The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1883-08-23
The saIlna Wsisr Work..

The salina WstsF Works.
For years the question Of fire pro-
lection for our city has been discussed
bat IL lie only during the past few
weeks that cur citizens have cOnsid-
cred they have ample security
against the flames. The Babcoek Fire
engine proved to be no protection al
all. The question then arOse whether
or not Salina should invest in a steam
fire engine. One was brought here
and a public test was made. While
the streams we're powerful and rose to
a great altitude, the serious question
was, where shall the water for these
streams be Obtained-shOuld q fire oc-
eur in some Of the outlying districts,
and where shall the money come from
to keep up such a well-Organized force
as such a machine demands. People
became discouraged at the outlook
and began 70 fear that they should
have no protection for property for
years to come. A few "bOld spiritsi'
suggested the Holly system Of water
works and although their suggestions
were laughed at as impracticable In a
place Of the size Of Salina, they kept
them before the public until a thorough
investigation as 10 its praeticability
had taken place. Mr.. Orion, repre-
senting the Holly Water Co, was in
vited 10 visit Salina and impart all the
information In his power concerning
the system, to our citizens. He came
and very clearly proved that Salina
could ''affOrd" 20 invest In the way Of
rental Of waterprivileges. After some
delay and much discussion, the city
administration agreed 10 pay q rental
Of 500 for each hydrant put in by the
company for fire protection alone, aud
q contract to this effect was signed and
sealed. The matter Jagged again q
little, when some OF our own citizens
became interested as stock owners and
from that time Sallna was sure Of
having the water service. The new
company was organized with the fol-
lowing officers: J. +. BOnebrake,
President NJ. NJ. Briggs, Vice-Presi-
dent w. r. Dryer, Treasurer; E. H.
Gibbs, Secretary Henry Baker, Sup
erintendent. All these gentlemen are
men Of capital and possessed OF bust
ness qualifications. Their standing
as business men induced our
people TO believe In an early and
satisfactory completion Of the
works. And that the company has
done not only all IL agreed to do, but
more, has proven that the confidence
thus exhibited was not misplaced
Ever since the company took hold Of
the enterprise they have pushed 1t to-
ward completion by all means within
their power, and whatever delays
took place were not caused by any
lack Of energy ar zeal on their part
Now that the work u completed It
may not be out Of place to make men
ton of some Of the machinery viii ch
assists US to a most bOuntiful water
supply. The pumps are the Gaskill
horizontal compound pumping en-
gines. Capacity, 100000 gallons
with domestic pressure. The two
boilers are 90 horse power each. There
are now four miles Of mains, and forty
three hydrants have been put In
The water Is supplied from q well
twenty-seven feet In diameter. The
works were completed and tested
Aug. 9th, and accepted by the city
council the same day. We now have
two Well-drilled hose companies.
With all these provisions the safety
Of property against fire IL assured.
Those who witnessed the public ex-
hibitiOn, when six streams ct once
were thrown nearly 100 feet into the
air, without any special effort from the
pumps. People were greatly impressed
with the power Of the works and the
almost absolute safety to property
that must necessarily be ensured By
such splendid streams. We believe
we speak with truth when we say
there Is not q citizen who Il not per-
fectiy satisfied with our water works,
and who could be induced to exchange
them for auy other system, or have
them discontinued. The demand Of
private parties for lawn and domestic
purposes keeps the plumbers ali very
busy 50 far, though the lateuess Of the
season has induced scores to wait un-
Oil spring before availing themselves
Of the privilege. Mr.. Gibbs, the Sec
Rotary, informs rs that his records In
early spring will show 100 property
owners using the water for private
purposes. The water works are q
ngoid miusn for 8alina, and the day
will never come when It's People viii
regret that they were constructed.
Besides pr0tecting our property and
furnishing pure good water for do
nestle purposes, we shall be enabled
20 beautlfy our yards In those trying
months when the sun seems 70 sc0reh
the Very roots Of the grass and trees.
The water supply will increase Sail
mas beauty 100 per cent, and permit
her 10 still hold the enviable position
Of being the handsomest city in Kan