The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-30
CONTRACTOR DELANEY OUT.
HE Is NO LONGER INTERESTED IN
HOUSE DRAINAGE.

VIII Finish the WOrk-DeIaney's
Big Run of Luck in Savannah
Came Here Unknown and soon Had
the Town in "A SIing-The Last OF
the Original House Drainage Con-
tracing Firm.
Mr.. Daniel Delaney is out of the Sa-
vanah house drainage contract This an
nouncement was made last night by Mr.
John Rourke, Mr. Delaney's sue
cessor. The work will now be con-
Quoted by Rourke & Son and the Mitchell
Construction Company.
Mr. Delaney is on his way to Chicago
He is, according to all accounts, the
luckiest man or the slickest cOntrac-
tor alive. He landed here three months
ago with, according to all accounts, little
in his pocket, but a rabbits foot. On
his way down he waived his rabbit foot at
J. NJ. Zipf, young saloon keeper of Joliet,
H. and Zipf gathered together his dust
to the amount of about $1,000 and came
along Arriving in Savannah, Mr.. Della
ney met, among others, Mr.. Joseph. e.
Bryan of Jacksonville, q young contrac-
tor with considerable experience in sewer
work under similar conditions to
those in Savannah, having just
completed large sewer con-
tract in Jacksonville. Mr.. Delaney
turned the rabbits foot on him, and
the two got together, and submitted bid
When the bids were opened it was found
that the Bryan, Delaney & Zipf bid was
considerably the lowest. There was some
hemming and having, and the Council APP
peared to look upon the Delaney bid with
suspicion. Mr.. Delaney's rabbit foot got in
it's work. however, and the
Council voted unanimously to ae-
cept the lowest bid The ac-
ton was not so unanimous in the COM
mite of the whole. it is said. but ma
jority of the aldermen was of the opinion
that the only thing to do was to accept
the bid.
It's acceptance seemed only to
open up a peck of trouble for the success
full contractors 1t was rumored
tai. that they would not be
able to give bond, that they had not
sufficient commercial rating and that they
were looking for a good chance TO sell
out Things did not look over bright for
them, and it was just at this time that
MeSSrS. Bryan ana Delaney started out 70
cut each others eye-teeth.
Mr.. Delaney went to Chicago and wired
back to Mr.. Bryan that he would secure
bond there. Mr. Bryan replied that he
need not trouble about that, as he would
arrange bond in Jacksonville. When Mr.
Mr.. Delaney returned, however, he found
a surprise awaiting him. Mr.. Bryan had
secured a bondsman in Jacksonville. The
bondsman wanted 70 per cent of the
profits for furnishing the bond and Mr.
Bryan was to have control of the work
and the making of all contracts for mate
rial and supplies. Here was where Mr.
Delaneys rabbit foot served him in good
stead. He stood at the corner of Bull and
Broughton streets, waved his rabbit foot
three times in the air, point
ed it toward the city exchange
and then put it down in
his left trousers pocket and waited. The
result was miraculous. The bOndsmen
came rushing from all sides. The man
who had been said to be without capital
and without friends soon had a bond good
enough for anybody and number of peo-
pie were crashing their teeth because they
didn't get on. Business men actually
reused his attorney out of bed at night in
their eagerness to get on the bond. Having
made his bond, Mr. Delaney was indie
pendent and could snap his fingers at Mr..
Bryan, which he proposed to do. The latter
disposed of his interest in the contract,
it is said, for 5000.
This was only one cloud dispelled. There
were others. A formal start on the work
was made, but there was not much head
way. The small force of hands put to
work excavating on Randolph street,
struck with such regularity that
it grew monotonous. There was
talk of importing people for
the work and a good deal of grumbling
about Savannah labor not being given
fair deal.
About this time Messrs. Mitchell of New
Castle, Pa, came here They had had
considerable experience on the Chicago
drainage canal and other public works and
seemed to be well fixed financially. A deal
was effected by which Mr.. Zipf retired
and the Mitchell Construction Company
entered into partnership with Mr.. De-
laney. Mr.. Zipf stated before his depart
ure that he got out with about the same
amount of money with which he went in.
After a little while 1t became evident that
Mr.. John Rourke was dickering for the
contract and recently it was announced
that he had purchased an interest with
Mr. Delaney. The firm of Rourke, Mitch
ell & Delaney was formed and new bond
was filed with the city Mr.. Rourke has
since secured the balance of Mr.. Delaney's
interest and is now an equal partner with
the Mitchells.
Mr.. Delaney is said to have secured a
sufficient amount from the deal to put
himself straight here and carry away
something besides. He told a Morning
News reporter yesterday that here had
been an addition to his family and he
was going home to see about it.
Whatever may be said about Mr.. Della
ney few men ever made more friends in
Savannah in a shorter space of time orr
made better use of them. He seemed to
recognize at once those who would be
useful 10 him and TO secure their friend
ship seemed an easy matter for him.
This is probably the last of the changes
in the house drainage contract. The work
is now well backed and will
doubtless proceed TO successful
completion. Messrs Rourke & Son will
take charge of the brick sewer work, while
Messrs. Mitchell will direct the laying of
pipe. Mr.. Rcurke said last night that he
would purchase a steam excavating ma
chine in order to push work on the main
sewer and he has already purchased sew
eral pumps and other machinery.
A large lot of pipe has been received, and
several gangs will soon be paced at work
laying it which win considerably increase
the force of hands employed.
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Progressive Place.
Hicks is the only real progressive res