Illinois was not immune. It is estimated that over 8,500 people died just in the City of Chicago. Entire sections of cemeteries are dedicated to Spanish flu victims. Over time I will relate the stories of several of the victims of the Spanish flu, but I will start with the story of one close to home, in Evanston, Illinois:
KATHERINE CRAIG STEWART
Katherine Craig Stewart was only 15 years old when she caught the flu in October of 1918. Katherine came from an illustrious family. Her father was George Craig Stewart (1879-1940), the VI Episcopal Bishop of Chicago. Bishop Stewart was said to have been one of the greatest preachers ever produced by the Episcopal Church. When I asked my mother (a life-long resident of Evanston) about him, her reply was "Everyone knew Bishop Stewart. It didn't matter whether you were an Episcopalian or not." Katherine's mother was Mary Gertrude Clyde, from an illustrious Scots-American family.
Katherine started feeling ill on October 7, 1918 and was dead fifteen days later on October 22, 1918. Public assemblies, including wakes and funerals had been forbidden to try to slow the spread of the disease. In fact, Katherine's father was not even in the United States when she died. Bishop Stewart was in Europe ministering the the soldiers at the front. Katherine died at 7:12 PM on Tuesday evening the 22nd and was interred less than two days later on Thursday the 24th. Her obituary in the Chicago Tribune of October 23rd said that the funeral notice would be "later".
A sad story - but just one of thousands in Chicagoland from the scourge of the Spanish influenza. Katherine Craig Stewart is interred in Section A ("the old section") of the Mausoleum in Rosehill Cemetery, Chicago. May Katherine and her dear parents, rest in peace.
Hi there. I was wondering if you know anything about The Evanston Community Kitchen, located at 600 Davis Street. I am writing a book about this historic kitchen and bakery. Here is the link: www.evanstoncommunitykitchen.wordpress.com. I am looking for stories connected to the CK. My great-grandmother, Elizabeth Hawley Odell was one of the founders and also the owner. The co-founders, Mrs. Nellie Kingsley, Mrs. Rufas Dawes, Mrs. James Odell and the women of the Evanston Woman's Club made homemade soups and delivered them to homes of Evanston residents sick with the Spanish Flu in 1918. I am hoping to find diaries and stories documenting this. Let me know if you know any resources or people I could interview. I am glad I found your blog. Very interesting.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you. I'm sorry but I don't know anything about The Evanston Community Kitchen. If you have not already, check out the research room at the Evanston Historical Society - they have some amazing things there. We also have access to the online Chicago Tribune archives through the Evanston Public Library. And, both the library and historical society have copies of the Evanston News Index. I think the Evanston Review is probably too late for what you are seeking. Good luck and keep me posted. It sounds like a fascinating project.
ReplyDeleteHi Jim,
ReplyDeleteThanks for getting back to me. I wrote a grant to go to Evanston to conduct research. The Evanston History Center is a great resource. Lori Osborn, archivist at EHC, has been a great resource and has helped me gather material. There is so much history to cover. I get lost in the research. I am fascinated by the different historical characters I have discovered through my research. Thank you for the suggestions. You can follow the blog at www.evanstoncommunitykitchen.wordpress.com.