Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1879-11-26
WATER WORKS FOB SURE.
The VgGrk Oa the Reservoir B. gun d
EaEnes+.


From short tour of personal obser-
walton, we are prepared to assert with
positiveness that the question of water
works for Knoxville is assuming
shape that takes it out of the line of
idle fancies and mere speculation, and
places it in the light of stern reality.
OF this fact, a simple glance at the
operations in progress is all that is
necessary to satisfy any one.
Happening incidentally to meet up
yesterday evening with Mr.. Peter
Staub, one of the Water Works Com
missioners, who, in his official
capacity, takes a live interest in all the
operations, we were kindly given in
the first place, glance at the plans
and specifications, of the proposed
works, at the Office Of McDonough &
Co., the contractors, In the Opera
House building; then we were given a
view of the reservoir site, and what is
being done there.
This site, as most of our readers
know, is located on the Fahne-
stock property, which ia on
the summit Of the hill, in
East Knoxville, above Temperance
Hill. The reservoir site occupies a
whole square, and is on the crowning
point of the hill, just in rear of the
residence of Mr.. Jno. B. TuIley. It
was occupied by two small houses,
AID cultivated lots. One of the houses
has already been torn away; the other,
in one corner of the square, is to
be taken away right at once.
Last week force of hands
was employed several days, clear
ing off rubbish, grading eff the
grounds, etc., and Saturday, Col.
Lockett, of the University, the newly
selected engineer of the company, was
engaged, with the assistance of his
class, and made partial survey, which
is to be completed, as the Colonel finds
time from his University duties. Yes.
terday morning, however, bright and
early, the work on the excavation was
begun in real earnest, and when we
made cur observations, good start
had been made, and matters looked
decidedly business-like.
Alderman Lawson Irwin, a reliable
and responsible colored man OF our
city, has the contract for making the
excavation. He went to work with
about twenty hands, and his force will
be increased as the ex gencies demand.
1t is mammoth JOB of dirt moving
but Alderman Irwin is man OF push
and energy, and he will put it through
and make good job of it. Mr.. Nc
DonoCgh, the contractor, also gives
his personal attention 10 the super
vision.
The dimensions Of the reservoir will
be about 220x1SO feet, 10 feet in depth,
with capacity of 100000 gallons of
water, The location strikes US, all
things considered, as an admirable
one, as good as could be made about
the city, and the reservoir is to be
constructed with special care so as to
insure its perfect safety.
The pump house is to be erected on the
bank of the river, at point just in the
the rear of the Col. McClung house, on
HolstOn Heights, and the main pump
ing pipe is to extend along Patterson
street, as near straight line as could
be selected, of which very little right
of way had to be obtained. About
eight miles of piping in all is to be
laid at present. It is expected that
work will be commenced of the pump
house next week, those carrying
on all branches of the work at once, as
near as possible. Taking all these
things into consideration, the outlook
for the Knoxville Water Works is
quite encouraging, and it is confident
ly expected, that if nothing happens
to deter, the works will be in operation
some time next spring. The Commits
siOners and the contractors, as well as
the citizens of Knoxville in general,
are to be congratulated upon the COM
mencement of the work under such