The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-01-23
The cry COUNCIL.
Prompt Action Taken in Regard TO the
Drainage Matter and q Proposition
Adopted to Remove the Dams
In the River.

draining the ponds about Big Stone Gap
there was q good attendance, Mcssrs.
Spalding, Goodloe, Evans, Adams and the
Mayor being present.
The matter was discussed at some
length. c. E. Sears first appeared as a
committee from the Commercial Club and
urged that immediate steps be taken be-
fore the winter months pass.
Mr.. H. I, Irvine, city attorney, also
| urged immediate action, and he was fol-
lowed by the Mayor who said be regarded
the matteras the most important that could
engage the attention Of the people Of Big
Stone Gap. Mr.. Spalding urged action.
and Col Adams made speech in which
he especially dwclt upon the danger of
allowing dams in the river, within the city
limits, where vast quantity of filth had
accumulated.
| The city attorney drew up the following
ordinance:
| ORDIN ANCE.
BE 1t ordained by the council OF the city Of Zig Stone
Gap tina, Tie city engineer be ad is hereby authorized
and required 10 make complete report 81 the best
way drain the marshy places of the city and Of The
specifications Of the work necessary. Said report
shall be made 10 tic special committee on streets and
sidewalks, which is hereby empowered 10 secure the
lowest aud best bids withou, delay to 90 said work
| and report same 10 this council.
aso that the engineer Include III his report the best
method Of draining and cleansing the i!l-ponds
in the CITY limits in the South Fork Of Powcs river
| and the said committee shall take such immediate
action in connection Herewith shall seem necessary.
not contrary TO aw-and report such action 10 thl>
council at the same time OF abovc namel report, When
this council shall take such further action it
| best.
This ordinacc was unanimously passed,
and the council showed a decided deter
mination to act vigorously and promptly.
Mr. Malcome Smith, the city engineer,
| was called on for an opinion as to the best
route for running the bitches, and he cx-
planned the situation fully indicating how
the surface water can he drawn Off
at little cost.
The council instructed the committee
in charge OF the matter to act without de-
lay, and then adjourned.
INTERVIEW WITH CITIZENS.
Mr. Estes: Think the drainage sys
tenn of the town needs immediate atten-
ton The town is we'll located for per-
feet drainage system, which could be put in
at comparatively small expense.
Mr.. W. c. Robinson: Il think this
matter Of drainage is an important one,
and unless something is done before spring
there will be no people here to need drain
age There is nothing like the old adage,
| AN ounce Of preventive is worth pound
OF cure and what we want now is an
early preventive. Especially the mill
dams need prompt attention. The coun-
Gil deserves credit for the interest they
have already taken in the matter. and are
doing all they can. If the property
holders would pay their taxes more
promptly, the council could do much more
efficient work
Mr. h. I. Irvine, says: 1T is a capital
move in the right direction. The city
fathers have had this question under adj
visemcnt for some time, and have been
discussing the propriety of combining the
operation to surface drainage or attempt
ing at once complete system of sewerage.
The latter is impossible yet awhile, but |
think it will be but Il short time before we
have 4 complete sewerage system second
TO none in the South. For the present
the measure adopted will afford ample
relief, and the city treasury can easily
accommodate itself to the cash require
mcnts There is no reason why Big Stone
Gap should not be made as healthy IL Local
ton as Ashcvillc"
Mr.. J. c. Maynor: II am in favor of Il
regular system OF sewerage. OF course 4
surface drainage would do away with the
mud holes and pools of water, but unless
the streets are paved it will not he very
effective. We ought to have both Il surface
and an underground drainage, lis :. surface
drainage would no: control the course of
the water as long as the streets are in
their present condition. 1t would pay the
town TO negotiate loan for this pur-
pose"
Mr.. L. +. Short: "If there is not some
system of drainage adopted soon dan
the health of the community will he III
ger. SO far it has been very healthy
here, but when warm weather comes, with
the present condition, sickness will iner-
ilably come. People that contemplate
coming here will consider this point,
and we'll they should, for know ii /
thought my tamly'S health would he
impaired by the sanitary condition OF the
town would not stay"
DR.. Z. NJ. Wiley, Il prominent physician
from Harrodshurg. Ky, is Interested III
Big Stone Gap and has been spendin.
several DAYS here. In an interview DR..
Wiley said: ut is OF the first Importance
that the city be thoroughly drained. and
that YOUR water-works lie completed as
carly as possible Ii YOU neglect these
conditions you are sure to have serious
sickness here during the summer"
Dr.. kumkel: Il think the sewerage
problem is the most important one
that has presented itself to this town for
some time, mean in a sanitary way
DR.. Board: 81 think it is very essen
! tial that some kind Of drainage system
| lie adopted ut once believe that it is
water III great degree that produces so
much sickness in all these new towns"
DR.. Gilmer: .. ! think the drainage of
the town should be improved some way.
| If it is not rcmcdied before spring we
will have great deal of sickness here.
The sanitary condition of nay part of the
town is in a dreadful condition. Yes, it is
true that perhaps the doctors would not
have so much to do if these improvements
were made. but we will have families here
who arc as liable to get sick as any one. .
BUILDING STATISTICS.