Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 29

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036

USA > Pennsylvania > Blair County > Altoona > Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens > Part 29

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

HOSPITAL AND NURSES' HOME, ALTOONA

205;024

HIGH SCHOOL, ALTOONA

POSTOFFICE. ALTOONA

62418

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, ALTOONA

205

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

pital on account of the enlargement of the buildings. A third story was added, among other changes, and an isolated ward estab- lished. This, a frame building, separated from the main buildings by ample open space, is used in case patients develop con- tagious diseases while in the hospital. Here they can be cared for without danger to the other patients.

Thus the years passed, each bringing with it greater success for the hospital. As needed, new improvements were added, each helping to increase the usefulness of the institution and making it a well equipped1 hospital. The number of patients treated increased each year. The people of the city, as well as those from the surrounding dis- trict, were very generous in their support, donating money and provisions of various kinds cheerfully. Several public entertain -. ments were held, the proceeds of which went to the hospital; and in 1899 a lawn fete, the first of a series since held annually, was held on the hospital grounds, for the benefit of the institution. A year previous to this, in 1898, the hospital received a fa- vorable notice from the governor of the state of Pennsylvania, Daniel H. Hastings, for services rendered in connection with the Spanish-American war. Twenty-nine sol- diers, regardless of regiment, company or state, were treated for malaria and typhoid fevers and all recovered. Fifteen years af- ter the founding of the hospital Altoona had an institution, well equipped, generously supported, and greatly appreciated, of which it might well be proud. Much of the suc- cess was due to the untiring efforts of the board of trustees, the medical staff and the superintendent and her assistants in behalf of it. A training school for nurses was es- tablished by Miss Hulda White Renfrew, su- perintendent of the hospital from 1902 to 1904. A number of young ladies have graduated from this school each year since its estab- lishment and it has proved an advantage to the institution.

At the meeting of the board held in June,

1901, some rough sketches of improvements and additions to the hospital were pre- sented. These improvements consisted principally in tearing away the east wing, and replacing it with a three-story brick structure. While this plan met with ap- proval, on account of the absence of the nec- essary funds, nothing was done at that time. In 1903 a plan was presented by Messrs. Robinson and Winkler, architects of Pittsburg, Pa., showing proposed exten- sion to the hospital, which was accepted, subject to slight alterations as might be found desirable. The contract was awarded to W. V. Hughes & Son, Altoona, and in the fall of 1904 the work was finished. This extension which is known as the Wom- en's ward extension, has proved a valuable adjunct.

The next important step in the history of the hospital was the building of the Nurses' home, a handsome brick structure to the east of the hospital and connected with it by a covered passage way. This home provides comfortable quarters for the nurses, and is a credit to the institution, it being one of the finest nurses' homes in the state. The Women's auxiliary of the hos- pital took a great interest in it, and credit is due them for their efforts which helped to bring this plan of a home to a reality. This building was opened on October 12, 1905, having been in process of construction less than six months.

The demands upon the hospital contin- ued to increase. In 1886, the number of pa- tients was 113. In 1907 the number ag- gregated 1,000, and it thus became neces- sary to enlarge the institution. As a re- sult an extension to the west end, similar to that at the east was built. This addition increased the capacity of the hospital to such a degree, that it is probable that no new extension will be required for some time.

As the hospital is a state institution, it is dependent on the state appropriation for the greater part of its maintenance. In

206

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY

1887 the appropriation was $2,500; at in- tervals it has been increased, until in 1909, the appropriation was $25,000. The Penn- sylvania railroad company each year makes a liberal contribution to the hospital, and on Thanksgiving Day, each year, contribu- tions are made by the churches of the city and by the people in general. The man- agement of the hospital is looked after by a board of trustees numbering thirteen men. The first board comprised the follow- ing: Messrs. John P. Levan, Theodore N. Ely, S. M. Prevost, George W. Stratton, H. J. Cornman, Henry C. Dern, David K. Ramey, Frank L. Sheppard, A. J. Anderson, William Stoke, Benjamin F. Custer, Wil- liam Murray and Theodore H. Wigton. Many changes have been made from time to time as a result of deaths and resigna- tions and the members of the board at pres- ent are as follows: H. J. Cornman, M. H. Canan, J. R. Bingaman, A. W. Gibbs, George W. Creighton, R. N. Durborow, J. S. Leisenring, J. King McLanahan, Jr., Germain Casanave, D. S. Kloss, C. A. Pres- ton, W. F. Eberle and Harry Slutzker. Mr. Cornman is the only one of the original thirteen. The medical staff now consists of fifteen members, an increase of ten over the first staff. Dr. John Fay, the chief of staff from the founding of the hospital until his death, which occurred December 6, 1907, was a man loved and honored by all, old and young, rich and poor. His large med- ical library at his death was bequeathed to the Altoona hospital, whose success was dear to him through all the years of its growth. He was succeeded as chief of staff by Dr. Orr H. Shaffer.

