For fear of cholera, a drain is contracted.

by Lisa Y. Henderson

In March 1873, the Messick pond was ordered surveyed and drained in the general cleaning up made in fear of the appearance of cholera. The contract for building a sewer or drain, with twelve-inch hard clay pipe, was awarded to Jennings Larter for twenty-nine cents a cubic yard.  

From History of Lawrence and Monroe Counties, Indiana, B.F. Bowen & Co.