Davenport Democrat Davenport, Scott, Iowa July 20, 1924 MERCY HOSPITAL WHERE SCIENCE PROTECTS LIFE OPENED BY CHICAGO SISTERS IN 1869, IT HAS GROWN IN POWER THRUOUT THE YEARS Mercy Hospital, founded in 1869, is the pioneer institution of its kind in this section of the country. At the time of its opening, 55 years ago, it was the only institution outside of a hospital at St. Louis, west of the Mississippi river. Prior to 1869 the only public relief for the sick and injured was transferred to the Poor Farm, four miles out in the country in an open wagon. The pauper charges of Scott county and the insane of the community were crowded together, and conditions were deplorable. The officials, and especially the Scott County Board of Supervisors, were intensely interested in the adoption of plans for the betterment of existing conditions. Several plans had been offered and had later been rejected. Appeal to Sisters. One evening in September, 1869, while G.H. Watkins, county overseer of the poor, was attempting to formulate a better system for the care of indigent insane and other charges of the county, he decided to appeal to the Catholics. Calling upon J. McMonomy, Mr. Watkins explained the plans and asked if there was not a possibility of persuading the Sisters of Mercy of Chicago to establish a hospital in Davenport. A meeting was held at St. Anthony's church and the matter was given further consideration, in the minutes of the board of supervisors of October 13, 1869, the following words are recorded: "Mr. Watkins on the Committee of the Poor reports that the Sisters of Mercy are willing to open an institution and include in their plans the care of the poor and insane of Scott County; the general purpose of the institution to include the care of every class of suffering and sick except contagion." Building Provided. Negotiations between the county officials and the Sisters of Mercy of Chicago provided that suitable facilities for the establishment of a hospital should be provided. At that time a Sisters' Academy was located at the west edge of the city, on the site now occupied by Mercy Hospital. This building had been erected 14 years previous to 1869. It was now vacant and in sad need of repairs. The Board secured permission to convert the building into a hospital, providing that it should be used for no other purpose than the care of the sick. Before establishing the hospital the Sisters insisted that at least 10 patients be secured and a loan of $2,000 be secured from Scott county. Hospital Opened. The necessary pledges were forthcoming and in November, six Sisters of Mercy from Chicago arrived in Davenport and assumed charge of the work of renovating and overhauling the building preparatory to he opening of the hospital proper. This was soon accomplished and on December 8, the doors were opened to admit the first patients. Active in the establishment of the hospital were Dr. Peck, who had served as an army surgeon during the Civil war; Miss Fejervary; Mrs. Mitchell; Rev. Father Palamoges, and numerous others who gave liberally not only of their money but of their time as well. Rev. Mother Borromeo was the first Mother Superior in charge of the hospital. She passed away several years ago, and here remains repose beneath a memorial in the rear of the present Mercy hospital. The first candidate to join the band of Sisters was Sister Mary Catherine, who is still living at the hospital and is active despite her years of unrequited toil among the sick and the needy of the community. First Year's Work. During the first year of its existence, Mercy hospital cared for 76 patients, both general and insane. When the hospital was first opened, a medical board was formed by the foundress, Reverend Mother Borromeo, assisted by Dr. Peck. Dr. O.C. Rundy was elected president and Dr. C.S. Maxwell, secretary. Drs. Maxwell and Greggs comprised the consulting board. The following were members of the attending board: Drs. W.F. Peck, G. Hoekfner, J. McCourtney, W.A. Hasford ,W.D. Middleton, and D.C. Roundy, and Henry Braunlich who was for five years a member of the board and is still active in the work of the hospital. Immediately after the organization of the hospital the private hospital operated by Drs. Henry and Carl Matthey and others, closed its doors and turned their effects to the Sisters. Cholera Epidemic. In September, 1877, cholera swept down on the little city of Davenport like a fog in the night, snuffing out the lives of hundreds of human beings. The board of health was hastily reorganized and public measures adopted to combat the plague, Judge James Grant came to the rescue of the stricken city and secured rooms for an emergency hospital. In less than five hours after the opening, the hastily improvised hospital was filled with patients. But who was there for care for them, to minister to their needs? Unannounced by the blare of trumpets, at this crisis in the history of the struggling city two Sisters appeared at the improvised hospital and offered their services. The Sisters remained