The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-06-06
TO HARNESS THE CREEK.
Cantonians Have Scheme to Have
the Nimishillen Run All Our
Industries.

A move is now contemplated that II
carried out will revolutionize industry in
Canton. 1t is proposed TO harness the
Nimishillen and If it is accomplished &C.
cording TO plans already made the posi-
bilities of the venture are almost illimita-
bic
prominent citizen of Canton of an
original turn of mind, while gazing into
the gurgling waters of the Nimishillen
was struck with the idea that the force OF
these rushing waters might be turned to
advantage and made to move the ma
chinery of this and other nearby towns.
Several have been Interested in the
scheme which involves the. generating of
electricity for light and power by water
power.
The idea is to use the water of the MIN
ishillen. COMMENCING below the city at
the first available point they would
secure the water power and use 1t for gen.
Grating all the electricity possible at that
point. Then at the next available point
another battery would be planted and the
same water used to generate more cleo
trical power. 1t was expected to plant
four or five batteries between Canton and
the Big Sandy. Their greatest eXpeta-
tions however, are based upon the Big
Sundy. The scene of their operations Is
expected to be at the old dam and canal
which for many years has been aban-
doned. There they calculated to have a
big plant and develop enough electrical
energy to supply Canton, Massillon and
Canal Dover, and at prices much below
the present cost. BY the restoration of
the old dam across the Big Sandy above
Bolivar and the use of the old canal bed
they calculated that they would be able to
secure fall of 80 feet and by the use of
turbine wheel and motor they could
generate 1000 horse power. In the trans
mission some 20 per cent Of the power
would be lost, but the cheapness with
which it.-could be produced after the plant
was once established would make 1t de-
sirable an practical scheme. The four or
five plants to be established along the
Nimishillen would probably produce 1000
so the promoters Of this project expected
to have 1000 or 5000 horse electric
power to dispose of to the mills and shops
In neighboring towns. In beginning
operations they found some difficulty in
securing the right to use the old dam and
canal, and also good deal Of doubt about
titles in some cases.
Another matter has delayed them for
some months and prevented them from
prosecuting the work more vigorously
1t being necessary to obtain measure
ments of the streams at low water mark
None of them have reached this point
since the inception of the project. A
calculation of the power that could be
utilized based upon the high water mark
of the streams would be useless, but a
measurement of them at low water mark
would make basis for exact calculation.
If the creek settles down to low water
mark new measurements may be taken
and the work pushed.
Engineers have been employed and sent
down to investigate the practicabiilty of
the scheme. They report that the plan
could be made to work all right.
With half dozen big turbine wheels
revolving along the Nimishillen it is esti-
mated that more than enough power
could be created to run all the shops, cleo
trio car lines and light the towns of Can
ton, Massillon and Canal Dover and in
termediate smaller places.
One Of the gentlemen interested In the
matter said to News man: "The pro-
jectors of this scheme are not seeking no.
toriety and are not yet ready to announce
plans for future action. They are not
capitalists, but busy, thinking men,"
"Men with wheels in their heads said
he facetiously-" turbine wheels"
Should the project ever materialize and
be successful 1t would make wonderful
change in the industrial affairs in this
section.