Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1902-02-13
FREE WATER FOR JERUSALEM.
Arch, Built by Solomon, Unearthed in
a Mountain

|
| In the days of Solomon, Jerusalem
was supplied with pure water in great
abundance from Solomon's pools and
brought into the city by aqueduct.
| These pools are constructed of heavy
| masonry and comprise three great
reservoirs between two shelving hill
| sides standing on different levels, the
one draining into the other, and con-
! sisting partly of masonry and partly
Of rock cutting and cover about seven
| acres. They were fed by springs,
| and are at the present time in very
good repair. They are located in the
hill country toward Hebron, about six
or eight miles southwest of Jerusalem.
The upper pool is $50 feet long by
233 feet wide and 25 feet deep; the
middle pool is 423 feet long by 233 feet
wide and 80 feet deep; the lower pool
$50 feet long by IT'S feet wide and so
| feet deep.
These pools were no doubt made by
the order of Solomon. Il made me
gardens and planted trees-I made me
pools of water" (Ecclesiastes XII:
! g. About 200 yards above the upper
pool Is fountain. The water from
it is conducted by an underground
aqueduct to the pools.
The later rains were lighter in
/ Palestine last spring than for many
seasons before, the total fall being
one half the usual average. Much suf-
| fering among the poor resulted At
present the water supply is dependent
upon cisterns, and when these are
exhausted great suffering ensues, as
the water is then brought into the city
| from the hills or mountains, in skins
or jars upon the backs or heads of
human beings. and the water is near
| ly as great an expense for the poor as
| their food.
Modern Jerusalem has depended en-
tirely upon the rains for their water
| supply, hence the water is very
precious and is not furnished free, but
sold. Although the past summer has
been very hot and dry, the lack of
rain has been turned into a blessing
because it awoke the people to reali-
zation of the fact that Jerusalem was
entirely dependent upon rainwater
The first relief came through a Mo-
hammedan who undertook to bring
water by rail from "Bettir," the first
railroad station west of Jerusalem
He succeeded in bringing in five tanks
daily. and sold the water cheaper than
1t was ever sold before.
Plans were made by an eminent
architect, who during his stay in
jerusalem had become interested in
the situation, for bringing water from
Solomon's pools in iron pipes to
Jerusalem. He estimated the cost at
$4,000, and that 5000 skins could be
distributed free to the poor every day.
The fourth of July was a day of uni
versal rejoicing in Jerusalem, as g. few
days previous the new governor. in
telegraphing his congratulations to
the sultan on the occasion of Ma
hornets birthday. asked that the day
might be signalized by permission to
pipe water into Jerusalem. so that the
suffering this year might be mitigated
and the poor people be supplied with
water freely favorable reply was
received. and plans were at once made
to launch the new enterprise.
The course to be followed is princi
pally that pursued by Solomon; past
the orchards. "Urtas," through Beth
lehem. past Rachers tomb and Ma,
Elias. across the plain of Rephain
where David. parched with thirst in
his battle with Philistines. longed fol
the water of the well at the gate Of
Bethlehem, and the valley of Gihor
across the valley of Hinnom. around
Zion into the Tryopaen valley.
The work is aow being pushed
faster than is usual with the Turkish
government. (This fund for bringing
water into Jerusalem has been on
hand since before the discovery OF
America)
At one point, following the course of
the old aqueduct. the piping enters
a tunnel through mountain between
Jerusalem and Mar Elias. which is
about $50 meters in length. This
tunnel is being enlarged and utilized
as sort of reservoir to accumulate
the water and give it head for its out.
flow in Jerusalem. In exploring this
tunnel quite perfect arch was found
at one point. supporting the roof.
which is of very great interest as the
tunnel and arch were doubtless con-
structed by Solomon, giving evidence
that the arch dates back of the Ro-
mans and the Greeks,