Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-04-04
STATE HOUSE.
Work on State Water System
Is All Planned Out.
VIII Probably Begin as Soon as Frost
Is Cut Of Ground.
interesting Notes Gathered from the Fish and
Game Department.

ground is in proper condition the State
water works will be pushed to complc
tion ana the State House will be fur
HlShed with constant flow of p.,rc
co'd spring water from the two springs
known as the State and Blaine springs.
situated some $500 feet directly west
of the State House
Inc system Will be run on the Siphon
principle and the gravitation will b.
Suillcient to force the water to the
caves of the building. The land
around the two springs to be utilized.
abounds in pools of pure water, Ill a
part of the same system. The State
spring. whether the season be wet or
dry. always furnished an abundant
supply. a stream as large as a mans
wrist coming constantly from one
point. And the water is always cold
and clear. The two springs are already
pipe.
James Devine. Jr.. conveyed by war
ranty deed to the State. in the wear
1863. the aQueduct extending from the
southwest spring on the Butman lot
so called. to the State House. with the
tank connecting. the exclusive right
" tit Noslci tl tIlc -sl'lIi:r To supply inc
aqueduct before mentioned. rescrvin-
the right to all surplus water not re-
quired at the State House. and also
the privilege of taking water rom
the aqueduct for the use of the house
occupied by James G.. Blaine so long
as sufficient water is left to flow to the
State House.
Tradition says the Blaine spring"
situated about 20 feet from the State
spring. was given to the State in con-
sideration of the right to convey
water through the State aQueduct to
the Blaine house. thus giving the
Blaine house an increased supply in
addition to that from the State aque-
duct.
Last fall, square timbers. SX12
inches. were bedded in the clay and
that portion OF the timbcrs covered by
the side and end walls was planked
over with 3-inch plant thoroughly
spiked to the bed pieces. Along the
lower side OF each spring. timber
was placed reaching the whole length
OF the spring and on the spring side
of this timber sheet spiling was driven
as deep as practicable. This timber
and spiling was also covered by the
side wall.
During the excavations at the Blaine
spring. an extremely large Vein of
water was discovered. This vein came
outside of the limits of the original
spring and close to another spring.
Construction was delayed three days
during which time large and con-
tinuous flow through this newly dis
covered vein had no perceptible effect
on the adjoining spring in which The
water stood six feet above the level of
the outlet to tho new vein at the bot
tom of the Blaine spring. The side
walls of the Blaine spring were ex-
tended to take in this vein.
The mason work was done by w. A.
Williams of Augusta and the carpen-
tering by Fletcher & Robbins of Au-
gusta.
The pipe line as it at present eN-
lists comes out of the State House
onto Capitol street. runs along Cap'toi
street to Page street and then across
private land. swhere right of way mas
been granted The line is made up OF
1sS feet of 2-inch lead pipe. 1.343 feet OF
4 2-inch iron pipe. 1,477 feet Of Linen
| lead pipe and SIS feet of 3-inch iron
| pipe, being laid in the order given pc
| ginning ~ the State House.
A part OF this pipe is too small ana
the larger size pipe is rusted out ana
unfit for use. therefore the entire line
will have to be reconstructed.
| The new line will be made up Oh =
inch galvanized pipe from the spring
to the brow of the hill. about half way
distant. and 1la-inch pipe will be lalo
the remainder of the way.
| The entire work will be the laying
of 8. TAG feet of pipe, the same distance
of trenching. fitting and scttihs
specials and the piping and hitting "orN
inside the building to connect the pres
ent system with that proposed.