PIONEER DOCTORS

The Pioneer Doctor in Norway Township was Dr. W. S. Scott.  He was born in Westfield, Indiana, 1836.  When a young man he enlisted in the Union Army and received medical training during his first tour of duty.  He was wounded in battle and invalided home.  When recovered he again enlisted, this time in a different division where he received more medical training during his second tour of duty.  After the war he came west to Blue Rapids in Kansas to establish a home some place in this new country.  The following tribute was written by his grandson, Warren Scott, Probate Judge in Belleville:

"The tall, gaunt bearded man, in his early thirties eased himself into the clear waters of the Republican River.  His rifle and boots were strapped to his pack, which he balanced on his shoulder as he grasped his wading stick in his downstream hand.  The time was September 20, 1870, and the location was one mile west of the townsite of Norway, Kansas.

The man was Winfield Scott, M. D. of Westfield, Indiana, coming west on foot from Blue Rapids, Kansas to stake his claim.  He had walked seventy-five miles in the past two days and the cold water felt good on his bare feet.

Across the river he saw the Rogers family digging a dugout on the hill.  He purchased some bacon and cornmeal from them and inquired if the Northwest quarter of Section 20-4-4 was claimed.  They said not, so he proceeded to stake the claim and started to Junction City on foot, to file, since that was the nearest land office.

He had traveled a scarce half mile when he jumped and elk from a thicket in a ravine, but the old 50 calibre Sharps Rifle was not up to what was needed for accuracy and the fresh meat did not find its way to the Rogers' supper table, for he had hoped to repay their friendliness.

Winfield Scott returned in March 1871 with covered wagon and located on his claim.  He was the only physician and surgeon for miles and had to travel horseback to his patients.

When the river was high, he carried a pistol and if someone had borrowed his boat and crossed in it, leaving him stranded, he would fire the pistol twice which was a signal to the family in the dugout on the hill one-half mile away and one of his sons ran post haste to the river and met him with the boat.

He had a large black stallion that he rode, making calls on the sick as far as Lovewell, Kansas, dozing in the saddle on all night rides as "Old Bill" always knew the way home."

Dr. Scott knew all the hardships of a pioneer doctor, riding along trails to visit the sick, crossing rivers and creeks, -only part of the time having a boat, -in floods, winds, zero weather adn hot weather the only physician in many, many miles, he earned the gratitude, love and respect only the early settlers give to one to whom they owe so much.

Dr. Scott was married to Christena Smith in Indiana and his two daughters, Alfarata Moore deceased in 1958 aged 91 years, and Lennie Dunlap now 93 years old were born in Indiana.  His sons were born in Norway Township, Alex and Logan, now deceased and George who died when a small child and LaRoy of Manhattan, Kansas.  Dr. Scott died in 1916 and Mrs. Scott in 1904.  Dr. Scott in his 46 years in Kansas saw many changes.  From the horse and wagon and buggy to the automobile, from the hand sickle to the raper and thresher and from the dugout to the comfortable modern home; and section lines and bridges instead of fords and railroads, besides many changes in medicine.  Dr. Alex Scot, Jr., a grandson, is a doctor practicing in Junction City, Kansas.

Dr. Anna Rimol, and Osteopath Physician, now retired at the age of 85, practiced in Norway for 41 years.  She is the daughter of the late Rasmus Rimol, Norway Township's first permanent settler, and his wife Kjerati Lehn.  She was born in her father's homestead a little over a mile southeast of Norway, and attended Fairview school two miles south of her home.  Her first teacher was Mr. Osman.  She graduated from the eighth grade there, then attended Emporia Normal School for one year, then Bethany College at Lindsborg for 5 years, graduating there in 1905 with an A. B. Degree.  Following that she taught school in Republic County for 3 years.  After working three years in Owen Brewer's general merchandise store and Post Office in Norway she enrolled in the Kirksville, Mo. Osteopathic School, graduating there in 1915 with a D. O. degree.

