Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1918-10-24
TROUBLE STARTED
OVER INFLUENZA
Family Claiming No Flu"
Posted SGch Notices and
Took Others Down.
HEALTH OFFICER ACTIVE
Determination Strong to Use All
Measures Needed to Stamp Out
The Disease.

Up to noon Wednesday thirteen
cases Of Spanish influenza had been
reported in Alma, and every effort Of
the health department was being
bended TO curb a further spread of
the disease, and it is certain that the
mandates of the health department
in regard TO influenza are going TO be
obeyed i'm Alma during the balance of
the scare
Considerable excit EN- ent was
worked up IN the city over the
turn Of affairs taken in the first
case which came TO the attention of
the health department, and caused
trouble which was not smoothed over
until yesterday.
Albert Worden, aged twenty, was
taken i'll at the home of his mother,
81 Woodwork avenue, and DR.. Car
ney called. He pronounced the all
ment of the lad as influenza, follow
ing consultation over the telephone
with DR.. Olin of the state board Of
health The lad rapidly grew worse
for recovery were slim.
Forthwith the Wordens changed
doctors, Dr. Thornburgh being Sc
cured. and the influenza then ceased
to be influenza. Tuesday the health
department received a card from DR.
Thoinburgh stating that the young
man had typhoid, and it is said, that
previous to that time, but after DR.
Ihornbureh had been called, Worden
was suffering from some other dis
ease.
1t is reported that the doctor inti-
mated tina, If i WAS him he would
take down the inhuen2a sign,
which had been posted by the health
department. IF ne remark was
made. +; was foilov ed, as Ollie Wor-
den the Alma trouble maker, took
down the sign. Another was put up
by the health department, and Ollie
then placed sign which said, mo
Influenza with a view, evidently of
leading people to believe that the
house was not quarantincl.
The matter was reported to the
proper authorities, and also taken up
with the State Board Of Health.
Tuesday evening DR.. Iiume of the
State Board OF Health was in Alma
to look after the matter and Or.
Carney was given to understand that
he had full power here in curbing the
disease and taking such steps as
were needed in the curbing. He was
assured the whole hearted support Of
the state officials. A meeting of The
health committee here also gave DR.
Carney free rein in the matter,
Wednesday morning DR.. Carney
started operations in earnest in the
effort to keep the disease from
spreading further. The children of
the public schools were inspected,
three local doctors doing the work.
and this was followed by visit to
the Worden home, on which DR..
Carney was accompanied by Oscar
Vibber, chief of police.
The Wordens were given TO under
stand that no more monkey work on
their part would be tolerated, and
when Mrs. Worden endeavored to re-
fer him to DR. Thornburgh, he gave
her to understand that he was the
health officer and his orders were the
ones for the Wordens to follow.
New quarantine signs and new in
fuenza signs were posted.
DR.. Carney stated to a reporter
yesterday that the department did
not propose to stand for any more of
Ollie Worden's work, or aything of
the kind from anyone else during the
EPIDEMIC. In this he is assured of the
backing of the city administration
and the state officials If necessary
to enforce the various quarantines.
arrests will be made.
To make certain that the Wordens
obey orders an officer was sworn in
yesterday afternoon and stationed at
the home, and then Mayor Francis
King telegraphed TO Governor Sleep
er for permission 10 use members of
Company 81, Michigan State Troops
for guard duty. The reply from the
Governor was received late in the
day, and in the evening some Of the
members Of hte state troops were on
duty, after being sworn in as officers,
at the Worden home to see that the
quarantine was lived up to. Since
then nothing new has developed IN
the matter.