davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1926-12-05

Home grounds. Here it does some
thing more than merely pass through
a pipe or settle in a basin, and it is
best to have j. E. Curtis, superin-
tendent of the Washington Aqueduct,
in charge of the reservoirs and the
filtration plant, show us around.
AS Mr.. Curtis walks from his Office
with us through the grounds, the
beauty of the park, it's landScaping
it's perspectives of the city its shrub
berry, flowers, lawns and vine-covered
buildings could not fail to make an
impression. Mr.. Curtis volunteers
the information that the park was
named in honor Of Senator James
Mcmillan of Michigan, who, as chair
man of the District committee, was
largely instrumental in securing an
adequate water supply for the Capt.
tai City. Upon his death his family
and friends presented the park with
a sculptured fountain in his memory.
The fountain. which has been highly
commended by the Fne Arts Commits.
sion, was placed at First and Chan
ming streets. one Of the highest points
in the park.
After telling us that this reservoir,
around which are grouped several
auxiliary buildings, is the last of three
reservoirs for the storage of raw
water, is stonelined from floor to top
and contains 265, 900 900 gallons, Mr..
Curtis conducts us to the pumping
station, near the south end of the
basin. Upon entering this building
one notices that the walls, floors and
rails around the balcony are spotlessly
white. Comment upon this feature
brought the response from Mr.. Curtis
that il iS of tho oir,S nf hic
ganization to keep both the interior
and exterior of their buildings neat
and attractive.
Descending to the floor of the build
ing we find three centrifugal pumps
operated by uniflow steam engines
Two of them are at work lifting the
water from the level of the reservoir
by suction to the filter beds. This is
the first pumping the water gets, Mr..
Curtis explains, having come all the
way from Great Falls to this point,
a distance of about 1S miles, by
gravity.
Although Mr.. Curtis is the execu-
tive in charge of this extensive plant
he seems to be familiar with the de-
tailed workings of the smallest piece
of machinery in the establishment,
and explains for our benefit the mi
mute operations OF tne intricate en-
gines before us. The three pumps
we are inspecting can handle about
40 million gallons of water daily
apiece, so that, as the local consump-
ton rarely reaches 80 million gallons,
it is only necessary to run two of
them at once. At night, when the
consumption falls off. one alone is
run.
In the same room with the numns
Evening star., 1926-12-05

The present preliminary treatment
plant looks insignificant beside the
immense building operations that are
going on near it incidental to the con-
struction of new filtration plant,
pumping station and power plant.
Leaving our task of tracing the
water from the falls to our homes for
few minutes to inspect those half
finished buildings. we are impressed
by the vast amount of manual labor
and scientific skill required to provide
a great city with water. Watching
the small army of 125 men at work on
the undertaking, something of the
importance Of their job can be under
stood.
We were told that when the land
was cleared of the trees which stood
on it at the start of the project bull
let's and bayonets of Revolutionary
times were found; mute relics of our
pioneering ancestors who fought their
way through all the dangers of
wilderness. And it became evident
that these men we were watching at
work on the iron and steel and con-
crete, sweating under the heat of the
sun and of their all-but- human ma
chines-these men, too, were pioneers
penetrating the field of hydraulic engi-
neering.
WHEN their work is complete
w Washington will have a new and
thoroughly up-to-date treatment plant,
in which the coagulant will be stored
in bins in a 1S5-foot tower, from which
it will be emptied mechanically into
an immense mixing basin, and pass
through several filters, pipe lines and
settlement basins before being pumped
to two new reservoirs that are part
of the improvements planned. What
is known as the substructure on this
project is now complete and work Is
continuing on the superstructure.
When finished, the plant is expected
to be able to handle 80,000,000 gallons
a day which, added to the present IA
cilities, should supply Washington's
water needs for some time to come.
At present, the coagulant, after be-
ing administered by hand, is given
an opportunity thoroughly to mix
with the water as it passes through
the conduit on it's trip from Dalecarlia
to the Georgetown reservoir, dis
tance of about miles. In this
176, ,O00, ,000-gallon stone-lined basin,
bordered by a building ornamented
with a battlement on it's roof and
looking for all the world like a Nor
man castle. the coagulant and most
of the foreign matter are separated
from the water.
The Georgetown reservoir marks
the end of the conduit. From there
the water starts 4-mile cross
town journey in by 10 foot lined
tunnel. which carries it under Rock
Creek Park to the Mcmillan Park re-
servoir. lust south of the Soldiers
Evening star., 1926-12-05

