The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-09-30
HOSPITAL SITE DONATED TO AID SUFFERING;
ESTEB HOPES TO SEE INSTITUTION STARTED

I'm giving Smithfield to the county
for a tuberculosis hospital site, my
wife and | did so with the hope OF
living to see suffering humanity bene-
fitted" said David Esteb, in an inter-
view given on the subject OF the pro-
posed tuberculosis hospital for Wayne
county
THE idea originated with Mrs
Clarissa Smith, Mrs. Esteb's mother.
who had lost three of her children as
a result of the disease. At the time
of the gift there was much agitation
for a hospital for this county The
farm was given without any strings
attached. While the farm was given
for the purpose of building a hospital
upon 1t, it was understood that II, at
any time in the future, the need oil
hospital was not apparent, the coun-
" would have the farm TO dispose oil
as It saw fit
~ hope to see steps taken toward
building an institution. II county OIL
ficials believe that Wayne county does
not need a large institution, let plans
be submitted for small beginning,
with provision for expansion II the
necessity ever asserts itself II the
necessity for large hospital is never
presented, then there is no harm done.
Hospital Necessity Proved
at seems to me that the necessity
for a hospital has been proved by the
testimony of Wayne county physicians
and of tuberculosis experts One
Richmond physician has told me that
had had hnGnifal
could have placed four patients. An
other said he had three who would
have been placed in the hospital.
II hope to see relief provided for
victims of tuberculosis in this county
so that they may be given the proper
care. rather than be left to die with
out aid. 1t was with this purpose in
mind that the farm was given, and
later, the offer of $4,000 in govern
ment bonds, providing the county
made an appropriation of a like
amount With 100000 and this site
it looked to me that at least small
modern hospital could be started.
Expected Buildings
When the $4,000 bond offer was
made the county by Mr. and Mrs. Els
teb, il was with the understanding
<that a substantial hospital building be
erected by the close of this present
year Up to the present time nc
start has been made upon such
structure. and the $4,000 appropria
ton made by the county to match thai
of the Esteb offer has never beer
made available.
Following the appropriation of $50,
900 by the county council, it was ex
pected that the tax duplicates for Thu
year would include that amount, bu
they did not Before the money cal
now be made available it will be nee
essary for the appropriation to b'
made again next year if the council
wishes to proceed with the building 0
hospital, because the appropriation
passed by the council last year wa
not included in the taxes and is at
tomatically nullified at the end of thi
year
TO the farm already donated. express
ed himself generously willing to stan,
by his offer. providing the count.
takes some steps toward the erection
of a hospital. He said that he is in
terested in seeing a hospital provides
which will care for the white plagu
sufferers
IHGl tHe county HeeuS the HDSpll,i
is not doubted by Mr.. Esteb, who cite
the figures of tuberculosis experts an,
Of the state board of health to prov
the number of county deaths from tn
disease, and the relative number o
others affected.
Submits Hospital Report.
Benefits derived from the operatio,
Of a hospital for those afflicted wit
tuberculosis is pointed 10 by Mr. Is
teb. who had a copy of the annual re
Port submitted by the superintendent
of Sunnysde tuberculosis hospital, 0
Marion county, Ind, early this month
In part, the report states:
"Fifty-two eX-patients of Sunnysid
hospital, the Marion county institution
for tuberculosis afflicted, out of tn
113 patients discharged showing in
provement in health during 1920, ar
able to earn al least S52 900 year. o