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1918 Flu Epidemic in Ames: The Quarantine

1918 FLU EPIDEMIC: First Arrival | Hiding the Epidemic | The Quarantine | After the Storm

For 10 days straight in 1918, the students of the Iowa State College campus dealt with the deaths of their classmates. The spread of the “Spanish flu” slowed down but many of the sick in the college hospital remained serious as pneumonia set in for some. On October 10, the campus was cut off from the outside world with a strict quarantine, and the rest of West Ames also had a quarantine put in place. It wasn’t not nearly as harsh but a quarantine nonetheless.

The campus hospital was using its building, the basement of Collegiate Presbyterian Church, State Gym, the Beardshear House, and a couple fraternity buildings to house all the sick. On the other side of Ames, Mary Greeley Hospital was filled to capacity, using rooms like its sun room to alleviate the crowd. An emergency downtown location was necessary.

The local newspapers varied on how they covered these events. The Iowa State Student has a more neutral take, not often proclaiming wonderful conditions and continued improvements, Perhaps the staff, which became predominantly women in October, opted not to be to confrontational because such action (questioning authority) could be seen as anti-American. The Ames Evening Times began to do reporting on the epidemic numbers and wrote that officials keeping numbers and information secret only does harm. On the other hand, the Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune was more of a mouthpiece for officials. It did some good reporting on those who died, but frequently avoided calling out the sometimes bleak situation, even when reporting on multiple deaths in every edition.

This part of the flu epidemic story, doesn’t end with the end of the quarantine. It stops when the conditions were finally brighter, and the citizens could take a breath.

The number of deaths during these days varied from one to five, and while that might seem a bit low today, if you adjust the numbers for the current ISU enrollment, it’s equal to 43 students dying every day for 10 days.

And you would also be talking about well more than 12,000 students needing to be in the hospital at one time.

State Gym became a temporary hospital during the 1918 Spanish influenza epidemic. (RS 13/16/D, Box 1123)

OCTOBER 10 (Thursday)

At 6 p.m., the entire west side of Ames (then called the Fourth Ward) was closed off from general travel because of the influenza epidemic at the Iowa State College. The campus was already under varying degrees of a quarantine, but this one effected the neighboring Campustown and West Street communities, too. The epidemic was finally being taken seriously by the authorities, admitting the flu is a problem. As it should. Four students died during that morning — Pvt. Henry M. Larson, Pvt. Walter F. Riess, Pvt. Lester C. Schoech, and Pvt. John Henry Stinogel — between 5:35 and noon. Riess died at Mary Greeley Hospital, and Larson and Riess died of pneumonia, a common result after catching the flu. Reiss' mother arrived by train just about an hour after her son died, and didn’t know his status until her arrival. It was a common story for the time.

Deaths

Pvt. Henry M. Larson, 24, Story City (#2)

Pvt. Walter F. Riess, 20, North English (#3)

Pvt. Lester C. Schoech, 22, Ottumwa (#4)

Pvt. John Henry Stinogel, 19, Lohrville (#5)

The rules under the quarantine:

General Order No. 5

A close quarantine will be enforced including the entire campus and buildings of the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, and no admittance unless by pass from Headquarters S. A. T. C.

A limited quarantine will be enforced, including the entire 4th ward, excepting territory covered by Par. 1, which will prevent intercourse between Ames and the 4th ward, except travel on the public highway.

This quarantine will go into effect at 6 P.M., October 10, 1918.

It is hoped that the same spirit of helpfulness that has prevailed with such good results, will continue until we can be freed of all sickness and the need for sacrifice of comforts and convenience shall have passed. The 4th ward will always be held in the highest esteem which their works for the general welfare has gained them.

By Order of General Lincoln. (Signed) A. L. Lane, Capt. 50th Inf. Adjutant

General Order No. 4

Following Quarantine Regulations are to be strictly adhered to:

All members of the S. A. T. C., are confined to limits of post until further notice.

Members of the S. A. T. C., will not be allowed to attend any social function or any gathering, public or social.

There is to be no communication from barrack to barrack.

There will be no congregating in any individual room in any barracks.

All blanked and bed clothing to be aired daily.

That all unnecessary clothing and personal effects be [disowned?} of or sent home.

All men to be conducted from barracks to classes and from classes to barracks.

Under no circumstances will any person without pass be allowed upon barrack grounds or in barracks.

The same regulations hold for citizens homes, as for the barracks, excepting those of a strictly military nature.

By Order of General Lincoln. (Signed) A. L. Lane, Capt. 50th Inf. Adjutant

Though the first few letters of the Daily’s stories that ran on the left side of the page of the next day’s newspaper (see below) have been lost, here is the story explaining the quarantine (as good as I can read it).

Strict quarantine hit fourth ward Thursday evening

[-]ans restricted from entering or leaving the campus without passes [-] passes given Situation is both serious and amusing to residents of college district

Ever since 6 o’clock last night [-] the military authorities sh[ut up] the lid and nailed it tight, the fourth ward has been a “No Man’s Land for all who have no business here.

In order to thoroly control the [-] of Spanish influenza which has been present in and around the campus with the S. A. T. C. and the m[-] mechanics school, General J. R. Lincoln threw a quarantine around the Fourth Ward. Guards were posted promptly at 6 last evening and since then it has been impossible to [-]or leave the campus or to go downtown without a pass.

[-]s enroute thru Ames are not permitted but all foot traffic is being [-]. No cars are permitted on the campus. All street cars are being stopped at Squaw creek and pass[- -]anded of passengers. At each [-]tation, an army truck is used [- -]ack’s for the corporal's guard [-]. Quarantine orders apply to civil [-] and faculty staff and employee [-] as men under control of the military authorities. Passes for all will be issued from the office of Capt. A. L. Lane in Central building.

Ever since yesterday at 1, there has been a steady stream of professional stenographer, students, work [-] newsboys, washerwomen, down town business men and others lining up to get the little piece of paper that [-]ted them to go to work at the college or town. At 2 o’clock this afternoon, over 1,200 passes have been issued.

Students who have no business down town are issued pink passes [-] admit to the campus while students or others who need to go out of the Fourth ward are being issued [-] passes. Down town passes for students are few and far between [-] from sorority houses and men in the Naval unit were marched [- -]ups and issued passes in jo[-].

[-]eries are being ordered over the telephone these days. But there’s [-]nce for the delivery the boy to lin[-] [-] talk with the cook. Grocer [-] deposited on the doorstep and then the boy must scoot. The same also applies to the milk man’s de[-]s

“There has been no trouble in enforcing the quarantine so far,” said Captn Lane this afternoon. “No [-]s or trouble have [been] reported [-] and the guard house has n[- --] needed. The only trouble is that we are having to issue too many passes.”

“The quarantine is on to stay until [-]nger from the influenza is over. [-] have adopted these stringent regulations in order to prevent any unnecessarily traveling and to prevent the disease from spreading.”

Many amusing incidents have happened in connection with the quarantine. One street car conductor this morning did not have a pass [-]ves in the Fourth Ward and [-] down town to take out the first [-]. He was halted three times before he was over Squaw creek.

And some of the surviving passes from the era.

Passes issued to the engineering division’s J. E. Smith (above) and chemistry professor W. J. Schlick (below) during the 1918 influenza epidemic. (RS 13/16/1, Box 2, Folder 1)

The Student story hit most of the major notes. Passes were required for any travel to and from campus, which was under a “close quarantine.” Anyone passing through Ames on the Lincoln Highway was allowed but were told not to stop. Food delivery was to one’s lawn as delivery people weren’t permitted to enter a residence. The guards in charge of streetcar line were stationed around Russell Avenue and threw off anyone who didn’t have a pass for campus, though stories in other newspapers sounded as there was at least one other check point before you got to the main campus. Passes weren’t difficult to get, though the wait line to acquire one took time and reasons had to be sound. And beyond going to work and/or class, there was little reason a person would need to travel outside of the designated side of Ames. The schools were closed so West Ames students didn’t need to travel to the high school downtown, and Campustown and West Gate communities both had grocers and general stores for basic needs. Dance halls and movie theaters were still closed, which was a big reason students would travel.

The city newspapers told the same details, but they also played up the positive spin that officials said about the conditions at the college (“no need for panic” stated the Times) �� conditions were good, spirit were bright, number of sick was dropping. That wasn’t completely untrue as the number of sick in the hospital was likely dropping. On this day, there were about 34 new flu cases and many of the early flu cases would have been much improved, but others were developing pneumonia. State Gym was cleared and fumigated for several hours before patients returned on Friday morning. The Times stated the quarantine would be lifted when the influenza threat passed, which the Student’s reporting contradicted. The Times also stated that the number of sick on campus and in Ames proper was not available.

The Tribune, which only a couple issues ago talked up how no one on campus was really that sick tweaks its tune after the death of five students.

The death of Clarence Nelson of Jewell Junction did not alarm the people of the city and community, as it was considered that out of 3,000 young people there were bound to come death from some cause to a few.

For Ames, the influenza deaths were only starting.

OCTOBER 11 (Friday)

By the second day of the quarantine, the streetcar bridge over Squaw Creek had gotten the nickname “international bridge” for the security placed around it before crossing into the college grounds. The streetcar, which had a long history of being dirty, was ordered cleaned and fumigated, “a thing the company seems to have overlooked.” For the interurban, which traveled the same line as the streetcar until the main campus when it veered south out of Ames, it sounds like the southern checkpoint was at Knapp Street for those entering Ames. Travelers were allowed to Ames but there was surely a warning about not visiting campus.

On campus, about 25 new flu cases are recorded in the hospital records book and according to the newspapers, around eight new cases are estimated downtown, but there is no official word from the mayor. Out of room, Mary Greeley Hospital has patients on cots in its sun room, and among the sick are three schoolteachers. An emergency hospital is under consideration downtown at the Brooks house.

Deaths:

Pvt. Phillip A. Mueller, Hudson (#6)

Pvt. Gerald Mull, Muscatine (#7)

Pvt. Tracy Sparks, Kellogg (#8)

Mueller had both scarlet fever and pneumonia when he died.

Guards were not only stationed at west Ames’ entry points but also across campus, “giving, more than ever, a sober, quiet military air that marked the Mexican border days.” At noon, any loopholes and leniency for travel without a pass or complete pass were closed but classes carried on, so the line for passes was still long.

There was still reporting that the disease was losing its momentum, though by the late afternoon, only Mueller’s death was reported. Iowa State College commandant Gen. James R. Lincoln said the worst was over and those afflicted improve every day. The Times’ editorial reads:

The Spanish influenza has invaded Ames. There are a large number of cases here and at the college, and physicians are kept on the run night and day. Several deaths have been reported and more are expected. The schools have been closed, as well as the theatres, movies, public dance halls, all public gatherings and churches. Every precaution is being taken by the authorities to curb the spread of the disease, and this can only be done by the full and hearty [--] operation of the citizens of this city.

A quarantine zone has been thrown around the college and the Fourth Ward, no one being permitted to pass through the lines without a permit from the commandant's office, which may be had by applying for in person by the one wishing that privilege. Streetcars are running but will observe the rules as laid down by General Lincoln. There is nothing to become excited over. The authorities are masters of the situation and will remain so until the epidemic has been driven out of the city.

Obey the restrictions of the city willingly and in a spirit of cheerfulness. Authorities will remove the band and restore business and pleasure as quickly as possible. Keep the home fire burning, stay dry, avoid crowds, handkerchief that cough and sneeze, make other do the same and the disease will be stamped out.

