The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-09-21

this opposition. lie solicited aid, and Joel
Foster, Jr., and several of Prof. Gorham's stu
dents from the academy volunteered to assist
him in making a preliminary survey Of dis
tances and attitudes, both Mt the head of Ben
iamins falls and at the Bosworth mills, so
called, at the outlet of the pond. Having ac-
complished the survey the next step to be
taken (having no charter) was to secure the
right of way and the consent of the land own
ers to take water from the stream or pond"
Following this record is a copy OF quit
claim deed from Horatio A. and Betsey S.
Bullock of Berlin to Mr.. Reed, dated July 6,
1860, duly recorded in Berlin town records.
The deed sets forth the purpose of the convey
ance, and in consideration OF the sum OF five
dollars the right was given MIR. Reed, to bis
heirs and successors to take water from the
Berlin pond brook, with the incidental rights
and privileges. Mr.. Bullock then owned the
land at the head of Benjamin's falls the site
of the present reservoir, and the right con.
veyed was similar to that which the village Of
Montpelier, nearly a quarter of a century later,
procured by condemning" the land under a
charter from the legislature.
The unwritten history of the first inception
of this project is full of interesting incidents.
The claim was stoutly made that the water
could not be carried from the proposed site of
the reservoir over Scovill hill, and the father
of Mr.. Reed, man OF affairs, declared that
the scheme was impracticable and foolhardy
The survey showed that Scoyill hill, at its
highest point, was fifty-nine feet lower than
the top of Benjamin's falls. This dispersion
of this bugaboo was received with cheers by
! the little band of enthusiasts engaged in max
| ing the survey
! In a letter to Superintendent Foster, dated al
| Boston, Dec. IT, 1884, acknowledging the re
ceipt of the superintendent first report, Mr.
| Reed wrote u congratulate yon on having
completed the work in so short time and al
SO low price. Montpelier has the best water
works of any place in the country rejoice
| over your achievements, and have no anxiety
now as to sure and abundant supply OF water
for all time and at all seasons; and am cont
dent that the increase from water rents will be
source of great revenue to the town always
| and the water works be a means OF increasing
| the population and business of the town.
| Mr.. Reed was still true prophet as to the
utility of Berlin water. 1t has been source
of great revenue to the town, and its almost
instant application to mechanical purposes
through the introduction of water motors, has
been "the means of increasing the population
and business OF the town, IN a very remark
able degree means that did not at all enter
into the considerations that finally, in 1883
secured an almost unanimous vote in favor OF
bringing Berlin pond water into the village
Mr. Reeds project, in 1860, failed as many
other enterprises, at their first suggestion, have
failed, because they were far in advance OF
their times. Twelve years later, in 1872, the
subject was again agitated surveys and care
full estimates of cost were made, but Mont
pelier was not even then ripe for undertaking
the work. In 1888, after great mortality il
the village from diphtheria, the people became
deeply impressed with the need of water fol
better sanitary conditions, and the project was
revived and adopted with very slight opposition
When it was discovered how useful Berlin
pond water had become for mechanical pur
poses a second main, larger than the first, wa
required and it was provided in 1887. Thu
supply from both mains is now used for do
nestle public and business purposes but tn
use of the water for driving machinery ha
probably reached the limit of supply, AM
must soon begin to yield ground to the prio
demands of the household, public health ant
fire protection. Mr.. Reeds first and secon
prophecies in respect of Berlin water have bee
fulfilled in signal way, and We are pleased t
note that this prophet is not without honor i
his own country.