The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-08-01

After an extended series of delays,
too numerous to give in detail, work
was commenced yesterday on the Sew
enteenth main district sewer which
comprises the major portion of the
Eleventh, Twelfth and Nineteenth
wards and a small part Of the Twen-
tieth ward
The scene of the beginning of work
was on Willow street, midway between
Cedar and Remington avenues, at the
top of a steep incline overlooking the
Roaring Brook.
There was some little ceremony be-
fitting the occasion when ground was
broken for the sewer. Word had been
sent around during the morning that
at l o'clock precisely the first strike Of
pick would be made.
Nearly all but those on the inside
We're somewhat dubious as to the cor
rectnesS of this statement. When the
important hour had arrived an i'm
mense throng lined the bank to wit
ness the scene. Promptly at the hour
given Contractor Rooms, accompanied
by delegation of the leading men in
the sewer movement, arrived. Mr..
koons, who lacks but one year of being
10 years of age, pulled off his coat, took
pick and in a manner like he did it
years ago, sent it deep into the
ground. A mighty cheer went up from
the happy throng that echoed and re-
echoed
Harry KIauminzer. of Pittston ave-
nue., who for years fought increasingly
for the sewer and incidentally it can
be said had the cellar of his residence
flooded for the past twenty years, drove
the pick the second time into the
ground. Then Mr.. Koons set his gang
of men at work eXCavating.
The Tribune is authorized to state
that the pick referred to is to be
mounted with silver in recognition of
the fact that with ii was made the
Grandest and most open strike to free
thousands of long suffering and patient
people from premature deaths and to
place South Scranton in her position
among the other progressive sections
of the city.
Mr.. Rooms stated to a Tribune re-
porter yesterday that he will push
work as rapidly as possible. He esti-
mates that it will be year from now
before the contract is completed. When
his order of pipes arrives he will be
able to work at three points. viz: At
Willow street, where he has started,
at the Roaring Brook where it empties
| into the Lackawanna river and at the
river last mentioned, commencing on
Elm street, and on to Washington
| avenue.
From Willow street a thirty -siXinCh
| pipe will be run on a direct line into
| the Roaring Brook, a distance of five
| hundred yards. This branch Of the
sewer will extend to Stone avenue.
| Commencing where the Roaring Brook
| meets the Lackawanna river pipes will
| be run up the brook to Remington
avenue, then to Locust. to Cedar ave-
nue., to Maple street, to PittstOn ave-
nue., to Front street, to Stone avenue,
and along Stone avenue to connect with
| the Willow street section.
The several cross streets along the
route of the sewer will be connected
with the routes above outlined. When
| the sewer is completed about one-half
of South Scranton will be severed. The
| Twentieth ward, with the exception of
| one block which the new sewer will
| cover, will be left out.
The upper portion of the Nineteenth
ward will he in a similar condition,
| likewise much of the Twelfth ward.
| The Eleventh ward will be thoroughly
| taken care of.
Joseph and John Schreiber, Hon.
| John Scheuer. Jacob Geiger, jr.,
| Stephen Spruks, Harry Klauminzer
were warmly congratulated yesterday
| over the success of their great efforts
in having the much-needed improve
| ment under way. For months they
| have labored indefatigably for it.