Johnson County, Missouri - Chapter 30: - Medicine, 1918

WORK OF PHYSICIANS IN DEVELOPMENT OF JOHNSON COUNTY - CHANGES IN MEDICAL AND SURGICAL PRACTICES SINCE 1834 - NEW METHODS OF COMBATING DISEASES - EARLY PHYSICIANS - THE JOHNSON COUNTY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION - HOSPITALS - OSTEOPATHY.

The physicians of Johnson county have not only devoted themselves to their great profession, but they have taken an active part in the development of the county. There has hardly been a movement for the upbuilding or the betterment of the community in the past in which we do not find that a member of the medical profession has been identified with it in one way or another.

In the beginning we find them active in the establishment of the early highways, postoffices and roads. We find their influence in the establishment of the early schools, churches and lodges, and we find them elected to ofifices of trust and responsibility at various times in the history of the county.

Great have been the changes in medicine and surgery since 1834, when Johnson county was organized. The science has been revolutionized, and physicians have had to be students and thinkers to keep in touch with this wonderful advancement. The pioneer doctor generally rode on horseback to visit his patients, and his "calls" were, as a rule, a long distance away, as settlers were few and scattered over a wide scope of the then new country. The doctor carried his medicines and surgical instruments in the saddle bags. Many long night as well as day rides are credited to the pioneer doctor. In severe weather and on bad roads they often made long trips to administer to some poor suffering pioneer when they knew that remuneration was only a remote possibility.

These trips were made into the country where there were no roads. The doctor followed the "trail," and frequently the end of the "trail" was reached before the patient was. There was no such a thing as a "town or city practice." There were no towns or cities. Later, as the country became more thickly settled and roads better, the doctor could drive a team and buggy, and as a rule his drives were not so long. Towns became more plentiful and many of them had their doctors. Yet, the method of travel was "tiresome from slowness" until the automobile was introduced, and it is a fact worthy of note that physicians were among the first class of men to give the "horseless carriage" a practical tryout. The perfection of the automobile has not only been a great step in advance for the medical profession as a matter of speed and convenience, but it is a godsend to suffering humanity when the aid of a physician is promptly needed in the more remote districts.

W'hh the doctors it has I)een always live and learn. Where the lawyers are still following practices that have become a hindrance instead of a help to justice, the doctors have changed much of their practice as they have learned more from year to year. Some of the old remedies that were given most commonly, chiefly calomel and quinine, are still standard and well proved. In other matters the practice has been reversed. Today, the patient is kept well nourished in all kinds of cases, except certain ones involving the alimentary tract, and in most fevers cold drinks and ice are freely used. But in the early days one of the old sayings was to "feed a cold and starve a fever." Patients wdth fevers of all kinds were given the minimum of food, and usually nothing cooling.

Frequently the patients rebelled against such unnatural treatment, took matters into their own hands, and got well. Mr. John M. Crutchfield tells of an aunt with a fever one winter, whose situation was so serious that her doctor was to bring back two more physicians the next day. During the day she had her family bring her a lot of ice from outdoors, which she ate with much relish, and put some of it next to her. The next day she hid the ice from the doctors, and when they came she was so much improved that the two physicians called congratulated the family doctor on his treatment. She never told about the ice, but continued to use it and was soon well.

Undoubtedly the greatest advance has been in the discovery of the germs and the resulting weapons to combat them. Vaccination for smallpox had long ago been proved a sure preventive, but it stood alone. Today the various kinds of anti-toxins, vaccines, serums, antiseptics and aseptics have saved the lives of literally thousands of Johnson county people. This is specially true of diphtheria, tetanus (lockjaw) and all kinds of blood poisoning, and to a less degree of typhoid fever, pneumonia, and whooping cough. In all these matters Johnson county physicians are steadily going ahead.

