Paul Van Riper, MD was hired to work in Champion in 1900. When he literally had first gotten off the train upon arriving he was rushed to the bedside of a woman dying of possible internal bleeding . He gave the first of many IV infusions in his career in the UP and saved her life. He was the mine doctor in Champion. Families paid one dollar per year for medical services. A small hospital was maintained by the mine. There were frequent accidents in the mine that he managed. The pharmacy had ingredients that Dr. Van mixed up himself - using a mortar and pestle and rolling pin at times to prepare them. Aspirin was the main ingredient in many of the concoctions. Powdered rhubarb, acid, turpentine, castor oil, tobacco juice freshly chewed, and axle grease were among the substances used as medicines- for topical or internal use. He also did dentistry. "Hold onto the porch pillar while I yank and don't yell" was his common admonition. A picture of his horse and buggy was shown that was his means of travel. Stories of Dr.Van Riper's travels were shared. One was of a breach delivery in a primipara of a hysterical mother. He did a version and then got the baby out with forceps. He traveled to and from the home during a snow storm. In 1904 the mine closed and Dr. Van lost his job. He eventually became a private practice physician. When WWI broke out, physicians in the area left to serve. Dr. Van didn't leave so he became the only physician over a very large geographic region. He continued practicing over the ensuing decades, finishing his practice at age 92 and dying one year later.