The Spanish Influenza epidemic made its method to America in the spring of 1918, with among the first cases being reported at Fort Riley in Kansas.
And by fall, the dreadful disease had actually made its method into Fremont County.
In October 1918, life in Fremont County came to a stop. Schools closed, events were canceled and homeowners found themselves self-isolating and wearing masks in public to prevent contamination.
First reports in local newspapers of influenza impacting Cañon City locals are dated Oct. 3 and regarded 24 boys who were to leave for training camp on Oct. 7. A printed telegram in the Cañon City Record states, “On account of the quarantine due to the spread of Spanish Influenza, the allotment from Fremont County under induction call No. 1,376 on your board is thus canceled.”
Quickly Cañon City had six confirmed cases and the City Council made movements to stop the spread by releasing an order on Oct. 10.
” It was decided to purchase the closing of the public schools and prohibit all public gatherings, whether for spiritual, social, or amusement or other purposes till such time as the ban might be raised,” reports mentioned at the time.
The Oct. 10 short article goes on to print guidelines released by the Pueblo Health Department to help avoid capturing the illness.
” First do not be afraid that you are going to agreement influenza and die, follow the guidelines of the health department, stand up like males and females, and satisfy the circumstance smartly and bravely,” the health department specified.
The following are guidelines given at the time:
— Prevent needless crowding. Influenza is a crowd illness.
— Smother your cough and sneezes. Others do not want the germs which you would throw away.
— Your nose, not your mouth was made to breathe through.
— Remember the 3 Cs: a tidy mouth, clean heart, and clean clothing.
— Attempt to keep one’s cool when you stroll and warm when you ride and sleep.
— Your fate might be in your hands, clean your hands prior to consuming.
— Open the windows in your home and in the office.
— Do not let the waste product of food digestion accumulate, drink a glass of water or 2 on getting up.
— Don’t utilize a napkin, towel, spoon, fork, or glass or cup which has been utilized by another person and not cleaned.
— Prevent tight clothing, tight shoes, tight gloves– seek to make wetness your ally, not your detainee.
— When the air is pure, breathe all of it you can– breathe deeply.
— Food will win the war– chew yours well.
A week later on, nearly 20 people in Cañon City were affected, though their cases appeared milder than some in surrounding towns.
Remote knowing was carried out for students at South Canon High School on Oct. 21 by Superintendent G.A. Cleland. Outlines for studying were produced by teachers and mailed to the students weekly with the guarantee of composed examinations on the material as quickly as school resumed.
As the death toll increased acr