The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-09-30
Mr.. J. W. Thomas Is Still FrIm In His
Convictions on the Subject.
ITS GENERAL SUPERIORITY ARGUED
He is Stili willing to IInve 1t Conn
pared with Water from Amy other
Available Source Of SuppIy-Argu
mcnts Against Northwest River
Water Considered mud Answered.
Mr.. Editor:

Dear Sir:-I have not appeared in
Four columns for the purpose of no
torletS inviting discussion over anay-
SIS OF water. or forcing interviews with
the oldest inhabitants. l have only
appeared in the interest of my city, pre-
venting. If possible. the useless eXpendi-
lure OF large sums of money for supply
of water from which 10 return has been
mad. and it is not likely that any ever
will be. and | think it is about time
that halt was called and an endcavor
made to see if there does exist the sup
NV of water that have urged the city
to ADOPT. NV business is scientific
one. and what l do in that line and
permit it to be published is true and
correct. and If Mr.. Bliven, or any one
else wishes Il comparison of the analy-
sis of Northwest river water with that
eff Berklev he is referred to that pub
liShed under my signature in The Nir-
rinian somewhere between the 10th and
10Th of January, 1895. l am willing To
stand bY that analysis now, for Il sam
ple OF the water taken from the river
Gbout three months ago still responds
- the same tests as at first, and any
inc can see ii in my laboratory and can
be thoroughly convinced rs 10 its pur-
itv and healthful conditions and any
other information in my possession.
That 1t is far superior TO any water
| about here for boilers and manufacture
Ing purposes and for drinking and all
other uses goes without saying, for it is
the best. l do not doubt Prof. Leeds.
| knew him personally when he was
connected with the water works ut
Philadelphia and To the fact of the
Commissioners begging him to stop
telling the public as To the condition of
he water. / do not know Prof Dewey.
do not question their ability or their
work. but analysts differ. and ! am not
| an exception. but think that | under
stand as much about what water is and
It's source of supply, particularly in this
section. where | am a native and to the
manor born. as any one else who has
not had the same facilities. make
ANALYSIS of any kind and give CERT
iicatcs. and charge a fee commensurate
for the service. and ii does not mattcJ
what disposition is made of the work.
Now as to the Northwest river. II
seems to be doubted from the interview
with Marshall Parks. Esq, that this
later will not be lit or available for
| our supply. and desire to state that.
while | am not personally acquainted
with the river myself. j am giving the
statement of Eentleman-a resident
OF this citv-wel-known and who is
fatally free from any completely, as !.
| from any interest in the matter beyond
seeing the city have Il good water sup
plv. and know that in my acquaint-
-nce with him for a number of years
| shat / am satisfied that he knows as
much. If not more. about Northwest
| river than any one else, and he says
| that the source of tn" water in that
| river is from the large cypress and gum
| swamUS known as the Red river and
| Light SwampS and other gum SwampS.
! mostly OH either side of the river. ana
| this supply is received from these
sources for a distance OF about ten miles
| from its head. 1t is then twenty miles
- it's entrance in the Currituck Sound.
| As to its saltincss many years ago. ana
Us present freshness. is true, ana ii by
| unforeseen should
| that the whole OF CurrituCk Sound
| shonld become again salt the pressure
| of the fresh water down the river would
| naturally force the hrackish ur salt
| water back 10 the sound. 1t is posi-
| bile that once in ten or twelve years
| there might come one OF those terrific
| NorihraStcrS and the surf would break
| over the beach. but il is usually at
! tended with a very heavy fall of rain.
| ana This causes frrshct I'm the river
| and here again it is seen that the pres
sure of the water forces its way and
| =reSSes out the SALTY water TO the sound
and it. in turn. finds its way from The
| sound through the marrows. and III"
North Carolina cut of the Albemarlo
| and Chosapcake Canal TO Albcmarlt
Sound. SO this logic about it's uniitness
/ ends right here in smoke.
| The assertion that Lake Drummond
ana the Dismal swamp Canal are n
natural outlet is true on account Of the
leads OF the Dover farm at Wallac"ton
but this has changed with the improve
incnis now going on To the Dismal
SWAMP Canal. This lead will he closed
ii The culvert underneath the canal and
lie Dover farm will have to seek an out
let in the southern branch OF the Eliza
beth river
In reference TO the Northwest river
going dry. this is II monstrous state
@cnt. y river thirty miles long and
t:nm ten to sixty fee; deep going dry?
When that happens Norfolk will not
have need for any more water. The
distance from this city is as nothing
being by the railroad survey about
twcntv-one miles
This covers all that il is necessary to-
say now. Norfolk wants water that she
don; have TO pay amy royalty for. We
inst can't afford il. We want capital
lists 10 come here with their plants of
any kind and if we take the Northwest
wafer we can be Offering superior in
dnccments in less than six months but
II II is to bc done with newspaper criti-
cism and other adverse methods no good
can result. Why don't the committee do
something or say 50 To the people? In
conclusion. dcigninE to reply to the
query of Mr. Blivcn. as To how more
eater was pumped into the city than
was on storage. | have only to say
don't understand such arithmetic ana
If he knows il probably was an uncX-
| pectcd draught upon his underground
| lake.
Please excuse me this time Lot tho