The importance of having good medical attention has always been important and Tate County has been fortunate to have doctors from the beginning.
The Heritage of Tate County published by our society has documented many of them.
The first doctor to practice in Arkabutla was Dr. J. W. Thomason, who was a native son. Other doctors whose practice was a a blessing to the community were Dr. Dooley, Dr. Williams, Dr. Gillespie, Dr. Murphy and Dr. Brevard.
Coldwater has been fortunate over the years in having many doctors to serve the town and surrounding area. An interesting example is Dr. Hosey who performed an appendectomy by lamplight on a kitchen table for Daisy Farmer Mabry at her home four miles east of Coldwater. Following the operation he sent her husband, Scott, to nearby McGraw Creek to get ice to pack her in to control her temperature. He must have known what he was doing since Mrs. Mabry lived past her 102nd birthday! In 1918, Dr. M. M. Powell, Sr. moved from Independence to join the practice of Dr. Joe Wilson, who died soon after in the flu epidemic of World War I. The Powell family has produced three generations of doctors, two of which, Drs. Minor and Albert Powell, remained in the town and served the community with distinction until retirement from the Powell Clinic. Other doctors during the period were John Sidney Eason and George McCain. At present time (1991), the Powell Clinic is being operated by Drs. Black, Marlow and Denny from Senatobia. Dr. Pravin Patel has also opened at office in town recently.
In the blooming days of the community of Crockett, there were two doctors located here. One of the doctors was Dr. Yarbro and the other one was Dr. Bucy. Dr. Bucy served as major as well as postmaster for the community in 1892.
The Greenleaf community doctors were Dr. Thomas Knight and Dr. Herbert Milton Thompson.
Some of the first settlers to Independence were Dr. Orr, Tom Hancock, Alex Burford, Dr. Russworm and members of the Wallace family.
The doctors rode horseback to visit there patients ----- 5 and ten miles ----- night and day ----- carrying medicine in a saddle bag.
The first Looxahoma doctors were Drs. Webber and Wynne, then Dr. Henry Harris, Dr. R. J. Harris, and Dr. L. L. Welborn was the last “country doctor” in the area.
The Murry community had a Dr. Bradshaw Smith, then his son, Dr. James Sinclair Smith and later his grandson, Dr. James Douglas Smith. These are the forefathers of Dr. Ethelyn Smith of Senatobia who was a prominent lady doctor, loved and respected by all who know her. Her father was Dr. W. D. Smith, also of Senatobia. Dr. Ethelyn was the first lady doctor in the area. She was still practicing in 1991. There was also a Dr. Grayson located at Murry at one time.
Tyro can boast of having a number of doctors serve here, the last being Doctors Bowen, Gilbert and Collins. With their passing the day of the country doctor also passed from Tyro.
The other early doctors of Tyro that we know of were: Doctors Davis, Cox, Wright, Rokard, McCauley, Wynn and Harris.
(This information was taken from the Heritage of Tate County)
Senatobia’s most recognized physician is William Arnold French. He came with his father from South Carolina. They settled in DeSoto County. He lived in Tate County from the time of its formation making Senatobia his home. He practiced medicine there until 1903 and was awarded a gold medal in 1878 for services rendered during the town’s epidemic of yellow fever. He was also a noted businessman and is most often remembered for building and managing the French Hotel on Ward Street.
Our first hospital --- Senatobia Community Hospital --- opened in 1976. The first patient was Mr. Etson Love of Hernando on August 30,1976. On December 20, 1976, the first baby --- Clayton Ray Whitehead, the son of Mr. Michale Bruce and Mrs. Marcia Jones Whitehead of Coldwater --- was born. I know that we are all truly grateful to learn just last month that the same hospital will reopen as Highland Hills Medical Center and provide medical aid to the people of Tate County once again. Having local medical care is something every citizen of the county can appreciate.
The Tate County Emergency Rescue Squad is a volunteer organization that was organized in 1969. With no training or equipment to work with, it was started with members’ personal money. It was re-organized in 1971 with about 12 members . These 12 people were willing to give their time and money to help those in trouble.
And of course we can be thankful that we have a 911 system operating in the county. I know they are hard at work because their offices are on the floor below our library.
As you can see, Tate County has a fine history of providing medical care for its citizens and this information is preserved at our library in book form, microfilm and paper files and will be available to researchers when we are able to reopen.
If you want to Trace Your Roots in Tate County, we invite you to visit the library located in the Crockett Building, 107 Court Street when the virus restrictions are removed. The librarians will be available to help you on Thursday and Friday (except prior to a holiday) from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (please call if you’ll arrive after 3 p.m.).
Anyone who wishes to help preserve the history of Tate County and its citizens can become a member of TCG&HS. Membership is $15.00 a year for an individual and $18.00 for a family. An application can be obtained on the website or at the library on Thursday and Friday.
You may contact us at tatehistory@hotmail.com if you need help with your research or call 662-562-0390 and leave a voice message with the details. Our librarians will respond as quickly as possible.
