Wednesday, November 27, 1974

The History of the Hospital Movement In This Town
by Dr. Graham P. Hennessey for The Citizen

The original Highland View hospital constructed in 1902 is shown above shortly after the official opening with members of the staff on the upper an lower verandahs. At the right of the picture is a horse and coach from John Cody's Livery Stable, the taxi at that time. A large maternity wing was added to the above building in 1920 and the entire structure was destroyed by fire on May 25. 1928.

Shown is an early picture of the first hospital in Amherst. A description of the building, also the history of the hospital movement in Amherst is given. The article was published on December 5, 1903 - the hospital is completed in 1904 - seventy years ago.

The hospital shown was used form 1904 until May 1928, when it was destroyed in a disastrous fire. Immediate steps were taken however, to replace it and a new hospital on the same site was opened in 1929. This hospital was opened until the completion of the present one in 1965 - it was then remodeled and used for auxiliary hospital services. The historical feature article, as printed in The Daily Telegram of Amherst in 1903, is reproduced here. It was printed under a 4-column heading, which read:

Amherst's Splendid New Hospital

During the past few years much has been done towards solving the problem of effectually attending to the sick and aiding the injured. An intelligent interest in works of mercy has always characterized Canadians. At the same time, much of the work done in that direction prior to 1897 seems to have lacked the through organization and, we may say enthusiasm. It will be remembered that in the year of our late Queen was celebrated a valuable encouragement was given to those who had been doing pioneer work, by the establishment of the Victorian Order of Nurses.

After the formation of this body the innate patriotism of Canadians came to the rescue. Realizing that the love of God and country was hand in hand with the love of one another, they say it to be their duty to lend help to those who were doing their utmost to alleviate the portion of man's misery. Since this spirit has become more wide spread the number of institutions for the prosecution of acts of mercy has largely increased and we are proud to say that Nova Scotia and our own town of Amherst have taken a foremost position in this forward movement.

With this article we present a cut of the hospital building which is being erected in this town. We may remark that, above and beyond its value as a humane institution, it will stand through the years as a lasting monument to the generosity, warm-heartedness and benevolence of the people of this town and county, and will, remain a credit not only to our County; but to our province and Dominion as well. The institution will literally rest on a foundation created by the generosity of our own people. The magnificent site of the building was given to the town by the late Sebator Dickey. The ratepayers of the town voted the money to be used in the construction of the building, and the ladies of the town are undertaking the work of providing much of the necessary equipment, and to their credit be it said, that the people of the community at large have been most generous and sympathetic in their assistance.

For some years the project of funding a hospital in this town was considered and discussed in a quiet way but without the accomplishment of any practical results. During the year 1900, however, Miss McLeod, a lady prominent in the work of the Victorian Order of Nurses, paid a visit to Amherst, with the result that the question was revived. A particularly enthusiastic meeting was held here and it seemed that so much expressed earnestness must surely result in some practical action. At that time, the establishment of a cottage hospital was the scheme before the people, the more ambitious plans of today yet being undreamed of. It seemed indeed at that time, that the founding of the lesser named institution was almost an assured fact.

Yet it seems other matters crowded themselves in and little was heard of the proposition for upwards of a year. The town was growing so rapidly that the public men had new and diverse cares and duties thrust upon them and it seemed that necessity compelled the laying aside, for a season, of the cherished plan. It seems to have really been most fortunate from the standpoint of a later period. For on the 20th February, 1902, the late Senator Dickey, who was always in full sympathy with charitable and benevolent objects and who took a firm and hopeful interest in the future of Amherst, conveyed to the town the attractive site upon which the hospital stands, on the condition that the work of building the hospital would be undertaken. The citizens could not but be impressed with such benevolence and the result of the Senator's act was a complete revival of the cherished scheme. Enthusiastic meetings were held, and presently the ratepayers in meeting, passed a resolution authorizing the town council to appropriate the sum of twenty thousand dollars for the purpose of hospital construction.

On the 11th day of April of the present year, the legislature of the province passed the act giving the town of Amherst the power to establish the hospital. Section one of the act tells us that:

"The town of Amherst is authorized to establish a general and public hospital in the town of Amherst, for the object, among other things, of the treating of patients suffering from contagious and other diseases, and as a training school for nurses, and for the carrying on of such other works of mercy as may be found practicable in connection therewith."

The act in section 5 provides for a board of management for the government of the institution. This shall be composed as follows: (a) One member to be appointed by the provincial government. (b) Three members of the Town Council of the town of Amherst. (c) One member of the Woman's Hospital Aid Society of the town of Amherst. (d) On member to be appointed by each church in the town of Amherst. (e) One member of the municipal council of the County of Cumberland, so long as so soon as that body shall contribute not less than $300 per year towards the maintenance fund of the institution.

