by Laurel | July 14th, 2009
July 14, 1910, page 10
Bathing in Reservoir
Former City Official Stumbles Upon Indication of Objectionable Practice.
The presence of a former city official at the Whiting Street reservoir the other night caused five of the Polish residents to go back to their homes without taking the bath which they contemplated on that evening at least. The ex-official as fishing at the reservoir early in the evening when five Polish residents bore in sight with towels and soap and ranging themselves at the southwest end of the reservoir began removing their clothing preparatory to a wash-up. The fisherman, although being but one to five, went down to enter his protest. In the conversation which ensued arrest had to be threatened before the party would forego the pleasures of a swim, and on being notified that the water was used for drinking purposes they laughed about the matter. The claim was made that it was customary for them to bathe in the reservoir once a week at least, and they objected to leaving. After considerable argument they put on their clothes and left. It is probable that the water commissioners will have watchmen put on the reservoir for the early evening during the hot season, especially the parts of the reservoirs that are excluded from general observation.
Excerpt from Springfield Republican.
