St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-24
WILL BENEFIT COMO.
Success at Last Crowns the
Efforts of Park Com
missionerS.
A Sufficient Supply Of Water
Secured for Lake
Como.
The Lake Will Quickly Be
Restored to It's Orig
inal Size.
Bonds DISPOSED of for the
Bonds Disposed of for the
Como Boulevard I'M
provements.

The present board of park commits
sioners have been quite successful in
their efforts toward obtaining a new
source of water supply at Como park.
They have been working for some
months past on system of wells of the
artesian order, and their special commit
tee, Commissioners Aberle and Dale,
accompanied by Chief Engineer -Rund-
lett and Globe reporter, went to the
scene of operations, in Como park, yes
terday, and found highly satisfactory
condition of affairs.
During the fall William Mooney. arte-
sian well contractor, began operations
at an extensive and formerly pictur-
esque arm of Lake Como. This arm
has dried up Of late years so that it has
amounted to but little more than a
great mud pond, and very I'M
pleasant place aid it become
to the citizens of Warrendale and the
surrounding Como district. 1t became
offensive from asanitary as we'll as from
a gardeners point of view. It, together
with considerable portion OF the shores
OF Lake Como, needed to be restored to
Its former beauty and healthfulneSS:
otherwise the beneficent effects of de-
YelopIng Como park, with its more than
three hundred acres, would be, to a
great extent, lost. The park is so close
to the city. and Lake Como was formerly
SO attractive to all who visited that sec
ton that every effort toward restoring
it to its pristine condition is hailed with
delight, especially by those whose
pretty homes stand near those sylvan
shores.
Contractor Mooney had drilled
through the upper strata but short dis
lance when he struck hard sandstone,
which delayed his operation materially.
This rock stratum was found through
out nearly the entire depth of the well,
which Is 42l feet deep. AT this depth q
good supply of excellent
Water Was Struck
short time ago, and it IS found to be
very valuable for flooding the arm OF the
lake. although lC lacks one feature of
most OF the arteSian wells in not over
flowing at the furface without the aid
OF pump. An engine and pump were
provided. and on Saturday last test
was begun to determine the ability OF
the well to provide good water supply.
All day long strong stream flowed
from the slX-lnch stand pipe, and the
special committee went out Yesterday
to witness the continuance of the
test. The water flowed at the rate OF
about 800 gallons per minute under the
power of small eight or ten horse
power engine. 1t was evident to the
commissioners, aud to all present. that
a more powerful engine and larger
pump could easily double the flow of
water from the well or, at the least,
-
water daily from this one well. The
arm or pond which was referred to is
rapidly being covered with a plentiful
supply of aqua, and the commissioners,
well pleased with the success, have
decided that the we'll has a sufficient
supply TO warrant the use OF stronger
engine, which will be provided in tie
near future.
Now that supply OF water is as
Sured from a source that cannot posi-
bly, have any connection with the for
mer feeders of the lake, other wells
Will soon be drilled in that vicinity.
The next one is to be near the head of
the main body OF Lake Como, ard o. il Is
are planned to follow. While the citi-
Zens of Warrendale and that vicinity
Will reap the greatest benefits from the
restoration of the lake. yet it is mat
ter OF value to tine entire city, tor tine
prospects are exceedingly good that the
beauties OF Como park will be so ell
HANGED that it will rapidly become
the favorlte resort for recreation of
the people of the city. As previously
stated, 1t is located very conveniently,
and 1t is almost certain that rapid
transit Will make it all the more Access
Sible early next spring. and the Como
picnic grounds will probably have many
more visitors next summer.
a vast amount OF work has been done
IN improving the landscape features of
the park. Numerous inmates OF the
WorkhOuse and Il paid force have been
employed IN this under the direction of
Skilled Landscape Artists.
Thousands of trees and shrubs have
been set out, and they have grown very
satisfactorily. The grounds are gently
rolling and capable Of splendid results
from the gardeners art. Frederick
Nussbauer, superintendent of parks,
showed the visitors over the grounds and
conducted them to the nursery, where
he has grand array Of ported plants,
many Of them now in bloom. These
plants will be appOrtioned to the differ
ent flower beds when the season comes
In fact, Supt. NuSsbauer looks after the
plants, shrubs and trees for all the
parks, and makes very good showing
for his work. The plants are raised
under his care, and at but little expense
to the fund. The park greenhouse sup
plies about 10000 plants and $4,000 to
10000 trees each season. Thirty flower
beds are maintained i'll Como park dur
Ing the summer. The superintendent
| appeared to be as much elated over the
| success of the new well as the commits
| SionerS. The work has been done under
his care, and he now sees not only
| water enough to fill the basin around
| the island in the arm of the lake which
! had been dried up, but also to sprinkle,
| the boulevard and flower beds in the
| vicinity of the greenhouse. Greater
1 benefits than these may be expected II
the plans of the commission can be car
ried out.
The improvements of Como park are
only in their infancy, and in many cases
1t will take several years before the
| tree-planting and gardening will have
their full effects in gratifying the eyes
of the visitors. The grand boulevard
at Como is only part of the magpifi-
| cent boulevard system which is to ex-
tend more than fifteen miles through
| the most attractive portions of this pict-
| uresQue city, and not including any
| part of the grand connecting avenues OF
| our municipal sister.
! Phenomena Increase.
The increase of sales at the Plymouth
Clothing House last week over the cor
/ xvoaI- of 1901 uraS npnraoa