From the Archives - Nov. 14, 2024

Born in 1888, Agnes May Carleton graduated in 1911 from the Massachusetts Faulkner Hospital nursing course. She completed her postgraduate course at the Infants Hospital, and in 1915, she became a registered nurse. During 1917 and 1918, U.S. nurses were urged to enroll in the Red Cross drive to serve “your country.” Agnes enrolled in the Reserve of the Army Nurses Corps and consented to active duty during WW I.

Agnes was sent to Base Hospital No. 55 in Boston, taking the oath of office on March 8, 1918, while awaiting her orders from the War Department. On April 27th, she was notified to proceed to Camp Sevier in South Carolina for temporary duty before deploying overseas. On July 24th, Agnes was ordered to New York to await transport to Europe. She sailed on the “S.S. Agamemnon” arriving in France on September 4, 1918, and was sent to Base Hospital #15 at Chaumont. By September 28th, her unit arrived in Toul, France reporting to the Justice Hospital Group. By March 31, 1919, her hospital unit had treated 4,459 patients. Agnes was assigned to a team of four medical personnel, administering first aid to the troops on the frontlines. There she was wounded. When her deployment was completed, Agnes sailed for New York arriving on June 2, 1919. Her service in France earned her the Meuse-Argonne Victory Medal with the Defensive Sector Battle Clasp.

World War  I nurses were offered Red Cross scholarships and public health jobs. Agnes chose a scholarship and returned to Boston taking classes at Simmons College, School of Public Health Nursing. She earned a degree of Bachelor of Science in 1921 and was certified by the National Organization for Public Health Nursing.

It was considered a community service to be placed in rural areas for a period of three months. The Boundary County Chapter appealed to the Red Cross for a public health nurse. Agnes May Carleton stepped off the train onto the depot platform in Bonners Ferry, Idaho in October 1921 for service. As the first public health nurse of Boundary County, Agnes initiated and organized programs such as the well-baby clinic, physical examinations, and programs conducted in the public schools. She also traveled to the Kootenai Indian Mission to administer their health care. The local Chapter valued her dedication to wellness, and voted to retain her permanently. Although the Chapter said no one would be denied, whenever possible, the Chapter charged 60 cents an hour for her employ, to help pay for her costs and transportation. She drove a black Model A Ford to rural schools and on home visits. When the Model A wore out, she drove her faithful Volkswagen Bug.

In June 1927, at the age of 39, Agnes married Robert Chadwick, a local rancher and the superintendent at the Continental Mine. Agnes resigned as public health nurse to become a rancher’s wife. By 1930, the County was in need of help again, so she resumed her work as Boundary County Public Health Nurse. During her years in nursing, Agnes worked with Dr. Fry, Dr. Bowell, Dr. Durose, Dr. Severns, Dr. Hopkins and Optometrist Howe. She retired from nursing on June 1, 1958, at the age of 70. Agnes May Chadwick died at Community Hospital on March 16, 1980, at the age of 91 years and 11 months. She was laid to rest in Grandview Cemetery.

The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum, 7229 Main, Bonners Ferry, Idaho sponsors this column. 

Visit the museum, Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m., or visit the website at boundarycountymuseum.org or the museum’s Facebook page for historical photos and stories, and to see upcoming events. The museum can be reached via email at doyouremember@meadowcrk.com or by phone at 208-267-7720.