The Farmington times., 1919-02-07
A Hospital for
Pennington I?

How does that question sound to
you? What would be your desire in
the matter? Then, what would be
your answer to such a question?
To The Times 1t appears that this
is the opportune time to answer such
question in the affirmative. The
many patients that are being taken
out of this community every mocth,
to Bonne Terre, st. Louis, and to hos
pitfalls elsewhere, would appear to be
sufficient answer to the question as to
whether such an institution, erected
and conducted along the latest and
most approved advances in medical
science, would appear TO be sufficient
answer to the query as to whether or
not such institution would be a pay
ing investment.
But, leaving out of consideration as
to whether or not such an enterprise
would bring attractive profits to the
stockholders, would it not be splen-
did investment for Pennington along
the line of keeping up with the pub
lie needs? In this day, proficient and
efficient hospital treatment is sought
by all, in cases of accident or serious
sickness, where the best of treatment
is desired, as well as required, in Or
der to bring about the best possible
results.
Pennington has had sufficient ex-
perience with hospitals in the past to
demonstrate the need of such an in
stitution in this community, though
they have heretofore been of an en-
tirely too limited capacity for the ac-
complishment of the greatest good to
the community and people. Then there
is wide territory surrounding this
city from which a properly conducted
hospital would most certainly draw
for the relief of the sick and afflicted
But the best part of this entire pro-
position, as it appeals to The Times,
is the fact that there is now in our
community an eminent physician and
surgeon, who has but recently returned
from seventeen strenuous months of
service in the trenches of France,
who would doubtless be pleased to ac-
cept the management of a hospital
here, which he could soon make one
OF the best to be found in the entire
State. We refer to DR.. Geo. L. Wat
kins, whose splendid success in the
practice of both medicine and surgery
has drawn wide attention, even before
his postgraduate" course in France,
which has evidently given him a
knowledge Of the successful treat
ment of disease and wounds second to
none.
That DR.. Watkins has a personal
liking, as well as special ability, for
hospital practice, is also known to his
many friends. He has already had
extensive hospital experience, and
Thf Times ventures the assertion that
nothing would please him more than
to be offered the management of a
thoroughly up-to-date hospital right
here in Pennington, the home he loves
so well. Many have expressed fear
that DR.. Watkins might become dis
satisfied with his somewhat circum-
scribed field of practice in Farming
ton, and might look for larger field
of practice. To all such we would
suggest that the building Of suita-
BILE hospital in Pennington, and put
ting him in charge of it, would also
perhaps be the best possible method
of guaranteeing the continued resi-
dence of DR.. Watkins in Pennington.
The above has been suggested to
the writer by reason of the we'll known
popularity of DR.. Watkins in this COM
munity, as well as the remark we have
often heard of late, that "he is really
too big for this community" 1t is
published in the hope of serving a
two-fold purpose-of not only helping
Pennington to secure an establish
ment that would result to her inesti-
mable good, as we'll as "tying" DR..
Watkins to this community with
strings that he would have no desire
or inclination to break.
Mr.. Business Man, Mr.. Professional
Man, Mr.. Farmer, Mr.. Financier, what
do YOU think of this suggestion?