Eaton county's Hayes-Green-Beach hospital soon, will be starting its 20th year of public service, but many local residents recall when the castle-like edifice was built more than 50 years ago for a bride who never passed through its doors.

It was back in 1897 when Frank E. Clark, muscian and composer, wanted to have the "most beautiful residence in town." He built the three-story, medieval-looking structure and called it Hollyhurst.

Reverses came. His father and mother died and his finances dwindled. And the bride he wanted, refused him. The imposing sandstone dwelling on the hill, intended to have been his honeymoon palace, became a sort of self-built prison for the musician.

For many years Frank Clark secluded himself in two rooms. His only companion was a dog. When the dog died, Mr. Clark buried it under one of the beautiful trees at the rear of the home and had a monument erected over the grave. It's still there.

Old-time residents here recall how the musician, now grown ecentric, used to pedal an old-fashioned high bicycle around town and how he would appear in the streets wearing a little skull cap beneath his hat, and in the winter-time, a "fasination" over his his cap, tied under his chin. He died in 1930 at the age of 77.

At the time of his death, the property was in the possession of Henry H. Hayes, wealthy Eaton county farmer. When Mr. Hayes died, the property reverted to Miss R. Ellen Green, his housekeeper, who in 1933, in accordance with his wishes, gave it to Eaton county for a hospital. Originally known as the Hayes-Green Memorial hospital, it assumed its present name a number of years ago when the late Fitch H. Beach, Charlotte philanthropist, contributed a large sum of money to the institution. The old building, which for many years was a gigantic cross for the ecentric muscian to bear, now has reached its majority.

What was to be the dream of a beautiful bride is now a busy hospital with beds for 23 patients. Miss Helen Mahaffey has been susperintendent of the hospital for the pasat 18 years. But with the increasing population, the institution has become overtaxed and a campaign is closing now for funds for the construction of a new hospital to be connected to the present building. Henry Martin of Dimondale has devoted much time and energy to this project and he reports having reached within $10,000 of the $300,000 goal. The federal government will match the $300,000 to provide a $600,000 hospital.

(Special to The State Journal) - Charlotte, July 5 --