Rev. Marcoux’s propensity for action first and
details later, Bishop O’Connell responded to
Marcoux by requesting additional information
and ending his letter with, “Inform me how
far you’ve gone. Of course you understand
that nothing is to be done in the hospital
matter without first letting me know about
it.” It’s unclear as to when Rev. Marcoux
received permission from the diocese of
Portland, but construction was started in the
spring of 1905. By October of 1906 with
the consecration of Rev. Louis S. Walsh as the
fourth bishop of the diocese of Portland, Rev.
Marcoux was asked to provide a complete
financial statement for the hospital. After
several requests, Bishop Walsh came to realize
that Rev. Marcoux placed little importance
on financial accountability. Somehow, the
hospital expenses had mushroomed to an
estimated $10,000. In a letter addressed to
Rev Marcoux in 1907, Bishop Walsh advised
Rev. Marcoux that the diocese would no
longer be responsible for any debt incurred
by him unless written permission was granted
beforehand by the bishop.
To reduce Rev. Marcoux’s influence
over the hospital’s operations, the bishop
sought the advice of the Madigan Law Firm
from Houlton. The firm drew up a petition
for a private charter and plans for a board of
incorporators. On July 30, 1907, the new
board met at St. Mary’s Rectory in Bangor.
The board consisted of Louis S. Walsh, Bishop
of Portland; Michael C. McDonough, vicar
general of the diocese; John B. Madigan,
attorney from Houlton; Albert A. Burleigh,
State Senator from Houlton; and Joseph A.
Michaud, merchant from Eagle Lake. Albert
Burleigh, who was elected for a two-year term
on the board of trustees, was also president
of the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad and
president of Fish River Lumber Company
located at Eagle Lake. The mission of the
newly formed board was to maintain a general
hospital for Aroostook County, and establish
a training school for nurses.
Senator Burleigh was instrumental in
acquiring some state appropriations for the
financially strapped hospital. That support
would change by 1914 with the opening of
Madigan Memorial Hospital at Houlton.
State appropriation was now to be provided
to the newer institution. By then, the bishop
had decided that the best course of action
was to convert Northern Maine General to
WINTER 2012 Northern Maine General 41