Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-08

AL ID n n: ST. n IA 4,
GERS Of the water works seietted at Flor
ence the only safe point on the entire river
miles where the current is absolutely
stable, running as it does through and over
Wiley began to quietly buy up what land
was needed and later to lay the big thirty
six-inch main to Florence.
Finest In the Country.
In 1887 work was begun on the works at
Florence, which stand today examples uf
the very finest things OF their kind in the
country Housed in a splendid and hand
some building Of gray stone is equipment.
including the largest pumps of their kind
In the world. kept m the finest order and
casting their reflections in oiled hardwood
floors. The interior presents more the ap-
pesrance of a palace than that Of a pump
ing station. Well kept, closely cropped
grounds surround the building and near II
is the wonderful series OF settling basins
and cascades, which we're employed in
Omaha for the first time and are a recog-
nized success in purifying the water and
making it fit for use.
Troubles About Finances
But the financial affairs of the American
Water Works company always were turbulent
to say the least. The first man to be
forced out was Wiley, whom it was alleged
was extravagant, and then a fight between
President Underwood and Vice President
Venner ensued that shook the concern from
center tc circumference 1t was planned
to make gigantic thing out of the Ameri-
can Water Works company. 1t was to en-
brace, not Omaha alone, but Denver, st.
Louis, Ottumwa, Ia, and other places But
grhpnnp In, -
due course of time the American Water
Works company passed out of existence.
The Minne-Lusa station was finished and
put in use August 1, 1889, with due core-
mony by President Underwood and 400 OF
our foremost citizens as The Bee said
Five coach loads Of people went to Florence
at 10 o'clock, had banquet in the base
ment OF the station, inspected the immense
pumps and settling basins and listened to
speeches by President Underwood, Con-
gresham w. j. Connell, Hon. Michael Lee,
president of the city council; Colonel Chase
w. l. Kierstead, then a member of the
Board of Public Works.; George Barker and
l. s. Hascall. They returned in the after
noon and many others drove out during
the day. 1t was a festive occasion and
every one was happy.
In Hands of "A Receiver.
In 1892 the bondholders of the company
who held $4,000, 900 worth of bonds, got tired
of the fight that was being waged between
Underwood and Venner, to the detriment
of the company, and applied for a receiver
in the federal court, and Superintendent
A. B. Hunt and E. L. Bierbower we're ap-
pointed jointly and operated the plant as
such until August s.. 1896, with the excep-
tion Of a short time when E. Hyde Rust Of
.Iargav ed ha
stigation of Venner. Finally the Farmers
Loan and Trust company of New York
trustee for the bondholders, forced a fore
closure of the mortgage it held, and, with
E. S. Dundy, jr., acting as master in
the property was sold to the bond
holders in front of the federal building,
August s, 1896, for 81 OO9 500 The company
was then reorganized by a majority of the
stockholders and T. c. Woodbury. of New
York elected president, Underwood having
been deposed previously and Venner's in
huence curtailed. The various phases of
the litigation we're intricate and threshed
out in many newspaper columns before the
public. They are not Interesting save that
they mark an exceedingly bitter fight for
control. Meanwhile, under capable re-
the water plant was kept in ex-
cellent and satisfactory condition.
The present company is capitalized at
s6 ,25O 900, s4,5OO,OOO being in bonds and
the remainder in stock. Its officers are
President, T. c. Woodbury.; general man
ager. e. NJ. Fairfield; superintendent, A. B.
Hunt; treasurer, Stockton Heth. At the
time OF the reorganization the name OF the
was made the Omaha Water
company and at the same time the bond
holdara had an opnraisornont y,ada -,
ern experts, who fixed the value of the plant
entire at S5,O7S,S31.49. About sixteen years
ago supplying water to South Omaha was
begun and that city now receives its supply
on practically the same basis and through
the same large mains as does Omaha. From
is, 100000 to 100000 gallons OF water are
pumped to the two cities each day through
223 miles of Pipe. There are four pumping
stations, the great one at Florence the
idle auxiliary station at Burt street, one
on Walnut Hill and the other on Popple-
ton avenue Low service pumps are used
to take the water from the river and raise
it to the settling basins and high service
pumps to distribute it over the city. The
station at Florence has three low pressure
pumps and two high pressure pumps, the.
former having a capacity of $4,000, 900 gall
Ions a day and the latter of 32 900, 900
gallons. The largest pump is the biggest
In the world, maintaining a head OF 120
pounds pressure. Another pump now being
will be the greatest of its kind
In the world in all respects. 1t is an Allis
high service pump with 10000, ,O0O- gallon
capacity a day The Burt street station
has low service capacity of 14,OO0, 900 gal
Ions and high service 1880, 900 gallons.
Those on Walnut Hill and Poppleton avenue
have high service pumps only, the capacity
Of the former being 9,5OO,OOO and of the
latter s,50O,OOO gallons. They are used as
assistants to gravity in distributing the
water a portion Of the stream coming from
Florence being distributed in the same way
Good for Disorders of the stomach.
II am using a box Of Chamberlains