Olive J. Kirby - Spanish Flu Victim - 1918

Olive J. Kirby

Bainbridge Republican, October 17, 1918

Miss Olive J. Kirby, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Kirby of this place [Bainbridge, Chenango Co., NY], died Wednesday afternoon at 1:30 at Fort Plain [Montgomery Co., NY], from pneumonia which followed an attack of the influenza.  She was teacher  of English in the Fort Plain High school and had been engaged there since September, the opening of the present school year.  She was 28 years of age and was a most competent and attractive young lady.  Her activity and vivaciousness made her the center of her home and the leader in every circle where she moved.  Her lovable character and unusual talents gathered about her a warmth of admiration and friendship and her death has caused universal sorrow.

She had been sick since Sunday Oct. 6th.  She was then in Watervliet visiting friends when taken.  Returning to Fort Plain that night she began treatment for what was then considered only an ordinary cold.  On the following Wednesday, pneumonia developed.  her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles C. Kirby were summoned and they hastened there by auto. At the first development of pneumonia she was deemed very sick but there were intermittently hopes of recovery and Tuesday at the turning point of the disease she was believed to be better and indications were bright for her return to health. Dr. Jacobs her physician here, who had been called to Fort Plain in consultation twice, was again summoned early yesterday morning and with Rev. R.W. Nickel, Arthur Kirby and Miss Margaret Kirby reached there some little time before her death.

Miss Kirby was born at the "Pillars" the attractive Kirby homestead, situated midway between Bainbridge and Afton. She received her education at the Bainbridge High School, Syracuse University from which she graduated, also at the Leland Powers school of Expression at Boston. There she achieved high merrit for her excellence in elocution.  Miss Kirby gave many readings and recitals and her talents and skill were always highly acclaimed and most favorably noted.  Last year she took up teaching and filled a position in the Hartwick High School.  In September she took a highly lucrative place at Fort Plain, where she won the friendship of the students and the people of that place.

Miss Kirby was an enthusiastic and loyal member of St Peter's church of this village, and was also interested in the activities of the community and gave her services in the promotion and accomplishment of every worthy movement. The ending of this bright and useful life is pathetic for many had built up their spirits and happiness around her personality which radiated queenly virtues and strengthening influences. A beautiful tribute to her memory is the deep sense of appreciation which is felt for the goodness which her life has taught. The remains, accompanied by her parents and friends came by auto today to the house she left only a few weeks ago when at the zenith of life's hope and possibilities. The funeral will be held sometime Saturday.

Norwich Sun, October 23, 1918

The funeral services for the late Olive Kirby were held in her ancestral home, "The Pillars," Saturday afternoon.  The funeral was private, only a few family friends were present.  The bearers were H.E. Collins, Julian Corby, F.J. Fletcher, Charles Clarke, Lee Newell and C.J. Tabor. The rector of the parish, Rev. R.W. Nickel, read the burial service at the house.  A large number of friends who were not permitted by the stringent order of the health officer to attend the service at the house, assembled in St. Peter's churchyard, where the committal service was read and the body of Olive Kirby was laid to rest in the shadow of the church she had served so faithfully.  Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Noff of Syracuse, Mr. and Mrs. Day Smith and Mr. and Mrs. Bodley of Deposit and Prof. Fred Crumb of Watervliet were present from out of town.  Miss Kirby was teaching at Fort Plain and contracted the influenza, which terminated in pneumonia. She lived only a few days after that disease developed.  She was a highly educated and very attractive young woman, full of life and vitality and will be greatly missed by a very large circle of friends. She is survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kirby.

Health Board Takes Action

Bainbridge Republican, October 10, 1918

At a meeting of the Board of Health on Tuesday of this week the local Health Officer was instructed to forbid all public meetings or gatherings of people except such as pertained to the School and industrial life of the village.  This means that for an indefinite period there will be no entertainments, movies, religious services, sessions of lodges, red cross classes or social gatherings of any nature whatsoever.  The public library will be closed and loitering in front of the Post Office is positively forbidden. Citizens are requested to wait until the mails are distributed before going to the post office for their mail and not to remain there after receiving it.

There are at present but two cases of Spanish Influenza in Bainbridge, one coming from Ilion and the other from Oneonta, after the disease was contracted.  No cases have developed from local infection.

The somewhat stringent regulations of the Health Board are taken for the purpose of preventing such a general spread of the disease here as had taken place in many other localities and with full cooperation of the public it is hoped that our schools and factories may be kept open and the number of cases kept within reasonable bounds.  Children should not be kept out of their school work. There are many reasons why they are safer at school for the present that they would be if permitted to absent themselves from their studies.  Should danger present itself, the school will be closed.

Spanish Influenza

Dr. Danforth Gives Information Concerning this Epidemic

Bainbridge Republican, October 10, 1918

In view of the impending prevalence of the so-called "Spanish" influenza the local health Officer submits the following information:

The disease is not definitely recognized as yet as identical with that which caused the previous great influenza epidemics but is probably excited by the same germ.

The incubation period, or time which passes between exposure and the appearance of the first symptoms is from 1 to 4 days.

The first symptoms are usually those of a severe cold in the head, followed by headache fever, pains in the muscles and general prostration. The throat is red and there may be some cough. The course of the disease is, if uncomplicated, short, and the symptoms usually mild lasting about three or four days.  Some people when infected with this disease have vomiting and diarrhea, the cold in the head symptoms and cough appearing after, but this is not the usual method of attack.

The disease is seldom fatal except from its complications. the most dreaded of which is pneumonia.  It is from this complication that so many of the fatalities in the cantonments are due.

The infection is spread through contact with discharges from the nose and throat scattered through coughing and sneezing, use of common eating utensils, kissing, etc.

Strict quarantine is not found to be practical owing to the very great contagiousness of the disease.  Judgment should be used, however by everybody in making visits to homes where there may be cases of sickness, and patients should be isolated from all except their attendants.

Of greatest importance is the avoidance of promiscuous coughing, sneezing, and expectoration in public places. The public is advised to avoid public gatherings, during the presence of the epidemic.

School teachers should immediately exclude from school, children suffering from cold in the head or showing other evidences of illness.