Creighton and
Walsh Hospital
created ca 1924
after the owners:
Dr James (Jim) Forbes Creighton, and Frank B. Walsh
Became the Estevan General Hospital
on 5 St NE corner of 12th Ave.
Colorized Postcard above, and picture taken in Mar
2009,
donated to me by Volker Tobias in Estevan with thanks.
It was the
First Formal Hospital in
the district.
This was originally the Delight Theatre in Estevan
The First theatre in Estevan,
originally owned by the Kinna Family
This Hospital became infamous
during the miner's riot on
Sept 29, 1931
as the Hospital that wouldn't treat
one of the miner's that was shot during the
riot.
a time referred to as Black Tuesday.
One of the 3 miner's killed, Pete Markunas,
was refused medical attention
because he was claimed to be a "Red" communist,
and he had to be taken by truck to Weyburn, he died 2 days later.
He was treated by Dr. McGillvray at Weyburn General Hospital,
54 miles away. I know a coroner's Jury was held, and the blame was put on
the striking men, but I ask you, why was one fellow taken 54 miles,
with a serious gun shot, on roads that wouldn't be that great,
in an old truck that wouldn't go that fast?
Other books and statements years later, have showed the other side
of this situation. I don't think it was necessary to kill anyone.
Funny thing the article in the press about the coroner's trial,
didn't have a word about this,
other than Dr McGillvray giving testimony as to how he died.
This happened not that many years ago,
and to me, is a sad case in this Hospitals history.
Just so happens, Dr Creighton was also a Coal Mine Owner,
so was it his decision to refuse help?
By all accounts he was a great Doctor,
extremely well liked and respected in the City and in his career.
Tommy Douglas was not too pleased with Dr. Creighton's actions,
and pointed this out in interviews about the riot.
One thing for sure, the Hospital should have provided help
to the Miners, as well as the Police.
This Hospital was partially destroyed in a fire on Feb 26, 1936
which actually started in the Clarendon Hotel next door to the East.
This Hospital was on 5th St.,
behind the present day
Liquor Store.
The Old Texaco Station was located on the corner
where the people are standing in the top picture
Today there is still a good service garage there, Parkway Service.
The Wing on the Left Still Exists today as a Rooming House,
called the Barrie Block.
It Faces the West, towards 12th Avenue.
photo taken Aug 2009 As it turns out I have a couple
family connections
to this old Hospital.
My Cousin Clare Saunderson,
was born in this Hospital.
My Mother, Helen Gent, was working
in this Hospital when it burned down.
She writes, I worked in the Kitchen, did dishes,
helped with patients trays, and every morning,
she cleaned the Doctor's Offices, which she says,
were next door, west, of the town Hall.
Emilie Cooley (nee Kolke) was doing laundry in the hospital,
and Mom roomed with her. The nurses stayed there too.
(She is referring to the Hospital here)
Her sister Rose died on Feb 2, 1936,
while she was working here.
Then she describes the fire.
Not long after this the cafe next to the hospital started burning.
They couldn't contain the fire, and the hospital started burning.
We were very busy trying to save all we could.
Everything was loaded onto trucks and taken to the old leader store.
which was empty at the time. the patients were taken to
homes in the town.
My grandmother, Fannie
Gent from Bienfait,
happened to be a patient at the time,
and she was taken to the Anglican Manse.
In the Feb 16, 1936 Estevan Mercury, Bienfait News section.
it says Mrs. Percy Gent underwent an operation recently
in the Estevan Hospital and is doing fine.
Mom writes, We gathered all our
personal stuff in a sheet,
and lowered it into a truck, 2 stories down.
She says she had trouble finding her things
in the pile of stuff in the leader Store after.
The Annex where they stayed was all that was saved.
Avenue Apartments
(old Hospital Annex)
Photo
taken Mar 2009, by Volker Tobias
This was the Annex to the old St. Joseph Hospital,
and all that remained after the Feb 1936 fire.
The last section from the 4th window on the side back,
would have had to have been rebuilt.
This is the reason for the different coloured brick there.
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