fees for the clerk. the marshal and
other officials.
AS on the Library site, heretofore
described. an avenue interSected and
made two divisions where otherwise
there was but one square. These
were triangles known as squares 1926
and 727: the first lies on Maryland
avenue, First and B streets, and the
other is bounded by the Avenue. Sec
ond and A streets as they exist today.
CQEARE 72S is between East Capt.
tol, A, First and Second steets
northeast Originally the ground was
rolling and there were a few gullies.
Decidedly rural were the surround.
ings for a long series of years. North
of A street and Maryland avenue was
wagon road and other streets un-
defined gave little evidence of grow
ing city. Prior to the thirtieS. with
the exception of one house and a
little gardening plot, there were no
evidences Of mans handiwork north
Of A street. In the square 726 prior
to 1926 Aaron Van Horn owned prop
erty facing Maryland avenue. on
which he had an imposing house for
that day in the midst of a garden,
then valued at 81. 900.
Charles II. Wiltberger, then watch
maker and afterward city register.
lived here in the eos, and in the sos 1t
was held by William j. MacCormick,
who.also served as city register. Be-
fore 1900 this square and 727 were sub
iect to the operations of Greenleaf.
Pratt, Francis & Co. and others, but
there is no material evidence of any of
their enterprise in the building line.
By 1925 B. o. Taylor and Elmer Bliss
were names connected with square
726 and Thomas Munroe with 727. In
the first appraisement of 1903 the
ground was valued at cents per foot,
all in the name of Daniel Carroll, first
square, and Thomas Law the other.
In 1925 five cents was the figure and
10 wears later seven cents.
Square 728 (Old Capitol Prison
souare) was plotted for 80 lots and
title to Is each vested in Mr.. Carroll
and the United States. At the COM
missioners' sale in 1898 H. Nichols
bought lots IA and Is for s533.33. r..
Mickey lot and n. Phillips lot s. and
in 1896 George Collard bought "a, on
street. Luke Washington bought
lot is, corner First and A. for $409. IS.
which the following year was sold 10
George Walker for $3.50. and in this
Cen. Washington and Thomas Law
vera interested. In 1889 A. Robinson
houeht lot 81. Second and A streets.
with house. and r. E. GriSth became
Evening star., 1926-12-05

years was a reporter for The Star,
died at $40 o'clock this morning at his
home, 106 G. street northeast, as a
result of several attacks of paralysis.
Mr.. CrOggon, who was approaching
81 years of age, had expected the
end for some time and had made such
preparations as indicated his wishes
as to pallbearerS so as to include
some of the reporters of The Star
with whom he had been closely as
sociated, members of the Order of the
Sons of Jonadab and of the Associa-
tiOn of Oldest Inhabitants and other
organizations.
THE funeral will take place Thurs
day at 2:30 o'clock from the family
residence. In the absence of the Rev.
Francis nj. Mccoy of Waugh NJ. f.
Church-of which Mr.. Croggon was a
lifelong member the officiating
clergyman will be Rev. L. NJ Cham
bers of McKendree NJ. E. Church. In
terment will be at Congressional
Cemetery. The pallbearers will be G..
A. Lyon, Charles NJ. Shinn, c. F. Sud
worth, w. NJ. Hairstone, S. II.
Walker Washington Topham, Charles
T. Smith and Benjamin W. Reiss.
''Mr. Croggon was probably the old
est newspaper man in Washington. He
entered the work in 1862, writing
many stories of the Civil War, and
coming into contact with many of the
historic characters of that time. He
continued in active newspaper work
until 1894, at which time he retired.
He wrote special articles, however,
until July, 1915. Probably the best
known of these were those in a series
on old Washington During his long
service he met many prominent per-
sons and had many interesting expe-
riences. His memory for names,
dates and other data was remarkable
and stood him in excellent stead in
his reminiscent work.
He was a native of Washington,
having been born October IL, 1885.
on the site now designated 1315-1317
F street northwest. He attended Hen
shaw's Public School, one of the ear
liest public schools established here.
He began his career as a clerk in the
grocery establishment of the late 3.
w. Reed, which was located on the
present site of the Ebbitt House, but
he soon turned to journalism.
''Mr. Croggon was the eldest of the
family of Henry B. and Mary A. Crog-
gon. Two sisters survive him, Mrs.
Elizabeth WEIGH of Pelham. y. Y,
and Mrs. Belle Langley of Decatur
Nebr. Two brothers, Henry and
John Croggon. both Of whom were for
many XeaH eWnl0Ee1 In the QTeasuxX
Evening star., 1926-12-05

