The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-07-31
EVENING"

Contrary to expectations, OF water
there was none yesterday when the
sun did not arise. A God sent -ai1
came down just on purpose TO iii bar
rels and tubs 30 that poor FairmOni
ers might not go utterly waterlesa
Many amusing tales were tod tmOugu
out the city. At the hot 'is number
when asked il they would have room
aad bath. declined with thanks. WFCt
was the use Of bath with 10 Eaterl
Du, the far seeing clerk hdd the baths
Oh Land and supposed he must dispose
Of them somehow. Thu Meredith
spring, according to several reports,
has been closed, whether gone dry or
not was not stated The Watson
cpring runs feebly and as many as
lilty people at a time wait politely in
line for a chance at the precious
liquid. There's a saying about water
never being appreciated till the well
runs dry and it is certainly true.
The cider people are taking the mat
ter quite hopeleSsly. They class 1t
with all the Calamities occurring since
war began. came across several Of
them sitting with folded hands and
miserable faces, discussing the situa
ton. One would think water was ney-
er &c be had again in all this world.
With the river near and rain coming
down nicely yesterday, there was
small chance OF real suffering though
there was plenty Of discomfort.
The CASTOR we'll on High street was
closed yesterday and this was case
where a woman gave gladly all the
water she had and when It went dry.
went without with the rest Of her
neighbors. Listening to gossip about
tine city, some said that a number re-
fusC( 10 allow outsiders to take any
OF their we'll water. saying they want
ed it themselves. One woman said
"Once where | lived in the country
things got so dry all the wells about
were low and for days people came to
our house, into our clean kitchen
tracking It up with mud, for water
We gave It to everybody-even to tho
hOrses-and were perfectly Willin
that all should use it as long as It laS
ed. We thought the Lord would sure
~ make ours go Immediately dry
we refused anybody. We said II IL,
did 90 dry we'd get along with the Tes;
, as hes; We could"
On Main street most OF the houses
and stores had water in the basement
according to report. In several OF the
apartments there. women set out
buckets, even coming down into Of
fees and flats below them where a
better rain spout was situated, asking
Tor permission to borrow a little rain.
The drug stores had a small amount
Of worry and trouble in carrying water
upstairs. So did the restaurants. One
woman said she hadn't had drink &C.
two days and she was going to boil
little rain and try 1t. East Parker
are getting along better, several say.
ing they had water right along. Peo
pie living on hills have been WithOu;
1. for number Of days and are living
in q state Of wear.WhatyOuVe-gOt anu
dOn't.WaSh anything but the dishes
manner. As long as It stays cool and
rains occasionally, we're all right; bu;
II It turns hot again with stlll no wa
ter. chances are that we'll have a mum
Der Of things in FaiFmOnt In the next
two months not to be blamed on drink
ing unboiled city water. A plentiful
supply Of I've and cloride Of lime
about drains. and a cheerful DISPOSE
tion no matter what happens, 10 about
all that we can depend on.
Several people got wagons and wen
to the river with barrels last night,
bringing home enough to take care o!
present needs. Expense In drayage is
not considered In spite Of the fact that
when the water does come on, II Il ever
does. we'll have extra water tax, me,
tiers, etc, TO pay for Just the same. The
supplying OF water 20 FairmOnt 10 a
task, as We all know. especially for the
rapid growth Of the city. But these
things will happen and taken altogeili.
or, sometimes II is necessary 70 have
big break down all at once 20 show
as just the condition OF matters.
Robert Amos, Of li2 High street. is