Shortly after the passage of the act the board of management was formed as follows: Wm. Reid, representing Baptist church, chairman; C. Stanley Sutherland, representing the Town Council, Secretary; J.Medley Townshend, representing the church of England; John McKeen, representing the Presbyterian church; J.H. Donalds, representing the Roman Catholic church; E.E. Hewson, representing the Methodist church; Mrs. John McKeen, representing the Ladies Aid Society; Mayor Lusby and Councilor Fage representing the Town Council; Mr. Halfkenny, representing the A.M.E. church.

It will therefore be seen that the guidance of our institution has been placed in capable and representative hands. The Board takes a keen interest in the process of the affairs of the hospital and is to be congratulated upon its usefulness.

The Ladies Aid Society was formed in November of 1902, and from the day of its formation has taken an active and zealous interest in the purposes for which it has been formed. The organization has been successful from its first day, and it is pleasing to say, that today the interest and enthusiasm of these willing workers has not diminished a jot, nor it is likely to do so. Every member whom the writer has seen, seems to be filled with interest on this subject. We are told that it is no common occurrence for these ladies to meet night after night for the purpose of discussing ways and means, and their earnestness impresses us anew with the loving kindness and self-sacrifice of true womanhood.

The officers of the Ladies Aid Society are as follows: President - Mrs. James A. Dickie; Vice President - Mrs. N.A. Curry and Mrs. Lamey; Secretary - Miss Reid; Treasurer - Mrs. T.N. Campbell.

The membership of the organization is about 200. Its financial state is exceedingly healthy, it having $1100 in cash and $200 worth of equipment. The society is undertaking the work of providing the entire equipment for the operating room, which will be of the most modern type costing a considerable sum of money.

The Board of management has recently issued a circular letter which has been mailed to the prominent men and women in different parts of the county. It is urging the adoption of a plan, by which the churches of the County would set apart the first Sunday of October in each year for the receipt of collection to be applied to the fund. The Board also hopes to interest the employees of the various industries of the town and county in the hope that they will all make provision for helping towards the support of an institution which must certainly appeal in the strong manner to the men whose employment entails the danger of accident.

There is evidence, however, that an interest is growing in the undertaking among the residents of the country districts. It is cheering intelligence that a branch of the Ladies Aid Society has lately been formed at Minudie and Barronsfield with the following officers: President - Mrs. Fred Seaman; Vice Pres. - Mrs. T.E. Shipley; Sec'y - Miss Ella Shipley; Treas. - Miss Alida Seaman.

We understand that this branch is planning an aggressive campaign and will holds a fancy sale shortly before Christmas.

In concluding this sketch, with apologies for its imperfections, the editor of The Daily Telegram, wishes to invite the Boars of Management and Ladies Aid Society to have no hesitation in making any demands on this paper, and its staff, when they consider that our assistance is needed and may be helped.

Description of the Hospital
As will be seen from the accompanying structure. It is a three story building of brick, with faces towards the west. On the front of the building is a verandah, 36 feet in length and ten feet in width, and above this is a balcony 23 feet by 18 feet, for the use of convalescent patients. A broad stairway leads to the main entrance, and one finds himself in a spacious hall extending the whole width of the building, with a branch hall extending practically the entire length of the structure. The first room to the right will be used by the physicians and also as a dispensing room. To the rear of the Physician's room, is the nurses parlor and behind this, on the same side of the hall, is the matrons private room and at the extreme back of the hall and opening from it, are the pantry and kitchens. On the left as one enters the building, will be found the reception room, which extends back to the hall, running north and south. Opening off this hall on the left are the convalescing room, and clothes room, and on the right the nurses kitchen and bathrooms. At the end of the hall is a public male ward. This room, which is 36 feet by 24 feet, takes up the extreme northern end of the first floor and when supplied with equipment, will be a remarkable attractive room. The dinning room is also on the first floor being entered from the main hall.

A spacious stairway (as well as an elevator) takes one to the second floor. Large halls run from east to west and from north to south, dividing the floor to the best advantage. These halls are both sixty feet in length. "Opening off one of them, are eight bright rooms, which will be used which will be used as private wards. A room for patients' clothing, a nurses kitchen and bath rooms open off the other hall and at the northern end of the building on this floor is a females public ward and a convalescing room opening out to the balcony.

The third floor contains five private wards. Here is also the operating room, which is 18 feet x 16 feet, and will be provided with a tile floor. This floor also contains the dressing room, an anesthetic room, sterilizing room, instrument room, two private bedrooms and a linen room.

The basement will be provided with a concrete floor and will contain the laundry, drying room and store rooms the remaining spaces being used for storage purposes.

The building is being constructed by the Rodes Curry & Co. Limited of this town under the supervision of Martin E. Collins for the company and A. Scrimgeour for the Board of Management. It will be provided with an elevator, hot water heating and twelve grates. The masonry work and plastering has been done by J.N. Fage, the plumbing by James Carter, the heating by W.B. Bowser, and the painting by John Quilty. The building will be completed in February.