Daily Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1882-1893, 1885-06-16
Communicated
Grades, Drainage and Sewerage

Grades, Drainage and Sewerage.
Editor YELLOWSTONE JOURNAL
The permanent establishment Of
sewer as well as street grades is des-
tined to be Of some annoyance in the
future. The general surface fall ofthe
plain on which Miles City is located
is northerly from every point on Main
street beginning at the door Of the
First National bank, thence easterly
TO Tenth street. The fall on Main
street from Fifth to Tenth is about
two feet. And from Fifth to the
Tongue river the fall Is one foot. But
on the other hand, from every point
on Main street northerly TO the
Tongue river branch the fall is about
three feet. From this, il may be seen,
that the quickest and most natural
drainage Is northerly from Main
street, for all the most valuable por.
ton of the city. The difference Of
elevation between the recently estab-
lished grade of Main street done by
the authority of the board Of county
commissioners and the bottom Of the
Tongue river branch is about twelve
(l2) feet. The future drainage of the
streets as well as through the sewers
of the city must be northerly into the
Tongue river branch or into the Vel
lowstone river. But whether there Is
sufficient fall for sewers having initial
points Of grade five feet below the
surface, at their several points Of in
flux on Main street to guard against
frost and thence to their several points
of affiux is question yet to be estab.
lished. From the best information
the grade of the sewers to be built In
the future will be reduced TO about
one-fourth of an inch in ten feet
This very low grade for sewers woulC
be sufficient If their several points o
influx were provided with a reason
able flow Of water coming from SOM
abundant supply contained in reser
voirs situated on levels above tn
plain Of the city. The Tongue Rive
Ditch and Irrigating company mus
sooner or later complete their enter
prise in order that the necessary waite
supply from that source will insur
the permanent success of the ultimat
sewer system OF the city. 1t is no
possible that Miles City can go mucl
longer In its present rapid course q
improvements and increase Of popula
ton without taking some steps TO re
lieve its surface Of aceumulatinI
organic and other poisoning water
To get this relief 1t must be don
through a well devised system o
sewerage. Poisonous exhalations ar
already beginning TO make their aP
} proach In the fogs Of the morning the
result Of accumulated masses OF de-
cayed animal and other organic
poisons. There were chemical exam
nations made Of the water contained
In many Of the wells, Ia this city, last
summer and some Of them were found
vitiated and unwholesome resulting
from exudations from adjacent cess
pools. IL may he some years before
a comprehensive system OF sewerage
Is forced upon US, but the day Is not
far distant when public buildings aud
many private ones will seek the relief
and freedom from disease that proper
sewerage gives. and the question OF
surface drainage IA not only now
awaiting recognition but has been for
some time. In establishing the pres
ent grades OF our streets and alleys,
the natural incllnation Of the plain
should be considered and the grade 80
arranged that nature will assist art.
w. b. q.
| A carload of merchandise eof6 bV