The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 1)
“Epidemic Is Not Yet At Crest. Toronto. That the Spanish influenza throughout the Province has not yet reached its crest was the assertion of Dr. J. W. S. McCullough, Chief Officer of Health for the province. … ‘The need of graduate and volunteer nurses and physicians is very great. There are practically no more trained nurses to be had in Toronto. Many towns and cities have already been supplied with volunteer help.’ …
The nurses of the city hospitals are being vaccinated with a preventive vaccine and on Sunday Mr. McCullough wired to all the hospitals in Ontario to advise the number of doses required for their nursing staff. The Provincial Board will endeavor to supply vaccine for the use of the nursing and medical staffs in order to enable them to carry on their work. The vaccine is being prepared by the Connaught Laboratories.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 1)
“Willing Workers Wanted To Help Fight The Epidemic In The Cause Of Humanity. It is reported that many families in Belleville are ill with the Spanish influenza—every member of the family sick in bed with no one to wait upon them, administer medicine as prescribed by the family physician, and wait upon the sick.
Physicians and trained nurses are working night and day and unless volunteer assistants come to their aid are in great danger themselves of sickness and death from the disease aggravated by overwork. The hospital is crowded with patients and several of the doctors and nurses are sick—up to Saturday two nurses had died from pneumonia, their natural resistance no doubt broken down from overwork—heroic self-sacrifice in the cause of humanity.
The city Board of Health is making every effort to fight the epidemic and needs the assistance of all citizens, men and women to prevent the spread of the malady as much as possible and to try and stamp it out.
An emergency hospital will be opened and volunteer help when available sent to families in need of assistance.
A Citizens’ Committee has been organized to co-operate with the local Board of Health in the formation of a branch of the Ontario Emergency Volunteer Health Auxiliary, under the authority of the Provincial Government and under the direction of the Provincial Board of Health. Volunteer nurses will wear the official badge—’ONTARIO S.O.S.’ (Sister of Service) and receive full instructions.
The call for service is urgent and includes: Women, Men, Boys and Girls, to act as nurses, messengers, etc. Use of private motor cars. Donations of jellies, jams, fruit, etc., and cotton cloths. Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, Campfire Girls, and others can render useful service.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 2)
“Relief Work Is Vigorously Pressed. The emergency organization formed to fight the epidemic in Belleville is hard at work, the mainspring of the organization being located at headquarters in the Y.M.C.A. building, where Mr. P. F. Brockel is doing splendid service directing operations and answering many telephone calls and personal applications for emergency assistance. …
At the High School Domestic Science Department a number of ladies are busily engaged making broths and nourishing delicacies for convalescents and these are sent out twice a day to a number of families by automobile. This work is in charge of Misses Libby and Dulmage of the High School Domestic Science Department assisted by local ladies.
Volunteers are needed to visit a number of houses where there are little attentions to be given to sick people who can get along without continuous attendance. There are enough volunteer motor cars for the present.
Dr. Clinton expects to receive a supply of preventative vaccine which he has requisitioned from the Provincial Public Health Department. … Reports are coming in continuously of families in need of attention, one case concerned a family where the parents and nine children are all sick. Volunteer nurses are wearing masks to avoid contagion.
Chairman Arthur McGie, of the Board of Health, states that the general situation in the city is rather encouraging, but while the disease does not seem to be spreading in the majority of cases, it has reached its most critical stage necessitating for the patient all the care and attention possible to give by the volunteer staff available. The opening of an emergency hospital in the Marchmont Home is not possible as yet on account of difficulties in securing the staff necessary including a competent cook and supervisors.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 3)
“Called By Death: ‘David Andrews. Mr. David Andrews, a well known machinist of this city, passed away last night after some days illness. Deceased was 50 years of age and was born in Thurlow Township. He had resided in Belleville the greater portion of his life. Mr. Andrews was a member of the Methodist church. A widow, three sons and two daughters survive. The sons are J. Clifford, William B. and Edgar, and the daughter is Miss Edna J., all of this city. Two brothers and three sisters survive.’
‘Alice Beatrice Adams. From a complication of disease, Miss Alice Beatrice Adams passed away yesterday afternoon at the residence of her mother, Mrs. W. H. Adams, Foster Avenue, city. Deceased was an estimable young lady who had many friends in this city who deeply regret her demise. Miss Adams was previous to her illness engaged as a saleslady in the shoe store of her brother, Mr. W. O. Adams, and was deservedly popular with the public. She was a member of the Baptist Church. A mother and brother, W. O., of this city, and two sisters, Mrs. Rev. A. N. Braund, of Three Rivers, Mich., and Mrs. C. A. Moore, of this city, survive, and to them will be extended the sincere sympathy of many friends.’
