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THE OLDEST WEEKLY NEWSPAPER IN THE CANADIAN WEST

The Minnedosa

Since 1883
Volume 138 Issue 6 Friday, April 17, 2020 www.minnedosatribune.com 90 cents plus tax

Spanish Flu Outbreak of

1918 Affected Minnedosa
Birthday Parade
By DARRYL HOLYK

T he current COVID-19
worldwide pandem-
ic is being compared by
many to what the world
experienced just over 100
years ago during the Span-
ish Influenza outbreak of
1918. Although there are
no precise figures avail-
able, the Spanish Flu is be-
lieved to have infected an
estimated 500 million peo-
ple and killed at least 50
million people worldwide.
This form of influenza, an
H1N1 strain, took the lives
of approximately 55,000
Canadians. Many of its
victims were young, under
the age of five or between
the ages of 20 and 40, and
were considered to be oth-
erwise healthy individuals.
Individuals over the age of Photo by Darryl Holyk
65 were also at risk.
The lower level of the Minnedosa Court House
The Spanish flu hit
many areas hard, includ- was fitted as an auxiliary hospital during the
ing our local area. Looking Spanish Flu outbreak in late 1918.
Photos by Nancy Miller
back through old editions
diers died and by October enforce this rule.
of our historic Tribune, we One of the decorated parade entries that surprised Jaden Trotz (inset) on
12th, several cases of the As the local Lady Min-
find that Minnedosa was
flu were reported in the to Hospital was filled to
his birthday last week. In addition to a number of decorated vehicles, the
not safe from this outbreak. birthday parade also included the Minnedosa Fire Department fleet.
province. capacity with patients, the
Numerous health related
The first mention of Provincial Government of- By NANCY MILLER birthday, Teena put a post Minnedosa that we have
precautions and practices,
the Spanish Flu in the lo- fered the lower part of the on Facebook asking peo- never even met, for par-
similar to what we have in

O
cal area was found in the Minnedosa Court House n April 8th, Jaden ple to drive by their home ticipating in the parade to
place today for COVID-19,
October 24th, 1918 edition to be fitted as an auxiliary Trotz celebrated his in parade style to help her make my son’s birthday
affected our area and nu-
of The Minnedosa Tribune. hospital. “Several patients 14th birthday very differ- make Jaden’s birthday spe- one very memorable birth-
merous local deaths were
Under the Local News col- are accommodated there ently than previous birth- cial. day,” expressed Teena.
reported as a result of the
umn, four influenza deaths for treatment and there is days. On his birthday, last “We’re all going through
Spanish Flu.
were reported - two in an efficient staff of nurses,” Jaden’s mom, Teena, Wednesday, at 1 p.m., ap- tough times right now and
According to informa-
Minnedosa, one north of reported The Tribune. That saw a video online of a proximately 15 vehicles the look on his face when
tion from the Manitoba
town and one from Rapid same edition also carried boy celebrating his birth- including the local fire the parade started is some-
Historical Society, the
City. the following report: “The day social distancing style. trucks drove past Jaden’s thing I will never forget”.
Spanish Flu is believed to
The following week’s CPR officials here are do- The boys parents asked the home and greeted him This past Wednesday,
have arrived in Manitoba
edition, October 31st, re- ing everything possible to town to help wish her son a with many honks, happy April 15th, saw another
on September 30th, 1918,
ported two more local prevent the spread of in- Happy Birthday by parad- birthday shout-outs, bal- parade roll through town.
when a train carrying re-
deaths from the flu and fluenza. The station build- ing past their home in their loons and banners. A few Local RCMP, EMS and
turning World War One
stated that Minnedosa ing, branch line coaches, vehicles. Teena thought, spectators also came out to firefighters drove through
soldiers arrived in Win-
Health Officials had or- cabooses and bunk houses “what a wonderful idea.” watch the special birthday town with lights and sirens
nipeg. Aboard that train
dered all residents to wear are all regularly fumigated Jaden had a birthday com- parade. going as a special thank
were three soldiers who
a mask while in places of at intervals.” ing up and was unable to “I personally want to you to our essential work-
had the virus. Manitoba’s
business or going inside celebrate with his extend- thank my friends, fam- ers. Watch next week’s
first Spanish Flu civilian
any other public place. Lo- Continued ed family and friends as ily, Minnedosa Firefight- Tribune for full coverage.
death came on October
cal police were directed to on Page 5 usual. A week before his ers and the residents of
3rd, when two of the sol-