Petroleum Centre exists in name and business activity, but now presents the most filthy harum-scarum appearance, owing to the negligence of our citizens in not properly cleaning around their dwellings and business places. It reminds us of the breaking up of a hard winter, when everything perishable is on top of the ground, sending forth an odor which welcomes disease.

We are now entering upon the warm months, at which time, in all well-regulated places, the people are compelled to thoroughly cleanse their yards, remove the gathered filth from every quarter, and give a healthful appearance to everything. We have no corporation here, and to place our streets and yards in a healthy condition must depend upon the neatness and care of those who occupy the grounds.

It is a great wonder we have not, before this, been visited with plagues to a much greater extent, as certainly disease arising from filthiness never received more encouragement to locate than it does in Petroleum Centre at present. Not only are our streets filled with the slosh of a whole winter’s gathering, but the back yards between Washington Street and the railroad, and also on the opposite side to the Creek, are in a condition sickening to the sight and dangerous to life.

Will there not be some action taken to remove this barrier to health from among us? The Central Petroleum Company could benefit us by draining into the creek, and this, with the assistance of occupants of the land, would greatly improve our sanitary condition.

Disease we must expect, and disease we invite, so long as our streets and yards are in their present filthy condition.