Gilpin observer., 1911-08-03

"A question OF vast importance 10
this county and of vital concern to
the people, came up for discussion
before the board Of directors of the
Chamber of Commerce and the may
or and aldermen of Central City at
a joint meeting held Tuesday even
ing. This was the matter Of devising
some means of bringing water into
the county. The proposition under
discussion was that of the Bancroft
chain of lakes in Clear Creek county.
J. c. Fleschhutz, who has given
the water proposition a great deal
of his time and attention, addressed
the gathering and outlined generally
the feasibility Of the scheme. He
said this splendid chain Of lakes
could be purchased at 4 reasonable
figure, perhaps for $4,000, and that
to pipe the water into the county
would not cost to exceed $4,000 or
$4,000. This would give Central a
supply sufficient for domestic pur-
poses and in addition, enough fof
Russell, Nevada and Black Hawk. and
plenty for mine and milling purposes.
The water could be brought into the
county at a point that would permit
of easy distribution to the mines in
the Russell district and the entire
Quartz hill section as well as the
mines surrounding Central City and
Black Hawk
1t was the idea Of those present
that the City of Central issue bonds
to the amount covering the cost of
these lakes and the necessary pipe
lines; also to overcome the present
Indebtedness of the city. This would
mean a bond issue of $780,
Mr.. Fleschhutz has gone into every
phase of the proposition and was in
position to talk knowingly Of the
revenues that the city would de-
rive from an extensive water system
of this kind. According to his figures
the water works would be able to
take care Of the interest on the
bonds and eventually wipe out the
principal.
A DILL was passed in the Sixteenth
General Assembly giving the City of
Central the right to acquire water by
location. purchase or otherwise. both
for domestic use and for the use OF
mines and mills. According to the
provisions of the bill. the city has
the right. if the taxpayers at a spec
ial election so elect, to issue bonds
for the purpose of securing water
The bill is LIBERAL in the authority it
gives the city in disposing of the
water as will be seen by the follow
ing paragraph:
ITO provide such hydrants, pumps,
cisterns, wells and other equipments
as may be necessary; to sell and
dispose Of water not needed for
municipal and domestic purposes
from such reservoirs to any mines,
mills and any individuals or corpora
tions, at any point along its main
pipe line. at such prices and upon
such terms and conditions as may be
from time to time specified by or
dinance. and in payment for any ex-
penses incurred in acquiring any such
property and rights Of way and con-
structing any of the said improve
ments. to issue and sell municipal
bonds in such amount. of such form
and denomination, at such rate of in
terest, and upon such other terms
and conditions as may be specified
by ordinance"
The purchase Of the Bancroft
lakes is something the city at this
time should consider. Fearing short
age Of water. at some time in the
future. the city few years ago
thought Of the James peak water
source and for several years has
been spending money to protect, as
the city claims. its rights. The Ques-
ton has arisen as to whether the
city has any rights to this water.
Three or four years ago when this
water was first filed upon, Boulder
parties having what they claimed a
prior right, notified members of the
council that II they ever appropriate
ed any water from the James pack
supply. the city would become involv'
ed in litigation. Despite this threat
the city has gone ahead and each
year has expended several hundred
dollars to hold the water until such
a time as It should be needed, be
lieving that they could not be en-
Joined from using the water for do
nestle purposes. 1t is not argued that
the city may not have the right tc
this water for domestic uses. but II
is a certainty according to legal au
| thority that II would never he able