There are times when we think our lives are very different from our grandparents. How could our grandparents understand this Pandemic and its effects on our lives? My maternal grandparents were living in New York City, almost 100 years ago, when the Influenza Pandemic began. I do not remember my grandmother ever talking about that time. [My grandfather died before I was born.] She may have thought I was too young to learn about that deadly time in her home city. I am curious about how life changed for my grandparents and what they thought about the Influenza Pandemic. I did a little research and this is what I have learned.
On 11 August 1918 a Norwegian vessel steamed into New York City’s harbor. The vessel held 11 crew and 10 passengers infected with a new, aggressive form of influenza. Ambulances were ready to take them to a city hospital. By 24 September 1918 New York City had over 100 new cases. By 4 October 1918 there were 1,000 new cases. People were isolated as much as possible. Schools were kept open to prevent children from gathering in the streets. By 9 October 1918 there were 2,000 new cases. Ten days later there were almost 5,000 new cases. Movie houses and dance halls were closed. A day nursery was set up to care for more than 100 children who could not go home because family members were too ill to care for them. In Queens more than 2,000 bodies of victims were waiting to be buried. Fifty street sweepers were sent to be gravediggers instead.[1]
My maternal grandfather, Nathaniel Gardner, was 36 years old when the influenza began. He had lived in New York City all his life. He worked at the Western Union Telegraph Company where he had worked since he was a boy, delivering messages. By 1918 he was a manager. The Western Union was an essential form of communication throughout the world. Nathaniel lived at 234 West 120thStreet[2]with his father, Leopold, who was a 58-year-old widower; his brother Arthur Moses, who also worked for Western Union; and his sister, Anna who was 18 years old. Did the family read about the Influenza in the newspapers? Was Nathaniel sending telegrams concerned with the disease?
Nathaniel Gardner, my maternal grandfather
Examination rooms were established at Pennsylvania and Grand Central stations, where a nurse and physician team at each could examine all passengers who arrived feeling ill. Those found to be suffering from influenza were removed to a hospital or put in care of friends and not allowed to continue on public transportation.[3]
4 October 1918, New York City, The Sun
New York City's health commissioner, Dr. Copeland, persuaded businesses to stagger work hours. He distributed fliers and posters explaining the disease and urging people to cover "cover their coughs and sneezes and refrain from spitting."[4]
Nathaniel’s future wife, Helen F. Coyle, was 21 years old. She was the oldest child of Michael and Mary Josephine (Mullane) Coyle. Her parents had been born in Ireland but she and her six younger siblings were all born in New York City. Her youngest sister, Kathleen, was only two years old when the Influenza Pandemic began to impact the city. They all lived at 223 East 113thStreet.[5]Her father was a baker. Did her father’s business suffer during this time? Were her parents worried about their young children contracting this disease? Helen helped her father in the bakery and worked for the Western Union. She had not yet met her future husband.
Helen F. (Coyle) Gardner, my maternal grandmother
New York City made it through the Pandemic. From 15 September to 16 November 1918 the city experienced 147,000 cases of Influenza and 20,608 deaths.[6]My research has not revealed any Influenza deaths in the Coyle or Gardner families. They were fortunate.
My research, of course, did not tell me what my grandparents were thinking during the 1918 Influenza Pandemic. However, it showed me that they were experiencing many of the same things were are experiencing now. They came through it strong and healthy and I am sure we will too.
[1]University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine and Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan. Influenza Encyclopedia; digital image (influenzaarchive.org: accessed March 2020).
[2]New York City Directory; 1916-1917; A-S; Page 668; New York State Library, Microfilm Box #62, Albany, NY; NOTES: Gardner, Nathan, telegraph operator r234 W120th.
[3]University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine and Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan. Influenza Encyclopedia; digital image (influenzaarchive.org: accessed March 2020).
[4][4]History’s Deadly Lessons. (Albany, NY: Times Union, 5 April 2020) D2.
[5]Residences: New York City Directories from New York State Library, Albany.
1916-17 Box 62 Page 524 Michael Coyle, baker h 223 E 113th
1918-19 Box 72 Page 647 Michael Coyle, baker h 223 E 113th
[6]University of Michigan Center for the History of Medicine and Michigan Publishing, University of Michigan. Influenza Encyclopedia; digital image (influenzaarchive.org: accessed March 2020).
