Public Health and Social Welfare Work
best tradition of the sea, they had refused to abandon ship until all others alive were safe. 43 Just as the sun shines brightly after the stonn, renewing hope and filling everything with cheer, the Sisters who survived the ordeal were ready to return to their labors as cheerfully as before, with a prayer for those who had been called away, and love for those that suffered and needed help more than ever. The question was how could a new hospital be rebuilt. The destruction of the Sanatorium was a total loss. The Mother Superior in San Antonio seriously considered recalling the Sisters to the Motherhouse. They were on the point of having to abandon their work in Corpus Christi for lack of means. when good Bishop E. B. Ledvina came to their rescue. He graciously made a donation of $10,000.00 for a fund to rebuild the hospital. His magnanimous action was promptly emulated by many citizens who loved the Sisters and did not wish to see their great work of Charity discontinued. Mrs. H. H. King donated an excellent site on the bluffs above the bay, and there a modern, fireproof building was soon constructed for the Sisters to begin anew. The hospital obtained the recognition of the American College of Surgeons soon afterwards and since then has grown and developed with the city of Corpus Christi, fully utilizing the improved facilities to give greater service to the sick. The number of patients treated free has averaged 30% through the years. Through the generosity of the James R. Dougherty family, Beeville, the "James R. Dougherty Jr. School of Nursing" was added, a memorial in memory of a son and brother who gave his life for his country in \Vorld War II. St. John's Hospital,, San Angelo, r9ro. The City Council and the people of the growing and progressive city of San Angelo had long felt the need of a general hospital. The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word of San Antonio had been repeatedly invited to come and establish such an institution, but lack of personnel and of the means required for a new foundation had prevented them from accepting the invitation. So great was the desire of the people, however, that in 1910 they offered a burse of $15,000 to help the Sisters begin the work. Mother Alphonse, convinced of the sincerity of the invitation and the great need that prompted the offer could refuse no longer. No sooner was the acceptance given than work was begun. An adequate brick building, three-stories high, was erected in the suburbs of the city
"The Southern Messenger, September :15, 1919.
Powered by FlippingBook