Pttblic H ealtk and Social Welfare Work
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Messrs. Richard Chapman and Thomas Randolph, he succeeded in bring- ing the Sisters to Sherman after repeated efforts. The cornerstone for the hospital was laid on July 20, 1902, and early in January of the next year Sister Elizabeth Roach and two companions took possession of the yet unfinished building. They made their quarters on the second floor, using a ladder, which they pulle_d up after them at night for safety. They were generously helped for several months by the Sisters of St. Mary of Namur in charge of St. Joseph's Academy. The building was finally completed and equipped and the first patient was received on July 2, 1903. The hospital grew steadily and the Sisters endeared themselves to the community by their unselfish dedication to the care of the sick and other works of charity. A school of nursing was opened in 1913 and successfully operated until 1931, when it had to be discontinued. Headed by Sister Valeria, a group of graduate nurses from St. Vincent saw service in Europe during the First World War. Five other Daughters of St. Vincent de Paul gave efficient service overseas. Although from the beginning, they endeared themselves to the poor, the Sisters had some unpleasant experiences in the days of Ku Klux Klan activity in Texas. On one occasion the Klan surrounded the peaceful abode of the sick and ailing but were unable to make clear just what they had against the charitable institution and departed in silence. Since the founding of St. Vincent Hospital in Sherman, the Sisters have visited the city prison and the homes of the sick and the poor, distributed food and clothing, given needed medicines to the indigent, and taken Christmas baskets to poor families. During the depression, due to the efforts of Sister Remigius, a soup kitchen was operated down town in a business building. The money for it was collected by the Catholic Daughters of America, and the food was cooked in the hospital kitchen and sent to town. 55 Providence Hospital, W,aco, 1903. This may may be called another triumph of faith and of the Sisters' devotion to the greatest and sweetest of virtues, charity. Waco, at the turn of the century, was a small com- munity where strong anti-Catholic feeling prevailed. Nevertheless, moved by example, C. L. Johnson and Dr. J. W. Hale, who had been deeply 5 5 The summary given here is based largely on Shelly, Catl,olic Hos,Pitali:satio,, ;,, Tn:as, 109-1 II. See also "Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul," MS. in possession of Author.
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