USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > History of the city of Toledo and Lucas County, Ohio > Part 112
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47.0246
Total cost of Sewers. $826,295.39
No. Sewers connecting with Maumee River
9
No.
66
Ottawa
66
1
No.
66
Swan Creek
7
No.
Canal
1
No.
66
Bayou
1
2.5856
3
The result of this thorough provision for drain - age has been to take Toledo from its early po- sition among the unhealthy localities of the country, and to place her in the very front rank of most healthy Cities of the World. Whereas, as elsewhere shown, malarial diseases were both common and fatal during the earlier years of the settlement, these have almost wholly ceased. Such a thing as bilious fever or fever and ague is now rarely met by medical practitioners there. While this is true of that class of diseases, it is an important fact, that rarely is a locality found where as few epi- demies of any sort appear, as in Toledo. It is many years since such prevailed to any serious extent of fatality. This state of things is no doubt chiefly due to the drainage named and to the admirable system of water supply elsewhere noticed at some length, the two agencies acting together with most beneficent results.
[565]
566
HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
The improved condition of Toledo in the matter of health, is best shown in the following comparative statement of the annual death rate per 1,000 inhabitants in the Cities named, as shown in the month of January, 1880, to wit :
Boston, Mass
25.80
Lowell, Mass
28.00
Worcester, Mass
16.00
Springfield, Mass
20.20
New Haven, Com
16.50
New York City
21.70
Utica, N. Y.
31.30
Newark, N. J
22.50
Pittsburgh, Penn 24.40
Philadelphia
22.40
Cleveland, Ohio.
14.30
Dayton, Ohio
13.40
Cincinnati, Ohio
13.40
Gallipolis, Ohio
19.00
Indianapolis, Ind.
14.50
Evansville, Ind 22.20
Chicago, Il. 15,80
31,20
Quiney, III.
20.80
Milwaukee, Wis
15.10
St. Paul, Minn
15.30
Average of these 22 Cities 19.38
13.68
Difference in favor of Toledo 5.70
The following like table prepared for 1885, presents Toledo in still more favorable light, to wit :
Boston. 22.41
Baltimore 19.55
St. Louis 18.70
Cincinnati 18.37
Buffalo 42.85
San Francisco 19.58
Cleveland
18.11
Detroit
19.39
Memphis 23.80
Nashville 19.10
Atlanta 20.53
Wilmington, Del 18.25
12.17
Yonkers, N. Y 20.45
13.23
Average of Cities named 20,37
Difference in favor of Toledo 7.14
In his report for 1886, Health Officer Van Pelt shows the record of Toledo to have been at that time even better than as given in 1880 or 1885. He said :
The total number of deaths for the year ending December 31, 1886, was 935. This gives us an an- nnal death rate, on a population determined by actual enumeration last Summer, of 12.89 per thou- sand. The census taken by the City gives a popnla- tion of 72,504 ; and on this population the mortuary rate is made. The care taken in making our records, together with the fact that we know what our popu- lation is, gives ns figures that are strictly accurate and reliable. Never before in the history of Toledo has the rate been so low, when based on reliable figures. It still maintains its own proud rank among the very healthiest Cities of the world. Only two
Cities of the United States, so far as I have seen, lay claim to a lower mortuary rate. These are St. Paul, Minn., and Denver, Col., and these have made a rate based upon an estimated population.
WATER SUPPLY.
TOLEDO WATER WORKS-1873.
From the earliest settlement at Toledo, the matter of proper supply of acceptable water for beverage and domestic purposes, was a consideration of serions concern. The nature of soil and topography of the locality, plainly showed that whatever might temporarily be done in that direction, measures would ere long become indispensable for securing a supply better in quality and more ample in quantity than any to be furnished by ordinary excavated Wells. The general presence of clay soil, clearly forbade dependence on what could be little more than the accumulation of surface drainage, which from the first was made unfit by the annual decay of heavy vegetable growth, and must become yearly more unfit by the offal of increasing population. The trouble from this source was seriously enhanced in seasons of hot weather attended by drouth-notably 1838, when l'evers raged here with fatal sever- ity, largely due to the almost total lack of water fit for beverage. To this cause, in some degree, no doubt, was due the unfavorable rep- utation of Toledo in respect to healthfulness.
The discussion of this subject in a general way was continned for many years, without its solution. Finally, attention was called to the plan of Artesian Wells, which about that time was attracting considerable interest in this country, as it long had done in the Old World. With nothing better than theory to act upon, steps were taken by different individuals look- ing to a test of the faith that underlying Toledo was an abundant supply of pure, healthy water, which was accessible by boring through the rock by which it was covered. Among those entertaining such faith, was the late Lyman Wheeler, who commenced boring for water at his store, corner of Monroe and St. Clair Streets (now the site of Wheeler Opera House). Others had preceded Mr. Wheeler in the same effort, but his was the first signal success. The size
Oakland, Cal
TOLEDO.
