Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-12-19
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.

IouNlIL fhUlEEUlNuS.
The Local Board Of Health in con
junction with the Nuisance Commit
tee reported to Council report on Tues
day evening, as follows -
In accordance with your request W.
met with the Nuisance Committee O
Martinsburg to ascertain the aus o
the prevalence of sickness for the lasI
two months. We are ofthe belief thai
the condition of the hog and cattle
yards and that ofthe bed of Dry Rur
which passes through them, being
filed with manure, slop and filth from
the Hannis Distillery, will produce
epidemics Of malignant disease, such
as typhoid, malaria, fever, diphtheria
and meningitis. we consider the
grounds Immediately about and ada
cent to the stock yards at the Hannis
Distillery a disease-producing Nui-
sance, which should be abated at once
by the removal of all cattle and hogs,
and through the scraping and cleans
ing of the bed Of Dry Run and of the
grounds now occupied by the pens and
yards; the same is represented to the
consideration Of Council and the citi-
zens. We would also state that Tus-
carOra Creek is a bed of filth and a
common sewer, for all that part of the
city between the Distillery and the
Water Works. The water of the creek
is contaminated by a very offensive
and filthy butcher house, also from
cinders and refuse matter generally
from the Railroad shops. also from
hog pens having been built i,nmedi-
ately over the tributary of the creek,
and from piles and pits ofhog manure
on its banks, all of which goes to fill
up the dam of the Water Works with
mud and filth. We would recommend
a thorough cleansing, dredging and
purifying of the creek and abatement
of the Nuisance. The decomposition
of so much filth impregnates the air
and pollutes the water, and besides
that through surface drainage it will
~impregnate the supply of drinking
water; we recommend that the water
plugs be opened once a week that the
pipes may be thoroughly cleansed of
all mud and effete matter therein COL
lected i; further recommend that Coun-
Gil have all waste places, cutters, &C.,
cleaned out ; and that attention be
directed to the bank of burning Gin
ders north of the B. g. o. shops, which
is giving off noxious gases detrimen-
tai to health. We know that our rec
concentrations will cost a consider
able sum and take much time and
labor, but considering the great i'm.
p%ortance ofhealth and life it may save
the great drawback to your city
when people are looking for a healthy
locality to settle in-wedeem that this
mattershouldhave your earnest, earli-
est and most conscientious consider
alton. Better do without light, water
and street improvements than have
your citizens, old and young, suffering
from disease that you can prevent, and
which it is your sworn duty to pre-
vent. If you cannot meet the demands
upon your time and ability, it would
be wise to hold a public meeting,
and empower citizens, active, ener-
getic and capable men to assist you.
Having fulfilled the duties assigned
us, and made by u report, we leave
the matter to your superior judgment
toact upon. Signed, J.. w. MCSHERRY,
President of Local Board of Health !;
F. C. WILLIAMS, Chairman Nuisance
Committee.