USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > The history of Des Moines county, Iowa, containing a history of the country, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers > Part 63
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But the citizens of Burlington had faith in the future of the city. They had an abiding faith that the Flint Hills, pierced by nine lines of railway and crowned with so many substantial evidences of an enduring progress, were yet destined to witness the triumph of man over every natural obstacle that stood between the city and its future growth. From the water-level to the elevated plateau, that marked the beginning of the fertile stretch of prairie lands toward the west, is an elevation of about two hundred feet. To force water to that height, and then distribute it with sufficient head to meet the requirement of every householder, was a difficult problem, and one which troubled not a little every thoughtful citizen. At first glance it appeared simple enough; for, surely, where there are hills there can be built great reservoirs into which water may be pumped and left to distribute itself to consumers by the volition of its own gravity. But as a matter of fact there are no hills in Burlington ! " A hill," says Noah Webster, LL. D., " is a natural elevation of land, or a mass of earth rising above the common level of the surrounding land." No such condition of things exists at Burlington. As the prairie land approaches the west bank of the Mississippi, streams of water, in past ages, have cut deep channels in the land in their descent to the river, and the numerous ravines thus formed are still affected by the washing-away of the soil in each storm that continues the labors of the centuries past. At the foot of several of these ravines that converge near the center of the present city of Burlington, there landed from their skiff's, fortv-seven years ago, the first white men who undertook to settle in the lands of the Fox and Sac Indians. As the town grew, it gradually filled up the semi-circular basin formed by the convergence of the various ravines until men began to penetrate these natural thoroughfares to the table-lands above, and building improvements, in time filled the openings and dotted the upper plains. And naturally to the ascending settlers, the rugged bluffs, when
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
viewed from the lower plateau, assumed the character of "hills," and to this day they are known as such, until " North Hill," " West Hill," "South Hill," and " Prospect Hill," are popular terms for denoting the sections of the city not located on the lower level. And it was only natural that in the earlier days the popular estimate of the future system of water works should embrace a reservoir-the city was located mainly at the foot of the bluffs. But as the city grew, and nearly all the best residence property, and not a little of business property, is now to be found on the upper elevations. it is obvious that the reservoir system grows every year more impracticable. However reluctantly our citizens have relinquished their favored idea, recent surveys and careful investigations have removed all doubt and convinced them that a system of direct pressure is an imperative necessity. For while a reservoir might be con- structed, at a large expense, on the highest elevation in the city, it still would fail to supply water any higher than the first stories of thousands of buildings, and would entirely fail to meet the requirements of reliable protection from fire. There was, therefore, no other practical solution of the problem but a system of direct pressure which would furnish all the water required for domestic and general consumption, and which would also afford the very best fire protection wherever the street mains extended. The tests fully justify the wisdom of the Burlington Water Company in adopting what is known as the Holly system of water works. The Holly system of water works has been adopted and is in use in more than seventy towns and cities in the United States. This number does not include some twenty or more works built on the same or similar plan by other parties than the Holly Company. The chief advantages of this system over the older systems are : 1. Secures by variable pressure a more reliable supply of water for all purposes. 2. Less cost for construction. 3. Less cost for maintenance. 4. Less cost for daily supply. 5. Affords the best fire protection in the world. 6. Largely reduces insurance risks and premiums. 7. Dispenses with fire-engines in whole or in part. 8. Reduces fire department expenses. All the tests made thus far in Burlington fully sub- stantiate these claims, as we shall more fully show farther on in this article.
