The Swedish Covenant Hospital AND HOME OF MERCY 250-260 W. Foster Ave. Near Lincoln Ave. CHICAGO OCTOBER 1903 MISSIONARENS TRYCKERI, NORTH PARK COLLEGE MAIN ENTRANCE. 4 Personnel BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MR. C. F. FLODIN, Chairman 1628 Briar Place, Chicago. REV.L. W.A.BjORKMAN, Secretary. .2887 N. Robey St. .Chicago. REV. J. A. BERG 768 N. Talman Ave., Chicago. MR. M. ENGQUIST 352 N. Clark St., Chicago. MR. A. V. JULIX 869 Larabee St.. Chicago. DR. O. TH. ROBERG Swedish Covenant Hospital, Chicago. REV. AUG. POHL 1408 Addison Ave., Chicago. STAFF OF PHYSICIANS. DR. O. TH. ROBERG. DR. F. I. BROWN. DR. K. L. THORSGAAKD. Miss IDA C. L. ISAACSON Superintendent of Nurses REV. A. LYDELL Chaplain GRADUATES FROM THE NURSES' TRAINING SCHOOL. IQOO. Miss HILDA N. RODBERG. 1901. Miss AUGUSTA CHRISTIANSON. 1902. Miss LYDIA JONES. Miss AMELIA ROHLINGER. MlSS SlGRID TORNBERG. MlSS CYNTHIA ERICKSON. 1903. Miss ALICE YOUNGQUIST. Miss SIGNE RENDAHL. MRS. LYDIA ENGSTROM. CLASS OF 1904. Miss ELLEN ERICKSON. Miss KATHERINE HOLMBERG. Miss KATHERINE FISK. CLASS OF 1905. Miss CAROLINE MATTSON. Miss IDA MAGNUSON. Miss AUGUSTA PETERSON. Miss JUDITH HAGSTROM. Miss ELLEN SODERBERG. Miss AMANDA NEILSON. Historical Sketch HE Swedish Covenant Hospital and Home of Mercy is to-day an institution of which its every friend and supporter may feel justly proud. But its present proportions and excellent facilities are not the work of a few months or a year, nay, some seventeen years have elapsed since its comparatively humble beginnings. It was not included in the original plans and purposes to make this institution a regular hospital to which the public in general may have access, but rather a Home for the aged and destitute. It was also right early opened for the sick, so we may say the original and immediate purpose was to make it a Home where the aged, poor, and sick may find Christian hands to soothe, heal, and minister to their needs. This idea of founding a Home must be credited to Mr. Henry Palmblad, who for several years had been city missionary under the auspices of the North Side Mission Church. In his missionary work, he met with many of his country-men and brethren in the faith, who were homeless, destitute and sick. "Oh," thought he, "that we had a Home to which we could take these unfortunate friends and brethren, where they might feel at home indeed." Moved by this thought, he went before the Swedish Mission Covenant's Annual Meeting at Princeton, Illinois, in September, 1885, and presented his cause. His idea that the Mission Friends should found a Home met with decided approval, and a committee to select and purchase a site was then appointed, con- sisting of Rev. C. A. Bjork, Rev. F. M. Johnson, Mr. H. Palm- blad, Mr. S. Youngquist, Rev. J. P. Eagle and C. G. Peterson, all of Chicago. This committee at once began its work with the result that the property of Mr. Becker, situated in Bowmanville, on West Foster Ave., within the city limits of Chicago, was purchased. The property consisted of three acres of land, a two-story brick house and a stable. The price was $5,500; of which sum $2,500 was to be paid May i, 1886, and the balance at the rate of $1,000 a year. So well did the committee succeed that on the ist of May, the following year the entire purchase money was paid. Contributions came from friends of the undertaking both far and near, so the incomes were adequate to make the neces- sary repairs and remodelings, hence the brick building was re- paired and the frame building was enlarged and made into a two-story house, all for a cost of $1,400. Besides $1,200 were used in purchasing necessary furnishings. Everything was now ready for the opening and in the pre- sence of a large number of friends, the Home was solemnly dedicated on the 27th of June, 1886, Rev. Bjork delivering the address. THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE HOME. As soon as the Home was opened, patients arrived from both near and far, and it was not a great while until the capacity of the Home was insufficient for those who sought .admission. 9 C. FLODIN. A. V. JULIN. M. ENGQUIST. REV I, W. A BJORKMAN. REV. AUG. POHL. REV. J. A. BERG. BOARD OF DIRECTORS. 