The Great Chicago Fire put an end to this work for many years, but the idea of a Swedish Lutheran hospital was still kept active, and in 1880, the first step toward its realization was taken.

They were instructed to make inquiries whether one or two deaconesses could be had from Stockholm, also to advise with Dr. Passavant and to negotiate with him for the use of part of certain grounds in Lake View given him for hospital purposes.

In October, the committee recommended Lake View as the location of the future institution and the conference at its next meeting authorized the purchase of property in that part of Chicago for a sum not to exceed US$10,000.

Dr. Passavant, while warmly favoring the project, was constrained to decline the committee's request for the purchase of any part of the ground controlled by him, but he offered to erect thereon a building for US$5,000 that might be used for the purpose in question almost gratuitously for a period of five or ten years.

Carlsson, located at Lincoln and Cleveland avenues, was secured as a temporary hospital, at a rental of US$50 per month, Dr. Truman W. Miller was selected as chief physician, with two assistants, and on May 28, the institution was dedicated and formally opened, its first patient being a Miss Nibelius, who broke her leg in stepping off the street car which brought her to attend the dedication.

Carlsson offered his property, consisting of the house and several lots at Lincoln and Cleveland avenues, for US$35,000, agreeing to donate US$1,000 of the amount.

[3] About this time, a donation of US$5,000 was received from Henry Melohn, a Dane, the gift being in memory of his Swedish wife, for whom a ward in the hospital was named.

In 1890, 115 patients were cared for and the accounts for the year showed an income of US$8,326, exclusive of the US$20,000 loan, and an expenditure of US$31,072, including the last payment of the debt to Rev.

[3] In view of the urgent need of increasing the capacity of the institution, the conference in 1891 empowered the board to erect a new building and called upon the members of the churches to provide the means by liberal subscriptions.

[3] The interest of the women of the conference had been enlisted in this enterprise from the start, and about 1890, a ladies' board was organized in order to do more systematic and telling work in behalf of the institution and to superintend its household affairs.

The building, designed as a part of the future hospital structure, was to be 62 by 84 feet (19 m × 26 m), six stories high, with basement, built of iron, brick and stone, at a cost of US$85,000, and to provide room for 125 beds.

By housing the nurses in the old building and in rented quarters and by adding several wards, the capacity of the hospital was substantially increased.

[3] In 1902, the board, being pressed for room to accommodate the ever-increasing number of patients, recommended the completion of the hospital building according to the original plan.

With the sanction of the conference, the directors took the necessary steps but a bitter fight waged on those in control intervened, delaying building operations until late in the following year.

Henry O. Lindeblad, who had acted as chaplain and solicitor since January, 1898, resigned, protesting that he had been called to that position and had in fact served as superintendent.

Lindeblad obtained a nominal vindication, but without reinstatement, Dr. Young's connection with the hospital was severed by the board and Dr. Ranseen resigned the superintendency before having fully entered upon his new duties.

The struggle seemed to accentuate the fact that capable management on the part of the board and the efficient service of Dr. Ochsner, a surgeon of high repute, have been the chief factors in the upbuilding and maintenance of the institution.

[3] The storm over, building operations were begun in August 1903, and about December 1, 1904, the annexed structure was ready for occupancy, giving the hospital a total capacity of 220 beds.

[3] Since the founding of the hospital through 1908, its principal support, aside from current income, was derived from the following sources: church bazaars, more than US$35,000; donations and legacies about US$80,000.