Toledo's rate, same time
15.20
District of Columbia
Peoria, Ill
- -
567
DRAINAGE .- WATER SUPPLY .- PARKS.
of the auger used was Så inches, and that of the iron pipe inserted eight inches. In June, 1850, at the depth of 55 fect, water was reached, which rose to within six feet of the surface. The cost of the well, complete, was about $55, or $1.00 per foot. The water was found to be pure and clear, but was not as " soft " as had
been hoped for, which fact was a source of se- rions disappointment. Still, its other qualities placed it so far ahead of both the ordinary Well water and that of the River, that the discovery of an Artesian supply was hailed with general satisfaction by the citizens, and was followed by the successful boring of several Wells by others.
The second Well of this kind was that on Jefferson Street, between Summit and St. Clair, having been bored about 1853. Among the first Artesian Wells within the present limits of Toledo, was one bored about 1852 at Man- hattan, and to a depth of some 100 feet.
As the City extended in improvements, the demand for a water supply for fire purposes became felt more and more. So long as this call could be met from the River and the Canal, no inconvenience existed which could not be overcome by efforts of the Firemen ; but in the course of time, improvements got beyond such sources of supply, and other provision was found indispensable.
June 9, 1853, the City Council provided for four Public Wells, to be located-one near cor- ner of Summit and Lagrange; one near corner of Summit and Cherry ; one near corner of Summit and Adams; and one near corner of St. Clair and Washington. These wells were to be provided by boring, the hole to be six inches in diameter and provided with iron pipe. In connection with these wells (the last named only excepted), were to be provided reservoirs 20 feet deep and eight feet in diameter, for the use of the Fire Department.
In April, 1854, A. J. Field at his Car Works, in the Fifth Ward, succeeded in obtaining a free flow of water, after boring to the depth of about 100 feet, the last 10 of which was through solid rock.
The first definite steps toward a public sup- ply of water were taken in 1855. In August of that year was submitted to the vote of the people a proposition to issue $25,000 of City bonds for the purpose of a Water supply. The plan was, that of such sum $5,000 be devoted to sinking an experimental Artesian Well, as a test of the practicability of obtaining an ade- quate supply from that source. The vote on such proposition was taken August 16th, with the following result :
Ward.
No. Votcs.
Yes.
No.
Majority. 92
First.
50
36
14
Second.
54
37
17
20
Third
36
31
5
26
Fourth
155
134
21
113
295
238
57 181
This movement was in great measure insti- gated by the pervading belief among the people of Toledo. that the severity of the cholera in the City during the summer of 1854, was to great extent due to the nature of the water supplied by excavated wells, the only source then in use. These wells in the portion of the City below Cherry Street, were said to be, on an average, not more than 15 feet in depth. The water, while clear and without specially objectionable taste when drawn, cre long showed the presence of vegetable matter. In both 1852 and 1854, the cholera was more prevalent and more fatal in that section than in any other of the City. In 1849 the differ- ence in that respect between that and the upper section was less, a condition accounted for by the fact, that between 1849 and 1852, Artesian water had measurably come into use in the latter section referred to. It was the belief that water from wells dug in clay soils, piercing no stratum of sand or gravel to act as filter, could not be fit for nse.
April 6, 1858, the ordinance providing for a Board of Water Works, passed September 4, 1855, was repealed, the experiment of boring for water on Adams Street not proving satis- factory.
In May, 1858, I. N. Hathaway bored an Ar- tesian Well at the corner of Superior and Orange Streets, to the depth of 90 feet, when water arose to within six feet of the surface. About the same time Judge Myers bored a Well in the basement of his brick block, Northeast corner of Summit and Monroe Streets.
June 21, 1859, the Council authorized the issue of $10,000 additional bonds to provide for the boring of Artesian Wells within the City.
The State Fair at Toledo, September, 1869, was supplied with water from an artesian well on the grounds. It consisted of a shaft 10 feet in diameter and 60 deep, from the bottom of which were sank three 3-inch holes 82 feet be- low, making a total of 142 feet depth. The water arose to within 22 feet of the surface, and was taken by means of a steam pump, and dis- tributed through 7,000 feet of pipe, costing $1,800. The well cost the City $3,500 ; making $5,300 in all. The pump was used for eight days, and the quantity of water taken ranged from 900 to 4,600 barrels per day. The stage of water in the main well varied from 32 to 51 feet. A trial showed that the pump was not able to reduce the stage of water, although taking 350 to 360 barrels per hour. This led to the belief that the supply of water was ample for the use of the City.
March 10, 1868, the Council appointed a Com- mission, consisting of Mayor C. A. King, J. H. Whitaker, Calvin Crane and Wm. C. Huffman, to visit Lockport and Auburn, N. Y., to ex- amine systems of Water Works in those Cities.
