But as 1918 marked the end of one human tragedy, it marked the beginning of another, the start of an influenza pandemic colloquially known as the Spanish influenza, or Spanish flu. Estimates are it infected 500 million people worldwide, killing from 50 to 100 million. It was one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history.
Some historians suggest the 1918 flu probably hastened the end of WWI. Though its origin is still in question (probably not actually Spain), troop movements during WWI helped it spread, and may have been introduced into Austin via troops passing through Camp Mabry. Regardless of how it hit Austin, hit Austin it did. So, this month’s history article is a transcript of an ordinance published in The Austin Statesman, October 8, 1918. The time Austin shutdown.
AN ORDINANCE.
AN ORDINANCE CLOSING THE STATE UNIVERSITY, ALL PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, ALL CHURCHES AND LODGES AND ALL OTHER PLACES OF ASSEMBLAGE WHERE PEOPLE GATHER FOR RELIGIOUS, SOCIAL, FRATERNAL, POLITICAL, BUSINESS OR OTHER PURPOSES FOR THE PERIOD OF THIRTY DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE ENACTMENT OF THIS ORDINANCE, UNLESS SOONER REPEALED BY THE CITY COUNCIL, AND PRESCRIBING A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ORDINANCE.
Whereas, The Spanish influenza is prevalent in this community and may become epidemic if proper regulations for its regulation and control are not enacted and enforced by the City Council; and
Whereas, the Spanish influenza has in a number of cases developed into a virulent and sometimes fatal type of pneumonia, now, therefore,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.
Section 1. That as a precaution against the spreading of and to eradicate the Spanish influenza and pneumonia in the City of Austin, Texas, and with the view of promoting and securing the general health of the people of this community against said contagious and infectious diseases, the State University, all military establishments, the public free schools and all private schools and colleges and other institutions of learning in this city, both secular and religious, all churches and Sunday schools of every creed and denomination, all lodges of every name and order, all clubs, social and otherwise, all moving picture shows and theaters, all pool halls and all other sorts, kinds and places of public assemblage, including business and social assemblages, be And the same are hereby prohibited from meeting, assembling, exhibiting, conducting business, or otherwise getting or being together for any purpose for the period of thirty days from and after this, the 8th day of October, 1918, unless this ordinance is sooner repealed by the City Council.
Sec. 2. That any violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall be punished by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200 [1]
Sec. 3. That the immediate preservation of the public health of Austin, Texas, which is seriously threatened by the presence here and the rapid spread of Spanish influenza and pneumonia, being a matter of urgency, this ordinance is hereby directed to go into force and be of effect from and after the date of its passage.
Passed: October 8, 1918. Approved: October 8, 1918.
A.P. WOOLDRIDGE, Mayor. Attest: V. E. MARTIN, City Clerk. Approved: J. BOULDIN RECTOR, City Attorney.
[1] $200 in 1918 is over $3,000 in today’s currency
steep fine!
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