Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 170, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 July 1915 — Odor of Stock Yards Endangers Health of All. [ARTICLE]

Odor of Stock Yards Endangers Health of All.

The editor of The Republican visited the section of Rensselaer that was flooded because of the inadequacy of the Make-’em-Self sewer, and conditions there are very deplorable. Probably forty or fifty homes on the south side of the railroad were surrounded by water and now that the water is subsiding there is a terrible odor, which comes from the filth from the railroad stock yards. The stench of pig pens is so great that the entire ity gets the odor and it is almost impossible to live in some of the houses where the odor is the worst. The water continues to flow from the north side through the tile under the railroad and the sewers seem able to take care of all the water that is coming now. but the drying process is very slow. There is a considerable discussion as to which is the best means of relieving the condition that prevails. It is plain that the overflow is caused by the water which drains from the farms rkorth of the railroad and which poured sheets of water into the city as a result of the big rains. Efforts to drain the Amsler, Minnear and Jackson farms by way of the Coen and Maxwell ditches have not proved adequate and it is necessary to establish drainage that will take care of this water. Some favor making and maintainnig an open drain over the Make-’em-Self sewer. This would carry water only during the time of excessive rains. It would be undesirable so long as the filth from the stock pens is carried by this means. Mayor Spitler believes that the natural drainage would be to make a big sewer south on Scott street to the river near the Kresler ice pond. This would take care of some low places in the east part of town that could not be reached by east and west drainage, but the objections offered is that it would dump all the filth above the city. Others favor running a big sewer west about a half block north of and paralleling the Monon railroad and emptying either into the Maxwell ditch or the lower end of the Make-’em-Self. It is probable that an expert sewage engineer will be secured to figure this out and that steps will be taken at once to provide against the terrible conditions that have caused so much inconvenience, ruined gardens and lawns and endangered the health of so many people. Dr. Gwm, city health officer, visited the worst districts Monday and scattered lime along the ditches and about the hohses. Much more should be used and one citizen today asked The Republican to suggest that a carload of lime should be purchased and used as a precaution against sickness.