Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-08-09
PROPOSED CREMATORY
A MERCHANTS VIEWS ON THIS INTEREST
ING SUBJECT
he Dwells Upon the Pracdcability and Utility Of
Furnace, and Thinks the Plan
Good One in Every Sense

Yesterday reporter for the REGISTER
met we'll known merchant rs he was
strolling about town, and having propound-
ed that well worn but still useful query,
whats new?" received this answer:
Probably Lot the newest but certainly
the most interesting thing have heard OF
is the proposition by the Committee on
Health for the building of crematory or
furnace for the destruction of garbage and
night soil, although some people may re-
gard it in the light of a chestnut. And
right here let me say to you, young man,
that this is one of the most important prob
lens our city fathers have to contend with.
1t has been big problem for other cities
but believe Wheeling will be the first to
solve it successfully"
"Well, do you think the Health Com
mittee are on the right track now to get
rid of this natter"
81 most certainly do. ! have been look,
inc into this subject for sometime past, and
from the information given me by some
members, am satisfied that all our re
fuse matter, including garbage, night soil,
carcasses OF dead animals, &c, can bs
completely cremated in the proposed new
furnace, leaving nothing in the way o.
residue except a small quantity OF ashes
and phOsphates.
What about the cost of construction
and running such furnace"
We'll can't give You the exact figures
in this matter, but | see that Mr..
Smith, OF Pittsburg, the inventor and
builder of the celebrated Smith gas fur
mace, proposes to erect and put in operation
tirst-claSs gas turnace-One that ht
will guarantee to do the work Of destruc
ton completely. The furnace is to have
capacity of about 60 tons per day and
will cost less than 81, 900, which is certain
" very cheap. As to the expense of run
ming it after construction, it can be self sus
tanning. One man can do all the necessary
work. A nominal sum can be charged
each hauler per load, which would more
than pay the running expenses, while the
sale of the residue rs q tirst class fertilizer
would ut once become u source Of revenue
10 the city"
well, what other benefits would ac'
crue?"
II want to remind you, my Young Chris,
tian friend, that the public press should
speak out and demand that something be
speedily done to remedy the present de,
fectiye system we have i'll operation for
diSpOsing of our garbage-night soil and
the carcasSes of dead animlls-viZ: dump
ing all such matter into the Ohio river to
contaminate and poison the water for
those below us. Why do you know that
the river shore is lined with refuse matter
and dead carcaSseS from the mouth OF
Wheeling creek to BenwOod? If you have
any doubt of il, take gentle stroll along
the shore one of these fine days when the
mercury is bObbing around 9O' i'll the
shade and you will soon he convinced that
a law should be speedily made and rlSldly
enforced compelling the authorities to dis
pose of this refuse in some other manner
than dumping it into the river, when large
masses of it lodge on the shores and poison
the atmosphere OF our city,
GLOW is public sentiment in regard to
building such Il furnace
''Rcally, Sir, cannot cnlighten you
very much rs to that, except the talk |
have had with some neighbors and bust
ness men, all of whom seem to think the
matter very important, and that ii should
at once be taken in hand and put through.
understand orr physicians are advising
the adoption of a crematory. You can rest
assured that whatever may be for the pub.
lie good the public will indOrsc il.