Two weeks after Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital opened (August 14, 1950),
    Pearle Herrington, R.N.  returned to Medicine Lodge and joined the staff.
    Dr. D.C. McCarty and dr. Tregor were physicians; Phyllis Zimmerman, R.N.;
    Meryle Leslie, in the office; J.D. Everett, Adm.; Blanche Roessler, food
    service; and Agnes Lawrence, central supply, were other employees.
      Pearle, middle daughter of D.C. and Anna Aubley Marr, was born in Missouri
    in 1899 and first came to Barber County at age two weeks.
      Her father, D.C. Marr (1873-1913) came to Medicine Lodge and taught Doles
    school about 1890. He boarded and roomed with the Aubleys and married the
    next to youngest child, Anna (1876-1928). They established their home in
    Missouri. D.C. was injured in a train wreck, and while he recovered, Anna
    brought the children and spent time with her parents. The family later
    moved to Oklahoma. Pearle had two sisters, Lucy (1892-1932, married Clarence
    Hill) and Violet (1907-1976, married Lee Simpson). The father died when 
    Pearle was 14. A formal education past 8th grade was impossible.
      Pearle recalled visiting her grandparents' home about 6 miles northwest of
    Medicine Lodge. It was a two room dugout in a bank with two rooms above
    ground. The barn and chicken house were also in a bank. She recalls reaching
    into a hen's nest for eggs and touching a huge bull snake feasting on eggs.
    Cowchips were picked up and towed in a sack to be emptied on a wagon. One
    soon learned to choose well cultured chips!
      At age 18 Pearle entered nurses' training at Kansas Sanitarium, Wichita,
    Kansas. After three years, she graduated in 1920 as an R.N. Her first job
    was private duty at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Hutchinson. She received $5.00
    per 22 hour day.
      She gave up nursing when she married Chester I. Long Herrington in 1928.
    In the early part of WWII, they purchased Skelly Station No. 8 at Seneca
    and Maple in Wichita, which she helped operate due to shortage of male help.
    C.L. died in 1945, leaving Pearl to rear 14 year old Jim, their only child.
    She continued to operate the station 4 years, then returned to Medicine
    Lodge permanently, her college age son tought nursing more feminine.
      Pearle instructed many home nursing and first aid classes introduced
    through the Red Cross.
      She is a member of Seventh Day Adventist Church, and her life and service
    exemplifies the true Christian purpose.
      She has knit 300 yards of bandages for West Africa leprosarium, sent 357
    garments to orphans in Seoul, Korea; helped a Filipino woman through college;
    knited garments for each member of that family. Her current projects have
    been some 200 bunk and full size quilts for Navajo and other missions. Many
    local people have contributed materials for these. Pitcairn Island was
    another project which she learned about through reading interests. She sold
    baskets for them and sent them medications and clothing.
      Her son, Jim, his wife and daughter live in Denver. They often fly to
    Medicine Lodge for short visits.
      Pearl celebrated her 80th birthday at Leisure Center where she checks
    blood pressures regularly for Senior Citizens. She's retired, but far from
    "On the Shelf"!
                 
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 226 
     Submitted for Pearle Herrington by Mary Gaunt