The campaign was to a very large degree successful, sufficient money being raised in this initial effort to warrant the directors in purchasing a site, the square block situated on North Second street between N and O streets, where a fire-proof building was constructed to accommodate thirty-five patients with a maximum capacity of fifty. The building is equipped with the most modern appliances for hospital activities. The operating room was modeled and equipped after the suggestion of the most celebrated surgeons in the country, and since the opening of the hospital to receive patients in July, 1914, its success has been assured and its need demonstrated. It possesses appliances and equipment conservatively valued at $65,000.
The present board of directors are: W. P. Waggener, president; Frank E. Harwi, vice-president; O. E. Gray, secretary; Joseph M. Schott, treasurer. Directors: R. W. Ramsay, H. E. Muchnic, Eugene Howe and Leo Nusbaum.
The purpose of this institution is to take care of the sick and injured of the community without distinction of race, color or creed. Those who can afford to pay are expected to pay the fees of the institution. No one is refused attendance by reason of his or her inability to pay for such service. The biological and X-Ray laboratories are among the best equipped in the State and these laboratories with their equipment, like most of the furnishings and equipment of the hospital, are memorials of the former residents of Atchison county.
MASONIC TEMPLE.
This magnificent new home for the Masonic orders of Atchison is a three-story structure of re-inforced concrete fire-proof construction with basement. It is built of gray Brazil, Indiana, vitrified brick and trimmed with ocean colored terra cotta. The first floor is a store room and on the second floor there are a number of offices and the banquet hall with kitchen facilities. The third floor is used exclusively for Masonic purposes, and in the rear portion of the third floor is a mezzanine floor with fire-proof lockers. The lodge room is embellished with an ornamental plaster cornice and with Scagliola columns and pilasters. The ceiling is circular with a large dome, and the memorial room is finished with ornamental plastering in elaborate Egyptian design. The total cost of this building with furniture and equipment was close to $60,000.
Masonic Temple, Atchison, Kan.
CHAPTER XXII.
SOCIETIES AND LODGES.
ATCHISON COUNTY PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION—BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ORDER OF ELKS—FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES—OTHER SECRET SOCIETIES—CATHOLIC SOCIETIES.
One of the strongest county organizations among the farmers is the Atchison County Protective Association. It had its origin in a vigilance committee which was organized at Good Intent and Shannon, in 1883. For three years this committee operated as a vigilance committee and was organized under the Central Protective Association, August 31, 1886, by William Conners, of Winthrop, Mo. L. P. Dubois, concerning whom a biographical sketch appears in another part of this history, was the first president of the Good Intent lodge, and W. H. Smith was the first secretary. Hon. T. J. Emlen, county treasurer of this county, was the first treasurer of Shannon Hill lodge, and J. I. Holmes was the first secretary.