Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1888-04-18
CITY Matters.

water ditch is mountain, pardoxicaI as
the statement may appear.
AS stated last week, the council sent
for Mr.. McGrath, civil engineer, of
Topeka, to come here and look over the
proposed ditch and give his opinion on
the practlcability of the enterprise. He
arrived here Wednesday and with the
mayor, part of the council and Surveyor
Aber, proceeded to look over the ground
on Thursday, being furnished with the
profile of the survey and field-notes pre-
pared by Aber & Hill, when they made
the survey, last summer. The party
went TO the point on Elm creek, three
miles and half north, where 1t is pro-
posed TO start the ditch and to Mr..
McGrath was explained the proposed
system for getting the water started.
Friday afternoon the council had an
informal meeting when Mr.. McGrath
stated that the ditch was practicable;
that water could be brought through at
the rate of 40 cubic feet per second or
2,400 per minute, equal to about 275
horse power, provided the present flow
of water through Elm creek is not more
than 20 per cent. greater than usual;
but he did not think it advisable to cal
culate on full 275 horse power, for there
would be wastage; but he did not doubt
that all the power that would ever be
needed here could be obtained through
the ditch. He did not calculate closely
on the cost of excavations and fills,
dams, gates and masonery; but init
mated that the 900 would be all that
was absolutely necessary. When asked
what he would charge for furnishing
complete plans and specifications for
the ditch, dam, gates, etc., Mr.. McGrath
answered 81 per cent. of the expendi-
ture. or per cent. and expenses, If he
was to superintend the construction.
On a $4,000 expenditure, his salary
would then be $3.50. He lett for Topeka
Friday afternoon.
Saturday evening the council had an
adjourned meeting, when the water
ditch question was again discussed.
A letter was read from E. w. Hill,
who assisted In surveying the ditch
originally. He wants the job OF super.
intending the work and offered to do 1t
very cheap. this being his home. Mr.
Hill is at present in Kansas City, Kans.
His letter was ordered filed.
The city attorney, G. w. Ellis, in
formed the council that one of the first
steps to be taken before commencing
work was to secure the right-of- way.
The order of procedure was the same
as securing railroad right-of- way.
The district judge, on petition, appoints
condemnation commissioners who
assess the damages. On the filing of
their report the city must deposit in
the county treasury the amount of dam
ages awarded.
Councilman Logan stated that for one
he wanted more light before he would
agree to vote for the expenditure of the
$4,000 for ditch. He wanted to know
what it would cost; whether $4,000
would be all that was necessary or only
beginning; he wanted full estimates
for all of the work to be done.
The mayor wanted to know who the
council would have make the estimates.
Mr.. Logan and the other couucilmen
said they would be satisfied with what
ID. j. Aber, county surveyor would say.
Mr.. Aber was appointed to do the work,
he agreeing to do it for 81 per day, the
city TO pay for an assistant at Sl.50 per
day. lie was instructed to make re-
survey of the ground, taking into con-
sideration the canyons that the water
would back up into, ascertain the exact
acreage to be condemned and make two
sets of estimates. one for an outlet
through the gulch that leads to the
Medicine river and the other for an out
let leading into Spring creek. Mr..
Aber stated that the field notes, prohle
and estimates he might make would be
the property of tho city.
On motion of Mr., GeLisle, the mayor
appointed committee of three, Messrs.
DeIisle, Pearson and Morris, to confer
with the property owners along the
ditch, and ascertain who would donate
the rlght-of-way.
On motion of Mr.. Morris, the mayor
was authorized to visit Arkansas City
and Oxford, where bitches have been
in operation, and ascertain how the
infiOwing sand has been handled.
Mr.. DeLisle thought the bonds should
be ADVERTISED and sold; but when it was
explained that there would be ample
time after the right-of-way condemna-
ton proceedings were instituted, the
matter was laid over.
The city park matter was next taken
up. Several citizens who own property
in the vicinity of the court house pro-
tested against the city vacating Walnut
street between Washington and Kansas
avenue, unless north and south outlets
were provided.
On motion Of Mr.. Logan, the mayor
with a Committee of three was instruct
ed 70 give the subject consideration and
report at the next meeting, Saturday
evening next. The mayor appointed
Counciimen Logan, DeLisle and Pear
son to act with him.
| THE park matter is fully explained
in this issue in the report of the COM
missloners proceedings.l
The bond of IL. d. Records, city
treasurer, for 5000 with J. w. McNeaI
and T. c. Malloy as sureties, was ap-