Dr. EMMA and Dr. FRANCIS TUCKER Correspondence 1950

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff
Series 14: MEDICAL
Dr. Emma Boose Tucker (1870-1963)
Dr. Francis Fisher Tucker (1870-1957)
School Physicians, PMSS Infirmary 1942-1951
Correspondence 1950

Tucker Correspondence to Burton Rogers, July 24, 1950. [025a tucker_letters_1950_025a.jpg]

TAGS: Emma Tucker, Francis Tucker, Burton Rogers, Mary Rogers, Infirmary, William Creech Hospital, Arthur Tucker, Margaret Tucker, General Council of the Congregational Church, Grace Rood transfer to Public Health work, Dr. Elizabeth Henderson, Grace Feng Liu, Canton China, Dr. Dyer, exhibition of articles and art from China, Fern Hall Hayes, Atha Stahl, influenza, chicken-pox, Dr. Brown, Dr. Elliot, Red Bird Mission, X-Ray machine donation, Hospital at West Wind conversion

Dr. EMMA and Dr. FRANCIS TUCKER Correspondence 1950

[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 others are typewritten originals unless specified otherwise.]

January 1950

001-002 January 9. Two-page letter to F.F. Tucker at Daytona Beach, FL, from Burton Rogers, [001] who mentions Dr. Margaret Tucker who is with the Liu family [Grace Feng Liu] and asks for news; appreciates information from Tucker on possible workers for PMSS; thanks the Tuckers for two “vehicles” for Kit and Peter [Rogers]. [002] Postscript: Rogers is pleased to learn that the Tuckers’ daughter, Dr. Margaret Tucker, is now out of China and on way to Europe.

003 January 20. To Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker. “This letter resembles Gaul, as it has three parts.” Discussion of the Tuckers’ summer plans and coverage of PMSS medical staff; illnesses in the Rogers family; bombing of Canton, China; enclosure of letter from the Lius in China, where Grace Feng Liu is working during war-time amid all the associated dangers. Mention of Miss Mead, treasurer of the “Audubon Screen Tours.”

004-005 January 24. Two-page letter to F.F. Tucker from Rogers, [004] who tells of difficulty in finding medical support for Pine Mountain. Scheduling for the current doctor not working as Dr. Elizabeth [Henderson] is pregnant and will have to leave. A new doctor is needed and assistance is requested from the Tuckers. [005] January 24. Continuation on the reverse side of the above letter. Burton continues to request assistance in filling the doctor vacancy at the School. He offers Zande House for the Tuckers’ stay at PMSS this summer.

006 January 26. To Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker, suggesting the possible doctor for PMSS.

007 [n.d.] Clipping of an inspirational Bible passage alongside a handwritten note from the Tuckers: “For the ‘journeys’ of Burton Rogers the next few weeks, as problems & matters are prayed through.”

008 January 27. Handwritten note on airmail post card to [no salutation] from the Tuckers. Employment suggestions (Dr. Dyer and Dr. Alma Cooke) from Dr. F.F. Tucker.
009 Jan 28, Daytona Beach, FL [date stamp]. Address side of postcard to Rogers.

010 February 20. To Dr. F.F. Tucker from Rogers, citing additional delays in scheduling a doctor for summer.

February 1950

011 February. 22. To Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker. The Tuckers may be able to work at PMSS in May. Tucker ends with words of comfort regarding the recent stress in family and job. Advised Burton to “Sleep a lot and thank God even more!”

012 February 7 from Drs. Tucker. An invitation to an EXHIBITION at the Art Center in Daytona Beach, February 7, 8, 9,10, of some 600 articles from China belonging to Drs. Emma and Francis Tucker. “This EXHIBIT is an attempt to show what a large place China has had in world culture, … an earnest [?] of the place she is sure to hold in the future, — though now slowed somewhat by internal conflict.”

013 Feb. 27. To Dr. Francis and Dr. Emma Tucker from Fern Hall Hayes, Secretary. Explains that Burton is sick with the flu and “…wants me to tell you that he is pleased to acknowledge your letter of the 22nd with very many thanks….”

