The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 1)
“$1,200,000,000 in War Orders Have Been Placed in Canada. The Imperial Munitions Board has placed $1,200,000,000 of war orders in Canada to date. As a result of this huge outlay of money business activity throughout the Dominion has reached a climax during the year 1918 and the whole people are getting the benefit. … For the coming year orders amounting to $500,000,000 are to be placed. They will go to manufacturers and sundry other interests in the Dominion and will have to be financed to a considerable extent out of the proceeds of the forthcoming Victory Loan. … Eighty-five per cent of the manufacturers are operating on a war basis. Canada’s trade returns show the stupendous strides our business activities have taken since the war began, largely through the ability of the Government to finance some of the purchases of the Imperial Government.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 1)
“How Are Your Neighbours? Do They Need Assistance? Investigate and Report. A Citizens’ Committee, co-operating with the local Board of Health has been organized to assist in preventing as far as possible the spread of the influenza epidemic. Every citizen can be of service by investigating in their own immediate neighborhood and reporting cases in need of volunteer assistance.
Visit your neighbors at once and ascertain if they are in need of outside assistance, and report at once to central headquarters, Y. M. C. A. building, phone 413. It is reported that in many families every member of the household is ill and there is no one to wait upon the sufferers. Particulars of these cases should be communicated to headquarters at once so that everything possible can be done to relieve their necessities and prevent further spread of the disease.
Not Charity, But Public Service. This is not charity by any manner of means, but public necessity, and no one should hesitate for a moment to take advantage of any help the Board of Health and Citizens’ Committee can offer. The members of Local Board of Health realize that it is in the public interest to bend every effort to prevent the further spreading of this disease and save lives which might be sacrificed by lack of proper care and attention. Get busy in your own neighborhood and report at once.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 2)
“Organized To Fight Epidemic Emergency Hospital To Be Opened. The alarming spread of the prevailing epidemic of influenza, the many pneumonia cases resulting therefrom and the reports of entire families being confined to bed with no one to wait upon them has resulted in prompt steps being taken by the local Board of Health to deal with the situation in a systematic manner. … While the greatest need is for women workers, the services of men and even boys and girls can be used, and everyone who can possibly do so should enlist for service at once.
Another meeting was held yesterday afternoon in the Y.M.C.A. building to discuss ways and means of combatting the epidemic. … A resolution was passed upon motion of Messrs. Ackerman and Bailey that the Board of Education and School Principals be communicated with at once and requested to form an organization of teachers to cover the section served by each school, with headquarters in the school buildings, to act in co-operation with the general organization and render any assistance necessary to families where all are sick. It was felt that the teachers with their knowledge of first aid methods and initiative would be valuable aids in combatting the epidemic and rendering assistance to families unable to procure trained nurses.
The management of the Marchmont Home have offered that building to the Board of Health for an emergency hospital and upon motion of Messrs. Woodley and Bailey it was recommended that the Board of Health accept the offer and take immediate steps to equip the building at once for hospital purposes and secure the necessary staff.
Upon motion of Messrs. Deacon and Sinclair it was decided to request Chief Brown of the Fire Brigade to arrange for the firemen to canvass the business district, call upon people living in flats above the stores and ascertain what assistance is needed in cases of sickness.
Domestic science teachers volunteer. Arrangement will be made to utilize the kitchen of the Y.M.C.A. building for the preparation of broths and other nourishing delicacies for convalescents. Miss Libby and Miss Dulmage of the High School Domestic Science department have volunteered their services for this work. Mrs. Ritchie of the High School staff is already at work in charge of the Diet Kitchen of the General Hospital.
Donation of the use of private cars will be greatly appreciated and materially assist in the work of relief. Donations of jam, jellies, etc., can also be used to advantage. Cotton cloths are also needed in large quantities.
Anyone willing to assist in any way should report at once to the Y.M.C.A. Building, or Mr. Brockell, Secretary of the Citizens Committee, or Miss Fraleck, Assistant Secretary.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 4)
“Remember the Soldiers. The soldiers of the Depot Battalion quartered at the armories are practically quarantined as a precautionary measure on account of the epidemic of influenza and must be having a rather dull time of it confined to barracks, although they seem to be very cheerful under the circumstances. There would seem to be an opportunity for patriotic citizens to donate reading matter, magazines, etc., to help relieve the tedium of confinement, and concerts no doubt could be arranged by local entertainers which would be appreciated by the rank and file alike.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 4)
“Soldiers of Mercy. The battle being fought against the epidemic of Spanish influenza by the physicians and nurses is worthy of all praise. Night and day they expose themselves to the disease to alleviate suffering and save lives where possible, and in many cases fall victims themselves to the disease as the result of over-exertion, lack of sleep and consequent weakening of the physical powers of resistance. A number of doctors and nurses have died from the disease in Ontario and many are ill. … Several nurses at Belleville hospital are in a critical condition and two have died.