A Student editorial started:

The epidemic of influenza that is present on the Iowa State College campus is by no means a matter to be taken lightheartedly. The disease if not properly treated might turn out fatal here as it has at most of the camps of the country.

The Student has been criticized for not having printed more compete accounts of the disease. The fact is that the Student has printed all that has been sanctioned by the military authorities. Rumors and facts not sanctioned by the military department are not printed. The disease is mainly among S. A. T. C. men who are members of the army, and information concerning these men must be obtained thru military channels.

The Student went on to state that it prints what is known and also tries to prevent hysteria. In the end, it believes there should be trust that the government knows what it’s doing. Other editorials, which are largely illegible because of bad scanning, were about women stepping up and being leaders.

(Note: Because of the quarantine, the staff at the Student shifted. Women became the acting editor, business manager, and circulation manager as well as did most of the reporting.)

The Tribune included this poem:

If you’re doing lots of sneezing and more than your share of wheezing, and your eyes are full of moisture though you’re not a darn bit sad, then yous better find your “winters” or a pine box full of splinters will keep you nice and cozy if the weather’s good or bad. For they say this stuff called Spanish isn’t classified as clanish And from earth you'll swiftly vanish, if you’re not – well – clad.

This day marked one week since the movie theaters, dance halls, and churches were closed, and public gatherings were banned. On campus, chapel services were cancelled until the quarantine was lifted.

Outside of Ames, all schools in Story County were now closed as Nevada, Zearing, Colo, Huxley, Slater, Kelley, Maxwell, North Grant, and Cambridge closed up on Friday. Ames, Story City, McCallsburg, Roland, and Gilbert had closed in the previous days. For a national scope, 211,000 cases of Spanish influenza were reported in the army camps with 7,432 casualties. A week ago, 17 of the 42 large camps were infected. By this week, 33 of them have 500+ flu cases.

OCTOBER 12 (Saturday)

“The situation is well in hand. It is declared and it is believed the crisis will pass within a few days,” said Capt. A. L. Lane to the Ames Evening Times. On campus, there are about a dozen new cases and two or three downtown, but the mayor says there are several unsure sick cases that are under observation.

Deaths

Pvt. Frank Waugh, Pocahontas (#9)

Pvt. Galen Freel, Murray (#10)

Anton Dahl, Cherokee (#11)

Pvt. Peter Sand, Dubuque (#12)

Pvt. Maurice Wakefield, Heyworth (#13)

The Times seemed to be a breaking point. It states it will not withhold information upon request from authorities.

Members of the Times force this morning were requested to withhold the news of the progress of the epidemic from its reader but this we decided to do because we believe the people should know the actual conditions and besides there is nothing to become alarmed over.

It was pointed out that if we continued the publication of the number of deaths and the development of new cases it would cause a panic. This we deny because the story, one of the biggest to break here is years, has been handled in a thoroughly conservative manner and not in a way to increase the worry of the people.

The Times wasn’t nearly as friendly as the Tribune when it came to sugarcoating the seriousness of the flu epidemic, and here it takes a firm stance that it won’t censor news about it. I wonder if the reporters knew more than they were telling before this day, but as the death toll began to jump every day, maybe this was when city officials decided to keep numbers sealed. Ames wasn’t alone. As I’ve said earlier, officials tried to hide the large scope of the epidemic. Chicago is a good example because by the time officials started telling the full story, the epidemic was widespread and hundreds were dead. In retrospect, openness and early restrictions / closings probably would have helped keep the flu in a better check. There was some fear of being transparent because publishing such news would reach Germany and its allies and be a rallying cry for them — even though they were being decimated by the same epidemic. This Spanish flu also had no cure or proven preventative treatment.

Even if the flu didn’t hit an Ames family, there were high chances it did someone in the extended family. About one-third of the "Personal” section of the newspapers was strictly about people afflicted or traveling to be with those with the flu. 500 mechanics called up to Iowa State on Oct. 15 from the Des Moines area was indefinitely postponed, and the Story County draftees scheduled to leave for camp in a week are going to the army camp in Lyttle, Georgia, not one in Alabama because it was under a quarantine. The high school football game was canceled, too. However, next week’s game is still a go.

Unrelated to the epidemic but big news for the West Ames community: the United Methodist Church began plans to build a church next to campus.

OCTOBER 13 (Sunday)

There were about 10 new flu cases reported on campus. And another note for perspective, the same day west Ames was quarantined, so was Des Moines.

Deaths

Darold Hughes, Nashua (#13)

Pvt. Leo McSweeney, Randalia (#14)

Ward Miller, Adel (#15)

Pvt. Laurence Neff, Earlham (#16)

Pvt. John Wilmes, LaMotte (#17)

OCTOBER 14 (Monday)

Floyd Miller had many extended family members fighting in the war, but they were on the German side. His father, who still spoke some German (I wonder if he’s hiding how fluent he is given the country’s shaming of anything German), talked about his great contempt for “tyrannical” Germany, and how he had hoped Floyd would prove to his neighbors and countrymen that his family was in full support of America.

Deaths

James A. Antram, Stuart (#18)

Sgt. Harry Gray, Elkader (#19)

Pvt. Everett Marvin, Waterloo (#20)

Floyd Miller, Maquoketa (#21)

(The October 14, 1918 edition of the Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune is missing from the Ames Public Library’s collection. Please check your attic.)

Funerals in the city were ordered to be private affairs with a short service and only family and immediate friends allowed to attend. No one was dying in the downtown vicinity, but there were bodies coming back from those that died in Europe and army men who died from the flu in other camps. Such notices are sprinkled throughout the newspapers of the time.

There were about 300 people reported to still in the hospital (I find that to be far too low) at this time, and 70 in serious condition. The mayor and other officials believed the flu had been checked. Yet there was a shortage of nurses, many of whom were doing the work of two people.

The Times reported that the names and number of dead were no longer to be reported but the Times confidently stated it had such figures. After the newspaper came out against the requested censorship of city and college officials, perhaps those people decided to just stop making such information available.

OCTOBER 15 (Tuesday)

The death of a female student at the Iowa State College seemed to have shaken up much of the student population, especially those not in the service. Home economics senior Lynette Gribben died around noon at Beardshear House, a small house for women that stood just south of Birch Hall. During the flu epidemic, Beardshear House, named for the widow of the former president and previous owner Mary Beardshear, was the hospital for women who were sick.

Deaths

Myron D. Hahne, Webster City (#22)

Pvt. Ralph Warrington, Austin, MN (#23)

Lowell Kellogg, Iowa Falls [newspaper: Charles City] (#24)

Pvt. Fred King, Corning (#25)

Lynette Gribben, Minburn (#26)

The front page from Iowa State Student from October 15, 1918. The short article at the bottom middle is missing. Please check your attic.

The number of people coming to Ames because their son or daughter was sick grew enough that some women organized a Home Service group. They were at the train station to be a guide for everyone as they sought out their loved one. In early stories, they organized strictly for those who arrived to pick up someone who had died. Stories that ran later spoke of the Home Service as people who helped anyone that came to Ames seeking a sick relative.

On campus, officials were still trying to stamp out the flu. All military classes were cancelled — women and non-army men still had class. The Student states that Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Tau Kappa Epsilon were converted to hospitals, and their previous residents were moved to the animal husbandry laboratory and any other barracks space that could be located. The Margaret Hall annex (aka North Hall, attached to the north side of Margaret Hall, which was located where LeBaron now stands), was prepared for sick women once Beardshear House (aka the East Hall annex) was full, but there weren’t enough sick to occupy it.

There were about 6 new flu cases on campus and 6 downtown, which brought its total to 121. On campus, there were 631 cases. It was only 10 days ago that there were 168 campus hospital admissions in a single day. Officials were hopeful of continued improvements because better weather was expected in the coming days, and the number of pneumonia cases on campus was dropping. “Several” of the emergency hospitals that were full four days had been emptied, and downtown, many new cases were from families that had already been treated.

The Ames Red Cross had a backlog of things to complete for its quota. 2,044 wipes were still needed to be made. 400 pneumonia jackets, 5,000 shot bags, 50 pieces canton flannel clothing, and 1,000 buckles and straps were to be made, most of which hadn’t been started. The women at Iowa State were unable to help because the quarantine kept them from the workrooms.

Football practice hasn’t taken place since the epidemic began, but Coach Mayser, who was working at the hospital, was still hopeful that the season would happen. University of Iowa, Drake, and Grinnell had played limited games earlier in the month while Iowa State made the “supreme sacrifice” of no football.

The Campustown diner Marty’s was shut down. It was ordered closed by the board of health and when the police chief went to go close it up, he found Mrs. Martin in the basement sick with the flu and “Marty” by her side. Beside them was, allegedly, a lot of food and a floor covered in seepage from the outside. As I briefly wrote in my book, Marty denied the allegations. He said he turned away some military men a couple days earlier as he was closing up, so he believed shutting him down was payback. Marty soon left town.

For a larger picture, with 7,714 cases of influenza in Iowa, the State Board of Health recommended a 30-day quarantine as there were still places where the epidemic was just beginning. In a 24-hour period, 500 more cases were reported. In Cedar Rapids, there were 1,000 cases. In Illinois, all theaters were closed. In a 48-hour period at army camps across the country, 15,152 flu cases were reported alongside 1,700 pneumonia cases and 1,642 deaths. Since the epidemic began, the nation’s army camps had handled 250,020 influenza cases, 15,465 pneumonia cases, and 10,741 deaths.

The Student was still able to find some lighter news. The women’s glee club had organized and a former student was appearing in USDA movies. There was also stories about encouraging music in the barracks and a “kid” party at the women’s East Hall, which included playing old games like “London Bridge” and “Miller Boy” and some singing, dancing, and storytelling — a few men even broke the rules and made an appearance.

(The Ames Evening Times edition for this day is only two pages, which I’m not sure if there pages three and four are missing. Please check your attic.)

October 16 (Wednesday)

The Home Service group that organized earlier in the week was dealing with a steady stream of parents and relatives as they arrived regularly at the downtown train station. Many of them were bringing their own nurse to care for their loved one, and the nurses weren’t turned away. There was a shortage. One story said a parent called his physician in Lincoln (Nebraska?) and told him to name his price to come to Ames and care for those here. The army students who weren’t sick were assisting the nurses or running telegrams across town. There was an hourly messenger who went from campus to downtown delivering telegrams for arriving parents. The telegram acted as a pass to cross the various checkpoints.

Deaths

Presley E. Brown, Walker (#27)

Pvt. James McKeegan, Rock Valley (#28)

Pvt. William Martin, Odebolt (#29)

Pvt. Cale Neal, Aron (#30)

Pvt. Wendell Macy, Lynville (#31)

Even with five deaths in 24 hours and reports that an estimated 20 more would die before the epidemic ended, the number of new flu patients were halting and officials continued to talk up the improving weather conditions as a reason to be happy about the future. Yet even the Tribune (unsuccessfully) tried to verify the statements that conditions were “improving” at the college. Those students still in the hospital were said to be in bad shape while most of the patients from the first week of the epidemic were indeed well enough to check out of the hospital. The Collegiate Presbyterian Church basement was cleaned top to bottom as it was being readied to be turned back over to the church. For nearly two weeks, it had served as an emergency hospital.