‘Karl J. Stortts. Karl J. Stortts, who passed away at the home of Mrs. Wilson, his grandmother, at 67 Cedar Street, was born in Valleyfield, Quebec, in the year 1899. He was the only son of Raphael Stortts. His boyhood days were spent at Wellington, Prince Edward County, where he was a member of the Methodist Sabbath School and Young People’s Society. After finishing his education at Belleville High School he entered the Bank of Nova Scotia continuing with that institution until he attained a trustworthy and prominent position.
He came to this city for a few holidays, the first obtainable since the outbreak of the war. He was a promising young man of sterling character, good judgment and strict morals. He leaves a sorrowing father, his mother having predeceased him some years ago. “Surely man is as the flower that come forth and is cut down.”
Yesterday afternoon the body was taken to Picton for interment. Rev. J. N. Clarry conducted services at the home of Mrs. Wilson and Rev. Mr. Brown officiated at the interment. The bearers were immediate relatives of the deceased.’ ”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 7)
“Pte. Ransom Wounded. Mr. Henry Ransom, residing at 292 Charles street, city is in receipt of the following telegram from the Director of Records: ‘Sincerely regret to inform you 304221 Pte. Chas Henry Ransom, infantry, officially reported admitted 2 Australian General Hospital, Wimereux, Oct. 13, gunshot wounds, multiple.’ Pte. Ransom enlisted and left Belleville with the 155th Battalion, and on August 17th of this year was gassed. The many friends of the young man in Belleville will hope for his recovery.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 7)
“Awarded Military Cross. Mr. D. M. Waters, of this city, received a cable this morning from his son, Capt. Mackenzie Waters, who was wounded on Sept. 27th, saying: ‘Doing splendidly. At Perkins-Bull hospital. Got Military Cross.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 7)
“ ‘Flu’ Vaccine Here. A limited quantity of influenza preventative vaccine has been received by Dr. Clinton, Provincial Board of Health representative for this district, and can be obtained from him by physicians requiring the same. Some of the local physicians have already been using the vaccine.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 7)
“Pte. Steward Died of Wounds. The following is the official message received by Mrs. Charles Steward, residing at 7 Pine street, in reference to the death of her son: ‘Deeply regret to inform you 636892 Pte. Jos. Jas. Steward, machine gun corps, officially reported died of wounds, 22 casualty clearing station. Oct. 11, gunshot wound, leg.’
Pte. Steward enlisted and went overseas with the 155th Battalion from this city. He was a popular young man and his many friends will regret to learn of his death. To the bereaved will be extended the heartfelt sympathy of all citizens.”
[Note: Private Joseph James Steward died on October 11, 1918. He is commemorated on Page 507 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 8)
“Our complete Motor Equipment enables us to serve any distance without additional cost.
The Wm. Thompson Co. Embalmers and Funeral Directors. Night phone 295, Private Chapel, Day phone 62.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 8)
“Pneumonia Jackets. An emergency committee of The Canadian War Contingent Association, 62 West Bridge St., will endeavor to supply free of charge Pneumonia Jackets and other necessary supplies to Doctors and those caring for the sick during the present epidemic. Phone 499—167—600. Donations for above will be gratefully received.”
The Intelligencer October 22, 1918 (page 8)
“$6,000 Grant To Y.M.C.A. War Work Rescinded By City Council. Ald. Robinson moved, seconded by Ald. St. Charles that the motion passed on April 8th, 1918, granting $6,000 to the Y. M. C. A. be rescinded and is hereby rescinded.
Ald. Robinson spoke strongly in support of the motion and read a letter which Ald. Donohue had received from a soldier who is at the front, which stated that the writer had never received anything free from the Y.M.C.A. The Alderman said he had heard that the boys over there were having a jolly good time and living on the fat of the land. He had also heard of 75 cents being charged for a dish of ice cream by the Y.M.C.A. He did not think it right to give the money, especially as the K. of C. had not asked for a grant and they would have to help pay for the grant if it was made. …
Ald. Treverton did not think it was right to ridicule an institution like the Y.M.C.A., which has done and is doing good work.
The motion of Ald. Robinson prevailed, those voting for it being Aldermen Robinson, St. Charles, Hagerman and Hanna.”
First World War Belleville 