Taking the body of Ramon Estrella from the church
DateApril 16, 1918
MediumPaper
Dimensions2 3/4 x 4 1/2 in. (7 x 11.4 cm)
ClassificationsDocumentary Artifact
Catalog number1999.28.17
DescriptionThe handwritten ink inscription on this photograph is in Spanish. The words are: "Saliendo con el cuerpo de Ramon Estrella de la iglesia."Ramon Estrella was both the first death of a Tempe soldier in service during WWI, and the first influenza death. As his was literally one of the earliest influenza deaths in the entire global pandemic at that time, folks in Tempe had no idea that this was the beginning of a pandemic (which would arrive in Tempe by the Fall of 1918). The funeral was held April 16, 1918.
Caption from the Tempe 150th Anniversary event:
Tempe residents gather for the funeral procession of Private Ramon Estrella as his casket leaves the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church on its way to lay the young soldier to rest at the Catholic Cemetery near the community of Guadalupe.
Status
Not on view
Spring 1918
c. 1980
c. 2020
November 1985
November 1985
February 20, 1998