The corps at the hospital today consists of a superintendent, assistant superintend- ent, night superintendent, head nurse, ma- tron and dietitian, two resident physicians and a training school of about twenty nurses. The superintendent is Miss Anna C. Wray.

The officers of the hospital are as follows : President, H. J. Cornman; secretary, J. R.

Bingaman; treasurer, J. G. Davis; solicitor, Andrew J. Riley, Esq. Mr. Cornman has been the president since August 13, 1906, succeeding John P. Levan, who served from the beginning. The secretaries have been B. F. Custer, L. B. Reifsneider, C. A. Wood and J. R. Bingaman; Thomas H. Wigton and J. G. Davis have held the office of secretary, and Mr. Riley has been the solicitor since the organization of the hos- pital.

The medical staff at the present time is as follows: Dr. Orr H. Shaffer, chief of staff; Dr. William S. Ross, Dr. Albert S. Oburn, Dr. William H. Howell, Dr. Samuel P. Glover, Dr. James E. Smith, Dr. Joseph D. Findley, Dr. Charles W. Delaney. Ob- stetricians, Dr. Fred H. Bloomhardt, Dr. Charles F. McBurney. Consulting physi- cians, Dr. Joseph U. Blose, Dr. George F. Tate, Dr. H. H. Brotherlin, Dr. J. B. Nason. Pathologist, Dr. Aruthr S. Brumbaugh. X-ray work, Dr. G. D. Bliss. Anesthetist, Dr. E. B. Miller. Resident physicians, Dr. Louis E. McKee, Dr. D. F. Haagan, Dr. H. T. Simmonds.

The Ladies' auxiliary, an organization composed of ladies of the city, has been in existence for several years, and has con- tributed by pecuniary aid, much to the char- itable work of the institution. Its officers are as follows: President, Mrs. George W. Creighton; secretary, Mrs. W. W. Mur- ray ; treasurer, Mrs. McClellan Wilson.

THE NASON HOSPITAL.

The Nason hospital is located at Roaring Spring. The building was originally built and equipped as a hotel or a summer resort. The location being beautiful and the situation healthful, people in failing health sought it as a pleasant place to rest and soon found bene- ficial results in returning to strength. After some preliminary discussion it was finally de- cided to open it to the public as a hospital. As such it was incorporated April 9, 1900, with the following board of trustees and medical staff :

207

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Trustees : J. L. Hartman, president ; J. P. Martin, treasurer; Hon. Martin Bell, Hon. J. C. Stineman, Hon. William H. Irwin, H. E. Ferguson, Ferd Bendheim, John S. Elway, J. H. Stephens secretary; John H. Snyder, solic- itor; W. Albert Nason, I. S. Mock, James S. Bobb, Samuel A. Hamilton, D. S. Brumbaugh, H. C. Burger and James Foust.

Medical staff : Dr. W. Albert Nason, su- perintendent ; Dr. William S. Ross, Dr. H. H. Brotherlin, Dr. C. W. Fox, Dr. W. M. Eldon, Dr. E. M. Duff, Dr. John B. Nason, Dr. A. S. Stayer, Dr. E. R. Myers. Superintendent of nurses, Miss Olive M. Bayer.

The members of the board of trustees at present are as follows: J. L. Hartman, presi- dent; J. H. Stephens, secretary ; J. P. Martin, treasurer; W. I. Woodwock, solicitor; Hon. Martin Bell, Hon. J. C. Stineman, Hon. James Foust, D. S. Brumbaugh, I. S. Mock, W- Al- bert Nason, D. M. Bare, E. G. Bobb, Dr. A. L. Garver, James S. Bobb.

Medical staff: Dr. W. A. Nason, superin- tendent ; Dr. W. S. Ross, Dr. H. H. Brother- lin, Dr. E. M. Duff, Dr. C. W. Fox, Dr. W. M. Eldon, Dr A. S. Stayer, Dr. E. R. Myers, Dr. John B. Nason.

