The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-12-16
ITO the Editor of the Epanspille Journal:

wish, through your paper, TO call atten-
,ion TO matter of very considerable impor-
lance to the City of Evansville and to all per-
sons owning real estate below and along Divi
sion street. =
Extending IN the Canal basin in Divis-
ion street, wn through Texas and Lamasco.
there is broad deep ravine, the bottom Of
which is from fifteen to twenty feet below the
average heighth Of the ground on each side
Ii drains several thousands of acres of ground,
which must always be drained by culvert
passing under the canal at the basin. From
that point TO the Ohio river, along Division
street, is about 1000 feet, and TO Pigeon Creek,
by the present course of the ravine, about 1000
feet. Some time, aud before great many
years, il will be necessary TO constructs sewer
TO conduct the water from the point where il
passes under the canal to the river or the creek
1t will also be necessary 10 fill up the ravine,
because there is large amount of property,
between Pigeon creek and the canal basin,
which is inundated BY the back waters from
the river, 10 the depth of from to 10 feet
This cannot, Of course, be done Immediately.
1t will be done by small portions at time as
the increase Of population and business may
render it necessary; and propose for the con-
sideration of those who are concerned, wha:
conceive to be the only practicable plan OF
doing it. propose it now because portion
of the work (viz: the construction OF sewer
and part Of the embankmen) may be done
next summer, cheaper and more conveniently
than ever afterwards. The greatest difficulty
will be 10 get the earth to fill the ravine, and
there is no way in which il can be procured
but by cutting down water street, from main
street to the mouth of Pigeon, TO common
level one foot nine inches above high water in
the river, and reducing the other streets 10 a
regular grade from the canal 10 water street.
y This will furnish sufficient earth not only TO
fill the rayine, but also to improve the river
bank; and the grade of the streets running back
from the river (below division) will be such
as TO conduct the water from the canal direct
ly to the river.
Ii Water street from main 10 division is cut
down to one foot nine inches above the high
water Of 1892, 1.-THE same as that above main)
the unfinished portion of the city wharf from
main TO division) can be completed without
the earth TO be taken out of sycamore, vine
aud division, amounting to about eight thou
sand cubic yards. This earth must be remov-
ed, and it may be used in the wharf. or the
wharf can be as well constructed without it.
aud cheaper by 100000. 1t can be used in
filling the ravine in division and third streets
for less money. by z or cents per yard, than
it will cost if put in the wharf Placed in thu
wharf. it will eventually be paid for by reven-
lie from the wharf, bat if disposed Of in the
} other way suggested, no revenue will Be de-
; rived from it. Now, what shall be done with
sl il?
= propose that the corporate authorities OF
Evansville and Lamasco. adopt the grade above
proposed for water street aud all streets run
ming into il below division. Let this be set,
tied and permanent regulation, and all future
durable and valuable improvements will b.
made 10 conform TO it, and no person will suf-
fer any considerable Inconvenience or injury
from it. Then construct sewer, of brick
from the canal basin along the upper side OF
division street, TO the river, of sufficient capa
city to pass freely all the water that now pass
es under the canal through the culvert, as well
as the water from the adjacent property above
and below division streel-at the same time
BY cutting down the high and filling up the
low places in division aud reduce it TO the
same level from first street to the canal and Of
T the same heighth as the top of the water in the
canal; also raise third street across the rayinr
TO the high ground below division.
The following is an estimate of the cost
:, which is probably greater than the actual cos
4 will be.
Embankment 10 raise Division
and Third streets TO a level
with he water in the canal and
GO feet wide at top. $1,000 yds
L OF which there can be procured
r. From Sycamore, vine and
division, between first
and water, about SJ0O yds.
n From other parts OF dlvis-
ion and vine, and from
{ first, second and third HOO"
II 1900
Deduct for shrinkage lOprct 1910 1880 =
u Leaving TO be procured from lots 704O
Suppose the average cost of excavation anc
embankment 10 be Is cents per cubic yard, the