USA > Wisconsin > Eau Claire County > History of Eau Claire county, Wisconsin, past and present; including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county > Part 30
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The articles of incorporation and by-laws of Luther Hospital provide for an association, the membership of which is open to all upon the payment of a membership fee of $10.00 and a due of $1.00 annually. The present membership is over 100. It has been as high as 272.
The general management of the hospital is vested in a board of directors of five members (originally nine), of which a majority must belong to some Lutheran church. This board may appoint additional officers, make by-laws, rules and regulations and have general control and supervision of the affairs of the corporation, subject to the association.
The first board of directors were: George M. Rand, Syver Rekstad, S. O. Mauseth, P. B. Trelstad, Peder Tangjerd, H. C. Hanson, M. O. Waldal, L. I. Roe and T. Slagsvol. M. O. Waldal was elected president, L. I. Roe vice-president, Peder Tangjerd secretary and II. C. Hanson treasurer. Besides these the follow- ing have served as directors: Carl Lundquist, M. O. Soley, A. Anderson, Alfred Cypreansen, H. M. Knudtson, Gunder Thompson and Chr. Midelfart.
The special management of the hospital is vested in a "direct- ing sister" (deaconess), who shall admit and receive pay from patients, purchase provisions, direct the training school, secure the necessary help and have general supervision of patients, sis- ters, nurses and other workers of the institution, subject to the board and corporation. As it proved impossible from the begin- ning to secure any deaconess the board was fortunate enough to secure the services of an exceedingly able graduate nurse from the Augustana Hospital, Chicago, Ill., Miss Ida C. L. Isaacson. As superintendent of nurses she had opened two hospitals before, and Luther Hospital had the benefit of her experience, as she practically directed the furnishing of the hospital (the purchase of operating and sterilizing outfits, furniture, bedding, medical
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and surgical supplies, provisions, etc.), started the training school and worked to secure such patronage from the doctors and gen- eral public as was necessary that the hospital might be able to perform the work for which it was established.
After her resignation Miss Margaret Thomas, of this city, served as superintendent of nurses about eight months until at last Luther Hospital, in accordance with its original plan of organization, secured the services of a deaconess from the Nor- wegian Lutheran Deaconess' Home and Hospital, Chicago, our able present directing sister, Amalia Olson, under whose wise directiou Luther Hospital and its training school have become such a marked success. On July 17, 1912, the hospital was for- tunate enough to secure the services of another deaconess from the Chicago mother house, Sister Agnes Daae, who has proved herself a very efficient and valuable assistant.
After thorough investigation the beautiful home and grounds of the late Rev. G. Hoyme, president of the United Norwegian Lutheran Church of American, was unanimously decided upon as hospital site. It is located near the center of the city in a resi- dence section, away from the busy business streets and the noise and smoke of the factories and railroads. A fine view may be had from the hospital to a small lake two blocks away; and the street cars running by afford easy access from all directions. Luther Hospital, when completed according to plans, will consist of three parallel buildings, planned so as to admit air, light and sunshine in every siek room and connected with a corridor, reach- ing from street to street, crossing all the three buildings, a dis- tance of about 200 feet. The central building (the one now in use) is 81x43 feet, and the two wing buildings will be about 115x45 feet each, all of them three stories beside basement and attic. The west wing to be built as soon as possible will be called Sigvald Qvale Memorial. At the present time the hospital con- sists of three buildings: the above mentioned main or central building, the laundry and the nurses' home, the late Rev. Hoyme's residence. This is a large commodious wooden building with ample accommodations for the nurses.
The building is fireproof, only floors, doors, casings and win- dow frames being of wood. Elevator and stair opening are inclosed to prevent draft, and the roof is covered with slate, so the building practically cannot burn, an extremely important thing in a hospital.
