"William James Crosland (1873-1921) practiced medicine in Bennettsville, South Carolina, a small town of about 5,000. Like most county doctors of his era, he cared deeply about his patients and took whatever action he could to insurer their return to health. When he faced his own last battle with cancer, his patients had an opportunity to return some of that kindness. His daughter, Kirby, recalled that the heat was unbearable one September during the last long illness of her father. The family had done everything they could to make him more comfortable, but his wife kept murmuring, 'If only it would rain!' There was not a could in the sky, but suddenly rain fell in sheets — pouring across the roof and splattering the windows, fresh and cool. Kirby continued, 'We rushed to a window. There is front of the house stood the town's...