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Story
July 21, 1873
Little Rock Daily Republican
Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
What is this article about?
In 1873, Little Rock's city physician Dr. W. A. Cantrell warns the City Council of the prison's inadequate ventilation causing health risks in hot weather, urging improvements; the article decries the facility as a public nuisance.
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Dr. Cantrell on the City's Disgrace
The Little Rock Calaboose.
If there be any one thing above another which remains a stench in the public nostrils, and which, as a public nuisance, should be immediately abated under the direction of the board of health, it is the sweltering, oozing, filthy, fetid and vermin-haunted city prison. We have never missed an opportunity of directing the attention of our municipal guardians to this stench-breeding sin-hole, nor chafed our olfactories with an occasional dose of its effluvia until it is among the things that were. If, after the following letter from the city physician, there be any christian charity in condemning a fellow-human to such a place, we will henceforth and forever remain silent.
The following is the letter:
LITTLE ROCK, July 18, 1873
To the Honorable City Council:
GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to report to you that since the weather has become so warm I have been daily called to the city prison to visit the sick, and deem it my duty to state to your honorable body that the prison is not sufficiently ventilated for the health of the number confined therein. I respectfully recommend that it should be either temporarily enlarged, or that additional windows be cut for the purpose of securing proper ventilation, the present supply of air being far inadequate to the number of occupants.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. A. CANTRELL, M. D.,
City Physician.
The Little Rock Calaboose.
If there be any one thing above another which remains a stench in the public nostrils, and which, as a public nuisance, should be immediately abated under the direction of the board of health, it is the sweltering, oozing, filthy, fetid and vermin-haunted city prison. We have never missed an opportunity of directing the attention of our municipal guardians to this stench-breeding sin-hole, nor chafed our olfactories with an occasional dose of its effluvia until it is among the things that were. If, after the following letter from the city physician, there be any christian charity in condemning a fellow-human to such a place, we will henceforth and forever remain silent.
The following is the letter:
LITTLE ROCK, July 18, 1873
To the Honorable City Council:
GENTLEMEN: I have the honor to report to you that since the weather has become so warm I have been daily called to the city prison to visit the sick, and deem it my duty to state to your honorable body that the prison is not sufficiently ventilated for the health of the number confined therein. I respectfully recommend that it should be either temporarily enlarged, or that additional windows be cut for the purpose of securing proper ventilation, the present supply of air being far inadequate to the number of occupants.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. A. CANTRELL, M. D.,
City Physician.
What sub-type of article is it?
Historical Event
Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Justice
What keywords are associated?
Prison Conditions
Little Rock Calaboose
Ventilation Issues
Public Health
City Prison
What entities or persons were involved?
W. A. Cantrell
City Council
Where did it happen?
Little Rock
Story Details
Key Persons
W. A. Cantrell
City Council
Location
Little Rock
Event Date
July 18, 1873
Story Details
The article criticizes the filthy and poorly ventilated Little Rock city prison, quoting a letter from City Physician Dr. W. A. Cantrell recommending enlargement or additional windows for better air supply to protect the health of inmates during warm weather.