-Chapter V- GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
Health And Welfare Services
Murray County has long been concerned about the health and welfare of its citizens. Official records show that the county operated a "poor farm" several times during the 19th century. Anderson Farnsworth was superintendent in 1854. Ellis Daniel was in charge on another occasion. In August. 1882 the Murray County Grand Jury recommended a "poor house" and in 1888 records show that the county was out of debt since the "pauper farm" was in "good condition" and almost "self-sustaining." The locations of these farms varied. One was located on Highway 225 near the later "Huse" Gregory farm and another facility was on the Leonard properly, east of Central on Highway 76.
At least two convict or "chain-gang" camps have existed in Murray. One was on Fort Mountain east of the Chatsworth water tanks. This could have been the one sold to the State Highway Department in 1929. About this same time, a new building to house convicts was constructed nearer Chatsworth. Walt Robinson and John Morris were the builders of the facility which included a "sweat box." a narrow cell where an unruly prisoner was confined. Later rock veneer was added to the original frame structure and in 1935 it became the county home for the "aged and infirm," W.A. (Dock) Whitener was the supervisor of the home.
Begun through the New Deal's Emergency Relief Administration, the county home operated until 1950 when it was convened to storage space. In 1968 the county began to dispense commodity foods to persons certified as eligible by !he Department of Family and Children's Services. And, the west end of the building was used as an office for the commodity foods program.
Then, in August, 1972, one room and a hallway of the building became the office for the Food Stamp program. Later that year Northwest Georgia EGA monies became available for an EGA local county office. Two rooms of the old building were renovated for EOA office space.
In 1974, plans were initiated to renovate the east end of the old building to include office space for the County Agent and Home Economics agent, (whose offices were located then in the Federal building on Fort St.); the local highway department office; Area Extension Specialist for the TVA office; and a small conference room for the local planning commission.
Approximately $15,000 in Federal Revenue Sharing funds were used to finance the renovation of the east end of the building including an air-conditioning-heating system.
The Murray County Department of Family and Children Services also had offices on Green Road. Mr. R.E. Chambers served as chairman of the Board from 1937 until his death in 1982. Others who have served on that Board include W.H. Penland (1970-73), Jack Clayton (1968 to date), F.C. Leonard (1968-72), Herbert Fields (1968-70), Marvin Shields (1972-78), Albert Ledford (1976-86). S.D. Rogers (1968-70), Roland Harbin (1971-76), Milma Earnest (1978 to date), Mary Petty, and Mary N. Kendrick.
Mary H. Richardson, long-time department director, retired in 1972. She was succeeded by Barbara Weaver who supervised the move of the department to a new home on Highway 76 near the hospital in 1984. Other staff members in the past 20 years have included Rossie Dunn. Jan Harrison, Judith H. Salvaras, longtime secretary Geraldine Young, Patricia Smith, Vilinda Hayes, Nancy S. Poweli, Cheryl D. Springfield, Dianne M. Dunn, Vonda S. Patterson, Frankye Long, Dianne Hall, Carol St. John, Mike Lewis, and Maurine Elrod.
Health Center - For many years Murray County had only a single county health nurse. Margaret Kennedy held the position in 1932. In 1954 Mrs. Joella Rogers became public health nurse and gave 23 years of devoted service in that capacity.
The Murray Health Department was partly integrated with that of Whitfield County for some time and shared the services of a medical doctor as Commissioner of Health and a Sanitarian. In 1974, after a quarter of a century in the basement of the hospital, the Department moved to its fine, modem facility on Old Ellijay Road. The variety of services grew from mostly immunizations to family planning, pre- and post-natal care, WIC Food program, and dental services. Celia Kinney retired in 1985 after almost 31 years as secretary. Other employees include June Griffin, Jean Cole, Billie England, and sanitary engineer Robert M. (Mike)Kelley.
The Murray County Memorial Hospital — Murray County's hospital is very appropriately named for it was begun, supported, and maintained by local residents with relatively little outside help during its almost 40-year existence. Also, the hospital has benefitted greatly from bequests by several outstanding Murray citizens, so it is a memorial to the generosity and concern of Murray Countians for their fellow residents.
