February 14, 1918~

Sarah here.  Still worrying my head off about this "flu" that's now spread to a good part of the nation; thousands upon thousands of people --old, young, healthy, infirm, rich, poor -- are sickening with the symptoms; it is frightening to see, especially since I have lost my two youngest childen (baby boy Ezra and six-year-old daughter Peacock) to the flu.

February 18, 1918~

Amazingly, Eleanor, Eagan, and my dearest, Robert, have recovered from the flu; yet what's to say it won't strike them again?  Every day on the news, we hear of more people falling ill or dying.  The governmental officials seem to think we have a real pandemic on our hands; it's not only hitting the United States:  it's also making its presence known in Canada, Mexico, and in Europe.

February 25, 1918~

Alas, the nightmare has returned.  Robert has fallen ill: uncontrollable shaking-chills, high fever, coughing, difficult breathing, prostration.  This is the second time he's come down with it.  I am so scared that he will join Ezra and Peacock in Paradise; I don't know what I would do if I lose my husband (or remaining children if they sicken with it) ...

February 28, 1918~

Robert has taken a turn for the worse:  his skin has turned purple; he needs a doctor.  Yet doctors are hard to come by:  they are trying to help other people; yet that is of little comfort when your own husband could be dying ... I am more scared now for Eleanor, and for Eagan ...

March 2, 1918~

This beginith the saddest entry I shall ever write.  Robert has joined Peacock and baby Ezra in Paradise; they now are with God, Jesus, and the angels.  He died last night.  Now Eleanor has started showing the symptoms, and I am worried that little Eagan may fall prey to it next ...

March 4, 1918~

Eleanor is gasping for every breath.  Doctor has come to look at her; he holds no hope for her.  I continue to pray desperate prayers to Heaven, but I don't think God is listening ...  I have already lost my husband and two of my four children to the flu; I don't want to lose another family member!!

March 6, 1918~

Eleanor has passed on to Glory; she is now an angel.  I am mad with grief; I don't think I can take too much more in the way of death!!

March 17, 1918~

The flu continues to rage unabated, but government and health officials think it might be starting to slow down.  I hope so, for Eagan's (and my) sake!  I have lost three of my four children and my husband to "The Purple Death", as this "flu" has come to be known!  I don't know what Eagan and I are going to do; we have nobody to talk to or anyplace to go ...  how are we going to survive on our own????

March 29, 1918~

The flu is lessening its deadly grip on the nation.  More and more people are revoering from it; there are fewer deaths, although they still can happen.  Spring has arrived, along with the promise of renewed hope, health, and healing, but again, that is of little consequence, as I've lost four family members to the evils of "The Purple Death" ...

To be continued.