The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1904-09-16
cirele of Dissaae.


1t is doubtless pleasing reflection 70
tne readers Of the Telegram to see It
stated that there mas been an exaggera-
ton in the reports current in respect to
the number Of typhoid fever cases in
clarksburg. 1t is also pleasing to note
the purpose OF our health officers to in
y7estigate existing causes Of the disease.
While all would be disposed from the
prompting of municipal pride to criti
cize our city as mildly rs truth and can
dor would permit and due regard to our
safety and welfare would allow, yet
slight knowledge of the causes of dis
case and but little expenditure Of pains
and labor in the investigation of this
subject would be necessary to convince
one that these health officers could not
long be at loss to know why there Is
typhoid fever in C1arksburg. We nave
not made an examination of the city
water works and wells, nor of the decay
ing vegetation of back yards, gardens
alleys or vacant lots and viii not com
ment on these, although we have
strong impression that many of them
have been sadly neglected
The sole object of this communication
is to offer some suggestions in regard to
what it would be impossible for any one
passing through the city, or approaching
it from any direction, to overlook. We
mean the fctid, sluggish, tilth-laden,
miasmatic stream that almost encircles
the CITY. WHAT an unfortunate thing it
i that this stream does not flow with a
swffter currentl 1t would then carry
away disease producing elements. But
as it is with an aImose inPereePtible
aow. if, indeed, there ia any now at all,
it is itself the very cause OF production
Of disease and death Mt this place
The impression naturally prevails
mere that this stream should be the re-
ceptacIe of the ofral and refuse matter
Of the city. as it also is the employing
place of the city sewerage pipes, but
this i not all The back door OF every
abomination bulges ont on that water
course and this filth caught in the
loatnesome weeds and willows, goods
boxes. brush and trash and tangle along
the bottom and banks. makes a girdie 81
stenchful and unuttcrable composite
more than half around the city.
To our observation this stagnant, con
tinuous pool through the not months OF
summer and autumn deserve more con
sideration from the health commission
than all the pumps and P9ss-wnys with
in the corporate limits.
Most assucdly the good sense and IN
genuity OF the city council can provide
some method for rectifying this crying
evil! Let it he ditched and drained and
narrowed and cleaned out, and deodor-
led. and in time rendered safe from the
standpoint of public health, and some
s. what more presentabIe to the eye OF
observation.
( The banks of this water course might
be made a beautiful prospect from the
elevation OF many points in the city, II
the adjacent property ownere would eN
pend a Iittle money and labor in dress
ing them up instead Of using them as a
dumping ground for trash.
And 30 We feel imprlled to use what
snail influence that may b. at our
command TO enlist public interest in this
subject. which seems of such pressing
Importance to the whole community.
These observations, we hope, viii not
/ be- regarded a. simply inneiful and i'm
practical or without due bearing upon
the subject OF health in the city, but
win meet with the sympathetic encour
nacmcnt of all those VINO seriously ret
gard our public welfare and the social
and business features OF this city.
AN INTERESTED OBSERVER.