It was on the 8th of March, 1883, that I procured the second specimen of water from this well that I sent you. For over three months prior to that date the ground had been frozen and covered with snow, with no thaws during the whole winter severe enough to cause any surface-water. The winter was what is called a dry one, all the wells in that vicinity being remarkably low, so that there could be no surface-water finding its way into the well on that date, and probably had not for months previous: the influence of the surroundings at that time must have been at the minimum. If the water is bad under this condition, what must it be soon after the frost is out, and the well becomes filled with its maximum of surface-water?
Now the interesting question comes, What has been the effect upon the health and lives of the family or families occupying this house and using this water? I am informed that they did not use the water at all times, under suspicion that it might not be good: still it was used more or less.
Forty-one years ago the place was purchased and occupied by a man then in the prime of life. He had seven children, some of whom were born before and some after moving upon the place. The father, mother, and all the children are now dead, except one.
The date, age, and cause of death, as near as I can find out, are as follows:
1849, a son, age 18 years; cause, typhoid fever.
1849, a daughter, age 16 years; cause, typhoid fever.
1863, a son, age 28 years; cause, consumption.
1871, mother, age 63 years; cause, gall stones; great sufferer from sick headache.
1874, a daughter, age 27 years; cause, consumption.
1878, a son, age 37 years; cause, consumption.