South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-10-30

tenn.
A Warm Christmas.
The writer came upon Uncle
Abe" the other day and the following
IS his own vefsion OF the story.
Il can remember It as well as II
Il were yesterday" he began. The
day set for the dedication was
Christmas and II was a warm and
balmy day. The crowds that gath
cred that day showed many without
wraps and during the extreme heat
I OF the afternoon most all of the men
removed their coats. Really, IL was
one of the warmest Christmas days
/ 1 remember Of.
The wager consisted OF a COW
and the terms called for the turn
ing IN OF six streams OF water at
different points Of the water sys-
TEN. One of these streams was TO
be at the old office building of the
Studebaker plant and the colonel.
with other prominent citizens with
their wives were 10 gather in the
cupola. where the colonel had his
own private office.
The aged builder of the stand
pipe laughed as he recalled TO mind
the scene.
when water from the stand-pipe
was turned through the mains the
stream had sufficient impetus to
flood out the cupola and its assem-
bly,. Women, attired in their latest
styled costumes. ma+e he first rush
from the cupola. following whom
the men beat a hasty retreat and the
colonel. the last to leave. also made
his exit dripping wet. But he was
willing to pay the bet.
Then followed parade on
Michigan st. with the cow won by
Pine leading the procession. The
hoax of the affair came, however.
when a butcher ran out from his
shop and perked at the cows tail.
Minus a Tail.
Evidently posted before hand the
butcher knew what would be the re-
suit of the jerk. The tail of the
COW came off and showed only a
stub. The COW that j NJ had used
with which to pay the wager was
minus a tail.
But it appears to me that Pine
was not satisfied with the particular
COW that was pawned Off on him
and after some good-natured banter
between the two men. another COW,
but with a sure enough tail went in
to the possession Of the winner
The stand-pipe has for nearly half
a century stood the test on the prac-
ticability of which was wagered a
COW. And. because OF recent devel-
opments in the water situation, Is
evidently assured to stand for many
years hence as a monument to its
chief exponent and builder.
Only recently an argument arose
over the value of the stand-pipe in
the citys water system il the recon-
mendations made in ArtingstalTs re-
port would not, If followed out,
make the stand-pipe of no value. In
answering this, the consulting engi-
neer of the hoard Of water works
commissioners. stated that rather
than discontinue the use of the
stand-pipe, 1t would add improve
ments to the system, if there were
to be built two more in different
sections of the city in addition to it.
The value OF a Stand-pipe for an
emergency pressure and to reduce
the pulsations in the water mains
caused by steam-driven pumps, ac-
cording to the engineer. has been
tried out and proven indispensable.
On the slope between the old
Central station and the stand-pipe
another old building, also Of historic
moment to the city's history, will
either be torn down or femodeled, If
the present plans OF the water
works board are followed out. This
is the old crematory, or insinerator,
which was long ago placed in the
heart Of the city for the purpose Of
central location. It has for many
years not been in use as a crematory
but even now exists for a purpose
not enjoyed by board of health Of
ficials. It's two drives. one of which
leads TO a platform and the other at
lower elevation serves as a re-
loading station for dump wagons
hauling back and forth refuse,
rubbish, cans and kindred waste.
To stop this condition of affairs,
the old crematory will be remodel
ed into a meter house for use Of the
water-works. or torn down.
To Park on Ground.
One or two small brick structures
that house the valves 10 the stand
pipe which stand nearby the tower
ing structure. will also be removed,
following the plan adopted by the
water-works commissioners. These.
il is said, will be dispensed with
when the new discharge main now
being put In between the new sta
ton and the cross mains in the
vicinity OF jefferson blvd. and Lin
coin way z. has been laid down and
put in use.