To the Editor of the Hartford Courant
20–24 September 1880 • Elmira, N.Y.
(MS, draft: CU-MARK, UCCL 01748)
To the Editor of the Courant:
Your are aware that our city is well stocked with sufferers from malaria. You are also aware that the cause lies in ‸our‸ bad sewerage & foul & stagnant water courses. These deadly defects are remediable, & doubtless will be remedied some day; but until that day comes, is it ‸surely cannot be‸ fair in us to allow strangers to settle here without warning [MS page 2] giving them warning? If the teachings of our pulpits are real, & not mere gilded talk, our silence in this matter is culpable. Light houses are set up to warn ships to keep away from shoals & rocks; finger-boards instruct the stranger how to avoid powder-mills; a red flag on the plague hospital warns the healthy to shun the spot. It seems to me ‸your petitioner‸ that commo honesty—even a low-grade honesty—‸requires‸ that we follow this righteous [MS page 3] custom & employ some sort of device which shall warn intending settlers that ours is not a healthy city. , but ‸I am of the opinion that‸ a fever- it seems to me that ‸It is the opinion of your peti that‸ a black flag, with skull & cross-bones on it, flying from the dome of the State House, would ‸might‸ ‸would‸ sufficiently advertise this matter. ‸& yet be inexpensive.‸
‸Now‸ ‸TWherefore,‸ That your honorable body will deem it wise & just to order said flag, is the humble prayer of your petitioner; & to this end will he ever pray.
S L C
meaning by that that it is a far less healthy city than we
