The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 1)
“An Emergency Hospital Opened Quickly At Trenton. Trenton. An impromptu meeting was held at the Trenton Town Hall, Thursday evening, October 17th. … The meeting was called for the purpose of taking immediate action in preventing the spread of influenza epidemic in town, and to arrange suitable hospital accommodation, if possible, to alleviate the sufferings of the citizens of Trenton, who would require hospital attention. …
Mr. Robert Weddell then made the following proposition, which was gladly accepted: ‘To the Mayor and Corporation of the Town of Trenton. For the purpose of providing a temporary emergency equipped hospital for the citizens of Trenton, … make the offer, free of charge, costs, rent or expense, of the use of the Button Factory building, with water system for culinary and sanitary purposes, electric light and phone equipment, with the privilege of arranging the interior to suit requirements in changes, additions or equippings whatsoever necessary, the only condition being to hand the premises back, when through with the same, as when handed over in this proposition. …
The proposition of R. Weddell being accepted, the next and main item was to get ready and accomplish the task. … Robert G. Weddell, with a force of men and teams helped rush the job and on Saturday night, after one and one-half days’ work, the hospital was practically completed and twelve cots in position; in warm, well lighted comfortable rooms—the premises cleaned from cellar to garret, nothing lacking; the balance to complete a fifty-bed hospital, with all equipment, partly in place and fully furnished and equipped on Monday, October 21st. Truly a record-breaking job! …
Having completed this part of the premises, it will now devolve on the other parties, medical and otherwise, to do all they can, to make a success of the Emergency Hospital.”
The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 4)
“Doubting Thomases. Did the City Council get a special permit to hold a meeting Monday evening? All other meetings seem to have been cancelled by order of the Board of Health and for all the important business done the Council meeting could just as well have been dispensed with. The members of the Council were forced to listen to a most ill-informed attack on the Y.M.C.A. overseas work by Alderman Robinson, who should have known better. For one letter that can be dug up from any soldier criticizing the Y.M.C.A. a thousand can be secured expressing unbounded appreciation of the splendid services rendered by the Y.M.C.A. … Canadian newspapers have ceased to print letters from soldiers on active service replying indignantly to adverse criticism of Y.M.C.A. work in the war zone as it was felt that there could be no doubters left; apparently there are a few.”
The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 5)
“Pte. Coxall Wounded. Mrs. Geo. A. Reid, 94 Chatham St., this city, received word this morning that her youngest brother, Pte. L. P. Coxall, was admitted to No. 3 General Hospital, Boulogne, October 13. gunshot wound in right hand and arm. Pte. Coxall, whose home was in Tamworth, enlisted in September, 1916, with the 146th Battalion and was afterwards transferred to the 20th Battalion where he has since served. This is the fourth time he has been wounded.”
The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 5)
“Pte. Barnhardt Wounded. Mr. Charles Barnhardt, 20 Wharf Street, city, has received the official notice that Pte. Harry Douglas Barnhardt, infantry, was officially reported dangerously wounded and admitted to No. 30 Casualty Clearing Station on October 13th. Pte. Barnhardt left Belleville on February 13th of this year and two days later left Kingston with a draft. He had only been one month in France when he was wounded.”
The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 5)
“Wounded Second Time. Pte. Bruce M. Griffin, who went overseas with the first Canadian contingent, has been wounded for the second time and is under treatment in England. He is a brother of Mr. G. H. Griffin, C.N.R. city, passenger agent.”
The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 5)
“Capt. Murphy Killed. Capt. Sterndale Murphy is reported killed in action. He was born in Belleville the son of Dr. John Murphy, formerly medical superintendent at the Ontario School for the Deaf.”
[Note: Captain Sterndale Joseph Murphy died on October 14, 1918. He is commemorated on Page 476 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]
The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 5)
“ ‘Called by Death: Mrs. Alex Joss. Mrs. Alexander Joss, who resided at 15 Brown street, passed away last night after a few days illness. Deceased , whose maiden name was Miss Minnie Matilda Orr, was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Orr, of Thurlow, where she was born in 1866. Nearly all her life was spent in this city, where she was well known. Mrs. Joss was a member of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. In addition to the husband two sons survive namely William J. and Walter Carson, of this city. Two brothers, William I. and John Orr, live in Belleville and four sisters are living. Pneumonia was the cause of death.’
‘Arthur John Kiser. Death last night claimed Mr. Arthur John Kiser as a victim. Deceased resided at 21 Brown Street, city, and was born here 34 years ago, being a son of Mr. Nelson Kiser. He was employed at the G.T.R. shops in this city. Mr. Kiser was a member of the I.O.F. Society. A widow, two sons and one daughter survive, also father, mother and two brothers.’
‘Pte. Sidney A. Martin. Yesterday afternoon Private Sidney Arthur Martin of Peterborough, who was a member of the first depot Battalion, in this city, passed away here after a brief illness from an attack of pneumonia following influenza. Deceased was 30 years of age. The body after being prepared for burial by the Belleville Burial Company, was this morning shipped to Peterborough for interment.’
[Note: Private Sydney Arthur Martin died on October 22, 1918. He is commemorated on Page 468 of the First World War Book of Remembrance.]
‘Miss M. Hogle. At an early hour this morning Miss Montague M. Hogle died at the home of Mrs. Morrison, 103 Front Street, city. Deceased was an aged maiden lady who was well known in the city and vicinity. She was a daughter of the late Mr. Stephen Hogle and was born in Sidney Township in 1844. All her life was spent in this vicinity. Miss Hogle was a member of the Methodist church for years. Mrs. W. Simmonds of this city is a niece of deceased. The body was taken to the home of Mrs. L. V. Hogle, Octavia street, from whence the funeral will take place tomorrow.’
‘Mrs. Albert Stapley. Mrs. Albert Stapley, who resided in Thurlow Township, just north of the city limits, died this morning after a few days’ illness. Deceased, who was 41 years of age was born in England, but had lived in this vicinity since a child. She was a member of the Methodist church. Her demise is a sad one as she leaves in addition to her husband six young daughters and one son.’ ”
The Intelligencer October 23, 1918 (page 6)
“Epidemic Conditions Show Some Signs of Improvement. The beautiful weather of yesterday and today is helping materially to defeat the influenza epidemic and reports today are more encouraging, indicating that while the critical stage of the disease has been reached with the majority of patients the spread of the epidemic has been materially checked and a few days should see a radical change for the better.
The volunteer’ workers association is very busy and headquarters at the Y.M.C.A. building resembles an army general headquarters with a big battle raging. Many calls for help are still being received and where possible attended to.
Volunteer workers who will go into homes, administer medicine and perform imperative household tasks are still urgently needed as these workers are far too few to meet the demand. Nourishing broths are being made in large quantities at the High School Domestic Science Department where a number of ladies are at work, and jellies and other delicacies for convalescents are also being sent out daily from the same place in volunteer autos.
If more volunteer helpers can be secured for the hospital, it will be possible to take in more patients there, which would help the local situation very much. Chairman Arthur McGie, of the Board of Health, is pleased at the response made to the call for workers and is himself doing all he can to direct the fighting forces.
Mr. Thos. Wills, Fuel Controller and Sanitary Inspector, is one of the most active workers and is visiting homes where sickness prevails to see that there is no lack of fuel. Serious cases he is reporting to the emergency organization. Chief Brown, of the City Fire Department, has made a canvass of the flat section of the business district and found conditions there very good with little emergency assistance needed.
Dr. Clinton, Provincial Health Officer, is busy dealing out preventative vaccine and inoculating workers. A survey of the whole local situation indicates that conditions are improving.”
First World War Belleville 