Dr. A.A. MacDonald (1874-1970)

Florence Irene Rose R.N. (1888-1985)

My great-grandmother was Dr. Gus's nurse. Her name was Florence Irene (MacInnis) Rose and she was born on August 24, 1888 to Galean and Jane MacInnis of Lakeville, P.E.I.. When she was only 17 years old, she left P.E.I. to join her sister at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Massachusetts. Florence trained for three years to become a registered nurse. She continued to nurse in the U.S.A. until her mother had a stroke and she returned home to look after her. While in P.E.I., she married John Alfred Rose of Priest Pond and they had nine children. One of these children was my grandfather who was named after Dr Gus. His name is Daniel Augustus Rose and Dr Gus was present at his birth.

Even as a Mother of nine children, Florence continued to practice nursing, traveling from East Point to Souris, P.E.I. Island doctors relied on the services of a mid-wife or trained nurse in each community. Great-Gramma Rose would be called first and would call for Dr Gus if necessary. She could be gone for days, sometimes even a week at a time. She would deliver babies, or assist Dr Gus if he was there, help with the other children in the house, do chores, etc. She loved nursing so much she didn't mind being "on call 24\7". Like Dr. Gus, Great-Gramma Rose did not do this job for money but because she loved her work.

Rev. Donald F. MacDonald 1837-1902

Augustine Adolphus MacDonald was born in St Andrews, P.E.I. on February 7, 1874. His father was Joseph J. (Orwell) MacDonald and mother Catherine Matilda (The Lake) MacDonald. They were members of the Roman Catholic Church. Dr. Gus was a descendant of the immigrant ship, the Alexander. His uncle, Reverend Donald Francis (The Lake) MacDonald was a long-serving parish priest in Souris.

Window in St. Mary's Church in memory of Father Donald

Dr Gus went to the local school, then to St Dunstans College in Charlottetown where he graduated in 1895. He went on to Montreal to study medicine at McGill University. Gus was very poor and often didn't have any money or enough to eat but he did very well in school and received his degree in Medicine in 1902. After graduating, he went to Boston to practice medicine. He was there briefly until receiving a letter from his uncle in Souris who was in ill health and he asked him to move to Souris because the people were in dire need of a doctor in the Eastern Kings area. Dr. Gus had a joint practice with Dr Roddie MacDonald of St Peters. They would cover each other off plus there were nurses to help them. He moved back to P.E.I. in 1904 as Dr. Augustine Adolphus MacDonald but soon became known everywhere as "Dr. Gus".

Dr. Gus' medical chest on display at Colville Manor in Souris

Dr Gus married Estelle LaChance from Gananoque, Quebec in February 1904. She was a beautiful woman who was loved by the people of Souris. They did not have any children but raised a nephew, Howard. Unfortunately, Dr Gus lost both of these people to illness and never recovered from the disappointment of not being able to save them. Estelle died of rheumatic fever in 1920 and the nephew died of tuberculosis in 1923, aged 17. In the late 1940's, Dr. Gus remarried. His new wife was Laura Adeline (Campbell) Curley. Laura passed away in 1955

then . . . . Dr. Gus' original residence and office and now . . . .

Dr Gus was also interested in politics and he wanted to improve the situation for people. He believed strongly in social justice. He was elected to the P.E.I. Legislature in 1915 but lost the 1919 election to a respected farmer, Daniel Charles MacDonald of Greenvale. He offered his name as a candidate in the provincial elections many times, and in a federal election once, and would either win by a little bit, or lose, because the people would rather have him as their doctor. Dr. Gus served briefly in the provincial cabinet and later a full term as Speaker of the House. While in government, he fought for vaccinations, a separate Department of Health and for Public Health offices in each community. Dr Gus hated to have to sign a death certificate for a reason that he saw as being an unnecessary death.

Dr. Gus' last home situated on Main Street.

In 1967, Dr Gus was one of the first people named to the Order of Canada. He was 93 years old at the time and could not travel to Ottawa to receive his award. The Governor General, Roland Mitchner agreed to present it to him in person, making him the first person to receive it outside of Rideau Hall. It is understood the next individual allowed this distinction was the late Terry Fox. A ceremony was held at Souris Regional High School in front of hundreds of people, including many of the children he brought into the world. He was given three standing ovations. Ever a gracious and humble gentleman, he recognized, smiled and nodded at the assemblage.

September 29, 1968

Dr Gus was 96 when he died in 1970. They closed all the high school for the funeral. At the funeral mass, St. Mary's Church was overfilled beyond the capacity, including 50+ priests in attendance, including the Bishop. Dr. Gus is buried in St. Mary's cemetery in Souris.

Dr Gus was one of the last "Country Doctors" who spent more time in his patients homes than in an office. Dr Gus had tremendous respect from his patients. One of his former patients said "it was taken for granted that if he was there he would do the best he could and nine times out of ten you were going to get better… you might just as well be in the hands of God".

Dr Gus traveled by horse and carriage but eventually bought an automobile. When he traveled by horse & sleigh, he would cut through the fields and forests instead of driving on the roads. His office was in his home but he mostly saw his patients at their houses and when he came home sometimes there would be about five families waiting for him to help them! He never refused a patient. There was no hospital in the area until the 1940's so Dr. Gus performed many complicated surgeries on kitchen tables without all the equipment they use today and only a lamplight to see at night.

