Greensboro woman compiles story of city's hospitals

              Greensboro Woman Compiles
Storyn Of City's Hospitals
Miss Rebecca Schenck Writes Interesting
Sketches Of Institutions Here For
Historical Museum Society
(Editor's Note: The following
sketch briefly relating the story
of Greensboro's hospitals was
written by Miss Rebecca
Schenck, of Greensboro, at the
request of the Greensboro Historical Museum society. It is-
reproduced here by permission
of the author and of the
society.)
By REBECCA SCENCK
The first hospital in Greensboro
for the treatment and cure of
nervous patients, including those
addicted to the use of liquors and
drugs.
St. Leo's Founded
"Sisters of Charity and Medical
Society of Guilford county, invite
j'ou to be present at the laying of
the corner stone of St. Leo's hospital, Greensboro, N. C, Wednesday,
June 15, 1904, at four o'clock p. m."
These invitations   brought   glad
was built by the King's Daughters tidings of great joy to the people
| who bought from W. B. Merrimon,
in 1914, his home site on North Elm
street, converting it into a hospital
of 20 beds, primarily for the treatment of Dr. Long's surgical patients. Realizing the need of further hospital facilities in Greensboro, Dr. Long began in 1925 the
erection of the annex, a fire proof
brick and asphalt building of 44
rooms. Though the hospital was
intended primarily for surgical patients, it is now open to medical
cases as well.
Since the death of Dr. Long, August 1, 1926, the name of the hospital has been changed to the Wesley Long Memorial hospital, and
is in the hands of the executors of
the Long estate with K. G. Bagley
j and Mrs. Helen Long Stroud, resident managers. Mr. Bagley, the
business manager, and Mrs. Stroud,
superintendent of nurses, with a
staff of three graduate nurses to
assist her.
In connection with the hospital
and adjoining it is the nurses' home,
in 1891 at a cost of $2,137. The
cornerstone being laid by the
Masons April 4, and on September
3, of the same year, it was opened
for patients with Mrs. O. H. Hall,
matron in charge.
The Greensboro Medical club
generously pledged the services of
its  12  members,   three   physicians
„ for each quarter of the fiscal year
to be in attendance. The funds
for this modest building of 10
rooms, were raised by the varied
efforts of the King's Daughters
and by subscription from the citizens, then numbering 5,000 souls.
The subscription list being headed
by three $100 checks, on down the
list to 50 cents. The furnishings
and linen were largely donations
from stores and homes.
The water main did not extend
as far as what, was then North
Greene street, now Battleground
avenue; so the water supply for
this hospital was gotten from a
well next door on the premises of
the Rev. John L. Michaux, D. D.
Without water, without trained
nurses, without experience on the
part of the devoted board of managers; but with a loving spirit of
service, the little hospital was
launched on its mission of mercy
After two years of troublous life,
on account of inadequate funds for
support, it was forced to close its
doors.
Though its life of service was
short, it proved a pioneer in good
works, and with its splendid spirit
as an inspiration, have grown to
large proportions, the hospitals of
Greensboro today.
\    The  small  fund left
of Greensboro and vicinity, for they
meant a hospital that would be
commensurate with the needs of
the community. The Sisters' of
Charity had secured a lot on Summit avenue, 632 feet front and 300
feet deep, for the hospital site. After the laying of the corner stone,
the work of building progressed
steadily to its finish.
St. Leo's was opened to patients
in 1905, a hospital thoroughly equipped with the latest and best surgical and medical appliances of that
day, with accomodations for sixty-
four patients.   It
live when off duty.
There is no resident physician,
Peck, in charge, serving as nurse,
doctor, housekeeper and general
manager. Admirable was the work
done there during the snort while it
was open.
This little hospital was the first
step taken in Greensboro and Guilford  county towards the relief of
those suffering   from   tuberculosis.
Now, the Guilford sanitorium stands
a splendid testimony to the work I
done by the committee of zealous j
men and women whose hearts were!
in the task of building a hospital in |
every way suited to this purpose.
County Sanitorium
In the fall of 1916 a meeting was
called by Caesar Cone, and held in j
the Elk's club, to consider the ques- \
tion of tuberculosis in the county
and to discuss ways and means for i
handling the same.    Among those
present were Caesar Cone, Julius
Cone, E. P. Wharton, E. Stemberger,
W. C. Boren, C. H. Ireland, Thomas
R. Foust, Dr. William M. Jones, and
a few others whose names are not |
now recalled.    After more or less
where the class of 28 student nurses j general discussi0n of what might
be done, etc., a committee was appointed to get information as to
but the hospital is open for the use i what was being done in ot;ner states.
of all physicians and surgeons mem- |     Later tms committee reported that
bers of the Greensboro and Guilford i the plan as used in New York which -
County Medical society. Rarely is j had many county tubercular sanitor- ;
there an empty bed. | iums appeared more practical.