The building is equipped with Paul vacuum system for even distribution of heat and the direct-indirect ventilation to secure
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pure fresh air in rooms and corridors. The laundry was per- manently located in a separate concrete building (24x36) in the rear. It is fitted up with steam, hot and cold water and electric current, ready for the machinery. With the exception of the dry house none of the permanent machinery has yet been installed, however. The home is fitted up for the nurses, the whole second floor being used for dormitory. The first floor contains a large commodious nurses' parlor, three smaller sleeping rooms and a patients' ward of seven beds. As the present hospital building will form the main or central part of the completed building it had to be arranged so that all the important special hospital accessories were placed there. The office, waiting room, elevator as well as the operating, culinary and heating departments must therefore necessarily be located in said building in order to con- veniently serve the two wings or buildings to be erected on both sides later on. When all buildings are completed this central part will most likely be used exclusively for administration and nurses' home. The basement contains the X-ray department, kitchen, storage and pantry rooms, service kitchen, dining room, beside a couple of rooms now used by the help. Ambulance entrance to elevator is also to be found here. First floor has office, waiting room, service kitchen, toilet rooms, dressing room, men's ward, drug room and five private rooms. Second floor is arranged like the first, only instead of office and waiting rooms there are two more private rooms. Third floor has the same amount and arrangement of private rooms as the second. But here we find the all important operating department, which is entirely separated from the rest of the floor. First an ante-room with lockers. To the left instrument room. Straight ahead the sterilizing room with the two operating rooms, one on each side. The equipment is first class. Sterilizing outfit, operating tables, instruments, etc., are of the most up to date. Furniture, bedding, etc., are of a better quality than found in most hospitals. The best is none too good for the unfortunate sick and suffering.
Ever since Luther Hospital opened its doors its aim has been to be strictly modern in every way. We are very glad to announce that since our last report was issued we have been able to make another much needed improvement by the establishment of an X-ray department and that we are now in position to meet the great demands for X-ray work. The apparatus used is of the very latest modern type and the equipment is complete in every detail. No expense has been spared to bring everything as near perfection as possible and our department represents the
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last word in X-ray work. It is possible with this apparatus to make a picture of any part of the body in a few seconds, elimi- nating the danger at one time present when it was necessary to make an exposure of several minutes or hours. The best of machinery and instruments, however, are of little or no value without a competent person in charge. We consider ourselves very fortunate in having secured so able and experienced a man for this department as Dr. Baird. Both the institution and the city of Eau Claire are to be congratulated that our X-ray depart- ment is in charge of a man of such experience and ability. The high grade of work done is attested by the constantly increasing patronage of the department.
Since March 23, 1908, when three pupils were admitted to the Luther Hospital Training School for Nurses, there has been made a rapid progress. We have been fortunate to secure enough applicants and every year brings us more than we can take care of. From March, 1908, to January, 1909, Miss Isaacson had charge of the training school and Miss Margaret Thomas from February, 1909, till October, 1909. Since November, 1909, the training school has been in charge of Sister Amalia, who for almost three years had the able assistance of Miss Howland, who on account of ill health was forced to resign from her duties. For- tunately Sister Agnes arrived in time to begin with the fall work of 1912.
MONTGOMERY HOSPITAL.
The old hospital or sanatorium was founded in 1898. Then the Inebriate law, which compelled the taking into the institution all inebriates and persons afflicted with the drug habit, was in force. They treated nearly four thousand of such cases. But owing to some doubt which sprang up among some of the attor- neys of the state the law was brought to a test and declared unconstitutional. In 1908 Dr. Montgomery constructed the new hospital, which is situated on the site of the old sanatorium, at the corner of Oxford avenue and Central street, one block north from the court house. This hospital is divided into wards : mater- nity, special and general, with a contagious ward entirely cut off from the other apartments. The present inventory of the institution is fifty-four thousand dollars ($54,000), and during the past year the Drs. Montgomery have installed a new and powerful apparatus with accessories for every kind of thermo therapy. The Montgomery Hospital presents no distinction as to race, difference of religious beliefs or circumstances in life. It
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is under the direct control of the Drs. Montgomery, but its facil- ities are at the command of any reputable physician or surgeon, to whom are given assurance of faithful and efficient service.