The history of the attempt to build water works in this city is a history full of doubt and unproductive effort, prior to the organization of the present company. Several ordinances were passed and companies organized, but the obstacles, both natural and human, always intervened and thwarted every attempt. Finally, on the 17th of July, 1877, the present water ordinance was adopted by a unanimous vote of the Council-one member only being absent, out of the city. To meet the requirements of this ordinance, the BURLINGTON WATER COMPANY was organized, with a capital stock of $300,000. The follow- ing is a list of the original stockholders: Hon. Charles Mason, Hon. John II. Gear, Hon. John Patterson, T. W. Barhydt, James C. McKell, R. Spencer, J. Darling, John G. Foote, S. E. Barnes, J. J. Burnham, H. H. Scott, E. M. Eisfeld, George Sweny, Thomas Hedge, Donahue & McCosh, William Salter, H. I. Chapman, T. W. Newman, J. Kroft, P. T. Smith-all residents of Bur- lington. Directors, Hon. Charles Mason, R. Spencer, Hon. John Patterson, James C. McKell, T. W. Barhydt. Officers, Hon. Charles Mason, President ; Hon. John Patterson, Vice President ; James C. McKell, Secretary and Treas- urer ; Hydraulic Engineer, T. N. Boutelle ; Chief Engineer at the Water Works, Ira Holly; First Assistant, Charles Hood; Second Assistant, M. J. Haddox.
On the 19th of July, President Mason formerly notified the city authorities that the Burlington Water Company accepted the water ordinance, and on the
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
4th day of October, a contract was entered into between the city of Burlington and the Burlington Water Company, granting the latter the right to build and operate water works in Burlington. The details of the ordinance are too lengthy to be summarized in this article; but it is proper to say, in brief, that the terms are believed to be favorable for the city, without being oppressive to the water company, and that the result will be, that the citizens will obtain water at as low rates as the citizens of any other city in Iowa, and that Bur- lington will have the very best fire protection and water for public uses at a comparatively low cost, besides creating a sinking fund, that will ultimately result in the city obtaining the ownership of the water works at first cost. The Articles of Incorporation were filed for record in the Recorder's office, July 19, and with the Secretary of State, August 15, 1877. Those gentlemen who subscribed to the capital stock of the company, to the amount of $300,000, are personally liable in that amount for the indebtedness or misfortunes of the water company, and yet they are limited in the profits to be derived from this heavy liability, to the dividend of 12 per cent upon $30,000 of the stock, as the ordinance prohibits their paying up more than 10 per cent of the capital stock. Any excess of profit over that amount ($3,600 per annum) goes into the "water fund" with the water tax and water revenues, to be appro- priated, at the discretion of the City Council, to extend the mains, or reduce the water tax, or to increase the sinking fund, or to reduce the water rates to private consumers. The interests of tax-payers and water-consumers are care- fully provided for, and the stockholders have a limit on their profits that is quite disproportionate to the risks incurred.
On the 4th of October, 1877, a contract was made between the Burlington Water Company and the city of Burlington, whereby the former was to supply the city with water for fire and other purposes. As a compensation for the city service, the city levies a 5-mill tax on all property within the water dis- trict. The contract was signed by Henry H. Scott, Chairman of the Finance Committee for the city, and by Hon. Charles Mason, President of the Company.
A contract was executed October 6, 1877, between the Burlington Water Co. and the Holly Manufacturing Co., of Lockport, N. Y., in the sum of $190,000 for the complete erection of water works on the Holly system. Active operations were begun as soon as materials could be obtained. The grounds were purchased of Lyman Cook and George C. Lauman, in considera- tion of $5. The laying of the inlet pipe and crib was done by Mr. Truman Cowell, of Muscatine. The work was done in a first-class manner, although the contractor was greatly troubled by the quicksand on which the coffer-dam was built. The work was completed in time, and was the first subcontract finished. The contract for building the filter-bed and the buildings was given to Mr. A. W. Manning, of this city. The work on this contract was prosecuted during the winter, but few days being lost. The laying of the street mains was done by Messrs. Russell & Alexander, of Chicago. Nearly thirteen miles of pipes were laid be these contractors and put through the severest kind of a test without a break or a leaky or imperfect joint being found on the line. Their contract was finished two months and a half before the time stipulated. The pipes for the works were furnished by Dennis Long & Co., of Louisville, Ky., and H. R. Smith & Co., of Columbus, Ohio. The Mohawk & Hudson Manufacturing Co., of Waterford, N. Y., furnished the Eddy valves. The quality of the material furnished was such that on the trial, at extreme pressure, but three breaks were found on the entire line. These were defects that could not have been foreseen. In many trials in other cities as many
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
breaks have been found in one mile. These pipes were delivered during the winter, and were handled roughly in loading and unloading them from the cars, and the fact that so few breaks were discovered speaks much in praise of the manufacturers. The general superintendence of the whole contract was under the direction of Mr. T. N. Boutelle, the Engineer of the Burlington Water Co. Mr. Boutelle is a civil engineer of large experience in the construction of water works. He has been connected with the erection of water works in Anamosa, Clinton, Marshalltown and other cities in Iowa, and in many other cities in adjoining States. He drew up the plans for the Burlington works and directed their entire construction. The ability he displayed in his labors, these works, which are second to none in the State, fully attest. Mr. Boutelle's experience was of much value to the Burlington Company, and the system and arrangement of the whole is due largely to his skill.
