Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-06-13
Communicated.

Last Saturday was d gala day along
the Tuscarora in fact, it was one of the
banner days we occasionally have. Ihaye
no idea there is anything for which so
many prayers and petitions have gone up
to our City Fathers for as the renovation
of our city sewer, (viz: Tuscarora). Men
have plead and threatened women raw
ed and prayed,-but all to no avail. The
Fathers were impregnable. Their minds
were settled the health of our city and
beauty of the stream must not be though
of in comparison to the great advantage
of the wonderful corporation located on
its borders, thing our benighted citizens
have not been quite able to see. In fact,
some of the Fathers have gone so far as
to say people had no business building
along the stream" Those are the kind
thoughtful, useful men. Others have
remarked the condition of the stream was
healthy. Saturday at A p. M, We honor
able body gave notice they would inspect
the public sewer of the city. Consequent
those who had bought yoke of oxen,
married wife or were decorating the
graves of the dead were on hand and
SDAOA6A enO OOuAtCoy vi biAat k6ukdl ltObD,
Crum. Curtis, were accommodated by
him raising the gates and allowing them
to test their senses in the delicious odors
emenating from the sewer. It was a
scene well worth witnessing no doubt
they came with handkerchiefs perfumed
and disinfectants prepared, but all was
of no avail, the odors from the sewer
took the cake. A few draughts sufficed,
and then skedaddle, some had business
behind the saw mill, other fairs out in the
yard, anything about that time was Just
as pleasant as going in the sparkling
waters of the Tuscarora. From there
the Fathers went along the creek or sewer,
probing and examining carefully their
oifactOry senses being RECALLED and their
eyes feasting on the dead fishes floating
down its poisoned waters. (where is our
fish commission). They proceeded to the
fountain head, and no doubt discovered
wonders that no mortal ever dreamed of,
much less smelled. Thence by overland
back-track TO place Of beginning, the city hall
OF course. now all is fixed. but think hear a
few persons say. what next.
or along the creek" did IL ever occur to YOU
that the property ON and borderingon the creek
pays your corporation probably double or tri-
PIE the amount taxes that the corporation
does. which destroys the usefulness Of the
stream undergraduates the value of said prop
crty July 20 per cent. beside endangering the
ncaitn OF the whole corporation. tits not only
those who are living in the close proximity to
the creek who suffer, for there Is scarce a cor
ner In our town but Is reached by the odors
and who win deny that the spring from which
the corporation supplies cur town with water
is not fed from the Tuscarora. The guide books
for travellers in Europe caution travellers never
70 drink water from spring except high up on
What do you think they would adv Use about
the water taken from the banks Of the Tusca-
rora. And nowwe hope since our City Fathers
have been 50 assiduous In cleaning up our
streets, alleys and corners, (which is right.)
and That their noses got a Whit OF the sweet
smelling odors of the Tuscarora which are suf-
ncient TO send the black plague over the land
they VIII not only have the creek cleaned out,
but Will cut out and paste In their bats ordi-
nance -, page 50, the sections of which we pub
llsh below for the benefit OF our Nuisance Com
mittee In particular. and the CounciImen in
general. CITIZEN.
SEC. l. Be u ordained blythe Council o(the Cor
pordtioH Of Morffysburg, That no person or per-
sons shall throw or cause to be thrown. any Of
fai from any slaughter house or other building,
or any dead animals Of any kind into Tuscar0-
"a creek within the limits Of the town of Mar
tinsburg, and any person or persons so Offend
ing shall. upon conviction thereof before the
than ten dollars, one-half to 20 to the informer
and the remainder for the use Of the Corpora
ton.
SEC Ifany persons shall erect or caus. 70
De erected, any hog-pen, pig-stye. priyy, or
other building over or near the bed Of Tnsca-
rora creek, within the corporate limits OF the
town OF Marttnsburg. from which any impure
charged into the said creek, by means Of q
sewer or otherwise, each person or persons 80
onending shall, upon conviction thereof before
the Mayor, be fined for each and every offence
the sum OF ten dollars, one-half to be paid the
informer and the remainder for the use of the
corporation.