West of the Presbyterian church, a boardinghouse was being prepped by Red Cross volunteers to be a convalescent hospital. The location was determined by a committee of State Senator Ben Edwards, Mrs. Clyde Williams, and W. F. Coover on Tuesday evening and identified in the Student as 2823 West Street — at the corner of West and Campus Avenue and home to Sigma Sigma. (The house was torn down a few years ago.) The house was for those ready to leave the hospital but still needed some time to recover from the flu and/or pneumonia, which would have left them a bit frail. The building, which could hold 16 people, was under the direction of government authorities and Mrs. Robert Weigel (or Wygle) ran the operation. The Red Cross and Presbyterian Ladies’ Aid Society provided the workers, and the Red Cross managed funds and donations.

Elsewhere around campus, the women were no longer allowed to leave the college by order of acting president Edgar Stanton. Some families wanted to bring their students home, but it was decided that the knowledge of the college hospital staff made them the best option if anyone did come down with the flu. Many Iowa towns were just beginning to experience the flu epidemic. Rumors were abound that the Company B barracks were to be condemned because those men were the hardest hit (13 deaths) and it got little sunshine.

The Tribune also ran a column addressing the city’s anxiety over the continuing epidemic.

There is an uneasiness in Ames and over the county regarding the conditions prevailing where sickness and death have come.

The deaths have been those of persons, who have congregated in numbers. The civilians deaths have been few. The main thing for the people of the city to do is to prevent a spread of the disease, not to congregate in crowds. There are no church services, but prayer in the home for the bereaved people who come to the city are not barred. There are many who are coming to Ames and carrying with them the greatest pain that can come to a human heart. The old father and mother, who have toiled long and faithfully, who have come to the city that they might be an escort back to the old home with their boy is the grief that counts.

The plain duty for the people of Ames is to “Hold Tight.” Their duty is to assume the grief of the parents and brothers and sisters as they come to the city on the sad mission. There is no fear for alarm on the part of the people of this community. Conditions could be better, and they are getting better every day. Ames people are capable of meeting every condition that shall arise with all the bravery and heartfelt feeling in the world. This is not the time to sit down and worry over troubles—it is the time to have the stiffest kind of an upper-lip and lend our feeling of faith to those who come among us on the saddest of all sad errands.

Just Hold Tight

In Ames, there was one (unverified) new flu case, but the physicians continue to be overworked, so much so that they are unable to make satisfactory reports.

To combat the flu two truckloads of “medicine” arrive. The medicine: whiskey.

The wagon used between downtown and campus was carrying a body to Story City when it broke, and rumor quickly spread that the wagon was now contaminated because it was also used to carry mail, which the Tribune reported was false.

In the state, there were an estimated 14,000 with the flu and 6,244 new cases in the past 24 hours. The death rate was also thought to be rising, and a request was made to Washington for the men reporting to army camps in other states in a few days have their departure postponed.

October 17 (Thursday)

It had been one week since the quarantine went into effect, just over a week since the public schools closed, and nearly two weeks since movies theaters, dance halls, churches, and other places of public entertainment were closed. Today, the courts in Nevada closed.

The Brooks House, an abandoned building owned by the local Masons Lodge and down the street from the Ames Post Office, was preparing to begin operation by the evening as an emergency hospital. There were two families in downtown that were all sick, so they would be the first patients. Mrs. J.Y. Luke was put in charge of its operations. Still dealing with a high volume of visitors, the Home Service women were tentatively planning to use the house, too.

Deaths

Earl Holden, Scranton (#32)

Miles Felton, Neola (#33)

Emmett Floyd, Ames (#34)

On campus, where there were a handful of new cases, an emergency call for nurses had been answered with nurses from 30 communities. The death toll looked like it might be declining, but the death of Ames native Emmett Floyd at the college hospital made headlines.

While there was plenty of talk about improving weather, the morning was marred by a haze all over the city. The cause was the Cloquet Fire in northern Minnesota five days earlier. In a single day, 1,000 people died and 250,000 acres were burned, destroying 38 communities.

There’s mention in the Times of two convalescent houses near college. I only know of the Sigma Sigma house.

United Press reported there were 20,796 Iowans with the flu and with the exception of Camp Dodge, the flu was on the rise.

October 18 (Friday)

“It looks like its dying out,” said Mayor E. H. Graves to the Times.

It certainly did. The number of dead had indeed peaked and new cases at Iowa State were rare, but the death of homeboy Emmett Floyd from pneumonia seemed to sting. The Tribune ran short profiles of seven of the men who recently died with a few words from their fathers, leading with Floyd, whose mother lived in Ames and brother lived in Des Moines.

Deaths

Daniel Fulton, Ottumwa (#35)

The Times talked about secrecy and the press. It began by reprinting an editorial from the Des Moines Tribune, which included:

“There is too much secrecy about the influenza at the camps. Nothing is gained by it, while rumors’ million [rougues] are magnifying the calamity out of all recognition. If the camps had published daily bulletins it would have been far better.”

The Times added:

“The cantonments were not the only place where secrecy has been attempted during the Spanish influenza epidemic. Here in Ames the officials first denied the disease had appeared and before it became generally known a number of cases had developed. Had the citizens been warned of its presence, there is no doubt but what they would have taken extra precautions.

The self appointed censorship has been removed, to a small extent, but new-gatherers are still confronted by the reply, “I have not received the reports.” leaving the reporters to draw on their imagination for their story when the true facts would be much better and would service to destroy the wild rumors in circulation.

American newspapers have never broken the confidence of officials when it has been given them. When General Pershing and his little vanguard of American troops sailed for France the first people to know of the event were the correspondents. They were [?] to withhold the information from the public until the soldiers had landed safely. This was done.

If officials will discuss the situations which come before them and which the public has a right to know of, and which will be found out sooner or later, with the newspaper representatives, requesting, if they desire it, to withhold the news we are sure their trust will never be broken.

The Times throwing some shade at Gen. Lincoln and Mayor Graves.

The front page of the Iowa State Student from October 18, 1918

Elsewhere, for students out of the hospital, they wouldn’t participate in drilling for two weeks to allow some time for recovery by order of Gen. Lincoln. Though the hospital numbers were dropping, pneumonia was still a serious problem for the remaining patients.

At night, L.D. Pierce, of the SATC, likely committed suicide. He was said to be suffering a breakdown and was found dead in the guard house where he had been sent to.

Downtown, there were five new cases but the number of sick had dropped by about half from its peak of 135. A call for nurses at Brooks House (aka the City Emergency Hospital) threw in patriotism as one of the reasons to volunteer.

Movie theater owner Joe Gerbracht said he planned on a throwing big gala when the quarantine’s lifted. The Student, in finding other/lighter news, talked about the upcoming hockey season and the opening of a YMCA building next week. Yet the war and quarantine were at the root of nearly everything. Another football game was cancelled, veterinary student transfers from Indiana couldn’t get on campus because of the quarantine, updates that the college’s men were okay after a crash at sea, and many social clubs were planning huge galas once the quarantine was lifted — it had been nearly three weeks since social events were banned and contact between men and women has been minimal for more than a week.

Statewide, a quarantine went into effect via orders of G. H. Sumner, secretary of State Board of Health. It sounds like it was more of a statement for caution because travel wasn’t restricted. (The quarantine didn’t effect Iowa State College.) However, with 20,000 cases on record and around 1,000 more cases and 41 dead reported yesterday, something needed to be done. The call for 3,800 men to camps in George and California was postponed because of the flu epidemic while Camp Dodge was seeing some relief. There was a 20% drop in the death rate in 12 hours and 1,200 men were discharged, leaving 2,000 still in the hospital and 56 new cases.

In the evening, eight women left their houses to go home for the weekend, breaking quarantine rules. Two of the women lived on campus while the other six lived in a sorority house. The eight returned Sunday night, but upon getting caught, they claimed ignorance to the all quarantine rules about leaving town. Such an act violated rules that were issued Wednesday. For the violation, there would be consequences.

October 19 (Saturday)

The city spirits seemed to be a little brighter as new flu cases remain a rarity on campus and talk of lifting the quarantine began to spread, though guards remain posted and passes are still required; no exceptions.

Deaths

Pvt. Laurence Caspor, Hinton (#36)

Clarence Hayde, Monticello (#37)

The Times noted the Brooks house was in full operation with the nurse Mrs. Niswender running the place.

And at last, Ames was allowed to catch its breath. For the next two days, no deaths were recorded.

The war would end in 23 days to the joy of the entire country. The flu would spike in Ames again in mid November, causing a second wave of disruption, but the city was ready because the quarantine and government restrictions were still in place. The quarantine and closure of the city’s entertainment venues wouldn’t be lifted until Dec. 20 — another 62 days.

Sources

Iowa State College Hospital record book for the Motor Corps and SATC. Oct 1918.

“One death reported from detachment to day; situation better,” Ames Evening Times. 10 Oct 1918.

“Fourth Ward will be quarantined at 6 o’clock tonight,” Ames Evening Times. 10 Oct 1918.

“Strict quarantine hit fourth ward Thursday evening,” Iowa State Student. 11 Oct 1918.

“Women run college papers,” Iowa State Student. 11 Oct 1918.

“The influenza,” Iowa State Student. 11 Oct 1918.

“Death takes toll–soldiers and students,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 11 Oct 1918.

“Soldiers bring to mind days along the old Mexican border,” Ames Evening Times. 11 Oct 1918.

“One death reported from detachment to day; situation better,” Ames Evening Times. 11 Oct 1918.

“Bulletins,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 11 Oct 1918.

“If you’re doing lots of sneezing...” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 11 Oct 1918.

“211,000 cases of influenza at camps,” Ames Evening Times. 11 Oct 1918.

“Call to Ames has been postponed,” Ames Evening Times. 12 Oct 1918.

“Personals,” Ames Evening Times. 12 Oct 1918.

“New buildings to be erected near campus,” Ames Evening Tribune. 12 Oct 1918.

“Draftees from this county to Camp Lyttle,” Ames Evening Times. 12 Oct 1918.

“Personals,” Ames Evening Times. 14 Oct 1918.

“Only seven new cases of epidemic reported at army post Monday,” Ames Evening Times. 14 Oct 1918.

“All schools in county now closed,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

“Student girl passes away,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

“Home Service work,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

“S.A.T.C. classes temporarily discontinued,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

“Iowa may be cut off from world 30 days,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

“5 deaths, 6 new cases reported from college,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

“Influenza closes Illinois theatres,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

“Health service ready to fight flu epidemic,” Ames Evening Times. 15 Oct 1918.

Sloss has task to house them all,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

“Only six new cases of influenza today and but five deaths,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

Will be a football team when words comes that ban is lifts,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

“1918 girls glee club has been selected,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

“Lynette Gribben dies at noon,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

“Red Cross word back,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

“Situation appears to be greatly improved here; few new cases,” Ames Evening Times. 16 Oct 1918.

“Death startles all Ames women,” Ames Evening Times. 16 Oct 1918.

“Drastic measures quickly taken,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 16 Oct 1918.

“Situation appears to be greatly improved here; few new cases,” Ames Evening Times. 16 Oct 1918.

“Influenza claims unusual number stricken victims,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 16 Oct 1918.

“‘Flu’ sufferers to have convalescent hospital near college hospital,” Ames Evening Times. 16 Oct 1918.

“Convalescents have hospital,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 16 Oct 1918.