The following description of the works, applied to their size and condition at the date of opening, June 1, 1878. Many additions have since been made.
The river work consists of an inlet crib constructed of pine timbers, firmly bolted together, filled with broken stone, placed on the bed of the Mississippi River, in nineteen feet of water at low-water mark, and distant from the shore about two hundred and fifty feet. A 20-inch iron pipe extends along the river- bed from the crib to a filter on the shore. The filter is of stone masonry, 130 feet long, 20 feet wide, and provided with suitable filtering materials, which may be renewed or cleaned at any time. An independent inlet-pipe is provided to convey water directly from the crib inlet to the pumps, should the demand at any time (as for fire protection) exceed the capacity of the filter.
The engine, boiler and coal houses, located one hundred and fifty feet from the river, are of stone, have iron roofs, are substantial and fire-proof, and of dimensions suitable for a duplicate set of pumping machinery. The smoke-stack is of brick, and 120 feet high. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern and the Burlington & Southwestern Railways run between the build- ings and the river, making the delivery of coal convenient and inexpensive. The filter extends from the crib inlet, under the tracks of these railways, to a pump well inside the engine-house.
The pumping machinery is the latest design of the Holly Manufacturing Company, and embraces all recent valuable improvements. It is especially adapted to the service required, and in finish and workmanship cannot be excelled. The engine is of the compound type, and guaranteed to perform a duty equal to raising 60,000,000 pounds of water, one foot, with one hundred pounds of coal, and to supply the quantity of water-3,000,000 gallons daily -and throw the fire streams required by the ordinance. It has four steam cylinders, each 19 inches in diameter, 27 inches stroke, with four corresponding reciprocating pumps, each 10 inches diameter and 27 inches stroke, attached by direct connections and erected on a heavy arched double frame of iron, set at an angle of ninety degrees, one steam cylinder and its pump being placed at each of the four corners. The frame supports at its top a shaft with an over- hanging crank on either end, to which the four engines are connected by ordi- nary connecting-rods. The cylinders and pumps are detachable at pleasure, and may be run singly, in pairs or all together, according to the demands for water-supply from time to time. The engine is provided with the usual air- pump and jet-condenser, and by a peculiar arrangement of pipes and valves may be run on either the high, low or compound steam-pressure principles, and may be changed from one to the other at any moment by the engineer. This arrangement is necessary to secure economical daily pumping for domestic sup-
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
ply, which is done by compounding steam, and prompt increase of power for efficient fire protection, which is amply secured by converting the machine into a high-pressure engine. When compounding, the steam is taken directly from the boilers into one of the cylinders and exhausted into the remaining three, and, when running, high-pressure steam is taken directly into all of the cylinders, the latter operation increasing the power of the whole four to eight times. To supply this increase, reserve boilers are provided, there being three in all, either of which alone will be sufficient to meet the ordinary demand.
The water-mains are of cast-iron, tested at the foundry to withstand three hundred pounds hydrostatic pressure per square inch, and have since been sub- jected to a further test, after being laid in the ground, of two hundred pounds, which is 25 per cent greater than will be required in practice. The lengths and sizes of mains were, in round numbers, as follows: One-third of a mile of 16-inch, one mile and a half of 12-inch, two miles of 10-inch, four and three- quarters miles of 8-inch, two and a half miles of 6-inch and one mile and three- quarters of 4-inch, a total of a little over twelve miles and a half of street mains. The mains are all laid to a depth of five and a half to six and a half feet below the surface, and some two miles are laid in trenches cut in solid rock. Additional mains are already petitioned for by the citizens.
