Almyra Gleanings – 14 Nov 1918: Last week’s gleanings contained a notice of much sickness in Dunlap Orphanage, and especially that of Mrs. Wellons, the matron of the home. Later occurred the death of Mrs. Wellons. She died about noon on Wednesday, death being due to pneumonia superinduced by influenza. Mrs. Wellons was a refined, cultured Christian lady with a kind, sweet disposition and a fine tact at discipline, which well fitted her for the position she filled so well in the orphanage the last four months of her life. Her remains were carried across the country Thursday in an auto hearse, to Bolivar, Tenn., her home town, where they were laid to rest beside that of her husband, the late Captain Wellons, last Friday morning.
Last week was the most eventful week in the history of the orphanage. Besides the sickness and death of Mrs. Wellons, nearly all of the children were sick with influenza, and some of them seriously sick. At the present time they are all better except two little girls and one boy, Breece Atchley. The last named has contracted pneumonia, and his recovery is extremely doubtful. After the death of Mrs. Wellons, the assistant matron, Miss Lide Miller, who was almost down with influenza, had to give up her position and returned to her brother in Covington. Since and before Miss Miller’s resignationi, Miss Rubye Moffatt and Mrs. Sweaney, a trained nurse from Memphis, have had the management of the home. I want to say here that under most adverse circumstances they have done their part well. Miss Moffatt had charge of the culinary department, while Mrs. Sweaney had charge of the sick, We might mention here that up until Friday evening they had some other help, but from that time until Monday night no other help was on hand.
It is earnestly hoped that the board of managers for the orphanage will this week succeed in securing a superintendent and matron.
We are glad to state that the good ladies of Covington, through Miss VanMeter, Mrs. Garner and others, with the help of Hon. John Darby and Rev. W. C. Kerr, responded in a most generous way to the needs of the orphanage, with the necessities of life, suitable for the sick, such as bread, fruits of different kinds, grape juice, beef, dishes, glasses, etc. They also helped to secure money to pay for the services of a trained nurse.
Dr. George B. Brown, of Idaville, left Saturday morning for Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga., for war service. His going leaves this part of the county in bad shape for a doctor. The near est is Dr. Fleming, at Atoka.
Mr. Boyce Nelson, of the Idaville neighborhood, returned recently form Camp Gordon, where he has been for the past four months. Eleven weeks of this time was spent in the hospital. Mr. Nelson was given an honorable discharge.
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Ellision, of Memphis, moved last Friday to Mr. F. P. Spain’s place, where they will now make their home. Mr. Ellison likes country life better than the city, and his old friends and acquaintances are glad to have them back into the community.
Miss Sylvia Murphy, who was up to a year ago an inmate of the orphanage here, came up from Memphis, where her home is now, on a visit to her sisters in the orphanage Sabbath, and remained over a few days. Her sisters have been sick. She was accompanie [sic] by her brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Pinner, who returned that afternoon.
On account of the influenza situation, the speaker on the “Earn and Give” campaign did not get to meet with the Sharon people last Sabbath afternoon; but another appointment for next Sabbath afternoon at 2:30 o’clock has been made, and it is hoped that health conditions may be more favorable at that time.
[Almyra Gleanngs – 14 Nov 1918, The Covington Leader, November 14, 1918]
Almyra Gleanings – 14 Nov 1918
