***EARLY LAFAYETTE POND IN MILLS ADDITION.

Letter From A Citizen.
To the Editor-Laf. Gazette:

In your last week's issue, I noticed that you have touched the question of the old pond in Mills addition. Not enough has been said about it, because you could not say too much.

Not later than yesterday I made an eye survey of the drainage, and for hardly any cost could be done, removing a great danger to the public health. Not only the water stays in stagnation, but all garbage is dumped there, which makes it very sickly - even dead animals are seen floating on the water.

Our City Fathers are doing good work in town; let them not stop, let them keep things going, and a little attention in the direction of that pond will make them act.

We, citizens of that neighborhood are paying taxes for water works and electric lights, and neither we have, so for a little consideration of a few dollars in work on the drainage of that pond will satisfy every one and all in that neighborhood.

Thanking you for the space given me in your columns.

I am yours,
A. CITIZEN.

Lafayette Gazette 1/24/1903.









The Cleanliess of Lafayette.
(Communicated.)
TO THE LAFAYETTE GAZETTE:

 When I read the complaints from two citizens and tax-payers of the neighborhood of that disgraceful old pond; and as another tax-payer and resident of that neighborhood, I cannot restrain myself from saying a few words about it, as I have daily occasion to pass right close to it, and often meet strangers who express themselves most indignantly in saying what a shame for a civilized town to have such horrors in its midst.

 Now, members of the city council, excite that dormant pride in your bosoms, and spread like all up-to-date towns the propaganda of cleanliness, and spend a few dollars to help the health of the town. We are not asking for a system of sewerage, but merely a small drain from that pond leading the water out of town, so as to give us residents of that part of town a dry road to go to the railroad track. As it is now, we have to go around four blocks to reach it.

 Lafayette is not like New Orleans, visited by thousands of people, but no matter as to the number of visitors she receives, I fear the conditions of our streets and principally that dirty, unhealthful pond in Mills addition may shock them; otherwise if they should see that disgraceful hole cleansed out, and put in a condition to relieve us of the danger of all kinds of diseases that breed there.

 Now members of the city Council, Lafayette has made such a stride in the progressive world, and with the prospect of being the leading town in Southwestern Louisiana, reflect only a minute; don't let a few dollars for the welfare of the town be in your way, and no more harsh words would be heard against our beautiful little city. Do as much as you can to benefit her and it will be an evidence of its commercial and financial prosperity and progress.

 Now members of the city Council, it is left to you. Do your duty.
           signed, F.
 Lafayette Gazette 2/21/1903.