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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes-Advocate, 1979-06-13, Page 35District men pitched in The South Huron Hospital Association was first organized in September, 1949, just two weeks after Exeter Lions Club voted financial assistance to the hospital campaign. Representatives from Usborne, Stephen, Crediton, Grand Bend, and Exeter met in the Central Hotel, enjoyed a beef dinner, and voted 100 percent to build a hospital. The 30 men agreed to form an association and elected E.D. Bell, Q.C., chairman. R.N. Creech, retired Exeter newspaper editor, was named treasurer and chairman of the finance committee. W.G. Cochrane was elected secretary. Other officers elected were: Publicity and promotion com­ mittee: C.S. MacNaughton, J.M. Southcott. Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee: J.G. Dunlop, M.D. Honorary presidents: A.Y. McLean, M.P., and Thos. Pryde, M.L.A. Building committee: Edward Lindenfield, Harry Beaver, Ivan Kalbfleisch, Maurice Klumpp, Walter Spencer and A.J. Sweitzer. Finance committee: Reeves of all municipalities in the district and chairmen of all trustee boards of police villages. Exeter subcommittee on finance: Ulric Snell, E.R. Hopper, A.O. Elliot. A.J. Traquair, Exeter, was chairman for the meeting and led the discussion on the project. E.D. Bell outlined the general financing, and capital and operating costs. He said every organization in the district could render invaluable service during the campaign and after the hospital is in operation. Dr. J.G. Dunlop advised the meeting that all members of the MEALS ON WHEELS — have been prepared at the hospital since February, 1971. Here, Lila Smith and Christine Philips serve the first dinners ever to be delivered by the sponsoring group, the Exeter United Church. Pioneer of Exeter Site was Carling estate The history of the Carling Estate on which South Huron Hospital was erected dates back to the early days of Exeter when the pioneers, mostly Devonshire people, came to the Huron tract and hewed out for themselves homes from the virgin forest. Itwas in 1843 that Isaac Carling came to Exeter from London where the Carling family first settled after medical profession had indicated their support. He outlined the need for the hospital, noting this was the only district in many miles without such a service and that this prosperous agricultural community could well support it. Seventy-five percent of those patients taken to city hospitals could be properly treated in a South Huron Hospital, he said. E.R. Hopper stated a local building would relieve the crowded conditions in Victoria and St. Joseph’s Hospitals at London. Others who publicly endorsed the project were Dr. H.H. Cowen, Thomas Pryde, Ulric Snell, Elmer Lawson, H.K. Eilber. R.N. Creech had already laid plans for raising funds. He felt that a group system would be desirable. If 30 men were approached for $1,000 donations each, the association would soon know whether or not it could build the hospital. When the $1,000 group was exhausted, similar groups would be approached for lesser amounts. C.S. MacNaughton referred to the Lions Club fund of $5,500 for cam­ paign expenses. He praised the effort put forth by a group of airforce wives who had contributed $100 towards the hospital fund, the proceeds of a rug raffle. Attending the meeting besides those mentioned were: Eric McIlroy, Grand Bend; Garnet Hicks, Usborne; Harry Beaver, G.C. Zwicker, H.K. Eilber and Lome Hodge, of Crediton, and A.J. Sweitzer, Ken Wein, Harvey Pollen, R.E. Pooley, W.E. Middleton, Sheldon Wein, T.O. Southcott, H.O. Southcott and A.O. Elliot, Exeter. Three days after the Association was organized, the first personal donation of $1,000 was received from Eric McIlroy, of Grand Bend. The campaign was on! coming out from England. Mr. Carling started a tannery and along with the tannery the Carlings operated a general store. In 1873 when Exeter was in­ corporated as a village, Isaac Carling was the first reeve. As reeve he served on the county council. He also represented South Huron in parliament. HEALTH MINISTERS VISIT HOSPITAL — Health ministers from both the provincial and federal government have paid visits to South Huron Hospital since it was opened, and they have all had glowing remarks foi the hospital staff and board. This photo shows Dr. M.B. Dymond, right, Ontario health minister, during a visit to the hospital in 1959. With him from the left are: Mayor R.E. Pooley; Mrs. Marian Learn, assistant superintendent; C.S. MacNaughton, Huron MPP; William Ellerington, chairman of the hospital board. Thousands came to inspect first hospital Approximately 5,000 people visited South Huron Hospital when it was opened for a two-day inspection in January 1953. Members of the Hospital Auxiliary conducted tours of the 35-bed facilities, and visitors contributed over $1,100 in donations. In the basement, the Hospital Auxiliary also served^ tea and proceeds from this venture netted over $500 and charter membership in the ladies’ group was increased to 200 as several ladies decided to join the organization. Of the many favorable comments on the hospital the following people who were interviewed expressed what most of the people felt. Usborne Reeve Verne Pincombe said “It was a pleasant surprise to me to visit the new hospital and see the wonderful job that has been done. Hospital built in one year Local builder saved day In 1951, members of the recently formed South Huron Hospital Association announced publicly the hospital might not be built, despite the generosity and enthusiasm being shown towards the project. The simple fact was that the tenders received on the original call for prices ranged over $100,000 more than what had been expected. This was perhaps the most disappointing blow received by the hospital backers and it was a blow that almost shelved the project. But once again, a local figure emerged. This time it was Helge Jensen, the man who became supervisor of construction on the building. The native of Denmark built the hospital in less than a year, saved the Association countless dollars with his knowledge of construction, worked tirelessly and endlessly on the project. He was another for whom the hospital became a monument, I didn’t think it was possible to have anything as nice as that in our community.” Earl Campbell, Reeve of Hay, thought it a fine project for this part of the county and that a wonderful job had been done with the funds that were’available. “I haven’t seen anything to compare with it. This hospital is a credit to the community,” com­ mented Stephen Deputy-Reeve Wellington Haist. Among the guests present was Mrs. Louise Craig, daughter of William Carling, whose father was the first member of the Carling family to be'born in the present house in 1858. She was proud and happy that* South Huron Hospital was built in the former Carling Estate, noting it was a fine tribute to the memory of one of Exeter’s pioneer families. because it might not be there without him. After receiving the high quotations on the construction costs, the Association turned to Helge in their “hour of despair,” when he told them he thought he could build the hospital for the price the Association could pay. Also clearing away the clouds of despair was the fact the Carling estate became available and there was speculation if this house and its grounds could be used for the hospital to advantage. Helge Jensen went to work on the plans, broke the construction down to minute detail, considered the assets of local labor, noted where money could be saved, how construction would be more economical, and how the Carling house could be used at a saving. Under his guidance, the hospital was built inside of one year., despite the fact there were only 15 men on the job at most times during con­ struction. Page 5