The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1871-11-09
COMMUNICATION,

COMMUNICATION.
EDIToRs CoURIER:-ln company
with Councilman P. q. Ballingall and
Carey Inskeep, have been on visit
to Peoria, Ill.,, for the purpose of IN
specting their water works, and to
get what information l could in 70
gard to what is known as the "Holly
System"
Through the manipulations of the
irrepressible P. g. B. and the kind.
ness Of the officers of the Burlington
and Missouri River, and Chicago,
Burlington and Quincy railroads, we
were generously furnished with pass,
es from this city to Peoria and we
desire, right here, to return thanks
to the officers of these excellent
roads for the kindness thus shown US
We left this city at 5 o'clock
Thursday morning, arriving at PEG,
ria at half past one p. m. same day,
Having been kindly furnished with a
letter Of introduction to the agent Of
the express company at Peoria, by
NJ. A. Pinny, Esq, the popular and
obliging agent at this place. upon
our arrival at Peoria we made our
way (after refreshing the inner man
at the table Of "mine host" of the
Peoria House) to the Office of the OK.
press company, where we found Mr.
belong (the agent) up 10 his eyes
In business but who generously pro
posed to render US all the assistance
in his power in accomplishing the OBJ
ject of our visit.
In company with Mr.. belong We
went to tho Office of the Superinten.
dent of Water Works, where we were
introduced to Superintendent Mat.
son, Mr.. Quinn, City Attorney, Mr.
GULL, Supt. of Police, and other Off
Gals whose names l connot remem
Der.
Mayor Barker (whom we found te
be very agreeable gentleman, } wal
not in his Office, and we were unable
to make his acquaintance until Fri
day morning. After very pleasant
conversation with Supt. Natson, ant
the other gentleman named, and afte,
getting what information we coult
at the Office of the Superintendent
it was proposed that we visit tn,
water works for further lnvestiga
ton.
Seating ourselves in one of Peoria,
commodious street cars, we soor
found ourselves at the place of oul
destination and we're ushered int
a magnificent building, located abou
three hundreds yards from Peori,
Lake; and in which is located al
the motive power that moves an,
operates Peoria's grand and magnifi
cent system ofwater works.
| l will not attempt to describe tn
machinery which wo found in US
there suffice it to say, it is gran,
IN the extreme An idea of the mag
nitude Of their works may bo ha,
when l say they have -
! II Boiler (Holly's patent vertical
Z feet diameter; 500 tubes, 100 hors
power.
2 Boilers IS inches diameter /
feet long, IS tubes, 100 horse power
2 Steam Engines coupled at RICH
; angles, Is inches cylinder, 80 inche
stroke.
! Rotary steam engine, $50 hors
power.
i 3 No. 10 rotary pumps, IL inche
suction pipes.
l No. 2 rotary pump, 10 inche
suction pipe.
They have in Peoria, as will
seen, very extensive works, whic
, cost them quite large sum Of NOR
!, ey and must admit, that when
first examined their works, an
learned the cost, almost despaire
of ever getting water works in GU
city. But upon further investigs
ton, became satisfied that machir
cry of sufficient capacity for Ottum
wa could be obtained and put in 70
q great deal less money.
| Ground for the erection of tn
Peoria Water Works was first brok
en- in July, 1868; and in July, 1866
the first general test of the work
was made; "When o stream Of waite
was thrown over the spire of one o
churches, one hundred and fifty fee
high" This stream was throw
through II inch nozzle, and from
a hydrant nearly two miles from tn
works, and at an elevation of ninety
four feet above the pumps.
At the same time stream was
being thrown (of the same size) from
q hydrant located at distance O
two blocks from the other.
At final test later in the same
month, eleven streams were thrown
at one time, on one street, and they
were all thrown higher than the
highest building, which reached ar
attitude of one hundred and tfty feet
Well may Peorians regard Gas they
do) their water works as o solid inn
provement; and the beneficial effects
of this improvement is felt, not only
in the health and convenieDces of the
citizens, but in an abatement of the
rates of insurance, and the security
it gives the city against danger from
fire.
was informed by Superintendent,
Matson and others, that the rate Of
| insurance was reduced 35 per cent
by the building of the water works
and that they feared no fire of any
magnitude, inasmuch ss they felt
sure that, with the facilities they had
they were able to eubdue any fire be-
fore any considerable damage could
be done thereby.
found in my consultation with
the men who instituted the works in
Peoria, and with other citizens, that
the project met with decided oppo.
sition when first introduced, in fact
the people were almost unanimously
opposed to the project. But in all
the conversation l had while in the
city (and l talked with great many
leading mon, other than city officials)
| was unable to find a man who
would be willing to dispense with
tho GHnllx, Watar Workep FIR .,r