The Chatsworth Times of October 11, 1945 carried the announcement "Hospital Planned for Chatsworth - Lions Club Begins Project to Build Hospital for County." The next year, noted Murray politician, builder, philanthropist, and Lions Club member V.C. Pickering left $100,000 to found and build a hospital. W.A. Tatum gave land on Walnut Street and Fourth Avenue on which to build the facility The hospital was formally dedicated in February 1950 At the time G.I. Maddox was chairman of the hospital board and Mrs O.L Hammond. a registered nurse from Dalton, was the superintendent The $250,000 structure was completed at an estimated cost of $175,000 since Murray Countians contracted it themselves.
About the time the hospital was completed, an $80,000 gift came from the estate of J. Frank Hall who had died in 1948. This was not the only legacy from Mr. Hall. P.H. Bond, an administrator of the Hall estate, added the following account:
Among the things the peculiar Mr. Hall saved as mementos were two red handmade bricks. They were molded in 1840 by his Grandfather Harris, While they were drying in the sun, a sow and her little pigs walked across them, leaving footprints in the bricks. Mr. Hall had treasured them all his life.
Mr. Bond insisted That the bricks be used in the hospital, and they were. The 109-year-old pigs' prints may be seen still.
"He was the savingest man 1 ever knew," said Mr. Bond in summing up J. Frank Hall's character. "The slogan that fits him best, and the one I'm going to put on a plaque in the hospital is 'He saved for others.' "
According to a 1956 publication of the Chatsworth Enterprises Club: "This hospital is located in Chatsworth and is rendering a valuable service to its citizens and to the health of this area. It is thoroughly equipped with specialized equipment for the protection of the health of its citizens and the treatment of diseases. Five medical Doctors, a Public Health Nurse and nursing and technicians are on the staff of this modern institution. A new addition was started in 1954 and completed during the early par! of 1955 which increased the number of beds from 25 to 37. The institution is well equipped with modern X-ray machines, operating and delivery rooms and all modern surgical supplies and equipment are available in this modem hospital."
By 1964 the hospital staff had increased from 13 to 36 employees, one of whom was the very dedicated Jackie Baggett. labeled "Mr. Everything" by the staff. At the time Odell Ingle, I.M, Peeples, Fred Long, C.H. Greeson, and Clarence Ridley composed the hospital board. Although the hospital saw some lean years it survived under administrators Joella Rogers (1951-53), Stanton Jones (1953-55), Raymond Cox (1955-67), Jerry L. McDowell (1967-70), Elmer Clarke (resigned 1975), and Steven Hammock (1975-76).
As the 1970's began, it was evident that a new facility was needed. Physicians were difficult to attract, space was lacking, and modern equipment was needed. On May 18. 1971 the voters of Murray County approved a $1 million bond issue to finance the construction of a new hospital. Another $379,000 came from a Federal Appalachian Grant. On May 20, 1972 groundbreaking ceremonies were held with U.S. Senator Herman Talmadge as the speaker. Hospital authority members were Chairman Tom Turner, Tucker Brown, Jeff Mullinax, and Sherman Leonard.
Work began on the new building in the fall of 1972 and continued through 1973. By 1974 work was 80% complete. John Martin Co. of Chattanooga was the builder and Bobby Toles was the architect. Additional donations were sought to fully equip the new structure and Open House was held July 6, 1975. The 42-bed hospital on the Old Ellijay Road then employed 55 full-time and 16 part-time workers. Dr. Otis Walker was then chief of the medical staff which also included Drs. Harry Johnston, Fernando Ramos, and O'Neal Sutler. Marvin Shields chaired the hospital authority of which Tucker Brown, Sherman Leonard, and Shirley Russell were members.
A few days later Mrs. Renie Tatum, widow of the original land doner and frequent benefactor of the hospital, became the first patient in the new facility. Also in July, the Hospital Auxiliary was re-activated.
The next year David Butler became hospital administrator. During his tenure and now under his successor, Jim Hazel, the hospital continued to develop into a fine medical institution. In recent years a "Let's Save Our Hospital" campaign has given new life to the hospital. Several doctors have been added to the medical staff and many others have courtesy privileges. Among longtime hospital employees have been Edna Ridley, Lillian Bryson, Martha Ramsey, Flora Bowen, Director of Nursing Naomi Fehrle.
