Then: In 1905, a report from the Mathews Journal, “Dr. Hoskins, assisted by Drs. White and Vaden, performed an operation on William G. Lilly yesterday for appendicitis. Mr. Lilly stood the operation well.”

(This probably took place on Mr. Lilly’s kitchen table; at best, in the office of Dr. Hoskins in Mathews Court House.)

Now: Riverside Walter Reed Hospital.

Then: In 1914, news of a sad death in the Journal, “Mr. Robert Belvin, a well-known citizen of Peary, died early Tuesday morning in a Norfolk hospital from lockjaw. Some days ago, Mr. Belvin stuck a nail in his foot and ignored the injury for a while, not thinking it serious. When the doctors were consulted he was ordered to the hospital but died soon after reaching it.”

(Norfolk was the best they could do … the steamboat went there daily. What a terrible trip the suffering Mr. Belvin must have endured.)

Now: Riverside Walter Reed Hospital.

Then: The Journal reported in 1916 that “T...