March – April 1950

014 March 7. To Dr. F.F. Tucker from Rogers replying to Feb. letter. Discusses staffing for doctor at PMSS, issues in replacing Dr. Elizabeth Henderson, and accommodations for the Tuckers in the new Community Hospital on the top floor of West Wind when they come to fill in as substitute doctors.

015 [n.d.] Address side of airmail postcard to Rogers.
015a March 22. Message side of postcard. Handwritten note to Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker at Daytona Beach, FL., expressing regret that Tompkins wasn’t hired. Asks about Dr. Elizabeth Henderson’s plans. Tucker gives their arrival day as May 5 or 6 and suggests that PMSS pays their bus fare and maintenance while at PMSS for approximately 1 month to 6 weeks.

016 March 27. To Dr. F.F. Tucker from Rogers, who thanks Tucker for “the enclosure covering Dr. Mott.” He describes Dr. Henderson’s plans; agrees to their arrival dates.

017-017a April 20. Two-page letter to the Drs. Tucker from Rogers, [017] reporting that “a young Dr. Brown, now interning in San Diego, has accepted our invitation to join our staff as of August 1st.” Also, Mrs. [Alice Joy] Keith interviewed the Browns and provided them details about PMSS work. The Richard Bakers will return to teach at PMSS next year, replacing Miss [Dorothy] Nace and Mr. Henderson. Rogers is now looking for another couple to replace the Bakers at the Cabin [at Line Fork Settlement] and “teach for self support.” A Friends work camp will be at PMSS for eight weeks; also, a conference of the leaders of the Congregational Christian Churches for one week.

[017a] April 20, continued. Mentions cleaning up a Far House apartment for the Tuckers. “Miss [Atha] Stahl is in the other apartment which Miss Rood had.” A young couple from Union [Theological] Seminary will lead a summer program for young people; two new nurses are arriving; Mrs. [Louise] Fliermans and Carl B. will arrive as dietitian and hostess for the summer; Miss [Grace] Rood is leaving for the public health field next year.

018 April 24. To Dr. F.F. Tucker from Rogers, about Dr. Emma’s injuries in a fall. He assures Tucker of their access to Laurel House dining room; mentions Emmett’s [Emma?] chicken pox cases; and measles, whooping cough, and tonsillitis throughout the school community.

019 April 24. To Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker, thanking him and Miss Rood for PMSS news. He suggests plans to coordinate with the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Brown; describes their travel plans; responds positively to PMSS news.

020-021 April 28. Two-page letter to Dr. F.F. Tucker from Rogers. Dr. Elliott from Red Bird Mission Hospital offered to work at PMSS temporarily, “pending his return to their mission in Africa in the autumn.” [021] PMSS will receive a second-hand X-ray machine.

022 April 29 and May 1 [date stamps]. Address side of airmail postcard to Burton Rogers.
022a April 28. Message side of postcard. Handwritten note from Dr. F.F. Tucker, acknowledging letters from Rogers and Rood. Mentions Emmette and William dealing with chicken pox and mumps.

June – July 1950

023 June 27. To Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker in Minneapolis, MN, expressing appreciation for their 6 or 7 weeks at PMSS, mentioning Mrs. Rogers and Christopher. He lists jobs he regrets not fulfilling, such as sealing the hospital floors, setting up the X-ray machine, wainscoting in some of the hospital rooms. He praises the three nurses and Miss Rood. He worries about Rogers’ help, diagnosing his main trouble as “microitis…taking pains and time over microscopical details which MIGHT be either elided or turned over to others….You are the most conscientious man I have ever known.”

024 July 8 [? date stamp]. Address side of postcard to Rogers in Sherman, CT.
024a July 18. Message side of postcard, handwritten. Dr. F.F. Tucker to “Dear Travelers,” reporting to Rogers from PMSS about Chapel services, reservoir filling up, arrival of Miss Hill, a talk by Miss [Grace] Rood.

