Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-02-06

III Is neitner pleasant nor OF moment 10 REFER
to our two thousand deaths in less than thir-
ty DAYS. In whole neighborhoods
there is not enough well persons to bury the
dead. All reports agree as to
the cause of the epidemic being
the use of impure water. etc. Again, De-
cember 6, DIR. Wintris, Of Crab Orchard,
ties of the infected region and all sources of
information agree both medical and other
wise that to impure water is attributed this
most terrible scourge. i
have examined the waters and they would
turn the stoutest stomach or cause the
healthiest to turn sick"
DIR. J. o. Carm, of Boiling Greene, n.y.,
inspector of the health for the state, says: l
attribute it to malaria as well as impure wa
ter and am not sure whether it is mineral or
vegetable poison which has been SO banefnl,
etc.
These extracts conclusively show that it
was putrid poisoned water that had perlne-
atcd tine system of this people, the seeds had
been sown in the progressive season, the
harvest Of death matured suddenly and at
once, without notice or premonitory warn
ing, it was the natural result of natural
cause, and those who will not profit by the
example are subject at any moment to
similar fate.
The cause of this terrible epidemic is
identical with the elemental waters Of the
Little Arkansas river. from where our city
water supplies are now derived, In the last
four years this pond has filed up with this
offensive offall from some twenty feet in
depth to some four feet, and this grass, moss
slime fills the remaining four feet, until it
was difficult to saw ice from its surface free
from moss to fill the ice houses on the banks
of the pond. We have long distinctly
felt the growing measmic effects of this pu-
trid water upon the systems of our people,
the river is just now in that passive condi-
ton where it requires but the return of sum
mer weather TO intensity its maarial poisons
to the development of epidemic. We pre-
sent these facts in the knowledge of our re-
sponsibilitY to an appreciative people, one
tenth of whom are not aware of the dangers
by which they are threatened, and they only
know as they have tasted or smelled Of our
repugnant hydrant waters.
Make them as liberal allowance rs you
may for the evils under ordinary circum-
stances, which surround our home firesides,
and to whom the terror of the approaching
epidemics of cholera and yellow fever, both
of which will be induced by the inviting
preparation of these evil waters upon our
corporal systems to make our city their
especial abiding place.
If we would avert these calamities, the
time is even late now. There is ne doubt
with the dam removed from the river, with
its natural flow and the spring rises of the
river, it will surge out this silt and eventu-
ally purify the river. But this takes time;
and missing the spring floods, we will be
doomed TO all the menace now threatening
our situation for the approaching summer.
| The dam, as nuisance, is within the
reach and jurisdiction of the city govern
ment-they so understand it-and appointed
| a committee some two or three years ago to
investigate and report upon the subject,
| That committee slumbered the KNAPP of
death, but, for the time being, it appeased
public clamor. Again last fall, in response
to public clamor, another committee was
appointed for prompt, immediate and eff
Gent action. That has taken sepulchre with
the other and there will rest so long
as demand for malarial prescriptions can be
stimulated, the sale of pills and quinine en-
HANGED, or returns from rotten water stock
satisfactorily devised" Unless the right
eous indignation of the people demand
prompt and decisive action on this subject.
VIC would not be understood by all this
that there may not be questions of equity
arise IN the abatement of this nuisance. JUS
tice is justice, individual or corporate it
must be respected, and doubtless would be
reasonably entertained; but one truth is
certain, minor interest of one or two indi-
vidusls should not prevail against the health,
comfort and prosperity of a citizenship Of
l6, 900 souls. If amicable resources fail or
the jurisdiction of the city is incompetent,
the halls of legislation are now open to Pc
tition, hence, if action is desired upon the
subject, now is the time.
These criticisms to some may seem AGATE,
but hold mans duty to man above the APP
probation of the value Of town lots, rent of
tenements or warerooms, or speculation in
stocks, medicines or professions and that as
honorable men, on hopeful future depend
ing both for city and salvation. that We are
sinfully culpabIe in urging confding people
or their capital to settle among us while we
are all cognizant of the existanee of this
abborent menace TO their lives and property.
should perhaps soften my tone of criti-
cism, if it were not easily within the power
of the city government TO abate this palpa-
BILE nuisance, and by removing the dam in a
single fortnight to return this most beautiful
river of the continent to its pristine purity,
and the health and pleasure of our beautiful
city to the pre-eminant position it ever en-
joyed before the bondage Of its free, pure
waters were enthralled by the dams by
which the city is now surrounded.
w. C. WooDMAN.