Clinton News-Record, 1985-1-30, Page 3Mews and featares
Freezer main purchase in 1914
CLINTON NEWS -RECORD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 30.190 --Page 3
�fiSfl%%,si.F
Gunn opened hospital
Editor's note: 1985 marks the 80th an-
niversary of the Clinton Public Hospital. To
honor the eight decades of hospital service
in Clinton, Patti Munnings, of the Clinton
Hospital Auxiliary, will be researching and
writing a monthly column on the history of
the hospital.
Her account begins in the late 1800s when
Dr. William Gunn set up his medical prac-
tice in Clinton and went on to organnile Clin-
ton's first Public Hospital.
By Patti Munnings
"Most of my critical operations were per:
formed in farmhouse kitchens, with the light
of a coal -oil lamp," Dr.William Gunn once
said, "and more than once I had to stop in
the middle of an operation to catch the lamp
from falling hands of afamily assistant who
fainted while holding it."
This was proof to Dr. Gunn that the need
for a hospital in Clinton was critical ....a
dream he would realize in 1899.
Dr. William Gunn was born on April 14,
1855 near Beaverton, Ontario, and was the
son of John Gunn who was born in
Glenrobin, Scotland in 1797, and Christina
Grant who was born in 181.9 in Dornoch,
. Scotland. Following primary education in
Beaverton, Jarvis St. Collegiate, and Toron-
to Model School, he entered the University
of Toronto to study medicine, and while
there was an outstanding athlete. He receiv-
ed his degree of Bachelor of Medicine in 1881
from the University of Toronto, Master. of
Surgery in 1881 from Victoria University,
!sand a further medical degree from the Edin-
burgh University in 1882. In the same year
he opened his first practice of medicine in
Brucefield, and a short time later moved to
Clinton. In 1888 Dr. Gunn married Christine
Ross of Woodville, Ontario and brought her
home to Clinton.
In 1899, Dr. Gunn purchased the A.T. Salt
Restaurant at the northwest corner of Vic
toria and Cutter Street where he opened his
first private hospital. His long awaited
dream began to take shape! His friend
James Flynn, a popular blacksmith in Clin-
ton.made a set of surgical instruments for
Dr. Gunn, and these are now preserved .at
CLINTON - President Ester Wright
opened the 1984 Annual meeting of the
Clinton Hospital Auxiliary on January 14.
Roberta Plumsteel presented the
treasurer's report and thanked Earl
Hilderley for having audited the books.
Receipts during 1984 of $12,600.00 allowed
the Auxiliary to donate $8,000.00 to the
purchrse of a Walk -In freezer necessary to
the kitchen.
Bursaries were awarded in the amount of
$500.00; a planter was bought for the sun
room; and with the Teenage Volunteer
program and the hairdressing department
both needing money for supplies, the year
end balance was $1,116.00.
The annual committee reports were then
presented. Lina Cochrane, in reading the
report of the television convenor, noted that
' although the T.V. rental charges at Clinton
Public Hospital (CPH) are the most
inexpensive in the county, the committee
was able to present a cheque for $1500.00 to
the Auxiliary.
Marny Walden spoke on the work ,of the
. Accreditation Committee, a new committee
established to conform with the standards of
the newly acquired Hospital Accreditation.
Patti Munnings, in her historian's report,
made special mention of the book Doris
Batkin had recently donated to the
Auxiliary.
Marie Proctor, although unable to be
present, sent the tray favors report in which
favors were prepared for 13 special days by
,13 varying groups and organizations. She
also reported that $1467.00 had been realized
in 1984 by the Vanishing Card parties.
the Clinton Public Hospital.
In 1902 the townspeople sent a petition to
the federal government asking if the
building on the land being -cleared for a post
office, could be moved and added to Dr.
Gunn's present building to form a larger
hospital. This petition was granted. By 1903
the hospital was reported to have 20. rooms,
including an operating room for surgical
cases.
Dr. Gunn's Private Hospital became
Public in 1905 when he was granted a
charter from the .government. This was the
beginning of the first Clinton PUBLIC
Hospital. The Board •of Management con-
sisted of Dr. Gunn, President and Dr. J.W.
Shaw, Vice President. They were assisted
by D.L. MacPherson, Harrison Wiltse and
Wm. Brydone.Dr. Gunn's nephew, Dr. JohnGunn also as'$isted his unclefor a time.
Assistants at other times were Dr. McRae,
Dr. Hill, Dr. W. Clark, then came Dr.. J.G.
Gandier.
' At this time Dr. Gunn was living on Rat-
tenbury Street, one house west of the Farrah
home, and established an office in a small
house on Ontario Street.
In the Clinton newspaper, The New Era,
his practice of medicine. was advertises) fre=
quently; "Dr. W. Gunn, R.C.P. L.R.C.S. On-
tario Street, Clinton. Night calls in front
door of residence on Rattenbury Street op-
posite Presbyterian Church."