The building is a handsome brick structure of three stories. It is heated by steam, lighted by electricity and provided with an elevator connecting the basement with three floors. The basement is fitted up with bathrooms. On the third floor is a modern operating room, equipped with aseptic furniture and well lighted by side and overhead windows. Con- nected with the operating room are the private rooms and wards for surgical cases and acute medical cases. Other rooms in the house are arranged for convalescent patients and those with chronic ailments. There are beds for forty people. The parlors are large and pleas- ant for the use of convalescents and those able to be around. The house is surrounded by spacious verandas where patients may sit in summer. The grounds are attractive. A large lawn is in front, and a handsome grove of natural oak and maple at the rear, three acres in all. Another feature of its location is

the grand water supply. The Roaring Spring, noted for years as one of the largest and pur- est in the state, provides an inexhaustible sup- ply of water of easy access. The mountain spring water, shown by analysis to be abso- lutely pure, supplies the water works system for the town and is piped through the house. Its location is in one of the most picturesque towns in the state, among the mountains. Roaring Spring is an active manufacturing place, surrounded by other towns of like size, and of easy access to Altoona, which furnishes many of its patients. It is near the centre of a group of counties which have no hospital.

The Nason hospital was opened May I, 1896. It was chartered April 9, 1900, as a charitable institution. During the past ten years there has been treated here several thou- sand patients, representing a great variety of ailments, including both medical and surgical diseases. There have been operations of all kinds done and many confinement cases cared for. While there have been many accident cases treated, a larger share of the surgical work has been in the field of gynæecology and abdominal surgery. Numerous cases of ap- pendicitis, gall-stones, strangulated hernia and obstruction of the bowels have been oper- ated upon. Of medical cases there were treated many of typhoid fever, acute alcohol- ism, acute rheumatism and pneumonia. Among the pay patients there has been a great diversity of chronic diseases. A few cases, also, of mild insanity have been successfully treated, thus saving them from the stigma of being placed in an insane asylum. Though located in a small town, it is so easy of access that it is well filled at all times. The work of the hospital is done largely by the superintend- ent, who is also the resident physician. He is ably assisted by a corps of physicians selected from Roaring Spring and nearby towns, in- cluding Altoona, Hollidaysburg and Tyrone, from which places a good share of the patients come. The hospital is open for all reputable physicians to bring in and treat cases, those not on the staff being accorded the same priv- ilege in this respect as are those of the staff.

208

HISTORY OF BLAIR COUNTY '

Such physicians are given the assistance of the superintendent and other members of the staff. It has been the policy of the institution to require all patients able to pay, to do so. Only the real charity cases are allowed the privileges of free treatment. Such cases are never refused, no matter from what part of the state they come, if they are suitable cases for treatment in a hospital. The income from pay patients has always been a large part of the support. They have been self-sustaining, paying their share of the cost of running the hospital. During the past two years the dona- tions from friends have been generous, and received from a great many persons, thus showing the general interest in the work of the hospital. There has also been quite a nice income from the services of the nurses, who have been sent out to cases, thus helping to bear the expense of the training school. The past two years has been a very hard period for the hospital.

While the number of cases has been about the same average as in past years, there had been a great increase of free cases and a cor- responding decrease in those able to pay. This is accounted for by the hard times and also by the added number of the poor who are at- tracted by the hospital. The cost per patient is less than perhaps any other hopsital in the state. The trustees regret that the means at their disposal does not permit them to make needed additions to keep pace with the grow- ing demands. State aid was solicited and in 1891 an appropriation of $5,000 was made; in 1903 it was raised to $6,000. In 1905, $8,000. Then a commission was sent by the legislature to investigate the merits of the in- stitution. They reported favorably and the appropriation was raised to $11,000 in 1907 and 1909.

An excellent training school for nurses is conducted in connection with the hospital. It was 'organized and incorporated on April 9, 1900, with Miss Olive M. Bayer as superin- tendent and instructor. The lecturers are as follows: Dr. John B. Nason, surgery ; Dr. A. Albert Nason, abdominal surgery and gynæ-

cology; Dr. William S. Ross, eye and ear ; Dr. H. H. Brotherlin, diseases of women and children; Dr. E. H. Myers, bacteriology and obstetrics; Dr. C. W. Fox, materia medica; Dr. W. M. Eldon, pharmacy; Dr. A. S. Stayer, physiology and hygiene; Dr. E. M. Duff, special nursing.

