As I See It

Two generations died fighting flu

By Craig McKinney
Posted 2/13/20

Dr. Li died in China fighting the coronavirus. More than 100 years ago in Gardiner, Dr. Myron Stephens was one of over 50 million people to die of the Spanish flu. This was the story that appeared on …

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As I See It

Two generations died fighting flu

Posted

Dr. Li died in China fighting the coronavirus. More than 100 years ago in Gardiner, Dr. Myron Stephens was one of over 50 million people to die of the Spanish flu.

This was the story that appeared on October 30, 1918 :

DR, MYRON E. STEPHENS DIES OF PNEUMONIA

Seldom has a community been so appalled as was the Town of Gardiner last Friday morning when the announcement of the death of Dr. M. E. Stephens was made. The deaths during the past few weeks were indeed many, and had the effect of sobering the minds of everybody. This news, however, was indeed, awful.

Dr. Stephens had been ill only a few days. He was taken down with the influenza. For a time he seemed to be on the way to recovery, but a sudden change took place and pneumonia set in and he rapidly grew worse. Every possible thing that could be done to save his life was done. He was attended by Drs. Tiernan of New Paltz and Sadelier of Poughkeepsie and Mrs. Anna Neandes, a very able and efficient nurse.

Dr. Stephens was born at Frankfort, N.Y., the son of Stewart and Margaret Stephens. His early education was received in the schools of Frankfort and in the Whitestone Seminary, from which he was graduated in 1880. For a short time afterwards he taught school. It was his ambition, however, to become a physician. He gave up teaching, entered the Albany Medical College and graduated from this in 1885. Then having interned in the Albany Hospital for 18 months he located in the village of Gardiner, which has been his home ever since.

On Jan. 18, 1893, he married Miss Mary LeFevre of Gardiner. Mrs. Stephens died suddenly about six months ago.

Dr. Stephens literally sacrificed his life for the people of the community in which he lived. The task he was called upon to perform was stupendous. It was enough to tax the strength of one in the very prime of life and in the fullest of health. During the past three weeks he attended over 400 patients. He was kept going night and day and yet he was never known to turn a patient away or to refuse to respond to a call.

He was a big man physically and he was great of heart. He always had a smile and kind word for everybody. By all the children he was loved and by all adults honored.

Outside his professional life he was very active. All public affairs interested him and in the work of the church he always occupied a foremost place. He was one of the organizers of the Gardiner Reformed Church and for many years served in the consistory.

He held the position of Public Health Officer for many years, he was the attending physician at the County Alms House, and he had been the postmaster and always was at the head of local committees. He, too, was a member of the County and State Medical Society and of several fraternal organizations.

The Doctor is survived by three brothers, Rozelle Stephens of Frankfort, Dr. John H Stephens of West Winfield, and Frank Stephens of Utica and one sister, Miss Mary Deliah Stephens at present living at Gardiner, and two children, Homer L. at present studying medicine at the Albany Medical College, and Lucille, who is teaching in the High School at Newton, N.J.
- New Paltz Times, October 30, 1918

They are all buried in the New Paltz Cemetery. Dr. Homer Stephens had a long time practice in Walden. Lucille Stephens was a teacher and an active member of the Reformed Church on Huguenot Street in New Paltz. Everyone loved Lucille Stephens including my sister, Linda Sullivan.

IBM’s shares up $16 since Rometty said goodbye
In the first seven days since IBM CEO Ginni Rometty announced her retirement and that Arvind Krishna and Red Hat CEO James Whitehurst would replace her, the IBM stock has gone from $138 to $158. One reason is that Krishna and Whitehurst both have far superior resumes. Whitehurst, as the CEO of Red Hat, has accomplished so much. He has hit a lot of home runs.

Krishna is one of many Indian-Americans, who are the CEOs of such corporations as Microsoft, Adobe, Nividia, and Enphase.

Satya Nadella has turned Microsoft into a trillion dollar company. Krishna is the father of the IBM cloud. IBM shareholders support the change 100 percent.

I asked Ulster BOCES to add a course on Global Warming
BOCES is a jobs program and it can set up high school or college students for life. BOCES and SUNY Ulster provide a very valuable service to those young people who take and major in programs at these learning sources. One of my goddaughters, while at New Paltz High School, took the CNA (certified nurses assistant exam) 16 years ago, and has had a job for life, is married, and has two children. One of the worst memories I had was after a Marlboro graduation. I asked a graduate what he was going to do. He had no plan and he was scared. It showed on his face.

It is so important that the guidance counselors take juniors or seniors aside to see if they have a plan of what they will study to prepare for life.

As for Global Warming I have acquaintances through out America and in India and the Philippines and when we talk about Global Warming we are taking the same language. Everyone knows Global Warming is “cumulative,” and they have concerns about their weather.

Mike Kavanagh lost to David Clegg because of New Paltz
In the recent Ulster County election for district attorney Democrat David Clegg defeated assistant Ulster County District Attorney Republican, Mike Kavanagh 26,333 to 26,255 as the voters from New Paltz provided the margin of victory as Clegg won in the town, 2,644 to 883.

Clegg captured the college district, 267 to 21. Kavanagh won in Lloyd, 1,501 to 1,198, Marlboro, 1,418 to 694, Plattekill, 1,392 to 831, and in Shawangunk, 1,533 to 638. Clegg won in Gardiner, 1,130 to 712.

The Democrats won all county offices.

Kavanagh is now employed by the Mainetti and Mainetti law firm.

Last coal electric plant in New York State to close
In 1999 11 percent of the electricity in New York State was generated by a coal plant. Later this spring the amount will be zero as the last plant, which is located in Niagara County will be closed. It employs 52 people, and all had plans to work for it for life. Niagara County is looking for ways to use this industrial site.

More bad ocean news for Florida
On Friday, February 8 the “balmy” Antarctica had a record 64.9 degrees. It broke a record that was set two years ago. This means that the melting of ice in Antarctica will continue to accelerate. It is the fastest warming continent on the planet, and is the size of the United States and Mexico combined. It was not indicated how much in the next year that it would cause the oceans to rise.

On top of this there is more bad news from Greenland as warm water has been found beneath a massive wing of ice, 50 miles long. Its impact is similar to the effect of the Antarctica heat wave. This warmer water will provide the foundation for more intense hurricanes.

Egypt, too, has a lot of complaints about Global Warming. The rising ocean levels are raising the water level of the Nile, and bring with it salt water, which is making it difficult to grow food in Egypt’s breadbasket along the 2000-mile long river. Also Global Warming is causing droughts and extremely hot growing conditions.