Dr Gus was not a rich man. He was paid for his services by those who could pay him but many people could not. One former patient remarked that he had never heard of anyone getting a bill from Dr Gus. You just paid him when you could. Before he died, he told his accountant to write "PAID" beside each name in the ledger book. Dr Gus had a deep love for nature and mankind. He was a Religious man, regularly attending St Mary's church in Souris and sang in the choir. Dr. Gus spoke Latin fluently. He was a very funny man and a gentleman.

Dr Gus wanted other young people to enter the field of medicine. He always donated school prizes to those who had special talents. He wanted to help others as he himself had not received any assistance when he needed it most, when in McGill studying medicine.

As Doctor Gus was getting older, he wanted to find a replacement for himself. He knew that the town of Souris would have to offer more if they were to attract a new Doctor to replace him. He called a meeting to propose that a new hospital be built in Souris. The local people had to raise all the money to build the hospital, purchase equipment and hire staff. The land was donated and, after much hard work, funds were raised to build the hospital and operate it for a year.

The location in 2008 on the Glen Road in New Harmony

Dr. Gus was called to assist with a difficult birth in Priest Pond, PEI. By the time the Caesarian birth was finished, it was storming outside but Dr. Gus wanted to return home. As he drove alone through the high winds and snow covered fields, he was becoming more and more concerned about his beloved horse. Finally, scared that he would kill her if they continued, he stopped, released the reins and traces to allow the horse find her own shelter. Dr. Gus made a snow fort and pulled the sleigh over himself. He fell asleep and woke several hors later, feeling uncomfortably warm and in the midst of an over-powering smell of horse. While he slept, the horse had returned and burrowed herself down beside the sleigh, to protect him from the storm. When the weather broke in the morning, they eventually found their way back to Souris. Dr. Gus loved this horse like a family member. When the horse finally died of old age, she was buried in the corner of a field and Dr. Gus made regular visits to her burial site.

The best known story about Dr. Gus happened at St Margaret's, P/E.I. in 1907. A farmer was cutting grain. He did not know that his young son was in the field and ran over him, almost cutting off both feet. The feet were just held on by the tendons, tissue and skin. The father raced to Souris for Dr. Gus who thought he would have to amputate the boy's feet. When Dr. Gus arrived at the house, the Mother met him at the door and wouldn't let him in unless he promised not to cut the feet off. The doctor promised that he would do his best. The little boy, A. J. MacCormack, was in agony.

The MacCormack house still stands in 2008. It was purchased, moved to Gowan Brae and restored by the Hon. George Mullally for his residence.

Dr. Gus was afraid to put him to sleep for he feared the child would never wake up again! Dr. Gus spent hours sewing everything back together and did this by the light of a kerosene lamp. After he finished, he went outside and smashed a rain barrel. Dr. Gus built splints from the staves, attached them and went home. The next day, he returned with a heavy heart expecting to have to amputate, but miraculously the feet were warm. The boy grew up to be a teacher and farmer named Angus MacCormack who walked a mile and a half to teach school each day. Dr Gus was always modest about this miracle and gave the credit to the very determined mother and to "a higher power" who had guided his hands. The family couldn't pay Dr Gus but gave him a jug which had been a family heirloom. Dr Gus never sold this jug and late in his life returned it to the family. The next known similar surgery was conducted in Boston in the late 1950's.

McCormack house kitchen walls in 2008.

During the depression, Dr. Gus heard of a family who had stolen coal from the Railway to heat their home. He felt so badly for them that he paid the fine and bought enough coal to do them for the winter. He had it delivered to their house.

Roy C. McLean was a soldier in the First World War and saw action. In later years he cut off the tip of his his thumb while doing some carpentry. Roy found what was missing and ran to Dr. Gus who sewed it back on. Roy could not watch. The next day Roy returned to have it seen to. Dr. Gus unwrapped it and joked to Roy that he had sewn it on backwards and perhaps he should do it again. Roy was almost in tears. Roy eventually regained full use of his thumb.

Hot Toddie: When someone had a cold or the flu, they were often given a mixture of whisky, sugar and hot water.

Seventh Son or Daughter: If a family had seven or more children, all girls or boys, the seventh was thought to have special powers such as being able to relieve toothaches, warts and back pain just by touching the ill person.

Headache: Place a cloth soaked in vinegar on your head to cure a headache.

Burn or cut: Place baking soda over a burn or cut.

Sore Throat: Gargle with salt water.

Sore Throat: Drink Honey.

Mustard Poultice: Was used for chest colds. A mixture of flour and dry mustard was placed in between two layers of flannel material. The flannel was put next to the chest, spread the mustard mixture on top and cover with another piece of flannel to keep the heat in.

Pepper Tea: was used for gas or indigestion. It was a mixture of hot water and pepper.

Jessica offers her special thanks to: Waldron Leard Mary and Katelyn Mahar Daniel and Helen Rose Judy Rose The Public Archives of the Province of Prince Edward Island Bibliography: "Dr Roddie, Dr Gus & The Golden Age of Medicine" by Sasha Mullally. The Island Magazine "Ten Farms Become a Town" by Adele Townshend Home Remedies Home Remedies & Recipes

A story about Dr. Gus entitled Doctor gives good present may be found here.

An additional story about Dr. Gus entitled Rural medicine over 30 years may be found here.

An Island Magazine article about Dr. Gus MacDonald and Dr. Roddie MacDonald entitled Dr. Roddie, Dr. Gus & The Golden Age of Medicine may be found here.

Copyright
Waldron H. Leard