Putnam patriot. [volume] (Putnam, Conn.) 1872-1962, 1922-12-08
HISTORY or PUTNAM
WATER DEPARTMENT

Continued from Page B-p
into effect the foregoing resolution.
aud the said committee are hereby
authorized. empowered and directed
10 contract with the Putnam Water
Company as soon as they can execute
a legal contract for a supply 81 water
in substantial accordance with the
resolution heretofore passed By this
meeting. The officers Of the Water
company as Just organized were as
follows: l.. II. Fuller, president. FL
bert Wheeler. treasurer. George r
Shaw. secretary NJ G Leonard was
later made vice president Board Of
directors William Wheeler. Charles F
Parks. NJ 6, Leonard, George +.
Shaw and L. II Fuller.
Books for subscription 70 the stock
Of the water company were opened in
July at Manning and Leonard's store.
but less than $4,000 was subscribed
by local people The Fire District
was given until Oct. TO purchase a
controlling interest.
Ground was broken early in Aug
ust by a lusty gang of Italians and the
the work Of laying pipes began. and
from then on rushed to get them
underground before cold weather
The site chosen for the iron stand
pipe or distributing reservoir, was the
lot just south Of the Tip. Top" house
on Oak hill then owned by the late T.
NJ. Wheaton. An item Of news in con
nectiou with the building Of the works
in the Patriot Of Oct so. 1885.
Woodstock item, read as follows:
The Town Of Woodstock has been.
and now is, greatly excited about the
possible loss Of its beautiful lake
adjoining Roseland Park. Putnam. it
is declared. is about to lay violent
hands upon it, and move il. in sections
az least. direct TO Putnam TO supply
the thirsty wants Of that thriving
town with pure. living water. They
are going TO have it under their con
troll, every drop of it-hass. piekerel,
pouts and cells included. said half
frightened resident in talking to his
cool headed neighhor."
Boiler Factory on Oak Hin
There Is little more 70 be said until
the completion Of the works Jan. |.
1856, except that the laying of the
pipes gave the streets "A very busy
look and that the riveting together Of
the sheets Of boiler plates. Of which
the reservoir ON Oak Hill was built
could be heard all over town aud at
traeted much attention. Rebuilding
the dam at Harrisville. the construe-
ton of the pump house and installa-
ton Of power pump kept other gangs
Of men busy
The elimination Of all the fore
going was witnessed at Harisvillc on
the morning Of the New Year, where
had gathered, despite rain and mud,
n number Of people, to watch the
starting of the pump which was TO
supply Putnam with city water They
we're prepared 10 stay, also. even Il It
should resolve itself into "A watch
meeting with Baptist elements. New
Year greetings passed. bat it was not
until the watches indicated twe "a IA,
that every thing was ready. Then
William Wheeler for the contractors,
called the gathering TO order. and in
Il few we'll chosen words turned the
works over to l.. II. Fuller as presi-
dent Of the water company whom he
called upon 70 preside, closing BY say
iug that he hoped q flood Of good
fortune would be poured upon Put
nam in connection with the water.
Mr. Fuller. after accepting the
property. gave a brief resume Of the
work accomplished. paying the con
tractors a high compliment for its
quality, and called upon George f.
Shaw. secretary Of the company and
one Of Us foremost and most enthusi-
astie workers. who gave d very inter
estiBg account Of the origin and pro-
eress Of The work Dr. Foster spoke
briefly, followed by Maj II l.. Grant
Of Goldsboro, ~ G., former Putnam
resident who expressed his gratiiica-
ton that "a work Of such magnitude
and Importance 10 the town had been
successfully carried through.
The president then stepped TO the
wheel. a comparison Of watches show
ing the time 10 be % a. M, and
slowly turned the wheel which open
ed the gate. and the first water was
supposed to have started for Putnam.
As a matter Of fact from lack Of pump
suction not having been primed it did
not start until some hours after
Engage {. D. Sharpe
G. d. Sharpe was engaged soon
after the completion Of the works as