To be honest with you I think this is probably the most exciting, unbelievable, title for any column that I have ever been a part of – thrilling, to say the least!
Once again, we have none other than Flip Huggenvik to thank for this historic treasure! If he had not shared this extraordinary narrative and the images accompanying it, none of us would have ever been able to savor a story like this one. Hats off to Flip!
Two phenomenal images of letters and one envelope postdated – 1896, accompanied Flip’s commentary. Next week I will include the pictures and a “word by word” copy of the contents of them as they relate to the story. You will be, as I was, blown away by the fact that these treasures survived the test of time right up to the present day as the Mayo Clinic makes Rochester, Minn., a “Destination Medical Center!”
Photo submitted
History tells us these fascinating facts:
“Mayo Clinic is one of the best-known and most-trusted brand names, but its origin has more to do with our inherent values than with any sophisticated marketing plan.
“Mayo is a family name. William Worrall Mayo, M.D., a frontier doctor, settled his young family in Rochester, Minn., when he was appointed as an examining surgeon for the Union Army during the Civil War. In the 1880’, his sons, William and Charles, finished medical school and joined his medical practice.
“The opening of St. Marys Hospital in 1889 helped fuel rapid growth in the family practice. Starting in 1892, the Doctors Mayo took on partners whose skills complemented their own. This development paralleled the growth of specialty fields in medicine.
“Mayo Clinic originated with doctors who came to learn from Dr. Will, Dr. Charlie and their colleagues.”
So with that brief history of how Mayo Clinic came into being, bear in mind that the following story authored by Flip Huggenvik reveals that when the call went out for help for a stricken man from Preston, Minn., the Mayo doctors had only just begun their extraordinary medical practice that would eventually be known as the world famous Mayo Clinic!
Letter From Dr. William J. Mayo
Aaron Dayton was a Fillmore County pioneer. He helped his father and brother build the Ravine House near Harmony in 1857. The Ravine house served as a hotel and stage coach stop for the Dubuque-St.Paul Stage Line. Aaron went on to fight in the Civil War as an officer. He was a 1st Lieutenant in the 7th Minnesota Volunteer Regiment. After the war, he served in the Minnesota State Legislature. Aaron also farmed 560 acres with his brother Zara. One of his hired men was E. M. Rolfe.
Apparently Mr. Rolfe somehow got a bone stuck in his throat. His wife contacted the Mayo Brothers in Rochester, and William J. Mayo traveled 35 miles to Preston with a horse and buggy to examine Mr. Rolfe. Dr. Mayo transported him back to Rochester where he operated on him and tended to him for a week. Unfortunately, Mr. Rolfe did not survive.
Mrs. Rolfe received a bill for $50.00. She seemed to be fine with the charges, but their son was not happy… with the charges or the demise of his father. They refused to pay the bill, and it went into the court system. Enter the esteemed Aaron Dayton. He was asked to represent the Rolfes in this precarious conundrum. Aaron wrote a letter to the Mayo Brothers asking for a possibility to settle this out of court. His offer was $10.00. It was graciously accepted.
The request written by Aaron is courteous and diplomatic. The response from Dr. William J. Mayo is priceless. His letter is an example of the dignity and qualities of respectful fairness ascribed by a newly-constituted Mayo Clinic. It exemplifies the depth of compassionate and professional medical care provided by the Mayo family… 125 years ago.
Compiled by
Brian “Flip” Huggenvik
Harmony, Minn.
When Flip told me he had a letter from one of the Mayo Brothers, and a story to go along with it, I was dumbfounded!
Again, I am so very grateful to him for his generous contributions these past several weeks!
Next week we will enjoy the contents of the letters written verbatim as they concern this fabulous story, so please, stay tuned!
www.hotramnovaland.com says
After I originally commented I appear to have clicked on the -Notify me when new
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Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service?
Thanks a lot!