The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-05
THE ARTESIAN WATER.
WHENCE COMES THE CITYs SUPPLY
OF THE FLUID.
It Is the Same Pure Water OF Which
Bolivar, Tenn, Boasts-The Geologic
Conditions OF the West Tennessee
Region Clearly Stated.

Special Correspondence OF The Appeal.
BOLIVAR, Tenn, May 3,-Passing down
Shelby street in Memphis yesterday your
correspondent was greeted by Col IL. NJ.
Nelly with the question,
'How Is BoLIvAR?'
The answer quickly came, 1--WE have the
healthiest town in the State and best atmos-
phero and the clearest, purest water"
To this the Momphian domurred claiming
that Memphis now, since her artesian wells
were a success, had the best water in the
world.
But did you know, Col Nicely" asked
your correspondent "that your artcsian
water Of which you Memphlans boast is just
simply the same rs gushes out Of the hill
sides near Bolivar spontaneously and pcrpet-
uallyg'
That such Is the fact is now settled beyond
question. II was contended by some that the
artesian wells at and near Memphis had
their source of supply either In the Ozark
Mountains, on the west, or tho Cumbcr-
land Mountains, on the east but
this is now exploded. Lattcrly the
United States Government has had a corps
Of scientific BIOLOGISTS and mineralogists
studying the soils and minerals and strata
and geological formation Of this section.
They made special study Of the Memphis
nrtcsan wells, with the view OF ascertaining
the source Of their water supply. Their ex-
animation Of the topography OF the country
from the first hills in Eastern Arkansas
To the dividing ranges between the Tennes.
see River aud the Mississippi shows dip.
the first OF top stratum being what Is known
as the Locss or Blum formation, extending
| east to ColliCryillc. Immediately under this
| Is the lAGDnge formation, generally Of whit
sh clay but BLUSH near Memphis. Just be-
meath comes the SliCious Claiborne formn-
! ton. aud underneath this the Meridian or
| portcr's Greek formation. which extends for
/ 200 feet until the crctaccous period is
/ reached. The base OF the dip is near the
| river ut Memphis aud the apex Is in
/ this section, which In general north
/ and south direction forms the dividing range
between the Mississippi and Tennessee Val
/ lcys. And the water which falls ON this
| ridge pcrculating under these lnGmngc clays
and through the silcious Claiborne forma-
| tons seeks is level near Memphis and is
! brought from the blse 81 the bowl so To
speak by the Memphis artcsian wells almost
~ the surface of the soil. Tho beautiful
white sand, the pebbles and all the strata
penetrated hy the urtCslln wells indicate
vc,y clearly the correctness Of this theory.
And th' result j. that the supply Of water
Tor the Mcmphi. nrtcslan wells Is incxhnust
iblc and filtered as Il is through these sands,
uumiNcd with organic matter and free from
nll impurities and protected from sccpagc
by the clay near the surface, the water
problem Tor Memphis, aud the Mississippi
Valley Is indeed solved. Aud hence ihc
delightful water yuu Mcmphiar, now enjoy
b. Just what sc have been accustomed To ull
our lives. and NOW that you have u We cX
poet thn rate ui mortality IN Memphis 10 be-
reduced at least OBJ a.. cent Spy'
These scientists ~ spend the month %
May no lilrlcWan county, examining tnc
So and minerals. our general average al
ttudr above sea level j. about $50 feet, The
highest paint on the Illinois Central Rail-
road. between Cairo and New Orleans is at
Lumpkiu's Mill. "a Tow mile, south OF Holly
SPRING. where 10 rises tU over bl lfct. The
Lowest point until YOU strike the Mississippi
swamp D. one mile north ol Grenada, where
IL DIPS down Co about 21Otrct oboyc sea level
Grand Junction h. a,S feet above, and along
these high aud dry platcaus the hcnlthul-
| mes. Il remarkable, aud tile fruits are seldom
Il ever entirely killed by frosis. The, are
above what the farmers call. iniccunitly.
| however the frost line. Tho land grow the
| finest clover Er-,cs, fruits and vegetables.
and your Corru pludcnt 40 Humboldt was
about right when hc pronounced West Ten
| ut,src the best country 10 the world, soil,
| climate, aud al things considered. A.