Dr. Rimol practiced in Macon, Mo. for one year, then came to Norway and has practiced here since that time.  She began with a horse and buggy for a while, then purchased a used Ford run-about.  Her first baby delivered was Rev. Warberg's tiny, less than five pounds, daughter.  She knows all about the stormy nights the mud and the snow and the ice and the cold and the all-night vigils beside a dying patient and of the fervent wish that she might do something more.  Dr. Rimol has been a member of the National Osteopathic Association for 45 years, attending National Associations in the United States and Canada.  She is now an Honorary Life member of that Organization.  She has a huge store of memories of a pioneer childhood and of a busy and useful professional life.  She retired in 1960.  She owns part of her father's homestead 1869, where her parents spent all of their married life.  Her mother died at the age of 63 and her father at the age of 69.

Dr. J. C. Sherrard of Norway, was a country doctor.  He spent 54 years with us, coming here when he finished Medical School in 1905.  He passed away on Nov. 26, 1958, at the age of 81 years and a few days.  He was born in Republic, Nov. 19, 1878.  After finishing grade and high school, he attended Emporia Normal School and was a rural school teacher in Union Valley School in Republic County.  Soon after that he began the study of medicine and received his medical degree from the Kansas University, medical school.  He was married to Katheryn Fay Cuthbertson in 1902 and two children were born to them, a son, James, who passed on in early infancy and a daughter, Irene, now Mrs. Harry Ferguson of Belleville.  Like all early doctors, he had his share of the hardships of that time, beginning with a horse, or horse and buggy.

Dr. Sherrard saw many changes during his life, and many advancements in the field of medicine.  His tastes and demands were small but he used his life in the service of the community.  One of the highlights of Dr. Sherrard's life came in 1955 when he was honored for his 50 years of service to the community.  He received his 50 year pin from the Scandia Masonic Lodge and from the Elk Lodge in Concordia.  More than 500 came to honor him that day.  The Anniversary observance included a basket dinner at noon and a program in the afternoon, held in the United Brethren Church.  Roy Scott, of Manhattan, was the Chairman.  The Doctor's first and last babies, his one pair of twins and many other babies delivered by him, came to honor him that day.  Mrs. Alfa Moore, nearly 90 years old, the daughter of our Norway pioneer doctor of 1870 presented him with a cash gift from the Community.  Dr. John Sherrard graduated in 1905.  Dr. Milton Sherrard and Dr. Grover Sherrard in 1906 and Dr. John Sherrard's grandson, Harry Ferguson, Jr., in 1961--all four from the Kansas University Medical School in Kansas City, Missouri.  Dr. John has two great grandsons, Dr. Harry's children.  Dr. Harry is now practicing in the Kansas City General Hospital.  Mr. and Mrs. Harry Ferguson, Sr. live in Belleville.

     Will Carleton's "The Country Doctor"  (A tribute to the Country Doctor)

     There's a Gathering in the village, that has never been outdone

     Since the soldiers took their muskets, to the War of '61,

     And a lot of lumber wagons near the church upon the hill,

     And a crowd of country people, Sunday dressed and very still,,,,,,,,

     Maybe half the congregation, now of great or little worth

     Found this Watcher waiting for them, when they came upon the earth;

     This undecorated soldier, of a hard, unequal strife,

     Fought in many stubborn battles with the foes that sought their life,

     In the night time or the day time, he would rally brave and well,

     Though the summer lark was singing, or the frozen cycles fell

     'Twas the brave old virtuous doctor,

     'Twas the good old family doctor,

     'Twas the faithful country doctor--

     Fighting battles all the same,

     'Twas the faithful country doctor who would praise his Maker's name.

     God has called him---his busy life is done,

     He has seen old views and friends disappearing one by one;

     He has learned that God is Master both of science and of art,

     The strong old country doctor,

     The kind old country doctor,

     He has given lie his all, with a loyal and steadfast heart!

Dr. Reitzel was a pharmacist and had a drug store upstairs in a building on Lot 10 on the east side of the street which is the lot between the Dickerhoof's and the late Dr. Sherrard's residence.