Last update:

02/11/2009

The McFarland Hospitals

By Alan Winkler

The second McFarland Hospital built in 1903.

It was in early 1902 when Dr. C. R. Silverthorne came to McFarland to practice medicine. He had just received a post graduate degree from Ensworth College and Hospital located in St. Joseph, Mo. Later this same year, he was appointed railroad surgeon by the Rock Island Railroad. With his new practice in place, Dr. Silverthorne made plans late in the year to build a hospital using his own funds. By January of 1903, work had begun on the new 34 x 38 building and cost $2,000 when completed. In March of 1903, he began to move his stock of drugs from his office into his new hospital and had secured the right from the Rock Island to tap their stand pipe for water to be used in the facility. His practice grew as more surgeries were requested of him by the railroad as well as the general public. His community service expanded into other areas as well when he was elected as McFarland's first mayor in April of 1903.

In September of 1903, the new private hospital burned to the ground. The fire was the result of a faulty chimney. Although the building was destroyed, most of the contents were saved. Two patients staying at the hospital were moved to the doctor's house.

Little time was spent dwelling on the misfortune of losing the hospital. By the next month work had begun on a new building. By late November, the hospital was open for business with four patients and three surgeries completed by the end of the month. The hospital included: Dr. Silverthorne's office, a drug room, a handsome reception room, a single ward, a double ward which in case of emergency would accommodate four patients, an operating room, preparatory room, and a bathroom.

The wards were all finished in hard wood with polished floors. The walls were painted white and the room included iron beds, iron framed stands with glass tops and two chairs. The operating room was furnished with an operating table, sterilizing appliances, and a fine case of surgical instruments. This room was also painted in white enamel with the lower sash in each window in stained glass. The room was also lit by a large skylight. There was hot and cold water in every room of the building.

Dr. Silverthorne continued to add to his duties and was appointed in 1905 as Surgeon General on the staff of Governor Hoch with the rank of Colonel. He also found time to play a trombone in the McFarland Band. In 1907, he built a new house which today is the residence of the Jeff Cebulski family. He eventually sold his practice and house to Dr. F. J. Wagner in April of 1909. After moving to Manhattan, Dr. Silverthorne went to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. to take an advanced course in surgery. Upon his return, he practiced medicine for a short time in Manhattan and later in Maple Hill and Topeka.

The home of Mildred Schmanke in 1987,
formally the McFarland Hospital.

For reasons not recorded, the hospital only functioned for a few years. By September of 1906, Dr. Silverthorne moved his office to just north of the Denver House Hotel in downtown McFarland. By December of 1907, the hospital had been turned into a duplex, with living quarters on the north and south side of the building. In 1999, this building is the residence of Mildred Schmanke.