Conveniences

Most of these systems were designed and built by common sense, with little or no guidance from trained “professionals,” for there were few such trained people in existence in those times (colonial days through the 1840-50s). In early times, “conveniences” were few and far between. The human activities took place outside in the woods, or, at best, inside utilizing chamber pots (a.k.a. thunder mug, jordan, slop jar, peggy, badger, or just plain jug). Later on, people began to use privies (called a “Handsome House of Office” by the more well-to-do, and by others the “outhouse” -- a.k.a. One-holer, Lou, Ajax, Throne, Willie, Oklahoma Potty, etc.). Another approach -- the “earth closet” (inventor: an Englishman, the Reverend Henry Moule) -- also came into use to some degree.

The U.S. Census Bureau, Housing and Household Economic Statistics Division in October 31, 2011 stated: “As recently as 1950, a quarter of America’s homes had no flush toilet, with some States topping 50 percent!

In 1940, over a third of the homes had no flush toilet, with some States over 70 percent! Of the 13 million units reporting no flush toilet in 1940, 11.8 million had an outside toilet or privy, another one million had no toilet or privy, while the small remainder had something called a nonflush toilet in structure.

Mississippi provides an excellent portrait of this change in America’s housing over the decades. About 80 percent of its homes had no flush toilet in 1940; by 1990 a mere 4 percent lacked a public sewer, septic tank, or cesspool.”

Lets take a look at Starkville in 1946.

“A preliminary survey was ordered by the City of Starkville relative to the building of a sewage disposal plant and the correction of existing sewage conditions.

The city as a whole is badly in need of a fixed plan. The State Board of Health has served warning that something will have to be done. Septic tanks are no longer considered as the correct system of disposal in soil such as we have in the City of Starkville. Dry weather will rest well with septic tanks but the winter rains will cause catastrophic conditions to become apparent.

In the city of Starkville there are seven (7) separate and distinct septic tanks. Each one a little more overloaded than its predecessor. Each one doing yeoman’s work and yet not accomplishing what needs to be done.

The cost of a city plant has not yet been named by the engineers – remember from that price will be high. A bond issue will have to be voted to take care of the building and pumping station and necessary accoutrements that it entails.

Haphazard and fly-by-nite schemes for sewage have caught up with us. We can no longer shrug our shoulders and say, “Find a cheaper way to do it.” We can no longer look for the City of Starkville to be satisfied with village facilities. We can no longer wear the same size minicipal suit. We are bursting at the seams and we need some expert tailoring. We have outgrown our sewage system and we must become reconciled to the fact that we cannot be satisfied with anything but the best. We must have something this time that we can dd to as the City grows. We must not sleep- we must vigilantly watch out for the future we must be confident of our coming growth and willing to spend to acquire it.”