The San Francisco call., 1897-01-27
SANTA bARBARA'S
DAY OF MOURNING c
Dr.. Richard J. Halls Body
Borne to It's Final
Rest.
Old and Young Alike Weep al
the Bier of the Poor
Mans Friend.
Successes Achieved by the Physician
Who Was Beloved by All
Who Knew Him.

SANTA BARBARA, CAL. Jan. 26-
This has been Santa Barbara's day of
mourning. To-day the clay of one who
claimed as his friend the tottering octo-
genarian and the laughing child alike
was borne to its last resting place in
Montecito Cemetery. The man so hon.
ored in DEATH for whom the tears OF an
entire city were she'd was DIR. Richard J.
Hall. The announcement Of his death at
10 o'clock Sunday morning, though not
wholly unexpected, fell upon the people
! of this city like a thunderbolt from clear
sky 1t is doubtful if there is another in
stance where a stranger coming among
strangers won in seven short years the
love and admiration accorded to DR.. Hall.
Yesterday the Mayor issued a procla-
nation requesting that all city offices be
closed and asking the citizens to close
business houses between the, hours OF
and this afternoon. This was strictly
and voluntarily adhered to. The funeral
procession, preceded by band, started
from DIR. Halls late residence, back of the
Mission, at clock. 1t halted at the
Presbyterian Church, where the funeral
sermon and final benediclon were i'm
rier.
The church was marvel of floral decor
ations, 50 unstintingIy and tastefully had
the ladies of the st. Cecilia Club arranged
their offerings of garlands. Pink and
white we're the prevailing colors. AS the
pail bearers entered the edifice the orches
ira played prayer" by Salome. The
procession moved slowly TO the pulpit,
the coffin being followed by the honorary
paIl-bearers. As the .casket was placed
before the altar it was covered by pail
of 10000 violets. Surrounding the coffin
were several hundred very beautiful floral
pieces contributed by the associations
| with which the doctor was connected.
The Philharmonic Society contributed
| large harp of carnations and maiden hair
ferns. From Brooklyn and New York
had come telegraphic orders for many
| floral offerings.
Mrs. Hall and her two daughters en-
tered the church together. The pail
| bearers, hospital nurses in costumes and
members of the household occupied seats
near the bereaved family.
Every vehicle that could be procured in
this and neighboring towns was filled by
| those who knew the man In life and who,
as last Offering to his memory, followed
his body 10 its last resting-place. At
l
brief and simple.
Born in the historic town of Armagh,
| Ireland DIR. Hall came withhls paren is
TO New York, his father. the Rev. DR..
! John Hall, accepting call to the Fifth
avenue Presbyterian Church, which he
| still holds. The future doctor received his
early tuition at the public schools of New
York, entering Princeton College IN 1871
and graduating in the class of 1875. He
| took while ct college an active interest In
| athletics and was a mem Der OF the Prince
ton crew which rowed at Saratoga in the
year of his graduation.
He then entered the College of Physi-
clans and Surgeons of New York City, and
was graduated in 1878, securing the first
position in a special examination of honor
men. He was Immediately appointed
inferno in Roosevelt Hospital, where he
completed the full term of service, year
and half
In October, 1s79 shortly after the COM
pletion of his hospital service, DIR. Hall
married Miss Eliza Coolidge of Boston,
and went abroad to contin ue his medical
| studies.
After a prolonged stay in Europe,
| principally in Vienna and Heidelberg, he
returned to New York, where he became
associated with the late Dr. Henry b.
Sands, the distinguished surgeon. Dur
! ing the early part of this connection he
conducted classes in medical instruction
which were unusually successful. Subse-
quentiy ne was appointed demonstrator
of anatomy in the College of Physicians
and Surgeons, and later still was ap-
pointed to the assistant professorship of
anatomy in the institution. after severe
competition, in which two surgeons OF
National reputation took part.
During this period he was largely in
strumental in organizing and putting into
operation the well-known outdoor service
Of Roosevelt Dispensary. This was an in
novation to dispensary work, since 1T in
VOWED daily attendance on the part of the
surgeons, and developed into one of the
| greatest clinics in the country.
| DR.. Hall was at this time appointed WIS.,
| iting surgeon at St Luke's, Bellevue and
Roosevelt hospitals distinction rarely
attained by any surgeon, and perhaps
never before by one SO young.
While associated with DR.. Sands he
performed, it is stated on good authority,
the first operation in this country for
! appendic citis, and he operated three times
for the same disease before it received its
name at the hands of his distinguished
associate.
| Under the arduous strain of his ex-
| tended service DR.. Halls health broke
down in spite of the relief afforded by
several vacations, and he came to Santa
Barbara in the fall of 1899.
| From here he went to the Sandwich ISL
ands, but returned in a short time and
made Santa Barbara his home. He was
appointed chief surgeon of the Cottage
| Hospital some five years ago. and had
since performed many remarkable opera
| tions
| DR.. Hall was a contributor 10 scientific
literature, and only short time ago sent
paper by special request to the Paris
Academy of Medicine.
His skill was at all times at the service
of the poor, and he performed operation
after operation without reward save the
/ gratitude of the patient. Aside from his
| profession, DR.. Hall took an active interest
in all that pertained to Santa Barbara.
He was elected president of the Flower
| Festival Association in 1894 and retained
the office until his death. DR.. Hail was of
magnificent appearance-tail. finely pro-
| nortioned and stately