The fire hydrants are of the Holly patent, full size, with double discharge and frost jacket. There were 157 in all, giving 314 hose attachments, one hydrant being placed at cach street-crossing on the lines of the mains, with a hydrant between in some instances. The stop gates or valves are 64 in num- ber, of the Eddy patent. These are placed in the mains at suitable points for shutting off water in case of necessity or convenience, from any of the lines.
On Wednesday, May 29, at 10:30 A. M., was begun a "duty test" of the works, to ascertain whether the Holly machinery would fulfill certain economic requirements of the ordinance. The engines are required to raise 60,000,000 pounds of water one foot with each one hundred pounds of coal, while pumping at the rate of 3,000.000 gallons of water in twenty-four hours. The machinery was worked twenty-four hours without stopping. It had not been used for the previous twelve hours, and the coal was of inferior quality. The following official figures show the result, which was entirely satisfactory throughout :
Number of steam-cylinders 4
Number of pumps.
4
Diameter of steam-cylinders, in inches 19
Diameter of pump-pistons, in inches 10 1-32
Length of stroke, in inches. 27
Discharge of four pumps each revolution, in gallons
72 1-8
Duration of test
24 hrs, 17 min.
Number of revolutions. 45,812
Average pressure on water-gauge, in pounds.
86 2-10
Average height from water in well to gauge, in feet 27
Total head of water equal lo feet ..
226
Coal burned, in pounds. 8,730 .
Duty, in pounds, raised one foot per one hundred pounds of coal ... 71,514,000
The contract required 60,000,000-foot pounds duty, which was exceeded by nearly 20 per cent.
The quantity of water pumped during the run was 3,204,240 gallons, which was at the rate of 3,166,704 gallons for twenty-four hours, or 5 per cent in excess of contract guarantee.
The final test of the works was made May 31. In spite of a heavy storm of wind and rain, the company carried out their programme with the following results:
On the West Hill six streams were thrown, but only two of them could be measured because of the rain. The average height of these hydrants was 130
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
feet above the pumps. The streams were as follows : Corner of Valley and Marshall streets, 105 feet ; corner of Market and Marshall streets, 132 feet. On the North Hill, one of the highest points in the city, the requirement by con- tract was 75 feet. The average height of the hydrants was 150 feet above the pumps, and the exact measurement of the height of each stream as taken was as follows :
Feet.
Corner of Iowa and Fifth streets. 86
Corner of Iowa and Sixth streets ...
94
Corner of lowa and Seventh streets 84
Corner of Franklin and Sixth streets. 100
Corner of Franklin and Seventh streets 102
Corner of Spring and Seventh streets. 115
The third test on the programme commenced at 11:15 A. M., and was a dis- play of three streams on each, North, West and , South Hills (in all nine streams). By this time the rain had ceased, and at each hydrant where the streams were thrown crowds of spectators began to congregate. This trial was not one of the contract tests, but was merely given to show that the Holly engines could exceed their rated capacity. The height of the nine streams exceeded the height required for six streams on the high ground. . The average height of these streams above the pumps was 140 feet. But three streams were measured, the average height being over 90 feet.
The fourth test commenced at 11:45 A. M., and consisted of one 1-inch stream thrown through 500 feet of hose for fifteen minutes. This trial took place at the hydrant at the corner of Summer and Louisa streets, which is 155 feet above the level of the pumps. The water was thrown to a height of 85 feet. This was considered by the Holly Company officials the most gratifying trial of the forenoon exhibition. At the close of this test, an intermission of two hours was had, and the remainder of the trials occurred on the low ground in the busi- ness part of the city.
At 2 o'clock, the fifth test occurred, which was one of the contract tests, and consisted of eight 1-inch streams thrown at one time on the low ground of the city. By this time the clouds had nearly all passed away ; the sun shone out brightly, and the streets and sidewalks were crowded with spectators. The con- tract required that these eight streams should be thrown 100 feet high. The average height reached was 141 feet and 9 inches. The streams at different hydrants varied considerably, which was owing to some of the nozzles being imperfect, as the water pressure at the hydrants was the same. The highest point during this test was the hydrant at the corner of Market and Sixth streets, and the water here was thrown 147 feet high. The height of all these streams was as follows :
Corner of Main and South streets
Feet. 119
Corner of Main and Locust streets
146
Corner of Main and Angular streets.
