The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-02
TIE SUMTER GOLD
MINES.

ia for the statement of the curious fact
that the water level in the wells from
which the water supply is obtained
"has risen more than two feet within
the past MONTH" in face Of tine loog
continued drought and deficient rainfall
Of the past three months.
The wells, it is explained, are eight
in number. and each is six inches in
diameter and about forty feet deep
"The water rises ordinarily to within
eight feet Of tie surface of the ground,
and the supply is ioexbaustible.' On
one occasion half million gallons were
pumped from these wells within twenty
four bours, without appreoiable effect
on the supply, and without lowering
the water mere than a few inches a;
any time, although the pumps we're
driven at utmost speed. ''ln addition
to the abundant supply, the water is as
nearly chemically and absolutely pure
as caD be found anywhere "
The description of the quality and
eupply of the water strongly indicates,
of course, that is is of ar.esian origin !;
bu: this does not explain the strange
behavior of the water in rising Two
feet. in time of drought Even if it
oe assumed that the supply is drawn
from the hill aud mountain regions
uorth and northwest of Sumter, and
that its source is, therefore, far from the
wells, the droughs has been as severe
apd as long continued in those regions,
We believe, as about Sumter, and the
question remains. where does the extra
supply come from 4? TIE answer would
not be made any the easier by assuming
,ha. the wells penetrated sub:errsueao
lake OF pod, unless it be further
assumed that come kind OF slow seismic
disturbance is producing 40 upward
pressure Of the bottom of the cietero,
and We hesitate to make suca an ezplsna-
ton lightly We cannot account for toe
phenomenon, 10 abort. aod cheerfully
pass it Oh to more imaginative or less
reserved scientists.
Besides. the ecienti6o aspect of tie
situation is of mere secondary conse-
qacrce. We are no:e interested 10 the
practical one, aod the practical one is
that the town Of Sumter is certainly to
be congratulated on having such wells
at lis command. An iuezbaustible
eupply Of absolutely pure'' water,
obtaiuaole BY boring few wells, oolY
40 feet, or less in depth is an inesti-
mable treasure for auy community in
Toe country, even ii the water be EN-
p.oyed only for the ordinary purposes
Of the community. Philadelphia or
New York, OF any other large city in
the country would gladly pay several
millioo dollars for such supply at its
doors. and Sumter can, therefore.
reckon its wealth as enhanced by SO
much.
The supply, if really or practically
s'icexhaustlble," however, is worth
far more to the community which
possesses it than is represented by its
value for domestic and strictly muuioi-
pal uses alone. River water and plenty
of it is au essential of many kluds of
manufacturing processes, as the bleach
ing of cotton cloth, the making of
starch, for instance, and with such
water obsaiosble from a depth of only
six or eight feet OF little more. Sum-
ter should be able to induce the estab-
lisbment of large and important bleach
cries, starch factories, exc, ETC..
within its territory without difficulty or
delay. Ard it should be able to do
even more than hat
The command Of ready aud abuo
daot supply Of water. of good quality.
and cbeaply obtain able by means of
pumping laats, is an Invaluable
adjunct to :srmiog and fruit g-owiog
operations It makes the community
which is so favored independent of
drough's and deficient rainfalis as far
as the supply can be employed for
irriga,ing purposes. and it can be en-
ployed, as has been proved by sgricul-
turis,s in other parts of the country CO
billy and level lands alike. If the
people Of Sumter towp, therefore, will
sink more wells and train the water
from them over their fields and orchards
and meadows. they will make the
epvirons of the town not only 'to
blossom like rose," but to fruit like a
LIE Coats pear tree, Or Carter's oats, and
will make their own home the garden
spot of the State in few years, aud if
the same conditions exist throughout
the county that exist 10 or pear the
town 10 respect of 80 free water supply,
the county can be made to share the
happy estate Of the town
Shallow, inexbaustibie wells of good
water, in short. are very much 10 the
nature of gold mines ia this day aud