New Britain herald., 1929-02-23
BfLUE|VzA Blight
NCl1Y DECADE Ago
Vhta d -i,i&tst9 Worst in
=. NeY Blitlin's History

Although the winter now drawing
to . close has been one Of many
dcknesses 1t has been In strong
contrast with the influenza period Of
about 10 years ago when New Brit
ain lost many residents.
New Britain never experienced
period similar to that which began
during the latter months Of 1918. On
September ~, 1918. the first two
cases were discovered. Both were
soldiers who were home on fur
Tough from Camp Devens.
Within . day or two the disease
began to spread until 1t had firm
gSip in practically every part Of the
city. Desperate efforts were made
by health authorities to prevent an
epidemic. The health department
issued daily statements advising the
people what to do as soon as they
found themselves with a sign OF the
disease. A careful study Of the cases
were made and every precaution was
taken to prevent further spreading.
Soon the disease began to take
llS IOlls 0ClOlC thO SAAA VA Sh~
month many had died. The worst
effect Of the disease was shown
among the soldiers especially those
in Camp Devens.
In the early part Of October the
total number OF cases reported was
1916. Desperate measures were re-
sorted to In an effort to check the
disease. At a special meeting of the
health board all schools were order
ed closed for one week, all theaters
and motion picture houses were Or
dered closed until further notice ana
the same order was given concern
ing dance halls.
Saloons and soda fountains were
ordered to wash glasses In boiling
water after usage. The penalty for
failure to obey would be an order
to close. Short church services were
asked and large public funerals were
discouraged.
George A. Quigley was mayor.
When he learned that conditions
were very serious that the hospital
WAxO8 WCI6 VtCISAo"oVN 0hu Sh0s
there was grave danger that the
state armory or the Easements Of
some Of the churches might have TO
be taken over as auxiliary hospital
he offered the use Of his home at the
corner Of Maple and Whiting streets.
One Of the saddest events during
this period occurred when a sailor
arrived in this city with pleasant
anticipation of a joyful reunion with
his parents. As he alighted from a
trolley car he noticed two funeral
hacks passing and someone shouted
to him from one of them. The &C.
cupants Of the hack were his moth
er and father and the funeral was
that. OF his brother.
Sometimes two members OF =
family died and in one instance q
triple funeral was held. There were
50 many deaths that newspapers Of
tho day carried brief obituary mo-
tees for every victim regardless CT
row prominent he was. These short
fotices occupied several columns
oaly the name, age, address and the
time OF the funeral were Included.
Undertakes had q difficult task IN
their efforts to supply Baskets for
the dead. In some cases plain pine
boxes were used AZ coffina and at
times It was necessary fer tho IN.
dertakers to 70 into the cellar and
build scaskets to supply the demand.
People avoided funerals and there
were no funeral corteges. Hearses
were always in demand and A. there
were few In this city at that time It
was not an uncommon sight to see
the casket being taken to Its: hnal
resting place in an xpress wagon