“Girls safer here than at home,” Ames Evening Times. 19 Oct 1918.

“Needless scare among ourselves,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 16 Oct 1918.

“Bulletins,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 16 Oct 1918.

“Just hold tight,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 16 Oct 1918.

“14,000 Iowans are known flu sufferers,” Ames Evening Times. 16 Oct 1918.

“Will be a football team when word comes that ban is lifted,” Ames Evening Times. 16 Oct 1918.

“Brooks House will be used as an emergency hospital down town,” Ames Evening Times. 17 Oct 1918.

“Health board orders circuit court closed,” Ames Evening Times. 17 Oct 1918.

“Personals,” Ames Evening Times. 17 Oct 1918.

“20,000 Iowans are influenza sufferers,” Ames Evening Times. 17 Oct 1918.

“Ames sees smoke from forest fires,” Ames Evening Times. 18 Oct 1918.

“Emergency cases at new hospital,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 18 Oct 1918.

“The Angels Reveille,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 18 Oct 1918.

“Big improvement in flu situation,” Ames Evening Times. 18 Oct 1918.

“Quarantined of Iowa went into effect,” Ames Evening Times. 18 Oct 1918.

“Will you volunteer?,” Ames Evening Times. 18 Oct 1918.

“October 21 call is postponed,” Ames Evening Times. 18 Oct 1918.

“New Y.M.C.A. hut will be completed first of next week,”

“No cases reported in seventy-two hours,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Movie shows have hopes for future,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Hockey prospects good,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Girls safer here than at home,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Opening of football season postponed,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Convalescent home established for men just out of hospital,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Nineteen Ames men on liner Kashmir when it collided,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“New vet. students cannot get in,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Social committee plans good times,” Iowa State Student. 18 Oct 1918.

“Iowa State College will not...,” Ames Evening Times. 19 Oct 1918.

“Influenza epidemic thought dying out; no new college classes,” Ames Evening Times. 19 Oct 1918.

“Student, said to have been insane, died in guard house Friday,” Ames Evening Times. 19 Oct 1918.

“Movie shows have hopes for future,” Ames Evening Times. 19 Oct 1918.

“Personals,” Ames Evening Times. 19 Oct 1918.

“Eight coeds violated quarantine rules; are lock in rooms,” Iowa State Student. 22 Oct 1918.

#Iowa State University #1918 #spanish flu #flu pandemic #iowa history #ames iowa

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1918 Flu Epidemic in Ames: Hiding the Epidemic

1918 FLU EPIDEMIC: First Arrival | Hiding the Epidemic | The Quarantine | After the Storm

Entering October, the number of people admitted to the college hospital increased every day. However, reading the Ames newspapers you wouldn’t know it or have a good grasp on the flu epidemic’s extent. City and college officials were often quiet on the Spanish flu’s presence. Instead, they opted to give some unclear answers and spout how great hospital conditions were and that everyone was soon going to be fine.

What was actually happening in Ames was happening across the world. October 1918 was the deadliest month in American history. In 31 days, an estimated 195,000 people died. From the fall of 1918 to spring of 1919, 550,000 Americans died and an estimated 30 million across the world by the time the influenza pandemic ended.

This second part covers the early days of the epidemic in Ames.

The front page of the Iowa State Student from Friday, October 4, 1918:

OCTOBER 2 (Wednesday)

In between the first issue of the fall semester and this second issue (the paper published twice a week, Tuesday and Friday), the Student Army Training Corps (SATC) students had a quarantine placed on them beginning Wednesday morning. However, local newspapers reported the quarantine was only a precaution. The Student reported that none of the flu cases were Spanish flu, rather they were English flu or the common flu, and people shouldn’t worry. Everything was fine. The other SATC members would get shots to prevent the sickness from spreading, too.

The rules of the SATC quarantine as published in the Iowa State Student:

All members of SATC are confined to limits of post until further notice.

Members of the SATC shall not be allowed to attend any formal functions or any gathering, public or social.

There is to be no communication from barracks to barracks.

There will be no congregating in any individual room in any barracks.

All blankets and bed clothing will be aired daily.

That all unnecessary clothing and personal effects be disposed of or sent home.

All men be conducted from barracks to classes and from classes to barracks

Under no circumstances will a person without pass be allowed on barrack grounds or in barracks

The Student put down rumors that the SATC quarantine was limited to three weeks. It was considered indefinite and to be lifted when the scare had passed.

(And now for a little bit about the newspaper reporting of this era. When originally designing this series, I intended to rely solely on the Daily’s archive because that’s the main reason for this blog, but at only twice a week, the Daily (then called the Student) only covered some of the happenings since some items were quite dated days later, especially when they were critical for living through the epidemic. On the other side of Ames, there was the 6-day-a-week Ames Evening Times and the thrice-weekly Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. The Times carried several wire stories in every issue about the fighting during World War I and championed the Allies against the Germans and other Central Powers. In every issue, the Germans were retreating somewhere (and were usually referred to as “Huns,” not Germans). The Times ran local stories, but frequently, whatever the city and military officials said was taken at face value. This was a time when everything the leaders did was for the good of the war effort, so nothing was ever questioned. The Tribune had a stronger local focus but unlike the Times, its stories often included some editorialized/opinion content, occasionally talking about patriotism and the well-deserved trust the local and national leaders deserved. World War I was not a era to question authority. The newspapers certainly didn’t.)

Discussing the SATC quarantine, the Ames Evening Times quoted commandant Gen. James R. Lincoln as saying “the quarantine does not mean that there is an epidemic of any kind prevalent at the camp” and unless the situation becomes serious, he had no authority over what happens to all of West Ames. At the time, rumors of quarantining the west side was an immediate probability. It seems Lincoln didn’t say much else on the seriousness of the sick students because the Times then states, “it has been learned from an authoritative source that a call has been made on the local Red Cross, asking them to be ready in case of emergency.”

Also on Oct. 2: four new flu cases were admitted to the college hospital.

OCTOBER 3 (Thursday)

There were 43 new flu cases and nearby, Camp Dodge was reported to have 1,200 in the hospital with the flu, of which 558 were proven to be Spanish flu.

OCTOBER 4 (Friday)

At Iowa State, around 72 new cases of flu appeared at the college hospital.

In the morning, Gen. Lincoln and mayor E.H. Graves had a meeting and the final decision was to quarantine more students and end public gatherings in Ames.

Though this was the day of the Student’s issue, the big news was announced later in the day and dominated the Times, the evening newspaper. The mayor announced all public entertainment and churches in Ames were closed until further notice. Here is the mayor’s proclamation:

In view of the fact that there is a contagious disease prevalent in Ames and vicinity known as Spanish influenza, and in view of the further fact that at the present time it is the patriotic duty of the citizens of Ames, Iowa, to use every precautionary measure to prevent the spread of this disease.

It is here ordered by the Local Board of Health that all theatres, picture shows, public dances and all other public places of amusement and all churches be closed from and after this date in the City of Ames, Story county, Iowa, until further order of this board.

Dated at Ames, Story county, Iowa this 4th day of October, 1918, at 12 o’clock noon.

E.H. Graves, mayor

The proclamation is the first acknowledgement that the Spanish flu was present in the Ames area, though it didn’t come from anyone at the college. Mary Greeley hospital stated to the Times that there were no flu cases present, so its prevalence in the city wasn’t verified. (At least they tried to check.)

Oddly, unmentioned in this and future issues of the Student was a quarantine for all female students, likely designed by Lincoln and issued by acting president Edgar Stanton. The women were no longer allowed near the military barracks, their social events were cancelled, and they were banned from going downtown unless accompanied by a chaperone.

In the Times, Lincoln said around 40 students were in the hospital, but he didn’t confirm or deny the Spanish flu was on campus. According to hospital record book, more than 130 students were sick by the day’s end. To ensure no one questioned the latest limitations, Lincoln said the new quarantine was about patriotism — “should the epidemic appear,” the college will be ready. A Tribune story goes even further to make sure readers don’t question the quarantine, calling it a war measure “pure and simple. There is nothing alarming in the proclamation,” and it’s only preventative. “It should be understood that Ames is under dictation of the military authorities, if they care to enforce any action,” it wrote.

Master gunner Harold Pammel, one of the first to contract the flu, was released from the college hospital. It got a mention in both city newspapers. Meanwhile, Red Cross nurses arrived at the campus to serve but were turned away because the men at the camp were servicing as nurses’ assistants.

In the day’s issue of the Student, Dean R. E. Buchanan didn’t downplay the threat of Spanish influenza. His tips on protecting yourself:

Don’t use any drinking fountain on campus

Don’t use cups for drinking that were not scalded

Don’t touch desks, doorknobs, or woodwork unless necessary

Avoid crowds, drafts, and limits contact with others as much as possible

The newspaper also reported that the first two football games were cancelled because of the SATC quarantine. However, the government had indirectly ordered football games cancelled for the month of October. The only time a team can be away from its institution is Saturday afternoon, but Iowa State officials were hopeful to get a waive since there was a set schedule for play in the Missouri Valley conference.

(A blurb in the Student was “Idle dollars are pro-German.” Newspapers promoted money-raising war efforts on many pages.)

OCTOBER 5 (Saturday)

According to the hospital record book, 120 new flu cases were admitted, the most of any day during the flu epidemic. The number of people who had been release during the past five days was incredibly small.

Citing “unofficial sources,” the Times reported that Ames’ Drs. Budge, Tilden, & Rice were devoting themselves to influenza work full-time while Drs. Aplin and Templeton did part-time. It also wrote that the current flu epidemic was no worse than the Russian flu epidemic in 1889-90. However, it does complain about the cleanliness of the streetcar that carries residents between downtown and the college. It had a long history of being overcrowded and dirty — an excellent incubator for the flu.

OCTOBER 6 (Sunday)

There were about 95 new flu cases on campus.

Decades before students rioted for VEISHEA, Ames residents crowded Main Street at about 1:30 a.m. to celebrate the rumor that the Germans wanted peace talks with the Allies. A fire truck paraded down the street, church bells rang, motorcycles were heard, tin horns sounded, etc. Across town, even the Campanile was reported to have joined the fray. However, all this occurred at a time when public gatherings were forbidden, and the celebration, which included many speakers, including pastors, lasted until about 5 a.m. It was a prime event for the flu to spread.

In a brief statement with minuscule context, the Times stated that sorority houses and women’s dormitories were quarantined. None of the residents were allowed to leave.

OCTOBER 7 (Monday)

In the morning, the Ames Board of Health, which was chaired by the mayor, decided not to close the public schools, though the flu epidemic was in the vicinity. Mayor Graves was said to be waiting for the flu to be a serious threat to students, though attendance was down as more and more parents opted to not send their children to school. The nearby schools of Story City and Gilbert both closed, citing the flu scare.

There were about 89 new flu cases on campus.

With several quarantine stories coming from Iowa State, the Tribune ran a piece acknowledging the presence of the Spanish flu, but said it was no real threat. “There is no denial that Spanish influenza prevails at the camp, but the cases are so few and they are of such mild form that there is not considered the necessity of resorting to other means nor calling for other assistance than that which the officials already have at their command.”

According to college hospital records, more than 400 of 3,000 students (~14%) were sick with the flu and by this time, some cases would be turning into pneumonia. (Adjust that to today’s enrollment numbers, that’d be 4,900 or 35,000 students.)

