This month marks the 105th anniversary of the arrival of the Spanish influenza pandemic to Wilson County. As detailed here, scores died as the virus scorched its way from house to house. This 14 October 1918 expressed hope that “disease” in the city had reached a climax. Though the contagion did peak that month, influenza swirled through Wilson County the rest of the year.

Wilson Daily Times, 14 October 1918.

I have not found death certificates for the children named in the article. However, the men, women, and children below died of influenza October through December 1918 and were likely buried in Vick Cemetery.

October

11 — Lula Winstead, 23, a Liggett & Meyers tobacco factory stemmer.

13 — Benjamin Jones, 54, a city worker who lived at 628 Viola Street.

13 — Arch Morrison, 37, a Hackney Wagon employee who lived at 217 Banks Street.

13 — Abon Neal, 30, a laborer.

15 — Beatrice Edwards, 23, a homemaker who lived at 113 Pender Street.

17 — Zula Leach, 16, a tobacco factory stemmer who lived on Wiggins Street.

18 — Elma Stokes, 35, a cook who lived on Stantonsburg Street.

18 — Theresa Carolina Williams, 4, who lived at 413 Walnut Street.

18? — Wallie Campbell, 19, laborer for Lee Woodard.

19 — Annie Mae Parker, 1. (And perhaps her brother, Jessie Parker, 15, a farmer who died on the 16th.)

19 — Mannie Battle, 38, a homemaker.

21 — Jim Offie Jr., 1.

22 — Samuel Jenkins, 35, a brickmason.

23 — Irene Bynum, 26, a cook who lived on Daniel Street.

24 — Will Johnson, 29, a prisoner in Wilson County jail.

25 — Mary Farmer, 32, a laborer.

25 — Lizzie Ruffin, 30, a homemaker.

25 — Mary Elizabeth Williams, 19 months.

26 — Avester Evans, 6, who lived on Green Street.

26 — John Farmer, 6, who lived on Suggs Street.

27 — Olive Barnes, 20.

28 — Frances R. Batts, 20.

28 — Jennie Batts, 33, a homemaker.

29 — John Berthia, 33, who was on the chain gang.

29 — Julia Jones, 29, a homemaker who lived at 645 Green Street.

30 — Elvis Alston, 4, who lived on Walnut Street.

30 — Luburta Bynum, 3.

30 — Curley Rozin, 35, who was on the chain gang.

November

1 — Emanul Lundsford, 21, a grocery store deliveryman who lived at 637 Vance Street.

3 — Bennie Roberson, 2, who lived on Hackney Street.

5 — Hattie Novilla Bynum, 5, sister of Luburta, above.

17 — Sarah Haggens, 37, a laborer.

December

28 — Lizzie Jenkins, 29, a tenant farmer.