Bessie Roper, Volunteer Nurse at UNC-Chapel Hill Infirmary, Dies of Flu, 1918

“Miss Roper Dies,” from The Tar Heel, Chapel Hill, Nov. 6, 1918

As a result of pneumonia following Influenza contracted while volunteering her services to the University Infirmary, Miss Bessie Roper, age 29, formerly of Morganton but for the past six years of Asheville, died here Tuesday night at 12 o’clock, October 23. The young lady had been special nurse to Mrs. Anne McDade, an aunt of Captain Isaac E. Emerson of Baltimore.

When the epidemic began its ravages to the University, she felt it her duty to go where she was most needed. She made a sacrifice like that of the soldier who dies for his country. Three of her patients at the Infirmary, whose recovery was at one time in doubt, are now on the convalescent list.

Besides her widowed mother, Mrs. Cora Roper of Ashville, among other immediate relatives, the young lady is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Ed Clodfelter and Mrs. Benjamin of Asheville, and Mrs. E. Sid Berry of Morganton, and two brothers, James Roper, in service in France, and Otis Roper of Asheville.

News About Medical Folk at Camp Greene, Charlotte, from The Caduceus, 1918

From The Caduceus, Camp Greene edition, Nov. 2, 1918

Friends of Captain Grover C. Wilkes have received notification of his safe arrival over seas. He is attached to the 122^nd Infantry as a medical officer. Captain Wilkes was one of the pioneers at the U.S. Army Base Hospital, Camp Greene, having arrived here in August, 1917 and remained a part of the hospital until the last of June 1918. His work was in the isolation wards and in B-8.

Captain Harry N. Long joined the temp. duty October 23, from Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. Assigned to the Surgical Service.

1^st Lt. Leonard Dursthoff joined October 23 for temp. duty on the surgical service, having completed a course of instruction at Rockefeller Institute, N.Y.

Lt. Wallace, Hamilton, Ohio, was transferred October 24^th to U.S. Army Base Hospital No 92, which was stationed at Camp Greene, N.C., and left a few days ago for “over there.”

Captain Ellen left on a five days leave October 26^th, at Rocky Mount, N.C.

1^st Lt. Beckwith left Campe Green October 26^th en route to Walter Reed Hospital for treatment.

2^nd Lt. Ringstom, Hugo joined October 27^th for duty from Yale Army Laboratory School, New Haven, Conn., and was assigned to the laboratory service.

1^st Lt. Thomas T. McGurl joined for duty October 27^th from Camp Greenleaf, Ga., and was assigned to the medical service.

1^st Lt. Samuel Gayman joined October 28^th from Camp Greenleaf, Ga., and has been assigned to the surgical service.

Faithful service and efficiency now brings it’s own reward, is an old axiom that was upheld by the recent promotion of sergeant 1^st class Richard H. Dickinson to the rank of first lieutenant in the sanitary corps. For the past year he has been mess sergeant at the patient’s mess at the Base Hospital Camp Green, and for that period he has toiled in a seemingly tireless fashion, day after day for the welfare of the sick boys. All through the long winter of 1917-18 he was to be seen in the kitchen and mess hall from early morning to late at night, supervising the preparation of the food and looking after the sanitary conditions of the building. “Dick” as he was affectionately called by the boys who knew him, was always at hand with a smile and a cheery word for the men who stood with him in the fight to give the patients the best “grub” that the mess allowance afforded. Now, they in turn are the first to come forward with congratulations and wishes for the best success for him in the future.

If You Listen to Gossip and Spread Lies, Your Poison Tongue Is Helping the Enemy, Nov. 2, 1918

“Poison Tongues” from The Caduceus, Camp Greene edition, Nov. 2, 1918

Out-Pouring of Lies is Old Stunt in New Guise

Washington, Nov. 1—Should someone in camp or outside call you aside and tell you that Capt. So and So, a medical officer, and Miss So and So, an Army Nurse, were shot at sunrise yesterday or the day before, after having been found guilty of infecting soldiers under their care with influenza or pneumonia germs, take hold of him by the collar and gently, but yet with firmness, impress upon him that either unwittingly or designedly, he is furthering the cause of Hun propaganda, which is trying to destroy not only the Army’s but the civil population’s confidence as well as the Army Medical Department.

This is the implied advice in a recent official statement issued by acting Surgeon General Richard to nip a fast growing crop of rumors, which had sprung up in and around camps to the effect that influenza was being spread by German spies, parading as medical officers. The statement follows:

‘There have been no more insidiously false reports come to my attention that those recently widely spread to the effect that nurses or medical officers have been executed at the ‘stage hour’ of sunrise, for spreading influenza or pneumonia germs among soldiers.

“There have been no medical officers, nurses, or anyone else executed at any camp in the United States or abroad for any such cause.

