Greetings,

I am working on an article about the 1918-19 Spanish Flu epidemic in Georgia (concentrating primarily, but not exclusively, on Rome and northern Floyd County). Censors kept the flu from the newspaper during 1918 due to concerns about morale during WWI, but beginning 1/1/1919 the Rome Tribune-Herald is full of information about the epidemic. It hit Cartersville, Rome, Armuchee, Rosedale, Everett Springs, Cave Springs and Lindale hard.

I am interested in any information about Floyd County victims of the epidemic.

I suspect that Vinson S. Miller of Armuchee (b. 1878, d. 1/26/1919; buried New Armuchee Baptist Church cemetery) died of influenze due to his young age and date of death. I am particularly interested in information about him.

J.T. Holder (b. 1888, d. 1/8/1919; buried same place) died of influenza leaving a wife (Emmie) and 11-month-old son (Frank). I confirmed with his son's wife (Louise) recently that J.T. died of influenza/pneumonia. Emmie's parents were Oscar and Loretta Touchstone. Emmie never remarried and died in 1991 (and thus was a widow for 72 years!). Any information about J.T. Holder, Emmie Holder, and Oscar and Loretta Touchstone is of interest.

Anybody know of other flu vicitms in this area?

Sincerely,

Dan Roper
Rome, GA