In October 1918, a deadly flu called the Spanish Influenza spread quickly through West Virginia. It was part of a worldwide pandemic that killed millions. Unlike most diseases, it mostly killed young, healthy people—at the same time young West Virginians were dying overseas in World War I.

On October 5, health officials in West Virginia ordered sick people to stay home, public places to close, and everyone to report flu cases. People wore masks to protect themselves.

Still, over 71,000 people got sick in one month, and nearly 3,000 died—mostly ages 5 to 39. Hospitals were full, and many people were cared for at home. By the end of October, the flu had mostly disappeared, but it left behind a lot of pain and loss.