The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-06-25
EMPORIA'S Big BOOM.
The Formal Opening of the
First Water Works in the
State of Kansas.
Large Delegations from Topeka,
Wichita, Winfield, Parsons, Eu-
reka and other Neighboring
Towns Come in to Help
Us Jubilate.
A Brief History from Its Inception to It's
Completion, of an Undertaking which
Makes Emporia the Banner Town
of the Neosho Valley.

Thursday morning, June 18th, 1880
opened up in EmpOria bright and
beautiful, and nature gave early evil
dence of being in harmony with the
spirit of the day set apart for the cele-
bration of the formal opening of the first
water works in the peerless young COM
monwealth of Kansas. At very early
hour the town was astir and active with
the preparations which contributed so
largely 10 the appearance of the city
and the general success of the grand Oc-
casion. On every hand proprietors and
employees Joined in the work of decorat-
ing the handsome houses on CONNER
cial street, and by noon the busy avenue
presented all the varying hues of the
kaleidoscope, us the gay-colored muslin
and bunting fiuttered i'll the brcezes.
The train from the west the evening be-
fore brought in handsome delegations
from Winfield, Wichita and other towns
along the line of the Santa Fee, and
morning delegations from the eastern
end of the division came at six O'Clock.
headed 10y Governor ST. John. The
crowd was further reinforced by the
train from the north on the NJ, X. & T.,
and large numbers came from the west
again on the noon train via. the Santa
Fe. So that by noon the streets were
alive with people, on foot and IN car
riages, a large proportion of the latter
being strangers, "doing" the town under
the auspices of the different committees
appointed by the council.
At about 8 O'Clock a general line of
march was taken up in the direction of
the Normal, where the commencement
exercises were in session, and the steady
stream of humanity conveyed to this
people who sought this favorable oppor-
tunity of seeing an institution which is
so widely and favorably known. Here
everything was full of life and energy.
The students who made their oratorical
debuts were flushed with pleas
unable excitement and anticipation; the
assembly hall presented a scene of arts.
tic beauty with Its tasteful decorations
old friends were greeting each other with
gladness; the ladies in charge of the
dinner were moving to and fro, bent on
hospitable offices; the band was dis
coursing inspiring music, and everything
was moving on the high-pressure pr1n.
ciple
The interest here was only equalled by
that which drew an unceasing throng to
the water works building which was
opened at an early hour, and was visited
by thousands of people The perfection OF
the appointments there was the theme OF
universal praise and the superb taste dis,
played by the painters, renders the ma
chinery thing ofbeauty with which the
most artistic eye can find no fault. The
rich and elegant colors blend into a
grateful and harmonious effect, and the
exquisite finish gives evidence of the
splendid skill Of the workmen.
THE MACHINERY
The machinery consists of Holly
quadruple, compound condenslng en-.
CINE, combining four engines in one
with four corresponding reciporcating
pumps, which may be run singly, in
pairs, three at time or ali together, al
the pleasure of the engineer in charge
who can connect OF disconnect them
in less than a minutes notice without
inierrupting the supply of water. The
engine is provided with an AIR pump
and jet, or surface condenser by which
the engineer can operate the pipes and
valves on high, low or compound steam
pressure, and he can change from one &c
the other at moments notice. This Il
an important arrangement, rs il enables
the engineer 10 keep mp a supply foI
domestic purposes, or TO supply ON de
mand the extra pressure in case Of
fire.
There are two boilers, each of sniff
cient capacity 20 drive all four engines
and pumps at once BY this means the
city is assured of an unfailing supply, as
there are not only more engines and
pumps than are needed for ordinary pur.
poses, but duplicate boiler held in re-
serve for use in case OF accident.
In connection with the foregoing is
Holly's hydrostatic regulator, which
works automatically, and governs the
motion of the engine, and controls the
water pressure in the mains In other
words, by its use the motion OF the en-
CINE is governed by the quantity of wa
ter needed.
A 6rc alarm attachment is connected
with the engine in such a manner that
when hydrant is opened In town a