chemists to cultivate bacteria or per
form any other research operation
desired
THE care and operation of all these
conduits. reservoirs. filters. ETC..
relating to the local water-supply
system is under the direct supervision
of the Engineer Corps of the Army
Mai. Sommerville being in charge
of the office which looks after this
work. Mai. Somrlerville's first assist
antant is T.. ID. Hardy. q veteran civil
engineer. who designs the plants that
handle WaShington's water supply.
But as soon as the water mas Deen
satisfactorily filtered and is ready FOL
distribution it comes under the Juris.
diction of the Water Department of
the District.
Nearly so per cent of the water
from the reservoir at Mcmillan Park
flows by gravity to the residences.
offices and shops of consumers in
those parts of the city having ground
elevations less than 20 feet above tide
level The rest goes to the District
pumping station on Bryant street be
tween Second and Fourth northwest
Here it is pumped to the higher e!eva
tions of Washington feeding what IS
known as the first high service
directly, and sending water to the
remaining portions of the city in
directly through the Brightwood and
other reservoirs. tanks and pumping
stations.
This completes the circuit of the
head" of water we were tracing.
1t has flowed over a considerable terri
tory and at times passed through
rather intricate machinery. but not
one step in the long journey from
Great Falls to your home was unnec-
essary When it finally reaches your
table you may rest assured that the
water is safe, fresh and pure. and
that if you do not waste 1t there Will
always be plenty more where II
came from
The records of the Water Depart
ment not only constitute an accurate
indication of local weather conditions.
as stated at the beginning OF this
article, but they also furnish his
tory of the city's growth. When the
9-foot conduit from Great Falls was
first cut into service. a Pinch main
was large enough to furnish all the
water needed by Georgetown ana
Washington. Inside Of 10 years the
mains had been gradually increased
10 90 lIlcD6S, anu pIOSChl 1oIHCh
piping is used for the trunk lines.
The first congressional appropri-
alton leading to the establishment of
a regular water supply system for the
District was made in 1850. Three
years later several other appropri-
ations having been made for the
work, Lieut.. NJ. c.. Meigs of the Engi-
neer Corps submitted report recon-.
mending that the water for the Ma
tional Capital be taken from the river
at Great Falls. His idea was favor
ably received, and the system he
projected is essentially the one still
in use. The entire conduit. together
with the Dalecarlia and Georgetown
Reservoirs, was completed, and water
from the Potomac turned into the city
mains on December 5, 1863. 1t has
been flowing uninterruptedly through
them ever since.
Evening star., 1926-12-05

