davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Horn Lake a. n Source.


The advantage to be gained by util.
izing this grea basin, CAPABLE of ator-
ing nearly three years supply of
wa'er, were SO apparent that a plan
for its protection against overflow and
the reclamation of the Objectionable
drainage district was projected, which,
however, does not embrace such cog
nate questions az the purity Of the
wafer that might be collected from the
Mississippi, OF the eufficiency of the
water shed tributary to it. Ihe essen.
tiai factors OF the plan are reserved
for Investigation by competent ex.
.perts.
Two plans for supplying the basin
80 reclaimed remain to be considered.
% To admit the water of the Missis-
sippi river in the winter months, when
the volume is great and the temper
ature low, during which period, by
means of an artificial mouth land
gates) opening into North Lake, the
waters of The Cutoff aud Horn Lake
creek would be diverted from South
Lake. When in the summer and
autumn the river becomes too low to
flow through the pass, the aforenamed
water courses could be admitted and
discharged through the gate of the
pass, thereby inducing circulation.
(2) To exclude the water of the Mis-
sissippi entirely, and rely on the sup.
ply from the Cutoff and Horn Lake
creek and their tributaries, together
with the branches and springs which
discharge their waters into the lake.
Before considering the relative adj
vantage Of either Of these plans the
water OF the Mississippi at the IL outh
of the Pass, twenty-six miles below
Memphis (reckoned by the siuucsities
OF the river) should be analysed to as
certain whether it is polluted by the
sewage and drainage of Memphis.
An analysis of the water of the lake in
the summer months ought also to be
made, to discover the extent of ma
larial contamination, If any, from the
swsmps and overlooked lands. Gaug-
ings to determine the volume of flow
Of Horn Lake creek end the Cutoff
should be begun at once, and contin-
ued until the Memphis gauge reads
thirteen feet, when the gaugings
should be taken at point on the Pass
near the west end of the lake, in order
that the supply to be derived from the
watershed may be resolved.
The general legislation that may be |
found necessary to carry out this plan !
should embrace the acquisition of ali |
riparian rights and a control of the |
littoral of the lake, In order that the
public eupply may be protected from
pollution and contamination.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Mnthnnn Menns-

Two plans for obtaining means to
construct the works present them
selves: First, To issue bonds secured
on the plant, for a sum sufficient TO
cover the whole cost; eclnd, 10 issue
stock and bonds in the proportion Of
one OF stock to four Of bonds, divi-
dtnd of not less than 4 per cent. to be
guaranteed on he stsck; or, the stock
may be owned by the city. The lSt'er
plan would facilitate the sale Of the
bonds and enhance their value. There
are no securities held in puch high
est sem by investors, or that can be
more readily negotiated, than water
bonds, provided the security on which
the loan is founded is satisfactory,
The works should be owned by the
city, controlled by competent officials
pla led beyond political Influences,
and the plant and all improvements
that may be made to il, m lrtgaged Co
Sc cure the bonds. II should be clearly
shown that the revenue to be derived
from the worke vii, be sufficient to
pay the coat If main enance, the
fixed interest chNgsB and the
betteTment and enlargement If
the plant II nhall be further shown
that the population Of the city ia in
crossing a d a. likely TO cor ttnue 10
increase, be security Of the bond
holder will ieptesant q property of in.
creasing value, pOluCing, year Ivy
year, larger revenues Many instances
might be cited to illustrate the steady
growth in value of w6ter-wOrks plants,
as far as it concerns the bondholder;
the eX perience OF Louisville, however,
will alone be mentioned, The 60 OF
the water works of that city, to J. nuary
l, 1866, was 81, 900 243 10, the bonded
debt 100000. Up to January |,
1885, 1896, l73 SO had been invested
in the plant, the bonds debt reduced
to $S40,0'0; and a surplus now re-
mains, which, with the accruipg reva-
Gues, is found sufficient 10 enable the
engineer in CHARGE (NT. Hermany) to
undertake the construction of an en-
tirely new and costly pumping
plant.
1t is assumed, however, that the
gross earnings in 1889, from salts
factory water supply, Will be 100000
The cost of maintenance of the MN
phis company in 1882 was 1923, in 1884
90 rs of the & o3s revenue, but it will
be admitted that this cost would be
less II the works were owned by tho
city. The mean cost to the
cities cited YVES respectively, 80 and
35 60 If the superior character Of the
steam pumps to be employed, the bet
ter quality OF the water to be served
and the greater economy Of public
management are considered, it would
be safe to estimate the cost of NAM
tenance at So.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Questions for Consideration

