Public Healt/1, and Social Welfare Work
Within a year, at his invitation, the Sisters of Mercy at Stanton, Texas, agreed to erect a hospital at a cost of $75,000 on condition that the City of Slaton donate a site to consist of two blocks, raise a bonus of $20,000, and pave the streets to the site of the new building. The terms were met by the City two weeks later and work on the building started at once. Early in November, 1929, the work was completed and the new Mercy Hospital was dedicated on the 27th of the month by Msgr. Robert M. Nolan of Fort Worth. The ceremony was attended by Mayor W. S. Reese. Joseph A. Brennan, F. C. Rector, and R. H. Smith. The local paper enthusiastically exclaimed in an editorial: We have reached the apex of our wishes and desires ... a new hospital for the proper care of the afflicted.... While the foundation was laid through the efforts of the Slaton Citizenship, still, the super- structure was all made possible through the good offices of the Sisters of Mercy. ... They are with us, part of us, and we welcome them. 63 Since its founding, Mercy Hospital, true to the tradition of the Sisters of Mercy, has brought to Slaton all the advantages of modern science and trained service which tender solicitude for the sick and the suffering ,an afford. It has grown and developed as an integral part of the community. Sisters of St. Francis in Texas, I9JI. The nursing Sisterhoods in Texas were augmented in March, 1931 by the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio who came to Brenham at that time. St. Francis Hospital and Clinic of Brenham had its beginning in 1912, as a private institution, established by Drs. T. J. Pier and Breckmeyer, who founded the Brenham Hospital and Clinic in a remodeled ward school of the City. Dr. W. F. Hasskarl assumed control of the struggling hospital in 1920 and after ten years appealed in November, 1930, to Mother M. Adelaide of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, Ohio. to take charge of it. The Sisters of St. Francis accepted the invitation. The old hospital was rebuilt, and in April. r93r. the formal opening was held. It was at this time that the name was change<l to St. Francis Hospital and Clinic. By 1936 the Hospital had a capacity of thirty-two beds and was equipped with a first class X-ray and laboratory departments. a major and minor operating room. an emergency room, and a maternity room. The private rooms were all furnished by public spirited citizens, as were some of the
63 Quoted in Shelly, CalltoUc Hospitalisation;,. Texas, u8.
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