While the hospital   is   privately      The first law passed by the legis-
owned, much charity is done there. ;j lature was not practical, so there
happy day that saw the opening of j
Maginn Sanitorium
The Magill Sanitorium was opened for the admittance of patients
April 1, 1916.
A modest frame building at 1011
Spring Garden street, but once with-
was a glad and  m its doors, an air of good cheer
its doors.
Long Strides Made
Since 1905 long strides have been
made in scientific research, but St.
Leo's has kept the pace fixed by the
scientists and today is altogether
abreast of the times in its equipment and management; with accommodations for ninety-six private
patients, two women's wards, eight
beds each, one men's ward, eight
beds; one children's ward, twelve
beds; one colored ward for men,
three beds; one colored ward for
women, three beds. A handsome
nurses home has been erected, housing fifty-eight student nurses.
While owned and managed entirely by the Sisters' of Charity, it is
open to the patients of the phj'sic-
ians and surgeons of the medical societies of Greensboro and Guilford
county.
One must be a patient at St. Leo's
to appreciate the loving care and
ceaseless  vigilance  of the  Sisters'  Ma-
who watch over you.
The Reaves, Eye, Ear, Nose and
Throat   Infirmary  was   established
P. Reaves on the '
greets you; and large sympathy. For
this sympathy, coupled with a
thorough knowledge of her profession, is a potent factor in Mrs. Ma-
gill's treatment of her patients;
those who have borne the heat and
burden of the day, and would fain
rest awhile.
The sanitorium has accommodations for eight persons.
It is owned and operated by Mrs.
j was a delay of a couple of years before they did get about what they
wanted.
Then arose the question of getting general interest aroused in the
proposition and raising funds for
erection,  and  taxes  for  mainten-;
ance.   In the various women's or-
ganizations of the county each gave '
invaluable assistance,    particularly
the district nurse and relief association which had a small home to
care for tuberculosis cases on Glen-
wood avenue near Lee street.
Directors Named
When the funds and taxes had
been raised, the board of county
commissioners appointed a board of
Laura B. Magill, assisted by Mrsv j directors who were to build and op
Bessie Blackwell m the culinary and erate the institution> The ^ani
housekeeping department; and by was as foUows: Jullus Cone chair.
Miss Bethel Field, a registered and   man;  j   Eiwood  CoX)  Mrs; C-  j.
[tents6."* nUrSe' m °are Pa" rTtastey, ^. James Dick of Gibson-
over after y, 1908 by Dr. w
Trinity Hospital
The Trinity hospital for negroes
was opened in 1918 by Dr. S. P. Sebastian, Dr. C. C. Stewart, and Dr.
Cordice, and closed when the L.
Richardson Memorial hospital was
opened. The latter hospital was
built at a cost of $150,000 and opened
The hospital contains
60 beds and is fully equipped for
operative work and X-rays.
The Nurses home was finished in
November, 1929, at a cost of $34,0<fj
the sale of the hospital site was ~econd "and'third flows" oFthe Mc- | and contains *6 double rooms and
transferred to the Guilford sani-, Ad00 building It is of historicals larSe reception room. Ruby Wood-
torium, interest  that  adenoid  and  tonsil   bury> colo™d' ls in J,harge ?* thf!
Keely Established clinics were held there about 1911-12   nurses.    There  are  five  registered
Keely institute was established for children of the North Carolina
in Greensboro in 1891, by Judge Training school that Professor J. A.
W. H. Eller, and was later bought Matheson had found these defects
by Col. W. H. Osborn, under whose prevented their progress in school;
efficient   management   it   attained
more than,a local reputation for
the treatment of alcoholic and drug
addicts.     The   Keely   institute   is
now owned by the W. H. Osborn
estate  and  is  under  the   capable
management of Charles Cunningham.  Patients there find sympathy,
and comfort, and restful surroundings   in   this,   erstwhile   colonial
home, of the former Gov. John M.
Morehead—the now Keely institute.
Greensboro Hospital
Greensboro   hospital   on   South
Greene street, just in the rear of
where the Elk's home stands, was |
opened June,  1902.    Drs. J. T. J. j
Battle,   G.   R.   Michaux,   Charles I
Roberson,  W.  J.  Meadows,  A,  J.l
Fortune,  and J.  R.  Turner werej
physicians on the staff and Miss
Minnie Bryson, a competent trained
nurse, was superintendent. Though
accommodating  a  limited number
of patients, it supplied a dire need
in the community  and did much
toward relieving the sick and suffering till larger and better facilities for their care could be had.
at that time clinics of another group
from Pleasant Garden were held
for superintendent of Guilford
county schools, Professor T. R.
Foust.
colored nurses and 19 in training.
Dr. S. P. Sebastian, colored, is the
resident physician.
