Tri-State Hospital Bills

Description

These are two bills for medical services from the 1930's and 1940's.  It wasn't easy for Tri-State to survive the devastating blows of the Great Depression and World War II.  Not long after Drs. Willis and Knighton along with several other investor-doctors purchased the Tri-State Sanitarium, the worst economic depression in U.S. history hit the country with a vengeance. 

Ready money in Northwest Louisiana became scarce and often people were forced to “barter” what they could for other goods and service.  Medical treatment was no exception.  There is some evidence, mostly oral, that at one point in the mid-1930’s Tri-State Hospital and its doctors would take plucked chickens and shelled peas ln lieu of payment.  These might then be used to supplement the food purchased for the hospitals patients.

Location in Museum

Willis and Knighton Exhibit

Age

1930's & 1940's

Donor

The 1947 bill was donated by Marilyn and Gary Joiner