Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-08-28
sHocKoe CREEK 10 Be IMPROVED

about $4,000.
sHocKoE CREEK 10 Be IMPROVED
The Channel to he Relieved OF All Obstruc-
lions, Grass TO BE Cut from the Banks.
A called meeting of the Council Commit
tee on Shockoe Greek was held IN the
Council chamber Yesterday evening:
There were present Chairman Bowden ana
Messrs. Epps. Turpin, Grooms, and Grimm
of the committee, and Colonel Cutshaw.
the CITY Engineer, and Dr. W. Il. Open
Inner. President OF the Board OF Health.
The question Tor the consideration OF tue
committee was that OF the needed lin,
provement of Shockoe Creek. COlonei
Cutshaw made a very full and elaborate
statement as to the conditions menaelng
the city by reason OF the present condition
of the stream, and told OF the great floods
of 1870. 1877, and that which occurred
about niue years later. The deluge OF 1877
was the greatest that Richmond has ever
experienced. Colonel Cutshaw stated that
the diversion of Shockoe creek into Gil
lies creek or the Chickahominy was an I'M
practicable thing. and could only be done
by theexpenditure of an enormous amount
OF money in constructing something like a
tunnel, except twice as large, through the
hills 10 either the one outlet or the other'
WHAT SHOULD DE DONE AT ONCE.
The City Engineer said he thought the
channel OF Shockos creek should be so
improved that all matter would pass out
rapidly to tho river. He stated that the
stream needed to be widened from Frank
lin street down TO ITS mouth. All Open
ings, the Engineer thought, should be
made larger and the curve at Franklin
and Union streets reversed. Colonel Gut
shaw assured the committee that the
creek-b bed should bo paved with heavy
granite stones and that an iron fiume be
put ID instead of the present arch where
the Richmond and Allegheny raliway
crosses the stream. The Engineer stated
that this work could be done at cost OF
from $4,000 to $1,000.
THE CREEK FLOODS CAUSE THE TROUBLE.
In answer to a question by Mr.. Grooms,
Colonel Cutshaw said that the creek floods
were the ones which caused the principal
troubles. and that this was greatly due to
the choking up of tho arches. In speak
ing about the proposed improvement IN
the creek the Engineer stated that ne
thought 10 would be necessary for the
committee to obtain permission 10 carry
10 on up the valley TO SUCH point as they
might decide upon, otherwise the stream
would still not be rid OF the growth Oh
weeds and grass along its banks and tue
Job would be an unfinished one. Ht
stated that within his knowledge the creeR
had never gotten out of its banks except
when the arches were choked no. Upon
one occasion several little out-houses were
washed down the stream-one Of them
NItchen.
OUGHT TO TAKE EVERY PREcAUTToN.
When asked for his opinion in regard to
the action that should be taken 10 prevent
cholera, Colonel Cutshaw assured the
committee that every precaution should
be speedily used. He agreed with Dr.
Oppenhimer that a house-to-bouse in
spection should be instituted and adj.
mitted that the proposed Improvement 70
Shocboe creek would be great benefit &c
the city's health. He called the attention
of the body TO q rank growth along the
banks Of the stream from Moore street &c
the SecOnd-street bridge.
Something ought TO be done in this
matter, and 1t should b. done now" ar.
gued the City Engineer. Not only should
tho creek itself be thoroughly cleaned,
but every street and yard and alley IN the
city should be put IN thorough condi-
ton"
DR.. oPPENHIMFB's VIEWS.
DIR. Oppenhimer, who was present by in
vitalion TO give the committee his view;
as TO the importance Of cleaning out
ShOckoe creek. said he was glad to see
that the gentlemen present were IN
terested in the matter and willing 10 take
the necessary action. He explained that
the Health Committee did not expect OF
desire to take the money of the Commit.
tee on Shockoe Creek for general cleaning.
up purposes, but that it simply wanted
the gentlemen governing the stream &c
put II IN good order, thereby weakening
the possibility of cholera. The Doctor
said the question Of cleaning the city was
ono Of serious Importance just al
this time, as this dread disease was already
reported in ports that have some sort OF
communication with Richmond. He
stated that he had written to the quaran.
tine-station in regard to the restrictions
upon vessels. DR.. Oppenhimer then gave
q few facts regarding the cholera in Rich.
mond IN the past. In the years 1892 and
1883 there were 900 deaths from the dis
ease, and it has visited the city TWO OF
three times since. Filth, said the Doctor,
is nest for the cdOlera germ. He
then gave the committee an Ineligible
idea of the method he proposed 70
employ in putting the city in good condi-
ton as far as al things pertaining to ITS
healthiulness g concerned. and said thai
the Chief Of Police had profered all pos
siDle assistance on the part of that depart
ment. Touching upon the Shockoe creek
matter the President of the Board o.
Health stated that Colonel Cutshaw haC
already voiced his ideas and that hC
thought good and uninterrupted flow o
water would greatly facilitate things II
this respect.
TO CLEAN THE CREEK.
After hearing the statements of Colone
Cutshaw and DR.. Oppenhlmer, MIR. Eppi
moved that the City Engineer be instruct
ed to nave the creek cleaned out in accor
dance with his ideas as advanced 10 the
committee. and that the Board of Health
be requested TO remove the decomposeC
matter from the sides of the stream. Ihr
motion was adopted, and the body adj
journed.