In the Tribune piece, Gen. Lincoln said everyone with a cold was being treated as though they had the flu. It also said rumors of death on campus were false. “There have been no deaths and there is no person who is so sick that death is even expected. In fact the disease was taken in hand by medical men at the time when it first made its appearance and by this means there was the stamping out of any spreading to any great extent.”

In only a few days, death would be a daily event on campus.

OCTOBER 8 (Tuesday)

Pvt. Clarence Nelson, of Jewell, became the first student to die during the flu epidemic. It was reported he died around 9 p.m.

At the college hospital, there were about 50 new flu cases, and for the first time, it was reported in the newspaper that college hospital, State Gym, and the Collegiate Presbyterian Church basement were full of patients. The Times did a little digging into just how may sick were in Ames. Unofficial sources said the flu was in the grade schools, and guards were posted at all entrances of the college campus, which surely made the situation appear worse than what officials were saying. Yet the mayor said “I don’t know” to questions about specifics. “It is certain there are more cases here than the authorities intend for the public to know,” the Times wrote. At the college, it was reported that 100 were released and 60 new patients were admitted with an estimated 300 patients total. In Ames, there were an estimated 100 patients in a city of about 5,000.

When the Student went to press, there were no reported deaths. Lincoln said all cases have been mild, and the conditions at the college were better than any other camp. The good conditions and quarantine were the reasons Lincoln said he'd wait to send 90 students to an officers’ training camp. (The students aren’t contagious and staying on campus was for their benefit.) Vaccines that were supposed to be given a few days ago were not given due to fear they might make it worse in case a student already had the flu.

At some point during the day, Iowa State’s Board of Deans voted to segregate the men from the women. This was also a decision that was not reported in the city newspapers. The decision likely helped prevent many women from getting the flu because men were already more likely to be infected given the army camp and separating them from women put more space between them and the virus. While the decision was made Oct. 8, word of it didn’t reach some faculty until Oct. 14, and there were departments which were stated to have ignored it because of the lack of instructors and class space. Classes with one or two women were allowed to remain intact as long as the women were seated at least five feet from the men.

At this point, newspapers had to know the situation was getting serious — surely the Student did — but little is reported. Whether the information was censored by officials or newspaper weren’t reporting everything remains a mystery, but it wasn’t uncommon for the time. There was a fear that such bad news about a flu epidemic might get back to the Germans. However, at the same time, they were seeing the in a deadly second wave of the flu.

OCTOBER 9 (Wednesday)

At some point during either the night or early morning (the Times and Tribune don’t agree), the local board of health decided to close the Ames schools. Earlier stories hinted that most board members wanted to close the schools, but they didn’t want to go against the mayor so they stood behind his decision to keep them open. However, the decision to close the schools wasn’t necessarily mayor Graves’ idea. A telegram from U.S. Department of Health advised schools to be closed across the country and the Iowa Board of Health also favored closing public schools.

The mayor’s statement:

Pursuant to instructions received from the State Board of Health, the proclamation closing Moving Picture Shows, Theatres, Churches, Public Dances and other places of amusement is herewith made to cover the Public Schools of the City of Ames. Elsewhere find instructions from the State Board of Health

The flu also took center stage on a national level. The U.S. Health Department wanted to know all cases and created a system where local physicians reported cases to the town mayor, who reported to the State Board of Health, who reported it to the U.S. Health Department.

At Ames schools, there were either 6 teachers (Times) or 5 teachers (Tribune) sick with the flu. The Times said many students are thought to be sick while the Tribune said the opposite. Nevertheless, having the kids at home didn’t mean they were free to play. Children wondering the street would have “consequences.”

There were about 56 new flu cases at the college hospital. And despite the death yesterday, the Times ran a story with a subhead “Situation here is not alarming; physicians declared to be master of situation—no cause for alarm.” The number of places used to treat the sick now included Beardshear House and Alumni Hall. College officials were unavailable to comment on the number of sick, but "knowledgeable sources” said 500, which is somewhat accurate when compared to hospital logs. The story ran on page two, not on front. The Tribune continued to repeat the story that conditions at the college were great, the men were happy, and everyone was getting better.

The following day, all of West Ames would go into a quarantine, and for the next 10 days, there would be at least one death on campus.

Sources

Iowa State College Hospital record book for the Motor Corps and SATC. Oct 1918.

“Influenza has not broken out here say hospital authorities,” Iowa State Student. 4 Oct 1918.

“Customary two weeks quarantine of troops keeps boys in barracks,” Ames Evening Times. 2 Oct 1918.

“1200 cases of ‘flu’ reported at Dodge,” Ames Evening Times. 3 Oct 1918.

“Because of Spanish influenza, theatres and churches closed,” Ames Evening Times. 4 Oct 1918.

“War measure was adopted,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 4 Oct 1918.

“Influenza is serious says Dean Buchanan,” Iowa State Student. 4 Oct 1918.

“Missouri Valley freshmen can play varsity ball,” Iowa State Student. 4 Oct 1918.

“War Department’s action wipes out college schedules,” Ames Evening Times. 5 Oct 1918.

“City physicians are lending aid to stamp out influenza here,” Ames Evening Times. 5 Oct 1918.

“General Lincoln controls situation during celebration,” Iowa State Student. 7 Oct 1918.

“Personals,” Ames Evening Times. 8 Oct 1918.

“Peace demonstration rouses wrath of Ames people; object to call,” Ames Evening Times. 7 Oct 1918.

“Rumors rampant cause Ames to stage jollification,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 7 Oct 1918.

“Will not close public schools until disease makes its appearance,” Ames Evening Times. 8 Oct 1918.

“Closing schools was discussed,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 9 Oct 1918.

“Soldiers are detained at the training camp,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 7 Oct 1918.

“First death from Spanish influenza reported at college,” Ames Evening Times. 9 Oct 1918.

“Will not close public schools until disease makes its appearance,” Ames Evening Times. 8 Oct 1918.

“Quarantine postpones departure of men,” Iowa State Student. 8 Oct 1918.

“Influenza gives no cause for alarm says Gen. Lincoln,” Iowa State Student. 8 Oct 1918.

“First death from Spanish influenza reported at college,” Ames Evening Times. 9 Oct 1918.

“Special meeting of the board of health closes schools,” Ames Evening Times. 9 Oct 1918.

“Ames schools closed on government order,” Ames Tri-Weekly Tribune. 9 Oct 1918.

“Men and women put in separate classes,” Iowa State Student. 15 Oct 1918.

#Iowa State University #Iowa State Cyclones Football #ISU #ames iowa #wwi #world war 1 #flu pandemic #spanish flu #1918 #iowa #history

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1918 Flu Epidemic in Ames: Welcome back; football schedule; flu begins

1918 FLU EPIDEMIC: First Arrival | Hiding the Epidemic | The Quarantine | After the Storm

Here is the front page of the Iowa State Daily 100 years ago yesterday, Oct. 1, 1918. This was also the first edition of the 1918-1919 school year — and the second day of class.

At the forefront of the edition is a welcome letter from acting president Edgar Stanton, who is substituting for President Raymond Pearson while he is traveling to Europe to study agricultural and food conditions during the war (story in the lower left (”Pearson Returns from [Commission]”).

Though Pearson wrote a short welcome letter, Stanton’s received better placement.

GREETING From Acting President Stanton

Here's to the men and women of the higher classes who have returned to the old Campus. Your ranks are thinned; familiar faces are absent; on land and sea, in camp and in on the fields where bloody war runs riot today, your classmates and the sons of I.S.C. are periling their lives in the cause of human liberty. You men are here at the bidding of the government, making ready to render service when and where the war department shall direct. The College has ever been a milestone to brave hearts on the way to the highest duty. It should be and will be such to you in a new and [fuller] sense than ever returning student faced before. You will, I know, in the spirit of earnest devotion that goes with these years, meet and do the work that lies before you.

To the multitude of young men and women who join our rank today we extend a special and most heartfelt welcome. Yours is an uncommon coming. To most of you, it is entrance into the life of a student and the life of a soldier; to all it is a call to the colors—a summons weighted down with responsibility and obligation, but opening up at the same time privilege and opportunity that have no limit. We greet you with a tender heart and an open hand. You become today one of our number—part and parcel of a great enterprise dedicated to the making of manhood and womanhood, and loyal citizenship for the nation. You are to live in an atmosphere and among men already pledged to good fellowship and good purpose. It is yours to take up with sincerity and courage the privileges and duties of the hour, enter into the ideals and traditions of the institution, and, as you make a better self, help to make a better College.

Here’s to the cardinal and gold and the student body which is to see to it that that flag and old glory shall wave at Ames over a College that in scholarship and moral worth and patriotic ardor shall rank among the first in the land!

Go to it, my friends!

For a first edition, the content is pretty typical. Stories include lots of pieces about the Student Army Training Corps (SATC), which comprised about half of the 3,000-large student body. The SATC’s cafeteria, which was the basement of State Gym and designed to feed 2,500 students per hour, was finished in less than month.

Other stories include a letter from a former managing editor in Europe; former dean Anston Marston’s promotion to lieutenant colonel; and SATC students’ course work, which was on a quarters basis while home economics students remained on semesters. (By the following fall, Iowa State fully switched to the quarter system — and remained so until 1981.)

The stories on the right side about the rules and role of the SATC and using fraternity houses for student housing are largely illegible from a poor scanning of the page, which is sadly the state of many editions of the Student from this semester.

Another story looks at the prospects of Iowa State football as the sport hadn't been given the go ahead from Uncle Sam yet. The government took over college football this year, making every military company have a team and then a college team comprised of those company teams. The intended schedule was:

Oct. 5: Illinois at Urbana Oct. 12: Cornell at Ames Oct. 19: Missouri at Columbia Oct. 26: Kansas at Ames Nov. 2/3: no game but hopeful for one to be scheduled later Nov. 16: Iowa at Ames Nov. 23: Kansas State at Manhattan Nov. 28: Drake at Ames

A game would later be scheduled on Nov. 9 against the men at Camp Dodge. However, only two of the games on this schedule would be played. The first October games were cancelled due to the influenza epidemic and local quarantine while later October games were cancelled on government orders, and the Drake game, a Thanksgiving Day game, was cancelled due to a snow storm. Iowa State lost all three games, failing to score any points.

Included in the newspaper is a piece from the Chicago Tribune with health commissioner John Dill Robertson’s list on how to avoid the Spanish influenza:

don’t overeat

don’t get the surface of the body chilled

don’t remain in crowded, poorly ventilated places

don’t become constipated

don’t sleep less than eight hours

don’t get your feet wet

don’t cough or sneeze without smothering it with your handkerchief

don’t sit in a draft

don’t forget that a chill is always a dangerous symptom and send for your physician at once

The piece from the Chicago Tribune was timely in Chicago because the city was in the midst of the influenza pandemic with thousands sick and more arriving at hospitals every day. The first cases had been reported only three weeks prior. Those first Chicago cases were at Great Lakes Naval Training Station, and Iowa State alum Neal Campbell was among those who died in the early weeks.

In late September, two students reported to the still-new college hospital. They had the flu. One of them, Harold Pammel, was noted in the newspaper when he was released on Oct. 4. On the day this Student issue came out (October 1), 23 students were admitted to the hospital, and over the next 15 days, hundreds more would go, overwhelming it within days. The only treatment was bed rest.

