Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-02-19
Improvements at winoeskl Falls.

SAo4 W AObiSC khat thS AOHS faN
jeeted enterprise for the improvement of
the water power at Winooski is taking
practical shape. A meeting to consider the
matter was held at the City Court room, in
this city, last week, which was well at
tended by many of the leading business
men of Burlington and Winooski, and the
subject was referred to a committee. con-
sisting CT Lawrence Barnes and Frederick
Smith, of Burlington, and A. j. Stevens
and Charles Lafountain, of Winooski, who
are to report at future meeting. The
largely increasing demand for motive power
for industrial purposes at that point, and
the constantly decreasing supply make these
suggested improvements for the welfare of
business imperative.
The present upper dam at Winooski is
COO feet in length, and with head and fall
of eighteen feet, supplies the power for the
Burlington Cotton Mill. the machine shop
of Edwards, Stevens 4 Co., the Winooski
Lumber Company, and the furniture manu-
factory of Doubleday, Hall & Co., besides
other works of less Importance. The dam
is old, having been constructed over sixty
years ago. 1t is now in poor and leaky
condition. and is growing worse from year
to yeaI. The supply of water in ordi-
nary times is sufficient only for the mills
now in operation, leaving nothing for the
natural growth OF business. in low water,
both in summer and winter, on account of
the leakage the mills arc often obliged
to stop work, to the.serious damage of both
proprletors and operatives, as the monthly
pay roll Of the cotton mill alone is So, 800
and the other works suffer in like proper
ton from such stoppages. To sustain
the present business of those mills. would
require the rebuilding of the dam. Largely
increased facilities, however are called for.
Mr. Earle, Of New York, the proprietor Of
the cotton mill, desires to double its work
ing capacity. which Is now 10000 spindles.
The other works are to be increased, also,
and other enterprises to be added. The
ownership Of the water power, is held
in 30 shares, Of which Edwards, Stevens s
Co hold twelve, the Cotton Mil, ten, and
the Winooski Lumber Company, eight.
These interests propose to form a new
water power company, to which the present
consumers will be required to pay rents in
proportion as they shall use the power
to be furnished. They offer to put the exist
ing water privileges into the new company
at $4,000, (Which is but the cost of two
stationary engines Of the dimensions used
By Shepard, Davis Il Coz of this city, and
to take Sl2 600 in stock of the new com
pany, the total capital stock being fixed at
SlOO, coo, which amount, or nearly this
sum, will be required to complete the pro
jected work.
Such water power companies are not new
things. Some Of the best paying stocks in
New England are Of this kind. The consent
Of all the parties at present in interest to
this arrangement has been only quite re-
Gently obtained, and our community should
second their efforts to accomplish the work.
We have heretofore set forth the main
features Of the proposed Improvements, and
need only recount them briefly. About 225
feet above the upper dam, reef Of rocks
crosses to within 5 Or loo feet Of either
bank of the river, rising to about the same
height as the present dam. Upon this
reef it is proposed to build new dam. rals-
ing the water 10 feet higher, and creating
much 'lrger mill pond above it. The head
Of the water viii thus be increased to TWEEN
ty-eight feet. and the supply will be
trebled The enlarged reservoir will have
an area Of 100 acres, and will store an in
mense supply of water.
The purchase OF tie flats to be over
flowed. will involve en- outlay Of about
$4,000. The entire cost of the improve
ment, IS estimated at 500 900. leaving a
margin Of 500 in stock. for future
contingencies. If the present water priv
ileges are worth $50 900, which is not
doubted, the increased investment will he
fully warranted, as the added $50 600 Will
increase the value Of the water power at
lea-; three fold; and considering the faulty
construction of the old iam) probably much
more than that.
The interests Of Wiuooski and Burlington
are identical, in this matter. The river
only divides Us, and in Developing the nat
ural advantages which it affords both are
to be benefited alike Through the existing
advantages. imperfectly as they have been
improved, Winooski and Burlington have
reaped rich harvest Winooski has been
built up by its mills from an insignificant
hamlet to thriving village of 5000 in
habitants Burlington IS benefited by the
| growth Of Winooski. and will share direct
ly in the increase of business and added
values to be secured by this enterprise. And
we look forward to an early day. hen in
stead Of 100000 month paid out at the
Falls, as at present, tho pay-rol,s Of the
various mills shall represent four or five
times that amount, pat into steady croala-
ton, and going to swell the volume and
profits of all other kinds of business. and
to add to the prosperity Of the whole com
]