Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family

Roger McKinley Yancey to Harriet Anna Yancey, October 21, 1918

Community life | Education--other | Hard times | Health, illness and death | Military | Place--Alabama | Place--Kentucky | Place--Virginia, other | Social organizations

Roger Yancey, writing from school, tells his mother about the enforced quarantine resulting from a deadly flu outbreak. He discusses war preparations.

The Young Men's Christian Association
of
The Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute
Hampton, Virginia

To: Mrs Harriet A. Yancey
Esmont
Virginia
albemarle County.
From: Roger Mck Yancey
Hampton Institute Va
Postmark: Hampton, VA
Hampton Institute
OCT 21
3 PM Added writing: Inside first letter

October 21, 1918

My Dear Mother,

I recieved you letter today (Mon) and was glad to hear from you. I hope you and the rest are enjoying the best of health. I am well although last Thursday I had an awful headache and the first thing I thought that I've the "Flu" and I want to the hospital and told the nurse to examine me, and she said

(page 2)

(2)

Isn't any thing to matter with you, You, have never been sick at all and she gave me two pills to take or castor oil but I took the pills and am all right my Fountain pen is broke the part where you squeeze the ink in has come loose Mamma I was just fooling when I said I was going into the aviation corps I am not old enough yet The trade caught afire here Saturday night about 7 oclock, and we had to form in a line and then report to our places of work except day students

(page 3)

(3)

and that fire alarm it sounded terriable I was reading a paper in the Y.M.C.A. It sounded like a Large wildcat but so much Louder a syrene it was. The school fire wagon was there pulled by boys but the flames were put out by the water hoses in the building the city fire wagon came tearing up the street bells aringing smoke flying

(page 4)

(4)

the damage amounted to $200.00 I think I will be promoted soon I don't know the teacher hasent decided yet.. people are dying fast here one graduate died yesterday from "Flu." Give my love to all the people and Mary and Leslie Helen May Benny Czar. I have 3 Boy friends my regular company besides my roommates. Their name are Lavin Johnson from Lexington Ky. who is writing now to his mother he [missing text] he is sitting besides me now in the Y.M.C.A.

(page 5)

(5)

his Father is dead and his mother and 1 sis one Bro. are living. the other are James ?Poimon? of Mannous Mannassas Va and Macolm Robert of Alabama I havent got the candy yet. give my Love to Violet and the rest Tell May to find Kate Monres address Elsie Bee I work one hour and got. 25 I am getting 24 an month I think mama I wrote to Aunt Joe 2 weeks ago and havent heard from

(page 6)

(6)

Mama I got work shirt for nothig A boy gave it to me he is ?going? in the F S.A.T.C student army Training corps. Mom I havent got my night shirt back yet. We are quarentene yet and cant get in town yet. as soon as the quarentine is lifted I am going to New Port News on the street cars on sunday and to Ft. Monroe.

I havent wrote much. ha.ha.

From your son
Roger McK. Yancey
547 Stone Bldg.

You neednt put that

Published by: Virginia Center for Digital History

Source copy consulted: Papers of the Benjamin Franklin Yancey Family (MSS 11599), Alderman Library, University of Virginia

Text and images (c) copyright 2001, by the Rector and Visitors of the University of Virginia

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