Treasure Chest Thursday -- 1918 Letter Notifying Death of Loved One

Today I want to share another treasure that grandma Hazel saved (just for me, I know). It is not only a treasure, but a treasure map that led me to find a wealth of information that I did not have.

It is a letter that she received telling her of the unfortunate death of her brother.  

Her brother had gone to the funeral of their brother-in-law, Stanley Thomas Lynch in Gebo, Hot Springs, Wyoming who died from influenza Nov 10,1918 during the Great Pandemic. Unfortunately poor Jacob Oliver "Ole" Madsen had succumbed to the same fate when he returned home.

Well you know me and Google, I didn't know much about this flu epidemic so we had to have a look around and we found some pretty interesting sites.

1. The Influenza Pandemic of 1918
2. Pandemic Influenza Storybook -- This site has stories written by people who survived the pandemic as well as stories about those who didn't.  You can also submit your own pandemic stories.

Now about the "treasure map" I mentioned earlier.  This letter was signed by a Marion Pryde which made me very curious because the "Vida"(my 2nd great-aunt)mentioned in the letter whose widowhood was the cause for the letter, married Adam Pryde as her second husband. Well, Google and I went searching again and not only did I discover that Marion was Adam's step-aunt, but I found the transcribed obits of my 2nd great-grandmother Rebecca Hannah Bake Madsen and some of her children including said Vida! So many thanks to Cindy Clark for transcribing all these records!

Now if I may, I will transcribe the letter now.

        Byron, Wyo

           Nov 23rd 1918

Dear Mrs Piggott

Your father has asked

me to writing & tell you the sad news

of your dear brother Ole. He went to

Gebo to Vida's husband's funeral & took the "flu" & died Wednesday.

Your father & Frank are now sick

& we have taken them to our red cross

rooms & Mrs Neville & myself are nursing

them.  You must not think of coming

as it is too dangerous.

Your father & Frank are fine this morning

& hope they will be all right.

I will close with kindest regards

           Yours truly

           Marion Pryde

Your mother & Orsen are well.