Sacramento County

Biographies

 

 

 

 

 

 

GUSTAVUS LINCOLN SIMMONS, M.D.

 

 

   Gustavus Lincoln Simmons, when seventeen years of age, left his native Hingham, Plymouth county, Massachusetts, November, 1849, for California.  Rounding Cape Horn on the brig Curacoa young Simmons landed in San Francisco July, 1850, and a very short time after arrival removed to Sacramento.  Immediately he was employed in the “Old Boston Drug Store,” 48 J street, owned and operated by his brother-in-law Dr. Henry B. May.  The drug store was a medical office and dispensary as well, for owing to the absence of hospital accommodations it was cloth-cubicled for doctors examining rooms.  During the cholera epidemic 'the floors and bunks were more than filled with sick and dying.'¹ The drug store was home to Gustavus, except for the time he, Charles Crocker and D. O. Mills lived and 'batched' together in rooms over a barn.

   Intimate association with drugs, illness and accidents fascinated the young assistant and set the design for his future career.  He began to read medicine under Dr. B. B. Brown's direction, and according to Dr. Brown², Simmons' 'own private medical library was one of the largest and best selected in Sacramento, and his experiences as an irregular practitioner among many of our most prominent citizens and their families was extended, and of a general character.'  'Simmons,' said Dr. Brown, 'was the first corresponding member of the American Pharmaceutical Association, and contributed a number of papers on indigenous medicinal substances, and other subjects connected with his profession, to the American Journal of Pharmacy, some of which were extensively copied by the medical press.'

   Simmons must have purchased the drug store for Dr. Brown stated that with money Simmons procured in sale of the drug store he prepared to leave for Boston to study medicine.  On September 30, 1854 he sailed aboard the steamer Yankee Blade, 800 aboard.  It was an eventful voyage.  At 3:30 P.M. on October 1st, while encompassed in a dense fog the ship struck a reef off Point Arguilla about fifteen miles above Point Conception, 'upon which the ship ran upwards of sixty feet, while her stern swung in nine fathoms (of) water, which in less than 25 minutes sunk below the promenade deck, but so firmly was the forward part imbedded in the rocks, that up to the time we left the ship (about 4 P.M. on the 2n inst), she had not receded an inch...the officers on deck launched and manned the boats and proceeded at once to get the ladies and passengers ashore...fifteen lives were known to be lost---although the loss was doubtless larger through the villanies that occurred during the terrible night after the ship struck.'³

   Next morning the steamer Goliah took them aboard in small boats and landed the passengers at Santa Barbara, San Pedro and San Diego, reaching the latter port at 11 A.M., October 3d.  On the 12th, Simmons boarded the “Bro. Jonathan,” and 'arrived in San Francisco, October 15, at 10 o'clock A.M. that day.  Went to church, tended meetings of passengers on the Plaza, and in evening was at presentation of a watch to Capt. Seaby.  October 16 sailed again for Panama in Steamer Golden Gate, Captain Watkins, 600 passengers.'4

   He had lost all of his holdings, including his prized dictionary.  However, several years later a Judge Densone was holding court in Santa Barbara and happened to pick up from the hotel table an old weather-beaten dictionary.  In the book the Judge saw the name G. L. Simmons, and making inquiry of the hotel proprietor learned the book had been washed ashore after the wreck of the “Yankee Blade” several years previously.  Judge Densone traced the owner and delivered it to him.  Dr. Simmons had already replaced the lost book with a new dictionary but gave the old damaged one a place of honor in his library.

   Arriving at Boston, G. L. Simmons entered the Tremont Street Preparatory Medical School, then conducted by Oliver Wendell Holmes and his associates.  He later enrolled in the Medical Department of Harvard University, probably being the first medical student from California to enroll in that institution.  At the medical school he came under the teaching influence of such men as Henry and Jacob Bigelow, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Ware, Warren, Williams and others.  After graduating Doctor of Medicine in 1856, he 'was one of five selected to read an original thesis at Commencement---a mark of favor at present only conferred upon those supposed to excel.'5  He spent 'a season amid the hospital wards of the larger Eastern cities' and then 'established himself in Sacramento, where, except for several prolonged visits to Europe for purposes of study, he has practiced his profession for over forty years.'6 His first office in Sacramento was upstairs at 66 J street, near the corner of Third.

