Savannah morning news., 1886-06-10
TO DRAIN MINIS SWAMP.
The Convict Force TO be Put tC
Work Southwest of the City.

tue COnYICt EOrCe TO De PuC TO
Work Southwest Of the City.
The County Commissioners held their
regular monthly session at the court
house yesterday morning. Commls-
sioners Walker, Casey, Estill and Dor
sett were present.
The principal matter OF interest before
the board was tue drainage of Minis
swamp south Of Laurel Grove cemetery.
The work was begun sometime ago, but
was abandoned. The following petition,
signed by number Of property owners
in that section, was read:
70 the Honora5Is the Board Of Conanaissioners
Of Chatham Counfg:
GENTLEMEN-Your petitioners would beg
to solicit your attention to matter which
mas been brought before your honorable body
from time to time by the late Capt. John
Bllbo and others. 1t is the draining Of that
section of land known as Minis swamp. AS
tno steps have been taken to accomplish
the desired object except to take the initial
step last spring at the back waters. This was
abandoned indefinitely. The swamp in ques-
tiOn has be n source of annoyance IN many
respects. IL is impossible to obtain perfect
drainage of the low lands contiguous to il in
consequence Of the water remaining in the
swamp. thereby rendering the land valueless
ana unht Tor any purpose. The swamp, 10
death-trRp TO the community in that section
as wen as within the city limits.
Your petitioners, owning and controlling
lands in the neighbOrho0d. find it a dinicult
matter TO induce people to reside on the farms
for the reason OF malaria and cOntaminating
dlseas es that arise from this swamp. You are
aware no doubt that this condition of affairs
materially retards improvements that would
be maze. II proper drainage was given
the value OF now otherwise idle and
worthless lands would be enhanced and
section of country that would be profitable,
as now demonsI ated IN the southeast section.
would ne built up. We would mention the
fact that it appears to us singular that any
discrimination s0oud exist in the matter OF
drainage as is pl aiuly evident from the con
tinu0us work that has been going on for the
past 10 or II years IN the southeast section.
why this preference we are at u loss to under
stand. and we are of the opinion that we are
the privileges accorded others. 1t
is long felt want and we trust
that your honorable body will appreciate our
action IN this direction. and will also consider
this important matter and take steps to rem
edy the great eva before any serious conse-
quences arise, causing injury to the health of
the city ana county, and you Will thus pro-
mote and encourage agricultural Industries.
Further, while your petitioners bear their
pro rata share of the taxable burden, it APP
pears TO them but equitable that the subject
in question. which has been agtated so Of en-,
should receive your unanimous approval in
consummating this important and essential
Improvement without delay.
The petition was signed by George p.
Harrison, John Rutherford, Joseph Rey-
nard. Charles HOhenstein, Alex. II. Faw-
cett and g. T. Cooper.
Commissioner Estill offered the follow
ing resolution, which was adoped:
Resoigsd, That the gang now employed on
the Ogeechee road, with AS many other hands
as can be spared, be put to work ditching and
draining Minis swamp as soon as the Ogeechee
road is put in good condition.
The usual monthly reports from the
chain gang, Jail and County Treasurer
were read and received as Information.
Petitions for county aid were referred
to the appropriate committee, and appli-
cations for liquor licenses were referred
to a special committee.
A communication from the United
States Marshal regarding the charge for
dieting United States prisoners in the
county jail was referred to the Committee
on Jail with power TO act.
The following resolution by Commits
siOaer DOrsett was adopted:
Rssslsed. That the Committee on Roads. in
conjunction with the Committee on Chain
Gang, be authorized tO open a road ftv feet
wide between the lands OF Estill and Branch,
extending west from the Waters road. pro-
vided the same can be done without expense
to the county for the right of way.
The matter of opening Lovers lane
eastward to the Skidaway she'll road
was referred to special committee,
which was empowered to have the neces-
sary survey made, and to arrange for se-
curing the right of way. Accounts
amounting to $3,252 were passed tor pay
ment.