The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-04
CIVIC LEAGUE
RELIEF COMMITTEE.
Report Of Work Done During
the Influenza Epidemic.

League held Monday afternoon, the
following report of the work done by
the Relief Committee orsanized dur
ing the recent influenza epidemic
was presnted by Mrs Horace Hardy,
Chairman:
After the first week of the terrible
epidegue' OF Spanish Influenza had
passed and the Board of Health took
no steps TO alleviate the suffering, one
ofthe League members suggested to
me, that we, should do something. So
meeting was called, and, as it was
impossible to get IN touch@wi all Of
the members, few gathered tegeth-
er anain assable q Way as possible re-
heyea the suffering Of a great many
After the epidemic reached proper
tons beyond the committees ability
To manage. they appealed to the nden
ia The city to come to the aid OF the
League, as conditions were such
that larger quarters, more funds, a
Greater numb er7 OF nurses, and many
other necessary things were urgently
needed 1.-THE. rayages Of the epidemic
weEesso be aessened.
NE. I G.. Strauss answered this ap-
pea, and, WITH some others, called a
meeting which elected a Citizens Cen
tral Relief Committee to act in con-
nection with the Committee Of the
League. Headquarters were then
moved to the Girls High School
where the two large rooms used by
the Domestic Science Department
were graciously put at our disposal by
the Superintendent Of Schools, To-
gether they arranged the work, divia-
ed 1t into various departments, each
withga competent head. and with the
very eHective ystem installed and
operned by Mf. Strauss, the situation
was soon well in hand and conditions
improving.
We can not say too much in ap-
probation of the services OF Mr..
Strauss For several days he gave
his entire time and attention to this
work and whatever good has been ac-
compaished be it known that he de-
serves much Of the credit.
The transpo was in charge
OF Messrs. e. I. Reardon, I. A. Ryt-
Eenberg and Horace Hardy. This was.
indeed, very important part Of the
work. as it was often extremely ur-
gent to have means Of transportation
at hand at asmoment's notice. This
department handled the moving of
nurses, nourishment. fuel, supplies OF
an kinds, patients to hospitals and
Camp Alice. Three daily shifts Of the
nurses, morning, noon and night, was
very effectively looked after by Mr..
eeardon.
The nourishment of the sick was a
most important feature OF the work.
This was looked after by Mrs I. G..
Strauss, Mrs. x. Porter, Mrs. W. r.
Shelor, Mrs r. Levi, Mrs. I. "A. Ryt-
tenberg, Mrs II =. Hunter Mrs. c. j.
pwyer MRS. stoudennaire. The
nourishmenf was furnished by many
people, both in. and out of the. city.
The Oswego neighborhood sent qnan-
titfes &c milk daily while. others fur
nished soups. eggs, custards. and va.
rious other articles suitable for the
sick:s ~ -,
The generosity Of the citizens gen
orally was marked. They gave OF
their provisions. money and cars and
made It possible for the League to do
much good as usual, the Daily Item
responded to the cali and gracionsly
gave as much: space as1we needed.
All cases reported to the Relief
Headquarters We're Immediately In
yestigated and such assistance 81 ten
as was needed. There were many
cases in which assistance was render
ed before thetwork became thoroughly
systematized. However, our records
show that the Relief Committee hand
led 408 cases, 1851 white people, 81
colored people, There were 21 OF
these who died (17 white and 4 col
ored.) The cases above were nursed
By the organization nurses; nourish-
ment and other supplies Gotten
clothes, bedding, beds, medicine and
sick-room necessities) were provided
by the organization and all expenses
borne by the organization.
At first, the nursing was done en-
tirely by volunteers. whose names !
present as our Honor Roll.
Miss Anderson.
Miss Florence Obenchain.
Miss Julia Obenchain.
Mrs. Ormsby Blanding.
Mrs. Baker.
Miss Sybl Brunson.
Miss Abbie Bryan,
Miss Cassell.
Mrs R. L Ednunds.
Mrs. Grace Ferrell.
Mrs. T. S. Joye.
Miss Alice Martin.
Miss Azile Mellette.
Miss Emma Mellette.
Miss Kate Moses.
Miss Mcauley.
Miss MAZDA McKain.
Miss l. c. McLaurin.
Miss Cornelia McLaurin.
Miss Bessie Mclean.
Mrs. McMahan.
Miss McNabe.
Miss Blossom Nash.
Miss Harriet Owens.
Miss Hassie Parrott.
Miss Thelma Reynolds.
Miss Lucia Roach.
Gn.I