   Because of a large acquaintanceship Dr. Simmons was not long establishing a practice and became physician to the County Hospital in 1858, then located at Tenth and L streets.  One of the appointing members of the Board of Supervisors was a physician and, as was oft-times the case with older practitioners, little confidence or respect was accorded the younger man.  While making a tour of the County Hospital---a common procedure of the period---the medical Supervisor was leading the group and dispensing much knowledge.  They came to the bed of a man with limbs exposed, and the medical Supervisor asked Dr. Simmons:  “What have we here?” “A broken leg,” replied Dr. Simmons. “A-hem!” said the Supervisor: “a very crooked leg . .bad result Doctor,” Dr. Simmons overlooked the discourteous intention, but the supervisor refused to be quieted.  Once again he repeated: “A very crooked leg . . . bad result Doctor,” whereat the patient looked up and said: “That crooked leg God-Almighty gave me---the broken one Dr. Simmons has cured and straightened out.” Silence prevailed.

    It is probable Dr. Simmons returned to Sacramento after graduating in time to attend the State Medical meeting on February 11, 1857---the year following its organization---though he took no active part.  Nonetheless it was his beginning of a medical society interest wherein, for the next fifty years, he was to participate so constructively and prominently.

   Dr. Simmons, with Drs. Phelan and Hatch, were elected to the City Board of Education, October 4, 1858, and Drs. Frey and Simmons were on the new Board October 3, 1859.  Education was close to the Doctor's heart: a student by inclination, a lover of books, an intense reader and a close observer of life and its problems made him an ardent disciple of the beauty and virtue to be gained through education.  His interest never abated.

   In 1864 Dr. Simmons ligated the common carotid artery with recovery of the patient, and used silver wire as a suture to repair a divided tendo-Achilles (heel tendon.)  It was the first recorded instance to be observed, on the West coast, where silver wire was used for suture material, and ligating the common carotid at that day was pioneering in blood vessel surgery.

   He was appointed to the City Board of Health in December, 1868, replacing Dr. Logan who had resigned to live and practice in San Francisco.  However, in 1869 Dr. Simmons sent his resignation to leave for study in Europe, but was reappointed June, 1869 when Dr. Harkness left the Board.  Through Dr. Simmons' recommendation, November 2, 1870, the Board of Health petitioned the City Trustees for a permanent health officer as, according to the Doctor, 'it was out of character for members of this Board to undertake the abating of nuisances and other matters, inconsistent with the exercise of their vocation.'7

   In June 1873, occurred another of his trips to Europe.  Dr. Simmons was reappointed to the Health Board in March, 1876 following the death of Dr. Logan.  From April, 1879 to April, 1881 the City Board of Health was responsible to the Homeopathic Physicians, but Dr. Simmons was returned to the new Board and served two years, to April 1, 1883.

   During the years Dr. Simmons served on the Board of Health he was a forceful influence for health legislation and deserved grateful recognition. A kindly individual, candidly and vigorously sturdy in beliefs, his strong personality was often felt during tenure on the Board.  His opinion was: “Fear is often greater than the danger.”

   Dr. Simmons was a guiding influence when the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement was organized.  The organizational meeting was held March 17, 1868 in his office at 46 J street.  He it was who suggested the name through an earlier acquaintanceship with the Boston Society for Medical Improvement.  He was the Society's first Secretary.   So long as he lived he gave the Society ardent efforts---by constant attendance, by learned scientific essays, by teaching ethical standards and practicing them, and by innumerable kindly courtesies to all members.  After he became one of Sacramento's leading practitioners he was especially thoughtful to the young or new medical arrivals.  His common practice was to very soon call new physicians in consultation, thereby developing participating and lasting friendships.  It was chivalry, not self-interest, for his position was outside and beyond needs of any but highest intentions.

   Causes of pestilential diseases was a problem often discussed by Dr. Simmons and his fellow practitioners.  Simmons had been taught the forces creating such diseases 'were the result of the absorption into the system of an animal poison.'  He believed there was an essential difference between a typhoid condition and typhoid per se.  Through clinical observations he reached the circumference of the unknown.  But few years were to elapse ere bacteria were discovered and their role shown in diseases.

   Doctor Simmons participated in reorganizing the California State Medical Society, and was elected to the Standing Committee on Surgery.  He was one of a local committee inviting the American Medical Association to the Pacific Coast in 1871, and chosen one of sixteen delegates to attend the meeting of the National Association in 1872.  He offered a resolution in 1872 to the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement by which the Sacramento City Dispensary came into existence.  His potent influence induced the Legislature to pass a City Dispensary Bill for the benefit of indigent poor.

