Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1916-06-15
\ TRUE PHYSICIAN.

of your paper who were shocked to read
of tho sudden death from pneumonia, OF
Dr. Walter II. Merriam c.. V. M. 'S9) at
mis- home in Cleveland, Ohio. recently.
Many of these readers were early friends
who never came to know much as to his
mature life. Not only would they like to
learn something of his career but there
is that in his life which must be n source
Of inspiration and of interest to everyone.
! therefore hope you may find room for
this letter in your columns.
DR. Merriam was not only well trained
doctor but a real ply sician in the hignes
meaning of that term, beloved IN hundreds
of homes, and respected and honored by
his colleagues. Moreover, he won his
spurs in the face of srcat difficulties, diff
ficultes that taught him the higher mean
iugs of life and made his own life one of
kindness and service to others. He was
born in Malone. y. Y, September {, 1861,
and graduated from the academy
, there in 1855. Then followed his four
years course in the University Of Ner-
mont, from which he received his degree
in 1889. Not having the money necessary
to pursue the studies of his chosen pro-
fession of medicine, he entered the office
of one of Vermonts large producing in
dustres and in 1891 was sent to its CleVe-
land branch The following We're years
of courageous struggles. but in 1898 ne
was graduated from the Western Reserve
Medical College. After this he occupied
various minor teaching positions until
1901 when he became one of the assistants
in medicine at Charity hospital dispensary
| in Cleveland.
In 1907 he went abroad for three years
Much of this time was spent in medical
clinic at Munich under DIR. Frederick Null
lar, hut he also studied in Berlin and Wen
ma and in the London hospitals. When
he returned to Cleveland he was made
physician in charge of the medical dispen-
sary of Charity hospital connected with
Western Reserve Medical College. Here
he taught medicine to the third and
! fourth year men of the medical college
| using the dispensary cases for demonstra-
ton. He was an enthusiastic teacher ana
loved this work among the students. They
! in turn were very fond of him and his
place on the faculty will he a hard one to
fill. He was conscientious to a fault and
painstakinE in his treatment of the dis
| pensary poor, many of whom he knew
! personally, and among whom he did n
great deal of gratuitous service. 4 man
connected with another hospital in Cleve-
| land said of him that he was the best
fitted to do real social service of any man
he knew
Two of the physicians Of Cleveland who
were his colleagues and associates have
written concerning him. one says: He
was my very dear friend, my former
teacher, my cherished colleague tiis
frank and manly honesty, his sturdy i'll
dependence, his kindness and a certain
winning spirit of comradeship which drew
to MIN alike both old and young will
Keep his memory always fresh" And the
other writes: His genteness, his broad
mindedness his unfailing courtesy ana his
Kindly consideration for others impressed
me deeply. He was indeed the ideal phys
lclan and did splendid service to others
Vermont and New York friends VIII
quickly recognize the winning comrade-
snip and will he glad to know that he
Kept this early characteristic to the end
No mention of DR.. Merram's life would
''e at all complete without reference to his
Wlfe. His was one of the most successful
OF marriages. Mrs. Merriam, by her sym
pathy and devotion in their beautiful
home. no less than by her social tact and
charm wherever she went, contributed in
fluleet measure to his happiness and to
his success.
Dr. Merriam was sFk only six days
and was taken in the midst of busy
and occupied life. His former pastor
Journeyed from New York city In order
to conduct the funeral services In life
he ever gave the impression of perfect
bodily health and vigor and it is diff
cult to realize the event. Yet such
events are common. They befall every
circle from time to time There are
some old lines of verse-lines obscure
and didactic--little known and seldom
remembered-yet breathing sometime
or the true spirit of poetry and OF the
event that has separated us from our
friend:
{ When thou dost bid thy friend farewell,
70 Hut for night though that farewell
, may be
y Gasp thou his palm with thine. How
: canst thou tell
\ Ho" far from thee
r"'e or caprice may lead his steps ERE
mat to-morrow's dawn?
Men have been known
To lightly turn the corner of a street
And days have grown
~ "''"t''' anu months to tagging wears
Efe they have looked in loving eyes
again.
Fart'hgS AT best arc underlad with
tears,
. with tears and pain.
Z Therefore lost sudden death sho,,d
a come between,
: or time or distance, clasp with pres.
j sure true
hpn of hot
Unseen Fate gooth too
And find thou ever time to say
Some earnest word amid the idle talk
y Lest with thee henceforth, even night
p and day,
n Regret should walk.
t CHARLES l.. BARSTOW.
New York, June 10.
Ill IL La 49,.