Greencastle - Health problems - Putnam

As stated by the Herald some time ago, Dr. King of this town and John Owens of the State Board of Health and Photographer Cammack took some pictures of several alleys and back yards in Greencastle. The photographs were finished several days ago and copies were forwarded to Dr. Hurty at Indianapolis.  The following is a letter from Dr. Hurty to Dr. King in regard to the alleys:

Dr. JM King, Greencastle, Ind

Dear Doctor: The photographs received, for which I thank you, I suppose the photographer will send his bill along later. I have been in four county seats since I was in Greencastle and not one of them have conditions even approaching the filthiness and nastiness of your alleys around the public square. These alleys are a disgrace to the city of Greencastle. If the authorities do not go to work to clean up these alleys and repave them and make them decent, the matter will be exposed throughout the state. Your city fathers should make visits to some surrounding cities of the same class at Greencastle and see what is being done. Greencastle is a college town and it should, therefore, set an example. Governor Marshall says, “Cleanliness is essential to Godliness.” This is a paraphrase of the poet’s utterance that Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Judging by the alleys around the public square in Greencastle, there is very little Godliness there.  You should bring this matter before your county and city council as city health officer and talk to them very positively in regard to it.  Very truly yours, JN Hurt, Sec State Board of Health