Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1913-05-28
HOSPITAL PROJECT
IS FORMULATED
/,
VIM. HI. Smith Will Give SO, ,OOO. 90
Toward Raising of $25,OOO.OO
Fund.
DIR. GUTHRIE OF DUBUQUE
CHIEF OPERATING SURGEON.
Hospital Will be Managed by Five
Trustees With Hospital Staff
Comprising Physicians of
Winneshiek County.

1 w nucsIIck SOuuty.
The hospital committee of the De-
corah Commercial Club, consisting
OF Ben Bear, c. j. Weiser, E. J. Cur
tin, Rev. Paul Koren, l.. S. Dale, G..
F. Baker and HI. j. Green have spent
several weeks in an effort to prepare
for presentation to the people of De-
corah a proposition looking to the
establishment of a hospital here that
would include every provision and
every facility for an institution of
the highest standing, something that
every citizen of northeastern Iowa
might feel justly proud of, and that
would insure to the people of this
part of the state the very highest sur
gical talent and ability, as well as
the highest type of modern facilities
for hospital care and attendance.
While the committee were busy
with the all important part of the
work, the engagement of chief op-
Grating surgeon, Mr.. VIM. H. Smith
of this city came forward with a
very generous offer to give $4,000
for hospital in Decorah, provided
the citizens raise $4,000 additional,
making fund of $25, 100000 for the
establishment and maintenance of
the institution. This splendid offer
of Mr.. Smith came at an opportune
time, and is greatly appreciated by
every citizen. 1t will make possible
just such hospital as is needed.
The committee have been very de-
sirous of securing for this hospital
the eminent services of DR.. J. R..
Guthrie of Dubuque, and after three
visits to Decorah, the meeting of the
laNmmittee with him on Saturday
evening consummated the arrange
ments satisfactorily. so that he has
promised to visit Decorah at least
one day week (Thursdays) and as
much oftener as his services may be
required, either on emergency cases
or otherwise, for a term of at least
f1ve years. DR.. Guthrie Is unques-
tionably one of the most eminent sur
geons in the middle west. He is
Dean of the Medical College and
Professor of Gynecology in the State
University of Iowa, and is operating
surgeon of the state university hos
pital at Iowa City and of Mercy Hos
pital and Findlay Hospital of Du-
buque, which positions he has held
for twenty-five years. He is recog-
nized throughout the entire country
as one of the great surgeons of the
United States, and we feel that De.
corah and northeastern Iowa is ex-
ceptiOnally fortunate in securing a
surgeon of his standing to take
charge of their hospital. Associated
with him will be Hospital STAFF
of all the physicians and surgeons
of Winneshiek county, who will joint.
ly have direct charge of the manage.
ment and control of the hospital to.
gether with a board of five trustees
to be elected from among the DON
ors. A competent head nurse will
be placed in direct charge of the
hospital. No discrimination will be
made in the hospital management
Every reputable physician and sur.
geon will have equal privilege. Pa
tients may send for any reputable
surgeons they desire, and they will
be welcome to the use of the hospit-
al.
The matter of location has not
yet been seriously considered. There
are a dozen or more sites available
and an entire new building may be
erected. All this will have to be de-
termined after the money is raided
Work has already begun upon the
raising Of the $4,000 needed to Sc
cure the $4,000 offered by Mr.
Smith. Now is the opportunity for
the hundreds who have been talking
hospital for some years to come for
ward with liberal subscriptions to
the hospital fund. A great opportu-
nifty is presented us, and we must
not fail. We regard the successful
establishment and conduct of thi:
institution in our midst the most ad
vantageous opportunity that ha.
come to us since the location of Luth
er College here. Subscriptions viii
be received at all the Decorah bank.
or by any of the above named com
mittee. Do not wait to be solicited
lido something for the good of tn,