donohoo.html

The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., March 26, 1953, page 1 & 5

DR. DONOHOO PREFERRED BINGEN BECAUSE SUMMER IS MUCH LONGER

Dr. Philip Donohoo, 87, was born in June 3, 1865, in Cleveland, Tenn.. He received his medical degree from Vanderbilt University at Nashville, Class of '91. After graduation he practiced in Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri before locating in Spokane.
In November, 1916, he and Mrs. Donohoo were married at Independence, Jackson County, Missouri - the bride's hometown and ex-President Truman's, a coincidence that gives Mrs. Donohoo great satisfaction.
In December of 1916 the couple moved to White Salmon. They purchased the Washington hotel. Mrs. Donohoo remembers those days, and particularly a Christmas morning call to the J. P. Tonsfeldt residence. A few minutes after arriving Dr. sized up the situation and sent a message to his wife: "Put on your coat and come down. There's no one here but J. P." The Christmas baby was Miss Lucille Tonsfeldt, now a college drama teacher in Kansas.
There were many such episodes. When the roads were blocked with snow the doctor could count on Harry Stauch, who died last week to get him through with a sled.
The doctor took mischievous pleasure in recalling that others in his profession were among the most ardent advocates of good roads. But when the roads improved, they made their patients call at the office if it was humanly possible.
Under a gruff exterior, Doctor Donohoo had an unsuspected devotion to his calling. Every morning, Mrs. Donohoo recalls, he made a private resolution to do the very best that was in him. He took particular pride in setting bones and fractures.
Even after he was a cripple himself he took a strong stand against the use of casts. He insisted on using splints that could be removed frequently for massage during the healing period. These contrary opinions often antagonized people unintentionally. When the chips were down the doctor was not prone to apologize if he thought he was right.
In the early days of his local practice, there was only one hospital between The Dalles and Portland. This was at Hood River. Although it was only a converted home and grossly inadequate as a hospital, it served a useful purpose. Dr. Donohoo and other Hood River and White Salmon doctors chipped and every month to keep it going.
For years the deceased was a surgeon for the S.P&S Railroad. He was a charter member of a Masonic Lodge in Afton, Oklahoma but did not affiliate with the order when he moved to the West. In his own words, he was not "joiner", but dear to his heart was his little ranch near Lyle where for years the Donohoos summered.
On April 23, 1944 Dr. Donohoo broke his hip in his woodshed. In spite of the best of medical care he never walked again. He became a resigned to his wheelchair and was a familiar sight as he sat on his front porch and watched passersby. When he failed to recognize a person he hailed the stranger into his yard for an introduction. The last nine years have been lonely and although few came to call off he was never despondent and greeted those who did with a firm handshake.
He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Maude Donohoo of Bingen; a daughter, Mrs. Lucille Grice, of Victor, Colorado; three grand daughters and five great grandsons by a previous marriage.
Since last Christmas Day the doctor has been confined to his bed. He died at his home late Friday afternoon, March 21, the first day of spring. In answer to those who asked why he settled in Bingen he gave two reasons. His asthma didn't permit him to live anywhere else. And besides, spring came two weeks earlier to Bingen than it does to White Salmon and summer lasted two weeks longer.
Funeral services were held at Gardner's Funeral chapel at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Mar. 24. The remains were taken to Portland for cremation.
Here for the funeral were Mrs. Donohoo's sister and husband, Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Housman of Camas.