10 The committee went to the Annual Meeting in Galesburg, Illi- nois, in 1890, with a proposition to enlarge the Home, and it was voted by the meeting that "The committee have the right to en- large the Home for the same purpose for which it was erected to the extent that the money in the treasury would allow, to- gether with the money that might possibly be given in addition for this purpose, and even if necessary to borrow any needed sum not exceeding $2,000." To the Annual Meeting of the Covenant held in Phelps County, Nebraska, September, 1891, the president of the Home could report that a large two-story addi- tion had been erected, and some improvements in the other build- ings, all at a cost of something more than $7,000. THE BUILDING OF THE HOSPITAL. From the Swedish Home of Mercy has developed the Swed- ish Covenant Hospital. It did not take long after the opening of the Home, before patients arrived who needed surgical opera- tions' as well as medical treatment. The Home was fortunate to have from its foundation efficient and devoted physicians, among whom should be mentioned Dr. C. W. Johnson and Dr. F. I. Brown. These able physicians soon attracted patients not only from Chicago and Illinois, but from cities and towns of other states. Naturally our own people prefer a Swedish Hospital to that of any other nationality, but this preference has also been shown by people of different denominations and nationalities, who recognize and value our institution, chiefly because of our able staff of physicians and the kind and careful attention patients re- ceive from our devoted nurses. Although, as we have related, the Home was enlarged in 1891, yet the many applications for admission to the Hospital 11 REV. C. A. H.IORK. 12 had so increased that the demand for a large Hospital building, well equipped and modern became so strong that something had to be done to meet this popular demand. In the meantime the question of funds for the new building was much pondered. Two financially able parties had held out the hope that they would give substantial sums to such a build- ing, one giving Lake View as his preference as to locality. At the Covenant's* annual meeting at Duluth in 1901 this question was discussed, and a committee appointed to select a site, and confer with these would be donors. It developed further, how- ever, that these parties withdrew their offers because of the com- mittee's decision to build the Hospital at the Home. This de- cision by the committee was not made, however, before they had made a general appeal to the people of the Mission Covenant for money wherewith to purchase a site, say in Lake View. The people were not responsive to this call and indicated by their refusal to contribute for a new site, that they deemed the spacious and beautiful site at the Home to be their choice. At the Covenant's annual meeting in Galesburg in 1902, it was decided to erect a Hospital building on the campus by the Home. Our friends in Chicago and the country at large were again appealed to for means and they now as at previous times responded liberally. (For individual contributions of over $25, see list elsewhere.) In accordance with the above decision, the committee for the Home and Hospital elected at their meeting July i, 1902, Messrs. C. F. Flodin, A. V. Julin, and M. Engquist, a special com- mittee on building to advise with the Head Physician and the Covenant's Executive Committee in preparing plans and speci- fications for the proposed building. This joint committee en- gaged the services of Architect Edw. Benson, who drew up the plans and later superintended the work in a most creditable man- 13 DR. O. THEO. ROBERG. 14 ner. This committee supervised and performed their work in a way that commands appreciation and gratitude of all the friends of the institution. The preliminary work on the new building was begun in the early days of October, 1902, and the corner stone was laid on Sunday afternoon the ipth of the same month. Prof D. Nyvall delivered the address and K. F. Olson laid the stone. Many of our pastors, the Executive Committee, the Hospital Committee and a large number of friends were present. The building was erected during the winter and was dedi- cated the 31 of May, 3 P. M. (Pentecost Sunday). It was a great day. Our pastors and friends as well as many representa- tive citizens were present. A large, modern, well-equipped hospital building had been erected, and was dedicated to the Glory of God, the service of suffering Humanity a monument to united Christian Charity. Advantages