Barton County KS Archives History - Books .....St. Rose Hospital 1912 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com January 9, 2007, 1:20 pm Book Title: Biographical History Of Barton County ST. ROSE HOSPITAL IN 1893, after having lived in Great Bend for about a year, during which time the preliminary work was done, representatives of the Dominician Sisters established St. Rose hospital. No public undertaking in the city of Great Bend ever met with a more hearty response from the citizens than did the work of soliciting aid for the establishment of the hospital. On June 9, 1902, the following resolution was unanimously adopted by the Great Bend Commercial Club: "Great Bend Commercial Club, Great Bend, Kansas, June 9, 1902.— To the Rev. Mother Superior of the Nuns of the Third Order of St. Dominic, Great Bend, Kansas: "I have the honor to transmit to you the following resolutions which were unanimously adopted by the members of the Great Bend Commercial Club at their regular meeting on this date, to wit: " 'Whereas, It has come to the knowledge of the general public that the Rev. Mother Superior and the Rev. Sisters of the Nuns of the Third Order of St. Dominic, now residing in our midst, contemplate, or are considering the expediency of establishing and maintaining a general hospital in our city; Now, therefore, be it " 'Resolved, By the Great Bend Commercial Club, that the movement in question is one which commands our hearty support and most cordial endorsement; " 'That we have long recognized the pressing need of such an institution in this vicinity; " 'That there is a large and well-populated district tributary to Great Bend which is entirely without modern facilities where the sick and afflicted may receive proper hospital care, treatment and nursing; " 'That it is a matter of common knowledge that patients from this large expanse of country are continually traveling to and from the cities east of us in search of expert surgical relief and treatment; [photo} Ambulance For St. Rose Hospital " 'That it is equally well known that large numbers of people are financially unable to meet the extraordinary expense of such a trip, or are physically unequal to the fatigue of the journey, and hence are compelled to remain at home, there to languish, suffer and die from lack of expert care, treatment and nursing, such as can be procured only in connection with a modern and well-equipped hospital; " 'That neighboring cities and villages have frequently signified their willingness to co-operate with this city, and to lend their moral and financial support to the promotion of such an institution; " 'That in our opinion the movement is a worthy one in every respect, and will command the instant and profound respect and sympathy of all classes of our people; [photo] St. Rose Hospital " 'That we confidently believe that a hospital here under the auspices of these Reverend Sisters would receive a cordial and generous patronage from the entire western half of Kansas and from portions of Eastern Colorado; " 'That our railway connections are good, our climate unsurpassed, all local conditions most favorable, and the time mast opportune; " 'In consequence of all of which, we Relieve the proposition would be a pronounced success from the beginning, ;.nd that it would be not only a benediction to the general public but a source of revenue to the founders; " 'Wherefore, We bid these Reverend Sisters God-speed in their great and glorious work and give them strong assurances of our cordial sympathy and good will.' "Most respectfully submitted, "F. V. RUSSELL, Sec." The only institution of its kind In Central Kansas. Is a commodious, substantial, fireproof, brick structure, fully equipped for efficient hospital service for forty patients. Situated on the crest of a high ridge of land on West Broadway ,the hospital is surrounded with beautiful lawns, shade trees, flower beds, and all that can add to its natural beauty. The building has two stories and a basement. The arrangement is such that sunlight enters every room. Steam heat, electric lights, elevator and all modern conveniences have been installed. A separate building for the laundry work of the hospital is located on the grounds. A brick addition was constructed and equipped in 1910 at a cost of $25,000. Both private rooms and wards are available. Private rooms are located on the first and second floors. They are elegantly furnished by various business firms of the city and every effort was made to impart a homelike atmosphere and eliminate the ordinary features of hospital life. There are several semi-private rooms for patients of more moderate means. The men's ward is on the first floor and will accommodate eight patients. It is large, well lighted and ventilated. The same nursing and attention will be given as to those occupying private rooms. The women's ward is on the second floor and is neatly furnished. The drug room has an ample stock so that all prescriptions can be filled at the hospital. [photo] Interior View of St. Rose Hospital The hospital is equipped with a Morton-Wimshurst-Holtz machine of the latest design; a new Scheidel sixteen-inch coil X-Ray, capable of taking skiagraphs through the body when desired. An electrical vibrator is used for patients unable to leave their apartments. An electric bath cabinet and hot air apparatus have been installed especially adapted for the treatment of chronic arthritis and rheumatic cases. On the first floor is located a room equipped for free dispensary work. There are many of the poorer class .who take advantage of this and receive both medical and surgical service. The operating rooms are located on the second floor; the main operating room is used only for non-infective cases and was so designed as to afford plenty of light and be readily fumigated. The second operating room is for all infective cases. The sterlizing room adjoins the operating room and has all modern equipments. [photo] Chapel at St. Rose Hospital Most careful attention is paid to the dietary. Expense, time and attention are not spared in providing the best. The hospital has two fine ambulances for the service of its patients which can be called at any hour. They are all Sisters of St. Dominic and of long hospital experience. Special nurses will be provided for patients desiring services of same at additional rates. Additional Comments: From: Biographical History Of Barton County File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/barton/history/1912/biograph/stroseho48gms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ksfiles/ File size: 7.1 Kb