“The reports are ridiculous and without the slightest foundation on fact. They have taken many forms, but through them all has run such a significant likeness of texture that it is not unlikely that they all originated from the same source, the German propagandist. Unfortunately, as is so frequently the case, those behind the baseless reports have been and are being aided in the nefarious dissemination of them by many thoughtless persons who have not taken the time to investigate before passing the reports on.”

The influenza germ only recently has been isolated and according to published accounts, still is dodging the eyes of scientists even when investigated under the most powerful microscopes.

It is hardly possible that the Germans learned all about the influenza germ, especially its control, while the rest of the world was at its mercy, and through underground channels communicated this information to spies in order to cause death and suffering.

In support of this it is only necessary to take into account that the armies of the central powers have and in probability still are losing hundreds of men through this disease in epidemic form. The first task of any general staff is to maintain highest efficiency and man-power among its own forces. This the German general staff surely would have done by stopping the spread of influenza at home, had it possessed the means or the knowledge.

The out-pouring of lies regarding medical officers and nurses infecting soldiers is merely the old stunt in a new guise, of trying to break down the morale of the forces in training and the home folks by magnifying the powers and agencies at the command of the enemy.

Of course, as inevitably once started the influenza-shot-at-sunrise rumor was picked up and relayed by hundreds, both soldiers and civilians. Within walking distance of Army Medical Department headquarters here, an infantry regiment is encamped. Almost to a man, that group believed that three officers and six nurses had been shot at Camp Meade, Md. No one knew just how the report started, except perhaps that one of the men, formerly with the regiment and now at Camp Meade who still visited his former pals each Sunday, might have told about it.

A visit to a different part of this city was rewarded by the “news” that traitorous medical officers were forced to dig their own graves at Camp Humphreys, Va., and then were shot inevitable while facing in such a way that they would tumble into them.

Follows a piece from the Baraboo Wis. Daily News along the same general line: “Over at Camp Grant they are just dying by the hundreds. Three of our undertakers and one from Beloit worked with the Rockford undertakers all one night last week getting bodies ready to be sent away. Mr. Wilback said the bodies were piled 16 deep waiting to be cared for. They found one old villain guilty over there this week—a doctor. Every soldier in his camp died. They became suspicious of him, examined his medicine and found poison in it, so they took him out, made him dig his own grave, and shot him right down. Even that was too good, though.”

Quite a while ago the Hun propagandist tried to put across another dose of demoralizing poison. That time the story was that hundreds of American soldiers were being returned to this country with their tongues out. The yarn spread with remarkable rapidity. Mr. Smith knew a woman who knew someone else whose cousin’s son was at a general hospital tongue-less, where his mother had seen him.

Again the Surgeon General’s Office was compelled to make a direct denial. Investigation had revealed not a single case of mutilation of American prisoners, wounded or otherwise. There was no chance for error because the records from every military hospital here and overseas pass through that office.

It was pointed out at the time that it is not America’s policy to make war by stirring up blind hatred for the foe—and that if it was the enemy’s desire to weaken home morale by spreading tales of frightfulness, that plan was doomed to failure.

33 North Carolina Boys Killed, 30 Severely Wounded, 7 Prisoners or Missing in This Week's List, 1918

“North Carolina Casualties,” from the Polk County News, Nov. 1, 1918

Casualties among North Carolina troops over seas as shown by late reports from the front are as follows:

