Papa in Trouble.

On Thursday, July 6, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Cool-Pleasant. Arose 7:30. Got to work at 8:45 a.m. Went to Joe's for tobacco for Mr. Raitt and myself. Wrote letters for Capt. Anderson. Mrs. Magann and Ms. Booze down at night. Mary went uptown and bought kitchenware at Woolworth's I went over home at 6:30. Papa in trouble. Got hair cut. Retired at 10:30. On Friday, July 7, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Hot-Sunny. Arose at 7:00. R.S. Kerfoot in. Wrote letters for Capt. Anderson. Norman is much better today. Mr. Schick attended Dr. Gale's funeral this p.m. I talked to Mazie and Herman Merchant in evening. Cut grass from 7 p.m. to 8:20 p.m. Went up to Mrs. Raines' after Mary, Aunt Annah and children. Retired at 10:30. It sure has not been Cool-Pleasant here in 2010. At 100 degrees today! I don't know what Papa's trouble was in 1916. That would have been my Great-Great, Grandfather. Maybe we will find out more in coming days. I hope everything was o.k. I have been very intrigued by my reading in Acts recently. Paul gave up his freedom in Chapters 24 and following but also gained an audience with people that otherwise he never would have in order to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. What about our preferences? Are we willing to give those up in order to follow God's will? Wow.

Very Hot

On Thursday, May 25, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-clear. Arose at 7:15. Got to work at 8:35. Mr. Schick in the office. Went by Mrs. Raines at 6 p.m. and shaved. Rolled Norman to Elmwood Park. Talked to Mr. Raines. Mr. Toombs has gall stones and cancer of intestines. Mrs. Raines went to Jeff. Hospital at 7 o'clock and came down home at 8:30. Thunderstorm between 8 and 9 o'clock. On Friday, May 26, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm Day. Arose at 7:20. Got to work at 8:35 a.m. Worked steadily all day. At eventide, cut grass in front and back yard. Mary and I rolled children up to Mrs. Raines and went to Elmwood Park. Mrs Hurst at Mrs. Raines. Mary and came home alone. Very hot night. Talked to Jeff. Steele. Retired at 10:30 p.m. On Saturday, May 27, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Very Hot. Arose at 7:20. Got to work at 8:35. (Warm day). Worked steadily. Mr. R.F. Boxley in. Mary and I finished screening porch. I shaved and all went up to Mrs. Raines after supper. I took a bath there. Very hot day, with thunder. Talked to Jones Gardner. Mrs. R came home with us at 9:15 and put Norman to bed.

I Found It

Well, with a little persistence, I found information on the St. Charles Hospital of Roanoke, VA. I first found it mentioned in a history of "Old Southwest" that was written by a Frank Gusler, for the City of Roanoke in 2009. It really was just a mention, but gave the date of its opening as 1913. Searching on that information, I came across another one of Nelson Harris' historical postcards books this one entitled "Salem and Roanoke County in Vintage Postcards" published in 2005. I may need to get this book too. I may have seen it at another time but did not realize that it had a section on the city of Roanoke. In that book, on page 120 is a picture of St. Charles Hospital and this information: "The St. Charles Hospital was located at 533 Mountain Ave. It opened in March 1913 under the direction of Dr. J.C. Burke (Bonnie mentions him numerous times). The hospital closed in 1934, and the building was converted into apartments." Bingo. That is just what I was looking for. It really did exist. I may now need to go find this building and lay eyes on it. Also, the info by Frank Gusler in the history of "Old Southwest" looked very interesting too, I just haven't read all of it yet.

St. Chas. Hospital

On Sunday, May 21, 1916 Bonnie Elmore wrote: Warm-Sunny. Arose 8:30 a.m. Went to office 10 o'clock. Took letter to Post Office. Walked to St. Chas. Hospital and back home. Tried to cut Norman's hair. Ruth Doyle died on 14th-City Paint. Went to Raines' in afternoon. Rolled Norman over to Elmwood Park and ate supper at Mrs. Raines. Came home at 8 o'clock and retired 10 p.m. On Monday, May 22, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Cool-Raining. Arose 7:10 a.m. Read "Ladies Home Journal". Mrs. Raines came down home after dinner. Got candy and cigars. Copied agreement. Mary feeling ill. Went to hospital at 5:45 Dr. Burks wrote prescription at 7 o'clock. Came by J&J & met Jake. Mrs. Raines down home and stayed until 9:30 p.m. Mary feeling badly. I retired at 10:30. On Tuesday, May 23, 1916 Bonnie wrote: Raining. Arose at 7:20 a.m. Got to work 8:40. John Dillard came in the office. Work very dull. Wrote to Mrs. John Doyle. Shaved at noon. Work dull in p.m. Mrs. Raines came down after supper and stayed until 9:30. I called Dr. Burks up on phone and inquired about medicine. Rain all night. Read newspaper. Mailed letter to Jake. Retired 10:30. So Bonnie went to the office on Sunday? And the post office was open on Sunday? I am still stumped by this St. Chas. Hospital in Roanoke. I know it is not still around and I have not been able to find out anything else about it. I would love to know more like where it was. Elmwood park is still around and I know right where that is. Hope Mary is feeling better soon.