100 years ago – January 16, 1919
The front page of this week’s Tribune shows how the influenza epidemic was affecting Healdsburg. There are six articles recounting the deaths of residents, and several telling of the illnesses of others. The high school principal asks community members to tell him of students who are seen without their masks, which exposes them to the influenza germ, and causes them to spread the germ. Masks were to be worn at all times, except at home. The following is excerpted from a letter to the editor:
WHY NOT CLEAN THE STREETS!
Dr. T.D. Lewiston of San Francisco, in writing a letter to the Chronicle says: “As a medical man who has studied epidemics and their spread, I am certain that there would be perhaps twenty-five per cent fewer cases (of influenza) here if the streets were kept clean and free from dust and dirt, and if the law against spitting were even half-way enforced, which it is not.” An editorial writer in a technical magazine remarks “Dr. Lewiston states the case for clean streets mildly enough. It would lie nearer the mark to say that three-fourths of all the respiratory disease germs reach the nose, throat, and lungs, from the street surfaces where they were deposited by diseased people.” Somebody caused Healdsburg’s streets to be washed months ago. But it has not been done since. Isn’t it worth while keeping our streets free from any contributory cause of influenza?
75 years ago – January 14, 1944
How Many Boys From Healdsburg Won’t Come Back?
Nobody knows. But the number of those who return will depend upon what you and I do here, for every day we can shorten the war means the saving of precious lives. And the one way we can help shorten the war is to buy more war bonds. The Fourth War Loan is an opportunity to do something about it. Let’s all back the attack!
25 years ago – January 12, 1994
Highway 101 bridge will be rebuilt
More than two years after the bridge was placed on a “critical list” of state spans to be studied for seismic safety, state officials say they will spend $11 million next year to completely rebuild the Highway 101 bridge over the Russian River at Healdsburg. State engineers said this week that the river has undermined the bridge footings as much as 10 feet, placing the bridge in danger. Four traffic lanes will be open at all times during the construction, which will start in mid-1995 and take about a year to complete, Smith said.