Pigeon Message from the “Lost Battalion,” 10/04/1918
Surrounded by Germans and under friendly fire from their own artillery, First Battalion’s Maj. Charles W. Whittlesay used his last carrier pigeon to send this three-sentence plea:
“We are along the road paralell 276.4. Our artillery is dropping a barrage directly on us. For heavens sake stop it.”
Girls deliver ice. Heavy work that formerly belonged to men only is being done by girls. The ice girls are delivering ice on a route and their work requires brawn as well as the partriotic ambition to help. 09/16/1918
From the Records of the War Department; American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918
“Nurse wearing a mask as protection against influenza. September 13, 1918.”
The influenza epidemic of 1918 first emerged without warning in late spring of 1918, and was known as the “three-day fever.” Few deaths were reported and victims recovered after a few days. When the disease surfaced again that fall, it was far more severe. One fifth of the world’s population was attacked by this deadly virus. Within months, it had killed more people than any other illness in recorded history.
Meter reading was very stylish in 1918.
“Minneapolis General Electric Co. Meter Readers” is dated August 31, 1918 and comes from the Records of the Women’s Bureau, Department of Labor.