W. B. Moody, one of the prominent early citizens of Warrensburg (father of Mel. P. Moody, editor of the "Johnson County Democrat") was very sick with typhoid pneuinonia. Old Doctor Pinkston, the family physician, said he couldn't possibly live and asked Mrs. Moody to break the news to him. She would not, so the doctor himself told Mr. Moody his condition and that he had better prepare his affairs accordingly. Mr. Moody replied that he was not going to die. Dr. Pinkston said he was - he couldn't possibly get well and w^as sure to die. Mr. Moody insisted he was not and they had quite an argument. Presently the doctor left and Mr. Moody said as long as the doctor had given him up, he was going to have that pitcher of cool buttermilk out on the porch that the doctor wouldn't let him ha\e. He proceeded to get up out of bed, get the buttermilk and drink it. He began to improve and finally recovered. Mr. Mel. Moody remembers Dr. Pinkston afterward telling it around as a great joke on himself that Mr. Moody, Sr. had not treated him right and damaged his reputation very seriously by getting well.

Early Physicians. - Perhaps the first physician to practice in Johnson county was Dr. J. M. Fulkerson. He located at Columbus in 1834. He was a Virginian. l)orn in Lee county, March IS. 1811. Shortly after the War of 1812 the Fulkerson family removed to Tennessee . In 1829 they came to Missouri, settling in Ray county, near what was then the Cherokee Nation. Doctor Fulkerson attended medical college at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1831-32.

When Doctor Fulkerson located at Columbus he made his home with Nicholas Houx, and on January 5, 1836, he was united in marriage with Elizabeth C, daughter of Nicholas Houx. To this union were born six children, who lived to maturity.

Doctor Fulkerson accumulated considerable wealth during his time and when the Civil War broke out he was the owner of over three thousand acres of land and a number of slaves. He was active in early politics and was a recognized leader in the Democratic party until 1876, when he became a green-backer. He served one term in the state Legislature and three years as commissioner in bankruptcy. He served as surgeon in the Osage Indian War and in the Mormon War. He

Dr. A\'illiam Calhoun, one of the pioneers, practiced his profession for many years at Warrensburg. He was not only a successful physician but prominent in the early affairs of the county.

Doctor Calhoun was a native of Ireland. His parents died in their native land when the Doctor was quite }'oung. and he came to America to live with an uncle, who was an extensive stock dealer and merchant. Doctor Calhoun was an exceptionally well-educated man. having received a university education before taking up the study of medicine. In 1837 he went to Lexington, Kentucky, and was engaged in the hospital work for two years, and in 1839 he came to Missouri, locating at Warrensburg. He immediately engaged in the practice of medicine and was considered a very successful physician. He took an active part in politics. He was a member of the first city council of Warrensburg. after the town was incorporated in 1856. In 1844 he was elected state senator from the district composed of Lafayette and Johnson counties. .At the close of his first term he was re-elected, serving two terms. He had an active career. He was widely known for his honesty, integrity and broad charity. The last few years of his life were spent in retirement from active professional work. He never married.

Dr. J- H. Warren was an early-day physician of the county. He was a native of Lee county. \'irginia. born Deceml)er 27. 1818. a son of Martin and Nancy (Hubbard) \\'arren. both natives of Virginia. The Warren family came to Missouri in 1819. when the doctor was about one year old. In 1832 they came to what is now Johnson county, settling on Clear Fork, where the father improved a farm, wliere he remained until his death in 1840. Doctor AWarren's grandfather. Martin Warren, was one of the first settlers on the present site of Warrensburg, and the city took its name from him.

Dr. T- H. AVarren was one of the pioneer teachers of Johnson county, following that vocation for three years. He then read medicine under Dr. William Calhoun, and later graduated from the St. Louis Medical College. In 1848 he practiced in Cass county. :Missouri. where he remained until the Civil War broke out. He then entered the Union army as surgeon of the Fifth Missouri State Militia, and served until 1863. He then engaged in the practice at Knob Noster.

daughter of John Warren, of Lafa3-ette county. His second wife bore the maiden name of Sue Young. Doctor \\'arren was a capable physician and a highly respected citizen.

