The morning call., 1891-08-23
GOSSIP FROM NILES.
Water Supply-Fruit Prospects.
Matters Social and Personal.

80
1888, the crop was fully as large. although
the bearing acreage was not so great as this
year in the same orchards, but this season
the fruit has lacked size and juice. To be
sure the hot wave in June may have had
something to do with ii, but it could hardly
have been accountable for it all. The pri-
mary trouble is the lack of water.
In 1888 the Spring Valley Water Company
OF San Francisco, having bought the waters
OF Alameda creek, which flows through our
far-famed canyon out. into and through our
fertile valley, built two dams or reservoirs
in the canyon, from the lowest of which,
about three-fourths of a mile from town,
the water is piped to San Francisco. The
crop of 1888 was clean and large and the
fiuit of fine size. The water was all drained
from the creek in the latter part of August
OF that year, and the result was that every
well within certain area dried up imme-
diately; and that they we're directly de-
pendent upon an underground lake of I'M
certain size, fed by the creek. was amply
proven before the winter rains set in, be&
cause the water was allowed to flow In the
creek and again taken out at several uncer-
tain intervals, and the water rose and fell in
the wells accordingly, the effect being no.
ticed within few hours each time. After
capable engineers the company was so con-
WINGED Of the truth of the matter that they
lowered the wells on a dozen or more
ranches within what the company ackuowl-
edged to be the boundaries of this under
ground lake.
Many predicted that the fruit would event.
ually be injured, fact that would seem ap-
parent to the most casual observer. The
bed of the creek ut Niles is probably twenty
to twenty-five feet below even the highest
fruit land. There is what Is called a sink"
Just under the bridge, and the surface OF
the water in the wells, as far as records
were kept, bear close relation to the level
of the water in the creek.
1t is impossible 10 find out how many gal
Ions day comes down and is sent ON its
several Journeys each day, but 1t must be
among the millions, as besides the supplies
to the three towns on its course so much
water was guaranteed to each owner along
the creek border in part payment for the
requirement of the riparian right, aggregat-
ing no small amount, the California Nursery
Company receiving alone over 100000 gall
Ions, and all this is besides what flows con-
tinuously through the three-fOot pipe to San
Francisco.
In the course of several conversations
with ranchers the President of the water
company agreed that it would be Just and
probably necessary to pay damages in case
1t could be proven that q permanent injury
had been done; indeed some Of the owners
OF land along the creek we're careful to have
some such clause inserted in their contracts.
Doubtless the company would do the fair
thing, but suggestion which would solve
the difficulty might not be out of place.
1t is reported-how true the writer cannot
say-that the water of this creek does not
constitute part of the immediate supply for
the city, but sort of a reserve supply; If
such is the case, the suggestion could the
more easily be adopted. So much water
flows through the creek as late, usually, as
the latter part of April, that it would sup
ply the Spring Valleys demands aud never
be missed, but along in May and June, the
water lowers rapidly. until by July LIST it is
all gone. Now II none were piped to San
francisco. except in case of great fires or
drouth, during the months of June, July
and August, then the trees would have the
benefit of the much needed water during
fruiting, for the roots easily travel the
twenty or thirty feet down to the top of the
underground lake, and when the wateghis
gone the trees must suffer.
That the matter has not been more gen.
orally agitated is due perhaps to the short
time which has elapsed since the supply
was drawn off, only two seasons, and their
unusual character The winter of 1SS8-1SS9
was so extremely wet, in fact, one ofathe
three wettest winters on record in Califor-
Mia, that the water was not missed, and the
winter OF 1890-1S91 was so dry that there
never were but two seasons with less rain
fall in fifty years, so that ranchers are GER
seriously discussed, with view to an ami
cable settlement by growers all along the
line, as this is a matter that interests not
only Niles, but her sister towns on the way
to the bay, and all owners along the borders
OF the creek TO the bay. As regards riparian
rights 1t is hard to draw the line.
ii. A. Mayhem, as a breeder of fine
horses and cattle, IS always deeply inter-
ested in the different fairs in the several
counties about, and is a regular attendant
n Lost
week several parties of Niles people drove
down to attend.
Mrs. c. b. Overacker has had presented
TO her registered Jersey heifer, a gentle,
beautiful little creature, ABOUT year and a
half old.
There is some talk of orgauizingl Chau-
tauQua Society during the winter. Mr.. and
Mrs. Maar spent a portion of their vaca-
ton at Pacific Grove, and have come back
alive with the project Several married
people have signifird their desire to join.
Rev. MIR. Maar has novel idea to help in
foreign missionary work. With the help of
the 5. c. Z. he will purchase little pig,
take care Of it, and when it is grown will
Kill It, the money to be used to assist some
The Catholic Church is finished, and will
probably be dedicated some time next
month.
Last Sunday morning about o'clock y
81. 5. asterday's hotel, the Arlington.
was burned to the ground. The houses on
either side narrowly escaped destruction,
the walls being sinsed. Had there been
any wind Whatever every house In the
block would have been destroyed. The in
surance amounted to S2400, not nearly the
cost Of the building and furnishings. An
attempt was made some months ago to or
galze fire brigade. Had there been one
no doubt the property would have been
saved.
The willy Chinaman is so scarce that one
almost turns to gaze in wonder when he
appears on the road. Probably not fifty
are IN town or about the orchards, and
any previous year there have never been
less than 200 during the season. White
men and boys are doing good work and are
in demand. Tho Chinese charge ST % or
81 80, the white man 81 90. and he IS
worth it.
The very last apricets are gone, and there
are peaches and .prunes and plums and
pears by the carload shipped every day.
The Gamers are refusing fruit Of the finest
quality in many cases, and as result it
must be dried, so work is going on in the
orchards with rush. Given good weather,
it will take ten workers not one day less
than three weeks to cut and dry twenty
tons of apric0ts, peaches or plums average
sized fruit, and 400 trays at the least calcu-
lation will be needed.
The proprietor of the Baldwin Hotel gave
q grand ball last Thursday evening in the
Town Hall, which was a complete success.
The feature of the evening was the elegant
supper, which was served in the hotel
dining-room.
The Ladies' Guild have purchased a new
piano of Sherman & Clay. San francisco,
and paid the first installment of $50 last
week
The boys are quite delighted with the
prlnting-press which Rev. Mr.. Maar has
purchased for them, and are learning
rapidly how to handle it. They will do all
job printing with neatness and Dispatch
cards, programmes, posters, etc.
The Spare-miDute Circle had a very inter-
esting meeting last Saturday evening at Mis- q
Mortimer's. The next meeting will be at
Miss Jennie Elsworth's, in two weeks.
when the Boomerang will be read. 1t will
no doubt be large meeting, as every men,
Der takes the greatest interest in tho paper.
The gravel train is in town again, taking
loads south on the road. The trainmen pay
no attention whatever to whistling-posts,
d, nnt rin.r the hell and send The lrain