The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-03-20
sUMrEp's SEWERAGE SYSTEM.
Contract Let to Mr.. C. c: Wilson, of
CoIumbia-Mr. Lou r. Hoyt to AS
siSt in Work.


city of Sumter recently sent Messrs.
H. Lee Scarborough and c. NJ. Hurst
TO Columbia with the object in view
of ascertaining pertinent and import
ant facts relative to the establishment
Of a sewerage system here, and to Sc
lect q civil engineer to superintend
the work The result of the trip was
eminently satisfactory and successful.
The prime reason Of the trip to Co
lunbia was to learn so far as posi-
BILE the various experiences, hin
ORANGES and accidents that Columbia
experienced in a similar work but re-
Gently completed, and to profit by
their losses and errors. The members
of the Columbia City Council were
very courteous and attentive to the
gentlemen from Sumter, and gave to
them many valuable suggestions ana
ideas gained from their late expert
ence with the sewerage system Of Co
lumbia. The representatives from
Sumter had called to their attention
facts that will save Sumter many hun
dreds dollars.
One invaluable fact they learned
was the loss to the city occasioned by
roots in the large sewer mains, re-
sulting from insufficient and inefi-
cient supervision. The end of one
joint of piping fits into the dange OF
the next joint and the f1ange is then
packed with oakum. Around that a
cement collar is made. Mr.. Ludlow,
the engineer, had work all over the
country and could not give his per-
sonal attention to the work, and after
the installation 'and acceptance of the
system, it was discovered that the
part Of the pipe that rested on the
ground had not been properly ce-
mented, and through these large open
ings the roots grew, causing much ad-
tional work and entailing heavy eX-
pense upon the city.
Mr.. Ludlow, who is an engineer OF
recognized ability, put in bid of 10
per cent Of the contract price for his
work in experimenting the installa-
ton of the system in Sumter.
Mr.. C. C. Wilson was next visited.
Mr.. Wilson is also an engineer OF en-
viable reputation, and has made a
special study Of water works and sew
erage plants in Germany. He mas as
Sociated with him Mr.. Almstead. tor
20 years superintendent Of the sewer
age and water works system Of York,
Penn. Mr.. Almstead is a man Of much
practical experience. Mr.. Wilson
stated that, if given the contract he
would have Mr.. Almstead to come to
Sumter, and give the entire work his
personal and thorough supervision.
Mr.. Lew r. Hoyt, Of Sumter, has
been corresponding with Mr.. H. L.
Scarborough for some time with the
view of being appointed City engl-
neer. He is very anxious to get in on
the construction work, so that he may
| have a full and comprehensive idea
| Of the details Of the plant. Mr.. Will
son offered to employ Mr.. Hoyt in the
capacity of a supervising inspector to
represent the City Of Sumter, to
personally inspect the work, and to
examine every joint Of pipe placed in
| the earth.
Mr.. Wilson's bid was per cent. OF
the contract price, accompanied with
the offer to purchase from the city
| the sewerage survey map made oy
Mr.. Ludlow at the price paid for II,
$3.50.
The propositions were laid before
the board, composed Of Messrs. R. L.
Edmunds, H. Lee Scarborough, W. B.
| Burns and C. M. Hurst, secretary.
They came to the conclusion that the
city would be ct distinct advantage In
employing Mr. Wilson, and appoint
ed him engineer for the work, sub
iect to the approval Of the City Coun-
j ell. Council at it's regular meeting
! Wednesday night unanimously adopt
ed a resolution approving the selec-
ton Of Mr. Wilson, and commencing
the cautious and prudent manner
that characterized the action of the
board.