10/1: 23 new flu patients

10/2: 4

10/3: 43

10/4: 72

10/5: 120

10/6: 95

10/7: 89

10/8: 47

10/9: 56

10/10: 34

10/11: 28

10/12: 12

10/13: 11

10/14: 20

10/15: 11

10/16: 4

I wouldn’t call these numbers, which come from the college hospital records book, official or even certain. I'd call them solid estimations.

Just north of Des Moines, Camp Dodge was put under a quarantine on Sep. 30. More than a thousand men were sick.

#Iowa State University #Iowa State Cyclones #Iowa State Cyclones Football #world war i #spanish flu #flu pandemic #1918 #iowa state

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1917: Football and the War

There has been much criticism of carrying football on this year. Many have said this on the grounds that amusements have no place in our wartime schedule. Some have said it because they think that all men of that age should be in service at this time. One paper has even gone so far as to state that anyone winning his letter in football this year is a slacker.

We believe that most of such opinions are written or expressed by those who do not have a working or even a talking knowledge of conditions. Besides their lack of personal knowledge they also fail to take in to consideration the fact that men in authority have advised that at least a part of the college students remain in school, and many that college students be not taken into service until absolutely necessary.

In the meantime these men advise all college athletics to be continued and to be emphasized this year. Not only do they emphasize all college contests but they also ask that special emphasis be placed upon the class of athletes which reaches all of the people in the college community. These recommendations are made to the intercollegiate committee on athletics by President Wilson, Gen. Pershing, and secretary of war Baker. We will put the names of these men against any who think it should not be continued.

Those giving such criticism are probably under the impression that a good football player is nothing else and does nothing else. They say that because he is fit for service that he should be there. The football player as a rule is not here alone to play football even though that may be a strong factor toward his being here. Does he amount to anything outside? Statistics in many cases show the football players average above that of the outsider. In another case it has been seen that a football players average was slightly higher during football season than it was out. Football requires skill and is a game which develops it. It not only keeps a man physically fit but in a mental development as well.

The football player of today will be one of two places tomorrow, he will either be in the service or, with his college education he will be one of the leaders in the reconstruction work. For either of these places he is getting physically and mentally fit to do his part. He is not loafing nor putting his time [in] vain. He is doing his duty and will continue to do his duty.

—10 Nov 1917

This editorial from 1917 takes the stance that football still had a place among collegiate life even as the Great War continued in Europe. Some schools did drop the sport both this year and the following year, but the Iowa State and its surrounding schools did not.

#college football #college athletics #Iowa State University #Iowa State Cyclones #Iowa State Cyclones football #world war i #sports #editorial #college media

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iowastatedailyarchive · 6 years

Photo

22 Nov 1905: Who Will Get the Banner?

Before the Iowa State Normal School (now University of Northern Iowa) became a substantial force in Iowa collegiate athletics, Drake completed the big three, and Iowa was often the best in the state. In this 1905 illustration, the Iowa-Iowa State (or as it was called then, SUI-Ames) game was a couple days away. Iowa would win 8-0 — its fifth-straight win against Iowa State. At this time in history, Iowa State’s games were against schools in or near Iowa, and the team often did well.

Note the unflattering physical look the Iowa player is given by artist T. Hogue, perhaps believing Iowa was vulnerable.

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iowastatedailyarchive · 6 years

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Records of I.S.C. 1907-’08

State Football Championship. State Baseball Championship. Champion Track Team. Both Normal Debates. Grinnell Triangular Debate. Both Drake Freshman Debates. Winning Stick Judging Team. Winning Corn Judging Team. Efficient Work.

Record of I.S.C. 1908-’09

--7 Sep 1908

The ISC Student’s welcome back illustration for fall 1908, showing the victories of last year and an empty slate ready for entries for the 1908-09 school year. The illustration is the first by George Wagner, who did a occasional drawings for the next year and a half.

#Iowa State University #Iowa State #ames #ames iowa #Illustration #First day of school #college #college life #george wagner

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iowastatedailyarchive · 6 years

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The I.A.C. Student, Vol. 1 No. 1 (7 August 1890)

A happy 128th birthday to the Iowa State Daily! To celebrate, here is the first issue, dated 7 August 1890. Included are the actual pages and the text to every story.

Some quick thoughts after reading it... So. Many. Periods. In headlines. Though women are on staff, there are no female pronouns when talking about student life and achievements after college. A lot of the writing is dry, recapping event activities in chronological order, especially visible in the baseball game recap. The writing style can take some real getting used to. The mission statement is on the second page, not the front page. Only one story, a tribute/obituary, has author initials on it, the other stories are done without a byline (a practice that’ll go on for decades.)

I’ve corrected some of the grammatical and punctuation errors; some I’m not sure about and there don’t seem to be any rules for comma usage, which can be a challenge — sorry, copy editors. The newspaper also had no guide when it comes to titled works, as it uses both title case, italics, and quotation marks. I could make notes on some of these stories to give them historical context, including the story that hints at the Dinkey, the military notes piece, and the literary societies, but maybe another day. This is already quite long.

Quick reference for the stories in this issue

Headlines in brackets are my creation as many items don’t have headlines — a practice that’ll last for a couple decades.

PAGE 1 Masthead and staff The Joint Session: A recap of the session that brought together all of the college literary societies. Are our Courses too Heavy: An examination about if IAC students are worked too hard [Join a literary society, freshman]: Editors tell the freshman they’d be wise to join one of the college literary societies.

PAGE 2 The IAC Student: The mission state of the newspaper Passing in Panorama: A long piece about life at IAC during the course of a year Philomathean: A recap of the literary society’s first meeting of the school year (debate topic: Should Congress have appropriated $5,000 for the benefit of the Pan-American Congress)

PAGE 3 Welch: A recap of the literary society’s first meeting of the school year (debate topic: That longer terms of office and less rotation would be a benefit to the United States government) Crescent: A recap of the literary society’s first meeting of the school year (debate topic: That a two-thirds vote should be sufficient to convict in a trial by jury) Cliolious: A recap of the literary society’s meeting on 2 Aug (debate topic: That an international copyright should exist) Alumni Notes: Blurbs on various college alumni and where they are in life [An Iowan at Harvard?]: A brief about a frugal man at Harvard

PAGE 4 Christian Association Notes: Some notes and thoughts of the YMCA/YWCA, one of the new organizations on campus [YMCA/YWCA proven worthwhile]: The opening reception of the YMCA/YWCA for the term show that the org is here for the better [Social notes and updates]: Briefs on a new student, a professor’s party, and updates on the decoration sessions. What Are You Here For?: Make sure you are at IAC for the right reasons [YMCA/YWCA reception a success]: A recap of the YMCA/YWCA opening reception [Notes on mail call, vocal music]: Quick notes on mail call and an upcoming concert Athletic Notes: Blurbs about athletics at the college, which is still in its infancy. The Vets Hold an Interesting Session: A recap of the Veterinary Medical Society meeting, which included discussion of Anthrax.

PAGE 5 Advertisements: An assortment of advertisements from Ames and Des Moines businesses.

PAGE 6 Baseball: A inning-by-inning recap of the freshmen baseball game. Of note, baseball is the latest craze sweeping the campus. Engineers: A recap of the Engineering Society’s first meeting of the school year Christian Endeaver Society Entertainment: A recap of the music program and ice cream social hosted the Christian Endeavor Society, a program of the Congregations Church in Ames Advertisements: An assortment of advertisements from Ames and Des Moines businesses.

PAGE 7 Military Notes: Blurbs about the happenings in the military arm of the college [Science Club]: A recap of the Science Club’s first meeting of the school year, including a look at a meteor which was donated to the college museum The Library: An update on the Library as it improves its card catalog plus a look at how useful the library is to students Bachelor Session: A recap of the Bachelors’ first meeting of the school year (debate topic: That the state should have absolute control of the liquor traffic within its borders) [Tennis association stalls]: The creation of the tennis association has stalled. (Tennis will soon be the big sport on campus.) [Railroad desired to connect Ames, college]: Some junior civil engineers are working on plans for a railroad to connect Ames to the college.

PAGE 8 Scraps from our waste basket: Odds and ends of things often about other colleges, but also some words of wisdom and silly observations [Strange noises in the night]: Brief about a proctor trying to locate students up to no good Tribute to Chas. J. Cotey, ‘87, late professor, Dakota Agricultural College: A tribute and obituary to Charles J. Cotey, an alumni and successful businessman [Why successful freshman can falter]: Quick take on why a successful freshman can quickly falter in schoolwork [Social notes and more]: Blurbs about sports, events, students, faculty, staff, and college life

Page 1

The I. A. C. Student.

Issued Fortnightly During College Year.

Intelligencer Job Print, Ames, Iowa.

Subscription 50 cents per term. Single Copies 10 cents. On sale at Book Stores. Advertising rates made known on application.

Contributions Solicited. All communications should be addressed to

THE I.A.C. STUDENT.

G. H. SCHULTE. Bus. Mg’r. Ames, lowa.

F. E. Davidson ‘90, G. H. Schulte '90, Miss Kate Stevens 90, E. S. McCord ‘91, J. E. Spaan '91, Miss Clarice McCarthy '91,

F.C. Stewart '92, W. H. Cochran '93, Miss Ella Curtis '93, R. H. Fairfield '93, E. E. Faville ‘93, A. M. Harvey '93.

THE JOINT SESSION.

An Interesting Program Presented to an Appreciative Audience.

In obedience to a custom of many years, the five literary societies of the college held a joint session in the college chapel on Saturday evening, July 26th.

The audience was not as large as might be wished, as many of the students spent the evening elsewhere. The great difficulty in preparing a creditable program is the very short time available for preparation. It is a fact that our joint sessions do not rank with the average literary society session either in interest or merit. However the last was the best we have heard for some time.

Mr. Meredith acted as chaplain of the evening, reading a very interesting chapter of the scriptures. For a change we would like to hear a simple earnest prayer from one of the students, as an introduction to our literary sessions, instead of the scripture readings.

Messrs. Minchen and Adams rendered a very choice selection of guitar music, and were loudly encored. Their reputation is well established as two of our best musicians.

Mr. Bishop in behalf of the various societies welcomed the audience m a few appropriate remarks.

“The Little Red Hen" was next delivered by Miss Charlotte Barrows. Miss Barrows was fortunate in the selection of a declamation. Her delivery is simple and uneffected.

The next performance was an oration by Miss Kate Stevens entitled "Physical Culture." She reviewed the standards of manhood and womanhood of all nations; clearly showing that all united the ideals of beauty, strength and power. She pointed out the tendency in America to-day, to cultivate the intellect to the exclusion of the body, clearly portraying the results necessary to follow if a halt is not called to this unsystematic development. Miss Stevens is one of the ablest students of which the I. A C. can boast. She is a clear thinker and always thinks to a purpose.

The song by Miss Ward was well rendered and duly appreciated by the audience.

The debate was "Should the National Election Bill Becomes Law?" Mr. Hodson opened the debate in a brilliant manner. Mr. Graham led the negative. It was at once apparent that he was prepared to debate. He looked at the question from a conservative point of view, clearly portraying the evils which would necessarily follow should the bill become a law. Mr. Starkey, the second speaker on the affirmative is a radical partisan, and of course, thought the bill ought to pass. Mr. Thomburg replied to the arguments in a telling manner.

Mr. Hodson in his closing speech waxed eloquent, and brought down the house. Mr. Graham closed the debate in his quiet characteristic matter. He being a senior having passed up Polit. and Psych. of course made the best debate.

