Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-05-19
CHEAP POWER.
THE UTILIZATION OF THE AMERI-
CAN RIVER.
The Dam and Canal at Folsom
Prison-The Manufacturing Out
look From the Scheme.
Issn FTsacisco Beiietin. MAJ 18th. I

lsaH Francisco Belletin, MAY 18TH.
From the earliest days in the history of
the State the feet has been known that an
immense water power existed on the Amer
lean river, and at Folsom, in 1860, was
located the largest Touring mill in the
State. The mill, which did an exceedingly
large business in those days, was finally
burned, and ewing to various causes was
never rebuilt. As an example of the hush
ness which ii was thought would grow up
at Folsom, it may be mentioned that the
running 10 the latter town from Sacra-
mento, the original intention being to con-
tinue il across the Sierra. When the Cen
tral Pacific was started the owners OF the
Fol som road expected to sell it to transcon-
tinental line; but, thinking they had a sure
thing, they put up the price TO such figure
that the Central Pacific people built their
line via Dutch Fiat. BY the way OF the
Folsom route, it is alleged, the snow-sheds
might have been avoided, and by building
tunnel passengers by that route could be
landed on the shores of Lake Tahoe.
Attention having been drawn by the
aforementioned facts to the advantages of
Folsom as manufacturing site an inyesti-
CATION was made of the waier-powcr which
could be obtsined there, and it was found
that there was in one and three-quarter
miles a fall Of eighty feet. The choice of a
spot one and three quarter miles above the
town OF Folsom as the place for building the
dam was brought about by its natural adj
vantages, the location being peculiar and
the stream here quite narrow. In 1866 the
Ma ome Water Company, who shen
owned the land on which the canal to de-
velop the power is now being cut, caused
to be built the base of the dam. For this
purpose the river was taken out in fumes,
but in the first instance there Was a failure
to get bottom suitable for the purpose.
Another attempt was made lower down,
and here was found a "pot-hole" develop
ment which greatly favored the work, and
at large expense a dam was put in and built
up TO the water mark. Construction
OF a canal was meanwhile carried on, and
a railroad was built along the line of the
proposed canal to the site of the dam, the
whole at the expense of $10l, 600. Having
accomplished this much, however, the COM
pany rested for the time being to await the
action of the Legislature in regard to estab-
fishing branch prison.
THE FoLsoME PRISON.
As far back as 1858 the State recognized
the fact that a branch prison should be
built the institution to be established on
the basis of the permanent labor OF the
convicis. The experience in other coun-
tries has been that the best labor in which
convicts csn be employed with but little
outlay is stonework. In this view of the
matter the committee appointed by the
Legislature recommended two sites, one In
Placer county and the other az Folsom.
An investigation being had by the Joint
committee OF the Legislature and by Gen.
eral Il. S. Alexander, United States En-
gineers, the recommendation was made
that the site at Folsom be selected for the
purpose. Arrangements were then made
with the Natoma Water Company for a
grant OF land for prison site and also for
granite quarries in which the convicts
could be worked. a further agreement
was made that the prison was to have
certain water-power from the canal of the
water company, consisting of a 5-foot fall
on 20-foot canal, or about 100 horse
power. In 1865 the State took possession
of the grant of lands, the stipulation be-
ing that the company should be compen-
stated by having free convict labor in the
construction of the dam and part of the
canal.
The Influence of San Quentin against the
new prison was, however, enough to nullity
the action proposed, and nothing was done
with the work until 1874. In the mean
time II was discovered that the grant did
not include all the land wanted The line
of the grant ran through Prison ravine, and
ii was deemed necessary for the purpose of
securing the safe detention If the prison
ers to secure the whole of the ravine A
further agreement was then entered into
with the water company, and an additional
grant of 1873 acres was made TO the $50 acres
decided to the State in the first instance.
Nothing was done in the way of money
appropriation until 1875 when the bill was
finally passed, the understanding being
that as soon as the buildings were suffi-
GENTLY advanced convicts were to be sent
there to work on the prison, and also on
the dam and canal. Work on the private
enterprise was conditioned, however, that
it was not to interfere with work on the
prison. Considerable delay occurred in the
construction of the buildings through trou-
bic with the contractors and it was not
until 1881 that the prison was completed.
BEGlESIEG WORK ON TKE. DAM.
In the fall of 1881 the authorities sicni-
fed to the Folsom Water power. Company.
which had succeeded the Natoma Water
Company, that they were ready 10 deliver
the convict labor. The work was immedi-
ately commenced and prosecuted with vigor
for some months, when there arose ques-
ton rs to the Interpretation of the contracts
between the Bosrd of Prison Directors and
the Folsom Water-power Company. Up
to this time an additional sum of $4,000
had been expended on the works, making
a total outlay Of $4,000 without taking
into consideration the convict labor When
the question arose the company refused to
receive any more convict labor fro2i the
prison, until judicial Interpretation of the
contract was arrived at. Many unavoid-
able delays occurred in reaching a decision,
and finally the Superior Court rendered
decision in favor of the company, where
upon the State amended It's complaint sad
again was defeated. The case was then
taken on appeal to the Supreme Court. AID
finally settled in favor of the company.
Notwithstanding the fact that the disputed
point had been settled. nothing more wac
done regarding the mstter until the pres I
snt Eoard of Prison Directors came into Of l
flee, the previous administration having
had no desire to carry cut the terms of the
contract.
BY the new contract Blade with the pres
ent Beard the hight of the dam is to be in
creased and the canal enlarged to forty feet
wide-snd in this way greater horse
power will be obtained--end the convict
labor is TO finish the dam ans. also construct
the canal TO Robbers Ravine Mud Sink. In
return, the State will have tie first fall in
the canal--one of I 80 feet-which will be
40 feet wide at the top and sc feet wide ut
the bottom, carrying 6 feet of water. 1t is
estimated that this will give GIT horse
power, of which over 500 horsepower can |
be utilized The measure of the value of |
tins power 10 only limited by its utilization. |
At present the expenditure at the Folsom |
Prison for fuel (for motive neyer and |
pumping) and lights (mainly coal oin is |
$1,000 annually. which at 6 per cent. rem |
reSents the interest on 100000. Az. of the |
power at present used for the engines in |
the quarries and for the pumps can be pro-
vided by wateE7wheel which will utilize |
just one-quarter of the water With which it |
Is proposed.to supply the prison; aud in |
addition, with no extra power, q system of |
electric lights can he run. As the prisS, |
grows with the growth of the State the |
saving will grow greater from year TO yearA
and the power furnished will be sufficient
TO fulfill its wants Cor ell time. Another
advantage will be thst the water for thei
building Will be pumped from the canal 1t l
. higher elevation than the river, and car.
therefore, be stored in reservoirs lust SO /
much higher, giving il additional force i
when wanted in the building or on the
grounds. To show how great an outlaT
VIII be IN this way cut or K may be stated |
that tie cost OF gas and water and fuel for
motive pDuspr n Sa.,