By 1890 the hospital was getting glowing reviews from the Knoxville Journal: “Under the personal management of Mrs. Irene Pollard, the hospital is clean and in excellent condition. There is one female patient and five males, two are colored. During the municipal year which will close Saturday, there have been eighty-nine patients in the hospital. During the past year the expenses incurred were about $500 less than the previous year.”

On Aug. 26, 1892, the Tribune reported its investigation of complaints from the hospital: “The two negro railroad patients were found in the ward of the south side of the building. George Smith, who has had his leg amputated, when asked about the condition of his injured leg, stated that the story about living vermin being found was all too true. He said that the doctor dresses his leg twice a day now, when before he let it remain twenty-four hours without any attention.”

While Smith’s doctor denied any neglect, Mrs. Pattie B. Moseley, matron in charge of the hospital, said she had endeavored to keep everything in as good order as possible. She also wanted it known that she had “no desire to injure anyone’s reputation, especially a young man starting out in his profession.”

The Board of Public Works that oversaw operations of the hospital met on Aug. 18, 1898, and made major changes. According to the Tribune, “The only matter of business that came up which smacked of the sensational meeting that had been expected by some, was the election of a new matron and nurse for the City Hospital. Mrs. Pattie B. Moseley, the matron, and Ben Bostie, colored, the nurse, were asked to send in their resignations.”

The motion carried and the board chose Doram Scarlett and his wife to fill the positions. Their salaries were $35 and $25 per month, respectively.