Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1920-01-04

tween Fourth and Fifth streets, its di-
mansions beeing 4Sx137 feet. In 1907
the first addition was built. In 1917
the second addition was constructed
and the hospital now covers the entire
block between State street and WASH
ington street on Fifth street and on
state street extends to point not far
from Fourth street.
PRIVATE LAUNDRY
On Fourth street, occupying a sep
arate building, is the hospital laundry,
which is thoroughly modern and en-
ables the hospital management to care
for the bedding and other washable
materials at a minimum expense.
At the present time the hospital has
capacity for 1875 patients, five times the
number originally cared for. During
the year 1918 the patients who passed
within it's portals numbered 1000.
The real estate upon which the hos
pital is situated has an interesting his
tory. In 1855 Mr.. and Mrs. John A.
O'Farrell. pioneers Of Idaho, decided as
a gift to the Rev. Toussaint Mesplie,
as trustee. the block of ground now oc-
cupied by the hospital, and the first
Catholic church built in Boise was
erected thereon, Father Mesplie being
its pastor. The construction work was
done by soldiers from Fort Boise.
BURNS DOWN
Subsequently the church was de-
stroyed by fire and when the subject
of rebuilding on the hospital site was
discussed it was felt that the location
was not sufficiently central. There
after block of ground was purchased
by the congregation, the location Of
which was between Ninth, Tenth,
Bannock and jefferson streets, and the
church building which replaced the
burned structure was erected at Ninth
and Bannock streets. When the Sis
tiers of the Holy Cross decided to build
the hospital title to the real estate
now occupied by it was obtained by
paying off mortgage then standing
against the property, which had been
incurred during the occupancy Of the
ground as church.
Among the people of Boise whose
names appear as donors Of furniture
to equip rooms completely are Mrs. e..
III. Beggs. Mr.. and Mrs. Alfred Eoff.
General Green and Mrs. Green. Mr..
and Mrs. Frank r. Coffin, Tim Kinney,
Mr. and Mrs. L. p. Grunbauni, Mr.. and
Mrs Thomas Ranahan, Mrs. George
Collister, DR.. and Mrs. r. Il. Maxey,
Mrs. p. p Shelby. Mrs. w. N. Donald
son, Mrs, II. p. Ustick, Dir. +. A. Pit
finger Adolph Schneider. William ST.
denfaden. the Givens family in memory
of their mother. Mrs. Ellen Givens, Mr.
and Mrs Timothy Regain Mr.. and Mrs.
F. E. Weymouth and the Nathan Falk
family To these should be added the
graduating class of the nurses training
school for the year 1910. Bishop Clio
rieux and st. Johns congregation.
MANY UNKNOWN DONORS
I naddition to these there are I'M
doubtedly other persons whose names
as donors were by their own request
withheld from publicity.
! St. Alphonsus' hospital Is a three
story institution. On the first floor
will be found the office, now in charge
of Sister Jane Chantal, reception
rooms, rooms for general patients. not
operative cases, and the obstetrical de-
partment, which is now and for many
wears has been in charge Of Sister NJ
Speciosa, whose long service among the
babies has made her a wonderfully ca
pable woman in her line of work
During an average year the storks
leave 400 babies at st. Alphonsus' hos
pital and the mortality record show.
comparatively few deaths. The depart.
ment contains fully equipped deliv-
cry room, the obstetrical table beint
instantly convertible for instrumental
deliveries. The baby bathtubs are the
most sanitary obtainable.
The second floor OF the hospital con
tains rooms for patients who undergo
major surgical operations.
on this floor, also, is the dressing
room, where dressings are applied Il
surgical cases. and modern x-ra!
, room.
NURSES ROOMS
On the third floor of the hospital on
finds the surgery, rooms for patient
operated upon for affections Of the eye
! ear, nose and throat, and dormitorie
for the student nurses. all Of whom
: live in the hospital during the period o
, training. The nurses dormitories nc
} commodate 80 student-nurses.
The surgery department consists o
, four operating rooms, two of which ar
used for major operations and two 70
minor operations and for operations o.
, the eye, ear. nose and throat. In con
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