appeal telegraphed the office of Representative Charles M. Stedman by Thomas B. Fuller of Durham, chairman of the county board of health. The burden of the telegram was a solicitous appeal for 20 gallons of whiskey as an antidote to check the plague. The office of Representative Stedman got in communication with the public health service, resulting in the request being referred to Dr. C.W. Stiles of the North Carolina Board of Health.

ROCKY MOUNT, NEWTON, CAROLEEN and KANNAPOLIS requested the North Carolina Senators to send whiskey, doctors and nurses. A message to Senator Simmons from Rocky Mount indicated that of its 15,000 inhabitants, all told, about 3,000 are stricken with the pestilence.

CHARLOTTE—Miss Marie Thomas, who in connection with her work as clerk in the local United States labor and employment service bureau, is conducting a volunteer woman’s employment bureau, stated that she had recently received calls for girls or women for work as elevator operators. It is not necessary that applicants have previous experience. While this work is not listed under the head of “war work” still all elevators operated by women gives the chance to more able-bodied men to seek essential employment.

BOONE—The new Linville River Railroad, from Johnson City, Tenn., has reached the corporate limits of Boone and in a very few days will be finished to the depot site. Thus after some 40 years of trial and failure, Boone is at last connected with the outside world by rail, not, however, with our own State direct as many wished but with the good sister State of Tennessee. The county of Watauga is in direct connection with both Tennessee and Virginia now.

DURHAM—With 10 deaths from influenza reported Sunday and with several others at the point of death, with the number of cases increasing rapidly and steadily, and with no signs in sight of the epidemic abating, health officials and physicians are alarmed over the situation. Whole families are afflicted, and officials are strained in their endeavors to get aid for these families. In all sections of the city the epidemic continues to rage furiously.

WASHINGTON, N.C.—A 175-gallon still, with complete equipment and about 600 gallons of molasses beer were brought in by Sheriff Harris and Deputy Proctor. The still was found near the Little-John Congleton place. When they drew near, they observed two men operating it. The officers made a rush for the still but the men sprang up and fled. A chase followed, which lasted over a quarter of a mile. Finally the officers were forced to abandon the pursuit as the men had given them the slip.

CHARLOTTE—The Highland Park Mills of Charlotte have subscribed for $100,000 of the fourth Liberty bond issue, and the Anchor Mill of Huntersville, controlled by this company have taken $50,000 in bonds. In all other war work campaigns the Highland Park mills have been liberal supporters while a large number of men in Charlotte and Huntersville are now in the service.

LUMBERTON—Acting upon the advice of the county health officer, the town authorities lifted the influenza quarantine against Charlotte, Wilmington, Fayetteville and all points in Bladen and Cumberland counties. All other regulations—closing of schools, prohibiting of public gatherings and congregating on streets—remain in force. The officials have been unable to enforce the quarantine law and as a result there are some doubts as to its being of any value.

CAMP GREENE—In the report issued by the war department showing the situation in the army relative to influenza and pneumonia cases, the condition at Camp Greene is given as follows: Influenza—new cases, 129; total cases reported since September 13th, 3,153; pneumonia—new cases, 83; cases reported since September 13th, 308; deaths reported this date, 16; deaths since September 13th, 93.

HAMLET lost three of its most prominent citizens in one day from influenza. E.E. Lackey and O.E. Lackey, brothers, died about the same hour. E.C. Griffin, a prominent merchant, died about the same time. F.A. Lackey, a brother of E.A. and O.E. Lackey also died since.

FAYETTEVILLE—In order that prices in cafes, hotels and other eating places may be fully regulated and to prevent excessive charges in the city or county, John A. Oates, food administrator for Cumberland county, has appointed Hunter G. Smith, C.V. Sharpe and W.H. Russell a committee with full authority to investigate hotels and cafes. The committee will institute investigation at once. In appointing the investigators Mr. Oates acted under the advice of the state food administration.

RALEIGH---The rental agencies of Raleigh were exonerated by the executive committee of the chamber of commerce of any form of profiteering and at the same time they further obligated themselves to live up to the agreement between the government and the chamber which guarantees against exorbitant and unjustifiable prices. Each real estate firm filed a letter with the chamber of commerce agreeing to refuse in the future to raise rents at the request of landlords when such increases are not justifiable and to refuse to eject renters unless the sale of property carries such conditions.

GREENSBORO—Food conservation has been emphasized in the mill communities of the Cones this season as never before. At the commencement of the spring season the management urged every family to produce as much foodstuff as possible, in order not only to supply the home needs but to help feed our allies, and this has been done. In addition to giving substantial encouragement to gardening work, the management of the Proximity, White Oak and Revolution mills have installed large canneries in each mill community and experts in the work have been employed throughout the season to direct the canning.

CHARLOTTE—An ordinance making it illegal to operate an automobile on Sunday, while the request of Fuel Administrator Garfield is effective, was enacted by the Charlotte city commissioners. The penalty is fixed at $50. Certain exceptions are made in favor of those engaged in the medical profession, undertakers, dairymen and those engaged upon errands of mercy or emergency.  Permanent permits to operate automobiles on Sunday, during the continuation of the gasoline-saving order’s force, will be issued upon the proper showing of reasons before Chief of Police Neal Elliott. Temporary permits also will be issued under certain circumstances.

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