The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1919-08-21
CATTLE DIE FROM DRINK
ING POISONED WATER
City of Minot Must Do Something
With Sewage at Once-Talk of
100000 Suit-Stench Below
City is Unbearable.

A delegation Of farmers, consisting
of Peter Holbach, Edward Nelson and
Chas. Larson from down the river,
met with the city commission Monday
night and urged that the board take
immediate action concerning the de-
plorable condition of Mouse river, be-
low the city by reason of the sluggish
ness of the stream and the foul prop
critics thrown continually into the
stream from Minot's sewers.
The farmers explained that the cat
tie are dying from drinking the poison
ed water, which is covered with
greenish, poisonous substance. Chas.
Larson lost four head Of cattle and
Tillman Saugstad lost seven head, one
COW being worth $4,000. The river
has such terrible stencil that the
people who reside along the stream
cannot sleep. The fish are dying by
the countless thousands and wild ducks
are found dead along the banks The
cows drink the water when they are
compelled to do so, and the milk is
sold in Minot. 1t is wonder that
typhoid fever epidemic has not broken
out. Farmers say that they cannot
dispose Of their land should they de-
sire to do so, and they threaten to
bring suit for approximately $780,
900 damages against the city. The
farmers have been very patient, but
all agree that they have good sized
kick coming. The river is in hor-
rible condition all the way from Minot
to Sawyer, fifteen miles below the
city.
Mr.. Nelson says that he lives five
miles down the river, but the river
must wind in and out for a distance
Of fifteen miles before it gets to his
place.
The city commission appear very
favorable to doing what it can to
eliminate this trouble, each member
expressing himself as being DESTROYS
to do all that is in his power. Presi-
dent Shaw thanked the farmers for
appearing before the board and prom
ised that he would call special ses-
sion Of the board just as soon as City
Attorney Wooledge returns.
President Long, Of the Associat lon
of Commerce and the Rotary Club,
President Jones of the Town Criers
Club and F. B. Lambert, member Of
the Park Board, spoke in favor of
taking immediate action, the clubs
having already passed resolutions ia
voring the building of modern sep
tic tank to eliminate this trouble,
which is becoming more unbearable
each year as the city grows.
President Shaw explained that it
would probably cost $250,OOO to build
such plant and that it could not be
done without the voters of Minot pass
ing favorably on the bonds. An cleo
ton will undoubtedly be called and it
is believed that when the people of
Minot realize how badly the plant is
needed, there is no question but what
the bond issue will carry.
The farmers were urged to take the
matter up with the state board Of
health.
1t is not likely that any relief can be
offered this year but the farmers will
be satisfied if immediate action is
taken, in hopes that they will not have
to put up with the menace next year.
Mr.. Lambert explained that the
park board had built beautiful drive
around Elbow Park but that it could
not be used on account of the stencil.
People living in the eastern part of
the city complain on account of the
smell whenever the wind is from the
east.