Martinsburg weekly independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1873-1875, 1874-08-22

1850 aufTi5 tHS EECtHJ t4C4JeInPnt
over the synching OF Taliferro,
we weSe pleased to find in our
midst Mr.. Alex. Fulton. who is ON
| the editorial staff of the live, reli-
able Baltimore American. Mr..
Fulton made up quite a lengthy
and systematic report, and did his
business thoroughly, even 80 the
muttered prayer of the convict.
We are very glad that Mr.. Fulton
kept his eyes open while here, no
ticing not only our improvements
but our needs. After getting thro'
with Talifero, he speaks as fol-
lows:
IMPROVEMENTS IN MARTI NsBURG
Turning to more agreeable SUBJ
jects, / find that since a former
visit to this thrifty little town that
it has been making considerable
progress In the march of improve
ment Within the last two years
gas works have been established,
and now the town is we'll lighted
and begins to assume at night the
appearance of city. But the
greatest improvement Of all is its
WATER WORKS,
on the celebrated Holly system,
which has put the city in possess
sion of an abundant supply of the
finest water, and and given them
degree of protection against dis
asters from fire which they never
knew before. This locality is ia
nous for its beautiful springs,
which have their inexhaustible
sources ofsupply in the mountains,
and one of these springs, known as
the "boiling spring." furnishes an
amount of pure, cold water, fully
equal to all the demands of pop
ulation of 10000, five times the
number of that which it has at
present. The water of this grand
spring for years ran to waste, SO to
speak, emptying into the Tusca
rora river, but now, through the
very moderate outlay of only
about 800, 900 (the cost all told the
town is well supplied with drink
ing water hydrants, whilst fire
plugs are scattered through all the
streets, from each of which four to
six streams of water can be thrown
to the height of 125 feet This in
genious process, which, without
the cost of reservoirs, is capable of
furnishing such head of water, is
certainly a grand thing for a small
town. The motive power for
these Holly pumps" is furnished
by the Tuscarora river. Talking of
the advantages which Martinsburg
now possesses in her abundant
supply of water, all procured at
total cost of only 100000, ] am
reminded that this community has
certainly one other cause of con-
graduation. So far, / think, Mar
tinsburg must be a town
WITHOUT A "MUNICIPAL RING"
otherwise it would have been quite
impossible to build water works,
lay trenches and pipes for ninety
thousand dollars. Whilst, there
fore. / am sorry they have got
"lynchers up here, | am really
glad that so far they have pretty
we'll escaped the infiiction Of mu-
nicipal rings.
FAIR GROUNDS.
l must not forget to say word
also in reference to the very fine
fair grounds just on the outskirts
of the town, belonging to the Ber-
kelley County Agricultural Society,
comprising some thirty-four acres,
all in good condition, well enclos ID
and supplied with stock sheds,
grand stands, &c. A ride around
the track affords a splendid view
of the town and the surrounding
country, which it overlooks for
miles in every direction. The an
nual fair will be held here from
the 9Th to the 18th of September,
and preparations for the gathering,
which will be very large, are now
in progress. 1t is hoped that the
oranges of the two adjoining coun-
ties of Jefferson and Morgan will
unite in this undertaking, and
thus making it in the future a
greater success than ever. The
Cumberland Valley Railroad,
which terminates at present at
Martinsburg, it is expected, will
bring a number contributions to
the forthcoming fair, as well as an
immense number of people. Bal
timore and Maryland will also be
represented here. / must not for
get to add that all the public inn
provements noted at Martinsburg,
were projected during the admin
istration ofex- Mayor A. p. Shut,