Isaac Reed 1819

Writing from New Albany on Oct. 5, 1819, the Rev. Isaac Reed, who later left lengthy writings about his travels in Indiana, gave a brief account of his stops in Clark, Jefferson and (although he didn't mention the county names) Switzerland Counties.

The Christian Spectator, conducted by an Association of Gentlemen for the Year 1819
Volume I. No. 1 New Haven.

In August, I visited the counties of Clark and Jefferson, and attended the installation of the Rev. John M. Dickey at New Lexington, the first Presbyterian minister installed in this state. This is a church gathered and organized by your missionary, the Rev. O. Fowler, the last autumn. But, alas! the majority of the people, among whom I travelled, in this tour, are literally as sheep having no shepherd; and every one does that which is right in his own eyes. Here and there one has known better days; enjoyed greater privileges; and is now mourning over the destitute state of the country. At Madison, in Jefferson county, I found a missionary just arrived from the Missionary Society of young men, in New York City; and there seemed considerable prospect that the people will settle him. I think he merits their confidence. Madison has nearly l,000 inhabitants, but very few Presbyterians. There is, however, a brick meeting house building for that denomination; and religion seemed to have gained since I was there a year before.

On my return, I preached in Charleston, one evening, during the week of the circuit court. The attendance was numerous. One of our brethren preaches there two Sabbaths in a month. Another place of my preaching was New Providence, on Silver Creek, where there are a number of Connecticut people; and among them one male and several females professing religion. They arc very anxious for missionary labors. I would encourage your hearts, and strengthen your hands, in the cause of missions, to hear them converse, and pray for yon and your servants."

Soon after I again visited that part of the state, and preached in a settlement on Indian Creek, where are several people who were educated Presbyterians. Some of them have been there eight years, and have never before seen a Presbyterian minister in their settlement. On my return, I stopped a while with a man in the woods, who was clearing a little spot round his cabin. He said he had the Bible in his house, but had been but twice at meeting in a number of months, and that because he had not known »here to find one. — Oh ! how much we need Missionaries in these parts! '

State Board of Health 1911

There were a number of reports regarding the Madison water supply during 1911. The general conclusion was that the supply was unfit for consumption. The report below is the most clinical in detailing the problem. Water was drawn from wells under the river bed, and was supposed to be cleaned by filtering layers of sand. Studies found the wells had been infiltrated by river water. A letter in August concluded the municipal water was totally unsuitable for drinking.

Thirtieth Annual Report of the State Board of Health for the fiscal and board year ending September 31, 1911. Statistical year ending December 31, 1911. Indianapolis, Wm B. Bradford, contractor for state printing and binding, 1912.

Upon receipt of the second report, the Water Company requested an investigation of the conditions at their pumping plant and water supply, which, was made June 6, 1911. Before this Investigation was made a third set of samples wits analyzed. The results, as shown in Table C, were not satisfactory.

The water is taken from an intake in the Ohio River about 180 feet from the shore line, when there is an 8-foot stage at Cincinnati. The average daily pumpage is about 300,000 gallons. The water is lifted by a centrifugal pump, coagulant being added at the discharge, to two large wooden tanks, their combined capacity being 100,000 gallons with a total settling capacity of about eight hours.
From the settling tanks the water flows on the filters, which are of the Jewell type, with mechanically operated agitator, revolving prongs doing the work. The average run of these filters is from three to five hours.

The water there flows from the filter to the clear water reservoir with 50,000 gallons capacity. At this point the water is pumped to a steel tank 280,000 gallons capacity which is located on one of the high hills.

The trouble at this plant seems to be the inefficiency of the filter, and this is largely due to the method of mixing and regulating the application of the coagulant. The sulphate of iron tank is about six feet in diameter and seven feet deep, with a capacity of 1,470 gallons. The lime solution tank is six feet in diameter and sixteen feet deep, capacity 3.370 gallons.

There are no regulating devices on either tank and therefore no knowledge of the amounts of chemicals used is obtainable. An amount of lime, weight not known, is mixed and drained into the lime solution tank below. When the tank is started the attendant throws sulphate of iron in a small solution box and at various intervals adds additional small quantities, the weight at no time being known. The attendant uses his own judgment as to the proper amount of material to mix and add. The entire operation is uncontrolled and unchecked.

Before any steps were taken in the matter two mere sets of samples were analyzed, the first being taken by myself at the time of the Investigation, June 7, 1911, while the second was sent in July 15, 1911. The first of these. Table D, showed fairly good counts, but coli was present in both filter effluents. A sample taken at a tap In town showed a lower count with gas present. The last set analyzed showed fair counts with coli present In the effluent from filter 1 and absent In filter 2, while a town tap gave coli present.

The town has a population of 4,400 and about 450 water services, which supply about half the people. While there is no unusual amount of sickness at present, the public water supply is liable at any time to be the source of an epidemic. Since the effluent to all appearances is a good drinking water, that is, as far as taste and turbidity is concerned, and is used for all drinking and domestic purposes, it is recommended that a hypochlorite of lime plant be Installed to prevent future trouble.