Those are privies hanging over the Fox River and you know what dropped from them into the water. Note the algae bloom on the lower left where the river was most stagnant--it would have been bright green and smelled of methane. There is paper floating in it, too. From the hedge apples hanging from trees on the right shore I take it the time of year was September: hot enough for the brick warehouse on the left to open its windows despite the smell. Underneath the bridge you can see more waste pouring into the water. What an idyllic scene it is if you don't go into details.

Could this be the same view? http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/95037021.jpg