The first question to consider, Gen.
Greene says, is the amount Of debt
which Memphis as city, is able TO as
sumo for obtaining sufficient supply
OF satisfactory water; and for building
permanent wster-works, 80 planned
that the supply will be continuous,
and the Worss capable of enlargement
in the ratio Of increasing population
and area, and 80 adjusted from an
economic point, that the revenue to be
derived shall be adequate, not only to
meet the fixed charges and cost of
maintenance of the structures, but
yield an annual surplus for improving
them, until the city shall have reached
population that will enable it 10
make such additions to the original
plant as viii then meet its necessities.
Second-To determine upon an en-
g'neering plan, or plans. any one of
which may be successfully carried
out, within the limits Of the conditions
imposed by the aforementioned re-
atriCtiona
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Wolf River Plan

A plan for taking the water from
Wolf River, near the crossing of the
Louisville and Nashville railway, and
delivering il direct TO the elevated
ground already described, there to be
collected in settling basins Of ample
capacity to GLOW the water to become
clear by subsistence, and be delivered
by gravity to the city, is deemed prsc-
tiCable.
Ddm.-It is proposed to build dam
across the river, near this point, Of
hight TO raise the level OF the river
in dry seasons 10 AVOID the necessity
Of lifting the wster by pumping ma
CHR cry.
Conduit.-F7om the river, above the
dam, brick conduit ia to be- COO
structed, furnished with The required
stop gates, etc, lGaaing TO the pump
well in the pumping station, by means
of which the wa'er is to be delivered
into it, by gravity.
Pumping Station. The pumping sta
ton is TO be located near the river,
above overflow, within reach of the
railway by side track, and the water
pumped through a thirty.inch caet
iron pipe, laid in a direct line, cross
country, and following the contours to
the site Of the settling and disiribut-
ing reservoirs (old race course), tray
ersing q distance of nine miles. As
in the Horn Lake plan, the Worlhipg-
ton steam pumping engine is 10 be
employed for delivering the water TO
the basin; and, in other respects, the
pumping station is 10 be the same 80
the ono projeCted for thft purpose. j
Sailing and Distributing Reserroirs. 49,
In order that the water, when turbid,
may be allowed ample time TO subs!da
to a condition Of clearness desirable
for domestic consumption, il is pro-
posed 10 copstrue. on the aforemen-
toned site thee basins, each Of
capacity If 100000 gallons, which
Rre 70 serve the prrpc 50 both OF sett
ling and distributing reservoirs.
Basins OF these volumes will admit Of
eleven days rerose OF the water and
furnish supply, reckoning the daily
consumption at COCO 0G0 gallons.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
A Round MILAN

The mean cost per head of popula-
ton is $50 n, but as the computation
is based on the United States census
for 1880, and the reports are taken for
later years, allowance is made for in
crease of population, which re-
duces the mean cost per capita,
to $50 50. Applying this expert
ence to Memphis, and taking
its population at 60 900, other things
being equal, it would follow that the
relative ability Of the city to construct
q system of wster-works, is 81, S31, 200.
To compensate, however, for the ele-
ment OF chance that is inherent in
every enterprise, 81 100000 has been
assumed as the sum which might be
pro6tably invested, and all plans that
ehall cost more than that amount will
be treated in this report as impracti-
BILE. And, further, that the question
may be relieved OF every reasonable
contingency, it has been the aim and
purpose OF this study to restrict the
cost Of any plan which could fairly
meet our case, to 100000.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
The CITY NIr,rt nun

These Investigations were conduct
ed on the hypothesis that any plan
which might be recommended by the
committee would be adopted and car
ried out by the city, end the works be
owned ard operated by it. A water
waters corporation comprised of share
holders, however honorably managed,
is, by the nature OF iis organization,
devoted to private gain, and for that
reason antsgonizes the public interest
wherever that interest Is concerned.
More over, it's franchises and tenure
are limited, and its management is ex-
posed to such factional disturbances
as to obstruet the corporation from
projecting and executing the NECESSARY
plans and improvements that may be
required to meet the growing wants of
a city yearly increasing in populG ton.
In word, It is believed that a system
of public water supply should be
owned and operated by the city, for
the sole benefit OF its inhabitants.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
sure source Of Revenue.

