San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-07-19

Fountain Heau. auu uuui"S V'n.'
Subterranean Outlets through the
Mountains
II seems to us there havo been more sem
s,tjona connected with San Marcos within
the last three or four monthsthan during all
Z l., rest Of the ton years of our residence
here. The nattlre of the latest is fairly IN
dictated by the caption of this article. MT.
Geo. T. McGeheo gave US the first informa-
ton of the complaint week before last, ana
we meant TO have referred to 1t III our last
issue but the subject was accidentally over
looked. In another column we now give
statement from Mr. McGehee, followed by
srndry testimonials of residents of this val
Joy. as to the supposed effects the erection
of the now dam at the San Marcos Spring
have had upon the river.
The subject as a whole is in singular
middle Old settlers upon the river, OF
equal means of knowledge, express directly
opposite opinions. "Who shall decide where
doctors disagree?" Certainly We shall not
attempt to do 30, but shall leave our readers
to form their own opinions from the lights
before them.
We will state that Mr.. Ezell of this place,
who assisted in building the first dam at the
springs many years ago, says that for about
taree weeks after its erection the volume
OF water below was preceptibly diminished,
after which it resumed its full flow.
Now we venture to suggest that in this
statement of Mr.. Ezsll, will be found the
key to tho whole controversy. After the
erection of tho present dam, the flow OF
water below decreased, just al it did in the
first case. Without waiting the time requir
ed for it's full restoration before, these sta.
Nistics of decrease were taken. We are as
sured by mon who are among the most COM
petent to Judge, that NOW the river runs
steadily at its average full flow, so that the
results of the testimonials, previously taken,
do not now apply to the CASE. Probably
most of those whose names appear would
now certify that the river is all right again.
Of course, if it shall prove that the flow
of water is permanently diminished in con-
sequence of the erection of the new dam,
30 rs to materially injure mills and other
property below, those concerned will have
not only Just cause of complaint but clear
legal remedy. What we except to is the
rather hasty manner in which this movement
appears to have been inaugurated. After so
much has been said and sung" in praise of
the alleged immense water-p power at the San
Marcos Spring; after our people having for
years invited capitalists to take hold OF 1t;
and after having waited SO long for any sign
of home improvement; we confess it does
look to us rather ungrhcious, almost before
the new dam had become settled in its place,
and lust Gu the eve of starting our water
works, that cloud should thus have been
cast upon every contemplated enterprise In
connection with our much boosted water
power. For if the obiectors are right III
their prognostica tions-if q small dam il so
destructive in its results, what becomes OF
che wonderful power, which has been our
boast from the beginning? Gone like the
baseless fabric of a vision, scarce wreck
left behind No more hope of manufactur-
lag establishments for our town or va
ley beyond the class of mills We have at pres-
ent. Ought we to be the first to attempt to
prove up our own dis comfture and blighted
prospects? Surely little patient waiting.
10 see whether after all body was really
hart: would have been eminently proper In
the case before u.s.
However, 'alrs well that ends well, and
we have great confidence that this little COM
motion will soon share the fate of the bub-
bles sporting on the surface of our silvery
river. The subterrauean course of the San
Marcos is indeed a mysterious question, and
we shall not assume to dogmatize on the
subject; literally it is too deep" for US. 1t
nacrds so wide a range to the Imagination as
&c seem to bewilder the common sense of
such as indulge in speeulatiOEs on the sub
Get. Rat one thing we dare say, and that
is tia. the idea Of backing the spring over
its foantain-head" so ss 10 turn its waters in
aro;her channel, is ''of such stuff as dreams
ure u,ade Of" No. art or power of man
cUlll ever do this; nothing short Of some
grand corvulsion of 'nataTs could produce
Esch q fes1lt.
Mrs. g n Jones Mountain Peak. Tex.
r.vs- Il hs~e --a1 Browns Jr0u Hlttsrs