Since Parkersburg did not have a sanitary sewer
system, people dumped their waste directly into
these two streams. The committee recommended
that since these two streams had fresh water continuously
flowing into them, sewers were not necessary.
Located around the streams were small ponds
created by rainwater, where people also disposed of
their waste. One particular pond noted by the committee
was located by Washington street (current
day, 6th Street). They suggested cutting a drain
from that pond to Rifle Run to prevent the water
from collecting there. M.J. Littleboy, Jr. was hired
to drain the pond.
The threat of cholera would reach epidemic proportions
again in 1854 and 1873. In the May 29,
1873 issue of the Weekly State Journal, it was reported
that the disease was back and killing numerous
people in New Orleans and Cincinnati. The
newspaper warned that sanitary conditions in Parkersburg
were very bad. It called on city council to
have all the "ponds" drained, especially the one on
Market Street that was called the "green, slimy extract
of death".
We can be truly appreciative of the miracles of
modem medicine. With time, perhaps the scourges
of today's society can be cured.
Cholera, cont.
H & P Page 3
Wood County Historical and Preservation Society
OF WEST VIRGINIA
Though it may seem of small consolation, we can
be somewhat thankful that Mr. Forth did allow for a
final "viewing". Also, Hank and Butch Oldaker, of
Empire Builders, allowed for what was left of the interior
to be salvaged.
The Oldaker brothers also shared special items of
the house with relatives of the Blizzard family and
gave the WCHPS rights to remove as many of the clay
roofing tile as we wanted.
With the help of Ron Moncrief, Rob Enoch, Chris
Enoch, L. Chris Enoch, Rod King, Jeff Little, Cris
Fisher and Gary Lott, we were able to save several
hundred roofing tile. Our efforts were enabled by the
use of a 30' man-lift that Bosley Rental graciously
made available for our use. Chris Enoch and Jeff Little
can now add "man-lift operator" to their resumes;
they both did a great job! If we can find a buyer for the
tiles, we intend to add the proceeds to our cemetery
fund.
Several weeks ago we were permitted to go through
home and take video and still photos. A few days
prior to demolition, Christy Little completed measuring
and is preparing a floor plan of the once stately
home. So, while it is far short of having an actual
building to view, portions and memories of the home
built for Judge Reese Blizzard will live on.
Though the echo's of protests were still resounding,
the stately South Parkersburg home built for
Judge Reese Blizzard was razed on March 18.
On Sunday, March 2, Tim Forth owner of the property,
allowed for a 2-hour "viewing". It is estimated
that 2,000 people toured the doomed home, all hoping
to see the beauty that Judge Blizzard enjoyed; they
were probably disappointed. The crowd was so great
that the viewing was extended to near darkness.
Some years ago the home was converted into four
apartments. In the fall of 2007, as the tenants began to
be ousted, the beautiful fireplace mantles began to disappear.
By the time of the "viewing" little of the
original beauty remained.
gone!
ALL WAS NOT LOST
Though it was a job they didn't want to do, Bob
Enoch and Jeff Little carefully remove roofing
tile from the back side of the Blizzard Mansion.
Unfortunately, only a fraction of the tile could be
saved.
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