Theresa's Haunted History of the Tri-State: The Two Doctor Saltons at Old Hospital on College Hill

Dr. Russell A. Salton, Sr.

One of my favorite haunted locations here in West Virginia is Williamson Memorial Hospital, now known on the spooky circuit as the Old Hospital on College Hill, located in Mingo County. Spectral Research and Investigation (SRI) has already investigated this fascinating spot a handful of times, and plan on more visits in the future! And, similarly to the Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum and the former WV State Penitentiary at Moundsville, the stories and history of the hospital are far too numerous to be limited to just a single blog post. Therefore, I'm slowly working on documenting as many stories from Williamson Memorial as I can---both the haunted history as well as the day to day stuff. Today, I'll be showcasing two of the doctors that were integral to the hospital's inception, as well as it's continued reputation as a premier medical facility in southern West Virginia.

So, there's a GREAT story that is told to visitors of the hospital. It is said that one of the founders of Williamson Memorial, Dr. Salton, Sr., was an animal lover. When his horse needed surgery, instead of entrusting its care to a local veterinarian, Dr. Salton brought the animal to his own hospital and personally escorted the beast up the elevator to the fourth floor surgery suite. Patients and staff on the third floor kept hearing what sounded like hoof-steps above them, and were shocked to learn that indeed, there was a large, hoofed animal above them. To this day, there are those that strain to listen for the phantom 'clomp, clomp' coming from the fourth floor or a disembodied whinny echoing from the old elevator. (Source: Old Hospital on College Hill Website)

One might ask himself, 'who in their right mind would bring a HORSE into a people hospital?' Honestly, I cannot vouch for the authenticity of the tale, but let's take a look at the doctor behind it!

Dr. Russell Arthur Salton, son of Robert and Margaret Salton, was born in Hamden, New York on August 12, 1887. In 1911, Dr. Salton graduated from Baltimore Medical College and shortly thereafter, married his wife, Ella Robertson. After completing an internship at a hospital in Welch, WV under Dr. Henry D. Hatfield, he opened up a practice in Big Sandy in McDowell County.

By 1914, Dr. Salton found himself in Williamson, WV where he opened up a joint practice with Dr. George Conley (watch for a future blog dedicated to Dr. Conley!), which would later become the basis for the first hospital in town the two would open together. When that hospital was destroyed by fire, Dr. Salton and Dr. Conley would embark on a journey to create a state of the art facility, well ahead of its time, known as Williamson Memorial Hospital, opening to the public in 1928.

From all the accounts I've read, Dr. Salton was an absolutely brilliant and progressive surgeon who was able to save countless lives over the years. One story that sticks out to me is documented in the Matewan Oral History Project interview with Charlotte Sanders from 1990. Mrs. Sanders shares that Dr. Salton was able to save her mother's life and her fertility from a tubal pregnancy when she was a young a girl. Unfortunately, nine years later, her mother became pregnant again with a tubal pregnancy, and while Dr. Salton again saved her life, at this point, both fallopian tubes had to be removed.

Dr. Salton himself had three children with his wife, Ella. Their daughter, Virginia was born in 1913. A son, Robert, came in 1915, but unfortunately died in 1919. Finally, Russell Arthur, Jr. came along on March 7, 1921. Russell, Jr. would follow in his father's footsteps and also become a doctor. In fact, it would be Dr. Salton, Jr. who would eventually take over Williamson Memorial. More on that in a few...

On January 20, 1941 Dr. Salton passed away from a pulmonary embolism at the age of 53. He passed away in the very hospital where he spent so much of his life. He was buried in Fairview Cemetery in Williamson. At the time, his son, Russell Jr. was in medical school, preparing to carrying on his father's legacy.

Dr. Russell Arthur Salton, Jr.
Source: Find-a-Grave user MLDS

As stated above, Dr. Russell Arthur Salton, Jr. was born on March 7, 1921 in Williamson, WV. He attended Williamson High School, where he played varsity football and later gave back by serving as the team physician. In 1942, he graduated from the University of Virginia. He met his wife, Cornelia Thomasson there; she was an RN in charge of the newborn nursery at University of Charlottesville Hospital.

Dr. Salton, Jr. also served three years in the US Air Corps and was Chief Surgeon at Suisun AFB in California. His love of aviation continued his entire life as he continued to pilot his private plane and serve as Chairman of the Mingo County Airport Authority.

In 1949, Dr. Salton, Jr. assumed ownership of the Williamson Memorial Hospital along with Dr. Woodrow W. Scott. When Dr. Scott left, he was replaced with Dr. Robert J. Tchou, who was unfortunately killed in a plane crash in 1977. A year later, Salton was ready to retire from the medical field and sold the hospital in 1979 to Health Management Associates of West Virginia, who would later build a new hospital a short ways a way from what is now known as The Old Hospital on College Hill.

Dr. Salton was a member of the local Presbyterian Church and served as the President and Medical Director of the R.A. Salton Clinic, named for his father. He passed away on December 20, 1992 and was buried in Mountain View Memorial Gardens.

I think that its really interesting that the old Williamson Memorial Hospital 'stayed in the family' for pretty much it's entire existence as a hospital. Almost everyone in Mingo and the surrounding counties has had their lives touched by either one or both of the Drs. Salton in some way or another. These two men dedicated so much of their time and energy to their work, saving lives and unfortunately watching others slip away. Dr. Salton, Sr. himself passed away right there in the hospital that he helped bring to fruition. It makes me wonder...do either of them walk among the many spirits that still call the Old Hospital on College Hill home? The next time you're investigating this awesome location, maybe ask a few questions tailored to the Salton Family. You never know what responses you'll receive!