The Republican journal., 1886-10-21
Shaw Springs and Little River

One bright morning recently solitary horse
might have been ascending Wilson's hill. The
animal was harncsSed to a grocery wagon in
which were three passengers, all wearing rubber
boots, with of course the other articles essential
of the wagon shovel, Il hoe and Il length of
six inch stove pipe. This equipment would have
suggested a clam bake had the horse been headed
down Northport avenue; but it really indicated a
water exploring party bound for the Shaw Springs
and Dog Island. Leaving the team at Mr.. X. p.
Hills on Belmont avenue, the party struck across
the fields and soon found themselves in Il springy
region. Two of the three men were light-weights
but the ground trembled under them as they cross
ed the swampy place through which the water
from the Shaw springs flows to empty into Little
River These springs are almost too well known
to call for description. 1t is evident that much of
the water is lost by oozing through the marsh and
no doubt the flow could be increased by digging
out the larger springs, one of which now has Il
grass-grown surface, and was purposely filled up
to keep out the cattle Leaving these springs and
ascending the hill in the direction but to the right
of the Shaw house. descent the other side
brought the party to another series of springs one
or more of them on the land of Mr.. Waterman,
but flowing mainly by Il circuitous route through
brush and timber and the marsh before mentioned
to Little River. TO attempt to indicate the exact
amount of nowage here, with Il view to detcrmin-
ing whether the supply would he adequate for the
needs of Belfast, is entirely beyond the capacity
of the writer, but the party were all very favor
ably impressed with what they saw, and the quail
ity of the water needs endorsement. Upon
this point, upon some others, Mr.. Shaw, the
owner of the farm on which these springs arc
located, is most eloquent. He says he would have
been dead long ago if he had not drank this water
and bathed in it, and he is confident that if the
water should be brought into Belfast city
would at once begin to grow with great rapidity
He is no less sure that there is more water than
need but we do not recall the exact number OF
gallons per day minute which he said issues
from these natural fountains. Kinds, Moflitt &
Co bonded these springs for one year but the time
has expired antLtley are in the market.
On the road. again halt is made at Dog Island
and the stove pipe. shovel and hoe taken to the
bed of the stream above the bridge Here at
tempts, not altogether successful, were made tC
dam up the aaer to see how near it would fill the
six inch Iase The most successful pertinent re
suited ias stream about two-thirs the size of the
pine, 4nsl it estimated that the water was
running at the rate of about hogshead pei
minute. That amount figured out for the twenty
IlfoIG hours shows a more than ample supply fol
every house la Belfast, but it might not prove
equal for emergencies. However, two three
different engineers who haye examined this place
say that abundant water for all purposes can be
had here. The natural formation is favorable fol
the construction of a reservoir, and removal OF
the small loose stones of which the bed of the
stream is composed would no doubt add largely to
! the amount of water now on the surface. II
is evident that good deal of water finds its way
under this bed of rocks, and of this the party hac
illustration in explorations up the stream
1t must be remembered that this is the dest of dry
| seasons. The ordinary water courses are dry anC
/ all the water now seen comes from springs. One
of these springs is on the farm of Mr.. Syvanus T
EdgecOmb, and it is said to flow much water a.
! all the Shaw springs combined. A Journal repre-
| sentative who visited this spring last week says
that the water could be distinctly heard it flow
| source was reached. The spring is situated at tn
! base OF small hill in the woods and the water al
pours out through the sand is in constant motion
/ like that of boiling water in kettle. Mr.. Edge
comb said: 81 have lived on this farm for twenty
4 four years and never saw more nor less waite
running than at the present time. In the rain,
month of April, in the drouth of August, it is thu
same, the ceaseless pouring upward of water from
the bowels of the earth" The spring is not $,
well known as the Shaw springs for Mr.. EdgccOml
has never brought the matter into prominence
Some years ago committee from the city govern
ment investigated the matter and was surprised a
the great flow of water. AS the eye Cal
measure five inch stream is constantly flown,
from the spring The water is cool and pure.
There are doubt other springs which serve a
feeders to Little River, and the water from thes
sources would seem to be far preferable to tina
from any pond. If the reservoir and pumpin,
station are built at Dog Island, the main could b.
laid straight into the city along the highway with
out enccaching upon private domain. 1t is sug
gested that If the reservoir be constructed lowe
down tho river, in the Perkins neighborhood, Their
would be additional feeders, good if not bette
facilities for storage, and the distance from tn
city would be but little If any greater. The mali
could as In the other case be laid along the high
-yay