The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-07-21


There is no moro important question
before the people of Roanoke to-day
than that of sewerage. Various plans
|have been spoken of and two have been
drawn, ono by Rudolph Herring, of
New York, and the other by City Engi-
neer Dunlap. These systems are sup
posed to cover the entire business Sec
ton and all the available resident sec
ton of the city. Mr.. Hering's plan is
to build an immense underground inter
ceptor leading to tho Roanoke river
Mr.. Dunlap's is to- wall and cover Trout
run, thus forming natural sewer. In
either case the cost will be enormous.
Is there any other feasible plan by
which the city can be severed at less
cost?
Perhaps some would smile when told
that there is an immense underground
sewer already under the city, filled
with river Of clear water rushing
from the West End past the Machine
Works, thence no one knows where.
William WEIGH, the we'll known con
tractor, made this discovery several
years ago. Nearly every year since he
has made other important discoveries
which have led him to believe that Il
! subterranean cavern exists, and that it
might be converted into Il natural
sewer.
Mr.. Wclch said to TIMES reporter
yesterday that the experiment was we'll
worth trying and commanded serious
attention.
Let us start at the West End" said
Mr.. WEIGH. when tho round house
was being built it was necessary TO dig
very deep for foundation for the turn
table. An opening was discovered and
stream of clear water came to the sur
face. Tons OF earth and stone were
emptied into the opening and it was
with great difficulty that it was filled.
Again at Rorer Park Hotel there is
an opening TO this cavern. All the
waste and sewerage from that place has
been drained into it, and it has never
been filled up. II | mistake not 1T is
still in use.
ITO the rear Of a residence which
built on Salem avenue, ana opposite the
residence OF Mr.. Gambill, some time
ago discovered another opening. Join
ing an iron pipe to Il length OF seventy
feet let it down, but found no bottom.
then threw down several large stones.
y number of seconds elapsed before |
could hear them strike, and then it APP
pearcd they went further. | have fire.
quently heard rushing water at this
point, and believe IL is the most feasible
point for draining the West End
While digging foundation for Il
building for Mr. Terry, opposite the
Vigilants engine house, four or five
years ago, discovered another open
ing. Water was heard in this cavity
and believe it is Il continuation OF the
same one already mentioned
Tho next point is at the west end of
Woodland Park where once operated 4
quarry. few years ago the workman
discovered an opening in IA fissure Of
rock which promised TO be :. cave Of
large size. But itopcnc directly down
ward and was not large enough to eX-
plore. Stalagmites and stalactites were
found here, and on several occasions
heard rushing water. The hole was
finally filed up with stone.
when the foundat ton for the Ma
chine Works was being put in several
openings were discovered, and in some
instances they were very hard to fill. !"
Mr.. WEIGH is very enthusiastic in the
theory that the city may be drained in
this way. He thinks the subtcranean
river is adequate to carry off all the
storm water and sewerage of the city.
at any of the points be mentioned, ex.
eept the first, the location is excellent
for draining the greater portion of the
city. That Mr. Welch's idea is good no
one can doubt, but the question natur
ally arises where does this stream
empty ?" TO this query Mr.. Welch at
taches but little Importance. 1t might
discharge in Roanoke river, miles from
tho city, and it might be near the mouth
of Tinker creek. lie is satisfied, how
ever, if the channel can be reached,
there need be no fear but that it will
carry off all the sewerage Of Roanoke
Only few weeks ago a water main in
the Roanoke Machine Works yard
sprung a leak. 1t was long time be-
fore it was found, from the fact that tho
waite" had sought one of these openings.
4 Car1css Driver.
Yesterday at the corner of Salem