1t will be found that our ability to
maintain water debt is not jscpar-
oised by the uncertainties that attend
new enterprises, because the expert
ence of the Memphis Water Com
psny enables us to forecast the revenue
that will arise from a given invest.
ment. In the early stages Of the his.
tory Of water-worke, water is used by
so small a proportion Of the inhabit-
ants of city as to expose the venture
to failure, or to require public aid for
its success. We have pass d this ex-
peIimental period. The daily con.
sumption OF water has already reached
5000. 900 gallons, aud it's Increasing
use is assured by force OF the law
making sewer service compulsory.
The number of miles Of piping Of our
sewer system has doubled since the
completion of the work in 1881, and
is extending yearly.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Cost OF Two Plans.
The COncIu.Ionn Renohed

The conclusions that have been
reached from the investigations made
10 this date arssumm irizsd asfollows
/. That all the scbemea which have
been proposed for taking the supply
from distant sources, or from any
8 ,urce distant more than twelve miles
from Memphis, would involve a cost
beyond our present means.
2. That the geological conditions
necesa airy for obtaining an adequate
supply Of wholesome water by means
Of bored wells, known as the gang
we'll or Andrews's system, do not ex.
ist In or near Memphis.
3. That no certain reliance can he
placed on the results obtalns bic from
dtep-seated or artesian wells for public
81 rVice, because the sources of supply
are unknown, the water is likely 70 be
charged with mineral substances, the
supply is liable 10 become exhau Sted,
and that the cost per million gallons
would be greater than the cost Of a
surface supply.
4. That the several schemes TrO-
posed for taking the supply from the
Mississippi above the mouth Of Vol
river, are exposed TO eDgin esring OBJ
Iections; and that il any OF these plans
might be 80 projected and executed as
% be made permanent, the cost would
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04

exceed the sbilitv Of the prsseut popu-
lation OF Memphis,
5. That the pl,n rrrposed iortaking
the supply from Wolf river, near the
crossing of the Louisville end Nash.
vile railway, 10 practicable; that the
revenue 70 be derived will maintsin
the works and lay interest on the
plant, snd the water supplied will be
Of a desirable quality Tor domestic
use.
=. Ihst considering the manifest I'd,
va tsges to be gained by utilizing
South Horn Lake as a collecting basin,
presenting storage capacity fcr near
ly three years supply, the analysis q
the water the gRugiugs OF the water.
shed and the sanitary questions in.
volved, should be determined by ex.
perts rs recommended, bef re cpy
plan is adopted.
T. That the Hyatt method OF rapid
filtration should he inves,igs I'd by
competent hydraulic and mechanical
engineers, In order thntthat hragCh OF
the qRes ton may be determined.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Eonreea Of Water SnnnIX-

The question Of the source from
which public water supply shall be
taken has been so fully discussed
through the columns of the press aud
in social ciIcles, that possibly every
scheme for its solution has been pro-
posed. In order, therefore, that each
theory migt I receive an impartial con.
sideration, the subject is now pie.
sented and reviewed under the follow
ing heads, which are intended TO cover
the whole ground:
Distant sources OF supply.
Supply from tie ground water.
Deep-seate d sources of supply.
The Mississippi river, above the
city, as a source OF supply.
Horn Lake as source Of supply.
Wolf river as a source of supply.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
-Four Plans estimated

