Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-05-16
Artesian Wells in New York City.
New York Herald

Wnllo the city auLnOrlLlcS are de-
batting how to provide sufficient
supply of water for the millions that
are yet to be Inhabitants of New York,
private individuals are solving the
problem for them in very practical
way. Almost all the brewers of the
city have artesian wells or are sinking
them. Several dry goods and other
business firms are also adding to their
LIQUID stores in the same direction.
Tracey & Russell are boring on the
sidewalk of their big building on
Greenwich avenue, and have gone as
deep as SIS feet to find flow of brack-
ish water averaging about 3 gallons
a minute. They have been at 1t for
about six weeks. They were working
in quartz rock on Monday. They ex-
pect to sink a couple of hundred or
more feet before they come to good
supply of clear, sweet water. George
Ehred, on East Ninety second street,
is also sinking a we'll on his premises,
and at depth of SIS feet nnds a
flow of about one thousand gallons
an hour of bracklsh water. At a depth
of four hundred and thirty feet Mr..
Burton, the driller, struck stream of
living water from the East River, the
trend of which was from northeast to
southwest. He thought it flowed from
the vicinity of One Hundred and
Sixth street toward the rocky ridge OF
Fourth avenue, and then took turn,
and a few blocks south of Ninety-sec-
ond street flowed back to its source.
The reporter was told by residents of
Yorkville that 90 or 80 years ago a
large part of the territory east OF
Third avenue was covered by the
water of the East River, and that this
avenue itself was at certain points
fenced in from the river. The infor.
mants said that as lads they had
frequently climbed over the fence and
gone into the water to battle: In the
we'll that is being sunk for Mr.. Ehret
it is found that the rise and fall OF the
water corresponds with the ebb and
flow of the tides in the river. Then
there is an open chaanel between the
we'll and the river was also proved by
the bringing up in pieces of fish
about 10 inches long which had been
cut by the drill.
AT the depth OF about $50 feet
another stream was struck. The water
is blackish and is evidently from the
river. At the depth of SIS feet on
Monday it was of the same character,
but with an Increased mixture of
sweet water. The drill was then
working in beautiful white granite,
the dust of which was almost as pure
as snow. Moth ing like it is said to be
know in this country. 1t appears to
run in transverse layers, and When
struck in one direction easily chips off,
but in another is so hard as to almost
defy the drill. Just before this granite
was struck a layer of asbestos was
met, which gave the drillers some
trouble because of its elastic character.
At the depth of 800 feet Mr.. Button
expects to strike below the limestone
bed of Wards Island and to obtain an
abundant supply of beautiful drink
ing water. This will be tapped at its
own level for brewing purposes, while
the blackish water will be tapped at
the higher level for lavatory and
other uses. He has been oves six
weeks on the present bore. In con-
versation with the reporter, Mr.. But
ton remarked that the city could very
greatly increase its water supply by
sinking a series of wells at different
points between Twenty-third street
and the City Hall, where the water
level is reached at relatively small
cost and little depth. The supply
from these wells could be utilized by
the fire and street cleaning depart
ments, and by manufacturers and
livery stable keepers and others. As
the city extends its area and increased
its population. Mr. Button believed
the necessity for this increased sup
ply will be more and more rea lized.