Sanitary Survey Asked - 1897
Complaints that Sewage is Being Drained into Lake Maxinkuckee
The State Board of Health has been petitioned by a number of propertey
owners at Lake Maxinkuckee to make a sanitary survey of the lake shore,
dwellings and hotels and to stop certain cottages and also Culver
Military Academy from conducting seweage intothe lake.
The petitioners promise to immediately adopt to the fullest any
sanitayr regulations suggested by the board.
Secretary Hurty will go up to the place next week and investigate
thecomplaint - - July 1 1897 - Indianapolis Journal
Maxinkuckee Conditions
A Sanitary Investigation at the Lake by Dr. Hurtey
Dr. J. N. Hurty, secretary of the State Board of Health, returned
yesterday form a Sanitary Survey of Lake Maxinkuckee.
Concerning his observations he said:
The lake now recieves direct all th sewage of Culvuer Military
Academy.
The population of the term was about 12 students and 10 to 12
treachers. This sewage will be remdied immediately
Mr. VanShoich, a farmer on the east side, has a filthy
barnyard that slopes toward the lake and all drainage enters
therein. Heaps of manure which have been months in accumulating
furnish trickling streams into the lake.
At this point, as also at the outlet of the Academy sewer the
sewage fungus (beggaton) grows.
Most of the cottages have vaults whic ultimately drain into the
lake.
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Messrs. Sheerin, Vajen, Bohlen and three or four others have this
proper sanitary management.
The Lake View Hotel is in fine sanitary condition. The Smead
Closet is used and all closet matter us consumed with fire;
garbage is hauled away daily and fed to hogs, while yet fresh.
The report to the state board willbe exhaustive and full. Three
days were given to the sanitary inspection.
The secretary will recomment to the board that all vaults be
abolished and earth closets substituted; that all shallow wells
be closed and only the deep flowing well water be used for
drinking; that fishermen be ordered not to string the shores
with dead fish. Small fish, not intended to be eaten, are
caughtand strung in great quanities to be thrownaway after the
string has been exhibited.
The water of the lake has cetainly suffered in quality from
the above causes in late years.
Analyses will be made immediately.
If the present conditions are continued many yyears Lake
Maxinkuckee will be transformed into a cess pool.
July 21 - 1897 - Indianpolis Journal