In 1909, Dr. Gunn noticed a crowd
gathered around a large house at the corner
of Kirk and High Streets, a block from his
hospital, and in curiosity he brought his
horse and buggy to a stop, and joined the
crowd. A few minutes later, much to his sur-
prise, he had bid on this large house which
was being auctioned, and"became the owner
of it! It was said that his wife wept fo? days
when she heard the news. From his home he
conducted his private practice.
Dr. Gunn went overseas in the first world
war and the hospital was closed for four.
years. With Dr. Gunn off to war, people of
Clinton wondered if their hospital would
ever reopen.
To be continued. •
The buying report, presented by Kathleen
Siertsema included the purchase of a silver
mug for the first baby in 1985, poinsettias for
the cafeteria, Christmas gifts for the
patients and silver spoons for the
graduating nursing students, recipients of
the Ruby Hoddy Memorial Awards.
Joyce Chilton reported for the Awards
Committee. Two second year students, Ann
Deichert and Barbara Young, received
$100.00 each; and three first year students,
Carol Straughan, Kathy Staddon and
Brenda Harris, received $100.00 each.
Library convenor Marilyn Fraser,
reported that magazines for the waiting
rooms have been well supplied, and that
$43.00 had been raised by the selling of books
in the Gift Shop.
The Geriatric and Hairdressing
Stimulation program was reviewed by
convenor Dawna Westlake. The facilities
are crowded but the volunteers work with
enthusiasm. There are "special day" and
birthday parties planned; the ministerial
organization holds a weekly service; van
trips are planned, and many patients take
advantage of the hairdressing services.
Volunteers gave 528 hours to this most
worthwhile program during 1984.
The social committee, chaired capably
the Marg Caldwell, was responsible for
refreshments at the monthly meetings; the
"Capping of Teenage Volunteers"
ceremony at Wesley Willis United Church,
the pot luck luncheon at Marny Walden's,
and the Christmasmeeting at the hospital at
which time the decorating of the trees took
place.
The 30th annual Penny Sale, was
successful in raising $3400.00 for the
Auxiliary. Convenor Joyce Hilderley
reported that there were 37 cash donations
totalling $587.00 and 198 prizes donated by
area merchants. A special thanks for the use
of St. Paul's Anglican Church Parish Hall
from September 20th to September 29th.
Press and Publicity was reported by
Peggy Menzies. All regular meetings and
events of interest are written for the News -
Record, and four editions of the . Clinton
Courier have been published.
The membership campaign, reported by
convenor Evelyn Holmes, culminated in a
list of 690 members, $789.00 in receipts and
$240.00 in donations. This active drive in the
spring is a door-to-door . canvass, and
successful only because many dedicated
volunteers offer to "do a street."
Mrs. Menzies, immediate past president
of the Hospital Auxiliaries of Ontario
installed the new slate of officers. They
include: President Joyce Chilton, Past
President Esther Wright, Acting Vice
Presidents Margaret Coventry and Dawna
Westlake, Recording Secretary Ruth.Bond,
Corresponding Secretary Joyce Hilderley
and Treasurer Roberta Plumsteel.
Committee convenors are: buying,
Kathleen Siertsema; gift shop, Iris
Montgomery; hairdressing and long time
care, Margaret Caldwell; historian, tti
Munnings; library magazines, M
pa
Fraser; membership, Evelyn H lines;
penny sale, Catherine McKnight; press -
publicity, Peggy Menzies; social, Marg
Caldwell; tray favors, Marion Murray;
televisions, Helen Cooper; teen volunteer
Turn to page 18.
AH Varieties
CREAM CHEESE
g4.89Ib. NOW $399 Ib.
51®,7Bkg. tta'OW $V38Akg.
DATES
NOW $1 29 Ib.
NOW $Zs4 kg.
SW.esializingke Meat and
Cheese Trays •
C.)0eryi 1' 5ooC/
QUALITY F0005
8. FRIENDLY SERVICE
NowOpen
in our new location
JOHN WISE
INSURANCE BROKERS
novo at
44 ONTARIO STREET
CLINTON
Our new telephone number is
\lt rt tit.•
( luiton. Ont.
NUM Ill)
Plume 482-3478
Gooflordll
OirdIes1Mens COI # 99
A1ens CO2 SW9
Mens CO3 s3J,99
Plain -Stripe -All Sixes
ALL OUTERWEAR
CAR COATS -SKI JACKETS
London Fo- COATS
SLACKS -SWEATERS -CAPS
BLAZERS -GLOVES -
All REDUCED
HOCKEY
CLOVES
C 9nodi 9n Model 540NOW $52.99
Cooper Model 64$2 99
Reg. '90.99 NOW •
Rawlings Model NM NOW $2799
Reg. '39.99
Member
Sports
Itlafrileeetnro
tel Consols I.lal.
Canada wide 1(i8
Buying power
fladue Ihaek ....a ..
AU,Hon 17F0 fiFAl.FP MAIN CORNER CLINTON