Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-12-30

from unknown authority that troops
quartered in that vicinity during the
late war Chirty-five years ago1 suf-
fered greatly from continued fevers.
| Under date of December 9th, 1896,
we have special report upon the
malarial diseases. camp of the United
States troops at Arcadia. Mo-. 1896. ;
submitted by Capt. Chas. B. Ewing.
surgeon of the camp. who, in con-
clusion. says:
'''Finally wish to state quite posi-
lively that the sanitary condition of
the camp generally was good. and that
typhoid fever was not seen by me dur
ing any part of our sojourn in camp
Under date of January 23d. 1897.
Capt. Charles B. Ewing. surgeon. sub
mits another report. in which he states:
.. The immediate sanitary condition
of camp was as good as 1 have ever
seen it. and the personal hygiene of
troops was likewise excellent. think
upon examination, it will be found
that the relative proportion of sick
among the respective troops at camp
at Arcadia, as compared with the num-
ber sick at previous stations. is in IA
vor of the camp at Arcadia. | speak
positively as to Z troop, Sd United
States Cavalry. as Capt. Hunter in-
| formed me that his sick list had been
less than at any time in the history of
his troop. Malaria and disturbances
of the alimentary tract were the chief
reports, the unusually hot summer and
the cool, moist nights and greatly in
creased fall of rain were important
factors in producing the former trou-
BILE; while change of diet and drink.
the latter consisting in part of very
liberal quantities of beer obtained from
canteen, were conducive to diseases of
the alimentary tract noted
Following this, under date of De-
cember 9th, 1897. we have the report
of Col. Albert Hartsuff, surgeon. De-
partment of the Missouri, who states:
" In very dry seasons l would re-
gard the rife range as a passably
healthy locality. and in wet seasons as
very Objectionable
HFAITHFuI1 RESORT,
''In view of the foregoing reports of
the medical corps, it is very apparent
that the cause of the disease with which |
the troops were afflicted after their re-
turn from the rife practice to the JEFF
ferson Barracks can not be traced to
any malarial influences to which they
were subjected while at the range.
The range used by the troops in 1896
was leased and was so limited in area
that the camp was located on ground
the elevation of which is much below
that of the land included in the pro-
posed range.
1.-The consensus of opinion of four
teen residents who have lived in the
vicinity of this range for upward of
forty years, including six physicians
who have practiced there for many
years. is that the locality is absolutely
free from malaria or typhoid fever.
aud one of the most healEful resorts in
the state. Their testimony on the
salubrity OF this location is further cor
roborated by citizens of ST. Louis hav-
ing selected it for their summer homes. |
The range extends from north to
south for distance of three miles. A
chain of hills, running from the north
east to the southwest across the south
ern END of the tract, makes an admira-
BILE natural butt for target practice,
precluding the possibility of damage
arising from rife firing. The small
brook running from the southwest to
1.-THE northeast across the central por-
tion of the range makes excellent
drainage for the tract. 1t runs over a
gravel bottom, aud when inspected by
me was free from boggy or marshy in
dlcations With the recommendation
for the purchase of 120 acres on the
east side and the 240 acres across on
the west side of the narallelogram the
area is such that the camp and target
range can be located either north or
south of this mountain stream. This
brook. however, in a very wet season
could not preclude the movement of
troops over any part of the range,
through the facilities of inexpensive
crossings.
The target range for practice on
| the proposed tract can be located run
ming from north to south or from east
TO west over distance of more than
1900 yards. with the mountain for a
back-stop. 1t is my judgment, based
upon personal inspection of the pro-
posed range, that no superior location
could be secured for the appropriation
made for target practice range with
in the same distance from jefferson
Barracks. The facilities for trauspor-
tation bs railroad or marching over
land can not be excelled. Its location
& r. -. - .aar -.