Spanish influenza epidemic explored in new book
Dennis Ballas, of Adah, retired history teacher and local historian, has completed his second book called “Had Anyone In Fayette County Seen The Spanish Lady?”
The author of “I Remember German” now explores the Spanish influenza epidemic of 1918-19, which killed more people internationally than did World War I. Ballas said the disease was sometimes referred to as the Spanish Lady and he used the name for his book title.
In the book, Ballas concentrates on the impact the flu had on Fayette County. Ballas reported the closing of schools, churches and businesses to stop the spread of the disease and how the disease affected local coal production during World War I. Twenty-three emergency hospitals were established throughout Fayette County during the epidemic.
Read more about it in an upcoming HeraldStandard.com.