There are nine doctors on the
medical staff with Dr. C. M. Gilmore
as chairman. Dr. H. H'. Ogburn is
chairman of the surgery department.
Dr. C. W. Banner has been chairman of the board of directors since
ville;  Dr. J. B. Burrows, and Dr.
William Jones.
It was soon seen that the cost of
construction had been underestimated. To meet this shortage, donations were made by the Cone family
and by the Sternbergers.
Harry Barton was the architect.
Dr. Joe L. Spruill, who was on
the staff of the State sanitorium,
was elected superintendent in full
charge, he appointed Miss Mayfield
Richmond who had been with the
state sanitorium   as   head   nurse.
Later a nurses' home and children's .
building was erected, the latter h .
charge of a nurse and teacher.   This '■
institution is located on highway No. j
10, about mid-way between Greens- i
boro and High Point.
Veternary Hospital
In these short sketches of the
hospitals of Greensboro, we must
| not forget the one for the care of
our four-footed friends, Dr. W. A.
Horniday's veternary hospital on
Gaston street. This is one of the I
best  and  most  thoroughly  equip- j
The increased progress in school | its beginning end is largely respon-
work and improvement in health i sible for its success.   This hospital
after the operations demonstrated I was built as a memorial to the late ped veternary hospitals in the state
the wisdom of Professors Matheson  Lunsford Richardson,  for  years ai »M™.erger uospnai
and Foust, in progressiveness    in  loved   and   influential   citizen   of;    Brightest   ana   best   among
school   work   in   North   Carolina.; Greensboro. -   i hospitals    of
About three years later the chair- j Clinic Hospital
man of the state board of health The Clinic hospital, situated on
began to hold adenoid and tonsil the corner of South Greene and Syc-
clinics in many counties of the state, | amore streets, opened its doors De-
which is still being done. ! cember 15, 1925.
About 1913 Dr. C. R. Reaves be-     It is owned and operated by the
came associated with his brother, Dr., following physicians:   Dr. A. F. For-
W. P. Reaves, In 1915 the present
Reaves Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat
infirmary was built on West Sycamore street where many other cases
of adenoids and tonsils were operated on that were selected by the
county superintendent or the county
tune, Dr. J. H. Boyles, Dr. J. G.
Thomas. While the Clinic has a
"closed staff" it is open to the patients of a limited number r,f
Greensboro physicians and surgeons,
being a 50-bed hospital for the treatment of medical and surgical patients.   Fully equipped with modern
physician.
The Williams' Private Sanitarium j appliances, it is well fitted for the
opened in 1908   on   West Market; many   emergency    cases    brought
stret, was moved from there in 1911, there; and much   charity   work   is
to 202 West Sycamore street.   This done.
™n ™e opening of St.^ Leos ^in j: sanatorium,  under    the    manage-     There are 18 student   nurses   in
ment of Dr. B. B. Williams, was for training. Miss Agnes Gray, regis-
the treatment of alcoholic, drug, tered and resident nurse, is superin-
and nervous patients, and until 1926, j tendent of the hospital, and dean
when owing to Dr. Williams illness) ot the faculty of eight registered
its doors were closed, did excellent nurses,
work for the relief of its suffering! Tubercular Hospital
inmates. A snail Tubercular   hospital   on
Wesley Long j Glenwood avenue near Lee street
1905, after three years of faithful
service, the Greensboro hospital
was closed.
The Telfair sanitarium was incorporated in 1905 by Dr. Telfair,
J. M. Millikan, and Dr. W. C. Ash-
worth. The stock of Dr. Telfair
and Mr. Millikan was bought by
Dr. Ashworth in 1918 and the name
changed   to   the   Glenwood   Park
EUtorium. an   institution
The Wesley Long hospital was
owned jointly by Dr. J. W. Long
and his brother-in-law, A. H. Cole,
was sponsored by the District Nurse j
and Relief  association;   with  Mrs.
Peck, lovingly known as "Mother"
the |
the'
Stemberger   Memorial   hospital,   a I
beneficient   gift   of   Mrs.   Blanche I
Stemberger Benjamin.
The handsome Stemberger,
home on Summit avenue, has been
transformed into a modern hospital for the care of afflicted chil- |
dren—and has been beautifully
furnished, and adequately equipped
and endowed richly for this purpose.
Dedicated  on  February   1,   1930,
opened for patients on February 5,
11030, only six weeks opened to the
'public,   history  is  in   the   making
there.     History   of   crooked   little:
bodies    made    straight;—and    the
healing of all the ills that childhood's flesh is heir to.   For already |
40 patients have been treated, and
today there are 18 patients wit
in its walls.     It is opened only i
children, and obstetrical cases.
Dr. W. W. Cole is chief of staff,
| and  Miss   Hassin,   registered,   and
; resident nurse is superintendent in
charge.
In   the   spacious   grounds   is   a
separate     building    foiL isolation