Nebraskans Observed Arbor Day Through Pandemics And War

NEBRASKA CITY – Shutdowns during the novel coronavirus pandemic are the first to befall Nebraska during the annual Arbor Day observances.

The pandemic of 1918 did not arrive in Nebraska until October and the pandemic was not a leading public concern by the following spring.

For Arbor Day 1918, Edgar Howard was acting governor. His Arbor Day proclamation encouraged the public to renew the health of the tree-planting spirit by public and private observances. It also had a World War I emphasis with his final question.

Howard: “And may I not in this hour of the nation’s peril plead with all our people to unite with me in supplication to the Father for the speedy dawning of that glad day when the forests of France and of all lands may again bless the earth with fragrance untarnished by the taint of war?”

 

The Nebraska City News did mention Arbor Lodge in the spring of 1918.

News: “C.E. Dwyer, manager of Arbor Lodge, had several accidents to his auto yesterday afternoon and it finally struck the curbing and was so disarranged that it had to be taken to the repair shop. Mr. Dwyer was not hurt.”

 

It was his last Arbor Day, as Dwyer fell ill during the pandemic outbreak.

By October of 1918, a Nebraska City News-Press article debated whether the pandemic was caused by a true influenza.

The newspaper said symptoms include sudden onset, chills, headache, sore throat, flushed face and fever from 101 to 104 degrees.

News: “The one safe rule when these symptoms are experienced is to go to bed at once and send for the doctor.”

 

The Otoe Union offered this advice. “Stay home if you feel ill and use a handkerchief as a target for your coughs and sneezes.”

Church attendance was still encouraged.

Otoe Union: “The church will be kept warm, arid and well ventilated Sunday and  no one need fear any danger of infection.”

 

By the end of October, schools, churches, pool halls and all places of public congregation were closed.

In 1919, Gov. Samuel McKelvie’s proclamation mentions the end of World War I, but not the Spanish Flu pandemic.

The Otoe Union reported that the influenza is a crowd disease and urged people to stay out of crowds.

Otoe Union: “Influenza probably spreads mostly by inhaling some of the tiny droplets of germ-laden mucus sprayed into the air when ignorant or careless persons sneeze or cough without using  handkerchief.”

“It is probably spread also by use of common drinking cups and use of common towels in public places. Therefore, shun the common drinking cup and the roller towel in public places.”

 The Talmage Tribune reported in 1926 the influenza pandemic took 21 million lives and was the worst scourge on the earth since the Black Plague.

How to celebrate Arbor Day this year

Auburn – City Forester Harry Bridgmon is city forester will  plant a tree in Legion Park. It is described as a saucer magnolia, a popular flowering tree created by cross-breeding a magnolia shrub with a lilytree.

Falls City – Tree board will give out some trees at F&M bank on the morning of Arbor Day.

Nebraska City – Arbor Day Farm is showing video tours on its Facebook and Instagram pages, including a sneak peek at the farms’ new conservation trail.

Nebraska City Tourism Commerce will hosts its tree planting live on Facebook at 1 p.m. Friday.

Unadilla – The Unadilla Area Foundation will hand out tree seedlings at the village park.