Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-02
THE sHELTERING ARMS HOSPITAL
Origin of This Institution anu 'ne
Same of Its Work.

In the year 1889 Miss Rebekah PeterKin
founded the Sheltering Arms Hospitai.
For some years previous to this she had
been anxious to see a free hospl'al -.
this city. as her work among the pooi
'earsroded her of the great need or such
q charity. At that period there were no
college hospitals, and, besides the Retred'
for the Sick, there were only prNdeo
sanitariums and the City Almshouse Hos-
pital. soo,,,,.,
To the latter place the self-respectlhs
moor are much opposed. Several move
ments had been made at various 'iii,vS
towards this work, but 1t was left TO TINS
benevolent and ardent soul to establish
n This she did in the midst or great
difficulties. BY her unfiinching courage
she sustained the faith OF her assistants
hut after two years she was calleu 10
higher work, and they accepted the
legacy of the Sheltering Arms Hospital
sustained by her example.
Manv disbursements and drawbacks
beset them, but they have toned on tlii
now this hospital Is the only one In the
citv entirely free TO the needy poor IL
IS non-sectarian and Is without endow-
ment. being entirely supported by It's
friends I'm Richmond and other parts OF
the State The City Council has maze
some appropriation to 1t for several years
This wear they appropriated 1915. The
greater mart of the money received Is con-
tributed by its friends in Richmond. Any
physician in good standing in his pro-
fession can practice here. but he VIII re-
ceive no fee. The physicians OF iSich-
mond give their services when calieo
upon. The Executive Committee leei
ANXIOUS TO bring this work before the
under
stood by every one. The main reason Tor
bringing 1t up at this time is that the
subject OF the need for city hospital has
been recently opened in one CT the news
papers II seems to the Executive COM
mittee OF the Sheltering Arms Hospital
that Richmond is already well supplied
with hospitals OF every kind. Persons OF
means in need of hospital treatment have
a large selection open TO them. 10 the
poor and needy the Sheltering Arms opens
it's doors, and will do SO as long as there
Is ANYTHING In the treasury. II was re-
Gently stated in one OF the newspapers
that a certain physician IN Richmond nao
a patient In need Of hospital treatment,
but owing to his disability to practice at
the college hospitals. he had no place 10
which he could take this patient. we
would now state to him, and to all per-
SOILS Ill lbiCAdlCt Va tnC ph~s>~-,'6
that this hospital is entirely free to all
white persons In needy circumstances.
1t is well equipped, and. under the man
agement Of Miss Mary Gauie. superin-
tendent, Is entirely satisfactory to the
physicians practlcing there. 1t Is hoped
that when this work IL more thoroughly
known and appreciated. there VIII be no
further thought of having another hos
pital in Richmond. but that all persons
interested in n new movement VIII unite
with us In perfectIng the sheltsring Arms
and supporting the same whose object
and intention has always been to be the
free city hospital of Richmond.
nv order Of the Executive COMMITTEES:
President, Mrs. Francis Deane Williams;
First vice-Presadent. Miss Frances
Scott: Second vice-President, Mrs. r.
Il. Robinson: Third Vice-President. Mrs.
l. 2. Janney; Fourth vicePresident,