The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-08-02
DEATH IN The WATER
Dread Typhoid Fever
Breaks Out in an Epi-
demic in Green
Vile.
FOUR DEATHS IN A WEEK
Doctors Say it is the Filthy
Passaie Water Drunk That
Causes the Disease.
Indignant Citizens Win Hold a
Mass Meeting to Demand a
Sanitary Supply.

An epidemic of typhoid fever has made its
appearance in the Greenville section. and the
bad Passaic water is being blamed for the
presence of the dread disease. During the
past two weeks there have been many deaths
from the disease, and the doctors and under
takers are having an exceedingly lively time
of it.
The last victim of the disease was young
man named Van Blarcom, who died at his
late residence on Winfield avenue on Tues
day evening On last Friday John
Boerckle of Walker avenue also sue
cumbed to typhoid fever. The
presence of the disease has aroused the resi-
Z dents of the district and the question of
new water supply will be agitated with re-
newed vigor during the next few weeks. A
series of mass meetings, the first of which
will be held on next Thursday evening at
Bamber Hall, have been arranged and
strong appeal will be made to all residents to
come out and make determined stand for
pure water.
ABoMINABLY FILTHY WATER.
While the other sections of the city are
also furnished with the vile Passaic fluid
the Greenville section seems to suffer most.
The water there is more filthy and has
more obnoxious odor than that furnished to
the other sections. This is accounted for by
the fact that the water supplied to Green
vile comes direct from Belleville and does
not pass through the reservoirs in this
citF.-The pipes are rseking with filth
and when the water flows into
any vessel a dark brown coating of dust is
left on the bottom and sides. Fortunately,
many of the residents enjoy the luxury of
well, and the persons who suffer are those
who reside in the tenement houses. There
are enough of these residents, however, to
demand serious consideration of the pro-
ject of new water supply, and unless they
are afforded relief there's no telling what
the result will be. Yesterday employees of
the Street and Water Board were engaged
blowing off the fire hYdrants in the district;
but this did not improve the condition of the
water to any extent. 1t was just as dirty
and the odor was just as obnoxious as be-
fore. When the fire plugs were turned on
tine water came out in stream as dark as
boiled coffee. After it was allowed to flow
for ten minutes, it improved somewhat, but
did not become entirely clear.
FISH OUT OF THE HYDRANTs.
When one of the hydrants on Winfield
avenue was turned ON number of small fish
passed out of the spout. The fish had been
dead number of days, and were much de-
composed. At another hydrant small pieces
ef wood and leather passed out. Many resi-
dents have endeavored to purify the water
by placing filters on the hydrants in their
houses, but the filters became so choked with
filth after few days use that the water re-
fused to flow and the filters had to be re-
moved.
GREAT INCREASE IN TYPHOID CASES.
DR. Charles A. Limeburner, when inter
viewed in regard TO the filthy condition of
the water by reporter of The JERSEY Cry
NEWS Yesterday, said:--
'sThe typhoid fever cases this year out
number those of any other year in my recol-
lection. There is no doubt that our bad
water is laying an excellent foundation for
an epidemic of disease. It is folly to think
of drinking the water. would not even
bathe in it, nor would advise nybody else
to do so.n
In reply to query, he said
CAN'T PURIFY IT.
"It is impossible to purify the Passaic
water. The process Of distilling might ini-
prove it, but not much We must have
new supply. It's an outrage for the city to
ask us to pay water tax, and the residents
should refuse to pay it. have TO buy all the
water drink and l don't see why
should pay the city for water when it is
not fit for use. Our bad water is hurting
the city more than any one can estimate.
Hundreds of our residents are moving away
because they are unable to stand the vile
water. But in spite of these facts do
not believe that our local authorities
viii do anything towards our relief
The only way in which they can be brought
to terms is through the newspapers. If the
press of this city and Now York would agi-
tate the matter, state the exact condition Of
sata,sSater 8, and advise ali citizens to stay
house. Il wa1ersey City until new supply
E7;E,.