The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-10-04
aRIrFIrH's Gospel.
Ia THAT Benton Should Have Water supply
and Water Power.

~ q ~ SS i
has had an extensive experience in
building water works, and he yesterday
assured q representative of the RIVER
Press that Benton, st 8 comparatively
small cost, can secure as good, thorough
and substantial works as any town in
the union.
IT know of no town. said he, where
there are greater natural facilities, and
it would probably be difficult to find a
city Of such importance as Benton that
stand in greater need, taking the past
summer as % guide, Of o good system OF
water works.
I'm . general way what would be
your plan of supplying Benton with
water?' we inquired.
ut seems to me there il but sys-
tenn that should even be cosidered In
view OF the facilities offered, and that is
the reservoir system, which on general
principles IL better than any other. In
most cases it IS necessary TO construct
entirely the reservoir, at a great outlay
of money, but here we have q natural
one, or rather two, as there are two col-
lees On the. bench west of town, either
Of which would admirably fill the bill,
and could be put in condition to receive
the water at, comparatively, very slight
expense. Although I have rs yet made
no accurate surveys, I am quite conf
| dent that the elevation is sufficient for.
ali purposes" - Hs1
4'By what means would you get the
| water from the river to the reservolr?'
"By the aid of q powerful engine and
pump. I would sink q large well at
some point in the valley, above high
water mark, and about fifteen feet from
| the river, SO that the water would filter
| through the gravel into the well, and
thus give us pure water, whether the
| river is high or low. From this well
the water would be forced into the reser-
voir, and from the latter the town sup
piled by pipes, or rather from one large
main that could be tapped where desir-
abIe, carrying the water 60 any part OF
the city,
"What would be the ADVANCES Of such
works?o
well, they are too numerous 70 men
ton Chiefly, it would afford citi-
zens 81 unfailing supply Of water, both
for domestic and irrigating purposes. It
would be the most complete fire protec-
ton possible, doing away with the ex-
pense Of engines, etc. BY establishing
hydrants in various parts of the city it
would only be necessary In case OF q fire
to attach 8 hose to one of these in order
to throw water In copious supply upon
the burning buildings-a much more
effective protection than an engine, Or
two or three Of them. But besides these
sufficient advantages, water works con-
structed on this principle would redeem
O large portion Of the bench lands about
the reservoir, as sufficient water could be
secured for irrigating purposes, q matter
OF great Importance in ITSELF
"What do you think would be thecost
OF such works, including the laying Of
the main pipc9
'That T cannot tell yet, but AZ soon as
the weather permits I will make a sur
vey and estimate Of cost, in accordance
with my instructions from a committee
of citizens. / can say, however, that
the cost will not be nearly al great as
many think, and not SO great but that
the enterprising citizens Of Benton can
furnish the means to construct them.
For rnyp part, I am confident that the in
vestment would prove q profitable one
"Vyould this arrangement also supply
water power for mills, factories, etc
"No; that would necessitate the con-
struetion of q ditch from the river to the
lower part Of the reservation, and il
sufficient fall can be secured-@it does not
require mucll-splendid water power for
running mills or factories could be OBJ
tanned, and this is a project that / think
isfEweH worthy OF being carried out II
found practicable, of which I have but
little doubt
Mr.. Griffith is inclined to be enthn-
siastic on the water works question, and
takes the position that Benton cannot
much longer afford to be without them.
-------zo ss-sesass ,. So
Honoring Our New Governor.
FLORENCE, Sept. fixing Hunabert
4 ~ &Z&&4s MN E 80 - &#&