Glens Falls in 1918 — Flu epidemic turns reunion to grief
The Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918 turned a Glens Falls family’s joyous reunion into grief.
Howard Benedict, who had come from Westport with his daughter to visit his brother’s family in Glens Falls, N.Y., died of influenza on Oct. 3, and his sister-in-law, Mrs. William Benedict, died at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 4, The Post-Star reported on Oct. 5.
A private double funeral was to be held the morning of Oct. 5 at the William Benedict residence at 37 Platt St. in Glens Falls.
The flu had spread throughout the combined families.
“William Benedict is in serious condition at the present time and his daughters, Violet and Leona, are sick in the same house. The small daughter of Howard Benedict is also very sick,” The Post-Star reported.
Separately on Oct. 5, The Post-Star reported the death of Harry Dubee of 82 LaRose St. in Glens Falls from Spanish influenza.
The 30-year-old Dubee left behind a wife and two daughters.
Pastors of seven Protestant churches in Glens Falls jointly announced they would comply with a Board of Health order to cancel services on Sunday, due to the flu epidemic.
“We suggest that, as public worship is a development of Family worship, our parishioners keep the Lord’s day by worshiping in their own homes, and that all read for the day the 14th chapter of the Gospel according to Saint John,” the announcement stated. “Let us also pray that all those who are suffering through illness or because of the war may find strength and peace through the presence of God in their hearts and conforming of their wills to the will of God.”
The Board of Health also ordered postponement of the high school football game between Glens Falls and Fort Edward that had been scheduled for Saturday at Fort Edward.
Fans had been expecting a spirited match-up after Fort Edward had defeated Ticonderoga the previous week.
Post-Star reports referenced in this post can be found at the New York State Historic Newspapers website, a project of public libraries.
Maury Thompson is a freelance historian of politics, labor organizing and media in New York’s North Country. He lives in Glens Falls, N.Y.
