Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1891-05-18
LOOKING BACKWARD.

-Four years ago F. M. Miller, W. E.
Wolfe and R. L. Fitzpatrick were in
stalled in the Offices OF aldermen, which
they today delivered over TO the gentle
men elected to succeed them.
A brief resume of the work of the board,
touching only the most important acts,
during these four years past, sgiven THE
CITIZENS readers herewith.
At the time of the incoming of the
board Of which Messrs. Miller, Wolfe,
and Fitzpatrick were members, the new
water works were nearing completion.
The board purchased pumping apparatus
for the supply station, and erected a
stone pump house, and a residence for
the engineer. 1t also bought and located
the filters now in use on College street.
There we're then practically no sewer
lines in the city, the only one, in fact,
being line running from Battery Park
to Town branch. Under this board the
present sewer system was projected and
built, and it has grown until the city
now has about fifteen miles of sewerage.
Several miles of water mains have also
been added to the city's water system
during the past four years.
OF all the work done during the boards
administration nothing is more note
worthy than the establishment of the
present graded school system, and the
erection of the handsome school building
on Orange street.
When the board came in the fire de-
partment was insignificant in its equip
ment at least, there being only a hose reel
and a limited amount of hose. A splendid
hook and ladder truck has been added,
four excellent horses purchased and a
large quantity of hose provided, making
Asheville's fire department one of the
very best in North Carolina. The Game
well fire alarm telegraph system was also
inaugurated.
Under this board the Peoples Light,
heat and power company was char
tered, and contract was made with the
company for the system of street light
ing now in use. A greater number of
pole lights were added and the "moon-
light schedule" which had so long pre-
vailed. was abandoned.
The Asheville street railway company,
which now runs cars over FIVE or more
miles Of its lines, was privileged by this
board, as were the Asheville and Craggy
Mountain line, the Montford avenue line,
the line over East street, and the Park
and hotel company's line.
In the matter of street improvement,
North Main, South Main and court place
have been paved, a rock wall and good
sidewalk put down on Patton avenue,
and good work done on that avenue as
far out as the Roberts house. South
Main street has been widened, as has
College street from North Main to Oak,
which latter has also been widened its
entire length. Charlotte street has been
extended and widened, and Bridge street,
which formerly was in sad plight, is now
one of the best streets Of the city. North
Main has been widened from Merrimon
avenue to Cherry, and the name of Pul.
liam street has been changed to College.
Southside avenue has been opened, al
well as Starnes avenue, Penland street,
Hiawassce place, Vance, Market, Pros.
pect park and Jefferson drive, besides
many others OF smaller account.
One of the boards last acts is the tear.
ing down of the old Jail building and the
beginning OF work on the new city hall
and market house.