Yard The structure diverts the water
into the 9-foot conduit on the Mary
land side SO that we who are still
standing on the gate house can hear
it's swish as it flows under us. Per
haps the very waves which are MAX
ing the noise we hear at this instant
will find their way into our homes
some hours later.
AS they begin their journey to
"A Washington, over 16 miles away,
they flow by gravity through the con-
duit, the rate of descent being y
inches in 5000 feet. Perhaps we
should specify that the water we are
tracing is passing through the new
conduit which was recently opened,
and which parallels the old one lying
under Conduit road. The latter has
been deWatered, but will be repaired
and placed back in service. At several
places, the two being laid side by side.
connections are made by a system of
valves so that in an emergency
the water could be transferred from
the one to the other from that point
onward. These spots are easily ldenti-
fed, because over them the road di-
verges into two forks for a few feet,
making room for several of those con-
trivances we saw on the gate house.
at the Falls, and which we have
learned to call sluice gates.
At Cabin John Bridge we pass over
a structure which for years was the
longest single-span masonry arch in
the world, having been built originally
to carry the old conduit over the val
ley of Cabin John Creek. But the new
conduit follows the land, so that the
water flows down one side of the val
ley and up the other in a gigantic in
Verted Siphon.
Nine miles from the falls the water
we are following enters Dalecarlia
Reservoir, situated on the northwest
ern boundary line of the District
Nesting among the wooded hills on
the far side of the road from the river
this reservoir looks more like a natural
lake than a man-made basin formed
by damming Little Falls Branch. It
is at this reservoir that the first sedi-
mentation takes place.
After some of the mud and other
impurities which happen to be in the
water have been deposited while it is
in Dalecarlia, the water re-enters the
continuation of the conduit. Before it
has travelled very far it enters the
preliminary treatment plant, build
ing on the opposite side of the road
from, and just south of, the reservoir,
where quantity of aluminium sui
phate is put in the water. This plant
consists of building containing the
dissolving tanks and other apparatus
necessary for the application of the
alumina as a coagulant. curdling the
water. The size and frequency of the
applications is determined by the rela-
tive turbidity or "cloudiness" of the
river
Evening star., 1926-12-05

big circular cement towers. There
are 90 of them. one for each filter.
They are arranged in rows and stand
out as the most conspicuous part of
the plant.
The towers were built high enough
to permit a two-hOrse cart to drive
through their base and withdraw the
sand which was then transported
over the filters and redeposited in
them through manholes which per-
forate their tops. 1t was soon found.
however, that the sand could be
replaced with equal efficiency and
much more economically by means
of pipe lines making direct connec-
tions with the storage tanks. so that
the system of using the carts and
manholes was abolished. 1t seems
rather remarkable to the layman that
the sand washing machines do their
work So thoroughly that the plant is
still using the original sand brought
to the beds from Laurel, Md. when
they first opened.
Knowing the plant serves the
entire city and that our town has
grown considerably in the last few
years, while no additions have been
made to its filtering facilities. it
semed natural to assume that when
the beds were inaugurated they did
not have to be used to their full
capacity. Questioning of Mr.. Curtis
on this point, however, brought out
that this was not the case. The plant
was forced to operate at practically
it's full capacity from the first. be-
cause back in 1905 the per capita
daily water consumption in WASH
ington was 200 gallons. That was
out of all reason and a campaign
was begun through the press for the
conservation of water, which. to-
gether with the installation of meters.
has reduced the figures to about 14O
gallons. Even this. says Mr.. Curtis,
is large mean daily per capita con-
sumption rate, for, translated into
barrels, it means that each indi-
vidual is using nearly three barrels
of water a day more than he would
be likely to find necessary if he
lived in the country and had to
pump it himself from a well.
A check-up on the performance of
each unit in the service of water
supply is constantly being made in
the chemical and meteorological lab
oratory, which occupies several rooms
in the main Office building at Nc
MILAN Park. Water from each
filter. from the open and covered
reservoirs, and from the river itself
is scientifically tested every day. A
jar of water from the open reservoir
looks just bit "foggy," but jars con-
tanning specimens taken from the
filters and clearwater reservoir look
totally transparent. The laboratory
is completely up-toda in every re-
spect, making it possible for the
Evening star., 1926-12-05
Rambler Additional Material Relating Old Capitol Prso