The heroism of the physicians and nurses in this epidemic may not be commemorated by the presentation of Victoria Crosses, but the medical profession should be haloed with a greater dignity and respect in the hearts of the people for such unselfish sacrifice and bravery in the face of great danger.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 4)
“Canada Needs Her Man-Power and Her Woman-Power. Aye—and her child-power, too: she wants no sick, this winter—no offices made inefficient, no homes disarranged, nor schools poorly attended—because of colds and grippe and tonsillitis, due to wet feet.
Wear rubbers and keep well. Get rubbers for the children so they can keep well.
To wear your $10 or $15 shoes in the rain or snow is poor economy when good rubbers that cost so little save your shoes so much.
Dominion Rubber System. Canadian Consolidated Rubber Co. Limited and Associated Companies.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 5)
“Publishing Under Difficulty. In common with all other industries The Intelligencer has been hard hit by the epidemic and only a small remnant of the staff remain to ‘carry on.’ The indulgence of readers and advertisers is requested by the management during the trying time when the service will necessarily be greatly affected by prevailing conditions.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 5)
“Mother and Kiddies All Sick. There are, no doubt, many cases of great hardship caused by the prevailing epidemic where every member of the family is ill at the same time. A typical case is that of a family where the mother and four children are very ill and the only well member of the family found was a baby about a month old.
The father, the late Capt. Cousins, was one of the first victims of Spanish influenza followed by pneumonia and died at Oswego recently. Fortunately a volunteer nurse (Sister of Service) was obtained by the emergency organization working from Y.M.C.A. headquarters and is helping the little family fight the scourge.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 5)
“Brighten the Corner. The prospects are that not half enough volunteer workers can be enlisted to meet the demand. No one should hesitate to register from the belief that there will be a surplus of workers. There is no possible chance of having too many as it is estimated there are over 2,000 cases of influenza in Belleville today. This may be a high or a low estimate but it is certain that there is more work than there will be workers.
However, if everybody does their bit and registers for what time they can spare, gets busy in their own immediate neighborhood helping their neighbors and generally ‘Brightens the Corners Where You Are’ great good will be accomplished and the spread of the disease checked.”
The Intelligencer October 21, 1918 (page 5)
“Called by Death. A number of deaths have occurred in the city and vicinity since Saturday, the majority being victims of pneumonia following the influenza.
‘William Kent. William Kent, aged 14 years, son of Mr. William Kent, 2nd Concession of Thurlow Township, died on Saturday evening after a few days’ illness.’
‘Marian Foster. Miss Marian Foster, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Foster, of Trenton, died last evening in that town. Deceased was a teacher in a public school in that town and was deservedly popular with the teaching profession and pupils.’
‘Mrs. Leo Houle. Mrs. Irene Houle, wife of Mr. Joseph Houle, 57 Church Street, died on Saturday afternoon from an attack of pneumonia. Deceased was in her 27th year and was a daughter of the late Mr. Louis Hebert of this city. She was a member of St. Michael’s Church. In addition to the husband two daughters, Irene and Clare survive.’
‘Timothy M. Hogan. On Sunday Mr. Timothy Martin Hogan died at his late home, 12 Strachan Street, city. Deceased was 30 years of age and was a son of Mr. Timothy Hogan, of this city. He was born here and lived here all his life. Deceased was a G. T. R. conductor, having been in the employ of the railway for some time. He was a member of St. Michael’s church and was also a member of the Brotherhood of Trainmen. A widow but no family survive. His parents, six brothers and two sisters are living.’
‘Robert R. Yott. Mr. Robert Ross Yott died last night at his late home, 237 Moira Street west, in this city. Deceased was in his 29th year and was a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Yott of Consecon, Prince Edward County, where he was born. Mr. Yott was a G. T. R. telegraph operator, and had resided in Belleville for some time. He was well and favorably known. Deceased was a member of the Anglican Church. A wife, two sons, Jack and Joseph, and one daughter, Gena, survive. The body will be taken to Albury, Ameliasburg Township, for interment.’
‘Ernest G. Crowe. Mr. Ernest Gregory Crowe, a well-known G. T. R. conductor who resided at 273 Charles Street, city, passed away on Sunday morning from an attack of pneumonia. Deceased was in his 39th year and was born at Guelph being a son of Mr. Edwin B. Crowe, who resides at Ernestown. For the past three years deceased had been a resident of Belleville. He was a member of St. Michael’s Church and a member of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. Mr. Crowe was deservedly popular with his fellow employees and the public generally. A widow and three children survive.’ ”
First World War Belleville 