Norwich bulletin., 1910-04-23
Doctor Black Keeps New London Clean and
 Sanitary
OLD NATIVE TO RETURN
Major William A. Mercer will Make New London His Hom.-A Fort Neck Liquor Dealer Heavily Fined for Violating the Law-kngineers Planning for New Railroad Bridge Across the Thames.


 with all other New Londoners whose duties call them from home for long period, is contemplating returning to his native city and reside here in the future. He has made application for retirement from the regular army aft CT thirty years of creditable service. He has received deserved praise from the war department for his masterly management of Indian affairs in the west where he held a position of prom thence and responsibility, and later as superintendent of the Indian industrial school at Carlisle. Major Mercer IS attached to the Eleventh cavalry, now stationed at Fort Ofel thorpe Ga. and has been granted a four months leave of absence which he will spend in New London. Mrs. Mercer is also a native New Londoper, daughter of the late George w. Meeker.
 Major Mercer had his first military experience as captain of Company I. Third regiment, Connecticut National guard and entered the regular service from private life He was at one time in the railway postal service and also in the hat and gentlemen's furnishing business in Bank street near State, and was also foreman of Konomoc Hose com mpany. He is a man of large build, of commanding military appearance, is known to his New London friends of thirty years ago as decidedly compan- ionabler and first-class good fellow. He was know to everybody in the
 
 since then he has passed from the memory of some and is hardly known to the present generation of residents.
 Major Mercer has reason to be proud of his military service and in this there is mutuality on. the part of New Londoners who are proud of their foremost representative in the regular army. He is brother of Frederick w. Mercer manager and owner of the New England Carpet Lining company, and easily one of the leading business men and manufacturers of New Lon don. The major will receive the keys of the city from Mayor Mahsn during his leave of absence from the service and in addition will receive the hearty welcome of his fellow townspeople up- on his retirement when he once again becomes permanent resident.
 Dr. J. Torrineten Black, health off eer of the city, of New London, is cer- tainiy attending to the duties of the office and the. wondcr is that he de- votes so much time to ma tiers pertain ing to the general health of the peo-' pie. He not only inspects the milk, -supervises the removal of swill and garbage, takes personal charge of con- tagious diseases in the matter of quar- antine, but also gives attention to the general care of the health and sanitary condition of the pupils in the schools. He gives close observance to these school children, making a speciality at the present time of the examination of the heads and some are sent home to take bath and have their hair cornbed out by fine-toothed comb.
 He does not go as far as did that old time school teacher Charles Treadway. who taught in the little building still standing near the june fion of Ocean avenue and Bank street When MT. Treadway saw a pupil scratching his head, he would make personal examination and remove the cause forthwith. right before the rest of the pupils. In time there became dislike of this publicity of uncleanli- ness and the pupils called to the teach CTS desk for examination of the head grew less toward plie end of each term.
 Dr. Black is performing his duties, as he understands them. without fear or favor. and the result is complaint and dissa tifaction from sundry people. Com plaints have been filed against the ors for his official actions in regard to the general inspection of the school children in connection with the public health, and also with the health conn naittee of the court of common council for what some consider over-zealous of duty.
 The present is the only health officer of New London that ever pretended to devote his time to the honest perform ance Of the duties of the office, that ever systematized the work of the de- partment and really attended to busf- ness. So it is no surprise that there the health officer with a big stick. Twas ever thus. and ever thus twill be.