Dr. B. F. Dunkley practiced medicine at an early day in Grover township. He settled on section 1, township 47. in 1846. In 1848 he started a store in connection with his profession and this was the founding of the town of Dunksburg, which took its name from Doctor Dunkley.

Doctor Dunkley was a native of London. England, born February 26, 1809, and when a boy his parents immigrated to America, settling in Washington, D. C. Here he received both his preparatory and medical education. He went from Washington to Ohio, and in 1846 came to Johnson county. During the war he continued to practice medicine at Dunksburg, and was the only physician for a radius of several miles. He married a Miss Porter, of Tennessee, and they were the parents of three chihlren. Dr. Dunkley was successful in a financial way and was actively engaged in the practice of his profession until within a few years of his death.

Dr. J. L. Lee was a pioneer doctor. He came here in 1844 and practiced at Montserrat, where he spent the remainder of his life. He was a nati\'e of Tennessee, born in 1829. His father. Rev. Robert H. Lee. was a native of North Carolina.

Doctor Lee married Miss Tandy, a daughter of Roger Tandy, of Virginia, and three children, who grew to maturity, were born to this union: Mary Jane, married Mr. Tandy: Mrs. W. J- Mayes, of Warrensburg, Missouri, and Mrs. John S. Mayes.

Doctor Lee was a member of the Methodist church and one of Johnson county's substantial citizens. He was a successful physician and followed his profession until he reached cjuite an advanced age.

Dr. C. L. Carter was the first physician to locate in the town of Holden. He was a native of Missouri, born in Ray county, March 1, 1832. He began his career as a teacher. In 1851 he settled in Cass county and later entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he was graduated with honors. He settled in Holden in 1858 and erected the first frame residence in that town. In 1862 he entered the army as a surgeon.

Dr. R. L. Bolton was the second i)hysician to locate in H olden, coming there in 1860. He was a native of North Carolina, born in 1830. He was a graduate of the Eclectic Medical School at Cincinnati, Ohio. He came to Missouri with his parents in 1831.

Dr. I. P. Randall also practiced in Holden. about 1S70. locating there after the Civil War. He was a native of Auburn, Xew York. and was reared in Ohio. He was educated in the old W'illoughljy Medical College, located near Cleveland, Ohio, and later he attended the Chicago Medical College, where he was graduated.

Dr. W. H. Carpenter, a native of Fleming county, Kentuckv, born July 8. 1821. began to practice in this county about 1852. He was one of the early physicians of Kingsville. He graduated from the Cincinnati Medical College in the class of 1849.

Dr. L. C. Miller, a native of Callaway county. Missouri, born October 29. 1836. engaged in the practice at Knob Xoster in 1876. He graduated from the JefYerson Medical College at Philadelphia. Pennsylvania, in the class of 1857. and was engaged in the practice of his profession in Shelby county prior to coming to this state.

Dr. Sainuel Day, one of the early physicians of the county, was a native of Licking county, Ohio. He came to this county shortly after the war and engaged in the practice of his profession at Pitts\-ille. In 1880 he located at Holden.

Dr. J. M. Ward, for a number of years engaged in the practice of his profession at Cornelia, was a nati\-e of New York, born near Utica March 21. 1829. He was educated at tlie Collegiate Institute, Clinton. New York, and Harvard University. After serving two years in the United States navy, he entered the St. Louis Medical College, where he was graduated in 1856.

Louis Medical College, where he was graduated in 1870. In 1871 he engaged in the practice of his profession at Rose Hill. A year later he removed to Post Oak township and practiced there many years. He moved to Texas, where he is now living.

Dr. Edward Schreiner, a native of Georgia, was a pioneer physician of Johnson county. When Doctor Schreiner was a child his parents removed to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He received his preliminary education in that city and was graduated from the Jefferson Medical Institute there. In 1842 he came to Johnson county and afterward went to Kentucky, where he took a course in the Kentucky Medical Institute. He married Emily Jane Houx, a member of one of Johnson county's pioneer families.

