Influenza pandemic of 1917-18

The Great Influenza of 1918-19 has been described as the most devastating epidemic in the world’s history. Somewhere between 20 and 40 million people died throughout the world. The death toll in the United States was somewhere around 675,000, more than were killed in World War 1. The particular virus seemed to be a genetic shift from any previous virus and little immunity was present in any country. Unlike any other known flu, either past or present, the Spanish version hit those in the 20 to 40 age group the hardest and often resulted in death in as little time as one day.

Richfield Utah suffered in much the same way as other rural American communities. Young product citizens were struck down and were either incapacitated for periods of time or died. Such deaths of young adults left many children motherless or fatherless and the panic of such a pandemic in both young and old can scarcely be imagined. The Reaper reported at the time of heated discussions among community leaders of enforcing a quarantine on the city. The City Physician immediately resigned his position rather than take the public abuse that would result from such action.

John Barry, speaking of the social impacts said, "Even though it killed at least 40 million people in less than a year, the 1918 influenza pandemic's most alarming feature may have been that it nearly extinguished the basic humanitarian impulses that bind civil society together." Those that were still healthy were so terrified of the disease that it was hard to find volunteers to help with the sick.

On the same day that Jane Gledhill died, Mary Anderson, wife of Willard Anderson and resident of Joseph, also succumbed to the deadly virus. Willard was a brother to Parley and an Uncle to my Grandma Leda. At the death of his wife Willard was left alone with 5 young children. Warren, who was only about 5 when his mother died, came to live with Floyd and Leda and was practically raised as one of their own.