The members and friends of the Chattooga County Historical Society met this past Sunday, October 14, 2012, for their fall quarterly meeting and picnic. The Society meets quarterly at the Historic Summerville Depot. Steve Strickland offered the invocation and everyone enjoyed the wonderful food prepared in the Back Freight Room of the Summerville Depot. Shortly after 3:00, President Greg McCollum called the meeting to order. The program for last Sunday’s meeting was the “Early Medical History of Chattooga County, Georgia.” The presenters were Beverly Woodward and Gordon H. Little.

     Beverly Woodward serves as the Vice President of Programs for the Chattooga County Historical Society. She gave a brief overview of the early medical history of Chattooga County according to census reports.

     According to the 1850 Chattooga County Census, there were 10 doctors practicing in Chattooga County. Dr. G.B.T. Maddox was one of the local doctors. He practiced in the Dirttown community of Chattooga County. Dr. Maddox owned and operated the first hotel in Summerville.

     According to the 1860 Chattooga County Census, there were 17 doctors practicing in the county. Dr. Robert Young Rudicil was one of the most colorful physicians. He served in the “War Between The States” or Civil War as a surgeon. He also served in the Georgia state legislature as a representative for three terms, and a state senator for one term. Perhaps his favorite remedies prescribed to people were sassafras tea and poke salad. Dr. Rudicil and his family are buried in the Summerville Cemetery.

     Dr. J. Wilson Clements practiced medicine in the late 1860s and 1870s in Chattooga County. He lived in the Subligna area. Before his death in 1934, Dr. Clements was honored by the state as being the oldest practicing physician in Georgia. Dr. Clements also served in the Civil War as a surgeon. He died on June 5, 1934, at the age of 93.

     According to the 1880 Chattooga County Census, Dr. W.J. Bryant was practicing in the Dirttown area before relocating to Lyerly. He was one of the first physicians that carted prescription drugs along when he made house calls. Dr. Bryant was a bachelor.

     Beverly Woodward concluded her presentation by stating, “I hope this program gives everyone a better idea of what it might have been like to be a patient in those early days. Comparing ‘then and now’ should be an interesting experience.” Mrs. Woodward credited Mr. Robert S. Baker’s book “Chattooga County – The Story Of A County And Its People” as the main source of her information. Mr. Robert “Bob” Baker lives in Jonesboro, Georgia and he has been invited to speak at the upcoming Trion Alumni Association’s Multi-Class Reunion on Saturday, October 20, 2012, at Trion High School. Several local businesses, including Jane’s Place at 9990 Commerce Street, hope to have his books in stock to sell to the public in coming months. Mr. Baker’s book was published in 1988, but has been a great source of reference for many Chattooga County residents.

     The next guest speaker at the Historical Society was Gordon Hamilton Little, the son of the late Dr. Robert “Bob” Nathan Little. Gordon Little opened by stating, “My grandparents received a gift on Christmas in the year 1902.” The gift was the birth of Robert Nathan Little on December 25, 1902. Dr. Bob Little graduated from medical school in 1929 and returned to Chattooga County living in the Lyerly area. Gordon Hamilton Little lived two years in Lyerly, but the family built a new home in Summerville in 1939. Dr. Bob Little practiced medicine with Dr. William B. Hair in the first Summerville Hospital located in downtown. The old hospital building is currently Travis Money’s Antique Auction located at 9987 Commerce Street in Historic Downtown Summerville, Georgia. The hospital opened in August 1927. Ms. Frances Petty began serving as the head nurse in 1929 with Dr. W. B. Hair and Dr. R.N. “Bob” Little. Dr. Bob Little’s younger brother practiced medicine in Trion. Dr. Gwen Little was one of the many doctors practicing in the old Trion Community Hospital.  Dr. Gwen Little married Betty Horton., the sister of Allen Horton. Allen Horton worked as a pharmacist in Trion for many years. He married Mrs. Ruth Clarkston Clark, a retired teacher from Trion City Schools. Dr. Bob Little passed away in 1958 and is buried in the Summerville Cemetery. Gordon and his wife, Bernice,  live in Summerville.  He works as a pharmacist at Floyd Medical Center in Rome, where he has been employed for 34 years.

     The Chattooga County Historical Society elected new officers for the upcoming 2012-2013 term. Eugene McGinnis was nominated and elected to serve as the next President of the Chattooga County Historical Society. The next meeting will be Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the Historic Summerville Depot.

By Brad Hayes, Vice President-Elect of Publicity