This week in history as reported by the Summit County Journal 100 years ago — Nov. 9, 1918

The epidemic of influenza still rages in Breckenridge and practically every morning during the past week, new names are added to the fatality list. Volunteer workers have gone from home to home as the calls come, and have worked both faithfully and for long hours. Many homes in town found the entire family stricken with the dreaded disease and outside help was necessary. It has been impossible to obtain any nurses for these cases and the only aid comes from the willing ones at home. The teachers from the school have all worked faithfully going to homes where help was needed.

Salutation Accorded Sneeze

In France, in earlier days, a sneeze was greeted by the removal of the hat, and when the paroxysm was over the sneezer formally returned the salute of all present. In England, also in the 17th century, a sneeze was saluted by the removal of the hat. Joseph Hall, bishop of Exeter, in 1627 wrote that a man no longer reckoned among his friends who failed to uncover when he sneezed. The Siamese have a peculiar idea of their own that the gods are continuously turning over the pages of the judgement book, and that when they come to the page relating to any particular person that individual invariably sneezes. Their salutation is, “May the judgement be favorable to you.”

Cure for the Blues Near the Camps

The young officers of the Student Army Training Corps of the University of Detroit recently applied for a furnished house and a housekeeper who would not be a servant, but as one young officer expressed it, “the sort of woman to whom the boys can call out ‘Hello mother!’ when they come in the front door.”

Homesickness is the malady for which War Camp Community Service supplies innumerable cures.

Seven Days of News the World Over

American aviators have reported that the Germans to the east of the Meuse appeared to be in full retreat. The aviators’ messages said that all roads running northward were packed with troops, artillery and trucks.

*

A gasoline shortage may keep a family close to the fireside — if there is enough fuel to warrant calling it a fireside.

The Breckenridge Heritage Alliance is a nonprofit founded to promote and protect Breckenridge’s unique heritage. They offer year-round tours and hikes. Go to BreckHeritage.com. 970-453-9767.