Flue Pandemic of 1918 to 1919
Since all public gatherings were banned, we went to Cincinnati. We rented a furnished room and Bro. Bolender got work in a few weeks. I got seriously ill and was taken to Christ's Hospital. I was put under the care of Dr. Greace, who at that time was recommended as one of the best in Cincinnati. After about five days of excruciating treatments, I was released. I was taken to my mother's-in-law. I remained quite ill under the local doctor's care. One Sunday morning my husband said to his brother, "I am going upstairs to pray, so don't give Bertha any medicine until I return. About three hours later, he came down and said to me, "We will be out of here by Easter." I never took another dose of medicine.
Soon, I was assisting with plans for the arrival of our first baby. We even chose the name of Charles Roy, if it was a boy. Everything was apparently progressing smoothly. My husband, along with his father and brother were busy with the work on the large orchard and farm. At 2 a.m. Saturday morning before Easter, we had to call Mother Bolender.[1] Our hearts were sad and some tears were shed, but God had said, “Before Easter.” Surely God’s ways are wiser than our ways. In a very short time, our suitcase was packed and we were off to another revival in a school house near Brooksville, Kentucky. This was followed by a revival near Aspen Grove. We were so happy to be active in God’s work again. There were large crowds and we trusted that some definite results would be accomplished for eternity. One day we called on a precious child of God, Mrs. Kennie Dawn, who was quite ill in bed. We felt led to pray for her healing. She got up, and went to the revival that night to be a great blessing. She preached the gospel for many years in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
[1] Apparently this was a miscarriage.
Soon, I was assisting with plans for the arrival of our first baby. We even chose the name of Charles Roy, if it was a boy. Everything was apparently progressing smoothly. My husband, along with his father and brother were busy with the work on the large orchard and farm. At 2 a.m. Saturday morning before Easter, we had to call Mother Bolender.[1] Our hearts were sad and some tears were shed, but God had said, “Before Easter.” Surely God’s ways are wiser than our ways. In a very short time, our suitcase was packed and we were off to another revival in a school house near Brooksville, Kentucky. This was followed by a revival near Aspen Grove. We were so happy to be active in God’s work again. There were large crowds and we trusted that some definite results would be accomplished for eternity. One day we called on a precious child of God, Mrs. Kennie Dawn, who was quite ill in bed. We felt led to pray for her healing. She got up, and went to the revival that night to be a great blessing. She preached the gospel for many years in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.
[1] Apparently this was a miscarriage.
