Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1873-03-12
Drive Wells.

A Jew years ago an Eastern man in
vented a plan by which well could be
obtained by simply driving of the tree
down into the soil. The process is
thus described: ......H
Upon one end of an iron tube about
two inches in diameter there is attach
ed an iron point, of which the portion
next to the tube is somewhat larger
than the tube, SO that when driven into
the ground it makes hole through
which the tube easily follows. In the
sides of the tubes numerous holes are
| punched for about two feet above the
point, and around the tube, and cover
ing the holes, is wrapped and soldered
in place a piece of wire gauze or strain
er. To the other end of this wire is
attached double nut, so that another
piece of pipe may be screwed in
to it. The tubes without the
joint and strainer are Of various
lengths, so that as many feet may be
attached to the joint az is desired. A
common pump, either iron or wooden,
is then provided, and you are ready to
{" drive tube WELL" If you want the
pump in the house you bore hole of
suitable size and thrust "the point "
through it into the ground. Placing a
board over the upper end of the pipe,
you then drive into the earth with
sledge or axe, and when down nearly to
the floor you attach other pieces until
you have driven deep enough. In sink
ing q well out OF doors it is customary
to dig a small pit for greater conye-
nience in driving.
In the soft, loose soil OF the western
States this invention has already been
made to play an important part. In
report of the progress of the Atchison,
! Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad we find
the following about the "drlve wells:"
Il GA novel but highly successful ex-
pedient has been adopted by MIR.
Criley, Superintendent of the con-
struction of the Atchison, Topeka and
Santa F'e Railroad Company, for sup
plying his boarding trains and track
layers with pure cold water. Providing
himself with three drive wells, he
placed one at the end of the track and
the others along the line in advance,
one mile apart. An experienced wei
| driver was obtained in HUTCHINSON, and
| he contracted to take up, carry forward,
and drive again two pumps per Gay,
removing one after the morning supply
was obtained at the boarding train,
and carving it forward one
mile beyond the farthest pump. Al
ter dinner, for which the train moves
| forward one mile to the next pump,
this pump is carried forward again to
the front; and thus the men are con-
stantly and cheaply supplied with fresh
water. Excepting few miles OF the
line between Cow Greek, one hundred
miles west of this place, where the
road leaves the valley and cuts oil a
bend in the Arkan as, striking 1t at
Fort Dodge again, these pumps can be
driven all the way to the state line, a
distance of $50 miles. What other
railroad in the world can boast OF
similar advantage, and where is there
so long row of pumps
/ We have not met with anyof these
new pumps in the East. OF course 1t
will require that the water basin should
lie in loose sand or gravel Where, as
in many instances, we have to bore or
blast through rock, no advantage is to
be derived from this principles; but
there are many places, especially IN
many parts of New Jersey, where
pump driving, instead of welI-dlgg1ng,
ought to save a great expenditure OF
! time and money. tr-