11-014: Dr. E.G. Hollies – Dedicated Doctor and Servant

Dr. Hollies set out on an education career and taught school in Southern Alberta for a number of years. Later he moved to Edmonton and began training for a career in medicine. After completing his training he began practice in the area. He was doctor for two hospitals at the same time and he had to travel the 15 miles between them every day. When the Red Cross called on him to go to Pouce Coupe to replace Doctor Watson, he accepted. In 1936 the doctor and his family moved to Pouce Coupe and he set up practice there. His office was in a spare room in his house and many a patient was brought to health and many more visited the doctor’s home-office for medical aid.

With the passing of Dr. Watson, Dr. Hollies continued the work of his predecessor. He had patients from all over, in all weather and all times of day. He also traveled to Dawson Creek to serve in the hospital there.

The doctor had his problems during his career as well. In 1939 when Hitler forced the evacuation of the Sudetens from their homeland, he had another community to serve, as there was no doctor among them. [Note: There was a Doctor Glace with them but the BC health board did not allow him to practice in BC so he moved to Hythe, Alberta.] The 1943 explosion in Dawson Creek gave the doctor more than he could handle and he was busy for days on end treating the wounded.

In 1940, a Mr. Karl Erickson hurt his leg out near Fellers Heights and the doctor made the cold, tiring journey out there and back. He found the patient with gangrene in his leg and brought him back by car to the hospital in Dawson Creek, getting stuck periodically along the way. At the hospital Dr. Hollies had to amputate the leg in an operation which he performed alone.

Dr. Hollies retired from medicine in June 30, 1971.