The daily state chronicle. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 188?-1891, 1890-11-27
ST. JOHNS HOSPITAL.
A Short Sketch of It.-It.s Needs and
How They Are Supplied--Remembe Der
it Tonight.

- S"oA' ShCtCh VI i..ItS Needs and
How They Are Supplied. Remember
it Tonight.
lis remarkable, but Yet true, that a
history of st. Johns hospital has never
been written. Owing TO the fact that it
has always had what may be termed a
struggle for existence, it has not been
able to make at the end Of each year a
showing OF its work Modest and earn
est IN purpose, its promoters have gone
On from year to year, working wonders
really, and winning the love of those who
see suffering alleviated and the sick
healed
1t was in November, 1877, that the
hospital was opened. IN a little two
story cottage on South Wilmington
street, near East Cabarrus. 1t was pri-
marily an outgrowth of St Johns Guild,
though the latter organization has for
some years ceased to exist. Beginning
in this little building. rented for $40
per month, and with three patients, the
hospital has gone onward until now it is
in its own home. II occupied the latter
in 1882, it being then well known as the
old family mansion Of the late Governor
Manly. This building and its we'll stu
ated grounds were purchased for S3, 700,
OF which 1000 was paid IN cash. A
few years ago an adjoining piece of
property between the hospital and the
Centennial graded school was purchased
for 500. The debt is now 5000 on the
building and $500 on this lot, the
purchase of which was really necessary;
total OF 81, 100.
The hospital has always labored under
one deplorable disadvantage has
never had fixed income 1t has lived
IRON hand to mouth" by aid from fes-
tlvals, gifts at Thanksgiving and Christ
mas, Easter, &c. In 1886 its expenses
were 81, 139. Last year, by a steady in
crease, they reached So, 172 On an av-
erage there are seventy five patients a
| year, and this has been about the figure
since 1892.
The hospital has always had staff of
volunteer physicians and surgeons.
These have always done their duty faith
fully and well. Patients from all parts
Of the country have been cared
for Though primarily the hos
pital is for Raleigh people, yet
10 case of an emergency any one is taken
in its sheltering arms.
The heaviest expense is during the
winter Here is the winter just begin
ming, eight patients in the hospital, and
not $40 in its treasury. There is never
any such thing as a fiy'd revenue; moth
ing to calculate on. Perhaps one month
there is $40 on hand. The next month
there is need for all this, and perhaps
the next there is shortage.
What are the needs? Why iron hos
pital bedsteads, for one thing, to replace
the old wooden ones, unfit for the pur
poses All sorts of furnishings In
+ struments for the use of the surgeons in
! their special practice at the hospital
Now not a few good people think o.
St. Johns Hospital as place of which
they hear every few months, and Away
IN connection with appeals for help. D.
they think, do they know Of It's crampet
circumstances? Such an institution
should not have to fight for its bare ex
istence and beg so pitifully for susie
: nance and support. Would it do S
North? No. People of means woul
+ aid it, the municipality would apprc
pirate funds for it and it would be te
:. free from such hampering restraints.
This is Thanksgiving day in happy
prosperous Raleigh will the people r.
= member the hospital and the charity ba
" this evening inaugurated for its benefi