The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1871-04-15
WATER WORKS.
a Feasible Project-Nssural Advantage
Probable Cost of the Work.

No oity in the Mississippi Valley ia more
favored by nature or capable of greater re-
suits than Rock Island. Situated right in
the heart of the nation, with the govern
ment spending millions of dollars to make
it the central point of its armament, 1t is
commanding more attention than any OF the
great marts OF the country. We are not
unduly enthusiastic when we predict for it
future of which its present importance is
but a faint glimmering. This is conceded
by all strangers, who on visiting this section
are surprised at what they see, and is firmly
believed by all citizens, who are familiar
with the growth and magnitude Of Eastern
manufacturing places and have given g
thought to the capabilities that are here,
only awaiting time and energetic work to
| develope Rock Island 10 ell the Importance
of Pittsburg, for those manufactures thai
require muscular power, aud of Philadel
phia for educated mechanical skill.
Foreseeing these things, as all must, it il
but good management that citizens take ad
vantage of every new enterprise that vii
tend to hasten the results desired, and to be
prepared for those things that will become g
necessity when the city shall double it's size
which at best cannot exceed five years. Ia
our opinion, very important, and whs'
Unnin hn Me m IA
ton, for not only Rock Island, but Moline
and Camden Mills, is a Union Water Works.
This is no new project, as many will remem
| Der of its being preached five years ago By
Mr.. Alex. Steele, and by him and others
urged at that time and since. At his sug
gestion we have visited several localities, fol
the purpose Of presenting the subject intel
ligently, and are prepared to demonstrate
that the project is certainly worthy of con
siderAtion. None, perhaps, will question
the desirability of having Water Works tina
will supply the three cities with fresh water
taking it into every house and work shop
and making it available in case If FIRE.
The 6rst questions perhaps are, what vii
it cost, and will it pay? No one at all &C
qusinted with our surrounding bluffs vi
ask where can reservoir with near avAila
bic water be built. Directly back of Blae
Hawks Tower, nature, ss if foreseeing tn
necessity of supplying its hundreds of thor
sands of people with water, has constructs
a natural reservoir, with an elevation suff
Client TO carry water to any desirable heigh
while right at its base flows Rock Rive
By q little attention to this spot one will reaC
lily see that water can be elevated to this re
ervoir without any of the costly maohiner,
SO expensive to operate as has been put
operation at Peoria, and which it is no
proposed to set in motion in Dayenpor
| while the river applies the water, and give
! US the power of raising it. That it will pa
in the matter Of dollars and cents is only
J question of time, even if there is any que
tion about its paying now. The convenient
30 every family and every establishment
the city, and the protection to property al
especially to our immense manufacture
establishments in cases of fre, are matte
that cannot he estimated, but as the eli
grows, as it certainly must, when the int
vening space between this city and Il
bluffs and Camden is filed with residence
will make the rental pay for the works, an
even now would pay the full interest on ii
, investment.
We only present these points as sugge
e tons, for the purpose of bringing the matt
before the public, satisfied that it will
productive of some good. There may
!. other plans more feasible, less costly 81
more acceptable, and we shall be pleased
s hear from any one who may be interested
s q subject which must be Of 30 much impc
g lance TO every citizen.