1920: Local hospital is now seeing more patients
July 22, 1920
HARTINGTON — One of the most destructive and terrific electrical storms in the history of southern Cedar County brought deepest tragedy to the A.L. Harper home near Belden last Tuesday evening when a bolt of lightning killed their son, Clyde Harper, aged 17.
Although the dark, ominous looking storm was seen approaching, Mr. Harper delayed coming in from his oat field until about 6:30 when the storm, in all its frenzy, burst upon him.
Then his three sons ran out to help him unhitch the horses from the binder. Two of the boys succeeded in unhitching the team before the third arrived. The third son, Clyde, watched his father and two brothers from an open, unprotected spot and seeing that they had already started home, he also turned back. He had gone but a few steps when a bolt of lightning sought him out and struck him. What made the case most unusual was that no trees or machinery was near him. When the father and brothers returned to the barn, they missed Clyde and they started back out in the storm to hunt him down. Mr. Harper found him where he had been killed at about 7 o’clock.
The storm was widespread in its havoc and fury for it raged at Sholes, 10 miles west of Belden and at Jackson, 35 miles east. There was no rain at Hartington, though, the appearance of the sky was extremely threatening and the storm could be seen raging across the southern part of the county.
July 22, 1920
HARTINGTON — An unusual period of growth marked the first year of the local hospital under the supervision of Mrs. N.D. Tiffany, who completed one year as Superintendent this week.
While she has been in charge of the institution just a year, it was several weeks after her arrival before the improvemnts which she started were completed and the institution accepted any patients, which makes this fine record all the more flattering.
Not only does the institution fill a great need in the community, but its field is continually widening so as to include the entire county, many of the patients coming from a considerable distance owing to the complete equipment and to the excellent reputation for service which every discharged patient takes pleasure in mentioning.
Public interest in the institution is growing and the good physicians of Hartington and the surrounding town are cooperating in every way possible in making is a success.
The name was also changed to St. John’s Hospital by the new Superintendent.
During the year, the total of 253 cases have been cared for. Adult cases have numbered 169 and children’s cases of 84. There were 226 surgical cases, 12 medical and 15 obstetrical cases.
July 22, 1920
HARTINGTON — Ed Lentz, a well-known farmer living about eight miles east of Hartington, has announced his intention of building a nice, new nine-room farm home with a full basement, and an attic and which will be modern in every respect. The work will be started at once and Ed expects to have the housewarming early next winter.
July 22, 1920
HARTINGTON — Probably the closest escape from an auto tragedy in or around Hartington for many months occurred last Sunday night when the heavy cars owned by a man named Pierson, of near Laurel, and Dr. J.M. Johnson collided head on near the turn at the east end of Main Street. The Pierson car was badly smashed and the Johnson car was also damaged. Occupants of both machines rejoiced that no one was injured.
Dr. Johnson was driving north on the Pietz Road and made the turn onto Main Street. The Pierson car was going east on the wrong side of Main Street. In an effort to avoid a collission, Dr. Johnson endeavored to turn back too late, the Pierson car tearing into the front of his machine. The latter car suffered the loss of a wheel, a broken axle and was otherwise bent and damaged. It was occupied by members of the Pierson family who became hysterical but all escaped injury.
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