Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1899-07-08
City Fathers fleet.

III luC NltdA anu SouICtilHCt1 4 a hS,& s%Niu-
| ing, Eversole. Roberts, Rentch. Kline,
Brandenburg, Shoafsfal and McQuilkin
present.
A report of the Street Committee upon
the repairing Of John street was received
and referred to the Finance Committee
to be included in the appropriations to be
repcr ed back 10 the Council, when they
ascertain an estimate Of the costs Of keep
ing the streets in repair for the ensuing
year.
The report OF the Water Board was
presented, stating that the board had met
and considered the petition OF the Brook
Ign Brass Manufacturing Company ask
ing that their water rent of stag per year
be reduced. The board reported that il
was not in favor Of reducing it. If the
company was not satisfied, it recommend
ed that water meter be placed in the
plant and charge of z cents per $1,000
gallons be made.
The report of the Water Board was re-
ceived, after which the seml-annual report
of Chief Marshsl Hollis, of the Fire De-
partment, reporting the number OF fires
during the past six months was received
and read. He reported FIVE fires.
The Marshal also recommended the
purchase-ef new nozzles and called atten-
ton of the Council to the water plugs on
corner of Burke and Queen streets and in
| front of the County Court House.
The report was received and referred to
the fire committee.
Mr.. Parks, Of the Light Committee
which was instructed by the Council to
make a report on the expense OF lighting
the city for the ensuing year, reported
that the committee had considered the
question several times with Manager
/ Houseworth and that it was of the opn-
ion of lighting the city was more than the
Corporation could bear. He said that by
the present system all the side streets and
alleys were not lighted and that the COM
mittee would recommend more incandes-
cant and less arc lights.
Mr.. Frank VanHorn, of the Middlesex
Knitting Company, then appeared before
| the meeting and stated that when leaks
occurred on the Queen street water main
/ they were put to considerable inconven-
fence and were compelled to haul water
from the creek in order to feed the boilers
and keep the mills in operation. He ask
ed that another connection be made with
| the Maple avenue main, a distance of
50 feet from the mills. Mr.. VanI1orn's
request was referred to the Water Board
The law suit OF Charles Stewart VS.. the
Corporation was then taken up and dis
cussed at much length. In this case
Stewart sued the Corporation for $1,000
claiming damage for having his leg broken
by falling into cistern under the Court
House pavement, which was being used
by the Fire Department. The case was
heard before the Circuit Court and the
jury rendered a verdict for $I25 against
the Corporation. This verdict Judge
Faulkner set aside. 1t is said that Messrs,
Faulkner and Walker and Flick and
Westenhaver, attorneys for the plaintiff.
have carried the case into the Supreme
Court, but are willing to make a COM
promise with the Corporation. They now
say they will settle the suit by being paid
the amount awarded them by the jury,
SI25 and the costs. amounting to S269-
Two of the Councilmen were in favor
of fighting the case out, but the remainder
were Of the opinion that if they would
fight it in the Supreme Court and win it,
their costs would amount to good deal,
and moved that the Corporation offer to
pay the plaintiffs attorneys $50. The
motion was carried by 7 to ?.
All the stone in the First ward. belong
ing to Messrs. Martin, Young and Bailey,
were ordered 20 be taken up.
Ianitor Cav was instructed to make a
systematic examination of the fire plugs
Of the city, under the supervision of the
Superintln lent of the Water Works, ar d
make report as to their condition to the
Mayor.
The matter Of furnishing water to some
OF the people in the Second ward, who
needed it and were unable to pay for it,
was referred to the Water Board.
The condition of the sewer on College
street, the top of which had fallen in and
left it in a dangerous condition, was re-
ferred to the street committee.
Mr.. A. Oden was ordered to put in a.
gutter in front of his property on Burke
and College streets within thirty days.
A building adjoining the Shaffer prop
erty near the b. & o. Queen street cross
ing, which was used as coal oil store
house and about which much complaint
had been made, because it was saturated
with oil and being SO close to the railroad
was liable to catch fire and destroy con-
siderable property, was referred to the
Committee on Dangerous Buildings.
The Mayor was instructed to notify the
Electric Light Company to repair the
bridge over their race on East Burke
street.
A petition of the fifty property owners
living on John street, between Winches-
ter and Maple avenues, requesting that
the dirt and stone over John street, caus-
ed by the digging of the sewer, be removed
and that the street be put in the same
condition as before the sewer was dug,
was received.
A petition to the Corporation to extend
the water main 500 feet out the William
sport pike, was also received.
The tax rate for the ensuing year was
fixed the same as last year, Is cents on the
SIoo. plus the one per cent added for the
support of the Fire Department, making