The weekly Columbian., 1857-02-07
OFFICE c.. & S. r. WATER Co., J.
January 3Oth, 1857.

10 THE STOCKHOLDERS OF THE G.. &
S. Il. WATER Co.
GENTLEMEN You have been called
together at this early day to be presented
with brief summary of what has been,
$" far, accomplished of our great under
taking. accomplished Notwithstanding the
unfavorable circumstances under which
we have labored and also to devise
measures to facilitate and expedite our
future progress towards the consumation
of our desires, so that there may be in fu-
ture none of those periodical drawbacks
to the prosperity of oul mining popula--
ton, consequent on a dry season; it
would have given me much satisfaction
to have laid before you full and accu-
rate statement of our past operations and
present position, to this however great
difficulties present themselves, as YOU
may readily perceive. being quite aware
that there has been an immense amount
of labor expended on the upper line on
which | have, as yet, received no ret4rn ;.
l will however give you an imperfect ac-
count of what has been done during the
past year.
The tunnel has been driven, reckon
ing both sides, up to this time some four
teen hundred feet, which leaves but about
eleven hundred feet to be pierced, and
here it behooves me to tell you of an un-
avoidable accident which occurred at tho
north end, thereby causing detention Of
some three weeks. This was the caving
in Of the open cut and the filling of that
end ofthe tunnel with water, occasioned
by heavy rains. am happy to be able
to state however that the damage has
been repaired aud everything put once
more in good working order, SO that there
is no fear of the recurrence Of so unfor-
tunate an accident. The tunnelers are
now running nearly six feet every twenty
four hours at each end, making twelve
feet per day, which is timbered as it is
taken out and as, from the nature of the
rock, there is no occasion to anticipate
that the centre of the mountain will be-
come much harder we may reasonably
expect that continuance of the skill and
industry, already exhibited by our work
men will accomplish the completion Of
this, the most arduous and difficult portion
of our works, by the beginning Of May
next, unless some unforeseen obstacle
should supervene, which however we
have no present cause to dread.
The excavation on the upper line is all
under contract and large amount OF it
completed, the fumes are also progress
ing satisfactorily, the timber required for
these as well as the tunnel, is being
speedily hewn out, so as not to detain the
main work saw mills have been erected
at two of the most favorable locations OF,
the line, and having already commenced
operations, will be prepal ed, as soon as
Spring opens to continue saving lumber
of which they will cut at least forty thou
sand feet pei day; SO that there will be
no stoppage of the work until our ditch
is ready to run, what, not only we, but
the entire community are SO earnestly
praying Sor, constant stream of water.
The damon the main fork must be by
this time completed, as there has been.
| and is now, company Of men to wolk
| at it, and we have full confidence that,
although shw in by the snow, from the
observation and superintendent of your
officers, they will not relax their efforts
to work increasingly for the benefit ofthe
Company, until the dam is finished, when
they will get out timber for fumes, till,
such time as the spring warmth shall re-
lease them from their voluntary impris-
onment.
The lower line has also engaged tho
attention of your Board Of Trustees, it,
having been deemed necessary to enlarge
it, in order to carry the large stream of
water, which will be conveyed by the
upper ditch A great part of this has
been already done and the small remain
der will be easily performed when op-
portunity offers. The planking required
by the lower fumes has been contracted
for and is ready and we only wait for ia
vorable roads to convey it to its destina-
ton.
Want of time precludes my presenting
you with full and minute statement of
the financial concerns of the Compsny,
but l must inform you that in this respect
we have not suffered more Inconvenience
than the exceeding scarcity of money
during the past few months has entailed
on business men and companies generally,
and that the increase of our indebtedness
over the amount stated in my last report
is but moderate of this correct account
will be prepared for your consideration
at our approaching annual meeting.
Having thus given you brief sketch of
our past proceedings. | now turn to the
consideration of the best means of COM
pleting our work in the shortest time and
the most economical method at our COM
mand.