   During 1878-1879 the Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement was guided by Dr. G. L. Simmons.  In his regime the Society was incorporated.  July, 1878 he read an essay on “The Feigned Insanity of Troy Dye.” a sensational case during the era.  Troy Dye was a confessed murderer and counsel admitted his guilt in full.  A plea for mercy was made on grounds of mental incompetency due to disease of the brain.  The resulting verdict depended upon expert testimony.  The Doctor's essay was outstanding for it made the first reference to reformation of legal proceedings in determination of insanity by expert testimony.  It also brought about a reformation of provisions of the law relating to payments for expert medical testimony.  Too many times had Dr. Simmons been called as material witness only for the purpose of being used as an expert.  He became resolute and adamant on the subject.

   To Dr. Simmons' written articles on expert testimony, and efforts of the Society on the subject, must go credit for a Legislative Act providing physicians, surgeons and chemists obtain pay for expert testimony.  Expert medical testimony in murder trials, especially pertaining to mental responsibility of the accused, has been given a more equable meaning since the time of Dr. Simmons' recommendations.  However, changes can well be made wherein greater equity for society could be promoted and misgiving toward professional men reduced.

   Four years prior to discovery of the cause of diphtheria Doctor Simmons 'believed the disease to be contagious and specific,' and in 1881 presented an article on “The Nature of Croup and early Tracheotomy.”  In 1880 he stated diphtheria was 'contagious and specific,' thereby revealing a germ theory faith.  In was strange in 1882 when he said:  'We get as good results without Listerism as we do with that method.' Before 1882, too, he used alcohol to cleanse the skin preparatory for surgical operations.

   In 1883 he reported “A Peculiar Case” to the medical society.  A miner of Amador county came under the Doctor's care at the old County Hospital, then located at Tenth and L streets.  The miner while tamping a charge of dynamite with a two-foot metal bar exploded the charge driving the bar through his skull.  It entered beneath the chin.  Under Dr. Simmons' treatment the brain tissue healed completely, the man recovered, and for years afterwards labored on a farm near Fresno.  The Doctor's great interest in the case and the patient's gratitude resulted in willing his body to Dr. Simmons for scientific purposes.  The skull, together with the bar, is now a most interesting specimen in the Museum at Harvard Medical School.

   After his fiftieth birthday, when many lessons had been learned, his papers before the local Society took on a reminiscent atmosphere.  This was true in “Old Surgery,” again in 1894 in “Our Society”, (sic) and once more as late as 1901 in “Now and Then in Medicine.”  It is unfortunate these articles in original form were not preserved.  Many historical events thereby became entombed in the precious Past.

   There was a close friendship and mutual admiration between Dr. Simmons and Dr. Sutliff.  The latter loved to reminisce on qualities of Dr. Simmons and of humorous incidents arising during their years of practice.  “Time and again on Sunday evenings,” Dr. Sutliff recalled, “I would go into Dr. Simmons' office and find him writing (always with a quill pen---he cut them out himself).” “Have you been to church today, Doctor?” “No, have you?” “No---all right, let's sing.” “We would make a stagger at it and have our own church.”Thus, rejoicing through the medium of the old hymns, these two practitioners felt the will and the goodness of their Redeemer.  Dr. Sutliff would chuckle as he told this story:  'One day when I was in the hallway I heard a woman scolding Dr. Simmons.  Talking in a loud voice she kept repeating: “Never again---never shall you come into my house.”  The Doctor tried to quiet her.  Finally Doctor Simmons learned the trouble.  A patient of his was indebted for professional services, and to help him pay the account Dr. Simmons gave him some bills to collect.  The patient also drove hearse for George Clark, the undertaker.  While returning from a funeral he passed the lady's home and to save a return trip, hitched the hearse at her front door and went in to make the collection.  The neighborhood interest, concern and inquiries on seeing the hearse was more than the indignant lady could stand.

   Dr. Simmons was 'one of the most active of Sacramento's physicians in all matters of city improvement and welfare.'8  In 1892 he was one of the Freeholders forming Sacramento's City Charter.  His energy and usefulness in health legislation has been recited.  For twenty years he was a commissioner on lunacy, and for a time was a United States Pension Surgeon.  During the earlier organization of the National Guard of California he was a brigade surgeon on the staff of Gen. Howell.  Through the Doctor's influence Margaret S. Crocker founded the Marguerite Home for aged ladies, and was President of the Board of Trustees.  As previously stated, 'he was the first secretary of the City Board of Education, who also acted as School Superintendent.'9

   In 1891 Dr. Simmons welcomed the California Medical Association to Sacramento, and from April, 1894 to April, 1895, was President of this State Society.  He 'made an efficient presiding officer, at times perhaps too lenient with the more prolix authors or the more ambitious speakers,' said Dr. Parkinson.'10  His conduct during an occurrence 11 unexampled in the history of the society entitles him to the highest credit, and the few plain statements then made will doubtless have a wholesome effect.'

