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November 13, 2016
WOLF CREEK HERITAGE MUSEUM NOTES by Virginia Scott MUSEUM HAPPENINGS A quiet week as we prepare to close for the holidays. We are also taking this time to organize our archive area and complete projects related to our collection that have been ignored. In doing this we always find items or paperwork that we have misplaced, mislabeled, etc. Proving that all our efforts and checks still allow human errors. Some of our mishaps are fun when discovered and allows us to find humor in our efforts. We have a new volunteer, Kelli Gagnon, a new resident in the county. She brings new ideas and much need talents to our group and we welcome her to our group. We still need ideas for next year's programs and exhibits so call us with ideas. HISTORICAL MUSINGS In his presentation, Mr. Shearer mentioned the Flu epidemic of 1918 that added to the trauma of WWI. Alfred Altmiller sent us a story on the Flu epidemic some years ago. It tells of how his father Carson assisted the doctor in delivering medicine throughout the county. The epidemic occurred at the same time as the 1918 blizzard. This made travel impossible for the Doctor so Carson volunteered to deliver the medicine throughout the county on his horse. The doctor loaded the supplies and sent him out with the instructions not to go inside the homes. "Don't expose yourself to this, just yell for someone to come to the door, place the medicine in front of the house where someone can get it and move one. Word traveled of his progress over the telephone "This Ed Barnes, Carson was just here and he is on his way to the Clarke place next." After delivering all the medicine, he struggled to his own place and collapsed on his bed to sleep around the clock. When he finally awoke he was running a fever and it became clear that he had developed the flu. The Doc was overheard saying that he did not believe that Carson would make it. Henry Atmiller, Carson's father slowly took his Bible and disappeared into one of the bedrooms. He closed the door and wept. Then he began to pray. Family legend claims that when he emerged from the bedroom hours later, Carson's fever had broken. Carson lived to be a strong, healthy man. And on all the farms and ranches located along the north stretch of the Texas telephone line, the worldwide flu epidemic of 1918 did not claim one life. |
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