The Ocala evening star., 1915-09-18

yet these people lived so near and
for months knew that new well was
being drilled and other work pro-
crossing, but made no complaint
Why did the neighborhood wait so
long? Something must have walked
them besides the thousand pound
hammer of the well driller. Also,
some of the councilmen began to show
signs of hearing somebody's noise till
actually one of them presented a res
olution to the council that one thou
sand dollars be spent for test wells,
and plant to be built on the Robert
son lot. Five councilmen, apparently,
believed it was to the best interest of
the city, so the resolution carried. No
doubt the pressure brought to bear
from outside agitation on several
councilmen influenced them to help
pass what l called foolish legislation.
Then the noise began to grow louder
till mass meeting was called. What
transpired there is generally known.
Two gentlemen were enthusiastic over
the Taylor pond lot, stating that the
property had been purchased for a
site for the light and water plant /
emphatically opposed the Taylor pond
lot as a location for the light and
water plant, as it is not at all suitable
You cannot hope to get soft water
out of limestone; then there is the
danger of drainage through the sink;
and lastly, the bad reputation of the
lot, let alone the expense of prepar-
ing the ground and building side
tracks. Then again, what would we
do with all the several thousands dol
lars worth of improvements? We
might get Something for the COM
preston pumps and motors. We
would lose five thousand dollars at
least. We are told to economize in
every department, but we would
throw the peoples money away by the
thousands of dollars if we move the
water works
For information to the general pub
lie, | quote from geology and ground
waters of Florida, prepared in CO.
operation between the United States
geological survey, and the Florida
geological survey, under the direction
of Thomas Nayland Vaughn. Be-
tween pages 366 and 367, you will find
table showing full report of sixty
wells located in Marion county and
all but one furnished hard water.
Read pages 366 and 367 carefully and
then look at the attached map, and
you will admit that it is impossible to
get soft water within miles of Ocala.
This book will be left at Mr.. Gerig's
drugstore, where anyone interested
can easily see it.
Wasn't Purchased for WaterwOrks
Now again, as to the Taylor pond
property being purchased for the To-
cation of the light and water plant,
somebody must be mistaken. In look
! ing up the records, l find that the
finance committee, composed of G. r.
H. Taylor, was empowered to nego-
tiate with the owners of the Taylor
pond or Robertson lot, with a view
of purchasing it for city purposes
and says the lot was bought for a
dumping ground for the city. The
purchase of this lot was authorized
for the sum of $4,000 at a special
meeting held for that purpose, Nov.
21, 1911. The following members
were present, all voting yea: H. C.
Jones, G. A. Carmichael, r. R. Car
roll, w. p. Edwards, H. A. Fausett,
E. T. Helvenston, J. H. Taylor and c.
r. Tydings. The deed for this prop
erty was executed by L. W. Duval and
wife on the 22nd day of November,
1911, without any restrictions or
stipulations or that the lot was to be
used for any particular purpose. The
Ocala water works were purchased for
$40, 800. Deed for same was executed
from Ocala Water Company, by r. L.
Anderson, president, and ]. A. Camp
bell, secretary, August End, 1913.
This shows that the Robertson lot
was purchased nearly two years prior
to the water works. Somebody must
be mistaken. j. M. Meffert