After much public support, an election was held for the purpose of voting $100,000 in bonds to be used in building a memorial hospital. The vote also asked for the levying of an annual tax of one and 1/2 mills for a period of 20 years to pay for the bonds and for support/maintenance of the hospital. Of course, history shows us that the bonds passed and the first Board of Trustees were appointed: G.W. Kolterman, Ray Bainter, Eldon Gardner, L.B. Veale and H.C. Chancellor.

After receiving bids, cutting through the 'red tape', the government issued a statement that no hospital under 50 beds would be approved for federal aid. The estimated cost of an adequate building was at $500,000. The committee felt the community did not need that large of a hospital, nor would the be able to raise their part of the amount, which would be $334, 000. After many meetings with architects, a set of plans were drawn up that would reduce the size of the hospital, but could be built with the funds available. The plan/contract for the hospital was set at a cost of $275,000 sans furnishings.

The hospital was built and additional money was raised by donations alone. With a cost of $60,000 to furnish the hospital, which included equipment, the response of the people of Barton County was overwhelming. Over 2000 people from the county made monetary gifts from a few pennies to $7,500!

With work well under way, it was suggested that a public cornerstone ceremony should be held. the Board of Trustees agreed and the ceremony was held on Sunday, October 2, 1949. Principal speakers were the Rev. Arthur Tighe of Joplin and the Honorable Cliff Titus.

On that day, the flag raising and presentation ceremony marked the completion of the hospital. Approximately 1000 people attended the ceremony and almost 2500 people toured the hospital throughout the day.

The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the bronze plaque bearing the names of the 61 Barton County men who gave their lives for our country in World War II. This plaque still hangs in honor in the lobby of our hospital.

As written by Dorothy Chancellor Sharp, the following reminds us all of why this memorial was built:

"Perhaps one of the most moving comments on the hospital was made by Father Tighe, who spoke at the cornerstone laying ceremony. He complimented the people of the county on their work by saying,"

'You have caught the torch from the faltering hands of the dead. You have not failed them. You have continued to fight the good fight.'