Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-05-02
Water Reaches Berryville.

the town and county, tine water from
the source of the Berryville Water
system, after travelling it's Z mile
journey, gushed forth from an open
ing In the e-plug in the square of
the town, The stream was "a strong
one and the foaming water was sent
nearly across the street. The water
had a muddy appearance, due to u
large amount of dirt that accumulst
eel IN the ends of the pipes when laid.
IL was clearer, however, than the water
now supplied Washington and Rich
mOnd from the Potomac and James
Rivers. In taste the tincture of tar
was perceptible, which was prod uced
bv tar bath given all the pipe This
taste will disappear in two or three
months, as will the muddy color in
short time. 1t was soft and cool. be-
ing free stone.
Now that water has reached Ber-
rvviile brief account Of the efforts
10 obtain 1t may not prove uninter
estlug- The lie Of Introducing to
the use Of the citizens of Berryville
the healthy waters of the Blue Ridge
origin ted with the promoters of the
Berryville Land and Imp. Co. An
euginrer-Mr. W. Mcdonald Lee.
now editor Of the Irvington Citizen
was hired to make surveys and report
the ACCESSIBILITY of such gravity
system. His opinion was that the
PLAZA WAS an admirable one, and was
sustained 10y prominent hydraulic en-
gineers Of Baltimore, to whom the
matter was submitted.
Ia 1891, au organization known AS
the Berryville Water Company. was
effected, and after canvassiug, stock
amounting to S23. 900 was subscribed.
One half of this stock was taken bv
he Berryville Land and lump. CO..
and when that enterprise failed n
large share of the subscription Wa,
left unpaid. In the meantime con.
struction Of the system was begun and
/ miles of the mains were laid be
tween here and the river. The water
company. 20 complete the system. de
clded to mortgage it for S25.OOO
Oniy "A FEW of these bonds were sold.
and " then the work of construction
ceased, the holders of the bonds pe
ltionrd our Circuit Court for an en-
iorcemcnt of the contract under
which the uonds were issued. viii,
: granted. and the property and
franchise was acquired in July. 1924.
by X. ID. Wood x Co, and others. of
Philadelphia, who were holders of the
bonds.
Ia July, 1899, the voters Of the
corporation of Berryville, by large
majority, authorized the town coun
ell to Issue S25,OuO IN bonds to lie
used IN purchasing the old franc hise
and completing the system. Shortly
afterwards the contract was let TO the
". Riley Weaver Con. Co., of Balu.
more, whose bid was few hundred
dollars below the sum stipulated.
The bonds, after the town council
Was empowered 10y the legislature to
Issue them, were dOated AT ) per cent.
anu Tue "Ork comuenceu ia Septeu-
ter. But Tor the failure OF parties
to deliver pipe 10 The contractors the
work would nave been completed Ia
December. ~ IL was, Contractor
Weaver experienced the severest OF
the winter 10 execute his work. aud
considering his many Interruptions
CAUSED 10y the weather be pushed che
WORK OF completion rapidly and ener
Seucally.
Ihe source o this system lies on
the western slope of the Blue Ridge
Mountains, and Is unloA of mum
ter of springs. The water from these
springs Is caught in natural ra,iue.
the lower end of which being crossed
10y dam 50 feet long and u feet
high. The drain of this dam also
embraces 100 acres of land, which
the town owns. From this, dam which
Is 22S feet above the juucture of Main
street and the railroad, the water Is
carried to Berryville through 5 inch
MAINS and distributed in smaller pipe
through the Important sections of the
town. The supply of water is con
Sidered inexhausu ble.
The expense of conducting the
system, including the Interest on the
bonds, Is estimated at $1,000, anu
although IT Is not expected TO be
SeII-SuStalnlng for u wniIe, 1t Is be
ileVed after ali the advantages sr.
seen anu appreciated the revenue To
Oe derived Will exceed the expenses
10y several hundred dollars rhe