The influenza pandemic of 1918-1919 killed more people than the World War I, at somewhere between 40 to 50 million people. It has been cited as the most devastating epidemic in recorded world history. Within months, it killed more people than any other illness in recorded history.

James Perkins, M.D., began his Montana career in Fairview in April 1913.

He was born in Decatur, Ala., in 1984. The family settled in Minnesota, and in 1889 Perkins’ mom passed away. Growing up in Long Prairie, Minn., Perkins acquired his higher educational training in Hamline University, where he completed two years of literary work, and then took up the study of medicine in Marquette University at Milwaukee, completing his course in 1910. Before entering college for professional work he studied with Dr. Christie of Long Prairie, Minn., and worked his way through medical school. For two years during vacation, Perkins had charge of the Soldier’s Home Hospital at Minneapolis and while in college served as an intern at Trinity Hospital, so when he took up regular practice he had established a solid foundation for a successful career.

Doctor Perkins married Miss Blanche Barber in October 1912 at Long Prairie. Perkins and his wife moved to Fairview April 1913, and their son was born July 14, 1913.

During the influenza flu Dr. Perkins presided over the people of Fairview during the influenza flu outbreak and managed the campaign, ministering to the many hundreds who succumbed to it.

The plague emerged in two phases. In late spring of 1918, the first phase, known as the “three-day fever,” appeared without warning. Few deaths were reported. Victims recovered after a few days. When the disease surfaced again that fall, it was far more severe. Scientists, doctors and health officials could not identify this disease, which was striking so fast and so viciously, eluding treatment and defying control. Some victims died within hours of their first symptoms. Others succumbed after a few days: Their lungs filled with fluid, and they suffocated to death.

The initial cases of the influenza appeared at Fairview in October and seem to have come from Scobey. The rapidity with which the disease spread early indicated to Dr. Perkins that every home to Fairview should be visited, and in that case the old method of making a personal call to patients as often as medical attention would be needed would be impossible. Accordingly, he organized a staff of assistants and nurses, took over a large part of the Albert Hotel, the largest and most available building in the town, and converted it into a hospital for the treatment of all the afflicted within reach.

Ambulances were improvised by sandbagging automobile trucks, and with the report of a case in or out of town the afflicted ones were brought in upon these improvised ambulances and deposited in a good bed in a sanitary room and given “first aid” treatment until Dr. Perkins could minister to them. Mrs. Maxson was placed in charge of the hospital, and her experience and former training rendered her superior to the demands placed upon her. She successfully maintained and organized this temporary hospital.

When patients were discharged, they were directed to the office of the hospital, where they settled the charges for their treatments with cash or by note, and when the epidemic had passed, the hospital (Hotel Albert) and the business finalized, the unpaid notes were taken over by the county commissioners as county obligations in case default in payment of any of the notes happened. This method of handling the situation throughout the epidemic saved the lives of hundreds of Richland County people and provided against a heavy expense account against the county. Dr. Perkins was awarded credit for the wonderful work he performed during the flu of 1918.

The effect of the influenza epidemic was so severe that the average life span was depressed by 10 years. The death rate for 15 to 34 year olds was 20 times higher in 1918 than in previous years. People were struck with illness on the street and died rapid deaths. The origins of this influenza are not known. It is believed the war brought the virus into the United States for the second wave of the epidemic. Those who were lucky enough to avoid infection had to deal with the public health ordinances to restrain the spread of the disease. The public health departments distributed gauze masks to be worn in public. Stores could not keep enough on hand, and funerals were limited to 15 minutes. Some towns required a signed certificate to enter, and railroads would not accept passengers without them. Those who ignored the flu ordinances had to pay steep fines enforced by extra officers.

During his stay in Fairview, Dr. Perkins was a member of the Northwestern Medical Association of N.D., the Montana State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. He served two terms as the physician of Richland County and for a similar period as county health officer. He was the selective service auxiliary examiner for Richland County during the World War, has served three years as a member of the school board of Fairview. He was elected mayor of Fairview and during his tenure in office, putting in sidewalks was the chief concern before the council. He was a member of the State Central Committee for Richland County since its organization. Dr. Perkins was a master mason, a past master of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and a member of the Elk’s Lodge in Williston, N.D.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Information compiled from Courage Enough and the Fairview Times.