Another important donor to the hospital was Pauline Keith Young in whose memory the Special Care Unit was named in 1984.
The old hospital building was sold at auction in 1975 and has since been vacant. For a time, rumors persisted that it would be converted into a nursing home, but this was not to be. However in 1979 plans were announced that such a facility would be built near the new hospital off Hospital Drive. John J. Harte Associates of Atlanta were the architects-engineers for the $1,400,000 complex.
First Etowah Corporation of Rome did the construction. Chatsworth Health Care Center opened in December, 1980. Webb Henderson was the first resident. Leaders of the staff were Pat Haynes, director of nurses; Pam Quinn, social worker; Beth Mallett, activities director, and Scott Shull, administrator.
Also located in Murray County's growing medical complex are Dr. Charles Clark's dentistry, the Doctor's Building (1976) owned by Dr. O'Neal Suiter, and a Professional Office Building, constructed in 1985 on land donated by Dr. Sutler. Lee Gravitt, chairman of the Hospital Auxiliary, presided over the February ribbon-cutting ceremony which saw State Representative Tom Ramsey deliver the main address. Various Murray County businesses donated funds and materials to the project.
The hospital has served as the base for the Murray County Ambulance Service since the Service's inception in 1975. An ever-improving group of emergency medical technicians staff the Service which has received much recognition over the years.
Other County Services - Murray County also boasts a fine Rescue Squad or Civil Defense Unit. Headquartered on South Second Avenue in Chatsworth, the Rescue Squad was directed by Bill Elrod until 1981 when former assistant Oran Hogan succeeded him. James Tankersley has also been involved with the Unit for some time. Many residents and visitors have benefitted greatly from the services provided by these volunteers.
For fire protection, Murray Residents rely on the Chatsworth Fire Department within the city limits, the U.S. Forestry Service in some areas, and the Murray County Fire Service. The latter is an independently owned business led by Terry Grant. While the main station in located on Cohutta Street in Chatsworth, the county-wide service has expanded to include stations in Eton and south of Spring Place near Springdale Estates.
In 1974 the North Georgia Community Action Agency was incorporated to "plan, operate, coordinate and evaluate community service programs for the economically disadvantaged and other eligible persons." Murray is one of six member counties along with Cherokee, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, and Whitfield. One of the results of this organization was the beginning of the Aging-Nutrition Center which provides lunch, recreation, and a variety of social services for participants who are over 60 years of age.
The first home of the "Nutrition Center" was the Jaycee building on Old Ellijay Road, but in 1980 the group got their own facility. Since the county library got a new home that year, the Chatsworth Woman's Club leased the former library building on Market Street to the county for SI to provide a permanent home for the senior citizens center.
Edna Sneads was the first director of the Center which is now headed by Mary Noland. The center has also provided a "Meals on Wheels," program since 1977. This service delivers a nutritious meal to homebound senior citizens five days a week.
These services have greatly benefitted many elderly Murray Countians. Another service is the Home Health Care program which provides for nurses to visit homes to check various patients. This and other programs are funded partially by Murray's ever increasing United Way campaign.
The City of Chatsworth and Murray County cooperate on many projects such as the library and the hospital. Another area which has received considerable support from both governments as well as from the private sector is recreation. The well-groomed Chatsworth-Murray County Recreation Center contains the E.D. Bridges Swimming Pool, picnic areas, tennis courts, playing fields, and basketball goals which are enjoyed by countless Murray Countians each year. The impressive recreational schedules at this modern facility show that many changes have come to the area since people like C.W. Bradley, Walter Swanson, and others formed organizations like the "Murray County Baseball League" in 1950. Today a jointly appointed Chatsworth-Murray County Recreation Commission supervises the Center, located near the high school on the old school farm. Bill Ross, Curtis Burt, Edward Nichols, Oran Hogan, John Kenemer, Dan Townsend, and Ray Ridley currently serve on the Commission.
Murray County Heritage