St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-27
A PLAGUE SPOT.
What Was Found in Swede Hollow by the
Chamber of Commerce Committee.

chamber OF Commerce committee.
party of gentlemen, consisting of DR..
Hoyt, president of the board of health; L.
W. Rundlet, E. J. Hodgson, the committee
OF the chamber of commerce, and GLOBE
| scribe, yesterday afternoon made tour OF
inspection through Swede Hollow, and also
visited the spuatters above the Seventh street
bridge on Trout brook. The latter settlement
con sists of fifty houses, which are chiefly oc-
cupied by Poles, to few of whom English is
Ineligible. The houses are in the main little
better than novels, while the surroundings
are absolutely filthy About the doorways are
piles of ashes and decaying vegetable
matter, and even worse. Along the stream
are situated the outhouses, mere apologies
placed on four piles driven into the ground
Even this weather the atmosphere is tain ted
with an unpleasant odor. and it can readily
be imagined what noXious eXhalatons must
arise from the neighborhOOd when the sum-
mer sun beats down upon the place and pu-
trifaction begins. 1t is true that the spring
flood will remove a large portion of the dis
gushing accumulations which are now to be
seen on every hand, but enough remains to
make the quarter source of danger to the
public health. DR.. Hoyt, who, from many
visits, has become thoroughly familiar with
the locality and who acted as pilot, says that
the soil is saturated with filth aud on being
turned over gives forth poisonous vapors.
Several of the houses on the neighboring
hill were closed last summer on account
OF the malaria, which is attributable to this
hollow. In Swede Hollow proper, above the
heavy Seventh street ill across Phalen's
creek, much the same condition of affairs
was found, but the houses further up the
hollow showed more civilized condition of
the occupants as to personal comforts, though
not as to general health. In several instances
were noticed attempts at decoration in
the way OF window curtains looped back on
both sides, and few plants in flower pots.
Below the fill abject Indebtedness and filth
reign supreme. All these people use the
water from the hillside springs, which is pro-
nounced as unwholesOme from being impreg-
mated by hilltop drainage. In most instances
the houses are put up by the occupants, and
rental of from 81 to $3.50 per month is
paid for the ground. Many of the novels are
overcrowded, in several miserable little beds
there being dozen, and even fifteen
people, it is said. Ninety Der cent.
Of the male population are reported out of
employment and more or less sickness al
ready exists. The locality is sought by the
poorer classes because of its being protected
from the wind and therefore warmer than the
more open section. Less fuel is required,
and most important consideration is the
convenience to wood and coal yards, which
are numerous along the railroads run
ming through the hollows. The fact is
that something should be done toward clean
ing out this hot-bed of disease. Should the
cholera make its appearance here this sum
mer it would find a splendid base of opera
tons in Swede Hollow. Whether the dread
epidemic appears or not, the region sends
forth the germs of typho-malaria by the mill
ions to permeate the surrounding air, and it
Is inimical to public safety from hygienic
point of view.