They offer better inducement in the hospital ticket line than any other hospital in existence. They have three classes of tickets in the field. The leader is a ten dollar ticket, which insures the holder against all sickness or accidental injury regardless of what the canse may be. The $7.50 ticket has not the same excep- tions that other hospitals have, and is much more liberal than the so-called accident and benefit policies. The family ticket is the largest opportunity in the field. Just think of insuring the health of any member of your family for one year for fifteen or twenty- five dollars! The tickets cover all expenses in case of operations of any kind. There is no age limit. All that is required is that the purchaser be in good physical and mental condition when he buys the ticket. The training school presents a three years' course of practical and theoretical training in modern medical and sur- gical science. The nurses entering the institution to prepare for their life's work get a practical knowledge of cases of all kinds. They get also the benefit of the lectures given by outside physi- cians and citizens, and the efficiency of the work of the graduates is proven by the fact that they are continually in demand.
TUBERCULOSIS SANATORIUM.
The Eau Claire County Tuberculosis Sanatorium was officially opened on Monday, December 15, 1913, when the twenty patients who had made application were admitted for treatment.
When approaching the new institution one is struck by the beauty of the site. It is situated on the south slope of Mt. Wash- ington, protected from north and westerly winds by the bluff. The front windows overlook the Chippewa Valley. The site con- sists of nine acres of well drained land, where the patients may pitch their tents or build their shacks, or work in the garden, that will be kept in connection, if they are able. The view from every window is grand. A long search for a better site than the present would probably be in vain. The building is cement plaster and sloat finished, contracted for by the E. M. Fish Company for $16,000, exclusive of equipment. The site was purchased by the Eau Claire Anti-Tuberculosis Society, which also guaranteed equipment. This was raised by popular subscription. It is due to the efforts of the committee that the society has been so suc- cessful in raising enough money for equipping the institution.
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Following is what the county has done for the tuberculosis sana- torium : April, 1912, $4,000 appropriated; November, 1912, $12,000 tax levy made; April, 1913, $500 appropriated ; November, 1913, $8,266.35 appropriated and $12,000 tax levy made; $20,000 of this remains.
The two wings of the building are occupied by twenty-four patients' single rooms and four large porches at the ends of the wings. These porches are open and have only heavy canvas cur- tains, which were put in place by William Schroeder.
The four patients' single rooms were furnished at an esti- mated cost of $33 each, but in reality cost a little more. They have their windows in the front of the building with the hall in the rear. The large part to the rear is occupied by the kitchen, serving rooms, office and cook's and maid's apartments. It may be interesting to know that the large living room and dining- room was furnished by a donation from the Elks and Knights of Columbus, and that much of the mission furniture was manufac- tured at our own Phoenix Furniture Company. The lodges fur- nished the electric fixtures also. These were furnished by the county in the other rooms.
The floors throughout the building are of hardwood and all the walls are of the same spotless white. There are magazines and books on the rack beside the large cheerful fireplace. The woodwork is selected Georgia pine with two panel doors. The mantelpiece is a solid three-inch piece of the same wood. The next place to be inspected was the kitchen, where Mrs. Julia A. Brown holds full sway. It is here that all the food will be cooked. The cupboard is used for the dishes of the nurses and the help and such supplies as are needed for the day. A splendid Majestic range is to be seen here, which was purchased from the Foss-Arm- strong Company. The Norden Lodge donated the money for this and also for the fine kitchen utensils, which were purchased from Schlieve Bros. The fine cooling room was built by the Wisconsin Refrigerator Company, and paid for by a donation from the Masonie Lodge. The dishes used in the institution are the unbreakable rolled edge Syracuse china purchased through Mr. Richard Kaiser, the money being given by the Norwegian Lutheran church and a $50 check from an "Unknown Friend."
Nothing that leaves the kitchen going to the patients will return. The food is taken to the serving room, where it is dished up by the maid. When the dishes are returned they are washed and sterilized. The same care that is used here is in force all over the building, so there is no danger of infection. A dumb waiter
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is used for sending the food to patients on the upper floor and bringing supplies up from the basement. The office of the super- intendent, Miss Ramstead, is simply furnished, as she will spend much of her time looking after the patients. There will be two other day nurses and one night nurse on the staff. Dr. R. E. Mitchell will serve in the capacity of visiting physician. Miss Ramstead's parents live in this city, but she has for several years been connected with the eity hospital at Minneapolis.
The entrance will be in the angle of the building on the east side. This opens into the reception room, adjoining the superin- tendent's office. The drive leads around the building.
