Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1911-10-05
THE new RESERVOIR.

The Mechanicstown Water Company
having had more or less trouble with its
dam across High Run stream for num-
Der of years. decided it was necessary to
have a better and more up-to-date means
of storing water to supply the demands
of its consumers in this place.
To keep the town supplied with water
it was first necessary to construct dam
further up the stream from which to
feed the supply pipes. Mr.. James T.
Waesche, superintendent of the company,
was put in charge Of the work about two
months ago and completed the task about
ten days ago.
The new reservoir is much larger than
the old, it being As feet across the breast,
the wall rising 6ffeet at the .spillway.
Retaining walls 80 feet long and 81 feet
high have been built on the sides of the
stream. The walls are of cement and
the entire bottom covered with cement.
For the purpose of leaving the water out
of the reservoir large pipe is imbedded
in the bottom and runs to the front OF
the dam where there is valve attached.
This dam is said to have a capacity Of
156, 500 gallons of water.
Above this dam about 300 feet an
emergency dam has been built across the
stream, it being 20 feet wide. 6 feet deep
and 80 feet long. This little dam has
been feeding the water mains ever since
work was started on the larger dam.
As has often been said the reservoir is
located on the stream called High Run
at point about mile and a half from
Thurmont. The stream has it's source in
the mountain II miles above the reser-
voir. the main spring feeding the stream
being known as "Salt Trough Spring"
The land around this spring afforded ex-
cellent pasture for cattle during the sum-
mer months and 80 or more years ago it
was customary for farmers from this and
surrounding community to take their
young cattle to this place in the mount
ain to pasture. A trough in which salt
was put for the cattle was placed near
this spring and eventually it became
known as "Salt Trough Spring" Num-
erous smaller springs abound in the
locality, all of which help feed the stream.
The custom of pasturing young cattle in
the mountains has ceased and the old
trough has long ago disappeared.
With the improvements made it is
hoped the supply of water will always
be ample for the demands of the town
and consumers.
Graceham Has Two Fires in One Week.
On Wednesday of last week the resi-
dents of Graceham were startled at the
cry of fire, the house occupied by Mrs.
Runkles and owned by Mr.. Alonzo Buhr-
man, being discovered in flames. BY
hard work much of the furniture in the
house was saved, but the house burned
to the ground. We understand the pro-
perty was insured.
On Saturday afternoon soon after the
passing of freight train on the W. M.
Railroad the large hay and straw shed
located near the road and also near thf
warehouse of MIR. J. C. Pyles at Grace
ham was discovered to be on fire.
A large number of men being at a sale
at the Moravian church at the time, saw
the blaze and ran to the burning build
ing. Water was carried and hauled from
the spring nearby and by heroic efforts
the warehouse was saved from destruc-
ton as were several other buildings near
by. In the shed was large quantity of
bailed rye straw and other materials, all
of which was burned, and is total loss
to Mr.. Pyles.
More improvements.
Many substantial improvements have
been made to property and homes about