1918-10-19 Ballinahinch, Temporary Hospital

“Visitors from the Canadian Patriotic Fund on their rounds of the families of soldiers overseas have found a number of women and children suffering from Spanish influenza, and other cases have been reported today.”

Hamilton Spectator.  October 15, 1918.

Created to provide assistance to the dependents of soldiers fighting overseas, the Canadian Patriotic fund organization had a very active branch in the City of Hamilton.

In mid-October, another major challenge faced the members of the fund, a challenge even more pressing than making sure the financial needs of the families of soldiers were being met. The City of Hamilton like all cities, towns, villages and rural areas across Canada was experiencing the ever-widening effects of what was called the Spanish Influenza epidemic.

The families of soldiers were not immune to the ‘flu’ and it was determined that something had to be done. Space at the Hamilton City Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Military Hospital on King street east were filled to beyond capacity. The Hamilton Board of Health had secured the old Land Homestead on Barton Street East for use as a temporary hospital.

The leaders of the Hamilton Branch of the Canadian Patriotic Fund decided to seek a location which could be used as a temporary hospital dedicated for the use of dependents of soldiers:

“ To meet the need of these patients, W. H. Lovering, the chairman of relief of this fund, sought assistance from several prominent citizens, with the result that Ballinahinch, the beautiful home of the late Edward Martin, K.C., at the head of James street has been offered by Kirwan and D’arcy Martin as a hospital for influenza patients, members of families of men overseas.”¹

¹ “Twelve Deaths from Influenza Over Weekend : Since Saturday, 134 Cases Were Reported : More Auxiliary Hospitals Have Been Opened : Local Nurses Are Recalled From Boston ”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 15, 1918.

While getting a location for the temporary hospital was an important first step, the challenge next to faced was to acquire the necessary furnishings, supplies and staff to make that location operational.

A call went out to any and all citizens of Hamilton willing to assist in the task:

“Help is need, and unless a staff of nurses and workers can be secured, the scheme cannot be carried through, and Mr. Lovering is anxious to have the assistance of  all nurses and V.A.D.’s not otherwise attached who will offer themselves for this work. The need is urgent and immediate response is necessary. Those who will in any way assist are asked to send in their names or phone the Canadian Patriotic rooms at 52 King street east.”¹

Located at the head of James street, Ballinahinch had been one of the city’s most elegant mansions. Built in the 1850s, it was the home of Edward Martin, beginning in 1870. After Martin died in 1916, it had been vacant.

Ballinahinch was not only place offered to the Canadian Patriotic Fund for temporary hospital purposes:

“In accepting the offer of Messrs. Martin, it was considered that Ballinahinch would prove a place most adaptable for such a hospital, although other citizens offered sites and homes quite as readily, among those being the old Mountain View hotel.”¹

The announcement that Ballinahinch had been acquired, and that considerable assistance was needed to make it a functional hospital was made on Tuesday October 15, 1918.

Just four days later, on October 19, 1918, the following lengthy article about Ballinahinch, the temporary hospital, appeared in the Spectator:

 “Something in the way of a record in the preparation of an emergency hospital has been created in the establishment of a completely-equipped 24-bed hospital of three wards at Ballinahinch, Upper James street, by the relief committee of the Canadian Patriotic fund.

“At noon on Tuesday, the chairman of that committee, A. H. Lovering, received from the trustees of the property permission to use it, free of rental. On Friday evening, everything pertaining to the needs of such an institution was in place, even to the sign on the gate, ‘Canadian Patriotic fund relief hospital. No visitors.’ To install water, gas, telephone, wash, dust and clean the extensive premises long unoccupied, provide range, kitchen utensils, glass, china and silverware, coal and wood, repair defective plumbing, provide beds and bedding for wards’ and assistants’ rooms, medical and surgical supplies, stationery, forms, charts, arrange for helpers, nurses and V.A.D.’s in 60 hours meant energy and much executive ability and co-operation on the part of many persons who,  working with enthusiasm, made the seemingly impossible task possible, and today will see some dependents of Hamilton’s men overseas, who have been the unfortunate victims of the existing epidemic, in exceedingly comfortable surroundings, in charge of trained nurses, who hope to bring them back to health through the prompt of their good friends, the Canadian Patriotic fund of Hamilton, the only branch of that fund which has in the present emergency undertaken the not inconsiderable task and expense involved. This relief hospital, which is for the reception of the dependents of men overseas or returned who are in the charge of the Patriotic fund only and who are suffering from Spanish influenza., is splendidly housed in the handsome and stately mansion for many years the home of the late Edward Martin, K.C. The former drawing room with a splendid southern exposure; the dining room and large living room, are fitted up as wards, the latter being provided with cots for little children. Twenty of the beds have been loaned by the militia department, together with the regulation bedding, which has been amplified by the local Canadian Red Cross society, which, with the Secours National, has stocked the linen room and supplied many ward necessities. The library is now the office of the nurse in charge, Miss N. P. Pegg, who has associated with her Mrs. H. G. Snow, Miss Mary Clark, Miss Galvin and Mrs. S. B. Thompson, all graduate nurses. Two bedrooms are fitted up for the nurses in residence, and a small isolate ward is also provided on the upper floor.

                   THE STAFF

“The kitchen and pantries will be in charge of Miss F. E. Garden and Miss Campbell, instructors in domestic science. The kindly response to the requests of Mr. Cyrus Birge, president, and Mr. Lovering, chairman of the fund, has been unanimous, ‘not one refusal’ being their report, and many volunteers, offers of assistance are filed for future acceptance. These gentlemen who have their given time to such a good purpose have obtained the necessary encouragement from the staff of nurses and assistants who have displayed exceptional and inspiring interest in the undertaking, and from those furnishing advice, assistance and the many and varied supplies.

“The officers of M.D., No. 2, Mrs. P. J. Myler and Mrs. W. A. Spratt for the Canadian Red Cross society, Miss Lovering, Mrs. Whitton, Mrs. Birge of Scors National, the Green furniture company limited, the Right House, James Crawford, Benson Johnson Limited, Reid Press limited, Drs. W. F. Langrill and Huerner Mullin, Mrs, G. Gilles and others have been of most material help and were in a large measure responsible for the general result.

“The Queen’s Canadian hospital committee have sent to Mr. Lovering a donation of $50 to cover extraordinary expenses and Mrs. Spratt and the other mentioned organizations have assumed responsibility for various needs, while the hospital exists.

                   ADVISORY COMMITTEE

“The Hamilton Medical association will provide an advisory committee, and with the nurses and Mrs. AR. Hendrie, Misses F.E. Barker, Leslie Sutherland, Geraldine Grantham, Miss Rousseaux, Miss Husband and other V.A.D.’s the welfare of patients would seem to be assured. Should the epidemic spread amongst the class for whom this splendid emergency hospital has been created, the gentlemen responsible for its opening and equipment will have given a further and substantial evidence of the capabilities of the relief committee of Hamilton Patriotic fund, and will have done a great good for those in their charge. The expense of supplies and maintenance, which will be considerable notwithstanding, voluntary service of the assistants and nurses will be borne by the patriotic fund. “²

²“Hospital Was Fitted Up in Record Time : Ballinahinch Now Ready For ‘Flu’ Patients : Twenty Beds Loaned to the Militia Authorities : Advisory Committee From Medical Council”

Hamilton Spectator.    October 19, 1918.