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Recently
a city ordinance was reestablished concerning the responsibility
of pet owners to "pick up" after their pets had deposited
their "duty" in a public place. It may surprise some to
find that this ordinance was already "on the books", but
had not been enforced for many years. Modern technology has come
up with a relatively new invention to make life easier for the animal
owner. It is called the "pooper scooper." Guess what--modern
technology is again reverting to an old remedy. The above photo
on left is dated 1909-1913. It
shows Alden B. (Hookey) Jackson, who was employed for many years
by the city, operating a rather primitive "pooper scooper"
in front of the Bardwell Hotel on Washington Street . He was Rutland
's pioneer "Whitewing". Apparently the title came from
the white sanitation uniform he wore while performing his duties
as a street sweeper. Remember, at this time horses were the main
mode of transportation! His average pay during these years was $400
per year or $1.50 per day.
From
the Rutland Herald of October 19,
1929: Pioneer Whitewing Whose Abode was Streetcar,
is Dead
Alden
B. "Hookey" Jackson, Rutland 's pioneer "Whitewing"
is dead. The 72 year-old retired city employee died at Rutland Hospital
yesterday morning, following an illness of a few weeks. His 10-year
old son, Elroy W. Jackson, whom he had supported during the past
few years by the sale of shoestrings and pencils, was by his side
when death came. He had been living in an old trolley car, remodeled
into a two-room house on Strongs Avenue near the corner of River
Street .
Jackson
was one of Rutland 's first street cleaners.
He was born in Mount Holly on August 6, 1857 ,
son of Mr. & Mrs. Sanford Jackson. He
lost his arm when very young and derived the name "Hookey"
from the fact that he had a hook at the end of an artificial arm.
He is survived by one brother, Walter Jackson. Funeral services
will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Salvation Army
Hall.
There
was a very interesting letter from Johnnie Francis, who remembers
many interesting facts about Rutland 's past as well as more information
about Hookey Jackson.
Hookey
Jackson cleaned the Rutland streets with a partner, Jack Howard.
They used the large metal barrel on two wagon wheels as was shown
in the picture a couple of weeks ago. Rutland also had a very large
metal tank full of water, on four wheels that was pulled by two
horses. This water was sprayed on the streets to keep the dust down.
(see picture, tank on right, from postcard dated 1904). They also
had a horse-drawn "plow" to clear the sidewalks. According
to city records, Hookey worked for the city until 1913. There is
no record of him after that date. He apparently went to work for
the Davis Feed Co. on Post Street . City records indicate that Jack
Howard remained with the city and was caretaker of the city dump
on Gleason Road .
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