Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1886-05-23
WHEELING HOSPITAL
And Orphan Asylum--S Something
Concerning
lis Foundation and GrOwth---An In.
stitution Worthy of the Most
Liberal Support.

at one of the battles of tbs Mexican war
have been immortalized by Whittier in his
poem, "The Angels of Bnena Vista" The
distance at which this incident occurred
doubtless lends it enchantment to our eyes,
but right in our midst ore the Angels OF
the Wheeling Hospital, who for thirty.three
years have quietly ministered to the sick
and the wounded, to the helpless, poor and
needy, and to the young orphan as we'll as
the aged invalid. No poet has invoked
his muse to tell their simple story, and
their deeds OF love and mercy have passed
almost unnoticed, unhonored and unsung.
In the fall of lS45 Mrs. Barnes, who then
lived In the alley on the west side of the
lot where the Linsly Institute now stands,
nursed patient through severe sickness
80 much to the satisfaction OF Drs. HULL
hen and Frissell that these eminent physi-
clans at once began sending patients TO
her. This first case, one of fever, IVES at
tended by DR.. Frisseil, and from that time,
by degrees, all proper patients were sent
there. This was the beginning OF the
Wheeling Infirmary, out of which the pres
ent Hospital grew, and which existed tor
ten years. From the location above named
Mrs. Barnes moved to the old Updegraf
property on Market street, aud few years
later, to the Thompson property on Six
teenth street
la 1850 charter was obtained for the
Wheeling Hospital, and in 1853, through
the agency of Bishop Whelsn, a number OF
the Sisters OF st. Joseph came here from
the diocese OF st. Louis and established the
hospital in the building on Fifteenth street
now occupied by Mrs. Metcslt. Here they
nursed the sick and the manned for num-
Der of years, when they purchased the fam
lily residence OF the late Michael Sweeney
OH North Main street, A third story and
two large wings were added, snd.t whole
thrown open ss the Wheeling Hospital
and Orphans Asylum" the grounds occu.
plying the squsre between First aud Sec.
Dad streets west OF Main.
The institution has all the necessary ap-
pointments OF first class hospital, capable
Of accommodating from 100 to 200 patients.
1t is under the immediate control of the
Sisters OF st. Joseph, aided by board OF
directors, consisting of Bishop kain, Presi-
dent, Monsignor Sullivan, Secretary, and
Messrp. Jas. G. Whyte, N. Crawley, NJ. j.
O Kane, j. a. White, NJ. Reilly, Tbos.
o Brien, P Kennedy, John G. Miller, and
George busch. The regular medical and
surgical attendant is Dr. John Frissell, who
has been connected with the institution
from its inception, and whose skill is favor.
ably known to the profession throughout
the United States Patients however, are
at liberty to select any physician whom
they may wish to have attend them. All
forms of common sickness, and especially
surgical CAGES requiring operation are skill
fully treated at the Hospital, where the
potent influences OF careful nurs.
ing are also assured y. S. marine
patients are also admitted in &C.
cofdance with a contract made between
ita eurgeon and the Surgeon General Of
the L. 5. Army. pr. g. L. Iepson, OF
this city, iq now and has been for O num-
Der of years, the efficient United States
Surgeon for the hospital
The Hospital commands a magnificent
view OF the beautiful river, whose bslmy
breezes in the springtime have famed the
pale cheeks, cooled the aching brow and
made glad the Borrowing hearts OF thou.
sands Of convalescents. Upon entering,
the visitor is ushered iuto large parlor
on the !eG, comfortably, but not osteuta
tiously furnished, from the walls of which
beam the life-like portraits OF Bishop
Whelan, the elder DR.. HTlIhen, DR.. John
Frissell, Father Sullivan, Bishop Kahn and
Father kelleher-a gallery of Piety, Benev.
oIence and Skill.
The north wing ia occupied by the Or.
phan Asylum, where an average Of about
fifty children may be found at any time.
When REGISTER representative called he
WAS most courteously received and shown
around by Sister Mary Immaculate, the
Mother Superior, herself a native OF Wheel
ing and known to the world as Miss Feeny.
House.cleaniDg was going on and some OF
the older girls were cheerfully assisting,
,hus learning practical lessons in house.
hold economy. In the schoolroo@ come
30 or 40 girls were seeS ci widely differing
ages from ! to Ia yesrs-but ell slike in
that they we're scrupulously tidy in dress,
and all had clean fsces-s thing not al.
ways to be seen in some public schools
When old enough to lqsve the ssylum,
homes are feCud icF the children, tho -,
te-S d Course being very careful y, A. oriv
the right parties o5talh p"',os.;on of INV
Of the children t'" 20 homes have recent.
"sea -Lred for some half dozen Of
J Sc orphans.
In the south wing are the hospital wards,
IN which an average Of about one hundred
aud 6fy patients year receive treatment
Quite number are there now, some con-
V9,escing and some who have quite re.
Gently arrived with bruised and broken
bones. Here and there Sieter was seen
ministering to the wants OF some helpless
one, and always with a gentle hand and a
gentle word Of encouragement.
A portion of the central building ia occu-
pied By rooms for pay patients. These have
every home comfort, and in these, under the
combined influence of the skillful physi.
clan and the trained nurse the patient has
double chances OF recovery The remain
ing portion Of the central buildiug is occu-
pied IS q residence for the sisters Here
are the psrlors, reception rooms, rooms for
private patients, and the chapel The room
occupied by the chapel was the ball room
in the mansion Of former days. and in the
place where Youth aud Pleasure we're
wont to meet
"To caase the glowing hours with flying feet,
and perhaps make the hall resounI with
mirth and laughter, now are heard ONLY the
sacred notes OF the mass and the subdued
ones of the are maria.
The people Of this city aud vicinity have
in this hospital an institution highly de.
serving Of cordial and substantial support
Let but the great advantages of trained
nursing be appreciated in connection with
the physicians work, and even the tender
care patient may receive at home will no,
compare with the advantages of the hos
pitsL Our citizens ahould remember thai
by Tar the greater proportion Of The patients
treated are suffering mortsIs who are sue
cored without money aud without price
From personal observation the writer can
say the institution is well worthy Of the lib
ersl contributions Of charitable citizens
No legacy cop1d - .I.-I