Chester, Pa., April 29, 1919
Dear Mother,--
It was a terrible shock to us to hear of Dr. Wagoner's death (his uncle by marriage). Even more because of his recent visit here as we had a chance to see him in apparently excellent health and vigor. I remarked after returning from the trolley that he had made us all stretch our legs to keep up. We were so pleased with his visit and hoped for many more. The children were wonderfully taken with him, George particularly, can not get over it and the mystery of death, to him, is greater than before.
Give our love and sympathy to Gertrude (Wagoner's wife and sister to Mrs. Hay) and tell her although I could not come out for the funeral my regard and admiration for Dr. Wagoner has always been of the highest. So rare is it to find such admirable qualities so combined and so bountifully to one man makes his loss tremendous.
Will write you at greater length soon.
With love from us all
John (son of Mrs. Hay)
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Some background on Dr. Wagoner.
Dr. George Wagoner broke his leg in the 1889 Johnstown Flood, but that did not stop him from caring for the citizens of Johnstown. He and two doctors ran a clinic on the corner of South and Napoleon Streets. Along with the clinic, Dr. Wagoner was also in charge of sanitation in the Fifth and Sixth wards after the flood. These wards are the area of Kernville. After the flood, thanks to his diligent work as a doctor, Dr. George Wagoner became the first Secretary of Memorial Hospital.