The cost of the Coldwater
pl3n, including collecting
basins, conduits, intercept
ing culverts, pumping en-
gines, etc., distributing
reservoirs, ETC., will be. .... ~. 975, COO
The cost of the Tennessee
river plan, embracing YER
teal engines and stand
pipe, etc, Two lines OF force
main, distributing reser-
voirs, etc, will be ,,.,.,.".s6, 100000
The cost OF the Spring river
plan, including pumping
engines, etc, force mains,
crossing Black Cache and
st. Francis rivers, the Mis-
sissippi river aud smaller
stresms, distyihntikg Fssefy-~ -'
voirs, etc, will benz. .. IS, 240, 600
The cost of the Tuscumbia
plan, including pumping
engines, etc, force mains,
etc, distributing reser-
voirs, ETC., will be...........f8,5 500, 900
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
The Arteninn RelI FaIlnsr

The deductions to be drawn from
scientific research, supported by ex-
pertinent and experience, offer no en-
coursgement to The sanguine expecta.
tions that have been INDUCED by many
intelligent citiz Ems that the water ques-
ton woGld find its solution through a
plan OF artisan wells. The popular
theory that the bosom Of the earth,
that mysterious seat OF so many fam
tastiCal imsRes," holds an iuexhausti-
bic supply Of pure water, when put to
the crucial test of patient and exact
investigation, be a delusiye
fancy. The laws which govern ex-
haustion and replenishment, altera-
items Of level and rainfall, prevail
everywhere.
There are numerous artesian wells
to be found in various parts OF Ameri-
cs, as we'll rs in Europe, Asia and
North Africa. They were known in
China as early as 200 B. O. In one
province in Algeria the French have
bored large numbers, 1853 of which are
flowing, but many of them Weld
water that would be condemned for
Erigstion in Colorado. In England,
where over 2000 have been sunk. ii |
vas soon discovered that tie yield de. |
'rea1ad gradually, and many ceased to
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Non.ResI,lent Notice.

No. 1856, X, DIN the ChAncery Court Of
Shelley County, Tenn State Of tennessee,
for use, et0., Va, Louis Hanauer OF al.
ltappearing from the sworn bill in this
cause that the re.ideDOe Of The defendant,
VIM. Toby, isunknOWn and cannot be aseer-
tanned after diligent ioqu ~, and that the
defendant, O. M. eurdan, Is q non reside /
Of the site Of Tennessee; II Is therefore
ordered that they y AXE their appearance
herein, at the Courthouse Of 'helby e0uaty,
IN Memphis, Tom. on or before the hrst
Monday in May, 1886, and plead, answer or
demur 10 the petition OF Minor MeriWstheF
and amendment thereto OF l., Lamb, re-
ctiyers Of I'D city OF Memphis. or The same
will be taken for confessed as to them a 4
set for hetriog exparie; and that a copy OF
this order be published once q week for four
successive Weekg Ia the Memphis Appeal.
This 10Th day Of March, 1886.
A copy-Attest;
s. /. MCDOWELL. Clerk and Master.
By II, y. Walsh, ID. o. and N.
S. j. Shepherd and W. A.. Percy, jr. So
lioitors for Complainant. an
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04

creation Of a new debt, without ma
ture elaboration. Since any system
Of water-Torks, adequate to the neces-
s ties Of the city, can be devised only
by creating a debt, il ought to be de-
mousIated that the public burden
viii not be increased thereby; which
is the same as to say that the works
shall be maintained without aid Of
taxation, more than the water rate
paid to the present water company.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Can place gsnas a, Par

The information gathered in Nav
York ny to lie feasibility Of negorlt
ing the required lonR, warrants the as
ser'irr, that e the aforementioned
conditions me complied with, y q
per cent bond can be placed NJ par;
and, Stree The details Of legislation
and oreaaizlron ere within our power
to control, tho questions OF revenue
asd expense alone remain to be COZ
sidered.
The gross revenue Of the Memphis
Water Compsng for the year ercinC
July 1882, wSs $1,000; in 1884, So, 600
(see OIoas'f Stats ical tables), An in
c-ta'e OF 1873 per cent in two yeats, or
$lO,C00 per annum.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
MEMPHIS DAILY APPEAL---sUNDAY, APRIL A. 1886.

