in 1898, father richard wilson, a priest from stepney, london, became curious as to what his parishioners did when they disappeared. he persuaded one family to take him with them. he too was appalled by the conditions the pickers had to live in, but would go with them each year, gradually gaining their trust. from 1897 he rented a cottage at five oak green for 2s.6d a week, furnishing it with cots and providing a nurse. thus, the "little hoppers hospital" was born. it was very busy that year, as there was an outbreak of smallpox. a few years later, he was able to rent a larger cottage. by 1906 most of the districts of kent had laws to similar effect, and many farms had hopper huts by 1914. in 1910, father wilson bought the rose and crown public house in five oak green and turned the building into the "hoppers' hospital". the building bore the legend "e and h kelsey's fine ales, stout and porter sold here" over three lines, to which father wilson simply added the word "not" before the last two words. this hoppers hospital was in operation for over 60 years. the salvation army also used to visit the hop pickers in the fields and attend to their welfare. there was also a hoppers hospital at marden, which was not connected with the one at five oak green.