Dr. Charles Scott Holt
Dr. Charles Holt on the steps of the old Sparks Hospital in the late 1930's........Photos from Lynn
Sources for this writting are from: Centennial History of Arkansas. pg. 1078 and
Physicians & Medicine: Crawford & Sebastian Counties, Arkansas: 1817-1976.
Sebastian County Medical Society. 1977. p.389........This article written by D.Musgrove R. N.
One of the leading founders of Holt-Krock Clinic, Dr. Charles S. Holt was born in Salem, Illiniois in 1880 to
Thomas Jefferson and Minerva Louise (Wham) Holt. Thomas Holt listed his occupation as a farmer. Dr. Holt also
listed in his biography his paternal grandparents. They were Joseph and Elizabeth Holt. Little is known about his early childhood,
but what is known is that Dr. Charles S. Holt graduated from St. Louis
University School of Medicine in 1906. He began his practice in St. Louis and remained there for a period of one year. For reasons unknown,
Dr. Holt moved his practice to a little know area and still rural area called Fort Smith, Arkansas. There he sat up practice from 1913 to 1934
in St. John's Hospital (now called Sparks Health System). It was during this time, 1934 that he took the "reigns" of the newly named Sparks
Memorial Hospital. He remained an active board member of the thriving hospital until his death in 1952.
Dr. Charles Holt was a giving man and a great example of his giving was the $160,000 he gave to the trustees of the board with a condition that
it be used to build a new hospital building. His wishes were carried through and Dr. Holt almost saw his dream beome a reality, as the hospital
was nearing completion when death came "knocking" at the old doctor's door. The new hospital was not the only mark that Dr. Charles S. Holt left
on western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma, he left us Holt-Krock Clinic.
The new clinic (Holt Clinic), was founded in 1921 in Fort Smith, Arkansas. Then in 1928, the name changed to Holt-Krock, when
Dr. Fred H. Krock
joined Dr. Charles Holt in a joint practice of medicine. The clinic soon became known as Holt-Krock Clinic to those living in the western Arkansas
and eastern Oklahoma. The clinic brought a diverse group of physician into Sebastian County and made seeing doctors easier for families. The
clinic held a wide variety of doctors under one roof, which made travel easier. No more going from Rogers Avenue to Townson to other satellite
streets. Even laboratories and x-rays could be taken without traveling to another place or hospital. Life for the medical ill became a bit easier,
all because of one man's dream of primary health care to the masses! This, however, is not all of Dr. Holt's accomplishments, as he served in
numerous capacities in the community.
Dr. Charles Holt loved children and what better way to help them than to make sure they received a good education. He served on the Fort Smith
School Board as well as the Arkansas State School Board. Dr. Holt was a member of the Scottish Rite, the Shrine, Blue Lodge(Masonic), Lions Club,
Selective Service System, American College of Surgeons, St. John's Episcopal Church, Hardscrabble Country Club, and was president of the Fort Smith
Board of Health for a number of years.
Medicine and memberships did not occupy all Dr. Charles Holt's time; however, as one special lady was the center of his world--his wife,
Zoe (McCann) Bissell. When they met is not documented, but the two were married on September 30, 1909. The couple never had biological children on
their own, but adopted two lovely dauthers, Betsy and Zoe Frances. The couple adored their children.
"Time waits for no man," as one old wise saying goes, and so it was for Dr. Charles Holt. The elderly doctor died on June 7, 1952, in the city
that loved him--Fort Smith, Arkansas. His beloved wife Zoe and his two daughters Betsy Altman, and Zoe Frances Wade, were at his side when he
closed his eyes forever to this life. A life spent helping others. Healing those who could be healed and giving comfort to those who could not.
Fort Smith and the surrounding areas, for that matter, were forever changed because of Dr. Charles Holt's vision. His vision is still alive today,
a little worn for wear, a somewhat different "take" on his idea, but still, his vision.
Thank you, Dr. Charles S. Holt!
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