Jirdes Winther Baxter, the last known survivor of the 1925 diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska, passed away on January 5, 2024, in Juneau, the state capital. She was 101 years old. Her son, Fred J. Baxter, a retired lawyer, confirmed her death, which occurred in a hospital.
Jirdes, pronounced JER-diss, was just 11 months old when she contracted diphtheria, a highly contagious and potentially fatal bacterial infection. According to medical records in the possession of her son, she was hospitalized on January 30, 1925, suffering from the illness and a high fever. Her mother, Ragnhild, and one of her brothers, John, were also admitted to the hospital shortly thereafter, on February 2. Fortunately, her father, Johan, and another brother, Gudmund, did not become ill.
Nome, a gold-rush town with a population of around 1,400, had only one physician at the time, Dr. Curtis Welch. As the epidemic worsened, leading to the deaths of two young children by mid-January, Dr. Welch recognized the urgency of the situation. He instituted a quarantine and sent radio telegrams to other towns in Alaska, urgently requesting assistance from the U.S. Public Health Service.
The nearest supply of diphtheria antitoxin was located 1,000 miles away in Anchorage. The isolation of Nome made it critical to obtain the serum quickly to prevent further loss of life. Dr. Welch’s efforts led to the famous serum run, a remarkable sled dog relay that covered nearly 700 miles to deliver the lifesaving medication to Nome.
The run became a legendary tale of endurance and hope, showcasing the resilience of both the sled dog teams and the human spirit during a time of crisis. Baxter’s journey through this dire episode in her early life marked her as a symbolic figure in the history of public health responses.
Baxter’s legacy extends beyond her survival of the epidemic. She lived to see the evolution of medical practices and public health policies. Her story serves as a reminder of the challenges faced during the early 20th century and the importance of community resilience in the face of health crises.
As the last survivor of a significant chapter in Alaska’s history, Jirdes Winther Baxter will be remembered not only for her remarkable life but also for the role she played in a story that united a community facing adversity. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her legacy will continue to inspire future generations.