Volume 5, Number 2 - Winter 1973-74
THREE MINUTE STORIES NOT IN PRINT
MY GRANDPA, THE DOCTOR
by Josie Melton
George Washington Gloyd was born in Fredrick, Maryland June 19, 1844. In young adulthood he joined himself to the Union Army to serve the cause of freedom, that all men are created equal. While serving in the Civil War seeing a cannon ball coming his way, jerked his foot back, but for lack of time to clear, lost the great toe, as it was severed from his right foot. Another time a bullet lodged in the right side of his abdomen, he carried to his grave. The need and his talent, a gift of God, he began helping to releive suffering of both the Union and Rebel armies. He studied and trained. On leaving the service he was granted a doctor certificate and remained a student the remainder of his many years.
Being a scribe, he went into the homes to teach, at one home he was invited in by black Mammy servant, who instructed Nancy to make the teacher a hoe cake, which she did. Later in life he spoke of his thoughts of that first meeting. He thought as he watched her small hands pat out the hoe cake, they’d be nice hands to spank a baby’s bottom. The love-bug bit and in just a week his young bride was the beautiful Nancy Jane Watts, of Boone county Arkansas. Together they came on foot to Missouri, first to Springfield where he did construction work as a brick layer and doctor.
There were only three stores in Springfield at that time. Before their fifth child, they moved to Taney County, just east of Branson and homesteaded a farm where they reared ten of their thirteen children. They always kept hired hands to work on the farm. Most of the necessities of life were supplied by the farm.
No night was too dark or too cold for him to go to attend the sick—usually on horseback; later years in a one-horse buggy, over the hills and through the vales; if need be, swim the creek or river, the saying was "don’t spare horseflesh". At times holding up his saddle bags to keep the medicine dry. He stayed with the sick to administer the medication until the crisis was passed in severe cases.
For his services he was paid in various ways, according to the amount of his bill and the ability of the patient to pay. If no money, he would accept what was available, cow, calf, sheep, hog, pig, or produce such as corn, potatoes, molasses, or fowls. As most all people farmed, this was the usual means. Those who had not the means and able to work could work it out. If not able to work, his services were free. If children were left orphans and no one to care, he took them to his own home and cared for them. In this way he helped with several children, keeping them for as long as needed. Finding good homes for some.
The loss of their home by fire in 1889, necessitated a new house, for this, with the help of his family and hired hands, lime stone was quarried from the farm, some hewed or cut into blocks, some burned for mortar until the new house was constructed, ready to be occupied in 1895. The walls of which yet stand today, on what is now Jerry Pettit’s place.
Dr. G.W. Gloyd became ill himself with appendicitis. The two other doctors in Branson, John and Guy B. Mitchell, suggested surgery but he refused, at his age, knowing the consequences as he was reminded by the other doctors. He wrote his last prescription on Saturday morning and went to meet his Maker Monday evening, July 10, 1922.
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