Documenting 150 Years of St. John's University History: A Digital Archival Exhibition
Community and World Impact: The 1918 Influenza Epidemic at St. John's
The current COVID-19 pandemic has prompted inquiry into how the 1918 influenza epidemic affected St. John’s University over 100 years ago. The relatively few available primary sources about St. John’s University from this era show that amidst the hardships caused by World War I, the epidemic simultaneously brought its own heartaches to the St. John’s community.
In August 1918, St. John’s announced preparations to form a Student Army Training Corps to prepare students to join the armed forces. The 1919 Vincentian yearbook noted of the S.A.T.C., “But it was far from being all work or study. When we were quarantined after inoculation [most likely typhoid and/or smallpox, since there was no influenza vaccine yet] we organized impromptu programs. On several evenings, volunteer entertainers gave us a glimpse of Broadway. One “volunteer” show cost us ninety-five dollars. Fair, for volunteers; but suppose they had charged!” This quarantine was not related to the influenza epidemic, and was only for the S.A.T.C. students after their inoculations. It appears that classes and other large gatherings such as theatre, athletics, commencement, etc., continued as per usual despite the epidemic, except for the disruptions caused by World War I.
The Rev. Vincent J. Dougherty, a professor of English at the college from 1916 to 1918, was training to become a military chaplain when he was called to assist during the influenza epidemic at Camp Dix, New Jersey. While Rev. Dougherty returned to work at St. John’s in February 1919, at least 14 students, faculty, and alumni died due to the epidemic. Several of them contracted influenza while serving as soldiers or chaplains, while others succumbed to the disease at home. Further research may uncover more names of victims of the 1918 influenza epidemic from St. John’s University. Please contact the University Archives if you can contribute more information.
Died Apr 2, 1918 - Francis (Frank) W. Neumann – student, age 18
“It was a real shock to us to learn of the sudden death of one of our most promising members- Francis Neuman. After a short illness this loved and honored friend and companion, died at his home on Easter Sunday night. On the eve of his burial, the whole class consoled with the family of the departed. All were present at the Mass of Requiem, and followed our One-time chum and classmate to his final resting place. "Requiescat." Vincentian 1918, page 65.
“In Memoriam. WITH the deepest sorrow and grief for the loss which we have sustained, with heart-felt sympathy for those nearest and dearest to him, in their bereavement we dedicate these few lines to the memory of one whom the grim reaper Death saw fit to snatch from our midst. To say more would be of no avail. The deepest emotions defy expression. With unshaken faith in our immortal destiny and inspired by that sterling Christian courage, which enables us to bear the vicissitudes of this life, we can but bow our heads and murmur resignedly, "Thy Will be done." Vincentian 1918, page 67.
Obituary: Leader-Observer April 4, 1918 page 3
Died Oct 5, 1918 - Alfred J. Cunningham – alumnus, age 18
A recent graduate of St. John’s Prep, he had left for Pennsylvania two weeks prior to his death to enter an Army Officers Training School.
Obituary: Brooklyn Daily Eagle Oct 7, 1918 page 10; Oct 8, 1918 page 16
Died Oct 11, 1918 - Will Soden – alumnus, age 24
A graduate of St. John’s College, he died in Brooklyn while serving as yeoman, third class, in the United States Naval Reserve Force.
Obituary: BDE Oct 12, 1918 page 8
Died Oct 14, 1918 - Rev. John H. Carman, C.M. – faculty and alumnus, age 40
Died Oct 15, 1918 - Rev. Dr. Joseph C. Dougherty, C.M. – faculty, age 37
“It was a cause for the most general and intense grief that the influenza epidemic deprived St. John's of two of its most efficient and beloved priests and professors. Rev. John Carmen and Rev. Joseph Dougherty were among the most promising men in the community. Fr. Carmen had endeared himself to those who knew him even casually, by the good nature and atmosphere of cheeriness which he conveyed at all times. Fr. Dougherty, whose academic career in America and abroad, particularly at Rome, foretold great possibilities, was stopped in his very prime. The one Mass of Requiem was celebrated for both. May they rest!” 1919 Vincentian page 20.
