100 years ago: Lawrence well water under scrutiny from health board
From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Aug. 5, 1911:
- “Lawrence wells are at present coming in for a great deal of criticism by the state board of health and the local health authorities. This is due perhaps to the number of cases of typhoid fever that have been reported here recently. According to the state board of health, water from two Lawrence wells were examined during the last month and in both cases unfavorable report was made. Dr. S. T. Gillispie, county health officers, said this morning when seen by a Journal-World reporter: ‘The people should exercise great care in using the water drawn from their wells. While we cannot lay the typhoid cases directly up to impure well water I have been looking the matter up closely and find that in almost every case well water has been used.’ Dr. Gillispie said that this condition was due to leaky sewers.”
- “The eightieth birthday of John Gardner was celebrated at the meeting of the encampment of the Odd Fellows last night. Mr. Gardner is one of the oldest members of the lodge in the state having been in the order for over 50 years. After the conclusion of the celebration at the lodge rooms the guests adjourned to Wiedemann’s for refreshments.”
- “In Olathe, R. E. Beebe, construction engineer, and John Roberts, an employee of the Federal Telegraph company, were arrested at the company’s works near El Nora Heights on the Strang line and taken before Justice Hayes of Olathe, charged with leaving dynamite exposed in a careless and negligent manner. Ivan Hall, a boy living near the works, found the dynamite which exploded while he was playing with it. Both of his hands were blown off. The preliminary hearing of the accused men was set for August 14.”