WC Slusher to Cary T. Grayson
Title
WC Slusher to Cary T. Grayson
Creator
Slusher, WC
Identifier
WWP20682
Date
1907 July 5
Description
WC Slusher writes to Cary T. Grayson to clear the air between them after parting on strained terms years before. He tells Grayson about his medical practice and sends friendly regards.
Source
Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library, Staunton, Virginia
Language
English
Text
My Dear Old Boy
Your postal, forwarded to me from Floyd, was rec’d yesterday, the 4th, and I certainly was delighted to hear from you after these long years of silence. I have often—real often—thought of you, my dear Boy, and wanted to write to you, but somehow, after what happened before we left Tenn., I could not bring my mind to it for I have had a sneaking idea that you would, after awhile, figure out for yourself the facts in the case or at least arrive at a conclusion. You were laboring under a wrong impression that was made maliciously and for self-interest. While we parted not on the best of terms and you under the impression that an injustice had been done you I felt sure, from some unknown reason, that the wrong would be wrighted, and you would become to know that I am still as devoted a friend as ever—I have never lost track of you, and there is never an issue of the Journal of AMA comes out that I don’t turn to the Naval changes and scan through the list of names for yours. I have often found it and many is the time I have been on the verge of writing to you. I passed through Washington on my way to NY and called up Army and Navy Club and inquired for you but you were out, and I expected to see you then on my return but on acct of Dr. Scott getting sick I had to hurry back so didn’t get to stop. I am here in Bluefield with Dr Scott where I have been for nearly two yrs. We are running a Hospital and doing right much surgery—more than one would think for a city this size—14,000. We will average three or four laparotomies a week and besides do a lot of gynecological work and anything that comes along. We get a gunshot of abdomen ever once in awhile here and occasionally save one—In past month we have operated on 15 cases of appendicitis and haven’t lost a case,—and besides them we have done several other laparotomies among them two hysterectomies, oophorectomy, ruptured stomach and intestine from being caught between two cars—hed (he died) and several other things of lesser importance. That is about the way we have it all the time except we do not have so many appendectomies. We have a Negro Hospital here that has afforded me a lot of valuable experience in Surgery—I have done a good many laparotomies there and of course the patients are all negroes and good subjects to learn on. We are not making a great deal of money now but are getting a lot of valuable experience and getting things in shape to make some money later on if things go on smoothely— Graves is right near here and sends us a patient occasionally—He sent us a fistula case short while ago—He has place I gave up when I went to C & O coal fields. After taking Va. Board in June 1903 I went down below Bluefield in N. & W. coal fields for several months and then got a better offer over in C. & O. fields and put Graves in the place I had—I was over there on C & O. near Charleston for nearly two years and from there I came with Scott where I have been since. I went to Cincinnati a few weeks ago and came home by Charleston and went to see old Sam Stone—He has married and settled down to raise a family—Graves tells me that he contemplates taking unto himself a partner to his joys and sorrows. Guess you have had no such thoughts—A few months ago I “kinder” got crazy about a “fair lady” and thought I couldn’t live without her but after more mature deliberation I decided that I would drag along, “as it were,” for awhile yet before assuming such a responsibility. There are sixteen doctors in this City and the coal fields around here are full of them—lots of the boys we knew. We get together often at our Society meetings and have a time “cussing and discussing.” I am now arranging a program for a meeting at Bramwell for the 16th and we expect to have a very large attendance for there are some good papers to be read. I wish you could come to see us and see how we coal field doctors enjoy life. It would be a great change for you and I think you would enjoy it for awhile. Pollard is practicing medicine and playing base ball near Bluefield in Clinch Valley coal fields—If you don’t fall in love with some of those “Jap” girls and “hang up” over there I want to hear from you and know all about yourself Start right at the beginning and tell me everything—and especially how you like the Navy—Say, Graves told me some terrible tales about what he did in Washington—Say, I want you to let me hear from you often while you are chasing around. Drop me a card if nothing more—With my very best wishes, I am,
