The Spanish Flu, 1918
Malvern was struck by the great Spanish Influenza epidemic in the autumn of 1918, having suffered the worst winter storm in January of that year in the recollection of Malvern’s citizens.
The great Spanish Flu epidemic required special measures. Dr. W. G. Hodges, city physician, warned everyone to stay in bed and to drink plenty of liquids. A strict quarantine was put into effect against all places: churches were closed tight, along with schools, amusement places, theaters, and other places where people were want to gather. Special deputies were appointed to keep “curb stone orators” from congregating on Malvern’s street corners. In spite of all the precautions, Malvern had many deaths. Hardly a residential block in the city did not report one or more deaths. Many families lost their support, leaving destitute widows with children to care for. In one particular case that I remember, a Mr. Bob Sardin lost his wife and all of his children to the dread disease, and almost lost his own life. The disease was not only epidemic, it was pandemic. Before it ran its course, its ravages had taken more than 20 million lives around the globe. The flu itself was not so deadly, the killer was a particular virulent pneumonia that complicated it. It was a time of great fear and sorrow. Neighbors were afraid to go the aid of neighbors. It was a time of great piety also.
The following article appeared in the Malvern Daily Record:
“It is suggested by a number of Christian people that in these days when the churches are closed and all services prohibited, that some means of public prayer and intercession be observed, and the means for the worship suggested is a “signal prayer” that at a given hour of each day, some whistle or bell be sounded at which time the Christian people of Malvern engage in a short session of earnest prayer. The burden of that prayer must be the Peace of the Nations, for the wiping out of the awful pestilence existing, which is equal to the battlefront in fatality. Christians recognize that there is only one “Balm of Gilead” for all our ills and sorrows, and that source is the Great God of the Universe, in whom we live and have our being. Surely if there was ever a time to pray, it is NOW.”
This Tidbit in Time shared by the Hot Spring County Historical Society. The Heritage, Vol. V, p.58-59