Father Ryan - A Higher Call

In the summer of 1878, refugees from the Memphis epidemic came to Chattanooga to escape the ravages of yellow fever. Within two days, the first victims died. 12,000 townspeople fled to the mountains surrounding Chattanooga leaving behind those without means, the infirm and the elderly. A few brave citizens decided to stay behind to help the sick and dying. One of these was Fr. Patrick Ryan of Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church. He converted one of the church buildings into a makeshift hospital and tirelessly made the rounds to the sick and dying until he himself succumbed to the disease.