Not all patients survived, even though the sanatorium sought to accept as patients those whose cases offered hope of improvement and cure.
Between June 1905 and June 1906, for instance, two deaths were reported, although four patients listed as "moderately advanced" in their disease had not improved.
Between June 1907 and June 1908, no deaths were reported. But in November 1908, Mrs. Isabel Buker died. Her brother wrote to Nichols seeking the final bill for her care.
He wrote, "I want to thank you again for the kind treatment of my sister, and your conscientious endeavor to help her in her battle against Fate."