IN MEMORIAM. St. John's suffered an irreparable loss some three weeks ago when death snatched away two of its most able and best loved professors within twenty-four hours. They were Rev. John A. Carman, C. M., Prefect of Studies in the High School Department, and Rev. Joseph Dougherty, C. M., Professor of Dogmatic Theory in the Seminary. Both priests were held in the highest esteem and their loss is deeply felt by the entire student body. A solemn funeral mass was celebrated for them in the College Church on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The Right Rev. Bishop McDonnell and a large number of clergy attended in the sanctuary, while the large church was filled by the entire student body and relatives and friends of the deceased priests. The Rev. M. A. Drennan, C. M., delivered the eulogy. The two bodies were shipped to St. Vincent's Seminary, Germantown, Philadelphia, for interment. College Chronicle November 1918.
Obituaries: BDE Oct 14, 1918 page 2; BDE Oct 16, 1918 page 2
Died Oct 16, 1918 - James Aloysius Gallagher – alumnus, age 24
A graduate of St. John’s College, he died at his home in Brooklyn while serving as a chief yeoman in the United States Navy, stationed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Obituary: BDE Oct 17, 1918 page 3
Died Oct 19, 1918 - Edward Joseph Megarr – student, age 19
“In Memoriam. Edward J. Megarr, Born June 7, 1899 - Entered St. John's September 13, 1915, Died [October 19, 1918], Member Class of 1922” 1919 Vincentian page 65
“Only a few days later we were shocked by the news of the death of Edward J. Megarr, of the Freshman Class. His classmates especially mourn the loss of an esteemed friend and brother. He was a young man of remarkable ability and a loving friend. The pious and edifying nature of his death is the sole consolation of those who loved him and mourn his early demise. Requiescant in peace!” College Chronicle November 1918
Obituary: BDE Oct 21, 1918 page 7
Died Oct 20, 1918 - Dr. William A. Keely – alumnus, age 51
A graduate of St. John’s College, he died of influenza on October 20, 1918. William was the son of the renowned architect Patrick C. Keely, who built St. John the Baptist Church and St. John’s College Hall on Lewis Ave.
Obituary: BDE Oct 21, 1918
Died Nov 3, 1918 - Pvt. Edward J. Brundage – alumnus, age 27
A graduate of St. John’s College, he died while serving with the U.S. military in France.
Obituary BDE Dec 1, 1918 page 6
Died Dec 11, 1918 - Pvt. William S. Cetti, Jr. – alumnus, age 21
A graduate of the class of 1914, he died while in serving with the U.S. 105th Field Artillery in France.
Obituary: BDE Mar 23, 1918 page 9
Died Dec 24, 1918 - Adolf Wunner, A.B. –faculty and alumnus
“It is with deep sorrow that we recall the death during the past year of Mr. Adolf Wunner, A.B., ‘06, for many years an instructor of chemistry at the College, and loved by all who knew him. He passed away last December, during the influenza epidemic” 1919 Vincentian Page 26, 167
Died Jan 27, 1919 - Sgt. Paul J. Henry – alumnus, age 25
A graduate of St. John’s College, he died while in serving with the U.S. 642d Aero Squadron in France.
Obituary: BDE Feb 22, 1919 page 14
Died Winter 1918-1919 - Jeremiah Donovan
A St. John’s (student or alumnus?) and dramatic tutor of many years, who died of influenza last winter
Article: BDE Oct 20, 1919 page 21
Date of Death ? - Charles Fries, A.B. – alumnus and seminary student
“Another of our Alumni who was attacked fatally by the same dread disease was Charles Fries, A.B. ’17. He died while a Seminarian at St. John’s” 1919 Vincentian page 167
Images: Neumann, Carmen, Dougherty, Gallagher, Cetti, and Wunner
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