A world still reeling from world war was hit even harder in the year following the war thanks to an influenza pandemic.
In the two years that this flu ravaged the earth, a fifth of the world's population was infected. It infected 28% of all Americans. An estimated 675,000 Americans died of influenza during the pandemic, ten times as many as in the world war.
And Chicago was hit hard too.
The University of Illinois released a report on October 15, 1918. Among other things it reported: "An analysis of the influenza situation in Chicago today shows that the epidemic has not reached its crest here. For the week ending September 28, there were 598 cases reported in Chicago with 176 deaths. During the week ending October 7 there were 6,106 cases reported with 627 deaths. The week which ended October 14 produced 11,239 cases and 1,461 deaths. The total number of deaths from influenza and pneumonia in Chicago during the past three weeks was 2,264 compared with an average of 156 for the same period during the past five years."
Within a week, it hit Chicago with full-force. On one horrible October day 381 people died from influenza in Chicago.
Considering how badly Chicago was hit in October, it turns out to be a blessing that the World Series (Cubs versus the Red Sox) was held a month earlier because of the War. The Cubs-Red Sox World Series of 1918 remains the only World Series in history to be held in September. The President of the United States (Woodrow Wilson) had ordered the season ended on September 1st, so that any and all able men would work for the war cause and/or enter the military. He had no way of knowing it when he made that order, but it probably saved lives in Chicago and Boston. Having huge crowds come out for something like this only would have helped the influenza spread more quickly.
The only large gathering that was permitted in Chicago was the war parade. The Chicago health deparment gave very specific instructions to those attending. They were to strip, rub their body's dry areas and take a laxative when they got home (to prevent catching the deadly flu virus.) The parade went down Michigan Avenue, right in front of the Art Institute.
During the epidemic, “Fresh Air Cars” were also introduced on the L. These were “L” cars with the windows locked open to maximize air circulation. One sign said: “Get the fresh air habit. Dress warm enough to enjoy it.” Another sign said: “Too much fresh air is just enough.” The idea the fresh Lakefront air promoted health was widespread, especially at a time when the rest of Chicago’s air was horrendous.
By 1920, the pandemic had subsided, but it left a tremendous amount of damage in it's wake. Baseball was not immune, either. Boston Braves outfield Larry Chappell died in San Francisco. Former St. Louis Browns outfielder Emmet Heidrick died in Pennsylvania. Former Pirates and Reds outfielder Jake Stenzel (photo) died in Cincinnati (he had started his career with the Cubs, but played only a handful of games for them many years earlier). American League umpire Silk O’Loughin also perished in the pandemic. As did former Tigers owner William Yawkey.
