The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-11-22
NEWBERRY OPENS
GREAT WHITE WAY
LARGE CROWD OUT WHEN
LIGHTS TURNED ON

Brief Address by Mayer Blease. M.
I L. Spearman, Head cf Water
works, Explains investments
! A rousing time in Newberry? Of
course it was, Noise? Yes-shouts,
| jolity, merriment. Crowds? Yea,
verify, all of Newberry-even babes
/ in arms, old men bent with age, old
women, white haired and lovely, who
have lived to see this greatest achieve
ment of greater Newberry-an
4. achievement which places her along
with the larger cities of the state.
AS the clock struck the hour of eight
The thousands with whisperings fine
Awaited the time when over the street
The soft mellow arc light should
shine.
All lilSCdHl VI 0OSOlueS qoiSS
Then a wild shout rending the air
Told of the feeling with JOY and with
riot
Of multitudes assembled there,
AS gently and purely the soft light
Cleaned out on the evening dark,
Turning to day the blackness of
night,
And showing our towns great work.
1t was almost impossible to find
standing room, certainly there was no
place to sit down. Such throng has
never before been seen in this town.
The bands from two of the mills play
led almost continuously.
There were calls for Mayor Blease
as the lights were turned on and Mr..
M. L. Spearman, chairman of the
commission of public works and Mr..
Blease worked their way through the
crowds to the steps in front of the
legion hall and in presenting Mr..
Blease Mr.. Spearman gave brief
resume of the history o. the flight"
development in Newberry., This his
tory should be interesting at this
time and we quote briefly from the
statement which is from the records
in the office of the commissioners of
public works.
Tells of Bond Issues
"The first bond issue was in 1897
for water and sewerage, $4,000; the
next in 1902 for sewerage, $25, 1000;
the next 1910 for sewerage and wa
ter, $4,000, and in 1920, lights and
sewerage, $4,000, making a total of
bonds issued for water, lights and
sewerage $4,000.
"When the first light plant was put
in it was for the purpose of taking
care of about 20 street lights and
500 incandescent or house lights. 1t
has grown until today we are light
ing the entire town, and over 1000
incandescent or house lights are being
used in homes and business places;
three artesian wells, which furnish
ample water for the entire town,
street sprinkling and other purposes.
When the present work on sewerage
is completed, we will then have lit
tie over Is 1-2 miles.
"Prior to the act by the general as
sembly creating bond commission
for Newberry, the commissioners OF
public works were in charge of the
sinking fund; however, no provision
was made to take care of theSbond
issue of $4,000 for sewerage in
1902. After the general assembly
passed an act authorizing the appoint
ment for the bond commission, the
commissioners VI oUOIiN NoAhS eoi4A
ed over to these in bonds and cash
bonds, S56,583.S5, which included
some of our own bonds (water and
lights s36,OOO), sewerage bonds
$4,000, totalling s39,ooo), thereby
leaving a balance of outstanding
bonds for water, lights and sewerage,
S140,417.
81. A. searson, public accountant,
on auditing the books as of Decem-
Der 81, 1921, stated that the plant,
after deducting each year reason
able amount for depreciation, is now
worth S312,S45.
"Newberry city has not paid cent
for lights and water since February
L, 1911, but prior to that date the
cost for water and lights was $500
2 wear"