The single rooms on the first floor are very cheerfully fur- nished, with the regulation hospital beds and a solid maple ehair. A flue for ventilation opens into each room. It was planned to have a locker for the patients' clothes under these flues, but it was found to be too great an expense, so closets have been pro- vided. There are drinking fountains in the halls and bath rooms within easy reach.
The halls open onto the porches at either end and the beds will pass through the doors easily, so when the patients cannot be moved their beds can be rolled out. There are two windows in each room, so there will not be a lack of light. There are two wheel chairs for those who are able to sit up, and more will be provided later if it is seen that they are necessary.
Two double nurses' rooms occupy the front of the second floor. They are furnished with a fumed oak dresser and chairs. Aeross the hall is the room that will be occupied by the night nurse. The patients' rooms are the same as those on the first floor and there is a ward containing four beds. The sanitary rugs which were given by the Woman's Club deserve particular mention. as they were seen in every patient's room and in the living room. The women of the club sewed the rags for them during the last sum- mer and had them woven by Mr. and Mrs. Richard Koshoshek, MeDonough street. C. H. Metcalf will have charge of the base- ment. There is a grocery room, a vegetable room, the janitor's room, rooms for coal and wood, a laundry and a trunk room.
The object of the sanatorium is to provide treatment for the more advanced cases of pulmonary tuberculosis from Eau Claire county. Should there at any time be vacancies, suitable patients from other counties may be admitted. In every instance the patient must make an application for admittance, and no one will be received without having received a previous notice from the superintendent. So far as is practical, the treatment will consist
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essentially of out of door living, an abundance of wholesome, nutritious food together with supervision of exercise and rest. Such medical treatment as seems best indicated will be prescribed for the individual case. As a part of their prescribed exercise patients may be required, as their condition permits, to do a cer- tain amount of useful labor. This applies equally to those paying for their maintenance, as well as to those who do not pay.
Application for admission to the sanatorium must be made in writing upon blanks provided for that purpose, which will be fur- nished by the superintendent upon request. As soon as this formal routine is completed in a satisfactory way the applicant may be admitted.
It is expected that every patient will pay the cost of his or her maintenance, if able to do so. This amount, at present, is $10.00 per week but may be raised or lowered at any time if found necessary or advisable.
For those unable to pay any part of their maintenance, pro- vision is made whereby they may be admitted at the expense of the county in which they reside upon recommendation of the judge of the probate court. For those desiring to take advantage of this provision of the law, necessary blanks will be furnished upon request. To meet the requirements of those who are unable to pay the full cost of their maintenance, but who are able or desirous of paying a portion of the amount, provision is made for a rate of $5.00 per week, if the probate judge, after investiga- tion, shall have found that the patient is really unable to pay more than that amount.
Clarence Sprague, Charles A. Cox and W. K. Coffin are the trustees of the institution.
The following is the list of those who furnished the rooms- and they are given in the order in which they were received. Later the rooms will be numbered to correspond with this list. 1. The Rev. A. B. C. Dunne. 2. Tom Fleming. 3. Mrs. Kate Porter. 4. Alex Dean. 5. O. H. Ingram. 6. Mr. and Mrs. George Lufkin. 7. German Reading Club. 8. Chippewa Valley Ladies' Aid (Jewish). 9. Louis Levy. 10. Labor Organizations (A. T. Le Due). 11. The Kepler Co. 12. Ninth Ward Social Center. 13. Knights of Maccabees. 14. Mrs. C. H. Ingram. 15. Tenth Ward Civic Center League. 16. Shawtown Ladies. 17. St. John's German Lutheran Church (Rev. A. F. Augustine). 18. Our Saviour's Norwegian Lutheran Church. 19. E. B. Ingram. 20. Mt. Hope Church (Town of Brunswick). 21. Christ Episco-
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pal Church. 22. Helping IIand Society (Town of Washington). 23. U. C. T. 24. King's Daughters of Shawtown.
In closing, special mention may be made of the fine appear- ance of the building when it was lighted up. It was remarked by several as they approached it in the evening, "that it had the ap- pearance of a fine summer hotel in the mountains."
