If I was to describe Doc Steele of Juab County, I would say he was a great Medical Doctor for all, but did so without being one for all the people. I grew up in the small rural town of Nephi, Utah, where we had the choice of Dr. Beckstead; Dr. Boston or Dr. Steele. Our family went to Dr. Beckstead and to Dr. Boston. My guess is that Doc Steele was guy of a different breed than many folks of this town settled my Mormons, but I didn't see him as unusual about his practice, except he could outrun the Sheriff. I believe he was a good Doctor, as I was told so by people that routinely went to him, even in West Juab County and knew those twisty roads better than most Deputies. I did know that he preferred doing his surgeries in the Payson Hospital and not the Juab County Hospital, but did work with the other physician's that covered the Nephi hospital. My only common experience with him which showed me he was a great human being occurred many years ago when I borrowed my fathers truck to head up north before their was homes at Santaquin Hill. The only other home close to the area of York, was a pioneer type settlement, where the train stopped from the North, and local Mule Skinners including by grandfather-Wm. Jones, would unload the train supply and freight them on to the Territory mining town town of Frisco. Later on, the east side of the railroad tracks were extended to Nephi and highway 91 was built. To the east was the Ranch Home that belonged to Dr. Steele, and run by Gordon Pay. I came to know Mr. and Mrs. Pay and they were good people, so I later couldn't figure out why some didn't go to Dr. Steele. I did know that his sons didn't go to Juab High, but to Wasatch Academy. I did have great faith and belief in my Aunt Erma Jones Garrett, and her polio stricken daughter-Corrine Garrett, as both those two and Uncle Rob were the crème of the crop and honest. Corrine was good with Math and helped to keep track of their farm account as well the Account at The Serv, which was owned and operated by the Garrett family through generations, then appointed to be the Nephi City Recorder. Both Erma and Corrine wouldn't hear of any gossip, so with too much of Uncle Hy Tolley & Jones DNA in me, if I started a rumor, Aunt Erma would shake her finger at me and be more mad than a wet hen, and I was too afraid that Kirk Sanders or Bob Garrett would come down and kick me a block or two. I remember the time that Bob got upset with me at the Garrett Farm, when I was learning to drive the Big Tractor which pulled the hay wagon with the others loading the small bales. I popped the clutch and threw them all off. I learned that lesson quick when we got to the stacking yard and Bob threw me in the water well. I couldn't swim, and Bob wouldn't help, but told me to stand up. I guess I thought the well went all the way down to Kowloon Tong, China. Now back to Dr. Steele at his home at York, when I was driving my Dad's truck up Santaquin Hill. I later found out that I blew a piston in the truck, with smoke coming out of the hood and something hit the hood. There were no walkie talkies or cellulite phones in those day's so I walked to Dr. Steels home and knocked on the door. It was early in the morning and no answer, so went and peered through the window and down the stairs the Doc. was coming fast and mad like the hens I was used to move to get fresh eggs for Mom. And I knew that Corrine Garrett was the billing lady for Dr. Steele, and could put at ease the incoming patients, as she had a warm smile and patience. When the Doc. opened the door, I closed my eyes waiting for his punch to my face. He was calm as can be, and gently asked what was the problem. When I slowly said "maybe a quart of oil", and told him the truck issue. He quickly answered like he knew the answer and said something to the like of "a can of oil aint the problem". He let me use the phone and I called Alma, who the Doc knew and respected. I felt at ease, and the truck was brought home, where Steve Greenwood knew my Dad and got him another one. Anyway, for what I thought Doc. Steele would take all 2 or 3 kidneys I may have, I came home with only dirty shorts! So all bad guys may not be so bad and all good guys may not be so good. But to me- Doc. Steele was great, so on this Veterans Night, help appreciate Doc .Steele with me. An Army Vet and one good man and Country Doc who did home visits throughout all of Juab County in earlier times, before the Freeway and Crazy Big City Drivers.
Dr John G Steele was our family Dr.
ReplyDeleteHe was my grandparents as well.
He was the dr that gave us shots in the eureka elementary cafeteria.
He was pa's dr forever as well.
Once when i was sick pa and i went to the dr. I had to have a antibiotic shot. Then had to come back the next day for another shot of antibiotics.
Pa also said i would take his shots as well.
I refused and pa got his own shots.
I remember the winding sidewalk to the porch and a a. Step up to the porch. One more step up and your in the waiting room.
It always smelled of rubbing alcohol.
Dr. Beckstead is my grandpa and he served Juab county for many years. After he was gone my Grandma Beckstead went to Dr. Steele.
ReplyDelete