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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

100 years ago in Spokane: Flu deaths continue to drop

New reported cases of Spanish influenza had hit a record low, according to the Chronicle. (Spokesman-Review archives)

The Spanish flu statistics continued to trend in the right direction. Fewer patients were being treated in the emergency flu hospital than on any day since it opened.

The number of new cases plummeted to 37. There were three deaths, bringing the Spokane flu death total to 374.

City health officer Dr. J.B. Anderson was certainly not willing to declare the emergency over. Yet he did say, “The situation is gradually improving.”

Two recent civic developments could be traced, at least in part, to the Spanish flu epidemic. Civic leaders announced a plan to start a new central public health bureau for Spokane. It would take over the visiting nurse work of the Social Service Bureau and a visiting nurse service operated by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

Also, the Hippodrome Theater, a vaudeville house, announced that it was closing permanently in two weeks. The theater blamed the flu quarantine rules for its financial troubles.

From the flag beat: The Spokane City Council passed an ordinance banning the display of the “red flag” associated with socialists and Wobblies.

Will Everett, a socialist, spoke out against the law and predicted an inevitable war between capital and labor. He said that “red is the symbol of love.”

Everett failed to convince Spokane’s city commissioners.