The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-09-09
WATER PROBLEM
Republican River Drying Up
Once a TreacherOus Stream.
Some Cities i'm Kansas Install
Larger Pumps.

Norway, Kan, Sept. 9.-The Re
publican river, which for years has
borne the reputation of being one of
the most treacherouS streams in
north central Kansas, in that it near
ly every year overflows and ruins
many acres of valuable bottom lands,
is practically dry for several miles
south of Norway The river either
at other points above and below Nor
way that the fish will have great diff
ficulty in surviving.
Manhattan Water Is Pure.
Manhattan, Kan, Sept. 9.-Unlike
many Kansas towns at the present
time, Manhattan has plenty of water
and good water. A report has been
received from the state water survey
showing that the water contains no
bacteria, and while the analysis show
ed the water to contain considerable
lime and some iron, it is entirely free
from any signs of disease and the eX-
perts pronounce it safe to drink. The
test was made from samples sent to
Lawrence by o. E. Noble, city en-
gineer. The test was made at the
suggestion of the board of administra-
ton which had an idea that the water
of the college towns might not be fit
for use.
Yates Center InstalIs Pump.
Yates Center, Kan, Sept. 9.-Yates
Center will soon have one of the
greenest court house lawns in the
state. A few weeks ago it became
apparent that unless the large trees
on the lawn were furnished moisture
they would all die. AS the city water
is very low the county commissioners
at once begun preparations to water
| the trees There is an inexhaustible
well in the court yard and to this was
attached a centrifugal pump and a
siX-horse power gasoline engine. The
water runs into the well at the rate of
500 barrels per day. The engine is
stopped at night and gets busy all day
pumping out the water which runs in
during the night. The trees and
grass are greening up nicely and in a
few more days no effect of the long,
dry weather can be seen on the lawn.
Many farmers also haul water daily
from this well. 1t is so feet deep and
said to be the best in the city. 1t is
dug through sandstone and the water
is as clear as crystal and almost as
cold as ice water.
City Well Is Only Supply.
Burlingame, Kan, Sept. 9.-One
well, the pump in which is kept work.
ing almost constantly, is supplying
practically the entire population of
Burlingame and the country for five
or six miles around with water. The
well is located near the center of the
town on the business property of John
Lund, a retail oil dealer. The con-
tinued dry weather has left all except
a few of the wells in town without
water. The Lund well appears to tap
an undercurrent that is ineNhaustible
and persons for miles around, as well
as inha bitantS of the town, are de-
pending it for their water. Farm
ers come with barrels and casks in
their wagons before daylight and haul
water. Citizens of the town during
the day take turns at the well and fill
buckets or casks for days supply.
Lawrence Water Improves.
Lawrence, Kan, Sept. 9.-For the
first time in over six months Lawrence
has city water that may be safely
used for drinking purposes. Accord
ing to a report issued by Prof. c. CT.
Young. assistant in water analysis at
the University of Kansas, water from
city mains is entirely satisfactory for
drinking purposes, and in fact super
ior to that of many wells The change
was brought about last week through
the introduction of a new process in
purifying the water by the hypo-
chloride method. The change was
brought about by suggestions for ex-
periments made by the board of ad-
ministration of the state schools. Pre-
vious1y the water had been treated by
the hypochloride before being pumped
into the settling basins, but under the
new system it is treated just before
entering the mains
Kansas Pioneer Dies.
Manhattan, Kan, Sept. 9.-George
Harris said to be the oldest person