As I've mentioned over and over, I have multiple (more like hundreds) of love letters between my grandparents, Sig Levy and Loraine Gunzendorfer, as they were courting from 1916 until their marriage in February, 1919. I have spent the last many YEARS transcribing these letters and I'm close to the finish line. I could go on and on about these letters but with more than 300 letters between them, there is just too much to say.
This weekend I have been busy transcribing the letters from the last few weeks of December, 1918 as they prepare for their February, 1919 marriage. But the "flu" is fierce and is taking it's toll. Sig had already contracted the disease and spent some time in the hospital. Thankfully, he survived or I wouldn't be writing this today.
But what really strikes me as I continue with this project is the similarities to what we're facing today. It's amazing to me that history has repeated itself more than 100 years later.
On December 10, 1918 Sig wrote:
The “flu” is breaking out again down here – but they are not wearing masks. Instead all homes that have it are tightly quarantined. I hope it has calmed down up there – but be ever so careful sweet and being that you are in the store please lover, use those little tablets. Not that I am frightened but just as a precaution.
And then on December 12, 1918:
Our city is getting somewhat frightened again over the “flu” so naturally business is a trifle uncertain. It is getting so that we can’t show houses but I have all I can do to get things back to normal at the office. Don’t worry my dear girl about me running myself down as I am watching my step and trying not to go too hard, but keeping in good condition.
Sig wrote on December 15, 1918
Had a phone a while ago that girl number three from the office went down with the flu. I wonder when its going to stop. I am wearing my mask believe me.
And then on December 17, 1918
Fresno is a different city tonight as almost every place is closed. The flu has surely got them guessing now but they are doing what they should have done a long while ago. The enclosed clipping will tell you all about it. That all you can hear down here but at that the streets were crowded today and we were very busy although the real estate market took a big drop. We couldn’t show many houses anyhow as hundreds of them are quarantined. And listen dear, the Goodman boy died this morning – with the sister and father still in bed - its too sad to talk about.
Loraine wrote on December 19, 1918
What a shame the "flu" is flaring up again in Fresno. Masks should have been worn all over long ago and especially in S.F., but the people there don't want them on again. We are still wearing ours but may take them off the first of the week.
Sig: December 22, 1918
The flu is still running wild and they are talking of severe measures. Some small-pox has also broken out but just a couple of cases. At that the town was crowded yesterday but the real estate market is dead and will be until the sickness clears up. All the business is just Xmas shopping.
Sig: December 23, 1918
No other news excepting that the weather is bitter cold and the flu still rages but the crowds come out just the same – I am very careful and now that your masks are off sweetheart be al the more careful, please. They shouldn’t take them off yet.
Loraine: December 24, 1918
We discarded the masks yesterday. I think it is too bad they were done away with as the "flu" will doubtless be at its work of destroying lives again in short order. The wearing of the masks had a great tendency of making the Xmas business very slow, so the officials here decided to improve it if possible. Love, is it good for you to go to the club and come in close contact with a lot of people? Don't forget - you are not entirely immune and I don't want you to take chances. I'd rather you'd write me from the office while it is so bad there.
The flu is still getting worse. Two of our girls still out were worse today. One of them, a wonderful girl, who has been with us for years had to be removed from her home to a sanitarium – she was so low. The other one phoned in to the office at about 5 P.M. and told me that her fever was going up and if it didn’t change she would go crazy. Can you imagine that – roaming around the house & phoning in that condition. I told her to go back to bed and stay there and be a good girl. She promised she would – but I hope she calms down, and don’t get “nutty”.
Loraine: December 28, 1918
I am so sorry that the "flu" is still very bad in Fresno and hope the authorities get it under control in short order. I won't like you to be in the thick of it so much and please don't go to see people who have had it until they are entirely over it. We don't hear any more about it here, only hope that it doesn't break out again.
Sig: December 30, 1918
They are having a big meeting here tonight and the program is to close everything tight – even street cars and newspapers. And they plan to quarantine strictly – not to let anybody in or out of the city – wouldn’t that be awful. I can’t realize what it will mean but they must stop the epidemic as it is spreading like wildfire and many are dying. Sweetheart I am very careful. It was alright to go to that funeral, as it was in the open air and I stood away out of the outskirts.
Loraine: January 1, 1919 It is a fright the way the flu is spreading and I do wish they could be able to stop it from ravaging in Fresno. Remember, love, even though you've had it you can get it again so be as careful as possible and I don't like the idea of your eating down-town in restaurants and coming in contact with all sorts of people.
I could go on and on and on but I think you get the idea. Unfortunately, I haven't been journaling or blogging my feelings during this 2020 pandemic but if I had, I can't imagine it would have been much different than what they were saying then.
Once again, thanks for being a packrat, Grandma!