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
The organization of the American Medical Association in 1846-47, as a national representative body composed of dele- gates from the several states, gave a fresh and strong impetus to the work of uniting the members of the profession in social organizations for mutual improvement and scientific advance- ment, in every part of the country. Wisconsin as well as nearly every state in the Union has her medical society, and a few years ago the medical society of the Chippewa Valley was organized, to which a good many doctors from Eau Claire county held mem- bership, and in 1902, the Eau Claire County Medical Society was formed with the greater part of the practicing physicians as mem- bers. The first president of the society was Dr. J. V. R. Lyman, who in turn has been succeeded by doctors J. F. Farr, Chr Midel- fart, D. W. Ashum, A. L. Payne and F. S. Cook. The purpose of the organization is to bring the doctors closer together, and create a good fellowship feeling among them, and for the discussion of important medical subjects. Special papers are discoursed at the meetings by members of the society on the important issues of the day, calculated to impart to the members the latest dis- coveries in medical science for the up-to-date treatment of dis- ease.
The following is a list of the members of the society :
Dr. D. W. Ashum, P. B. Amundson, J. O. Arnson, J. C. Baird, R. R. Chase, W. J. Clancy, F. S. Cook, M. C. Crane, H. F. Derge, J. F. Farr, L. H. Flynn, H. A. Fulton, J. B. Goddard, Dr. E. P. Hayes, E. S. Hayes, A. F. Hahn, Sue Hebard, Dr. Fred Johnson, F. A. La Breck, J. V. R. Lyman, E. L. Mason, J. Mathiesen, C. Midelfart, R. E. Mitchell, Alex. Montgomery, John L. Montgom- ery, Wm. Montgomery, A. L. Payne, H. F. Prill, P. E. Riley, W. O. Seemann, E. M. A. Sizer, G. M. Smith, A. D. H. Thrane, E. E. Tupper, R. F. Werner, E. H. Winter, S. Williams, C. W. Wil- kowske, A. E. Olson, Oscar Knutson, H. C. Ericksen.
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Edwin J. Farr, M. D., came to Kenosha in 1855, and the fol- lowing year removed to Prairie du Sac, Sauk county, and in 1857 to Mauston, Juneau county, and in 1869 to Eau Claire. He was born at Corinth, Orange county, Vermont, August 24, 1832. He was educated at Castleton Medical College and graduated in 1851, and practiced at White River Junction, Vermont, until he came to Wisconsin. He was assistant surgeon of the Second Wis- consin Volunteer Infantry for five months, and with Thirtieth Wisconsin Regiment for nearly three years. He was post surgeon at Ft. Sully from July, 1863, to October, 1864, and had charge of the prison hospital at Louisville from January to August, 1865.
Dr. Farr was mayor of the city of Eau Claire and railroad surgeon for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha and the Wisconsin & Minnesota Railway Companies. He was a member of the A. F. & A. M. (Grand High Priest and Grand Master), I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. He was married at White River June- tion in January, 1855, to Emily L. Sawyer. They had two chil- dren, twins: Ewin B. and Emily B., born August 14, 1867. Dr. Farr died July 10, 1914.
Dr. W. T. Galloway was born in Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, New York, April 15, 1822, and graduated from Castleton Medical College at Castleton, Vermont. He began practice in 1850. He went to Fond du Lac in 1851, remaining there until he came to Eau Claire in 1857. He was appointed register of the United States land office, and held that position until 1861. He served six years as alderman of Eau Claire, was supervisor three years when Eau Claire was a village, and six years after it became a city. He was engaged for four years in the manufacture of lumber on Duncan creek, near Chippewa Falls, and for twelve years in foundry and machine shops in Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire, besides managing a farm. In 1874 he built the Galloway house and numerous dwellings. He erected the foundry and machine shops at Chippewa Falls, which was later converted into gas works. He stood as an ancient Odd Fellow and had taken all the degrees in Masonry.
Charles E. Hogeboom, M. D., came to Eau Claire and engaged in the practice of medicine in May, 1876. He graduated from Rush Medical College, class of 1869, and began his practice at Blackberry Station, Kane county, Illinois. He went from there to St. Charles, and remained there until he came to Eau Claire. He was born in DeKalb county, Illinois, April 28, 1846, and was educated in the public schools of that county, and the high school at Sycamore and by private instruction.
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