City Scavengers

PLAY AUDIO

Frank Smith and George T. Tuders were the owners of Smith & Tuders, City Scavengers, located at 500 West Douglas. At the turn of the last century, city scavengers were responsible for many of the more dirty jobs around the city. The scavengers were responsible for collecting the trash from houses and businesses, collecting the dead animals off the streets, managing the stray dog population, and, since there was no sewer system, cleaning the many out-houses and cesspools. They also advertised in the newspaper that they wanted dead horses and cattle to haul free of charge. Many of these malodorous items ended up on the island of Elba. This small, sand island was located on the Arkansas River south of Douglas Avenue past the Maple Street Bridge. In the summer, when the wind blew from the southwest, which it often does, it could be smelled downtown.