This institution was opened in the beginning of the year 1900. Its location on the crest of the hill gives it a commanding and inspiring view of this important railroad and commercial center of the Inland Empire. The idea of opening the sanitarium here was first suggested by Elder G. W. Reaser, then president of the Upper Columbia Conference.
The pioneer workers in the sanitarium were Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Leadsworth, formerly of Healdsburg, Cal. Mrs. Leadsworth preceded her husband three months in the work, and had, with the assistance of such help as was tendered by the church here, opened up the sanitarium, and received patients even before the doctor's arrival, and has since, until a short time ago, been connected with the work here in the capacity of matron, stewardess, etc.
From the beginning, and up to the first of last June, Dr. Leadsworth has occupied the position of medical superintendent. During this time some material growth has been experienced. In the beginning, the work was carried on by the doctor and his wife and one nurse, who were provided with appliances of a very primitive order, and with very limited accommodations for guests; now, the institution supports two doctors, a business manager, a matron, a gentleman and a lady head nurse, fifteen helpers engaged in nursing, and eight in domestic work. Our treatment rooms and laboratory are equipped with modern appliances, and we have accommodations for about fifty guests, with room for further development. Since June 1, Dr. I. A. Dunlap, who is at the head of the medical department of Walla Walla College, College Place, has been in charge of the work, pending the arrival of Dr. Silas Yarnell, who is expected soon, to take charge of the work here.23
The work was first begun in a building intended for a residence, which is, we believe, the largest building of that character in Spokane. In the financial crisis of the early nineties the building, then just completed, passed into the hands of a loan company, and remained practically vacant until rented to us as a sanitarium. The manager of the company here rented the building to us at a nominal monthly rental, and has in many ways shown his good will and interest in our work.
Besides occupying this building, last year we erected a three and one-half story frame building, at a cost of about seventy-five hundred dollars, close by the former building, wherein is situated the general treatment rooms, the business offices, the offices of the medical superintendent, and a suite of operating rooms; hence this building is used largely for the surgical and general hospital work.
The Lord has prospered the work in a financial way, so that the earnings have been sufficient not only to meet the current expenses of the institution, but also to provide the necessary furniture and household goods, together with needed electrical and other appliances, surgical instruments, etc., and each month something has been applied on our indebtedness. Our commercial standing is fair, and our credit has not been abused; and while our work is small in comparison with that of some of our older institutions, the Lord has blessed his work here. Our courage is good, and every one connected with the work esteems it a special privilege to have a part in it.
The educational side of our work is not neglected. There is the training school, which has now graduated seven worthy young people, and has fourteen more earnest workers in training for a life of usefulness and devoted sacrifice; then there are the guests sent here to learn how to avoid the pitfalls that have brought them face to face with death; and beyond this there is the world at large to be educated. The guests have the privilege of parlor lectures once a week, a strict vegetarian diet, and personal contact with consecrated and conscientious helpers. The people in general have not been neglected, though we have not been able to do as much as we earnestly desire. In the early part of the work here, a school of health was conducted in the Unitarian church of this city, in which Dr. Winegar, Mrs. Judge Arthur, and Mrs. J. R. Leadsworth took prominent parts. About one hundred and fifty representative and interested people were present at the first meeting, and a fair-sized audience greeted our workers at every meeting, a number taking the entire course of instruction.
Besides this, thousands of copies of the Good Health and the Pacific Health Journal have been distributed, not only in Spokane, but also in adjacent cities and towns. The seed sown has borne good fruit, and many grateful patients from Montana, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia are now laboring in the interest of the institution and the work in general.