in charge during the epidemic ministering to the wants of sufferers, cheering them, soothing fevered brows, and receiving the last messages to those who were about to pass into the Great Beyond. Growth of the Hospital. Mercy hospital filled an urgent need in this pioneer community, and its growth was rapid. Before the first year was at an end additional quarters were necessary, and additions were built. From that day to this the work has gone ahead; addition after addition has been erected, new buildings planned and constructed until today the hospital ranks as one of the best equipped in the country. Accommodations are provided for approximately 200 patients in the main hospital and for 200 in the buildings for the mentally afflicted. The 76 general and mental patients of 1869 have increased to 4500 in 1923. The Nurses' Home which was erected in 1919, is a model building, accommodating 90 nurses. Other Foundations. From the local institution foundations have been sent out to Iowa City, Dubuque, Cedar Rapids, Des Moines and Marshalltown. In addition to this work, the task of teaching others to carry on the work has been maintained both here and elsewhere. In every emergency, whether of county or community- during the Civil war, during the World war, in the cholera and the influenza epidemics- Mercy hospital has hurried to the call of duty and humanity. Mercy hospital is situated in the northwest part of the city, just within the corporate limits. The building fronts on Lombard street, while the spacious ground look out upon the rich farm lands and the scenic beauty of the Mississippi bluffs. The site is not surpassed in point of beauty and healthfulness. Apart from the noise of the city and yet partaking of all its advantages, the location is ideal for hospital purposes. The hospital embraces the most improved features of hospital construction and equipment, and furnishes the best facilities for the care of the sick. On the first floor are located the hospital offices, laboratories, pharmacy, rooms for resident physicians, medical library, record room, operating and Doctors' consulting rooms. The second, third and fourth floors are devoted mainly to private rooms. Each floor, however, has four private wards, an auxiliary pharmacy, diet kitchen, and a linen room aiding toward greater efficiency and comfortable service. There are four operating rooms each with its own equipment for general surgery. Special operating rooms with special equipment are devoted to eye, ear, nose, throat and genito-urinary surgery. Convenient to each operating room are two surgical dressing rooms, instrument supply rooms and complete modern sterilizing apparatus. The Laboratories occupy eight rooms in the south of the first floor. The equipment is the latest and best that can be obtained. The Pharmacy is located on the first floor. It is well stocked with all chemicals and pharmaceutical preparations that may be of service in a large hospital. A Sister who is a Registered Pharmacist devotes her time to the work of this department. On each floor there are auxiliary medicine rooms supplied with all the necessities for routine and emergency needs. The Obstetrical Department to which the entire new wing of the fourth floor is given is well equipped for efficient service in this special branch of work. In the Dietetic Department are prepared diets for the various conditions of health and disease. Training School for Nurses. Mercy Hospital School for Nurses was established in 1895. Since that time 240 nurses have received diplomas. Graduates are in great demand and many of them are holding responsible positions as Hospital and Training School Superintendents, Surgical Nurses, Visiting, Public Health and Social Service Nurses thruout the United States. The course of lectures is thorough, comprising all subjects, medical, surgical, obstetrical, nervous and infectious, needed to complete a nurses training. The Training School is accredited by the State. Religion. The Training School is non-sectarian. There is no interference with the religious convictions of the student. The school is conducted by the Sisters of Mercy, hence it is Catholic in its purpose and atmosphere. The Nurses, pupil and graduate, enjoy the blessing of an annual triduum- a pleasure looked forward to and a source of much spiritual good. Catholic Nurses are to hear Mass in the Hospital Chapel on Sundays and holy days; it is the custom to receive Holy Communion on Sundays and on the first Friday of every month. Officers of Mercy Hospital are Rev. Mother Mary Gertrude, directress; Sister Mary De Pazzi, superintendent of the hospital; Sister Mary Loretto, superintendent of the nurses school. Officers of the Hospital Staff are Dr. A.B. Kuhl, president; Dr. B. Schmidt, secretary; Dr. R.R. Kulp, treasurer. The executive committee is composed of Dr. F. Neufeld, Dr. W.E. Foley, Dr. L. Kornder, Dr. O.A. Dahms, Dr. O.R. Voss. Cathy Joynt Labath Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/index.htm Iowa Old Press http://www.IowaOldPress.com/