The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-12
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breeds apace and death stalks almost unre-
strained, that the railroad company is so
largely to blame. In all of its half-century
of control over this city the railroad has
made practically no effort to improve the
native quarter. Every foot of that quarter
belongs to the railroad, which exactS
ground rent from the owners and occupants
of buildings; but despite its proprietor
ship, the railroad has done little or nothing
to minimize the dangers of life and health
that turks In every square foot of ii. Long
years ago attempt was made to grade
the streets. One two of the thorough
fares are still in a fair state of preserva-
ton, but the major portion of them have
Succumbed to the constant doWnpour or
rain, and the grading has all been washed
away, leaving the swamp which covers the
island to encroach unrestrainedly upon the
city
The result is difficult to describe so that
its exact conditions may be appreciated.
The buildings in this quarter are all erected
upon piles sunk in the muck and mire OF
the swamp. Underneath and all about
them is morass, vast expanse of black
water covered with green scum. Into this
swamp goes all of the kitchen garbage and
fecal matter from the homes of 5000 ma
tives, not one of whom has any knowledge
of modern sanitation. In it breed the bill
lions of mosquitoes that spread yellow and
pernicious fevers and the other deadly
diseases which go to make Colon a veri-
table peSthole. In il breed, too, the in
Vulnerable thousands of frogs whose croak-
ing goes to make night in Colon hideous.
For this section Of the city there has
Deen absolutely no. attempt at drainage.
Neither the city nor the railroad company
the latter of which owns it all-have ever
attempted the construction OF a sewerage
system, nor has any effort been made to fill
1t in. In consequence every little depres-
sion is a pool of stagnant water, with the
inevitable covering of a green scum These
pools never have chance to dry up nor the
mOraSS TO cease its deadly work, Tor the
rainfall, amounting to about 40 inches a
year-keeps them constantly replenished
and the growth of swamp grass is every
where abundant. 1t is amid such surround
ings that the native population lives The
railroad waterwOrks has not been extended
to this quarter and the only drinking
water available to the people is what can
be caught during the rainy season and
stored in iron tanks.
CRISTOBAL COLON POINT.
Is 1t any wonder that people die here in
countless hordes from the most revolving
and pernicous diseases? One has only to
go into this section to appreciate the
thorough malevolence of these conditions
The small ponies and jackasses that are
used here as beasts of burden stand knee
deep i'm this morass and browse on the
swamp grass The dogs and pigs that are
the constant companions of the children
must make their way through the muck or
crawl along the narrow board walks that
edge the places most inappropriately called
streets, and it is upon the verandas built
over this swamp and these black, repulsive
pools that the children of the natives must
play. The result? A never-ending stencil,
certain TO nauseate, marked by the fumes
of the swamp and the odcrs of decaying
offal, and swarms Of MOSQUITOES and fieas,
tnat bite and bite, until ponies, 1ackaSSeS
dogs, pigs and monkeys are denuded of
hair. 1t is all unspeakably loathsome. 1t is
a condition which can never be remedied
until the torch is applied to every building
in this quarter and the destruction is made
complete. After that. If the swamp should
be filled in, waterworks and sewerage pro-
vided. the breeding places of mosquitoes
destroyed for a distance of half mile in
every land direction from the city, and the
place rebuilt in a decent and sanitary man
TO live But until this Is done Colon must,
| from mere force of circums stances and the
railroads long years of neglect. be haunt
! of peStilence.
FRENCH LAVISHNESS
To go from the native quarter of Colon to
Cristobal Colon Point is like stepping from
hell into a garden, although the Point is
now in sad state of deterioration. Cristo-
bal Colon Point is a magnificent example of
the extravaganza of the French Canal Com
pany during its flush days. 1t is wholly ar
! tificial, having been constructed as break
water to protect the entrance TO the
waterway. But the French planned to link
beauty with utility in this instance and the
result is a remarkable product. The Point
! puts out into Limon Bay for a distance of
more than 500 feet. 1t is well laid out. with
/ avenues of COcoanut tress, a superb drain
| age and waterwOrks system, both of which
/ have now fallen into disuse and consequent
/ decay. Its foundation is of great concrete
/ blocks, purchased under contract by the
/ French Canal Company at a cost OF $50
! (gold) each and dumped down In irregular
i masses, later 10 be filed In with sand.
Upon this point the French company built
| houses-regular bungalows. but of a charm
/ ing architectural style-and so set down as
to make a most attractive park out of the
| breakwater. On the extreme western end OF
| the point stands the statue presented by
| the Empress Eugene TO the canal COM
PAM. an artistic creation done in bronze