Fraternally yours,
Slusher
Your postal, forwarded to me from Floyd, was rec’d yesterday, the 4th, and I certainly was delighted to hear from you after these long years of silence. I have often—real often—thought of you, my dear Boy, and wanted to write to you, but somehow, after what happened before we left Tenn., I could not bring my mind to it for I have had a sneaking idea that you would, after awhile, figure out for yourself the facts in the case or at least arrive at a conclusion. You were laboring under a wrong impression that was made maliciously and for self-interest. While we parted not on the best of terms and you under the impression that an injustice had been done you I felt sure, from some unknown reason, that the wrong would be wrighted, and you would become to know that I am still as devoted a friend as ever—I have never lost track of you, and there is never an issue of the Journal of AMA comes out that I don’t turn to the Naval changes and scan through the list of names for yours. I have often found it and many is the time I have been on the verge of writing to you. I passed through Washington on my way to NY and called up Army and Navy Club and inquired for you but you were out, and I expected to see you then on my return but on acct of Dr. Scott getting sick I had to hurry back so didn’t get to stop. I am here in Bluefield with Dr Scott where I have been for nearly two yrs. We are running a Hospital and doing right much surgery—more than one would think for a city this size—14,000. We will average three or four laparotomies a week and besides do a lot of gynecological work and anything that comes along. We get a gunshot of abdomen ever once in awhile here and occasionally save one—In past month we have operated on 15 cases of appendicitis and haven’t lost a case,—and besides them we have done several other laparotomies among them two hysterectomies, oophorectomy, ruptured stomach and intestine from being caught between two cars—hed (he died) and several other things of lesser importance. That is about the way we have it all the time except we do not have so many appendectomies. We have a Negro Hospital here that has afforded me a lot of valuable experience in Surgery—I have done a good many laparotomies there and of course the patients are all negroes and good subjects to learn on. We are not making a great deal of money now but are getting a lot of valuable experience and getting things in shape to make some money later on if things go on smoothely— Graves is right near here and sends us a patient occasionally—He sent us a fistula case short while ago—He has place I gave up when I went to C & O coal fields. After taking Va. Board in June 1903 I went down below Bluefield in N. & W. coal fields for several months and then got a better offer over in C. & O. fields and put Graves in the place I had—I was over there on C & O. near Charleston for nearly two years and from there I came with Scott where I have been since. I went to Cincinnati a few weeks ago and came home by Charleston and went to see old Sam Stone—He has married and settled down to raise a family—Graves tells me that he contemplates taking unto himself a partner to his joys and sorrows. Guess you have had no such thoughts—A few months ago I “kinder” got crazy about a “fair lady” and thought I couldn’t live without her but after more mature deliberation I decided that I would drag along, “as it were,” for awhile yet before assuming such a responsibility. There are sixteen doctors in this City and the coal fields around here are full of them—lots of the boys we knew. We get together often at our Society meetings and have a time “cussing and discussing.” I am now arranging a program for a meeting at Bramwell for the 16th and we expect to have a very large attendance for there are some good papers to be read. I wish you could come to see us and see how we coal field doctors enjoy life. It would be a great change for you and I think you would enjoy it for awhile. Pollard is practicing medicine and playing base ball near Bluefield in Clinch Valley coal fields—If you don’t fall in love with some of those “Jap” girls and “hang up” over there I want to hear from you and know all about yourself Start right at the beginning and tell me everything—and especially how you like the Navy—Say, Graves told me some terrible tales about what he did in Washington—Say, I want you to let me hear from you often while you are chasing around. Drop me a card if nothing more—With my very best wishes, I am,
Fraternally yours,
Slusher
Original Format
Letter
To
Grayson, Cary T. (Cary Travers), 1878-1938
Files
Collection
Citation
Slusher, WC, “WC Slusher to Cary T. Grayson,” 1907 July 5, WWP20682, Cary T. Grayson Papers, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum, Staunton, Virginia.