1911 Heath Exhibit Train Visit to Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana Submitted by: Beth Mathews & Pauline Mobley Date of Submission: 25 April 2008 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ ================================================================================== ================================================================================= 1911 Heath Exhibit Train Visit to Farmerville, Union Parish Louisiana Published in the Farmerville "Gazette", issue of 17 May 1911 ================================================================================== ================================================================================= Dr. C. H. Jameson, Mayor Farmerville, La. My Dear Sir: The Health Exhibit Train on its arrival at Farmerville Sunday afternoon was given a cordial rousing welcome by your citizens. Although the hour was late we enjoyed an auto ride over the town and noted with interest that the natural drainage is excellent. The streets are fairly well kept, and the yards are in fairly good condition. We noticed a number of hogs at large and hog pens around which is contrary to the Sanitary Code. It is unlawful for any person to keep a hog or hogs in the pound limits of any city or to permit same to roam at large. Hog pens are a nuisance and should be declared such and all of them should be removed. There are a number of stables and cow pens which should have more careful attention. The Sanitary Code provides that: “It is the duty of the owner, lessee, tenant or occupant of any stable stall, or apartment in the built up portion of any city in which any horse, cattle, or other animals shall be kept, to see that all stable refuse and liquid discharge of such animals which shall collect or accumulate, shall be removed there from regularly so as to keep the said stable, stall, or apartment in a clean and sanitary condition, and so that no offensive odors shall be allowed to escape there-from.” The school building is a splendid modern structure and reflect credit on the community. The floors are kept in excellent condition, but there are other parts of the building which should be more carefully cleaned. The troughs under the black boards should be wiped out with a damp cloth regularly. The window panes are in need of better attention, and I noticed some evidences of spider webs. Between the wood house and the lighting plant there is some timber that should be cut and placed in the wood room. The well seems to be in good condition, but it would be better to cover it and use a pump. The comfort houses from the exterior present a good appearance. The one for the girls should be provided with doors so as to assure absolute privacy. The one for the boys needs new floors. These should be arranged in keeping with the Stiles Sanitary closet or something better, so as to be kept in perfect condition at all times. It would be an excellent idea if you could have all of your citizens adopt one of the improved methods. The Sanitary Code provides that: “Every privy must be provided with a water-tight container and screened with suitable material arranged so as to protect, as far as possible, the access of flies to fluids, or other contents: said containers to be c leaned as often as necessary to keep the surroundings in a clean and sanitary condition.” The court House is a neat building, but is poorly kept. The roof needs to be repaired as there is evidence of leaking in some places. Saw dust is all over the floor in the court room, which renders same very insanitary. This should be removed and the floor cleaned as often as necessary to keep it in perfect condition. If you desire to have a covering on the floor it would to replace the wooden floor with a concrete one. Considerable garbage and trash were stored behind one of the door. Old records, books, papers, trash, dirt, etc., are under the stairway leading upstairs all of which should be removed because the Court House was never intended for a garbage room. We respectfully recommend for this serious consideration of the Jury the advisability of seeing that is kept good condition. The Jail is a brick structure of old type. The cells upstairs are placed so close together that it is impossible to get between them in order to keep them clean, and they are in an insanitary condition, in fact, the Jail needs a general cleaning. There is much trash and filth that should be removed by the use of a scraper and by going over the iron work, as well as by the use of a spade or hoe in one or two places on the floor. The steps need to be cleaned, both on the top and under surface. I saw no provision for bathing comforts for the prisoners. Chapter Vll, Section 249 of the Sanitary Code says that; All jails, prisons, and lockups must be properly lighted and ventilated. The floors and walls must be scrubbed with hot water and soap twice a week; with white lead or asphaltum varnish twice a year under the direction of the Parish physician, Health, or Coroner. Every prisoner must be given a douche or a shower bath at least twice a week unless orders to the contrary are given by the physician. The sewers in the jail are not vented as they should be; the vent pipes should extend above the tops of the windows on the second floor. Considerable improvements could be made in the appearance of the yard. The well from which the water supply is taken should be covered thoroughly. The City Jail appears to be in need of repairs, judging it from the outside. The light and ventilation are defective. With a little work on the part of your citizens you could greatly improve conditions and add materially to the attractiveness of the town. I would suggest that you remove the racks on the square where horses are hitched. Horses, when allowed to stand on the streets or square, or any public place can be considered nothing less than a nuisance and you do not want to invite the people to tie their horse in the most prominent places in your town. We ask your co-operation in our efforts to clean up the State. We want you to help us in every way you can. Assuring you of our desire to render you every assistance in our power and with best wishes for you continued growth, happiness and prosperity, I am, Yours very truly, Oscar Dowling, President. CC—Dr. R.L. Love Parish Health Officer. #############################################################################