   His closing Presidential Address began lightly touching upon characters, medical and lay, and the medical transition during the gold rush.  Enough was said to visualize detailed historical items forever lost because his earlier articles---”Old Surgery,” “Our Society” and “Now and Then in Medicine”---were not preserved.

   Because the Doctor came to California in 1850 he felt he 'need not apologize for a reference to the history of our profession in California.  I do this with more confidence because my personal interest in medical science as youth and man about covers the period since the tide of gold seekers literally rushed to the then territory of California, and it is to the peculiar nature of this immigration that I have attributed not only many of the striking characteristics of our present population, but also the presence of these earlier pioneer traits in the medical profession itself, which has no doubt been one of the chief causes for the lack of interest in the fraternal association of its members.'

   'Ever since our first annual meeting in San Francisco, just a quarter of a century ago, we have had the presidential services of men whose unselfish lives and devotion to principle have led them to deplore the want of a fully organized profession; but I believe no one has pointed out the fact that it is probable our feeble cohesive elements resulted from exceptional conditions which were not present in any other section of the American Union.  Without question, our immigration was originally composed of representatives from the most active and ambitious elements of the present century.  For the first time in history, there was offered to men of every nation a free and untrammeled field for the mining of precious metals.  The cost of journey by sea or land to this State, then far removed from the center of population, the courage to face the greatest dangers, the health and youth essential to lead exposed pioneer lives, all combined to bring here an independent and self-reliant people, overwhelmed by the desire for the sudden accumulation of wealth.  The ambitions and mental peculiarities of such a population formed a most original field for observation, and the leading traits were certainly those of independence, self-reliance, love of excitement, change, speculation and criticism.'

   'Very naturally the same features were also evident in the ranks of the medical profession.  Here were representatives from all the leading medical schools of the world, each having the most unbounded faith in his own methods and education, speaking different languages, with habits and prejudices that had not been worn smooth by the rapidity of international travel and without the refining influence of home life, is it strange that they were restless, impatient of restraint and ready to ignore the qualification of rival practitioners.  To the credit of many of these educated men we should place the fact that they were often the best organizers to develop out of chaotic conditions, the institutions of this State, even if their medical work was marred by personalities and their dignity lowered by aggressive disputations.'

   'From 1850 to 1860, several attempts were made to organize the profession into local and State societies, but, with few exceptions, efforts in this direction were not a success.  A review of the medical literature of that period, however, shows that even under the most unfavorable conditions for study, and amid all the excitements and changes incident to our pioneer life, a fair proportion of the practitioners here applied themselves to original work and investigations. It should also be noted that many of our members were prominently interested in microscopy and botanical work, and that some of the most serious and important operations ever attempted were successfully performed and reported by the earlier surgeons of California.  It is also certain they first demonstrated that the serous cavities of the human body and the larger joints could be successfully invaded by the knife when necessary to preserve life or limb.  At this period there was laid the foundations for our medical schools and hospitals which now stand among the best of our educational land-marks.'

   President Simmons' message covered several additional subjects:  serum therapy for diphtheria; professional remuneration; publicity in professional affairs (to prevent the spread of quackery and irregular practices and 'enlighten the public upon the question of the true position of the medical profession, and the relation it sustains to all “pathies, healers and faith cures” '); public and preventive medicine (through free popular lectures on sewerage, pure drinking water, superiority of California climate, particularly the Sierra Nevada Foothills over the “Riviera”)' and concluded with a eulogy of  Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, recently deceased.  Dr. Simmons expressed the belief that if writings of the great “Professor” 'could be placed in the hands of the people there would be less quackery and fewer delusions.'  The Doctor stood before the open grave of Dr. Holmes the previous October 'to pay silent worship to all that remained of the great man always in fellowship with youth, who, forty years before, had received me as a struggling medical student from the Pacific Coast.'

   Dr. Gustavus Lincoln Simmons was married in Sacramento June 1, 1862 to Celia, daughter of Rev. Peter Crocker, formerly of Barnstable, Massachusetts.  To this union were born two sons, Gustavus Crocker (M.D., Harvard, 1885), and Samuel Ewer (A.M., Leland Stanford Jr. University, 1895; M.D., Harvard, 1899); and two daughters, Celia, wife of Dwight H. Miller, and Carrie, who died July 11, 1868, at the age of eleven months.

