Our Catlt0lic Heritage in Texas
386
private gain but for the ultimate benefit of rich and poor alike. It was built for what it can give. During the depression of 1931 and 1932, the hospital authorities helped to feed on an average of forty persons a day. All this service would have been a considerable amount, enough perhaps, to erect the present building. Instead of being put into the treasury of St. An- thony's, it was saved to the city and county." He could have added that in 1935 the hospital gave care and treatment without pay to 1951 patients, and to 1457 others who made only part payment for full services without distinction of race or creed. Of the thousands who have found health and happiness by being restored to normal life since the establishment of the hospital, over 72% have been non-Catholics. Charity knows no disti11ction nor is love limited to friends. It extends itself to strangers. The Sisters of Charity expend themselves and their lives for the love of humanity. 41 Texas and Pacific Rai!troad Hospi,tal, i11arslzall, z885. The most cen- trally located point for the employees of the Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1885 was Marshall, Texas. It was not strange that the Employees Hospital Association of the Company should have chosen it for the location of a hospital, after having secured a promise from Mother Superior of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio to take charge of the institution. By the end of the year the new hospital was finished and early in 1886 the Sisters took over the care of the sick with Dr. B. F. Eads as chief surgeon, who continued in this capacity until his death in 1903. Within six years additional buildings had to be constructed to care for the large increase of patients. By 1915 there were twenty-four buildings being used as separate units. The plant had grown haphazardly and the different units were too scattered for efficient service. The main building, the first plant, housed operating rooms, dressing rooms, drug rooms, and staff quarters. Board walks and open corridors led to the rambling build- ings. The Sisters and other nurses had to walk in the open to go from the main building to the different units. While this offered little incon- venience in spring and summer, when the weather was good and the fresh air a welcome relief, it was most inconvenient in bad weather and in winter. 41 The account of St. Anthony's Hospital is based on Shelly, Catholic H os,Pitaliza- tion, 64-69. She had access to archive material in the Sisters' possession and is thor- oughly reliable.
Powered by FlippingBook