flow. TIE fsmous we'll at Grenelle,
near Paris, 1876 feet in dep'h, the
Dupont at Louieville, 20S6. the
Belcher, 2l99, aud Asvlum, 3S43, at
st. Louis, are all highly charged with
mineral salts. These wells are in use
for manufacturing purposes in Boston,
Chicsgo and ether cities, and there are
some 200 in Alabama. There are forty
artisan wells, varying in depth from
forty to 200 feet, in Manhattan Is
land, n. Y.
The principal Charleston well. re-
ported in Croes's Statistical Tables Of
American Water Works for 1884, is
burdened with a bonded debt of $500.
90, and supplies for consumption the
small amount Of $780, gal ons daily,
at a cost OF SOS 81 per 100000 gal.
Ions, estimated on the bonded debt
only, the works being supported by
an annual subsidy OF Sll 1888 paid by
the city for fire purposes.
Considering, therefore, our lack OF
knowledge OF the qualifications, the
unceliaiuty Of the quaufity aud quali-
ty OF the water, the danger o. ex-
haus'ing the supply, the mineral mat
ter with which it is apt to be charged,
the cost OF structures and pumping for
delivery, and that there does not ex-
ist one large city which takes it's en-
tire public supply from su6terraneous
souTes, it is concluded that Mem.
phis furnishes no exception to the
universal experience, aud that it
would be unwise aud hazardous to
adopt a plan OF artesian wells for a
public supply.
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
GEN. GREENR,e REPOWT

In submitting this report Gen.
Greene stated it as his wish that il
should be received simply az a con-
tribution from one member of the
committee, who had thought it his
duty to perform q part of the work
that was Voluntarily undertaken by
all, and who did not in any sense in
tend it rs conclusive of the subject in
hand. The report, covering as it does
seventy-two elofe'y-printsd pages, is
too lengthy for daily newspaper, but
a general idea OF it can be obtained
from the synopsis given below:
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04

Here Is a very regular rise and fall
with the state Of this country. The
effect Of immigration is, of course, two
fold. II transfers so many thousands
of beings TO this country TO be clothed,
fed and housed; but It also adds 10
the labor supply large number Of la
horpra
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
The Mississippi Above the city,

By his report made to the Beard of
Commissioners of the city, July 10Th,
1868, Charles HermaDy Gays he found
the difficulty in the way OF taking the
supply from the Mississippi to consist
in "the remoteness from the river at
which reliable foundations for pump
ing machinery can be obtained" aud
the unstable nature OF the material
through which a conduit or inlet pipe
will have to be built and maintained
in position, as well as kept clear from
the immense deposits left by the
water" In determining upon any
plan at this point, p DIVISION must be
made "for the contingency which may
arise from partial or t tai destruction
OF, or rendering imperative, it's inlet
conduit" And he recommends "a
safeguard to these dangers, an inlet to
permit the watsr being drawn from
Wof river near itl mouth.
II the quality OF the water now sup
piled from Wolf river is coneidert d, il
is impossible to conjecture what it's
condition might b, decade hence,
should the contingency for it, use arise
under this plan.
In the several Interviews accorded
the writer last summer and autumn,
Mr.. Hermany substantially main
tanned the pcs tons taken in his re-
port; and it is due to him to say that
the changes OF the course Of the river
which have taken place since album
dainty prove the correctness of the
views he held seventeen years ago. II
the inlet pipe or conduit had been
located opposite Hstchie lake, it would
have been destroyed by the impinge-
ment which the river has eince made.
But it is thought by some tba, this
impingement would result in making
Loosa Hatchie the bed Of the Missis
sippi, and thai the question would
thus be solved. THIS supposition can
only be answered by query. How
long would the Loosa Hatchie remain
the bed of the MississippiP
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04

into the account, in projecting sny
plan for supplying clear water all the
year round. This point considered, il
Is believed (ses mean rainfslD that
during the monh3 Of Msy, Jane now
and then varying, July, August, Sep
TENDER, October ard November, pal
lucid water can be supplied iron
Wolf river, at or near the crossing OF
the Louisville and Nashville railway
in December and January tho water
will clear; in February, March snd
April, varyiEg from clear 70 fairly
clear, and at all times free OF stain,
v holesoma and potahla
The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-04
Creation Debt

The members OF this committee srs
too familiar with the history Of the
public debt of Memphis, lately wisely
and skillfully adjusted by the authori-
ties Of the Taxing District, to recon-
mend any proposition leading to the