Red Cross Canteen Has Tent at Union Station

From The Indianapolis News, Thursday, October 17: A tent equipped to care for emergency cases of Spanish influenza which might arise among troops passing through the city has been erected at the Indianapolis Red Cross canteen at Union Station. The tent has a board floor, electric lights, two cots, and first aid supplies. Mrs. Harry Griffith is in charge of the Red Cross workers. The Indianapolis Union Railway Co is planning on building a room under the elevated tracks where the canteen can continue its service during the winter. (Mrs. Philomen) Genevieve Watson is in charge of the canteen. She organized the canteen service at Union Station in May with thirty-eight women volunteers. Since then, the number of women volunteering at the canteen has grown to seventy-five. The canteen corps will soon be wearing the Red Cross regulation winter uniform.

“Red Cross Canteen Has Tent at Union Station,” The Indianapolis News, 17 October 1918, p. 18:1

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French Heroes March in Indianapolis Streets

From The Indianapolis News, Monday, October 7: Clad in olive tinged khaki and carrying shouldered rifles with long bayonets flashing in the sun, a detachment of the French Foreign Legion, led by a mounted police escort and the Indianapolis Newsboys’ Band, marched through Indianapolis downtown streets this afternoon amid the tri-colors of France, the colors of the United States, and the applause of thousands of onlookers along the parade route. Earlier in the day, the legionnaires marched to Monument Circle and reverently raised their shinning bayonets in salute to the American flag and in respect to the heroes of 1861. Much of the welcoming ceremonies and entertainments prepared by the city’s reception committee were curtailed because of the health board’s influenza order against public meetings. The sixty-seven legionnaires are touring the country on behalf of the Fourth Liberty Loan campaign.

“French Heroes March in Indianapolis Streets,” The Indianapolis News, 7 October 1918, p. 13:1

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Epidemic Closes Public Places in City and State

From The Indianapolis Star, Monday, October 7: As a preventative measure, the city board of health yesterday afternoon ordered all Indianapolis schools, churches, theaters, and motion picture houses closed for an indefinite time in order to control the influenza epidemic. Public gatherings, except for small committee meetings, are also banned. There are 200 reported cases of influenza in the city and four reported deaths from the disease. Dr. Herman G. Morgan, secretary of the board of health, said, “There may be many unreported cases where the diagnosis is not clear cut.” Influenza among soldiers at Ft. Harrison, with 1,653 cases and 41 deaths, and at Training Detachment No. 2 stationed at the Deaf School, with 900 cases and 13 deaths, is epidemic. While factories and business houses remain open, employees with colds should not be permitted to work.

“Epidemic Closes Public Places in City and State,” The Indianapolis Star, 7 October 1918, p. 1:4

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