144
Corner of Main and Washington streets.
178
Corner of Division and Fourth streets.
127
Corner of Market and Sixth streets 147
Corner of Jefferson and Third streets
119
Corner of Jefferson and Fourth streets.
The next test was a display of twelve 1-inch streams from eight hydrants on Main street and four on Jefferson street. This trial lasted only twenty minutes, and was stated by the engineer at the works to be the most severe trial during the day. From the corner of Main and Jefferson streets the whole number of streams could be seen. But three of these streams could be measured, the
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
average height of which was 126 feet. This is about equal to the other streams thrown at the same time.
At twenty minutes past 4, one of the grandest displays of the day occurred, at the Congregational Church tower. This was a stream thrown through a one and three-fourths inch nozzle. The water was taken from three hydrants and combined with.one stream through a Siamese coupling. The church tower is 126 feet high, and as the water rose, in a solid stream, to a level with the top of the tower. the immense crowd burst out with loud cheers. But the water kept on higher and higher, until it went over 60 feet above the top of the tower, and as measured, showed that the solid stream was 190 feet high. The spray was carried up much farther.
The next was a display, lasting ten minutes, of a 1-inch stream thrown through 1.000 feet of hose. The hose was attached to the hydrant at the corner of Third and Jefferson streets. This was a severe test of the capacity of the works, and the water-pressure at the pumps during the trial was 150 pounds. The stream thrown was sufficiently high to reach any fire that is likely to occur in the city. The height of the stream could not be measured accurately, but was from 120 to 125 feet.
The last trial was a most magnificent display. A valve at the corner of Main and Jefferson streets was arranged to throw a 3-inch stream. This dis- play commenced at 5:10 P. M., and the column of water shot up immediately to the height of 170 feet. This is said to have been the second 3-inch stream ever thrown in the world to the height attained by this. The other stream was thrown in Rome. The stream in Burlington flew up to the immense height of 283 feet. The programme stated that this stream was to be thrown for ten minutes only, but it was kept up for twice that length of time, and the immense amount of water that was thrown during the time may be known when, according to the register kept by the engineer at the pumps, 2,808 gallons of water were deliv- ered each minute during this trial, and no other hydrant was open at the time. The wind was blowing just strong enough to let the water fall on the roofs of the houses on the west side of Main street, and the gutters on the roofs were not large enough to carry off the water, which poured from the eaves in vol- umes. This last test was a grand sight and a close to the proceedings of the day. and satisfied every one as to the power of Holly engines and pumps.
At the works, all moved as smoothly as a drawing-room reception. The engines and pumps worked steadily, the steam-gauges showed an even pressure and the moderate fires and leisurely movements of the firemen showed there was no " forcing" of boilers or machinery. One boiler was not used at all. The engines were worked on the compound plan, the steam entering all four cylinders at high pressure, but condensed on the other stroke, thus creating a vacuum and utilizing the atmospheric pressure. Large crowds stood around and watched the beautiful working of the machinery with undisguised admira- tion. The following table will tell the " expert " reader, better than descriptive language can, the work done by the machinery :
Boiler pressure during day. from. 60 to 70 pounds. 150
Water pressure, test No. 1.
Water pressure, test No. 2.
140
Water pressure, display No. 3.
130
Water pressure, display No. 4.
145
Water pressure, test No. 5.
115
Water pressure, display No. 6.
120
Water pressure, 12-inch stream, Congregational Church.
130
Water pressure, 1-incli stream, 1,000 feet hose
150
14
Water pressure, 3-inch stream
145
66
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HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY.
No. gallons, test No. 1.
1,200 gallons per minute.
No. gallons, test No. 2. 1,200
No. gallons, test No 3.
1,800
66
66
No. gallons, display No. 4
216
66
No. gallons, test No. 5.
1,728 66
No. gallons, test No. 6.
3,000
No. gallons, 12-inch stream, Congregational Church.
850 66
66
No. gallons, 8 1-inch streams. 1,00C feet hose.
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