The instruction consists of one lecture each week by a member of the staff, one lesson each week on bandaging, four recita- tions each week on the branches pertaining to nurses, including studies from the text- books. The student nurses are given in- structions in the hospital in the technical knowledge and practical experience pertain- ing to a nurse's work. A thorough course is given in massage, special instruction in the giving of baths and the use of electric- ity.

Since the organization of the school twenty-three young ladies have graduated: The graduate nurses have formed an Alumni association, and are furnishing a ward. Each year they give a banquet at commencement time and thus cement and keep alive the friendships for each other and for their hospital. The present officers are: President, Miss Carrie Lee; vice- president, Miss Annie Graffius; secretary, Miss Myrtle Metz; treasurer, Miss Lottie Hollenbaugh; executive committee, Mrs. Sara Baughman Nason, Miss Daisy Wheat- ley and Miss O. M. Boyer.

A band of little girls formed themselves into an organization known as the Twen- tieth century club. They have furnished a ward for children, and have raised over $100 with which they have purchased two hos- pital beds, a crib, a bedside table, a glass topped table and other necessary furniture. St. Patrick's Catholic church at Newry has also furnished a room with furniture, a hard wood floor and other necessaries. Much credit is due the pastor, the Rev. Father Davies, who had this accomplished.

MERCY HOSPITAL.

The Mercy hospital, the latest addition

209

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

to Blair county's eleosinary institutions, is in process of creation as this is written and will be open for public use some time in the early spring of 1910. It is located at the corner of Eighth avenue and Twenty-sixth street, in the city of Altoona, and was char- tered on November 8, 1909. The feeling had been growing among the people of the community that there was a field for the activities of another hospital. In the course of each year hundreds of patients had been taken to hospitals in Philadelphia, Pitts- burg and other cities because of the crowded conditions existing at the other local hospitals, and an organized effort was finally made to establish another hospital.

A meeting was accordingly called and it was largely attended by physicians and business and professional men, and an or- ganization was effected by the election of the following board of directors; James A. Elder, president; John Schenk, vice-presi- dent; David J. Davis, secretary ; A. P. Ru- pert, treasurer; F. A. Winter, W. J. Heins- ling, T. D. Hughes, Warren S. Lee, A. Abel- son, William Hahman, John Dughi and Rev. N. J. O'Reilly. A committee on sites was appointed, and this body, after looking at a number which had been offered, selected the property at the aforesaid location, ownd by M. V. Orner, and known as the McCauley property. It was leased for a period of five years and an option secured on it and adjoining properties, embracing an entire block, owned by Mr. Orner.

At a meeting held on November 5, a set of plans submitted by Architect A. W. Ru- dolph for the remodeling of the building, a large brick structure, was approved and the building committee was authorized to ad-

vertise for bids to have the building con- verted into a hospital. A committee com- posed of Drs. B. F. Books, E. E. Neff, J. Dan Hogue, O. K. McGarrah, R. T. Eldon and H. B. Replogle, was appointed to pur- chase the necessary equipment for the pro- posed institution.

It is the intention of the promoters of the Mercy hospital to make it a state institu- tion. An application will be made to the state legislature at the session of 1910-11 for an appropriation large enough, if pos- sible, to enable them to purchase the build- ing already leased. A feature of the rules and regulations will be that a physician of any school of medicine may take a patient to the hospital and give the case his per- sonal attention. Almost all the physicians of the county are lending their moral and financial assistance to the project and its success from the outset is assured. The site selected is an admirable one for the purpose, being at the outskirts of the city and commanding a fine view of the city and surrounding country. The building is large and commodious and well adapted to the purposes of a hospital. Physicians of both schools have joined enthusiastically in the project, and as many of the best physicians of the county have been enlisted in the en- terprise, the best medical skill will be at the command of the patients when the doors of the institution are thrown open. Much credit is due Mr. Orner, the owner of the property, who not only offered the promoters every possible inducement until they should be able to get on a substantial financial footing, but made a generous contribution to the fund for equipping and furnishing the institution.

CHAPTER XIII.

COUNTY INSTITUTIONS.

The Almshouse-Children's Industrial Home-Blair County Hospital for the Insane.

THE ALMSHOUSE.

Although little Blair met with prosperity from the beginning, she was not unmindful of the poor within her borders. In less than four years from the time that the honor of being a separate county was thrust upon her, she had provided a comfortable home for the aged and unfortunate who became dependent upon pub- lic charity. A farm was secured in Allegheny township, one mile west of Hollidaysburg.

