The Bluffton news. [volume] (Bluffton, Ohio) 1875-current, 1951-03-15

A pubic water WOrkS ana nun-
cipal electric light plant We're the
next developments in the "nineties"
as Bluffton blossomed into a pro-
gressive city with all the advantages
expected of community which was
going places" industrially.
Building of the waterworks came
first, a project started in 1896, and
addition of electric service to the
towns utility setup came one year
later, starting in 1897.
In 1896, the present municipal plant
site on Harmon road was purchased
from K. N. Kraft, for a consideration
of 5000. A total of $4,000 in water
works bonds was sold on March. 1,
1896, to finance the venture, and the
contract for the building was let on
April 27, 1896, TO Shannon and
Bechtol.
The first waterworks plant, con-
struction of which was completed in
late summer, 1896, Was one of the
finest in any town the size of Bluff
ton in Ohio. Three miles of water
mains were laid during the same sum-
mer, while other crews of workmen
were erecting the plant.
Proud of Installation
Following installation, the water
lines were tested at pressure of 155
pounds and failed to show the slight
est indication of a leak, resulting in
statements by the engineering firm
that it was one of the best installa-
tions on record. Many of the original
mains laid in 1896 still are serving
the town.
Six wells were utilized to serve the
plant, and a line was run to the
nearby quarry to furnish water for
fighting fires. In those days, when
fire broke out, valve was used to
shut off water from the tower, and
water was pumped thru the mains
from the quarry to extinguish the
blaze.
Two pumps with a combined ca
pacity of 100000 gallons of water a
day were included in the plant equip
ment. (Today's pumping capacity is
over 3,500,000 gallons of water daily.
The tank mounted at the top of a
spherical tower was % feet high and
% feet in diameter. 1t had a ca
pacity of $4,000 gallons.
Murray First Patron
An interesting sideight incidental
to the start of the waterworks is the
fact that M. M. Murray, former Bluff
ton mayor and postmaster, now
wintering in Florida, was the first
patron to receive water from the
plant.
The house in which he lived still
stands on North Jackson street, now
occupied by Albert Gossman. Muir
ray left no stones unturned to make
sure that he would be the first per-
son in town to receive the benefits of
the new municipal improvement,
when the time drew near for water
to first be available.
Nearly everyone had made applica-
tion for water service, and all were
quite anxious to be among the first
to have connections made to mains.
Pipe needed to run from the street
mains to the houses of property own
ers had been ordered by the town,
but was delayed in delivery, and when
the plant was ready to begin opera
tions in the middle of September
there was no pipe. ~
Determined to be the first to have
water, Murray made a special trip to
Lima to buy pipe. Hurrying home he
had the connection made by a water
works employe, and when word
spread that Murray was the first
waterworks patron to receive service
most of the town congregated at his
home where he treated them to ar
impromptu show by watering hi:
lawn and garden with the hose.
Light Plant Next
| Construction of a light plant wa
a hot topic in those days before thu