Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 307, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 December 1913 — DR. GRENFELL’S LIFE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DR. GRENFELL’S LIFE

Career of Heroic Service Fir-U of Many Dangers. Sails Rock-Strewn Seas Like the Viking of Old—ln Twenty Years He Has Accomplished Much for People of North. New York.—With the visit to this city recently of Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell many interesting facts concerning the work done by the famous missionary in Newfoundland and Labrador were disclosed.

More than twenty years ago Doctor Grenfell left England in a staunch little mission ship bound for Labrador. When Doctor Grenfell reached Labrador in 1892 he found about 3,000 permanent residents, or "liveyeres,” as they are called locally. The summer fishing fleet from Newfoundland and the surrounding country brought the inhabitants to about 25,000 men and women. '“ r They had little eduea/ion and inadequate food and clothing. Medical and surgical aid was almost unobtainable. In the score of years that have passed since Doctor Grenfell entered Labrador he has developed the social, economic, educational and religious life of the isolated people of the Far North and has been the means of bringing medical aid and instruction in sanitation.’

One ot his ideals was to erect a building for the visiting seamen. For ten years Doctor Grenfell lectured and set aside such funds as he could spare from the rapidly growing demands of the already established interests, order that he could provide some suitable home for the “jack” ashore. His aim was finally accomplished and there now stands in St. John’s Newfoundland, the »King George V. Seamen’s institute. The building was planned as a home and club house, and since its opening has been used by a large number of seamen. The institute was opened on December 19, 1912,

On Sunday afternoons and nights Grenfell hall, dedicated to Doctor Grenfell’s mother, is used for church services. The hall during the week is used for entertainment purposes. The institute includes a reading and writing room, sitting room, officers’ room, restaurant, 43 single and 15 double bedrooms, pool and billiard room,J>owlling alleys, swimming pool, gymnasium, laundry and a department for girls. The girls’ department is for the use of young women who come to St. John’s to seek employment The ac-

commodations consist of a large social room, four large double bedrooms, three single bedrooms, diningroom, kitchen and a department in domestic science.

Doctor Grenfell’s practice lies over two thousand miles of fog-laden, badlycharted, rock-bound coast. -“ He covers this distance at least once, and often twice, every year in the little hospital steamer Strathcona. Through the tickles, as the narrow straits are called, down into the fiords, across stormy, ice-covered bays goes the steamer on, her errands of mercy and healing. Sometimes these touch-and-go visits of the Strathcona afford the sole opportunity many of the liveyeres have to secure medical or surgical aid. . The approach of the mission ship is hailed by tfie fishing fleet with the greatest enthusiasm. The trapboat bouncing over the waves shouts or signals her a welcome. Along the coast Doctor Grenfell's arrival is heralded by all the inhabitants of the little settlement hastening td the land4ng place to greet him. Patients are taken to the Strathcona or Dgptor Grenfell goes Serious cases are taken aboard the Strathcona and hurried to St. Anthony or Battle Ilarbor. This hospital ship is without doubt one of the most Important factors in the work. The string of hospitals, St. Anthony, Battle Harbor, Indian Harbor, Harrington, these are the fingers, the Strathcona is the thumb, of the helping hand taking so much light and cheer to the isolated fisher folk down north. Doctor Grenfell’s missions )n Newfoundland and Labrador include .the Seamen’s institute at St., John's, the. hospital ship Strathcona, the hospitals at St. Anthony, Battle Harbor, Indian Harbor and Harrington, the out-sta-tions at FOrteau, Spotted islands, St. Barbe, St Carols and mission fleet 1

Dr. Wilfred T. Grenfell.