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Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Greensboro Post Office Hit Hard By Flu Epidemic, Feb. 12, 1920

From The Review, High Point, N.C., Feb. 12, 1920

Post Office Hit Hard by the Flu Epidemic. . . 12 Employes Out and No Substitutes Available

The influenza epidemic raging in Greensboro is no respecter of persons or business. It has fastened itself upon the mighty as well as upon the citizen of low degree. It has crippled small businesses and the United States government is not immune. The post office, in fact, is about as hard hit as any business in Greensboro. Postmaster Cooke has 12 clerks and carriers out, or about 25 per cent of his force. He has no substitutes available and the business and the government, at least part of it, must go by default. Mr. Cooke has succeeded thus far in maintaining once a day delivery of first class mail in the city, but the rural routes have suffered while it has not been possible to deliver parcel post.

On Route No. 2, the route going out by the John Young place, there has been no delivery service for two days. Rural Carrier Will Wharton, who is on that route, is ill and no substitute has been found. But the Daily News, which is also crippled by the influenza epidemic, went to the aid of the post office and the people of that section and endeavored to give service. One of its employees, Harry Wharton, took a Daily News truck and carried the route. Postmaster Cooke has called for help, but help is hard to find.

The post office is not by any means the only place of business affected by the influenza. It is probable that there is not a business in Greensboro but what has suffered or is now suffering. The railroad is hard hit. It is understood that there are not enough men crews to handle freights and the freight service is uncertain and far behind. It is said that in Greensboro alone there are between 100 and 125 railroad employes not at work. All, however, are not sick. But those who are not ill and not at work are required at home to look after other members of their family who are ill.


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