The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1903-07-18
Johnston's History
Of Cecil County.
CHAPTER NNII CONTINUED,

purchase the right to use the water of
Big Elk from the Elk Forge Company.
whose forge was then located where Elk
Mills Factory now stands, near which
the feeder was to start. and also the
water rights of all the mills between the
forge and the mouth of the creek Due
bills or promiSary notes, similar to bank
notes. were issued for the purchase of
the water rights, and work was COM
mcnccd on the feeder in 1902. Some of
the plans of the engineers of that time
seem quite curious and strange when
viewed through the light of the expert
enCe since acquired. The Canal Com
phny only purchased the right from the
Forge Company to Use the water of the
creek. when needed, for the purpose OF
supplying the canal, the forge company
rrSrrNlng the right to use the water of
the creek during the winter months, when
1t would be impracticahlc to navigate il.
The water Of the creek was taken out of
the hcad-racc of the forge and taken
across the channel of the creek in an
aqucduct constructed for the purpose. 1t
would seem to have been Il great deal
more practicable to have taken the water
directly from the east side of the dam
and To have dispensed with the auurduct,
but probably there were reasons that do
not now appear, that caused the engineer
to adopt the plan he did.
The work upon the feeder was done i'm
superior manner. Several of the arch
cS, through which the water of small
streams was to pass underneath il, ara
still standing, and quite large one in
tended for II roadway across it is vet
IL ..,,i1 Il
Daniel Lord was constructing the factory
which is near the arch. being in want of
stone. he ordered his workmrn to take
IN" arch down. and that after many
lfUitl"SS efforts to do so. they concluded
II would b" easier and cheaper to quarry
tn" stone they wanted. This old arch is
now standing. and looks strong and dur
able enough to stand ut least IL century
longer.
FOR short time the water of the Big
f.lk was admitted into the feeder, and
the stone used in the construction of the
arches. some distance from the upper end
OF 1t. were transported to the places
where they We're used upon Scows from
the quarry near the forge. Many stones
were puarrird and nicely dressed for the
arches. which, after the work WAS aband-
on"d. remained near the forge and were
used i'll the construction of the railroad
bridge across the Big Elk. near Elkton,
which was recently covered by the en-
hankment, after the construction of the
new iron bridge in 1876.
There WAS much diversity of opinion in
regard I" the proper place for the loca-
ton of the canal. This was the reason
that the company after finishing the
feeder To the site of the proposed rcSer-
roir. near Glasgow. were forced to dis
continue the work, which they did. for
want of means. in 1903. The feeder
passed within about two miles of Elkton.
and 1t Is stated in Il history of Maryland
and Delaware, published in philadrlphia
III iSoi. that bargrS were then used uuon
IT. rms Is untrue though the people Of
that day entertained the opinion that it
WAS practicable to use the feeder aS a
canal. and the Canal Company at that
time Intended to establish Slack-watrr
navigation upon the Big Elk. north of
the forge. by erecting II system of dam,
and locks for that purpose.
The lab0rrrS employed in the conStrmc-
ton of the feeder. who were principally
lrShmcn. became involved in II rioa Will"
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