Kate’s notes: The 1918 flu pandemic, also known as “Spanish Flu”, was first identified in March of 1918 and lasted to June of 1920. A global catstrophe, it is estimated that Spanish flu claimed between 50 and 100 million lives, while 500 million were infected with the virus. Unlike other viruses that are especially devastating to the young and elderly, the demographic of Spanish flu victims was disproportionately comprised of young, healthy adults. This was due to the nature of the virus itself, which precipitated an overreaction of the immune system known as a cytokine storm. Therefore, children and the elderly with weaker immune systems were less susceptible to its deadly effects.

from the Frederick News-Post
Frederick, Maryland
February 4, 1919

HUSBAND AND WIFE
INFLUENZA VICTIMS
_________________

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Gillelan,
Emmitsburg, Dead; Other
Deaths In City and Co.
_________________

   Victims of influenza, Lawrence Gillelan, a native of Emmitsburg, and his wife, Mrs. Ella Troxell Gillelan, a native of Westminster, died at the latter place last week. They resided on East Main street, and Mrs. Gillelan died at the house about eight o’clock Wednesday after an illness of only a day and night. Mr. Gillelan died this past Friday, two days after his wife, without knowing of her death, on account of his extreme illness at the time.
   Both Mr. and Mrs. Gillelan were liked by a large circle of friends, and their death has cast a gloom over the community in which they resided. Three small daughters, aged ten, seven and three years, survive. Both Mr. and Mrs. Gillelan were of the same age, 34 years. She is survived also by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George W. Albaugh, of Westminster; one sister, Miss Marianna Albaugh, and one brother, Carroll Albaugh, of Westminster.
   In addition to the children Mr. Gillelan is survived by his mother, Mrs. Ida S. Gillelan, of Emmitsburg, one brother, Joshua Gillelan, of Baltimore, and three sisters, Misses Carrie and Ruth B. Gillelan, of Emmitsburg, and Miss Rhoda Gillelan, a Red Cross nurse in France. The latter went overseas after the signing of the armistice.
   For a number of years after going to Westminster, Mr. Gillelan managed the Lumber, Coal and Supply Company, of that place.
   The funerals of both Mr. and Mrs. Gillelan took place Sunday afternoon at two o’clock. Burial was made in the Westminster Cemetery.
   Mr. Gillelan was one of the most prominent young business men of Westminster. He was manager of the Lumber, Coal and Supply Company and a director of the Consolidated Public Utilities Company. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran chuch and Mr. Gilllelan was an Odd Fellow.

-- transcription by Kate Maynard, 2010