Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-06-20
aHistellanepus Reading.
DEVELOPING THE cATAWBA.
All the Energy Of the Noble Stream to
Be Converted Into Electricity.

All the Energy Of the Noble Stream to
Be Converted Into Electricity.
For the last two or three months
many rumors have been af1oat. Some
times they have been vague and at
others almost definite, to the effect that
a movement was on foot to make some
large water power development on the
Catawba river, south Of the Catawba
Power Company's plant. Those who
are interested have steadily refused to
give any information In connection
with their purposes and intention. Out
Of what has been seen, however, and
Of land transactions, the records of
which are open to everybody, the evi-
dences all point towards the develop
ments which may be described tenta-
lively as follows:
The plans are now nearly perfected
for the development of the water power
at the Great Falls. on the Catawba,
near Chester and Winnsboro. At this
point properties have been gotten to-
gether extending up and down the riv-
er for q distance Of eight miles, con-
trolling 173 feet fall. This power will
be developed In units, one-third Its to-
tai capacity: each unit will give from
25, 900 to $4,000 horse power At one of
the points the developments can be
quickly and cheaply made. This work
will be undertaken without further de-
lay and can be finished from within q
year to 18 months, according to the
flow Of the river. It Is the idea of those
interested to put power into Gastonia
and considerably more power into
Charlotte. Connection will be made
from the Great Falls to the Catawba
Power company's plant in such way
that any of the plants can be run IN
lco-operation with any other. The
main line will carry the current at
1000 volts.
The same people also own the Wat
cree water power. near Camden, and
when the three new developments are
completed at the Great Falls, thea tho
Wateree power will be developed for
25, 900 or $4,000 horse power. Taking
the five developments together. viz:
the Catawba Power companys plant.
near Rock Hill, the three new proposed
developments at the Catawba Falls;
and the development Of the Wate-ree
power, near Camden, all Of which are
within 40 miles, there will be power
of 10000 horses all told.
This power, on the basis of 30 spin
dies per horse power on coarse goods.
would operate 3,s00,000 spindles; on d
basis Of 40 spindles per horse power on
fine goods, 1t would operate 100000.
This Is on a basis Of the minimum
flow Of the river, and II the average
flow should be considered and the
value of the storage basins should also
be considered, these developments wl.en
completed would operate 100000 spin
dies. OF course all this power VIII
not be used for running cotton spindles
Part Of It Is already in use In Char
lotte for lighting the city, for running
machine shops, and for all sorts OF
manufacturing interests. The company
expects to bring its wires and currents
this way to q very large extent. The
plans are not yet completed, but 1t
may be arranged to carry power to CO.
lumbia and Charleston. OF course
Winnsboro, Chester and Rock Hill will
get an ample supply for all their
needs. Lancaster and Monroe will also
come in for power from these develop
ments. Charlotte and Gastonia Will
make the principal points Of distribu-
ton from this section, but the power
will be supplied wherever 1t may be
needed within the vicinity of Charlotte.
The high pressure mains will be run to
Charlotte and Gastonia 80 that from
these points power may be distributed
In any direction In the neighborhood.
Plans are now being prepared for the
first development so that In that way
the work is already begun. AS soon
as the plants are in shape to do 30,
the work will begin on the ground and
IL there are no serious and continuous
| floods In the river, the people who
have the matter In charge hope to
have the first unit Of $4,000 horse pow
er at the Catawba Falls In operation
by this time next year or certainly In
the early fall at the latest.
Work has already been going on for
nearly two months under the direction
Of Mr.. W. s. Lee. Jr., manager of
the Catawba Power company's plant.
A. force of engineers and craftsmen are
at work In the Piedmont building on
the plans and force Of engineers and
surveyors are at work In the field.
It has not yet been determined
whether the first dam and power house
will be put out to contract or built by
day labor In either event the work
will be done under the direction or
the manager here, Mr.. Lee. Each OF
these four new developments will re-
auire something like a million dollars
or over. The pole lines and other
necessary auxiliary investments make
the entire aggregate investment some-
thing like five million dollars or more.
DR.. w. Gil Wylie Of New York, has
been here several times lately and
steadily refuses to talk. but whenever
he comes something happens and he
is really organizing this entire Cataw-
ba power business and 1t may be
counted on that all his plans will go
through all right. In truth, as above
stated, the work Is already we'll be-