Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1894-09-07
OUR WATER SUPPLY.

Our town council net last Tuesday
night. discussed the water question and
took no action. We deeply regret that
such indifference in regard to a subject
which concerns the health of our people
should be manifested by those in au-
thOrity. Typhoid fever has been pre-
vailing In the town. Those who profess
to know something about the cause OF
this dreadful disease tell us that 1t IS
usually caused by impure drinking water.
| If a a systamatized effort had been made
to give our people impure and dan gerous
drinking water the result would not have
been dreaded more than is the water in a
number of our wells. We have some
very deep wells which have not been
cleaned for forty years. The sucker
boxes have been gradually raised as the
mud has accumulated IN the bottom OF
the wells. In some cases, we are inform
ed that the old unused stocks have been
permitted to remain in the wells and
gradually decay, thus furnishing con-
slant sudply of decomposed matter to
contaminate the water. Had there been
no examination of the water, the con-
dition of the wells was sufficient to ex-
cite and alarm the people. An examina-
ton of the waters has caused serious ap-
prebenslOn upon the part of many of the
citizens OF the town. In spite of these
facts, those in authority have refused or
neglected to do anything for the relief OF
the people. In addition to the regular
taxes Of the town, they impose water
tax upon every male citizen, tax which
LAWYERS tell us is of doubtful legality
and when the people ask for pure water,
give the subject no attention and compel
the citizens to 90 out of their neighbor
hoods long distances to wells whose water
is supposed to be in condition that Is
not absolutely dangerous.
Some persons say that the HERALD is
doing wrong in exposing this condition OF
affairs, that it Will injure the trade OF
the town and prevent people from coming
here. We are willing to take the re-
sponsibility. While we want the town
and its business to improve, we are not
willing to aid in covering up condition
of affairs which we believe to be abso-
iutely dangerous TO the health and lives
of our people. Our school trustees have
made commendable efforts to build up
fine school for our town and neighborhcod.
They have endeavored to secure Princi-
pal whose qualifications especially BIT
him for the management of large school,
and yet the authorities erect barrier
which will prevent a patronage beyond
those whose residences compel them to
educate their children in Woodstock.
Do they suppose that people will move
to Woodstock while this condition OF
affairs is permitted to remaln'
We are willing to bear the responsibility
of exposing it, but would shudder at tie
responsibility of those whose duty it is to
furnish the people a supply Of healthy
water.
Wells at best. are suspicious, but foul,
uncleaned wells such as the citizens OF
this town are compelled to use are dan
gerous and are standing disgrace to the
town.
We should have not only on account OF
the health of our people, bat as protec-
ton against fire, full supply Of healthy
water. We can get it, Towns not so
tayorably situated have water works and
there will be no material progress in this
town until we get them. 1t is subject
which our people should consider and act
upon.