at the Swedish Covenant Hospital. LOCATION. The location of the Hospital is beautiful, charming and in- viting. A more desirable location can hardly be found. Here the sick and weak patient is far enough from the raw, cool, lake air; he is removed from the noise, which city life and railway traffic causes. No noise, no blowing of steam whistles, whether of steamboat, locomotive or factories, disquiets the sensitive and sick patient. On the other hand, the convalescent patient can, in beautiful summer, rest under the shady trees, walk the green lawn and grassy ways, and enjoy the fragrance of flower beds, as well as of surrounding forest and field, while sunlight and song of bird charm the eye and ear. With these splendid advantages we deem our location ideal. Although some distance from the IS DR. F. I. BROWN. 16 center of the city, yet we axe within its limits, and are reached by the Bowmanville car on Lincoln Avenue, the Hospital being some five minute's walk westward from the terminus of this line. We hope it is understood that the Hospital is open not only to the people of the Swedish Mission Covenant, but it invites- patronage from all denominations and nationalities. The Hos- pital is open to the public in general. The interests of the institution are managed by a committee of seven, chosen by the Covenant at its annual meeting, and re- siding in Chicago. This committee meets regularly the ist Tuesday of every month and oftener if necessary. In connection with the Hospital work there has been organ- ized a training school for nurses. The course in this is three years, and the applicant must submit to an examination in Eng- lish language, penmanship and arithmetic. Applications to enter the training school should be made to the Superintendent of Nurses, who, upon request, will furnish application blanks. The application must be accompanied by a certificate from a physician in regard to the applicant's health, and also a letter of recommendation from a clergyman in good standing. It is preferred that the applicant be not under 23 and not above 35 years of age. A RETROSPECT. During the past year 214 patients have been admitted to the hospital for treatment. Of these 112 were surgical, and 102 medical. About two-thirds of this number have been paying patients. The number of old people in the Home proper is fifteen. Following is the number of patients admitted during the past five years: 1898-99, 152; 1899-00, 133; 1900-01, 183; 1901-02, 151 ; 1902-03, 214. 17 DR. K. I.. THORSGAARD. 18 The following table shows the monthly incomes in fees paid by patients for the last four years. It is especially encouraging to note the increase since the new Hospital building was opened in May, 1903. 1900 1901 1902 1903 January $223 25 $362.60 $227.10 $217 80 February 201 76 253.70 313 40 323 85 March 302.64 200 00 294 84 219 40 April 256 50 338 72 301 55 252 45 May 453 80 389 50 208 95 692 90 June 158 00 226.00 155 20 534 95 July 171.85 267.83 174 95 421 75 August 256.00 516.54 384.00 717.20 September 127.45 278.50 351 80 958 50 October 322.00 339.95 145. CO November 235.15 292.10 224.25 December 274.80 331.00 213.65 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING. The Hospital building proper is a large brick building, fronting Foster Avenue on the north. Besides the basement there are two and one-half stories. The basement floor contains kitchen, dining-room, labora- tory, drug-room, laundry, 3 store rooms*. On the 2nd and 3rd floors, are the office, reception room, two serving rooms (Diet Kitchen), 2 medicine rooms, examin- ing room, operating room and Anethetization Room. The 3d floor also has 7 Nurses' Rooms. 19 20 PATIENTS' ROOMS. Private rooms 10 4 Wards of 2 beds each 8 5 Wards of 3 beds each 15 i Ward of 4 beds 4 3 Wards of 6 beds each 18 i Ward of 10 beds 10 i Ward of 16 beds 16 Total number of beds 8 1 . Besides there are in the Building three lavatories and bath- rooms, chapel, etc. Figures showing the cost of the Building and the sum paid on same. Cost of Building, etc $26,241.81 Income applied on the debt 13,930.03 .Balance $12,311.78 RULES FOR. PATIENTS. I. All patients shall conform to the Rules and Regulations of the Home and shall be civil and obedient to the officers and nurses in charge. IT. Patients are forbidden to use improper language of any kind ; to disturb by loud talking ; to spit on the floor ; to play cards ; to smoke ; or to procure for themselves or others any intoxicating liquors. III. No patient shall go into the heating room, laundry, kitchen, office or operating room except on permission of the Superintendent of Nurses. IV. Patients must not lounge in or throw anything out of the hospital windows. 