Dr. EMMA and Dr. FRANCIS TUCKER Correspondence 1942

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff
Dr. Emma Boose Tucker (1870-1963)
Dr. Francis Fisher Tucker (1870-1957)
Medical Staff, PMSS Infirmary 1942-1950
Correspondence 1942

Dr. Emma Tucker and Dr. Francis Tucker, PMSS Physicians, c. 1940s. Grace Rood Album. [rood_019.jpg]

TAGS: Dr. Emma Tucker, Dr. Francis Tucker, Pine Mountain Settlement School physicians, Drs. Tucker correspondence for 1942, hiring PMSS staff, Arthur W. Dodd, International Relief Committee in West China, Dr. L. H. Beals, William D. Webb, War Manpower Commission, State Health Commissioner, Kentucky State Medical Association, Evelyn K. Wells, contract between the Tuckers and PMSS

Dr. EMMA and Dr. FRANCIS TUCKER Correspondence 1942

[Note: Letters from PMSS staff in the PMSS Collections are carbon copies, typewritten, unsigned, and meant for the Office files. The original signed documents were sent to the correspondents. Letters from the Tuckers and others are typewritten originals unless specified otherwise.]

July 1942

[001 & 001a have been moved to 1953.]

002 July 24. To Arthur Dodd from Dr. Francis F. Tucker at Mountain Rest, Lithia, MA, who regrets he and Emma cannot answer Dr. Beals’ call for a PMSS physician. Instead, they are on the International Relief Committee in West China’s priority list to return to work in China.

003 July 24. To Dr. L. H. Beals from Dr. F.F. Tucker, declining Beals’ call for a PMSS physician, as he is awaiting a call to work in China; Emma may not be permitted to go. [Handwritten notation in left margin: “All very doubtful about his getting to China…L.H. Beals.”] Tucker mentions Dr. Rose at Mt. Hermon and his memories of the place; Mrs. Woods’ passing; his son Dr. Arthur Tucker; his daughter Dr. Margaret Tucker; the doctors’ activities in Florida; son Dr. Francis Tucker.

August 1942

005 August 1. To Dr. F.F. Tucker from William D. Webb, Acting Director, thanking him for his July 24th letter. “We shall miss Dr. and Mrs. Beals a great deal, of course, but realize the wisdom of their decision to leave Pine Mountain before winter comes.” He expresses PMSS’s need for one or both of the Tuckers’ services.

006 August 7. To Arthur Dodd from Dr. F.F. Tucker ,explaining that Emma does not have a license to practice in any state. He suggests approaching “some returning physician on S.S. ‘Gripsholm’ or check with mission boards. He encloses a draft of a letter to the KY Board of Medical Examiners asking them to allow Dr. Emma to work in an emergency.

007 August 10. To E.M. Howard, President, State Board of Health, Harlan, KY, from Webb, enclosing a letter from Dr. Emma Tucker and asking if she can be licensed to practice at PMSS.

008 August 12. To Webb from Frank H. Lahey, M.D., Chairman, Office for Emergency Management, War Manpower Commission, Washington, DC, who has received Webb’s letter and is forwarding it to State Chairman, Dr. A.T. McCormack. The latter will determine “the essential needs of the community and is authorized to recommend assignments” in KY.

009 August 14. Western Union telegram to Dr. Emma Tucker from Dodd, asking if she will accept the position of a PMSS doctor and arrive “before August 20th when Dr. Beals leaves.” He states that her presence at PMSS will possibly expedite getting the State Board’s permission.

010-010aa August 14. Two-page letter to Dr. Emma Tucker from Webb, explaining his telegram in further detail. He provides travel information, involving train or bus travel; offers a salary of $200.00 per month plus maintenance (room, board, and laundry). PMSS will pay for her round-trip travel if her permission is not granted. Mentions working with Miss [Grace] Rood.
010bb [Duplicate of 010.]

011 August 15. To Dodd from Dr. F.F. Tucker, suggesting that Dodd write to Dr. E.H. Hume, Christian Medical Council for Overseas Work in NYC, (about PMSS’s need for a school physician), if the Tuckers go to China. He outlines Dr. Emma’s September schedule.

012 August 15. To A.T. McCormack, State Health Commissioner, Louisville, KY, from E.M. Howard, M.D. with copies to Dr. Emma Tucker and Webb. McCormack encloses letters from Webb and E. Tucker.

013 August 17. To Webb from Drs. Francis and Emma Tucker, explaining the reasons that one or both doctors cannot travel to PMSS immediately, but will drive there on September 4 or 5. He suggests alternative plans and asks for confirmation.

014 August 14. Western Union telegram to Dr. Emma Tucker from Webb, asking that one of the Tuckers is present at PMSS on September 5 for physical exams.

015 August 21. To Webb from Dr. F.F. Tucker, who feels he should register in KY, pending word from PMSS about his employment there. This means he would join Dr. Emma at PMSS if or until he’s called to China.

016 August 22. To Webb from Dr. F.F. Tucker, assuring Webb that he and Dr. Emma will arrive at PMSS by September 5.

017 August 22. To Dr. Emma Tucker from Webb, who explains his August 14 telegram. Dr. and Mrs. Beals left PMSS the day after their farewell party. He describes the Tuckers’ housing and furnishings at PMSS.

018 August 22. To Evelyn K. Wells in Bridgehampton, NY, from [unsigned], reporting on the hiring of the Drs. Tucker and their background.

019 August 26. To Dr. F.F. Tucker at the Walker Missionary Home, Auburndale, MA, from [unsigned], Secretary, explaining why Tucker had not been informed of his arrival date earlier. [Handwritten notation lists enclosures: Board report, Co-op booklet, 1941-42 Notes, History & Philosophy, Community Service paper.]

020 August 27. To Webb from Dr. F.F. Tucker, Lithia, MA, telling of a visit by Dr. and Mrs. Beals, who provided details about their PMSS work. The Tuckers will leave home in about two days.

021 August 29. To Webb from A.T. McCormack, State Chairman, Kentucky State Medical Association, Louisville, KY, asking for clarification about the availability of Dr. Howard Ingling.

September 1942

022 September 5. To A.T. McCormack from Webb, “We appreciate very much your desire to help us, but as Dr. Ingling is now in active service in the Army, we realize there is nothing you can do.” Instead, the Tuckers have been hired.

023 September 7. To Miss Janet Grant, PMSS Secretary, from Dr. F.F. Tucker, responding to her letter and reporting that Dr. Emma Tucker recently had surgery but still plans to reach PMSS on September 12.

024 September 9. To Miss Rood from Dr. F.F. Tucker, thanking her for her letter. “Your experiences there along professional lines do not seem much different from those we have usually encountered in China, – ‘with variations’!” They look forward to seeing Miss Evelyn Wells. He describes their travel plans to PMSS. “By now the Beals have begun their new work at Northfield.”

025 September 15. To Webb from Dr. F.F. Tucker, with additional comments concerning their contract. He informs Webb that, while at PMSS, he may be called to work at a church for a period of time. The Tuckers began their work at PMSS on September 13.

026 September 15. CONTRACT between Webb and Dr. F.F. Tucker. “The Board of Trustees of the Pine Mountain settlement School has authorized me to employ you for the year beginning September 14, 1942, and ending at such time as you are able to return to China, when Dr. Emma Tucker will take over responsibilities as School Physician.” Salary: $200.00 per month, including meals, housing at Jubilee house, laundry, and one-month vacation with pay. Signed by Webb and Dr. F.F. Tucker.

027 September 26. Handwritten memo to Webb from Dr. F.F. Tucker, who would “like to be more definite in regard to the LaRues.”