The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-12
MALARIA IN rONKERS.
Trying TO Remove some OF the Alleged Causes
Fern BROOK Discussed.

-Fern brOOh Dtscuaeeds
From Irvington and Dobb's Ferry the dis
cussion OF malarial diseases along the eastern
shore OF the Hudson and their supposed causes
hns extended to Yonkers. But the extreme
measure OF appealing TO the courts for the
abatement OF certain alleged nuisances has not
yet been taken, as in the former towns. As yet
the discussion is confined TO the hearings OF
the Board OF Health The main question is
whether a sewer shall be made in Ludlow street
to run into Fern Brook. and the dams on Fern
Brook be torn down. Fern Brook is a narrow
little stream that starts from spring in grove
on tho estate OF Gustavus A. Rollins. n New
York stock broker runs through the land OF
Seaman Lowrie a New York merchant strikes
across South Broadway into the estate Of the
late Thomas Ludlow. and then through the
land of George II. Purser, New York lawyer
and member OF the Tammany Society. empty
ing into the Hudson River On the Lowrie
estate there is pond. on the Ludlow estate
skating pond. and on the Purser land an ice
pond. The land between South Broadway and
the river has many low and swampy places. and
1t is desired. il is said to have 1t drained. The
brook and the ponds have been. 1t lie assorted,
one Of the chief causes OF the malarial diseases
in the neighborhood and tho Board OF Health
was asked 10 abate the alleged nuisance.
Health Officer Valentine Browne was directed
to make an examination Of the locality. He re-
ported q recent meeting OF the Board nj which
Mayor Masten presided. have made thor
and believe the ponds IL supplies are inJuri-
Gus 10 public health. Drs. j. Foster jenkins,
g. Is, Upham and Il W. Flag; whose opinions rs
About hfty yards north Of Highland avenue the
pollution commences. the source being an old
dumping ground about forty yards from the
brook. From the point TO the South Broadway
Skating Rink the stream IL more or less pol
luted with the efliuvia from priVies kc. part OF
~ X
ing II u prolific source OF malaria The rink.
which il flooded in the winter and dries up in
the summer. consider another pest breeding
place. The insoluhe particles OF the refuse
that are carried into this pond and which re-
noxious gases that have their effects upon
the neighborhood, and which counteract all
the good the athletic sports may do the young
The next pond. Smith s, from the offensive mat
ter deposited therein, is charged with foul
gases which are visible upon the surface OF the
water which is totally unfit for use. A little
east OF Mverdalo avenue | found tributary
stream to this brook. witch has It's rise short
distance east OF Broadway. This stream il
charged with filthy matter. much Of which is
deposited on strip of marshy land near Lud-
limo Of Fern Brook. although pleasing To the
eye. is charged with that incipient poison
termed malaria. The most deloterious pond OF
street. which rs the final receptacle Of all tho
NTH that Is carried along by the brook. and
which is SO situated ~ 10 preclude all possible
| The number II cases Of fevers which have eX-
| listed in the nnighborhood Of these ponds suffi-
| ciently attest their injurious effects. | would
| therefore recommend tho removal Of all dams.
the cleansing. disinlecting and lllling in OF the
| ponds, and tho construction OF n large sewer in
| Ludlow street AS remedy for these owls.
| pr. I. :. Grant said that having made an ex-
| animation 81 the brook. he concurred with the
| health officer in all he had said. Or. Grant had
| found three cases ~ malaria on the diroct line
| Of Fern Brook. Many residents attended the
Injecting to discuss the subject. Fordham Nor.
| ris spoke for Mrs. Carroll. one OF the Icirs ~
| the Ludlow estate, who owns the skating rink
| improvements would stop source of revenue
| for Mrs. Carroll and he thought that the mat
ter WIS a scheme of outside parties He had
suggested surface drainage 20 Col. lrO6ens.
| Deputy Port Warden. who has been prominent
| IN demanding that sewer be made IN Ludlow
street and the brook cleaned. but the Colonel
| I,plehi, ! VIII nave q hew'r l WIN SCI NE
| Bonrd OF Aldermen and the Board of Health
| after you and drain the pond"
| Mr.. Purser had lived nine years on n part OF
| the Ludlow estate To learn that he mad done 80
| at his extreme peril. Fish thrived in his pond
| and he would weigh out $500 in gold for some
| charitable institution If the health officer could
| detect any difference between his lee and ice
| that was formed from pure water,
Health Oncor Browne replied that n resident
| who had diHrrhpn had been advised to use
other ice thar, Mr.. Purscrs, and he had recoy-
Dr. Reinfelder believes Tint there are greater
| number OF malnra cases in tho region de-
the Sawmili River Valley. If the skating link
| could be filled tho year round there would he
less chllls and fever II was evident TO him, and
| every medical man. that pond drained I'm the
summer time must leave fostering bed that is
| very injurious.
Archibald Scott lives near the Purser pond
| and his wife has malaria. Patrick White has
| been sick with malaria two years and his wife
| six years, and all his children have been sick.
| iii J., Segar had malaria near the Ludlow pond
| but Charles Richards n had not
| BY others Il is said that one part Of Yonkers is
| not more unhealthy than another. Malaria IL
| complained Of generally. md the suggestions
| for removing some Of the causes are numerous
| The public ccsspoos M the street corners are
| complained OF MS prolific sources of malaria
and It is asserted that the Nepperhan River
| that runs through tho heart OF the city, IL
charged with nhh all along. All the dams
| should be pulled down, it IL said, and the Nep-
| pcrhan made covered sewer. by some resi-
| dents the malaria near Fern Brook is attributed
to upturning the soil on the Ludlow estate