Two tracts of land containing 267 acres were purchased from Joseph Patton and John Cochran by Samuel Royer, who transferred the same to the county for the sum of $10,000. Hayden Smith, a famous architect of that day, planned a building two and one-half stories high, containing fifty-two rooms, aside from two kitchens and two dining rooms, halls and corridors. It was substantially constructed of brick and was considerably more than an up- to-date house, being in advance of the general- ity of buildings in its day. The net cost was $7,866.50. It was built in 1849-50, and was first occupied in April, 1850. The first stew- ard was John Lytle, who continued until 1852. His successor was Edward McGraw, who held the position until 1863. Subsequent changes were as follows: O. E. Crissman, until 1870; Joshua Aurandt, until 1873; Wil- liam Shinefelt until 1881, and Seth Campbell until 1884.

In October, 1891, when John Loudon, Alexander McKee and J. A. Crawford were the directors of the poor, the building was totally destroyed by fire. They secured tem-

porary shelter for the inmates in the old Franklin school building in Martinsburg and proceeded to build a new house. Plans were drawn and contract was awarded to John G. Kline, of Altoona, whose bid was $40,000. The house is a model of its kind and possesses all the conveniences for the maintenance and comfort of the poor of the county. It was completed and put in service in 1893.

At first the insane among the dependents of the county were kept in separate apartments and the harmless given their liberty on the premises, but later on this was forbidden by acts of assembly. Accordingly steps were taken to erect buildings to be known as a hos- pital for the insane. A design was drawn by Mr. Plack, of Philadelphia, at a cost of $8,000. The contract was awarded to P. W. Finn for $129,000. Work commenced in 1904, and the building was completed in 1906.

The heating plant was installed by Harry Murphy, of Philadelphia, and when completed cost $75,000. The power and heating house, including the grading and cement walks, cost $15,000. Other extras about the buildings cost an additional $4,000.

In 1900 an addition was made to the alms- house proper, at a cost of about $10,000, this work being done by the Byers Planing Mill company of Tyrone. In 1902 a contract was awarded to the Altoona Construction company for the erection of a contagious diseases hos- pital. A neat and commodious brick building, with every convenience for caring for the sick, - was built at a cost of $5,500, and was occu- pied in 1903.

210

211

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

The farm is under an excellent state of cul- tivation and is equipped with convenient and suitable buildings, substantially constructed. The total investment of the county in farms and buildings reaches a total of almost half a million dollars. Blair county is one of the foremost counties in the state in the care of her indigent insane and poor, and is pointed to as model by the Pennsylvania board of chari- ties.

To make such a state of affairs possible, has required the expenditure of immense sums of money, but that it has been judicially spent, is the universal judgment. The insane hospital or asylum is conceded to be one of the finest built and maintained by a single county in the entire country. It is as nearly fireproof as it is possible for modern ingenuity to construct such a building, and every possible provision is made for the comfort and treatment of the unfortunates who are taken there. In the institution there are now comfortably domi- ciled 212 residents of the county, who have been so unfortunate as to be deprived of their reason. In the almshouse, Steward Briden- baugh has under his care about 120 poor, most of whom are infirm from old age or cripples. They have clean, comfortable wards, good boarding, and warm clothing, and seem to be a happy and contented lot. The buildings are supplied with water from a spring at the Alle- gheny mountain, about five miles away. The water is conveyed in a four-inch iron pipe, to a small distributing reservoir.

The present steward of the almshouse is Professor P. H. Bridenbaugh, appointed in January, 1910. Professor Bridenbaugh had previously held the position for a period of twelve years, from 1895 to 1907, when he was succeeded by R. W. Robison, who held the position for three years.

The general oversight of these institu- tions is committed to a board of three poor directors, elected for a term of three years. The board is at present composed of Messi's. Hiram H. Pensyl of Altoona, Simon H. Shoemaker of Hollidaysburg and Thomas L. Coleman of Tyrone township. M ..

Pensyl was a member of the board during the time the insane hospital, and to him and his associates then, James M. Stiffler and A. Lee Fleck belong much credit for the manner in which they handled the big un- dertaking.

The auditors' report for maintenance of the home and hospital for the year 1909 is as follows :

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Twentieth century history of Altoona and Blair County, Pennsylvania, and representative citizens, Part 29

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872- Publication date: 1911 Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing Number of Pages: 1036

Author: Sell, Jesse C 1872-
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: Chicago, Richmond-Arnold Publishing
Number of Pages: 1036