Doctor Schreiner was probably the first to undertake the organization of a medical association in Johnson county. However, his efforts in that direction were of no avail, as he perhaps was ahead of his time.

Dr. \\'. D. Pinkston settled in this county about 1850. He was a Southern sympathizer and wdien the Civil War broke out he left this section of the county. Plowever, after the war was closed he returned and practiced for a time at Kingsville and later came to Warrensburg.

Dr. R. Z. R. ^^'all, a native of Rockingham county. North Carolina, born March 29, 1810, was also an early-day physician of Johnson county. He received his medical education in the University of Pennsylvania, and after receiving his degree from that institution returned to his native state. He practiced there until 1837, when he came to Missouri, locating in Henry county, and in 1840 came to Johnson county, locating on what was known as Bear creek. He practiced in this county until 1865, when he retired on account of his advanced age and was succeeded in his practice 1>y his nephew. Dr. R. H. Howerton.

Doctor Wall became very well to do and at one time was the owner of over five thousand acres of land, most of which he divided among his children before his death.

tucky School of Medicine, eng-aged in the practice in litis county quite early. He came to Missouri in 1855 and engaged in the practice of his profession and in 1858 went td Saline county. \\"hen the Civil War broke out he was appointed surgeon of the Thirty-first Missouri Infantry. In the capacity of army surgeon, he came to W'arrensburg in 1864 to take charge of the United States Military Hospital. At the expiration of his military service he engaged in the practice of his profession again.

The Johnson County Medical Association. - The Johnson County Medical Association is affiliated with and a subordinate part of the Missouri State Medical Association and the American Medical Association. It was organized in 1902. and is one of the live progressive medical societies of the state.

The first record of this organization is dated XovemI)er 14. 1902, and is as follows: "Pursuant to a call signed by a majority of the physicians of Johnson county the following physicians met at the court house at W'arrensburg, November 14, 1902, and formed a temporary organization of the physicians of the count}- by electing J. I. Anderson, chairman, and Dr. E. H. Gilbert, secretary. Physicians present were: \\'arrensburg, Dr. L. J. Schofield, J. I. Anderson, E. H. Gilbert, W. E. Johnson, T. L. Bradley, C. O. Ozias ; L. C. Johnson, Centerview; W. H. Aber, :Montserrat : H. L. George, Pittsxille: R. C. Schooley, Robbins. A committee was appointed to notify all the physicians in Johnson county of the time and place of the next meeting.

The next meeting was held December 11. 1902. Dr. L. F. Murray of Holden was elected temporary chairman and Dr. K. H. Gill)ert, temporary secretary.

The present ofificers are Dr. S. A. Murray, president; Dr. James P. McCann, vice-president ; Dr. O. B. Hall, secretary and treasurer. The following are the members in good standing January, 1918:

J. A. B. Adcock, James I. Anderson, John T. Anderson, J. W. Bolton, T. J. Draper, O. B. Hall, A. W. Harrison, W. E. Johnson, James P. McCann, Harry F. Parker, Wm. R. Patterson, John A. Powers, L. J. Schofield, all of Warrensburg; S. A. Murray, J. T. Simpson, Emory Thompson and W. G. Thompson, of Holden; Henry Park, J. E. Porter, D. E. Shy, of Knob Noster; B. E. Morrow, Columbus; C. O. Ozias, Kansas City; George Osborne, Lone Jack, and E. Y. Pare, Leeton.

There are excellent hospitals in Warrensburg and Holden. The one in Warrensburg was founded by Dr. H. F. Parker in 1910, has accommodations for ten patients at a time and has Ijeen much used and appreciated. The one in Holden is conducted b}- Dr. W. G. Thompson, and has been there for some years.

Osteopathy is represented by Drs. J. H. B. Hoefner and wife, and Forrest C. Allen, athletic director of the normal school, all of whom have been established in Warrensburg for some time.