Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster
A vintage-style illustration depicting the Eastland Disaster, with a ship capsizing in the background and distressed people in the foreground near the water. The text overlay reads: "Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster." Below this, it says: "Flower in the River Podcast, Ep 67." The image is copyrighted by Natalie Zett, ©2024.
Forgotten Survivors: Unveiling the Overlooked Stories of the Eastland Disaster
Each week as I research the history of the people of the Eastland, I’m amazed and sometimes shocked at what’s been hidden in plain sight and never added to the canon. The prevailing narrative(s) has often overlooked the true depth of these stories. To quote Tony Soprano, “Whaddya gonna do?” Well, I’ll keep uncovering and honoring the overlooked individuals whose experiences have been overshadowed. Here we go:
In Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster, I looked at the unique and tragic case of Chrissie McNeal Lauritzen who survived the Eastland Disaster but succumbed to long-term health issues years later.
Ervin Eliud
I'm thrilled to introduce the remarkable work of Chicago-based creative, Ervin Eliud. Describing himself as "an artist who is a passionate historian and photographer specializing in Chicago's architectural and cultural heritage," Ervin brings history to life through his lens.
When I reached out to him, I asked if he could photograph my great-grandparents' house, still standing proud in Little Village, Chicago. I also requested photos of my Pfeiffer family's headstone at Bethania Cemetery. The updated photos beautifully bridge the gap between the present and the past, capturing the essence of my family's heritage.
You can see more of Ervin's incredible work on his Facebook page (link below). Trust me, you don't want to miss it!
Key Topics Covered in the Podcast
**DNA Discoveries**: How a commercial DNA test led to a surprising connection with a German relative from the Pfeiffer line.
**Creative Projects**: The creation of a family scrapbook and a video featuring my family's journey from Poland to Johnstown to Chicago, with photography by Chicago-based photographer Ervin Eliud.
**Honoring Forgotten Victims**: The story of Chrissie McNeal Lauritzen a survivor of the Eastland Disaster who suffered long-term health effects and eventually succumbed to them. Her story highlights the overlooked long-term impacts on survivors and the importance of remembering every life affected by this tragedy.
**Public Health Concerns**: Discussion on typhoid fever and other health risks faced by those who were in the Chicago River during the disaster.
*Creative Spark**: How I created a song and a video, "Eastland Hymn," to honor the upcoming disaster's anniversary.
Links:
Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster (podcast link)
Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster (YouTube link).
Survived But Not Saved: The Lingering Legacy of the Eastland Disaster (podcast link)
Ervin Eliud photos
I'm excited to share some stunning photos taken by the talented Ervin Eliud. His unique eye for capturing Chicago's heritage truly shines through in these shots.
Check out the evocative headstones of Martha Pfeiffer and Frieda Pfeiffer, along with Herman and Bertha Pfeiffer at Bethania Cemetery in Justice, IL. Ervin also beautifully captured the historic Pfeiffer house in Little Village, Chicago. These images bring our family's past to life, connecting us to our roots in a profound way.
You can see more of Ervin's amazing work on his Facebook page. Don't miss it!
The Chicago Daily Tribune: Saturday, July 31, 1915
“Will there be an Epidemic of Typhoid?” Please read text below
“The Chicago Daily Tribune: Saturday, July 31, 1915**
**How to Keep Well... By Dr. W. A. Evans**
Questions pertinent to hygiene, sanitation, and prevention of disease, or matters of general interest, will be answered in this column. Where space will not permit or the subject is not suitable, letters will be personally answered, subject to proper limitations and where a stamped, addressed envelope is inclosed. Dr. Evans will not make diagnoses or prescribe for individual diseases. Requests for such service cannot be answered.
**WILL THERE BE AN EPIDEMIC OF TYPHOID?**
On July 24 the steamer Eastland turned turtle, throwing 2,500 people into the Chicago river. Of the number about 1,100 were rescued and 1,400, nearly all from the boat’s lower decks, were drowned. The moment the accident occurred the first impulse of rescuers was to get the people out of the water. Large numbers went into the water in efforts to rescue.
Let us say, then, that 2,500 people got into the waters of the Chicago river and survived. The great majority of these swallowed water. The Eastland was about half a mile from the mouth of the Chicago river. The current in the Chicago river flows upstream. Between the infected end of the river and the point at which people got into the stream, the water was not polluted at the time of the Eastland disaster in epidemic proportions.
People who are to develop typhoid fever from swallowing river water at the time of the accident will get sick between August 7 and 21. This is because the incubation time of the bacillus typhosus averages about two weeks.
All infected by these cases through secondary infection will be incubating the disease from two to six weeks thereafter. The epidemic is spread over a period from the middle of August through September and October.
The questions arise: Will there be 100 or more cases of typhoid as the result of this accident? The answer is: No. The reasons for the answer are these:
The health department has the names and addresses of most of the people who were in the water. Physicians and nurses of the health department are at work vaccinating as many of these people as are willing to be vaccinated. Vaccines used today do the short term work of making many of these people immune to typhoid. There is ample time for all who were in the water to be vaccinated and to make themselves immune through the vaccines given free by the department. The immunity lasts for three years.
However, this is not the only reason the estimate is made of the number of cases being so low. The majority of those who are susceptible to typhoid, who are inoculated with river water, will not become infected. This is true because there is more than one factor in producing typhoid. The specific bacillus will not infect the tissues of a healthy person. Unless the person has had typhoid, is old or young, is malnourished, or otherwise ill, it will not cause him to become infected. Physical and moral health in any case are the greatest antidotes to all infections. The people who are healthy and susceptible will have the bacteria in the bowels and the infection should be slight, being taken into the mucosa.”
