photo #9174959

The 9-Year-Old Who Ran the Farm Alone for 2 Years After Her Parents Died of Spanish Flu, South Dakota, 1919 October 1918. Spanish Flu. South Dakota prairie. Erickson Farm. Parents dead within 3 days. Buried them behind the barn. Left: Hilda Erickson, 9. Brother Ole, 6. Baby sister, 1. County came. “We’ll take the kids.” Hilda stood in the doorway with her dad’s rifle. “This is our land. You ain’t taking it.” She milked 3 cows at 4am. Fed chickens. Slopped hogs. Mended fence. Winter hit -40°F. She figured out the stove. Kept the baby alive on canned milk and mashed potatoes. 1919 spring: She planted 20 acres. Walked behind the plow because she couldn’t reach the seat. Town tried to help. She only took flour. “We don’t take charity. We trade.” She’d leave eggs on the preacher’s porch. 1921: Aunt finally found them. Came to take them. Hilda was 11, running a full farm. 1,000 bushels of wheat in the barn. Aunt said: “You’re coming with me.” Hilda said: “Ole can go. Baby can go. I stay. Someone’s gotta keep mom and dad’s graves.” She stayed. Married at 19. To the boy who helped her harvest that first year. "1918 Spanish Flu. Parents dead in 3 days. 9-year-old girl left with 6 and 1-year-old siblings. Holds off county with rifle. Runs farm 2 years alone. Milks cows, plants 20 acres walking behind plow. Refuses charity. Keeps farm, keeps graves."