San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-06-28
Our Water Power and watcr.works.


Two great things for our town and sur
rouudings arc in active progress, viz; the
improvement of the splendid water power
at the old Pegues mill site, short distance
below the head of the San Marcos, and the
laying of the pipes from the same to and
from the reservoir on the heights above
town, for the purpose of supplying our peo-
pie with water from this fountain head of
the purest article.
Fourqurean & Code, the proprietors of
this water power named, have constructed
new dam clear across the river, which will
afford power not only for the water-works
but for various mills, gins. &C., without
number, besides water to irrigate the ada
cent grounds The waste water besides will
pass in handsome cascade over the central
portion of the dam.
Apropos of the enterprise of these gen.
tlemen, we owe Mr.. Code an apology for an
apparent neglect. Soon after his purchase
of the interest of Mr.. Pegues, he handed us
copy of the american Miller for April,
containing an account of the fact and an ex-
tract from letter of Mr.. c., which we in
tended copying, but somehow it got mislaid
till quite recently it was resurrected, and
deeming the notice still in order, we copy it
as follows:
Mr.. Tom Code has bought out the half
interest of Mr.. Pegues in the water power
at San Marcos, Hays Co., Texas We quote
from Mr.. Codes letter: '"rhis place is
known as the head of the San Marcos River
location, about 1000 yards from the city
plaza or square, I find that when I attempt
to give you q description of this river or
spring, my pen is failure. Words cannot
describe the beauty of the place. Suffice it
to say that at q distance Of say, 500 feet
from our mill door the water bursts out of
the ground in one grand spring, complete
river, furnishing between $4,000 or 20, 600
cubic feet of water per minute, and giving
US full head in that distance of twelve feet.
And such water! A pin can be seen at the
depth of twenty feet. People in the North
claim to have fine lakes, rivers and water
powers, and concede that they have; but
think of this river, where the eye of man
has never seen particle of ice. The water
is so warm that people can battle in it every
day in the year, and the cattle are seen in it
in winter up to their backs, eating o long
grass that grows in it's bed, the water being
warmer than the air."
In connection with this subject, we notice
in the same paper that the Guadalupe Mill
Co., ct Seguin, offer to donate 20O.horse
power of their water privilege to any cotton,
wooden or paper mill company who will come
and put up such works. Now we beg to
suggest to Fourqurean and Code if they can
not make the same or similar offer? We
should think they might, and that by adver-
Using it in the american Miller and through
similar sources, the right parties might very
likely soon be enlisted in one or more OF
said enterprises here. The location is pre-.
eminently favorable for paper mill, which
Texas is bound soon to have, and by proper
effort it may be secured here at San Marcos.
Fourqurean & Code only await the arrival
of wheel to be ready to supply the water.
works, the pipe-laying and other prepare.
tons for which are now being pushed for.
ward vigorously. Soon we may expect the
delightful advent of abundant pure water al
almost nominal rates. Apropos, while the
editor of the FREE PRESS does not claim to
, be prophet or the son of prophet, he
cannot forbear again quoting with some
natural pride, the following lines, which oc.
cur in New Years Address written and
published by him in his paper of Jan. 2, 1875.
1t will be seen that the prophecy" in near
lly all its leading features is being literally
, fulfilled, and few will now be found to doubt
the early fulfllment of the remainder;
though when the lines were first published,
some eight years ago, they were no doubt
read with smiles of incredulity or derision.
But here they are--read!
San Marcos! with prophetic eye
Thy future progress l descry,
When kindred souls shall thronging come
To make thy lovely haunts their home;
When all the widespread prairies round
Shall smile as cultivated ground;
When mansions fair shall line thy streets,
: And grace thy heights as country seats;
When ready art and skill shall bring
The waters of thy matchless spring,
And forth the sparkling tribute pour,
AS free as light, at every door.
Till streets and grounds are bright arrayed
J In graceful garb of grateful shade
Recalling Eden's fruits and flowers
To charm the lingering Summer hours;
When Learning's temples shall arise,
And cloudy columns pierce the skies
From mills and factories far and near
All this shall swiftly follow here
The advent of the Iron Horse