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

100 years ago in Spokane: Spokane soldiers feel lucky to be alive

Two Spokane soldiers described their harrowing experiences in France and Germany, reported The Spokane Daily Chronicle on March 17, 1919. (The Spokane Daily Chronicle Archives)

Two Spokane soldiers described their harrowing experiences in France and Germany.

Albert J. Nicholl, an infantryman, was wounded two months before the end of the war when struck by exploding shrapnel.

“The steel helmet I wore saved my life when the shell exploded, as I was standing between two other men, and could not well have escaped their fate,” said Nicholl, who was now back home.

The two other men died.

“As it was, 17 pieces of shrapnel struck me, two of them making serious wounds, and sending me to the hospital for two months before I could be sent to the United States.”

Private Ernest L. McNee wrote home and described a mustard gas attack. His father said an enemy gas shell exploded nearby and burned McNee in the leg. He spent a short time in the hospital, but recovered and was now in the army of occupation in Germany.

From the flu beat: Despite 13 deaths the week before, the Spanish flu epidemic once again appeared to be waning, according to city health authorities.

Only eight new cases of flu were reported in the last two days.

Citizens were again warned to “beware of colds and take all common sense precautions.” The total number of flu cases in Spokane was now listed as 12,400 and the death toll stood at 534.