Killed in Action

Corp. H.W. Ward, Ashe

Corp. M.W. Cockerham, Crumpler

Corp., W.A. Dry, Richfield

Corp. Chas. Wood, Durham

Private Arthur Hamilton, Laurinburg

Pvt. Fred Mathis, Needmoore

Pvt. Steve Youngdeer, Cherokee

Pvt. J.C. Harmon, Sugar Grove

Pvt. J.R. Deese, Wadesboro

Pvt. Geo Stewart, Mocksville

Pvt. C.F. Lane, Winston-Salem

Pvt. Ezra A. Mayo, Selma

Pvt. E.H. Rierson, King

Pvt. H.A. Williams, Roxboro

Pvt. J.T. Cox, Winterville

Died of Wounds

Private R.P. Conley, Andrews

Pvt. F.N. Cox, Grassy Creek

Pvt. I.C. Phillips, Bear Creek

Pvt. Frank Joyner, Fremont

Pvt. R.L. Mallory, Mocksville

Pvt. C.L. Drewett, Seabrand

Pvt. E.L. Walton, Beulahville

Pvt. W.B. Melton, Caroleen

Died of Disease

Private Ananias Robertson, Williamston

Pvt. Depp Rowe, Croatan

Pvt. J.W. Shephard, Leatherman

Pvt. Abe L. Buett, Warne

Pvt. G.W. Simmons, Zebulon

Pvt. F.H. Cook, Waxhaw

Pvt. Perry Harris, Moon

Pvt. S.L. Montz, Lexington

Pvt. G.W. Stevenson, Weeksville

Pvt. J.H. Walker, Maxton

Severely Wounded

Sergt. Larry Clay, Black Creek

Sergt. F.M. Patterson, Concord

Sergt. W.H. Springs, Concord

Corporal Sam Maddox, Graniteville

Corp. J.W. Franklin, Croesmon

Corp. D.H. Benson, Smithfield

Corp. Nick Bradley, Cherokee

Private Robert Bivens, Marvin

Pvt. C.D. Fentress, Maribel

Pvt. D. Stanley, Crutchfield

Pvt. C.F. Ritchie, New London

Pvt. M.A. Jackson, Dunn

Pvt. Jno. R. Massey, Selma

Pvt. Quinter Warrick, Sioux

Pvt. R.F. Furr, Stanfield

Pvt. W.H. Peake, Green Mountain

Pvt. J.P. Gunter, New Hill

Pvt. F.G. Hill, Belhaven

Pvt. Sidney Carrolly, Goldsboro

Pvt. T.C. Mathews, Turkey

Pvt. C.A. Williams, Eagle Springs

Pvt. J.M. Nicholson, Salisbury

Corporal D.R. Roark, Ashland

Corp. J.N. Neal, Louisburg

Sergt. W.R. Minish, Lenoir

Corp. J.S. Faircloth, Fayetteville

Pvt. P.J. Parrish, Durham

Pvt. E.C. Yates, Raleigh

Prisoners or Missing

Nathan Dunnican, Wilson

F. Tellington, Goldsboro

P.R. Frain, Spray

Evander Hickman, Lumberton

Trumpeter W.E. Batting, Wilson

Wm. Roonce, Hickory

B.M. High, Simms

Polk Country Boy Writes of Life in the Trenches, 1918

From the Polk County News, Tryon, N.C., Nov. 1, 1918

American Expeditionary Forces

Sept. 13, 1918

Dear Mother:

I have been in Belgium most of the time since we landed but am now “Somewhere in France.” Have been having lots of rain for the last two weeks. Well, the news today looks good. I can’t write it, but you will see of the allies’ success in the papers.

I received my medal yesterday. Am going to send it to you. There is not much to it, just remember I had to work hard to get it. I beat 80 officers, corporals and lieutenants, so you see it was no easy task.

Don’t worry about me, I am all right. If anything happens to me it cannot be helped. It is our duty for the protection of our loved ones.

Sunday, 3:30. I have just come in from preaching. Had a good sermon under the trees. I am sure glad to be out in a pretty country away from shell fire.

Sept. 18. Well, Mama I wrote home Sunday but have had no chance to mail it. Been on the go. Have just moved into a town occupied by the Germans three weeks ago, still we are a good ways from the front. I belong to the shock troops now; make an attack and come out much better than the line troops, and we get to see all of the country. The scenery is beautiful. I have traveled a little more than three months. We are like a horse passing the barn, we try to turn in at every barn gate. Stables, sheds and pup tents have been our home all the while. Have not slept in a bed since I was at home, nor a cot since I left Camp Merritt, N.J. I have learned how to do with nothing and enjoy everything fine. Sure wish I could tell you some of my experiences, but will have to wait until I get back to the States to tell you of my wonderful time.

What have you done with all the canned goods? I have paid $1.35 for one can of pie peaches or pears.

Sure glad that you had a good meeting, for anyone who goes where we do sure knows the pleasure of having Jesus Christ with him. I am pretty tired; have had but two hours sleep in two days, but we will all get used to that. One division has just moved, 25 men on a truck, so you can imagine how many trucks it took. Everything is looking better to us. I long to see victory and a peace we can depend on.

Mama, wish you could see we boys today. We are in a dugout under the ground, a nice place. The boys are out in the sunshine catching lice. You sure get them in the trenches. I have just found one. I had my clothes sterilized two days ago. Something like a boiler; steam them to death.

The country we have been in lately looks just like North Carolina. Had a letter from Ben Boone the other day. We are not allowed to tell each other where we are; we just watch the divisions. We are not far apart.

Claude, collect up and keep things straight until I get there. I often wonder how dear little Melva is getting along. Has she forgotten me?

Please have all your pictures taken and send them to me, for sometimes we get lonely. We have to destroy mail just as soon as we have read it, and when we are at the front we go for weeks never getting to see a paper. I have not seen the Polk County News for one month.

Later. Well, mother I just have a chance to mail your letter written several days ago. Moving again. I wonder what you are all doing this pretty day. Well, it is dark and we are where we are not allowed to make a light. We use candles while in the trenches. We are in a place where they have shoved the Hun back for miles. It sure looks good to see the people moving back to their old homes. They are waiting for this, and must close.