21 22 V. No male patients shall go into any women's apart- ments, nor any female into those of the male. VI. No patient is allowed to give his food, drink or med- icine to another patient, nor to make exchanges of the same. VII. Patients shall have retired by 9 P. M. Lights turned low, unless otherwise directed. VIII. All patients who are able are expected to attend religious services. Those who are unable to do so should be quiet and orderly, while the services are going on. IX. Patients shall not leave the Hospital without a permit from the Resident Physician or the Superintendent of Nurses. X. Patients must leave such money and valuables as they have with them with the Superintendent of the Hospital, who will give a receipt for the same. In case of failure to do so, the hospital will not be responsible for any loss that may occur. XL Patients unwilling to obey these Rules and Regula- tions will be discharged. RULES FOR VISITORS. I. Visitors will be admitted to the Hospital daily from 2 to 4 P. M. and at no other time except by special permission from the Superintendent or Head Nurse. II. Not more than two visitors will be admitted at one time to visit the same patient, and each visit must not continue more than twenty minutes. III. Clergymen may at all reasonable hours have access to such patients as may desire their attendance. IV. The bringing of articles of food or of liquors or tobacco to patients, without special permission of the Head Nurse, is strictly forbidden. 23 24 OUR. PRESENT NEEDS. Our immediate need is to pay off the above debt of $12,311.78. Considering- the splendid building-, apparatus, and facilities this debt is not big, yet it is heavy. Every debt is cumbersome and impedes progress. With such a splendid achievement, with such excellent record which the Hospital has made, with such confidence and patronage enjoyed, we the Swedish Mission Covenant people, especially, and all who are interested in charitable and benevolent work in general, should be inspired and roused to united effort to obliterate this debt. While our people in general should take a pride and interest in this institution and so help to pay the debt, yet it is plain that it behooves us who live in Chicago, close to the institution, to pay the greater part. The methods of giving are several, the purpose is one. Let us choose any way of giving just so we accomplish the purpose the paying of the debt. HOW CAN WE AID IN THE SUPPORT OF THE HOSPITAL? ( i ) By donating, say five thousand dollars with the condi- tion that the yearly interest of this sum be used for the support of a patient and sick bed. This sum could be donated either in memory of a departed friend or in memory of one's self; and this bed will always bear the name the donor determines. Such a bed need never be empty for lack of support, and the donor can scarcely invest such a sum in a more useful way, or make his contribution to the helping of suffering humanity and preserve the memory of his life upon earth. When you are making your will on your death bed, you can do as so many thoughtful and merciful people have done before you, you can remember the Hospital with a mite, knowing that this mite will accomplish much good. 25 26 (2) By supporting (for one or more years) one patient and a sick bed, which will cost three hundred dollars per annum. He, who will so nobly use his earthly treasures, will reap a bless- ing and have the satisfaction that he is caring for a suffering human being. These are very common ways of aiding in the support of a hospital and putting it upon an independent basis. (3) You can among your acquaintances and friends col- lect means and send them to the institution. These friends will be moved with compassion when you picture to them the need and how much good their gifts can accomplish and they will hasten to help with a larger or smaller sum. There are many who would gladly give something for such a purpose, if they were only asked. (4) You can collect in your church or Sunday School needed funds. The best way to do this is left for you to decide. Love