Presbyterian St Lukes Hospital School of Nursing - Alpha Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

Page 13 text:

St. Luke ' s Hospital, First Building, 1864 St. Luke ' s Hospital By the Rev. George D. Wright, Chaplain ON A SUNDAY morning early in 1864, the Rev. Clinton Locke, rec- tor of Grace Church, preached a sermon to his congregation, in the course of which he told of the great need in the city of a clean, free Christian place where sick poor might be cared for. After the service, Mrs. Locke invited some of the members of the Camp Douglas Society into the rectory to consider the matter with the rector. This society of women had been organized to supply the sick soldiers of Camp Douglas with needed comforts. The result of the interview was a request that the rector lead them in an effort to found a Church hos- pital. He consented to do so gladly. So a meeting of those interested was held on Feb- ruary 18th, 1864, at the home of Mrs. B. F. Hadduck. A simple constitution was framed and officers were elected: Rev. Clinton Locke, president; Mrs. W. Franklin and Mrs. H. W. Hinsdale, vice-presidents Mrs. B. F. Hadduck, treasurer; Mrs. Aaron Haven, secretary, and Doctor Walter Hay, house physician. A small frame house with pleasant surroundings, on State Street, near Eldredge Court, was rented and the Hospital opened with seven beds. A few months afterwards a large brick house about three blocks farther south on State Street came on the market and was rented. This af- forded room for eighteen beds. Up to this point it had been a parish enterprise. The importance of inviting the interest of Churchmen throughout the di- ocese was apparent. A meeting of some well known Churchmen, willing to act as trustees, was held and an organization per- fected and incorporated under a charter drawn up by Mr. Melville Fuller, then a member of the State Legislature, afterwards Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. This provided for holding property to the value of $100,000 free from taxation. Without Dr. Locke ' s knowledge, a clause was inserted making him president as long as he remained rector of Grace Parish. This incorporation was a great step in advance. Another was