The good doctor and arm of the law

The Poplar Bluff Museum tell many unknown tales of our community. I want to tell you some of those hidden tales found within the museum walls.

All doctors seem to earn a reputation of “good Samaritans.” Dr. Hardin M. Henrickson had a unique experience challenging that notion. The young doctor came to Poplar Bluff in 1916. He served as the company physician for the Ruth Lumber Company, the Brooklyn Cooperage Company and the Missouri Pacific Railroad. This required him to make house calls on horseback and in motorboats. He also started his own private practice in town. As his practice grew, Dr. Hendrickson partnered with Dr. McPheeters and opened the Lucy Lee Hospital. It was named after his mother Lucy, and Dr. McPheeters aunt Lee. In 1929 he sold his portion of the hospital to Dr. McPheeters and opened his own hospital the Poplar Bluff Hospital and Henrickson Clinic.

Along with being one of the pioneer doctors of Poplar Bluff, Dr. Henrickson was also active on the city council and participated in numerous civic organizations. In the 1930s, lawlessness ran throughout the country. Bank robbers like Bonnie and Clyde were common. Small towns had their own sheriff posses, of which Dr. Henrickson was a member. In 1932 two outlaws stole Dr. Henrickson’s car and used it to rob a bank in Harviell. He joined the posse and pursued the bank robbers. The outlaws wrecked Dr. Henrickson’s car and were arrested after a brief gun battle. When he returned to the hospital, Dr. Henrickson found both men in the emergency room suffering from gunshot wounds. The good doctor proceeded to operate on the outlaws, saving them both. The failed bank robbers not only wrecked the doctor’s car, but didn’t pay their bill either. They were lucky there was a good Samaritan on the side of law and order that day.

Dr. Henrickson is honored in a special exhibit in the Medical Room of the Poplar Bluff Museum. It contains artifacts such as his medical bag and instruments, his books, and photographs of his clinics and hospital. His biography, written by Roberts V. Stanard in the 1925 book “Deem’s History of Butler County Missouri” is on file in the Poplar Bluff Museum reference library.

The Museum is handicap accessible and open free of charge Sunday 1-4 at 1010 Main Street. Tell them Mike sent you.

Mike Shane is a veteran, Poplar Bluff resident and board member for the Poplar Bluff Museum.