Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1919-10-11
STATE BAPTJSTS
TO OPERATETHE
DAVIS HOSPITAL
VIII Be Conducted as N0n-Sec-
tartan institutions; Care for
the Poor.
ASSOCIATION WILL
RETAIN ALL LEGACIES
Re-Opening of Hospital and It's OPP
GRAFTON on Efficient and Salts
factory Basis is Assured
BY Move.

The Davis hospital will be decided
to the Arkansas Baptist association,
and operated as a non-sectarian in
stitution, with wards to care for pa
tients without resources to pay for
hospital service.
The building, the real estate on
which it stands in Cherry street, and
the furniture and equipment is to be
turned over to the Baptists free of
debt in consideration of the Baptists
maintaining the institution as the
Davis hospital.
This was decided upon at meet
ing yesterday afternoon of the board
of the Hospital and Benevolent asso-
citation, Mrs. j. W. Crawford, presi-
dent, which erected and operated the
hospital until few months ago when
lack of funds made it necessary to
close the institution. The hospital
association retains all legaces be-
queathed to it, and will use such
funds in future to give aid to charity
patients. Sufficient pledges of funds
were obtained in campaign recently
to meet the outstanding bonds.
The successful outcome of the ne
gotiations insures for Pine Bluff the
maintenance of the hospital upon the
highest standards. The Baptists are
operating hospitals in several cities,
and have the organization to provide
efficient and satisfactory service
here. The proposal to take over the
Davis hospital was first suggested to
the Arkansas Baptist association some
months ago. Later r. Carnahan and
Rev. w. c. Wood, DESTROYS of having
the institution maintained in Pine
Bluff, visited Little Rock and inter-
ested the Baptists' state board.
f. P. Alldredge, secretary of the
state association, examined the prop
erty few days ago, following which
the local workers were advised that
the Baptists would assume response
bility of maintaining the hospital if
the property were decided to them free
of debt
The resolution adopted by the Hos
pital and Benevolent association yes
terday authorizing the transfer of the
property practically completes the
transaction. 1t is expected that the
Baptists will assume charge immedi-
lately, and that the hospital will be
re-opened within a short while.
Assumption by the Baptists of re-
sponsibility of operating the Davis
hospital is made possible through the
$75, 100000 campaign to be conducted
throughout the South next month. It
marks the first specific achievement
in the state under the $75,OOO,OOO
campaign plans showing how these
funds will be expended. The Davis
hospital will be the first of five SIM
liar institutions to be operated in the
state by the Baptists. Work on a
hospital building at Little Rock to
cost 100000 will be started in few
months, according to reports from
the capital city.
Completed in 1909.
The Davis Hospital was completed
in 1909, but it was not until August 1,
1910 that it was opened. The erect
ion Of the Davis hospital represented
a number of successive stages, all
marked by hard work, and unceasing
effort on the part of few people who
were untiring their efforts to obtain
a charity hospital for the city,
Various societies contributed sums
in small amounts toward the estab-
lishment of the hospital. These sums
were gained. in various ways, but
principally thru entertainments or a
feature of like nature.
After $4,000 had been raised in
this manner, the foundation for the
hospital was laid There was then a
period of about three years during
which more money was raised in the
same manner as before, to complete
the structure. The completion was
facilitated greatly by the donation of
will of the late Maj. w. H. Davis, a
planter north of the river, after whom
the hospital was named.
The erection of the hospital was
finally insured by the directors bor-
rowing about $4,000. When the
hospital was completed, it stood un-
opened for a year because of lack of
funds to furnish and equip. This
obstacle was overcome however,, and
the hospital was finally opened with
a capacity for taking care of rs
patients.
From the opening, it's success has
been marked. It filled decided need
| in Pine Bluff at that time, and has
continued to do so, and will no doubt
do so in the future. Besides its
success in furnishing a charity hos
pital, it's financial management has
enabled the trustees to pay the inter-
est on loans promptly, pay taxes, and
build sidewalks.
While everyone connected with the
hospital deserves credit for their
time and energy, and whole-souled
| efforts of Mrs. !. W. Crawford de.
served marked credit, and it is fire.
quently said that had it not been for
i her efforts, the Davis hospital would