Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-09-01

about 10 inch stroke; the pumps are 10
inches in diameter and about 10 inch stroke,
working 100 strokes per minute, and forcing
800 gallons of wafer per minute to the new
reservoirs, If necessary, it could he worked
readily to 400 gallons, giving the new rescr-
voirs $40, 600 gallons of water every "a hours.
The engines are so constructed that one or
the other is always in motion, thereby fore
ing continuous stream of water through an
8 inch pipe 0,6OO feet long, elevating the
water about 1870 feet above the top of the
water in the old reservoirs By using this
kind of pump, the city is enabled to con
meet with this pipe for all consumers of water
in the upper portion of the city, thereby saw
ing the expense of laying, as is generally
done, what is called forcing main aud a
supplying main Everything in connection
with the pump house and engine room is in
the most perfect order, and reflects great
credit on the gentleman having charge of
this department, MIR. Isaac Strain. The "a
pacity of the new reservoirs is about one and
n quarter million gallons of water The
square ON which ii is built is sufficient to
contain four reservoirs of the size of those
now there, and leave room for cart road
all around the foot of the basin banks, being
470 feet by $50 inside of the building lines.
Our citizens are greatly indebted 10 the
able and efficient Chairman of the Watering
Committee, Joseph NJ. Pusey, Esq, for bring
ing about this much needed Improvement
As member of the Watering Committee. he
has devoted much time and labor to acquant
himself with the wants of the community,
and make such improvements as were essen
tial to the welfare of the public A scarcity
of water in some parts of our city was Il mat
ter of complaint some years ago but since
the new reservoirs have been constructed
this want has been supplied, and there snow
no part of Wilmington where an abundance
of water cannot be had, either for manulac
turing or household purposes.
THE HISTORY OF THE HILL.
The hill in the vicinity of the new reservoir
is place of some historical renown The
beautiful grounds now owned by Charles W.
Rowland, formerly belonged to Dr. Tilon,
an officer in the Revolutionary army, and IN
intimate friend of General Washington 1t
was then called Federal Hill, Opposite is
the house formerly occupied by Caesar A,
Rodney, a signer of the Declaration of lnde
pendence. 1t is called "Cool Spring, and
ia now in the occupancy Of Thomas NJ Rod
ney, Esq, Collector of the Port of Whining
ton. Below Mr.. Howland's property is the
residence and farm of the late DR. George
Pepper Norris This property was once
spoken of as a site for the National Capitol
and it is more than probable would have hecn
chosen for that purpose, but for the offer OF
| Virginia and Maryland 10 cede to the General
Government the land embraced in the District
| of Columbia A committee from Congress
viewed the premises and were favorably i'm
pressed with il, and the matter was brought
to the attention of Congress, but was defeated
by the interpOsition of the circumstance noted
above, by II small majority. The front of
this property runs along the Old Kings Road,
which in the days when Kings and Princes
ruled the land, was the great highway OF
travel Along this route the old, ponderous
mail-cosch used to run, bearing the mails and
passengers between the South and North
The Jack shephards of that day have often
loitered by the way side to ply their vilainous
profession, and where now the honest farmer
sows his grain, was once the hiding place
! of the thief and robber. A little 6irthar on
stands the Aims House, quite largs and
beautiful building The grounds belonging
to this building were presented TO the County
by Friend named John Stapler and build
ing was erected on il of small dimensions
| in 1893. On the goth of March, 1904, half.
witted boy, who was employed in picking
oakum in one of the upper rooms, set it on
fire, and before the flames could be extin-
guished, the entire edifce was destroyed 1t
was rebuilt Immediately, and considerably
enlarged II was several times improved, by
the addition of new buildings, until ii con
tanned ample accommodations for all thai
unfortunate class who applied for admission
Subsequently the barn attached to the Aim
House was destroyed at an early hour in the
morning. 1t burned with great fury, despite
the efforts of the firemen to extinguisl the
flames, and it was with the greatest difficulty
that they were prevented from communioa
ting to the other buildings On the cad day
of August, 1850, about II O'Clock in the nom
ing, the alarm of fire was given, and ii wa
discovered TINT the Aims House was ON fire
The tiremen used every exertion 10 stay tn
progress of the devouring element, but all /
no purpose, as the fire ragged until the Who'll
edifiee was destroyed. The present cdihc
was erected on the spot, and is credit I
the County. Frederick Craig, printer, IN
at one time publisher of the Gazette an
Watchmdn, was Superintendent of the Ain
, House for many years.
THE OLD CROSS KEYS.
On the Kennett Turnpike, where unit
within few years stood an old stone editic
known as the "Cross Keys, " now is a verdal
field. The old place was purchased year
two ago, by our enterprising friend, j. 7
Heald, ESQ.,, and torn down. There is sutl
/ eient connected with the history of this Hot
to make very interesting book. Here HI
been the scene of many bacchanalian reve
of brswls and fights, and midnight orgie
!, Here political parties assembled in days gon
If by to arrange their plans and schemes. Mar
If political aspirant has there pulled the wir
: that placed him in official position. son
years ago there was law passed by the Ci
e Council, which forbid Circus exhibition
Is within the limits of the city. The result W
4, that the travelling shows were compelled
l. go outside, and the Cross Keys present,
IF great advantages for such exhibitions TT
= grounds were extensive, the stabling ampl
ID and as consequence, all the Circus man