MRS. E. WASHBURN PASSES

Emma Esther Washburn (nee Jensen) was born in Washington County, Nebraska March 24, 1881, and departed this life September 7, 1933 after an illness of many months’ standing. Since February of this year she had been confined to her bed almost continually. About three weeks ago it was thought that a major operation might give her relief and restore her to health once more. For some time it seemed that the desired result would be brought about and high hopes were held out for her recovery. During her illness she was cared for most tenderly and skillfully by Miss Helen Dunnler, who for the past 5 years has been her efficient and loyal co-worker.

Mrs. Washburn spent her childhood days on the farm where she was born nine miles west of Blair where she attended the schools. In 1905 she left her home to take the nurses training course at the Madison, Tenn. hospital and sanitarium. Here she met Dr. F. A. Washburn to whom she was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1907 at her parents’ home in Blair. Her husband passed away two years later in Grand Junction, Colorado where they had established a small sanitarium. For awhile Mrs. Washburn carried on the work alone, but later gave it up to connect with the conference office work in the L. D. Adventist denomination. For 3 years she was secretary-treasurer of the Missouri conference. In 1914 she was elected by the Nebraska conference to the office of state Sabbath school secretary, which work she later laid down to take the position of superintendent of nurses at the Hastings, Nebr. sanitarium. This position she held until the advanced age of her parents caused her to resign that she might be near her father and mother during their declining years. It was thus she came to establish the Blair hospital, which institution she has owned and managed for the past sixteen years.

She leaves to mourn two sisters and two brothers: Mrs Peter Erntsen of Woodbury, Oregon; Mrs. Conrad E. Anderson, Mullin, Nebr; J. Martin Jensen of Sioux City, Ia. and Peter E. Jensen, Nevada, Iowa. She also leaves 2 nephews and ten nieces. The children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Soren Jensen are cousins, six of whom were pallbearers.

Mrs. Washburn was a woman of ability, and those who knew her held her in high esteem. As head of the local hospital she has served the community well, and her place which she had built in the hearts of those to whom she has ministered will never be entirely filled.

The funeral services were held last Sunday afternoon from the Methodist church, and interment was made in the Blair cemetery.

#2-Posted Friday, January 13, 2023

Leeanna Ellis, for the Enterprise

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series of stories looking at Blair both past and present through the book “Blair the Town Beautiful” written by John A. Rhoades, former Enterprise publisher. He published the book in June 1926.

“One of the prerequisites to 20th century civilization that Blair possesses and which contributes its part in giving Blair residents all the advantages offered by metropolitan cities is a good hospital,” the Blair Pilot wrote in a March 24, 1924, article.

The Blair Hospital – a precursor to Memorial Community Hospital and Health System – was established in 1890 by the Washington County Benevolent Association. In 1917, Mrs. Emma Washburn, RN, bought the facility, opening for business in May of that year in the former East School building at Eighth and Grant streets.

Emma (Jensen) Washburn was born and raised in Washington County on a farm nine miles west of Blair. In 1905, she left Nebraska to take the nurses training course at the Madison, Tenn., hospital and sanitarium. There, she met her husband, Dr. Frank Washburn. They were married at her parents’ home on Jan. 1, 1907. The couple established a small sanitarium in Grand Junction, Colo. But two years later, Frank Washburn died. Emma Washburn carried on their work alone before returning to Nebraska.

In 1914, she became the superintendent of nurses at a sanitarium in Hastings. But as her parents’ health declined, she moved home and operated the Blair Hospital.

“Mrs. Washburn is a practical nurse and her kindly and sympathetic treatment of her patients has gained her place an enviable reputation,” former Enterprise publisher John A. Rhoades wrote in his book “Blair the Town Beautiful.”

During World War I, Washburn trained nurses after she was named county chair of the new department of “Elementary Hygiene and Home Care of Sick and Home Dietetics,” according to an article in the July 25, 1918, Blair Tribune. Washburn would issue a call for a class and give instructions. After taking a course of 15 lessons, potential nurses were given an examination. Those who passed received a diploma, making them second class practical nurses.

In 1920, Washburn determined Blair needed a larger and up-to-date hospital, the June 10, 1920, Blair Enterprise reported. She made arrangements to purchase a more suitable location and construct an addition to the building to include a modern and well-equipped operating room, several private rooms, women’s ward, men’s ward, endowed beds, free beds, and treatment rooms.

The Blair Chamber of Commerce declared June 20-27 as “Hospital Week” in an effort to raise funds for the facility. Each day included opportunities to donate or participate in fundraisers through area churches, a play hosted by the Blair Fire Department, a movie at the theater, an open air concert and cake stand, an auction, and a dance. Organizations and businesses could also donate.

Washburn faced scrutiny from critics who felt that the public was financing a private institution. Following Hospital Week, she thanked the critics and those who tried to help, but in a letter published in the June 30, 1920, Blair Pilot, Washburn noted that without funds, the hospital could not continue.

“It’s to be hoped that every fair minded individual has finally been convinced that they have not been called upon to finance a private affair, and unless a greater interest is manifested, Blair will be without a hospital about August first or sooner,” she wrote. “The hospital has been a private one during my time here, and I have never called upon the public for any assistance at all, nor have I been offered any until recently, which I kindly refused.

“It has been impossible for us to do the work as we knew it should be done for lack of room and help so we do not expect to continue,” Washburn added. “We tried to do the best we could under the present conditions and circumstances and are truly thankful for the appreciation of the majority of those whom we have cared for while sick. It has been a real pleasure to watch over your bedside and wait on you. We thank you for all your kindness toward us while here and your moral support.”

Despite threatening to close, the Blair Hospital remained operational. In 1924, the facility had accommodations for about 15 patients. In the seven years Washburn had run the hospital, it had served approximately 800 patients, according to the Blair Pilot.

In 1925, the hospital underwent a remodel and repairs with the addition of a sleeping porch and a sun parlor. The changes also allowed for more rooms.

“The dream by Mrs. Washburn was not only for the improving of the exterior of the hospital. It was her desire to see the hospital branch out and grow so that it might add to the comfort and assistance of the sick and the community – and while this is being realized there is yearning to see it grow as time goes on,” the Blair Tribune wrote in a Sept. 24, 1925, story.

The remodel was completed in late November 1925. Washburn celebrated with members of the Washington County Medical Association.

In addition to improvements to the building, new equipment was also added. In 1932, a complete X-ray and fluoroscopy machine was installed in the hospital. The equipment was purchased by Dr. W.F. Hemphill, a local dentist. The equipment was made available for all doctors in the vicinity. Washburn gave up her office to make room for the machine.

Installation of the new equipment was a highly desirable addition to the hospital, Washburn told the Blair Pilot. It made the institution the equal of any small hospital in this part of the country. Washington County residents previously had to travel to Omaha for any X-rays.

After caring for Blair’s sick and injured for 16 years, Washburn died on Sept. 7, 1933, following an extended illness and a major operation.

“Mrs. Washburn was a woman of ability, and those who knew her held her in high esteem,” her obituary said. “As head of the local hospital she has served the community well, and her place which she had built in the hearts of those to whom she has ministered will never be entirely filled.”

In October 1933, the Blair Hospital was purchased by the Lutheran Good Samaritan Society, which owned 36 hospitals across the Midwest, including in Columbus, Fremont and Friend in Nebraska.

~~~Obituaries courtesy of the Nebraska Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair, Nebraska Public Library~~~

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