With lots of love,

Jesse

P.S. I have no chance to get to a Y.M.C.A., so will have to wait to mail the medal. The picture I told you about was sent to the States. I know you must have seen them.

The Polk boys are all well. Lots of love to you all. Remember me to my friends.

We have quit bluffing and are giving the Huns the real stuff. The Tommies say, “That is the stuff to give them, Sammy.”

Flu Takes Four More Beloved Residents; Soup Kitchen Closes, 1918

Deaths listed in The Enterprise, Williamston, Martin County, N.C., November 1, 1918

Roger H. Burriss

Roger H. Burris, son of Capt. Alfred Burris and wife, Elizabeth Burris, was born November 17^th, 1888, in the beautiful town of Southport, N.C. He was an industrious and dependable boy and at an early age began working in the office of the Southport News, where he learned the printing business. He married Miss Gladys Greer of Whiteville, N.C., two years ago, since which time he has worked at the printing business at Raleigh and Selma until August 23^rd, when he accepted the foremanship of the Enterprise, where he rendered very acceptable service until taken with the influenza on the 10^th of this month, which developed into pneumonia a week later, from which he died Sunday morning, after all that physicians, nurses and loving hands could do to save him had failed.

The body was taken to Whiteville on the early train Sunday morning by his wife and six-months-old baby, accompanied by Mrs. Burriss’ father, Senator Jackson Greer of Columbus county, where he was buried, funeral services being conducted by the pastor of the Methodist church of which he had long been a member.

The Enterprise truly feels his death a blow, not as much from a business standpoint, although he was one of the most valuable men ever in charge of the office, but more from the ?? that a good man has been taken from the community, from a young grieving wife and an orphan baby who will never know of the protecting arm of a father. If we could contemplate the sadness of standing by the bedside of our friends and fellow men and seeing them struggling and gasping against such a fearful malady as influenza and pneumonia, we might take greater preparations against the spread of this disease.

We most tenderly sympathize with the bereft wife and little son, aged mother and other relatives.

Spencer Leggett

Mr. Spencer Leggett, of the Bear Grass section, died at his home Saturday morning of pneumonia following Influenza. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Leggett of near Macedonia church and married Miss Rebecca Leggett nine years ago. Mr. Leggett was only 30 years old and leaves a mother, father, wife and three little children to grieve for him, also four brothers and six sisters.

He was a member of the Christian church and was a man honored and loved by neighbors and friends and not only his family mourn his loss, but the whole community in which he lived.

Mrs. Harper M. Peel

Mrs. Harper M. Peel, 25 years of age, died at her home in Hamilton, October 18^th with pneumonia following influenza. Her death fills the entire community with grief and sadness. Mrs. Peele was Miss Effie Forbuck (?) before her marriage, the daughter of the late Rodney (?) and Linda Roebuck. She is survived by her husband and three small children, also the following sisters and brothers: Job Roebuck in France, Dennis and Robert of Hamilton, Mrs. Jim White of Martin county, Carrie Dell, Martha and Alma Maree, who made their home with Mrs. Peele since their mother’s death.

She was a woman of ?? disposition and fine character and had many friends who will miss her. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J.L. Rogers.

We loved her, yes we loved her,

But the Angels loved her more

And they have sweetly called her

To yonder shining shore.

The pearly gates were opened

A sweet voice uttered “Come”

And with farewells unspoken

She calmly entered Home.

Joe Mart Melson

Joe Mart Melson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Melson of Williamston, died at Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, October 28, of pneumonia following influenza. He went to the University of Virginia to take government training in mechanical engineering two weeks ago, being taken ill upon arriving there.

His mother and Mr. J.W. Johnson went to see him on Monday. Mrs. Melson and Mr. Johnson came home Tuesday, and the government sent the remains Wednesday. Rev. H.M. Eure conducted the burial service and amid beautiful floral tributes the body was laid to rest in the Baptist cemetery. Joe Mart was a boy of fine character and was a most dutiful son. He leaves many friends to grieve him with his sorrowing parents. Jesse Melson, his older brother, is in France.

Soup Kitchen Closed

The Red Cross soup kitchen that has been in operation since the influenza epidemic has suspended work upon the advice of the health officer, there being now so few cases. It is to be understood though that if anyone is suffering for lack of attention, the Red Cross is to be notified and assistance will be rendered.

--Mrs. C.H. Godwin, Chm.

Letter from Arthur Roberson Says He's Recovering from Shrapnel Wound, 1918

“Another Martin County Boy Wounded,” from The Enterprise, Williamston, Martin County, N.C., November 1, 1918

Mrs. S.F. Roberson of Griffin Township received a letter Wednesday from her son, Arthur Roberson, who is in France saying that he was wounded by a shrapnel shell bursting near him. He is in a hospital, but his physician thinks the wound is slight and that he will be out soon.