The Harrison times., 1915-07-10
Second Letter Of E. C. Mitchell.
Fellow Townsmen:

Since writing my first letter, some
of the best citizens OF this town have
said to me, They are going to buy
your Spring; we know what we are
talking about One good man
said one of the commissioners you
believe to be your enemy, said to
me; "Mitchell's spring is the only
place in town for the water supply. y
Another said, at is back in the
hands of the City Council one OF the
Commissioners told me So The
truth is that it is in the hands of the
Commissioners and it is not now
and never has been the intention OF
majority of them to buy the
spring at any price, and | sincerely
believe they would regret deeply to
accept it as free gift It this be
not true why have they not APP
preached me about procuring it IN
some way, even as a gift? Can there
be but one answer? They want
other water for two varying
reasons, They will admit that my
spring cannot be contaminated,
that it is probably the biggest
spring of pure cold water in any city
in the United States; that it would
give the town the greatest possible
reputation, because it is capable OF
completely furnishing city Of 25,
900 people; that it can be operated
cheaper by reason Of having lands
adjoining it, with an elevation OF
225 feet, thereby saving stand pipes
and giving a safe place to store
millions of gallons Of water at
nominal cost They will admit that
il other water is obtained it must
be dug for, and If found, be tested
for quality and quantity. Then the
lands must be bought and stand
pipes erected They can not deny
that all these expenses will ag
gregate a much larger sum than !
have asked for the spring and
several acres Of land
They do not deny that the body Of
water at the foot of the Baptist
Church is subject to overflow in
high water thereby showing clearly
that it is inundated from above
carrying into it surface poisons
They can not deny that the people
will not be satisfied with taking
water from a lake underlying the
large city grave yard with its thou.
sands of dead They will admit
that my spring comes out OF a
mountain on the other side Of the
creek, that the mountain is more
than 220 feet high, and that the
water is not influenced by rains.
Then you ask why, # this spring
that has been tested aud shows TO
be ideally pure and colder than
Eureka Springs water, and cheaper
than any other water that can be
procured, that the commissioners
are not wiling to at least, see if
they can procure it with the money
that has been entrusted 20 them
Do you really want to know the
answer Not all The commissioners,
but a majority do not like me,
Well no love is lost, but | will make
them public offer will accept
adequate water rights from my
own spring and take $4,000 for it
with FIVE acres OF land.
II they think this too high | will
let all citizens OF Harrison, mcn and
women, or men, vote publicly, or by
secret ballot, aud each party
designate the SUN he thinks should
he paid, then add all up aud divide
the total 10y the whole number of
votes, Could anything be (oircr, |.
will select a citizen let them select a
citizen and the two another aud
let the three opprolse my spring or.
will let the commissioners name
twelve honest men and will take
three men out oI their list and let
them value the spring In view Of
the pronounced unfriendliness Of a
majority Of the commissioners, aud
Of the further fact that all Of the
appraisers are selected by them, and
that 'h @rraaiscrs are tax payers
and interested on the side of the
city and not ia me- could an offer
be lairerl II this at least is not
aeceptd by the commissioners, do
YOU not agree with me that some.
body has somc hidden reason more
chan mere enmityf