By John P. Langellier, Ph.D.
The arrival of the United States Army in Territorial Arizona brought some of the first medical doctors to the region, and resulted in the establishment of a number of pioneer military hospitals such as the facility at Fort Whipple. Founded during the American Civil War, the hospital was staffed by a series of surgeons including Medal of Honor winner Joseph K. Corson, MD, who had placed his life in jeopardy near Bristoe Station, Virginia. On October 14, 1863, he and a comrade returned under heavy Confederate artillery fire to rescue a wounded soldier left behind as their regiment retreated.
A decade after this act of bravery orders transferred him to Arizona. After an arduous journey from Wyoming by many forms of land and water transportation, Corson boarded a stage for Prescott. He recalled the vehicle “was full inside, mostly women, who being entirely divided as to morals, did not get along very amicably, requiring at one time the mediation of the driver to avoid hostilities.”
His uncomfortable, jolting ride through the hot dusty desert from Ehrenburg ended at Fort Whipple, but Corson’s arrival was unexpected. The department commander, Brigadier General Orlando Willcox, pondered what to do with this spare surgeon. He decided Corson could remain at Whipple, at least temporarily. According to Dr. Corson, the general was unpopular and in “every saloon and store” in Prescott hung a picture of Willcox’s predecessor, George Crook. Under the venerated image appeared the words, “Arizona’s Only Friend” and “Give Us Back Our Old Commander.
Corson had ample free time in town to observe such tributes to Crook, as well as to form an opinion of the frontier community. He contended, “Gambling was one of the chief industries and was openly carried on.” This meant the doctor could head into places like Dan Thorn’s saloon “to watch the games of Faro, Poker, etc.” that he found “most interesting…to watch the play and the players, without the slightest inclination to take part in them.”
Hospital at Fort Whipple, Prescott, Arizona, C.1880 (Photo Courtesy Sharlot Hall Museum – Call Number: MIL-187pa).
The doctor’s off-duty time likewise allowed him to start an outside practice to supplement his army pay by caring for members of the civilian community. Between his professional duties and leisure activities the doctor met a number of the locals and national figures alike. Among them was John Marion, the editor of the Arizona Miner, the area’s newspaper that began publishing in 1864, the year Prescott was established. In keeping with the rough and tumble times, this member of the Fourth Estate kept a loaded revolver handy on his desk. His protective precaution was not out of fear of the outlaw element, however, but because he was wary of the deputy sheriff whom he had angered with his outspoken articles in the paper!
In another instance, Corson crossed paths with John Charles Frémont, Arizona’s fifth territorial governor. The doctor was among many of other officers and ladies of the post invited to a reception in Frémont’s honor. Corson quipped that the governor’s wife Jesse, daughter Lilly, and son Fred “remained the entire evening and were most agreeable and appreciative …” Conversely, Frémont remained at the gathering for only about fifteen minutes before boredom set in, and after shaking hands with the small crowd, excused himself and left. This unfavorable impression prompted Corson to confess, “My ideal was broken …”
Finally, high prices in the pre-railroad era taxed his budget, and scarcity of even common goods was the order of the day. In fact, he contended that cabbage was a luxury, and when a head was procured it was turned into a salad and a hop held (military slang for a dance) to celebrate this rare occasion.
At least he was more positive about Prescott’s climate, which “in summer was delightful….” Alas, the doctor had little time to bask in the temperate weather. When the popular post physician, Fred E. Ainsworth, returned from a temporary assignment, Corson’s days in the colorful Wild West community ended. He departed the Prescott area and headed to Fort Yuma, a place the young soldier-surgeon must have viewed as purgatory at best when compared to the Garden of Eden he all too briefly enjoyed in Yavapai County.
To learn more about the history of Fort Whipple visit the Fort Whipple Museum at the Bob Stump VA Center open and free of charge Thursdays through Saturdays.
(Days Past is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners, International (www.prescottcorral.org). The public is encouraged to submit articles for Days Past consideration. Please contact SHM Library & Archives Reference Desk at 928-445-3122 Ext. 14 or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information.)