From 1909: Typhoid Not Due to Middletown Water

Below are excerpts from an article published 100 years ago today, in the Hartford Courant of September 6, 1909.

Two weeks earlier, the Courant ran a big headline, "Typhoid Fever in Middletown," and reported that there were "at least ten cases of typhoid fever in town, with several other cases that appear suspicious." The paper goes on to give the names and addresses of each infected patient, and speculates that patients may have picked it up while on vacation out of town.


Analysis shows it safe for Drinking
Tha Middletown's water supply was not responsible for the recent typhoid epidemic in this city is indicated by the report of State Chemist James A. Newlands, who has just made an examination of the water from both of the local reservoirs. The samples of the water analyzed were taken September 1. No introgen [spelling is odd in the original, I think this was a mispelling of nitrogen], either in the form of nitrates or intrites [nitrites?], was discovered in either of the samples taken. In concluding his report, Mr. Newlands says that in his opinion the water is entirely safe for drinking purposes. No evidence of any drainage contamination was discovered.

Cooking school Exhibit
A three course luncheon prepared by the girls who have been attending the cooking school conducted in the Y.M.C.A. the past few weeks, was served to the directors of the Social Service League Saturday afternoon. The girls have had instruction in both cooking and general housework while in attendance at the school.

No-License Campaign to Open Soon
The no-license campaign in this city will be opened next Sunday with a union meeting of all the churches which will be addressed by Secretary Spooner of the Connecticut Temperance Union. A number of well known speakers have been secured, and union meetings will be held for the next four Sundays. The saloon men are also well organized and the campaign will undoubtedly be a hot one.

Annual School Meeting
The annual meeting of the legal voters of the city school district will be held in the town hall on Monday, September 20, at which time three members of the board of education will be chosen. The terms of T.M. Russell, T.W. McDowell and Arthur L. Allin expire at this time, and it is understood that they will all be candidates for re-election. Among the other business to be transacted at this meeting is the election of a treasurer, a collector of taxes, and the laying of the annual tax.

Durham Favors Trolley Layout
The hearing regarding the layout of the proposed trolley line from Meriden to Guilford through the town of Durham was held in the selectmen's office of that town Saturday afternoon, and contrary to the general expertation the sentiment of the taxpayers seemed to be in favor of the layout as proposed. A number of the residents who live on the Main street opposed the layout, as they thought it would spoil the general appearance of the street. W.R. Walkley of New York, one of the summer residents, opposed the trolley for this reason. A show of hands was finally called for to guide the selectmen in making their decision in the matter. Only taxpayers owning property on the Main street voted, and the result was twenty-five in favor of the trolley with five opposed. The selectmen reserved their decision, and will go over the route Thursday in company with the directors of the road.

Notes.
The Y.M.C.A. will open this morning for the coming season. Assistant Secretary Williams is to be in charge until Secretary Nethaway returns.

The funeral of Giles D. Holmes was held at his residence at Long Hill yesterday at 2:30 o'clock. Rev. F.W. Greene officiated and was assisted by Rev. Hiram Morgan. The interment was in the Pine Grove Cemetery.

Samuel Roberts and Frank Egan, who were arrested in Hartford Friday night for flim-flamming Peter Pantelakos of this city, are to be tried in the local police court today.