Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1891-03-21
9 BAXTER DAM.
"And Thereby Hangs a Tale"

tunate triangular contest has been
brought 10 an end il will probably in-
terest aud instruct many OF the readers
of the News to have stated here us
briefly as the facts will permit the
HISTORY OF THE BAXTER DAM.
About Eighty rods north of the
bridge crossing Spring river at the
east edge of Baxter Springs Is what Is
known rs "lhe old Willard mill"
This mill when in active operation
(prior TO the year 1850 obtained its
power from a dam built across the
grace or that part Of the river How
ing east of 1.-The island" About a mile
farther up the stream, aud at tho head
of this island, u dam of brush, stone,
earth, ETC., had been built TO turn the
water into the east channel or race !;
this created a good power at the old
Willard mill site, aud right to turn
the water into the race and to use 1t
for milling purposes, free from inter-
ference or injury by any one, had been
acquired by maintaining these two
dams and by using the power general
cd at the lower or willard dam for u
period q: time that the law recognizes
as creating all absolute right, viz: for
fifteen years or more.
At the time the building OF the BaX-
ter dam was first suggested the old
Willard mill aud the mill privilege
was owned by Stone & Cove (one-halD
and Mr. Willard (thr other half) In
the early summer OF 1884 the building
of dam across Spring river at a
point Immediately east of this city be-
gan TO I've agitated, and at a meeting of
the mayor aud councilmen held July
8, 1884, a petition was presented sign
ed by large number OF the citizens
OF Baxter Springs praying that an
election be called to vote upon propo-
sition to issue $4,000 in bonds OF the
city for the purpose OF constructing II
dam across Spring river for water
works and for other improvements.
AT subsequent meeting DULY lOth)
the petition was granted and vote Of
the people was ordered. This result
ed (Aug 5th, 'S4,) in vote of l2S in
favor of issuing the bonds and 3
against their issuance.
On Aug. 18th, "a, the council in
structed the city clerk TO advertise in
the Baxter Springs News for bids for
building dam across Spring river ac-
cording to plans and specifications to
be seen al the mayors Office.
y A n Jeting OF the council was held
two days later 10 consider the question
Sof giving bonus to Gaunt, Maupin
20. of Cabool, No, TO build the dam.
At this meeting Mr.. Maupin was pre-
sent and was requested to make a
proposition as to what amount Of
bonds he would take TO build the dam
and to furnish the city Of Baxter
Springs with power for water works.
Mr.. Maupin thercupon submitted
proposition to the effect that the firm
OF Gaunt, Maupin u Co. would secure
the water privilege from the Chem
present owners and would build u
GOOD and substantial dam across
Spring river aud give the city power
enough for water works for ten thou
sand people and agree to rent the sur
plus pOwer to others at reasonable
rates, for the sum of $4,000 in bonds
of the city. Mr.. Maupin's proposition
was accepted and written agreement
dated Aug. Ii, lSS4,) was thereafter
executed by the mayor OF the city and
Gaunt, Maupin Il Co. in harmony
with such proposition.
The building of dam at the Bax-
ter ford, where it was proposed to
build it, would necessarily cause the
water to set back and overflow the
wheels at the old Willard mill, and,
thereby destroying the power at that
dam, would practically destroy the mill
privilege. TO obtain the consent of
the owl ers of this mill privilege would
clearly be the first step TO be taken, as
also the consent of any others whose
property might be damaged by the
building of the proposed dam. To
this end then Mes RS. DR.. w. Street
and John Patterson went to GaleDa 10
negotiate with Stone 81 Cove, the re-
suit of their efforts being their obtain
ing a writing as follows:
STONE 4 GovE's OPTION.
"July s, 1884: We the undersigned
agree 10 transfer all our right, title
and interest in mill known as the Will
lard mill aituated on the east side Of
Spring river near Baxter Springs, for
the sum of two thousand dollars, pay
able in two years with interest at the
rate of ten per cent per annum from
date of sale, with approved security.
Galcma, Kansas, 1854
Provided that the above proposition il
90 continue for thirty days from date,
then 10 bc null and void.
w. B. STONE.
HOWARD COVE
On the back of it is Endorsed as fol-
lows: ave hereby extend the within
contra-t thirty (30 days from this date
l,y agreement Aug. z, 1854"