Dr. EMMA and Dr. FRANCIS TUCKER Correspondence 1949

PINE MOUNTAIN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL
SERIES 09: BIOGRAPHY
SERIES 14: MEDICAL
Dr. Emma Boose Tucker (1870-1963)
Dr. Francis Fisher Tucker (1870-1957)
School Physicians, PMSS Infirmary 1942-1951
Correspondence 1949

July 22, 1949. F.F. Tucker to “Friends” at PMSS. “The last of my Chinese paper. ….. Burdens will not be too heavy if we let God permeate all —-as you know.” [tucker_letters_1949_016.jpg]

TAGS: Emma Tucker, Francis Tucker, Grace Rood, Burton Rogers, Mary Rogers, Margaret Starbuck family, Ruby Lanier, Grace Fong Liu, T.C. Liu, PMSS weddings, Chapel, Taiku China, Oberlin program in China, J.E. Baker, closure of Boarding School, Berea College management transition, Francis Hutchins, Mao Zedong

Dr. EMMA and Dr. FRANCIS TUCKER Correspondence 1949

December 1948 – January 1949

001 January 10. H.R.S. Benjamin to Drs. Tuckers. Acknowledges gift of Chinese tea from the Luis. Writes for advice on replacement of Dr. [Elizabeth] Henderson in upcoming year. [Last year of Boarding School.]

002-002a December. Drs. Tucker handwritten letter to H.R.S. Benjamin acknowledging Christmas letter. Asks about friends at PMSS, Starbucks; reports on Olds Hall fellowship residence in Florida, an interdenominational retirement community. Notes that the fellowship is studying China and frequently asks the Tuckers to speak, as do other church organizations in the area. “We love you ‘uns, a great deal.” writes Emma. 002a Chinese stationary with watercolor image of boats.

Spring, March 1949

003 Spring 1949. Grace Feng Liu (former nurse at PMSS) and T.C. Liu write one letter to Rogers, Miss D. Nace. They record events at the University [of Colorado? where T.C. is studying]; report a wedding of We Lee of Hong Kong, friends from China. The bride wore the same gown that Grace Fong wore at her own wedding in the PMSS Chapel. Describes flower market in Hong Kong; ‘Hanging Bells’ most common flower. Discusses cost of flowers in the Market and growth of their children, a boy (Francis) and a girl (Margaret) and the University nursery. “As Mrs. Hayes [Fern Hayes at PMSS] said, we have a ‘handful’ too with the work in the university and the two children at home.”

Describes the physical environment and says the general political condition “… is still confusing at the moment. …..We are not pessimistic about the chaos and the fighting, the day-light dark and the iron curtain. People are gradually awaking about the happenings which is a twilight of a new nation…. most affectionate greeting to you, staff and students of the Pine Mountain School …” [CHINA UNDER MAO 1949 — Grace and T.C. Liu and two Liu family members died in China, never returning to the U.S.A.]

004 March 5. Dr. Francis Tucker in Daytona Beach, Fla. to “Friend.” Forwards Liu letter with the following note:

“The Lius of Canton, CHINA, have asked that I send on the enclosed letter to you, and I am glad to do so, It has just come by air mail to this point. You will excuse the use of very thin paper as this makes it possible to patronize air mail from China. Canton was for a time a central point for some of the China Nationalist officials, but most of them have returned to Nanking, where there seems not to be some prospect that a coalition government will be worked out, and all hope that this will bring fighting to an end. However, there are stormy times ahead for China, and it will be some time (likely years) ere matters are again normal. These “growing pains” were bound to come, and a better and more advanced China is bound to emerge. “

005 March 12. Drs. Tucker at Olds Hall, Daytona, FL, to H.R.S. Benjamin. Tuckers reply that they cannot solve the PMSS staffing problem but may substitute for a month in summer. They describe the possibilities. Reports from associates in China and Japan mentioned.

006 March 30. H.R.S. Benjamin to Drs. Francis Tucker. Indicates that PMSS would welcome their help but cannot assure the Tucker of the date and details as “the new set” [administration] may not agree.

