Our Past Is Present August 4, 2017

August 4, 2017

            You are reading “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Citizens of Junction City were told in 1907 that there will be no raising of hogs in the city limits.  On August 25, 1907, Dr. Hannah, the city health officer served notice on all people who had been keeping hogs within the city limits to have them removed  - AT ONCE!!!  There was a very strict ordinance against this and yet there were people who, either through ignorance or disregard for the law, continued to openly violate it.  From time to time warnings had been published in various papers and they had been ignored.  The city abounded with people who kept as few as one and as many as six hogs in pens in their back yards.     

            Even in the densely populated parts of the city this nuisance was being carried on.  There were even some pigpens within a few blocks of the main streets.  Hardly a day passed, but some of these animals would be seen parading up and down the streets and alleys.  This gave the city a “Cabbage Patch” aspect and was a decided detriment to civic improvement.  Then, too, the stench from the pig sties was extremely unpleasant – especially in the summer months.  Also it was conducive to ill health.  Several cases of malarial fever during previous years was said to have been traced directly to this source.

            According to the “Union” newspaper editor, the practice of keeping pigs with the city limits had long been a menace to the health of the community, and Dr. Hannah was to be commended for the stand he had taken on this matter.

            That’s today’s story.  We hope to see you soon at our Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets in Junction City. The Museum is open from 1 until 4 every day Tuesday through Sunday and admission is free.