After music by Messrs. Minchem and Adams, Mr. Clyde Jones told us of the “Behring Sea Controversy." Mr. Jones has a very earnest manner of speaking and held the attention of all the audience, not excepting a few smart (?) folks who had been giggling and passing notes during most of the entertainment.

Impromptu speeches were next in order. Messrs Stewart, Dyer and Olmsted and Miss Alice Mann responding. The speakers were well prepared and got off some good takes on the audience.

Mr. Lovejoy sustained his well known reputation as a declarmer when he rendered Ingersol's Vision."

G. H. Schulte next told us of "Ilis Experience in Courtship." It will be remembered Mr. Schulte won first honors in the decathlon contest in '88. His rendering is direct and forceable. He was frequently interrupted by bursts of applause.

The vocal duet by Messrs Morton and Cochran was one of the best we have heard in some time.

The Parody by Miss Elmira Wilson was well written and distinctly read. In prophetic language she told of the future of the I.A.C. girls.

Mr. Dean next favored the audience with a very fine sketch of our Departed Hero," Dr. Welch.

A tableaux closed the entertainment, and the joint session was once more a thing of the past.

Are our Courses too Heavy.

We have heard many students complain that too much work was required of them. They make comparisons between the work required here and at other schools, which do not require more than one-half as much of their students as is required by our faculty. This is no argument against our course. If these same grumblers will but look at the records of I. A. C. graduates and compare their success with those of the graduates of these other schools they will find the odds all in favor of the I. A. C. It does seem however that students of some of our courses have more required work than others.

15 hours without laboratory work is hardly on & level with 16 hours, and 7 laboratories.

We think however that instead of the latter course being made easier the other should be made more difficult.

That as much work should be required to obtain a degree in the general as in the engineering courses.

[Suggested headline: Join a literary society, freshmen]

To the new students we would say: You cannot afford not to be a member of one of the college literary societies. Do not put it off until next term, but join at once, and go to work. No matter if you cannot debate like the seniors or orate like the juniors. They were once freshmen, but by hard persistant effort have secured that greatest of all attainments, the power to speak readily in public. No matter if you do not expect to follow a literary profession. There are times in every man's life when it will be hundreds in his pocket if he can clearly and readily state his thoughts in public. A thorough knowledge of parliamentary law and usages is as essential to a thorough education as a knowledge of mathematics. The literary society fills a place in our educational system which can be filled by nothing else. It is a place where character is formed, where wit is sharpened, where thought unfolds in its grandest magnificence.

Observe the society workers, those who seem to carry their society in their mind and heart continually Those who are considered the best literary workers. Follow them after they have left college and have mingled with the world, and we will venture the assertion that 99 times out of 100 you will find them the most successful men in life. No matter whether they graduated with honor or were "voted over." Marks do not make the man. It is the ability to hustle, to move men, and things that gives them this advantage over their competitors. See to it then that you not only have a trained intellect, and a large fund of useful knowledge, but the ability to hustle in this hustling world.

Page 2

THE I. A. C. STUDENT.

The succession of events that break the routine of college life is now specially marked by the appearance of a paper that will make a complete record of their [occurrence].

THE I. A. C. STUDENT now comes to the Students, Faculty, Alumni and Friends of the institution for the first time. The policy of its managers is simple and easily understood. We shall try and publish a College Newspaper. THE I. A. C. is our field and we shall endeavor to advance the institution in every manner possible. We shall not attempt to run a scientific or literary Magazine, and we doubt if there is a demand for our ideas on politics or religion. It is our object to create a genuine college newspaper, one free from all [alliances], and in this work we invite all the [friends] of the institution to help us.

Passing in Panorama.

"History repeats itself." Nowhere is the truth of this saying so clearly shown as at the I. A. C. Not that we are working in a rut, our students are as enterprising as the students of other colleges. But human nature is always the same, and under similar conditions manifests itself in similar ways. In the main each year is a [repetition] of the previous one. The Freshmen are always green, the Sophomores always boastful.

The first week of the term is characterized by trunks, handshaking, introductions and general miscellaneousness. At the President's office, candidates for Freshman standing are telling the President how smart they are—how they've passed up algebra and geometry, and that they think they ought to be admitted without an examination. The Sophomors, Juniors and Seniors would "like to see you a moment, privately, President Chamberlain.”

Soon come the skip-tum-a-loo pig-in-the-parlor socials where all are expected to be as if they had been acquainted with each other all their lives, instead of an hour.

Toward the latter part of April little knots of Sophomores may be seen here and there talking earnestly. This is an indication of the coming of the Freshman picture and the great Freshman-Sophomore "scrap" attending it.

Them follows the reception. The Sophomores spout and strut while the Freshman stares admiringly and says to himself, That's Fine. He informs his neighbor, ”that when a man gets through this college he knows something."

At this period the toughs of the Freshman class, begin to come into prominence. The nights on Freshman floor are now hideous. Next day the salute is, "Been to see the President yet?”

The Freshmen organize a ball team and try tilts with each of the three upper class nines successively. Perhaps they are successful, perhaps not—it makes no difference. No more is heard about ball during the remainder of the term. All have turned their attention to tennis and mashing.

The first of May brings the book-agents. They tell tho boys beautiful stories about pleasant vacations of travel, golden crops of suckers and the immense value of the experience acquired.

The Freshmen and Sophomors are wondering where the [battalion] will spend Decoration Day. Some say at Boone, others Marshalltown, and Nevada, etc, etc.

Up to this time nothing has been heard of the Juniors. All seem to think that they are for ornament only. But, behold! the time of the junior ex, draws nigh. The animal making that unearthly noise in the next room is not a demented bovine, but only a Junior ex, speaker rehearsing his oration.

With the fare days of June, comes the event of the year—Col. Lincol'n reception to his officers and Co. G. captains, lieutenants and sergeants—how they scramble. Here's a little advice boys, On such occasions adopt this motto, "send your mail early and avoid the rush.“

The closing days of the term are days of hurry and hard work. The last Sunday finds many vacant seats in chapel. The sophomores are making out their surveying plots, the juniors are wrestling with engineering and literature, while the seniors are preparing for Monday's examination in psychology.

Vacation is to short. In four weeks the trunk act must again be performed, while the freshmen come swaggering along, puffing and sweating in these heavy uniforms. (Been showing off on the the train you know). First of all, the social must be attended to. Then all eyes are turned toward the orchard. Emigration sets in toward the west, and the sentiment of the times seems to be, 'Go west young man, and fill up with apples." The season advances and the President forbids the indiscriminate appropriation of fruit. Then it is that apples are hauled in by the sackful in the wee small hours of the night; then it is that Jerry and the proctors spend sleepless nights.

When the grapes are ripe, the orchard loses its charm, and the vineyard becomes the center of interest. Before, grape-time came the class picnics. They are very pleasant affairs, but like the Colonel's reception are apt to cause the boys some anxiety.

After the picnics are over, all are talking about the State Fair. Are we going? When? How long to stay? Is Co. G. going? The same questions and the same indefinite answers. Why can's people vary their conversation some? This Fair question is a dry chestnut.

The Fair comes. It is over. O how tired! O how sleepy next morning, when the jingle rings.

The year's work now rapidly draws to a close. The seniors are "burning midnight oil" over their theses. We come to commencement week. Decoration of the chapel is in progress. The upper classes do their work quietly and with dispatch, but the freshman can't agree on what they want to do, nor how to do it. They waste the so much time that they have to finish up while the rest are at supper.

During the exercises of the week, every fellow sticks to his best girl, having in mind the fact that a four month's vacation is close at hand. The final day comes. The noble seniors march upon the platform for the last time. How grand to distinguish one's self by forgetting his oration! How awe inspiring the scene! How relieved the audience when it is over, and cramped limbs and poisoned lungs are permitted to gain their normal condition! Congratulations come now, Tears flow freely, Tis over. We are off for four month's vacation. Goodbye.

Philomathean.

The Philomatheans held their first regular session of this term Saturday evening the 2nd, inst.

The society was called to order at the usual time and after devotional by the Chaplain, the president Mr. Howard, was installed.

The outgoing president, Mr. C. D. Davidson, in his usual pleasant manner thanked the society for the honors given him, and gave the members a few valuable hints which we hope will be remembered.

Next on the program came the debate. The question was: “Should Congress have appropriated $5,000 for the benefit of the Pan-American Congress.” The question was ably debated by Messrs. Faille and Fairfield as leaders and Messrs. D. A. Thornburg and Jackson as assistants.

Miss Lane read a very amusing parody which was not only amusing but also interesting. The subject has been for the past two or three weeks, an all absorbing theme in the I. A. C.

Mr. Roddis then gave a selection from Will Carlton, “Making an Editor Out’n O'Him."

The two minute speeches by Misses Walley and Stevens and Mr. Reynolds were nothing very weighty, but " A little nonsense now and then is relished by the best of men.”

The voluntaries by Miss Stevens and Mr. Wooding were very good indeed, and were enjoyed by all. Miss Stevens pictured very beautifully the story of a "Union Spy," and Mr. Woodring rendered the familiar but none the less amusing poem, “The Snack in School.”

Mr. Peterson, of Des Moines, then addressed the society, giving some reminiscences of his school days and some ideas as to the value of society work.

The literary part of the program was interspersed with some charming selections of music.

During the business session Mr. Brown was initiated, thus adding another good member to the society.

Page 3

Welch.

Saturday evening when the society boll ceased ringing the Welch boys quietly settled into their chairs and prepared themselves for the intellectual feast of the evening. They were complimented by the presence of a number of visitors.

An address of welcome by President F. E. Davidson opened the evening program, and the work of the term.

During the session declamations were rendered by Messrs Kent, Raymond and Rickets. An interesting essay was read by Mr. Waterhouse, and a medley of splendid merit by Mr. O'Niel.

Mr. Christie's speech on Mexico, showed us its political history; and possibilities for the future, as well as a glimpse of its resources, and geographical peculiarities.

Mr. Emerson spoke on the question of American fisheries and presented a reasonable solution to this perplexing problem.

An able debate was given on the question “That longer terms of office and less rotation, would be a benefit to the United States government." Messrs McCord and Jones handled the affirmative and Messrs Angus and Henry the negative. The debate was given to the affirmative.

An oration on James A. Garfield was next delivered by Mr. Bramhall. It was a production of excellent merit and was highly spoken of..

Several excellent declamations were given as voluntaries.

The society is to be congratulated on having added to its list of members, the names of Mr. McCarthy and Mr. Lewis.

Crescent.

The society was called to order by the Vice President, R. M. Dyer, Miss Quint being appointed secretary. The roll call by Mr. Spinny showed that many were absent from the room.

The question for debate was:

Resolved: That, a two-thirds.vote should be sufficient to convict in a trial by jury.

Mr. Spinny the first speaker on the affirmative showed that in reality a majority vote rules in case of trial by jury, and that a law to that effect is in force in some countries.

Mr. Dyer the first speaker on the negative holds that there is no balance between right and wrong, and a man is either wholly right or wholly wrong. He further makes the remark that, if he should ever be so unfortunate as to be called up in court for trial, for stealing watermelons or chickens, he wants the unanimous vote of twelve jurymen to convict him.