Mr.. Carroll. the original proprietor
The British having destroyed the
Capitol. Mr.. Carroll. Thomas Law
and others, in 1915, erected new
building, in part using the old walls,
and with adjacent buildings on lots IA
and 19 offered them to the Govern
ment as the temporary Capitol on
lease. Congress here held it's sessions
from 1916 to 1919. inclusive. the total
rental, with repairs, being $13,155
The Supreme Court of the United
States as well as the Circuit Court
also occupied rooms here, the first
returning to the first story of the
Capitol about 1920, and the latter,
with the offices of the clerk. marshal
and others. was five years later re-
moved to the new City Hall.
After this the building was used for
a number of years for boarding pur-
poses. II. V. Hill was the manager
for many years. and Representatives
from the South were guests there.
In the forties, Brockenborough of
Florida. r. Chapman of Alabama,
Isaac Morse Of Louisiana, J. A. Wood
ward Of South Carolina and D. Strong
of New York were boarders at the
hotel. In the fifties there were
families in the building and one or
rooms for reading and amusement.
1t is related that the landlords agent
would call almost weekly and would
be given dollar on account of the
rent.
During the Civil War it became,
under the name of the Old Capitol
Prison. a noted place, and here not a
few executions, some by gallows,
others by shooting, occurred. Capt.
WirZ of Andersonville was hanged
there. All traces Of 1t are now oblit-
Grated, and instead are a block of fine
residences, in one of which the late
Justice Field long resided.
The clause, late Justice Field long
resided is the end of the narrative
by Mr.. Croggon.
THE first three leaves of the Crog.
gon book in the Washington Pub
lie Library are used for clippings
from The Star. giving accounts of
the death Of Mr.. Croggon and meet
ings of the Oldest Inhabitants Al
sociation. Veteran Firemen's Associa-
ton and Sons of Jonadab in remem-
brance of him. The Rambler copies
from The Evening Star August %,
1916, the following, giving the news
of Mr.. Croggon's death and an outline
Of his life:
'yamaF croggons Nho- Sos- many
Evening star., 1926-12-05

" HE late James Croggon OF The
Star wrote, in 1907. Of Old
Capitol Prison, its site and its
i neighborhood The Rambler
brings that story into The Star
again because it will add to your
knowledge of the prison and to your
interest in this series of rambles.
Mr.. Croggon's articles on Old Wash
ington We're a popular feature OF this
newspaper for years. and to read one
of them again ought to please you.
The Old Washington stories Of James
Croggon are in the Washington Pub
lie Library. They were collected, clip
ped from The Star. pasted in thick
blank book and indeXed. That work
was done by Miss Katherine Patten
of the Public Library, and the friends
Of James CroSgon are grateful TO her.
She gave Mr.. Croggon niche--or put
him on a shelf-in the library. pre-
served the writing of a man who
knew much of Washington $ history,
and she Increased the usefulness OF
the library. Miss Patten told me
that there are many calls for the
Old Washington articles OF Mr.. Crog-
gon.
| would like not to use quotation
marks and | ask you to remember
1hat from the emu VA bAiAS
YOU are reading James Crosgon story
on the Old Capitol Prison and Its
Neighborhood
The locality Of squares '26, ~ ana
72S. east of the Capitol grounds and
north of the Congressional Library,
possesses much historical interest
from a national as well as local view
point. With the Library and the once
buildings for the Senate and House
of Representatives. the area known
as the Capitol grounds is inclosed by
marble walls, with the exception OF
that portion fronting on First street
between East Capitol and b streets
northeast. Doubtless at no distant
dav the Government will take the
square first named as the site OF a
temple of justice for the accommoda-
tion of the Supreme Court OF the
United States.
Should a building be erected there
for the highest judicial body, 1t would
he peculiarly appropriate, for after
the burning of the Capitol. in 1914,
the head of the judicial system sat
for a number of years in the building
at First and a streets. The quar-
ters mentioned were thus occupied
from 1916 to 1920. The old Circuit
Court of the District was also In this
building from 1916 to 1925. when quar-.
ters were provided in the City Hall
for the local court -kogetherssW1ln Oh