Volume 10 , Issue 28

1927 News Article On Fort Supply Sanitarium

From The Oklahoman, dated 1927 August 7, page 19, was the following article under the headlines of From Pioneer Oklahoma.

"On the morning of May 20, 1908, an unusual sight met the eyes of the few scattered settlers of that sandy region in Woodward county lying between the villages of Tangier and Supply. Two special trains arrived at Tangier on the Santa Fe railroad between 10 and 11 o'clock, carrying as passengers 400 patients from a sanitarium at Norman to the new State Hospital for the Insane at Fort Supply.

"Care of mentally disabled was in its infancy at that time in Oklahoma. During territorial days the only provision was a contract arrangement with a privately-owned sanitarium at Norman, which was purchased in 1915 and improved as a state hospital for the insane. Transfer of these 400 wards of the state tot he first state hospital at Supply was an interesting, if tedious task.

"The journey was made by rail up through Kansas and back to Tangier, where residents of the section had gathered horses and buggies, wagons, buckboards and carriages to make the last lap of the journey, fifteen miles north through the sandhills, after fording Wolf creek. The trip was accomplished with a minimum of confusion and discomfort to the patients. Dr. E. G. Newell, superintendent, had a hot supper and comfortable quarters ready at the journey's end.

"The destination of the travelers was one of the historic spots of the prairie country, a center of romance in the early settlement of northwest Oklahoma. Camp Supply was established at the juncture of wolf and Beaver creeks in the early 1860's, as an outpost from Fort Dodge, Kansas, when it was considered expedient by the federal government to prosecute the Indian warfare down into the enemy's country.

"Picket buildings were erected of native cedar logs, and a supply base was established for the expeditions in which Generals Phil Sheridan and George Custer figured so prominently. later the place was named Fort Supply, and was a regular post, with barracks, parade ground, officers' homes and a guardhouse, material for which was freighted overland from the railroad at Fort Dodge, Kansas.

"Having fulfilled its destiny as an outpost of civilization for more than thirty years, Fort Supply was abandoned in 1894. In 1905 the federal government made a grant of 1,760 acres of the old military reservation and all improvements in the territory of Oklahoma for hospital purposes. An appropriation of $25,000 was made to put the buildings in repair. The first state legislature, in 1907, made an additional appropriation, and work was pushed to recondition the place for a state hospital.

"During the next decade the institution went through the experimental stage common to all projects in the early years of statehood. Dr. E. G. Newell was superintendent from the opening in 1908 till 1915, who in turn was succeeded by Dr. E. L. Bagby, who is still in office.

"In 1921 the tide of public interest and legislative favor turned, and the first appropriation of any size was made -- $125,000 -- for a convalescent ward. In 1923 a receiving ward was erected at a cost of $110,000. The next substantial appropriation was in 1925 -- $150,000 for a most complete and modernly equipped hospital, to replace the old wooden army barracks. last year an appropriation was made to build the key structure of the plant, the $75,000 administration building and amusement hall, with an excellent stage, and seating capacity of 600.

"The water system, which pipes water from springs a few miles north, and which was installed during army days, has been enlarged, and an ice plant and cold storage plant fills a very necessary need in this warm climate. A fire-proof modern laundry recently has been completed.

"The 750 patients now living at the hospital are cared for, protected and directed by ninety-two employee. Expert diagnosis is made for each case, and medical treatment and occupational therapy indicated. Fully 33 percent of the patients recover completely.

"The regular routine of the hospital is similar to that of a well-regulated home, and the general attitude of patients is one of contentment and well being. Without relaxing careful surveillance, patients are allowed a large measure of personal liberty, and of every possible way the happiness of their environment is emphasized.

"Chapel services are held once each week. All denominations are welcome to conduct them in turn. Musical programs and entertainments are given whenever possible, and picture shows are given weekly. Supervised recreation is considered especially helpful and the evening each week devoted to dancing is eagerly anticipated. Old fashioned square dances are used.

"Occupational therapy is a pet idea with Doctor Bagby. He introduced it at Supply in 1920, and has proved it to be valuable in the treatment of acute forms of mental trouble, as well as beneficial in certain chronic cases. Patients are more contented with agreeable occupations, and under the supervision of trained instructors frequently become expert in certain creative arts, and are thus provided with employment upon returning home.
,br> "Two small buildings originally designed for tuberculosis wards, are fitted up for various branches of this work.

"Closely allied to the occupational therapy idea is the management of all work redirected with the community. Tasks best adapted to each individual are plained for all patients, and satisfactory results are obtained through the cooperative community plan.

"Six hundred acres of the farm are under cultivation. Five hundred tons of alfalfa were put up last year, and four thousand gallons of sorghum were turned out of the sorghum mill." -- The Oklahoman, Fort Supply Hospital, 1927
  |  View or Add Comments (0 Comments)   |   Receive updates ( subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

---