The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-04-19


ing is based upon the theory thatun-
derneath the sand bars of the Ohio
river are beds of gravel, growing larger
in size as you descend. It is said
whenever sand bars have been opened
or bored into, this theory is con-
frrned Mr.. John jeffrey, Of. Cincin-
cinnati, a practical civil. engineer, who
has erected many of the gas works in
the West and South, is the originator
of the plan He demonstrated its
feasibility by putting it into operation
on a small scale at the Cincinnati gas
works, some years ago.
The plan contemplates the sinking
of a tunnel in a bed of the sand bar
opposite the city, say SIX feet in dame
ter, ten feet below the low water line
of the river, running under the sand
bar such a distance as may be neces-
sary to secure a sufficient supply Of
water, the brick to be laid without ce-
ment at the ends. On the shore end
of the, tunnel engine houses. are to be
erected, with an iron tank at the top,
into which the water is pumped by
direct and perpendicular lift. aa .
Ii From this tank, which is high
enough for that purpose, the water
will flow by its own gravity into the
third stories ofthe houses in the city,
or higher if it should be thought adj
visable, and into a reservoir if one
should be found, necessary. The
water Of the river percolating through.
the immense body Of sand and gravel,
and the interstices of the brick work,
win furnish constant supply. Of
clear, cool, delicious water, free from
mud, insects and all other impurities. Z
Some persons have suggested that
There would be danger that il. ex-s
treme low water, a sufficient amount
might not penetrate the mass of sand
and gravelx filter TO, the pumps. To
obviate any possible danger, Mr.. JEFF
frey proposes to take the precaution
of inserting a pipe under the
foundations Of the engine house, and
lead it out to the running water cham
mel of the Ohio, which pipe being pro-
yided with a valve inside the engine.
house, can be opened, if required, to
let in water, which will onlybe at ex-
IRENE low water, when the water is
clear, and no detriment will occur
from using unfltered water. When
the river rises this valve can be
closed, and an abundant supply of |
water may be depended on coming
through the filter when the water is
up over it. ~ i
For the information Of our readers,
we subjoin- the following estimated |
cost of construction of water-works
for Covington, KY, as calculated byl
Mr.. jeffrey. Mr.. Chandler read a let
ter from Mr.. j., in which he stated
that the costsof similar works in Ey4
ansville, with the advanced. price of |
all articles used, would not exceed
$150,000 The estimate for that city
is as follows: Sesa hhs0 = HUad
1880 lineal feet of distributing
pipes, laid in streets, including ~
also so plugs, cocks, flushing
valves, stop valves, DC. ............ $68, 600 90
$3.50 l3Heai of ma in p04Yf91TfsF
Pipes, leading from Reservoir. IL $50 90 /
Fire-prOof Engine House, with
Tunnel foundations, &c..-.... 49, 1900 90 /
:, thesaIne. 50
Ions, Valves, Pipes, &c............. 10000 90
gether with all other articles
feTT 'wl''Tilr'.f''1."I yTff1l 33geVg y /
Total $50 90
In making the above estimate, Mr..
j. states that they are for the most i
substantial and permanent work; and, +
as before said, he backs up his pro-
fessional opinion by offering to CON
tract for the construction Of such
work at the above-named figures. It'll
has been suggested that our city will
not require reservoir, which will re-
duce the price $40, 900, so that, ac-
cording to the above, the cost of SUCH
work in Evansville, without. the re-
seryoir, will fab far short Of $3.50, 600.
RSr Two of the night policemen
have been placed on special duty,
having orders to search out all places
where filth is thrown. contrary to the
city ordinances, and cause all such Of
tenders to be prosecuted. Tt is the
intention TO thoroughly cleanse the