The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1939-1949, 1949-07-22
Urgent Need For A Hospital
In 1909 Told; Many Died

for a hospital in Kennewick
has been found in the files of
the Courier-Reporter issued
in August of 1909.
At that time, a typhoid
epidemic struck the small
but lusty town of Kenne-
wick, and laid low many of
its inhabitants.
Death claimed many lives
before the fast spreading
disease was brought under con-
troll. Some of the towns leading
citizens, including E. P. Greene,
editor and publisher of the Cour-
ier- Reporter, were among those
who died.
Death claimed many lives be
fore the fast spreading disease
was brought under control. Some
Of the towns leading citizens,
including E. P. Greene, editor
and publisher of the Courier.
Reporter, were among those who
died.
The Courier files and the
memories of several old time
residents reveal that those still
able to get around organized
several temporary hospitals.
Medical assistance in these
places was limited to easing the
suffering Of the stricken, since
medicines and supplies were
few. One of these hospitals was
established on the top floor of
the building which now houses
the city hall.
Such facilities were of an
emergenly nature, and although
much suffering was lessened by.
their services, they were not ade-
quate to handle the demand,
Many people who needed atten.
ton had to remain in their
homes.
Among those who remember
this epidemic are Ralph Reed
and Alfred Anon. Reed says that
suffering was widespread and
that he hopes nothing like that
ever happens again. Anon, now:
chairman Of the Kennewick hos.
pital fund drive, said, III we
had been fortunate enough to
have had q hospital here in 1909,
a lot Of people who died may
have been saved. AS I remember
1t, many Of the people who were
the mainsprings Of our town
were among those who were
stricken. Think what that might
mean II It were repeated today"
Anon pointed out that al
though the surrounding coun-
tryside now includes cities with
hospital facilities, these would
not be adequate to cope with
Kennewick's present population.
Also, such epidemics spread so
fast that immediate attention is
required to effectively control
them.
This Is also true In the case of
traffic and farm accidents, when
immediate medical attention in
a hospital Is essential If the VIC
tim is to live. In many such cases
It Is impossible to move an in.
jured person more than a mini.
mum distance without endan-
gering his life. Time is also q
factor and with traffic moving
as It does In the Tri. City area
It could easily mean the differ
ence between life and death to
move an injured man across
the bridge to Pasco or take him
to Richland.
There Is no question about
the need for q hospital here In
Kennewick," Anon said. "The
only question is when do we get
one? And the answer to that lies
with the people of Kennewick.
We are now engaged in a drive
to raise funds for the construc-
ton Of a hospital. If every per.
son In Kennewick supports the
drive to the limit Of his ability,
we Will have the hospital.
This drive is community
sponsored and directed, and it
Is definitely a community re.
sponsibility. When the field
workers 60 out In the near fu-
ture, invite them into your home
30 that they can tell you the
story OF the Kennewick Hospital
Fund Drive. And then give ev-
cry penny you can afford. The
success Of the entire campaign
depends on the contributions of
The citizens of Kennewick."