April 1949

007 April 2. Dr. Francis Tucker to BOT Chair, J.S. Crutchfield. Dr. Francis notes receipt of a letter from Benjamin that shares his views on the closure of the Boarding School proposed by the BOT. Drs. Tucker plant the seeds for the creation of a new hospital at PMSS when the Boarding School closes. Dr. Francis notes,

“… I do not think I put it too strongly when I say that the medical work has been the community effort . It consistently reached out to the needy folk of that area.... [F]uture plans will be ‘different’, to put it mildly. One should never regret progress, and as cooperating friend of the School, since 1941, I assuredly do not, nor does Dr. Emma Tucker. It has been a pleasure to be volunteer workers in medical lines there the last few summers.”

Dr. Tucker notes that one doctor always has a hard time — even with the “unequalled” Miss Rood.” H. offers his volunteer services as a consultant in the transition from a Boarding School environment to the new program, if needed. He also notes that the couple would work as medical staff for a brief time, if needed.

008 April 7. Dr. Henderson [?] to Tuckers. Question regarding vacation from the doctors. Board Chair, Dr. Hutchins, says that BOT will see Miss Rood leave after Commencement and return in mid-June. Miss Rood’s gall-bladder attack and emergency treatment in Harlan. The Director is trying to find more help for her. Notes that Berea is “going to take over administrative responsibility and that Harlan County is going to cooperate in a consolidated grade school here. We will no longer be a boarding high school. All this has come so suddenly …”

009 April 15. Burton Rogers to the Drs. Tucker, describing the shift to Berea supervision and Rogers’ appointment as Principal of the new Community School and Administrative Director of the School. He advises that he will write more as more is learned about the transition.

010 April 19. Francis Tucker to Burton Rogers. The Tuckers thank Rogers for his letter, “clearing the atmosphere.” They advise that they are taken by surprise as there was no indication of the changes in the April NOTES. He also notes the correspondence with Director Benjamin. He advises Rogers to “fang hsin” daily about a lot of things, or your wife will need to put you to bed!” Tells Burton of the upcoming “China Exhibit ” they will have in St. Petersburg, FL, and additional family news.

011 April 23. Burton Rogers to Drs. Tucker. Response to letter of the 19th. “…our life here is not without its re-adjustments.” Confirms vacation plans of Miss Rood and for the Tuckers to follow through with their plans.

012 April 29. Francis Tucker handwritten letter to Burton Rogers with thanks for details on planning during the School transition and the Tuckers volunteer time at the School. Miss Turner, formerly of PMSS, is mentioned.

May 1949

013 May 5. Burton Rogers to Dr. F.F. Tucker. Response to letter of the 29th and confirmation of the Tucker’s arrival at the School on the 17th of May in time for Commencement. [The last PMSS Boarding School Commencement.] Addresses the Henderson vacation and the arrival of the BOT on campus on May 6,… after that the present uncertainties and limitations ought to disappear. We desperately need two nurses if we are to keep Miss Rood.”

014 May 13. Dr. Francis Tucker to Burton Rogers. “Thanks for the acceptable telegram this morning. Planning for arrival at PMSS and for luggage.” The couple notes that they can “…domicile anywhere.” Deaths in the Benjamin family are noted. Again, requests nurses to assist them in their volunteer work.

015 May 13. Telegram copy sent to Drs. Tuckers welcoming them to PMSS on the 17th or when you can come and to please notify School of arrival time and date.

July 1949

016 July 22. Richmond, Indiana. Drs. Tucker handwritten letter to “Dear Friends” Two (Chinese) birds are chirping a song to your two children! I think this is my last sheet of Chinese paper, but it may have been “made in Japan.” The Tuckers are visiting with the Starbucks in Indiana. Mr. H. removed linoleum on West Wind floors. Nurse Stafford is settled in Farm House at PMSS. The list of supplies used by plumbers left with Miss [Ruby] Lanier.