410 ILLINOIS STATE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE 



but the white latticework fence can hide neither the sight 

 nor the odor from the passerby. In a number of cases 

 the garbage from private homes is thrown out to the 

 chickens, and in the summer the decaying food causes 

 a very offensive odor. In a section of the southeast side 

 the garbage cans were full and overflowing, owing to the 

 fact that the city had not collected for several weeks. 

 Numerous calls to the health department had not re- 

 lieved the situation. In the extreme south part of the 

 city there was an even worse condition. At several 

 houses visited the garbage was "just thrown out the 

 front door". 



Housing. There is very little overcrowding, and tene- 

 ment houses are unknown in Galesburg, yet there are a 

 large number of extremely poor houses. These are es- 

 pecially numerous in the Silver Creek and Cedar Fork 

 areas. In the southeastern parts the houses are small 

 but in good repair; they are quite sanitary except for 

 the large number of wells and privies. In the south- 

 western part of town, south of Monmouth Boulevard and 

 west of the C. B. and Q. yards is a large negro district, 

 marked by small houses filled with large families. The 

 houses lack paint and need repair. While some of these 

 show thrift and cleanliness, others indicate shiftlessness 

 and insanitation. This area is not adequately supplied 

 with sewers and water mains, as shown by the large num- 

 ber of wells and privies found there. On east South 

 Street is a large frame house of eleven rooms in which 

 are living thirteen people, mostly foreigners. This a 

 very dilapidated structure and should be condemned, for 

 the foundation is crumbling, making the place dangerous 

 to its occupants. There are several open garbage cans 

 and a well and privy at the rear. Back of stores on the 

 east side of Seminary Street, a block from Main Street, 

 is an old house used for cheap lodgings. The floors are 

 filthy and the walls and bedding are vermin infested, 

 while near the back door is a shallow well and within 

 a few feet is a large open privy. 



Food Stores. The main food stores in the center of the 

 city are for the most part sanitary and in good condition, 

 although there are a few which are not as clean as they 



