The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-24

fiGhting mOsQuitoeS-Ovorlead Tim
bers Carefully Examined and Found
to be In First. class Conistior.-The
Bottom OF the Sewer Needs Cleaning
Out-The Trip a Very Interesting One.
MUCK Valuable Information Gained.
Messrs. John Sheehan and Clarence
Coleman. OF the board Of public works,
accompanied by TIMES reporter, made
tour of inspection yesterday afternoon
through the Campbell street sewer and
they will doubtless remember their ex-
psrience for long time TO come.
The members of the party, as thew
left the courthouse, presented anything
but genteel appearance. MIR. Sheehan
was dressed in suit Of blue leans,
with an old hat and rubber boots and
carried a lantern. Mr.. Coleman wore a
pair of rubber boots, hunting Jacket
that was once white and had on his
head felt hat. Re carried q Ratchet
for the purpose of testing the timbers
that form the roof of the sewer.
The TInEs man was probably the
hardest looking OF the three. He was
enveloped in rubber coat, had on rub
Der boots, and on his head was a cap
that would strike envy to the heart of
any horse jockey who should see it. He
also carried a lantern and staff to de-
fend the party from the attacks of any
strange and weird animal that might be
encountered.
Hut this was altogether unnecessary.
Tho only animals encountered were an
old black duck, a fow rats, and swarms
or fully developed and hungry mosu ui-
toes. These pests seemed very anxious
to welcome the explorers and stuck to
them with tenacity that was ANYTHING
but pleasing. They seemed to have a
special fondness for Mr.. Coleman and
fingered around him the whole time he
was in their domain.
Inc exploring party entered the
sewer at THE TIMES building and
traversed it's entire length emerging
opposite Woodland Park. Every few
feet MIR. Coleman, with his little Ratchet,
would examine the timbers and without
a single exception, they were found to
be ia perfect condition. These rafters
had been coated with tar before being
placed in position, and are as firm and
sound to-day rs when they were first
laid, if not more So Mr.. Sheehan, who
is an expert on coal mines, favored the
party with an interesting talk on how
lumber which is constantly in damp
place lasts for long period Of time.
The conversation would be interrupted
every little while by ono of the explor-
ers stepping into deep hole. Once or
twice the water very nearly reached
above the boot tops.
The bottom of the sewer needs atten-
ton. 1t is filled with slime and rocks,
and in some places are regular sand
and in excellent condition. The sewer
is twenty feet wide and from five to
eight feet in height.
at the Jefferson street crossing very
bad state of affairs was discovered. The
Jefferson street sewer, which empties
into the Campbell street one, was al
most entirely stopped up and water was
forcing its way through the top. Con.
siderable work will have to bo done
here.
From Henry to Jefferson street a
numb OF small drains empty into the
large sewer. In every case where these
Grains were forced through the stone
work on the sides, the largo stones
which were pushed out were left whore
they fell and act as an obstacle TO the
free passage of sewage.
At the MARKET house another bad
building will have to be attended to at
once.
Tho plank covering from jefferson
street to tho Roanoke and Southern
depot Is badly worn, and in many places
small rays of sunshine could be seen.
The cross-s sc ctions, however, are as firm
as ever.
Below Randolph street thore is seri-
GUS fracture in the wall A large num-
Der OF the heavy stones are pushed far
out OF place and the wall is considerably
weakened. 1t looks as though some
one attempted to bore hole into the
sewer and used dynamite for this pur.
pose.
The board will investigate this matter
at once and have the party who did the
damage repair it.
When the gallant explorers reached
the point where Trout run and the
sewer meet they experienced trouble.
The water suddenly got much deeper
and 1T showed fondness for getting
over tho tops of the rubber boots. Mr..
Sheehan gallantly led the procession
and borrowing the scribes staff, he
made soundings every few feet. The
only thing discovered from Trout run
to the end of the covered portion of the
sewer wero the black duck, mentioned
above. and part of scaffold that
some workmen had left This formed
very ,ious obstruction and much
filthy matter had become banked up
against 1t.
1t was late in the afternoon when the
end of the journey was reached and the
explorers once moro stood in the open air.
Not many minutes were lost in getting