Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-05-19
POWER OF THE cATAWBA.
Extensive Plans For Its Early Utili.
zation.

Extensive Plans For Its Early UtiIi.
zation.
The rumor has been persistently cir
culated in the city for the past several
months that the Catawba Power COM
pany, OF which DIR. Gill Wylie of New
York Is president, was making the
most decided efforts to secure every
water power along the Catawba river.
Nothing definite looking toward the
accomplishment of this end could be
secured until week or more ago, when
Mr.. w. S. Lee, acting In behalf Of his
company, acquired the sole and undis-
puted rights and properties Of the
Wateree River Electric company, sit
uated seven miles west Of Garden,
and conceded to be one Of the finest
water powers in South Carolina. This
property was purchased through the
agency of Mr.. s. Logan Lang Of Cam
den. who acted in behalf Of the pro-
prietors. Mr.. Frank M. Zemp, Mr.. Eu-
gene Zemp. Mr.. johnson Of Camden;
Mr.. A. M. Lee Of Charleston; Mr.. w.
c. Whitner Of Rock Hill and number
of others. The price is said to have
been between $125,000 and $4,000.
This includes the water and property
rights for four and one half miles up
the stream and gives the Catawba
company a power that is In the very
centre of one Of the largest manufac-
'uring districts in South Carolina
The Catawba river is the most ia
vored of all streams that flow from the
mountains into the Atlantic ocean, In
that the flow Of water Is more constant
than that Of any other stream. The
fall near Camden is some AZ feet In
a distance Of five miles. OF this only
about 33 feet is available for econo-
mical development, The average flow
Of the river at this point Is something
like 5000 cubic feet per second, which
should yield more than 5000 horse
power during the entire year. Should
the plant be operated on the 12-hour
per day basis, with sufficient develop
ment, the available horse power would
be far greater, from $4,000 to $4,000
being the estimate The central loca-
ton Of these falls makes of this pow
er, In the hands Of the Catawba COM
pany, a most desirable property Cam
den, with its many manufacturing In
terests, is but seven miles distant
Columbia Is 80 miles distant, Lancas-
ter is distant 25 miles, Kershaw 16
miles: Sumter, Winnsboro and num-
ber of other manufacturing cities are
within reach. The close proximity to
the growing markets makes Of this
property a most valuable investment.
This is in keeping with the designs
Of the Catawba people. The plant
near Charlotte Is expected to supply
the necessary power for Gastonia,
Rock Hill, Charlotte and other manu-
featuring centres that may be develop
ed. The Camden power, to supply the
cities named above, Is situated some
70 miles down the river, below the Ca
tawba Power company's present plant.
This property is as yet undeveloped
and will necessitate the expenditure
of S1,OO0,OOO in order that every de-
tail-the property cost, the building OF
the dam, the placing Of machinery,
lines ETC., may be completed. The
projectors of the new plant have suffi-
cheney of capital and this development
is soon to be made.
There are five available powers along
the Catawba, or Wateree, as the river
Is known in South Carolina, Mountain
Island, Catawba Power company,
Landsford, Camden, or Wateree rapids
and the Catawba falls. The Catawba
company Is now operating their plant
near Fort Mill, they have recently ac-
uuired the Camden or Wateree power.
the Catawba falls, said to be the larg-
est and capable Of the most economi-
cal development, Is In the hands OF the
American Tobacco company, and 1t Is
Understood on good authority that the
Dukes are acting In connection with
DR.. Gill Wylie in these operations.
Having possession Of the three largest
and most suitably located powers, with
unlimited capital at his command. DIR.
Wylie and his associates may be said
to have a corner on the river.
The Landsford property, in the
hands of Mr.. Leroy Springs, Is situa-
ted between Catawba Power company
and the Camden power. 1t Is ques-
ton with the Catawba company as to
whether they could advantageousiy
handle this plant IL secured, and so
far no definite action has been taken.
The same may be said Of the Mountain
Island property.
The requirement Of the Camden
property, the designs Of the CatawDa
company in the securing Of all the de-
sirable powers along the river. the au-
thoritative support Of the Dukes, are
matters of considerable interest
throughout this entire section.--Char-
lotte Observer.