The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1920-06-11
NOTES ABOUT THE
STATE HOSPITAL

! followed my pastor out to the
State Hospital chapel few Sundays
ago to see that he got back safely, and
as he, acquitted himself very creditab-
lly, indeed, they permitted him to leave
withS1t keeping himaon probation.
Going gave me bright idea,
namely, that could, by attending
church services there regularly, have
the opportunity to- hear al the pas
tors of the town without necessarily
missing a service Of my own church,
as the services at the Hospital are at
2 o'clock every Sunday afternoon and
given in turn by the different pastors
of the town.
/ notice that DR.. Eaton does not
merely give the privilege of having
services, but attends with his wife,
and both assist in the song services.
He also personally sees the patients
and insists that they go to church.
His staff was also present.
The behavior of the audience of pa
tients was far better than that of
some people in the audience of my
own church this morning. A dear old
lady dressed in soft gray took an
aisle seat four rows back from the
front. From her rapt attention
and pale, thin face judged her to be
rather a "shut-in" and that listening
to sermon was treat that she was
not privileged to have very often,
Now enters youth and beauty in one in
the shape Of beautiful young wo-
man escorted by the usher and accom-
panied by young man and little
child. Since there was not room
enough for the three in the row
pointed out by the usher, the young
woman steps back to the seat occu-
pied by the old lady in gray and mo-
tons to her to move farther on. She
very reluctantly does so but not far
enough to suit the imperious beauty
and she motions her further on until
the old lady is at the end of the row,
and if her hearing isn't good the
whole sermon is spoiled for her.
saw nothing like that in the State
Hospital chapel.
After services, stopping at the Ad-
ministration Hall to leave a package
for patient, found lady from St.
Louis who had come to see patient,
not knowing the ruling that Thurs
| days only are visiting days. On hear
| ing this information she burst into
tears and things began to appear as
| if a new patient would have to be ad-
mitted instead of visitor. However,
after explaining the impossibility OF
permitting her to see her invalid sis
ter in the usual way the Superintend-
ent set about finding an unusual way
which was found, of course, only
through his courtesy and that of the
official called upon to bring the pa
tient to the Administration Hall. :
1t seems that Sunday visitors have
so abused their privileges that the
attendants, in a body, have utterly re-
fused to have any more Sunday visit
ing and have chosen Thursdays only
as visiting day. Much as the Super
intendent would like to accommodate
worthy visitors he can't without giv-
ing the undesirables a chance, too.
While it seems that his help rules
him, yet DIR. Eaton knows when to
take the reins in his own hands, which
he did a few days ago when he dis
charged an attendant for slapping a
patient, first giving her an imppmptu
lecture.
With the coming of the spring days
and the song birds and flowers, out
door life is insisted upon for NIL who
can be out.
While errors and mistakes can and
do occur here the same as anywhere
else, l think all patrons of the insti-
tuition can rest assured that the man.
agement stands ready to correct when
these are brought to their attention,
which I'm sure we can't say of all
arrangements Of institutions.
We hope and pray for the speedy
recovery of the injured Secretary
whose useful and efficient service has
meant so much to the Hospital.
| -- AIIEAINNyN n Iff-IITINp