025 July 24 [date stamp]. Address side of stationery to Rogers at “Maplemont,” Sherman, CT.

025a July 24. Handwritten letter to Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker in Omaha, NE, on Chinese stationery, about leaving Minneapolis and visiting Iowa and Dr. Emma’s home in Falls City, NE. Met with “old China hands”; will visit sons in Cedar Rapids and NY; returning to Daytona Beach about September 1. His daughter, Dr. Margaret Tucker, is still in Changtu, China, “behind [the] ‘bamboo curtain.’”

September – November 1950

026 September 18. To Rogers from Dr. F.F. Tucker at Daytona Beach FL, providing information about possible hires: Ruth Danner, a previous PMSS Hospital worker, and Rev. and Mrs. Calvin Bright. (The latter, Harriet Howard, was a PMSS graduate and former Berea weaver.) Met in NYC with son, Arthur, returning from Japan after helping with nuclear blast recovery. Daughter, Margaret, a radiologist, is still in west China. She has no visa to leave.

027-028 September 29. Two-page letter to Dr. F.F. Tucker from Rogers, [027] who appreciates Tucker’s health advice and hiring suggestions. Mrs. Lydia Boggs with the Harlan Co. Public Health Dept is in hospital and may not recover. [028] Miss Rood “is gradually becoming a part-time employee of the Department of Health on a third-time basis. This is in recognition of the relationship between her new project here in this community and the health service of the Department.” Responds to news from Tucker about his son and daughter; tells him that Fern Hayes’s brother [Enoch Hall] is a near neighbor of the Tuckers for the next three years. Rogers provides updates on Dr. Brown, the X-ray machine, Dr. Adolph of C.I.M, Fair Day. There are 189 children at PMSS; Miss Radle will take over from Miss Rood as supervisor of nurses.

029 October 3. To “Friend” (Dr. F.F. Tucker) from Rogers who mentions articles in the summer Mountain Life & Work. Responds to Rogers on Mrs. Boggs, the x-ray machine, Dr. Adolph, new nurse, school enrollment. He hopes to meet the Enoch Hall family at Stetson University in Deland. Updates on repair of PMSS’s old sewing machine and sending it to Grace Feng Liu in Canton, China. He and Dr. Emma decided that they will not be able to be substitute doctors at PMSS this summer. “But we’ll always want to keep in touch with beloved Pine Mt.”

030 October 17. To Dr. F.F. Tucker from Rogers, enclosing the receipt of $5 Tucker sent for the sewing machine. About the Tuckers’ decision concerning summer work, Rogers wrote,

“You will both always have the fullest gratitude and affection of all those you have served here at Pine Mountain. We shall always want to see you here when you can come this way and have you stay as long as you can.”

He mentions Christopher [Rogers]’s appreciation of the letter and box of items from Tucker.

031 Oct 18 from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Oct 20 at Pine Mountain [date stamps]. Address side of postcard to Mr. and Mrs. Burton Rogers.
031a October 1950. A printed postcard message to “Dear Friend of the Tuckers,” from the Tucker children, listed with their names, children, and addresses. An invitation to their parents’ 80th birthday celebration by writing to Emma and Francis Tucker at Daytona Beach, FL.

032 November 21. To Drs. Emma and Francis Tucker from Rogers, sending birthday wishes and appreciation for “the privilege of knowing you both and having worked with you on both sides of this whirling planet [China and the U.S.A.].” Miss Hill’s class prepared a “litany” for a Chapel service that includes a remembrance of the Tuckers’ medical service at PMSS.

Notes the world rotates every 12 hours and puts each on opposite sides of the world….

“What well-deserved joy you can take in looking back at the full years of devoted service you have rendered and the great host of friends you have made who now feel bound to you, and to each other although some of us have never met, in closest fellowship, and love and admiration for you both. … You have come and gone with the seasons, but this neighborhood does not forget you as it forgets others ...”

Special service prepared to honor the Tuckers and their service to PMSS by Miss [Gladys] Hill‘s class.