Putnam patriot., 1923-07-20
NEW BATHING POOL
 AT LAST A FACT
Henry A. Reach and Putnam Elks Make Public Pool at
 Tourtellotte's Possible
City Acts At Once When Arrange
 ments For Site Are Made

Putnam after all is to have a swim ming pool. Contractor Emil Benoit, under the supervision of Engineer George W. Perry. began. Thursday morning, the erection of a dam on the Little River at what is known as "1ourtellotte's. While this swim ming hole has long been used and this summer more than usual t has been inadequate to the needs both in area covered and in depth. For a number of years The Patriot has every summer season urged the needs of swimming pool for the children especially as there has been no place in which to bathe and swim, except at Roseland lake, Woodstock. inac- cessible to a majority of the eity's youngsters.
 l. was through the generosity of Putnam Lodge of Eiks, the lodge making an appropriation of $500 at a recent meeting, coupled with the generosity of Henry A. Reach, who owns the land surrounding the pool. that the plan was at last made possi- ble of consummation.
 Present Plan Temporary
 While the present plan Is temporary and will be substituted by a more elaborate plan in the future, it has been undertaken in order that q bathing place may be available this summer. The work will be rushed and t is hoped that the pool will be ready the first of next week, if pos sible by Sunday
 When the dam is built the watef will flow back for several hundred feet and will greatly enlarge the area of water suitable for bathing purpos- es. Pools five deep will be formed and there will be pools not as deep, where small children will be perfectly safe. There will be a man in charge to see that there are no accidents and to preserve order. Bathing will be absolutely free. and all that Is requie- ed is that each bather bring a bathing suit. As soon as possible temporary dressing houses will be erected. one for girls and one for boys. While anyone may use the pools. the plan is being rushed through more on ac- count of the children.
 Due to Elks and If. A. Reach
 Mir. Reach. who has so generously agreed to let the public use his land has for several years held ogt an offer | to let the place be utilized for swim ming purposes free of charge if the money to put it in condition wal l forthcoming. He has also allowed l the pool in it's natural state to be usei i for bathing, and it has been the mee- ca of several hundred bathers. mostly children, every day. lie has espOus- ed the cause of the children from merely a public spirited point and without the hope of gain to himself When The Patriot started fund for i the project with the object of raising | $500, the Putnam Lodge of Elks came forward with an appropriation of this amount. and The Patriots fund was cheerfully abandoned.
 Committee Views Site
 Attorney j. F. Carpenter, with oth' CT members of the committee, and l Engineer Perry, visited the spot Wed. nesday afternoon. The pool was alive with children bathing, and when asked | if they would like n larger and deeper place in which to swim, up went tho smile that won't come of, most sat isfactory answer to the attorneys | question.
 How to Get There
 Perhaps the easiest way to react the swimming pool is a roadway that leads from Woodstock avenue near Delisle's garage. down through the lots Co the bank of the stream. An other way is by path from Sunny side through the woods to the road. way leading from Woodstock avenue