A face from the influenza pandemic of 1918-1919

I've written before about "Spanish" flu (caused by the H1N1 influenza A virus) and its toll in Lucas County during the worldwide pandemic of 1918-1919 --- three waves, the second most deadly. But an image like this, of Pvt. Stanley H. Rouse, 21, who died of the flu at Camp Dodge during October of 1918, adds a face to the grim statistics.

Pvt. Rouse was buried at Oxford Cemetery, northeast of Chariton, three days after his death --- but funeral services were deferred because of the quarantine then in effect. This wreath probably was used at his memorial service, held on Nov. 17 at the United Brethren Church. I found the image at ancestry.com.

Twenty-six young men among the 740 who served from Lucas County died while in service to their country during World War I, 18 of those deaths caused by the flu --- Five at Camp Dodge, six at other military installations in the United States and seven, en route to or in France.

Here are the names of the influenza victims: John C. Burley, Raymond S. Cain, Fred A. Culbertson, Charles F. Dean, Donald O. Duckworth, Lawrence Gookin, Henry R. Johnson, Charles C. Lockridge, Harry W. Lykins, Monte W. Norman, William B.Pulley, Stanley H. Rouse, Oshea J. Strain, Robert Thomas, Roy B. Tickel, Vernon L. Van Loon, Walter West and Forest Dean Youtsey.

And here's the obituary of Pvt. Rouse, published in The Herald-Patriot of Oct. 24, 1918:

Stanley Homer Rouse was born in Lincoln township, Lucas county, Iowa, on January 14, 1897, and died at Camp Dodge, Iowa, on October 15, 1918. His age was 21 years, 9 months and 1 day. He answered the call to the colors and went to Camp Dodge on September 7 in Company 59, Battalion 15.

He was taken with the Spanish influenza, followed by pneumonia, and died in about one week. He leaves his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F.C. Rouse, of Lucas, and five brothers and sisters, besides his grandparents and many other relatives and friends.

On August 18th, as he had requested, his star was placed on the service flag at the United Brethren church and his grandmother, Mrs. B.A. Rouse, pinned his star on the flag and a special prayer was offered on his behalf.

The interment was at Oxford cemetery on October 19th. The funeral service will be held at the U.B. church as soon as the quarantine is removed and a golden star will take the place of the blue on the service flag.