b"John T. & Geneva C. LeSueur's Mansion, at left. It's final repurpose became the Benedictine There is far more to Ralph Robb Fleetwood PalmerUniversity, at right. itself closed, the building served as a Maricopa County than just a played-out hole in the ground. He hadHealth Center and it stands yet today repurposed as the fulfilled his dream of having his own gold mine, evenMesa, raising some $10,000 to finance the constructionhome of Benedictine University.though the pit seemed to be a far better receptacleof the South Side Hospital. He was also a pharmacist for pouring money in to than getting gold out of.and opened some of the first pharmacies in theDr. Palmer loved Arizona and he loved helping people. Even so, that certainly was not the end of the doctorsarea. It is fair to say he brought modern medicineHe always gave back more than he took to help fledgling escapadesas Paul Harvey would say, now for the restto the pioneer community of Mesa. This led to theArizona along through its adolescent years. The of the story.establishing the residence of John T. & Geneva C.Superstition Mountains intrigued him right up to his LeSueur (Hibbert and Main Street) to become the non- death on December 17, 1954he was 79.Doctor Palmer was a true pioneer. He was not one toprofit Southside District Hospital in 1923. It was now allow grass to grow under his feet. Aside from his golda 12-bed facility with well-equipped emergency andHis contributions to Arizona are readily visible in Mesa, mining adventure, he vividly shares with us what thesurgical suites on its upper floor. Even as late as 1956,AZ even today, and as you gaze toward the western slope Arizona Territory was like in his now-famous book,Southside was still the only hospital for the rapidlyof the Superstition Mountains, the old Palmer Mine Doctor on Horseback. He also once stood at the sidegrowing city. To increase capacity to 103 beds, thedump is still visible despite the re-vegetation efforts of of President Theodore Roosevelt during the Era ofgrand old LeSueur home was sacrificed for expansionthe forest service when they filled it in. Of course, you Reclamation. Moreover, he was the first mayor of Mesaalthough its rounded tower remained. can visit that, too. The Palmer Mine Loop Hike will take after statehood in 1912; he was instrumental in theyou right there.organization of the Mesa Rotary Club and was the clubsAs it seems to be with everything else these days, first chartered president. eventually time and technology rendered SouthsideFurther stories about the Superstition Mountains, Dr. obsolete. In 1973 it was replaced by Good SamaritanPalmer, and Roosevelt Dam can be seen on Mysteries of His largest and most visible contribution todayDr.Hospital. (Banner Desert). However, the old hospitalthe Superstition Mountains on YouTube. Palmer conceived the idea of the first real hospital inbuilding was never demolished. Years after the hospital Arizonas Leading Handcrafted American Wood FurnishingsFinest Solid HardwoodChoices of Wood, Stain and SizesOctober Sale! The Amish craftsmen use a solid hardwood maple frame, 8-way hand-tied springs, with Up to20% OFFthe best high-density foam in cushions on all Upholstered Living Furniture* Hours:upholstered furniture. Your choice of fabrics. Mon-Sat 9AM-6PMSun City: 623-974-1745 Chandler:10722 NW Grand Ave SAFAZ.NET 4955 S. Alma School Rd*Previous purchases excluded. Cannot be combined with any other promotion or discounts. Additional donated items will not result in increased discounts. Discount offers exclude clearance items, perishable items, sales tax, & delivery fee.Although every precaution is taken, error in price or specification may occur in print. We reserve the right to correct any such errors. Pictures may not represent item exactly as shown, advertised item may not be on display at all locations. ArizonaRealCountry.com October 2020 9"