“Children Will Never Make Me Sick”

Grays Ferry, Philadelphia

My grandfather, William Myers, was a carpenter for the Philadelphia Transportation Company. He built trolleys.

During the epidemic, he either was asked or made to build coffins for the dead. There were wagons that would ride around the neighborhood calling to the people to “ bring out your dead”!

My grandmother, Elva Myers, was a housewife and mother. The street they lived on was the 2800 block of Cross Street in South Philadelphia.

Most of the neighbors were ill with influenza. My grandmother cooked for the sick and tended the children of the sick. She always told me, “children will never make me sick,” and therefore she never got sick, nor did her children.

As a child, I would have her relate her story to me over again! She was so brave!

Story contributed by Marlene Annacone, granddaughter of William and Elva Myers.