On Sept. 22, 1918, Cleveland received its first warning of the influenza epidemic from City Health Commissioner Dr. Harry L Rockwood, after having been notified by the U.S. Army Surgeon General William Gorgas.

Despite the warning, Cleveland was slow to act. It was not until Oct. 4 that City Director of Public Welfare Lamar T. Beman directed Rockwood to undertake a survey of local influenza conditions and to draft a citywide plan of action for precautionary measures against the disease.