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March 12, 2008

Chiropractor retires after 62 years

By BETHANY KOSMIDER

CROWN POINT -- Doctor of Chiropractic Nelson Hyatt has retired after serving the public for more than 62 years.

"I didn't want to retire, but my license was up for renewal, and I didn't feel like renewing it," said the jovial 89-year-old Crown Point man, smiling.

His has been a storybook life.

"I graduated in 1939 from the Texas Chiropractic College in San Antonio, Texas," Nelson said. "But I waited for two years for the military to take me, which they did, and I didn't begin practicing until 1946."

ON THE HEELS OF D-DAY

His induction into the U.S. Army during World War II placed him in a Field Artillery unit at Fort Ethan Allen in Essex Junction, Vt., for two years, where he did some training with 155mm Howitzer guns.

"We went to Pine Camp, Fort Devins, Mass., for practice, and maneuvers in North Carolina," said Nelson.

He was shipped to France and landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy on June 8, 1944, two days after the D-Day invasion.

"I was with most of the same soldiers the whole five years," Nelson said.

He decided to continue his education after the war and attended Lincoln Chiropractic College for a year in Indianapolis, Ind. On Nov. 1, 1946, he opened his chiropractic office in Ticonderoga.

Nelson attributes his early beginnings in Ticonderoga to Dr. Winfred Gage, who had moved to Crown Point.

"Dr. Gage turned over his patients to me and his office, so that helped me to get started," said Nelson.

Gage is the father of Pearl McMurtry of Crown Point.

Soon after opening his business, Nelson took under his care a young woman who was suffering from Bell's palsy, a unilateral facial paralysis of sudden onset and unknown cause.

"I worked with her every day for the first week and treated her for three weeks," said Nelson. "I concentrated on the spine, as the nerves from the spine go to the face."

Within three weeks, Alice Harrington was cured, and on Dec. 11, 1947, Nelson took her for his bride and lifelong companion.

FAMOUS PATIENTS

Nelson made house calls to patients two days a week, going south on Tuesdays and north on Thursdays.

"I needed a car and was forced to buy an older one, because between 1941 and 1945, there were no cars made in the United States due to the war," laughed Nelson. "And so I bought a 1936 Oldsmobile.

"I didn't like that car much, but it was all I had." He bought a brand-new Ford in 1947.

"I was working at Schroon Manor one day, and I got a call from the Word of Life (Bible Institute), asking me to come over to take care of the Rev. Billy Graham," beamed Nelson. "He had been playing golf and had thrown out his sacroiliac."

The chiropractor also confessed to treating Witherbee native Johnny Podres, who pitched the Brooklyn Dodgers to their World Series victory over the New York Yankees in 1955.

"I treated doctors and nurses during those early years, too."

PROLIFIC GARDENERS

Nelson, known also for his green thumb, downsized his gardens in 2007 due to two knee replacements.

"I had gardens for over 50 years, and everyone knew us and relied on us for corn and other vegetables," he reminisced.

"When we first moved to Crown Point, the neighbors told us we had very good soil in which to raise vegetables, and I was later encouraged by one neighbor to grow extra corn, and he would take it to all the stores and sell it, to which I agreed," said Nelson.

"I grew an abundance of corn, and when it was ready to be harvested, the guy died while working in his garden, and I had a huge amount of corn to deal with."

While driving to patients' homes two days a week, Nelson filled anywhere from three to five grain bags with 100 ears of corn each to sell to the stores along his route of travel.

"I really liked doing it and delivered the corn for enjoyment," laughed Nelson.

PUBLIC OFFICE

Nelson served two terms as Crown Point town supervisor, from 1978 to 1982.

"I enjoyed the position and learned a lot."

Nelson and Alice have five children. Kathy lives in Georgia; Eileen lives in Oswego with her son; and Stephen resides in Pennsylvania. They all keep in close touch even though they are miles apart.

The Hyatts' son, Stanley, lives at home with them, and Elaine and her husband, Don Monroe, and children live next door.

"It's wonderful to have them so close," Alice said.

Nelson plans to have a garden this year on about a half acre of land.

"Whatever (produce) we can't use up, we'll still put out by the road for self-service," Alice said.

Nelson attributes their longevity and excellent health to happiness. Amazingly mobile and content, the pair still holds hands.

"We're still in love as much today as we were when we met," Nelson said.

In agreement, Alice nodded her head.



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