The Perils of a Pandemic

One hundred and two years ago, our ancestors were dealing with a pandemic much like what we are experiencing today.

It interesting when you view the headlines from that time period. All of you will be able to relate to this headline from “The Sacramento Star (Sacramento, California) · 9 Nov 1918, Sat · Page 4."

Other related headlines were:

Now, I don’t know if China did it then or if China did it today but this reflects significantly on our thought process both today and in nineteen eighteen. 

I do know that families were devastated back in 1918 just as they are today with this Covid-19 pandemic that we are experiencing. The Family of James Eagle Huneycutt, Sr., and his wife Annie Valette Beattie is one of many families that experience tragedy during the epidemic.

Former Alderman James Huneycutt and his wife Annie lost their eldest son on 25 October 1918. James Leonard, age 19, was a military student who contacted pneumonia followed by Influenza.

“James Leonard Huneycutt, eldest son of former Alderman James E Huneycutt and Mrs. Huneycutt,  and one of the popular young men in the city, died yesterday afternoon at 4:45 o'clock at the home of his parents on North McDowell street of pneumonia, following Influenza. Mr. Huneycutt was taken ill October 16. Each day his condition grew worse and for three or four days it was realized he could not recover...” ¹

James Leonard Huneycutt was born on 3 October 1899 and died 25 October 1918. He lived his entire short life in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He was the oldest of 9 children. He is survived by his siblings; 3 sisters, Misses Margie Valette, Bonnie Kay, Dorothy May Huneycutt, and five brothers, Charles Herbert, Teddy Rufus, James Eagle Jr., William and Wesley Clay Huneycutt.

James Leonard Huneycutt is my 3rd Cousin once removed.

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[1] "Death Came to Popular Youth After 10-Day Illness," Obituary, The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, North Carolina, 26 October 1918, Page 7, Column 6; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/ : viewed 14 August 2020).

[2] Headline snippets courtesy of Newspapers.com.