for the cause will always find a way. (5) If you live in the country, you can ask the farmers to give of their products, such as potatoes, butter and cheese, eggs, vegetables, hay, corn, meats, flour and grain, etc. (6) Dear friend: You can also say a good and com- mendatory word in behalf of this institution to strangers whom you may meet. (7) Not least you can serve this institution by praying to God for it. There is help with God, and His* hand is not short- ened that it cannot save. The prayer of faith availeth much in its working. My friend : Remember the Home of Mercy when you pray to God. 27 28. FORM OF BEQUEST. I of the city of county of , in the state of hereby bequeath and devise the sum of ($ ) to the Swedish Covenant Hospital and Home of Mercy, an institution owned and controlled by the Swedish Evangelical Mission Covenant of America, a corpora- tion created, organized and existing under and by virtue of the state of Illinois, with its headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. 29 Contributions. INDIVIDUAL CONTRIBUTIONS OF OVER $25.00. Louis Sand, Manistee, Mich ,. $2,500.00 C. F. Flodin, Chicago, 111 500.00 Missions Friends Pub. Co., Chicago 500.00 John R. Lindgren, State Bank of Chicago 250.00 Mrs. N. F. McCormick, Chicago, 111 250.00 Aaron Carlson, Minneapolis, Minn 100.00 S. A. Matson, North Park, Chicago 100.00 C. G. Peterson, Chicago, 111 100.00 Nils Nilson, Evanston, 111 100.00 Nils Olson, Manistee, Mich 100.00 Mrs. Knutson, Home of Mercy, Chicago, 111 60.00 C. J. Leaf, North Park, Chicago 60.00 Prof. F. Risberg, Chicago, 111 50.00 Mrs. Ingeborg Braastad, Ishpeming, Mich 50.00 Peter N. Nilson, Oakland, Neb , 50.00 John Holmquist, Holyoke, Colo 50.00 Mrs*. Eckre, Ishpeming, Mich 50.00 Gus. Lofshult, Sloan, Iowa 50.00 J. A. Modin, Chicago, 111 50.00 Gust Alvar, Norway, Mich 50.00 A. Ryden, Woodville, Mich 50.00 C. G. Johnson, Stromsburg, Neb 50.00 M. Nyman, West Point, Neb 46.00 Rev. M. E. Anderson, Tacoma, Wash 25.00 30 Rev. Jonas Johnson, Webster, S. Dak $ 25.00 A. J. Swanson, Holdrege, Neb 25.00 Mrs. A. J. Swanson, Holdrege, Neb 25.00 John A. Borg, Wakefield, Neb 25.00 Philip Swanson, Bertrand, Neb 25.00 Sharp & Smith, Chicago, 111 25.00 Andrew Bjorkman, Iron Mountain, Mich 25.00 L. A. Budlong, Bowmanville, Chicago, 111 25.00 Blomgren Bros., Chicago, 111 25.00 Chicago Paper Co., Chicago, 111 25.00 Regan Printing House, Chicago, 111 25.00 A. Erickson, Rosehill, 111 25.00 Oscar Godeau, Joliet, 111 25.00 O. Nesses, Manistee, Mich 25.00 SUBSCRIPTIONS. Aaron Carlson, Minneapolis, Minn $400.00 A. Perry, Harcourt, Iowa 100.00 G. A. Johnson Bros., Manistee, Mich 100.00 Emil Johnson, Manistee, Mich 100.00 C. J. Leaf, Chicago, 111 500.00 Prof. A. Mellander, North Park, Chicago 60.00 Rev. Aug. Pohl, Chicago, 111 50.00 Prof. A. W. Fredrickson, North Park, Chicago, 111 50.00 Rev. A. Lydell, North Park, Chicago 50.00 J. A. Tolf , Chicago, 111 50.00 O. M. Matson, Chicago, 111 50.00 E. Burkros, Chicago, 111 50.00 Hjalmar Lind, Chicago, 111 50.00 A. V. Julin, Chicago, 111 1 10.00 Bessie Johnson, Chicago, 111 50.00 O. B. Roberg, Chicago, 111 100.00 31 N. J. Sandberg, Chicago, 111 $100.00 Olof Anderson, Des Moines, Iowa 25.00 Rev. John Wenstrand, Chicago, 111 25.00 Rev. Soderholm, Chicago, 111 25.00 Swenson, Chicago, 111 25.00 The following Persons, Societies and Charities have Furnished Rooms in the Hospital: Miss Lottie Forsstrom, Chicago, Ills. The Young and Old Ladies' Sewing Society, The Mission Church, North Side, Chicago, Ills. N. J. Sandberg & Co., Chicago, Ills. The Ladies' Society of North Park, Chicago. Ills. J. A. Modin, Lake View, Chicago, Ills. Bessie Johnson, Chicago, Ills. Ladies of Lake View Mission Church, Chicago, Ills. Prof. F. Risberg, Chicago, Ills. The Mission Church, Cuyler, Chicago, Ills. Tabernacle Church, South Side, Chicago, Ills. The Sunday School of Bethany Church, Chicago, Ills. Ladies' Society of the Mission Church, Ravenswood, Chi- cago, Ills. A. Ryden, Woodville, Ind. Mrs. Eckre, Ishpeming, Mich. The Mission Church, Chicago Heights, Ills. Mrs. F. Braastad, Ishpeming, Mich. Young Ladies Society of the Zion Church, Jamestown, N. Y. The Mission Church, Jamestown, N. Y. Ladies' Society of the Sw. Mission Church, Grand Rapids, Mich. Swedish Mission Church, St. Paul, Minn. Ladies of the Mission Church, Manistee, Mich. 32 The Young People's Society, 59th and Carpenter Sts., Chicago. HP