   From early youth, and so long as he toiled in life's valley, Dr. Simmons was an indefatigable worker.  Friends, youthful practitioners, nature, home, books and the practice of medicine were his interests.  To each he gave more than a modicum of time, though 'his medicine was his church, his fraternity, and everything else.'12  Among his patients he saw neither rich nor poor, only men and women with diseases to be cured or relieved.'13 

   His home at Tenth and M streets overlooked the Capitol grounds and was the stately type of early days, 'in the days when men built strong and true',14  High-ceilinged rooms, opened one into the other, with wide folding doors; the book-lined library and broad staircases were typical of the day.  Here, in his library and yard, the Doctor took surcease from practice cares---”cares that bring on gray hairs and age without years.”  On this old homesite now stands the State Library.

   His ranch at Orangevale gave great enjoyment.  'When worn with work he was want to withdraw to his orchard at Orangevale to dig and plant and graft and bud and prune until health and strength returned.  In this was the chief recreation of his long life.  He knew more of orchards and vine-yards and gardens than many a man who has spent his whole life in them.'15 He loved his flowers and trees 'because they had no sick tales to tell.'

   Dr. and Mrs. Simmons and Mr. and Mrs. B. B. Redding, a member of the State Capitol Park Commission, together traveled abroad in 1871.  They purchased “Italian Stone Pine” saplings in Italy and during voyage home the Doctor and Mr. Redding would daily bring the saplings from the hull of the vessel for sun and water and would return them at night.  These saplings from the old Empire were planted in the front, and on the “L” street side, of Capitol Park.  Today their beauty and majesty bespeak the early care bestowed upon them---and for posterity these trees

 

“Like thoughts whose very sweetness yieldeth proof

That they were born for immortality.”

 

   A characterization of the man is exemplified by his Sacramento Union subscription which continued for over fifty years without a 'break'.  Every six months he had the papers bound.  At his death the heirs presented the bound volumes, from 1856 to 1906, to the Sacramento City Library.

   'For his friends, even when the busiest, he always found time not only for personal intercourse but even for a voluminous correspondence.'16  No act of friendship surpasses his traveling to New Mexico, when travel was difficult and slow, to attend a former protege, Dr. “Charlie” Fisher, who in an accident had broken both legs.  Dr. Simmons was forced to amputate one leg but saved the other. 'His life-long friendships, both in and out of the profession were notable,' and 'he was a wise counselor and a generous friend of the young and struggling physician.'17

   'His professional activity continued to the time of his fatal illness.  When the end visibly approached and death, unmasked, cast its shadow across his pathway he uttered no word of fear or repining but met the final summons with the calm and courage that characterized his life.'18  He was confined but five to six weeks.  On October 4, 1910, at the age of seventy-eight years, six months and twenty-one days, Death stroked his brow.  On October 6th 'the funeral cortege, one of the largest ever seen in Sacramento, followed the body to its last resting place in the City Cemetery where all that was mortal of one whose benevolence endeared him to all was laid away beneath a bank of floral pieces.'19

 

 

1 The National Encyclopedia of American Biography, 1897, v. 7, p. 269.

2  Dr. B. B. Brown, Pacific Medical and Surgical Journal, 1858, p.312.

3”Gold Rush Steamers (of the Pacific)”, Wiltsee, p. 144-8.

4  Diary, G. L. Simmons.

5  Dr. B. B. Brown.

6  The National Encyclopedia of American History, v. 7, p. 269.

7   Minutes of the Sacramento City Board of Health.

8  Sacramento Bee---Souvenir, p. 151.

9  History of Sacramento  Valley by Wooldridge, v.. II, p. 387.

10 Occidental Medical Times, v. 9, 1895, p. 282.

11 No doubt his public censure of one of the members of the California Medical Association, after a vote of the membership present.

12 Dr. A. M. Henderson.

13 Memorial, by Drs. W. A. Briggs, H. L. Nichols and G. A. White, California State Journal of Medicine, v. VIII, No. 12, Dec., 1910, p. 404.

14 The Sacramento Weekly and Alta California, Jan. 8, 1910.

15 Memorial, by Drs. W. A. Briggs, H. L. Nichols and G. A. White, California State Journal of Medicine, v. VIII, No. 12, Dec., 1910, p. 404.

16 Memorial, State Medical Journal, v. VIII, No. 12, Dec., 1910, p. 404.

17 Ibid.

18 Ibid.

19 Sacramento Union, October 7, 1910, p. 10, col 2.

 

 

 

 

 

Transcribed 2-22-17  Marilyn R. Pankey.

­­­­Source: “Memories, Men and Medicine A History of Medicine In Sacramento, California by J. Roy Jones, M.D., Pages 323-333. Publ. Sacramento Society for Medical Improvement, 1950.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Golden Nugget Library's Sacramento County

Golden Nugget Library