Grass Valley telegraph., 1858-05-29
Water wOrs<s-Protection Against Fire

On Thursday last, Capt. Hotalling treated
our citizens to show of the power and eff
cheney of the water works recently compile
ted by him for the protection of the town
from fire. The result of the trial was most
completely satisfactory, and demonstrated
beyond doubt, the utter impossibility that
any fire could possibly make headwey
against such perfect deluge OF opposition,
as these works will enable our citizens
to bring against it. The pipe used on the
occasion was very imperfect and unsuita-
!ble one, yet it threw a fve-eighth stream
over every building within range of the
works, which are extended so as to protect
all the business parts of the town, above
Boston Ravine. The hose was taken to the top
Of Edwards & Brady's Brick Block, on Mill
street, and from that elevation threw
stream of water upon Cady's Stable upon
the opposite side Of the street.
The water was running for nearly three
hours, and the reservoir was lowered only
about six inches. Tbs reservoir, when full
ds nine feet deep, and the logs are capable Of
feeding three if not four inch pipes, all play
ing at the same time, at least ten hours
Hydrants are placed at intervals of every
200 feet throughout the principal Streets
With such deluge Of water as could thus
be brought, almost instantly, to bear upon
fire, it is idle to talk about the chances of
-~-kAnsiuA- AAnAn grotinn Thnsa VA
ter works will, as we have ever said they
against fire.
Several citizens from Nevada, who were
present and witnessed the trial of these
works, declared that with that water the
fire at Nevada might have been arrested,
even after half the city had been destroyed
One thing only now remains for our citi-
Zens to do, and that is to take some meas.
ures to avail themselves of this protection
from fire, now brought to their very doors
Capt. Hotaling has gone on and constructed
these works at great expense, on an abso
lutte contract with our citizens to pay him a
certain amount Of money on their comple-
tion, and delivery to the town. For Some
reason or other, this money, except a very
small amount, has never been paid over or
even collected. Capt. b. having paid for
them and being perfectly able to hold them,
has never said but little about the matter,
preferring that the citizens should take their
own time, even if they are little slow, and
not altogether up to their contract
The calamity which has just again visited
our neighboring city of Nevada, has served
however to wake up our citizens anew, to a
slight sense of their danger, and as will be
noticed. call has been issued for public
meeting to be held THIS EVENING, at
Parker's Hall, On Mill street, for the pur-
pose of taking some measure to secure the
advantages which are now presented them
for protection against fire.
We do hope there is interest enough felt,
at this particular juncture, to call out full
meeting this evening. We have talked and
writteR about this thing until it is worn
thread-bare, and we trust that THIS ap-
peal will be sufficient. Come out to night,
every man in Grass Valley who can possibly
leave bis business, and chow by your pres
ence that you feel some interest in the safety
Of the town, even if you have 10 money to
give. We understand that Capt. 81. S.ill be
present and make an entirely new PROPOSE
mon to our citizens, and one the immediate
compliance with which is within the reach
of all, Now is the time to act. Let the
still smoking and blackened ruins of Nevada
be warning that you have not moments
time for delay.