Mr. Beyer, attacked the watermellon argument. Mr. Peterson volunteered. He is in favor of the jury system as it is, but states that he would rather be judged by a judge than by a jury under present conditions. In speaking of the possibility of bribing one or two members of the jury, he says that it is done and often a criminal is set free in that way, but under the present system, it does not often happen that the innocent are convicted. He holds that it is better for fifty or one hundred, or any number of criminals to go unpunished than to convict one innocent person.

Mr. Cory in his oration reviewe four gov't. He holds that the American theory is the solution of the problem of gov't.

Miss Nichols showed in her oration that he is radically opposed to foreign emigration.

Declamations by Misses Williams and Ward were well delivered.

Mr. Shaul in his five minutes speech discussed the Moroal Progress of the ninetenth Century.

The different pieces of music were well rendered, and the crescents may be proud of their own quartette.

Cliolious.

The Cliolian Society met August 2, with the attendance not as large as usual.

Owing to the "tennis party” some of the members were absent; among them our president and vice president.

Miss Jennie Morrison was chosen to preside during the evening.

Miss Sadie Barrows favored the audience with a pleasing piano solo, after which Miss Garth read a touching poem—The Bridge Keeper's Story.

Miss Boyd's essay, "Abilities and Opportunities," was well read and showed much thought and careful preparation.

The question for debate was:

Resolved: That an International copyright should exist.

The leaders on both affirmative and negative being detained at the tennis party on account of the rain. Misses Morrison and Thornburg handled the question with marked ability.

The judges decided in favor of the affirmative.

Our thoughts wandered to home and Mother for a few minutes, while Miss Garth sang “Some Day I'll Wander Back Again."

“A Railroad Episode," by Burdette, was nicely rendered by Mable Owens.

The current events arranged by Misses Freed and Porter covered a wide range of subjects.

Miss Charlotte Barrows and her assistants demonstrated in an amusing pantomine, that it is better to let well enough alone[.]

Miss Doolitle read a beautiful essay entitled "Mary and Martha," which was [written] by one of her former pupils.

Miss Justas rendered “Boat Song," by Mendelsshou, after which the society adjourned.

[Suggested headline: railroad accident in Nevada]

A young man named J. P. Oleson working with a bridge gang at Nevada, tried to board a moving train, and missing his hold, had his foot crushed so badly that it had to be amputated, Dr. Fairchild performing the operation and brought the boy to the sanitary building where he is now getting along nicely.

Alumni Notes

‘87. C. F. Curtis, of Nevada, Sundayed with friends at the I. A. C.

‘83. Attorney O. C. Peterson, of Des Moines, was a welcome visitor at the college.

‘85. C. S Bowie is superintendent of the electric light system at Tacoma, Washington, and draws a good salary.

‘88. W. L. Thomson and E. K. were recent visitors at the I. A.C.

'89. C. H. Stearns, Professor of National Sciences in Drake University, is rusticating among the mountains of Colorado.

‘84. T. F. Bevington is city attorney of Sioux City, an exceedingly lucrative position

‘87. F. W. Mally has resigned his position in the University of Illinois, and accepted an appointment in the U. S. Entomological commission.

‘88. Besides being professor of agriculture in the Texas Agricultural College, Geo. W. Curtis has lately been made director of the state experimental station.

‘89. M. W. Thornburg is taking a post graduate course at the college, and has charge of the preparatory class in physiology.

'89. P. H. Rolfs principal of schools at Lawler, Iowa, is spending his vacation at the I. A. C.

‘89. B. T. Green has left the college for a needed vacation preparatory to entering upon his duties as professor of mathematics in the Presbyterian college at Fort Dodge

‘76. Mr. J. F. Hardin and wife (Mamie Carpenter of class *77.) have just departed from a two weeks visit at the I. A. C. Mr. Hardin is engaged in law and real estate business at Eldora, and makes an annual pilgrimage to his Alma Mater.

'84. Miss Mannie Wilson, recently graduated from the normal college at [Framingham], Massachusetts. She will teach in the Bay state the coming year.

‘82. Geo. W. Catt is a bridge engineer at Seattle, Washington, and is reported to be worth half a million.

‘84. E. J. Nichols, when last heard from was engaged in engineering at Texaskania, at a [salary] of two thousand.

Miss Sloan, daughter of C. H. ('84) and Emma Porter Sloan (‘85) will enter the I. A. C. as a student in 1906.

Fred Faville, the orator of '87, has resigned a very lucrative position with the government at Baltimore, M. D. During his stay there Fred devoted his spare hours to the study of law, and will enter the senior law class at Iowa City in September.

[Suggested headline: An Iowan at Harvard?]

A young man graduated at Harvard Law school last June, who had completed the four years collegiate course at Harvard, followed by three years in the Law school, and has supported himself throughout the seven years, coming out with a balance of $5,000 in his pocket. When we remember that the expenses at Harvard is not far from $1,000 per year, we are led to believe that the gentleman was either a Des Moines boodler or an Iowan book agent.

Page 4

Christian Association Notes

The Y. M. and Y. W.C. A's of the I. A. C. are the last societies organized here, but not the least. They are destined, here as in other colleges, to become prominent factors in the affairs of the institution. They will, as nearly as possible, take the place of the church, which the student enjoys at home, but of which he is deprived here. They like the church bringing up the standard of morality in localities, will raise that standard at college. Then as the standard of morality rises, the need of strict rules becomes less. A little observation among different colleges, will show how much more pleasant for both faculty and students it is when the students are governed by the desire to do right, rather than by proctors and ironclad rules.

Although these associations may not in every respect take the place of the church, as one of the principal means of growth in spiritually, they surpass the church. A splendid opening is here afforded for active Christian work.

To confine ourselves to our own associations, we may say that they have made a good start in their work. They organized near the close of last term, the Y. M. C. A. with a membership of 92, which has since been raised to 116, and the Y. W. C. A. with about 60, which has also been increased.

A full set of committees have entered upon their work. The Wednesday and Sunday evening meetings have opened with good attendance, which should however be increased.

In truth, the associations have taken up with ready hands and hearts the work which destiny has designed they should advance. THE STUDENT wishes them Godspeed.

[Suggested headline: YMCA/YWCA proven worthwhile]

When the Y. M. and Y. W. C. A’s were talked of here, some were opposed to organizing, preferring to run along awhile in the old rut. They doubtless think differently now.

Receptions, like the one given at the opening of this term, are just what we need, and should have at opening of every term. They are just formal enough to be worthy of an intellectual and moral set of students, and informal enough to gain with ease the object of their inauguration.

[Suggested headline: Social notes and updates]

Freshman Hewstreet of Ames, who was at Cornell last year is with us this term.

Prof. Knapp gave a Lawn Tennis party Saturday evening at Woodward Place. Those who were so fortunate as to be invited reported a most enjoyable time.

In the LATE report of the decoration sessions held at the I. A. C. we noticed that an oration by R. F. Hodson, entitled Eulogy on Abraham Lincoln, and also one by F. E. Davidson, entitled, Our Destiny, were by mistake left out.

What Are You Here For?

No doubt most of our students would answer, if asked this question—work. But would not some at least think that their object in coming to college a very vague one. When we see students trying to shirk their work or selecting an easy course, we have serious doubts of their success. They seem to be seeking a good time, little dreaming that they injure no one but themselves. Were you sent here, or did you come? Are you searching for a royal road to learning, or are you willing to toil weeks, months, and years, in training and developing those faculties which nature has most bounteously bestowed upon you? This is no place for idle dreaming, but a place for effort, for work; sincere, honest and faithful work.

[Suggested headline: YMCA/YWCA reception a success]

The Y. M. C. A. and Y. W. C. A. gave their first reception on Friday evening July 25th, to which a most cordial invitation was extended to all the students.

The reception was held on the first floor of the Main Building.

The balls were elegantly decorated, and the artistic arrangements of the decorations made them more inviting than ever before showing the taste of the ladies of the Y. W. C. A.

The reception committee were Misses Morrison, Mills and Roberts assisted by Messrs Reynolds, Norton, Merrill and Shoemaker and the hearty welcomes which were extended to all, insured each one, of other than an unpleasant time.

The principal feature of the reception was the tendency on the part of everyone present to be entertaining, and in this way all were made to enjoy a pleasant evening. An appropriate program was carried out consisting of the following:

Recitation, Legion of the Organ Builder, G. W. Randiett.

Sextette, Miss Mills and Mr. Norton, accompanied by Misses Nichols, Chamberlain and Messrs Norton and Reynolds.

Reading, A Tale of the Two Cities, Mrs. Chamberlain.

Piano Duet, Mrs. Barrows and Mrs. Owens.

Monologue, Auntie Doleful's Visit, Miss Curtiss.

Recitation, The Soldier's Death Dream, E. E. Faville.

Vocal Duet, The Pilot, Messrs Cochran and Norton.

Address, J. C. Norton.

[Suggested headline: Notes on mail call, vocal music]

We are much pleased to see the tear of the "want-a letter-student," quickly dried up, as he rushes out for his noon day mail, all on account of the promptness of our mail cart.

The next attraction is the cantata "Ruth the Moabitess” to be given in the chapel Saturday evening, August 9. All lovers of vocal music look [forward] to this coming event, expecting a treat. The societies will give way to it and a large attendance is expected.

Athletic Notes.

The I. A. C. A. A., is out of debt and is in a prosperous condition.

Trotter and Chicago. run a 100 yard race the other evening, Chicago won by several yards making it in 17 seconds.

The new vaulting polo costing $6.50 is in constant use up to date. Foster, Davidson and Strong seem to be about equally skillful in using it. Look out for a record of 10 feet this fall.

Prof. Weihe has kindly consented to teach a class of athletically inclined students to use the bars. The boys like to see the faculty take an interest in student matters.

Quite a number of the boys have purchased running shoes and suits. Some good records will be made this fall. Davidson is reported to have made the 100 yards in 10 5-10 seconds last week.

In the state field of Michigan, Burnette of the M. A. C. won 10 first prizes and two seconds.

Yale's noted sprinter, Sherrill, lowered his 100 yard record 10 1-5 to 10 seconds at the spring meeting, May 12. Another Yale man, Williams, broke the inter-collegiate 120 yard hurdle race, his time being 16 3-5 seconds.

The best record ever made in any intercollegiate meeting on throwing the ball was made May 17, 1879, by R. H. Treman of Cornell University N. Y. He throwing 379 feet 6 5-10 inches. W. Zmunt, of the I. A. C., last term beat this record by several feet, on the I. A. C. grounds in the presence of some fifty spectators.

Our boys must bear in mind that if they expect to do anything in the next state field day that they must begin to train at once and keep up their training, one cannot get in condition to make records without severe training.

The Vets. Hold an Interesting Session.

The Veterinary Medical Society held a very interesting session at their hall, August 1, 1890.

The following responded according to program.

First a speech by Mr. Whitbeck, subject “Fistula." The subject was ably discussed by all present.

Next was a speech by J. Replogle on the subject of Caponizing. His talk was interesting and instructive.

Following this was a paper by Mr. Sorenson on the subject of Anthrax, which was readily discussed by the society on account of its being one of the most complex diseases that a surgeon has to treat.

Mr. Ingmand then spoke of The Out-look for Veterinary Practitioners, which was well received by the society. Volunteers were called for Messrs Heck and Austin responded.

Several new members were initiated at the business session and became regular members of the society.

The Society with Professor M. Stalker as president is enjoying great prosperity and cannot help but benefit its members.

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