March 27th, this Commission made report to the Council, that they had examined the llolly
568
HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
system of Water Works in the Cities named, and submitted a proposition for the adoption of the same in Toledo, to include 4.600 feet of 16- inch pipe ; 13,600 feet 12-inch pipe ; 25,600 feet 10-inch ; 4,300 feet 8-inch ; 46,400 feet of six and four inch ; making a total of 18} miles of pipe at a cost of $379,178.
April 1, 1868, the Council provided for sub- mission to the vote of the electors a proposition to issue bonds to the amount of $500,000, at 7 per cent. interest for 20 years, for the construc- tion of Water Works on the plan named ; which proposition, April 6th, was defeated on a vote of 567 " Yes," to 2,695 " No." This re- sult was chiefly due to the indefiniteness of the terms of the proposition.
March 29, 1869, the Council provided for submission to popular vote of another proposi- tion to issue $100,000 in bonds for Water Works purposes, which resulted in a vote of 1,000 " Yes," to 2,673 " No." The plan proposed in this case, was, substantially, limited to the use of water from the Canal, chiefly for the Fire Department.
October 3, 1870, a Committee of the Council was appointed, to examine and report as to several kinds of Water Works in use, and also as to the capabilities of Artesian Wells for a supply of water. The Committee consisted of Henry Philipps, Luther Whitney. Daniel Se- gur, J. G. Nelen and Wm. St. John.
May 15, 1871, provision was made for the employment of an Engineer to prepare esti- mates for Water Works.
November 6, 1871, A. R. Ketcham, Engineer, made report of estimates for Water Works.
February 5, 1872, the Committee on Water Supply presented an estimate of cost for the Holly system of Water Works, which consisted of one Holly Pump, pump wells, settling reser- voirs, 25 miles of pipe, 144 stop-valves, and 204 fire-hydrants, to cost 8500,000. The report was approved and the proposition submitted to the vote of the electors April 1st, when the vote stood : " Yes," 3,480, " No," 1,082.
May 20th, provision was made for the elec- tion of a Board of Water Works Trustees.
June 11th, at such election, John P. Free- man, Edward Malone and Carl Schon were chosen, who organized by the election of Mr. Freeman as President, with George C. Pepper as Secretary pro tem.
August 20, 1872, the Water Works Board employed Moses Lane, of Milwaukee, Wiscon- sin, as Chief Engineer of construction.
December 9, 1872, the Engineer presented to the Board an estimate for Water Works, to cost $555,987, which was presented by the Board to the Council. Inasmuch as the plan thus pre- sented was not the Holly plan, but the Stand- Pipe system, the Council, December 30, 1872, called upon the Trustees to " report the reasons why they had not followed the directions of the Council, as contained in the ordinance passed
May 20, 1872," which provided for "Water Works on the Holly or some other plan of direct supply."
January 13, 1873, the Trustees responded, ex- pressing their regret that apparent disagree- ment should have arisen between them and the Council in the premises; and submitting the report of the Chief Engineer, giving reasons for the choice made by the Board. The plan con- sisted of conveying water by means of force pumps into a Stand-pipe, four feet inside diam- eter, and 153 feet vertical height, and thence by a main pipe of 30 inches to the service pipes in the City.
At the same session the Council directed the City Solicitor to institute legal proceedings to settle the question of the power of the Trustees to adopt a system of Water Works independ- ent of the will of the Council.
The issue thus arising between the two bodies came to be very sharp, with more or less mani- festation of feeling. The matter was actively discussed by the City press, and for several weeks constituted a matter of general interest.
Finally recognizing a doubt as to the sound- ness of its position, the City Council, February 15, 1873, provided for sending a Special Com- mission to visit the principal Cities and exam- ine their various systems of Water Works, and make report to the Council. For such purpose, John T. Maher, J. S. Norton, J. D. Cook and H. A. Boyd were appointed.
March 31, 1873, the report of this Special Commission was presented to the Council. It stated that the Commission had traveled over 3,000 miles in 13 States, occupying 23 days of time. Of the result of the examination, the report said :
In order to secure a correct comparison between the different systems and kinds of machinery, we have made all our calculations upon a common initial basis: the cost of raising one million gallons of water one foot high. * *
* We give below the cost of raising one million gallons one foot high, at the several points named by what is known as " Cornish," "Holly," and "Worthington Duplex " Engines :
CORNISH ENGINES.
Erie, Pa., 1,000,000 gallons one foot high_1012 cents. Roxboro, Phila., .. _12 7-10 " =
Schuylkill, Pa, 66
66
__ 11 2-10 '
HOLLY ENGINES.
Dunkirk, N. Y., 1,000,000 gal. one ft. high_61 cents.
Columbus, O.,
16
66
92 3-10 "
Dayton, O., 6 4
Covington, Ky.,
Indianapolis, Ind., '
18 1-10
WORTHINGTON DUPLEX ENGINES.
Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 1,000,000gał. 1 ft. high, 103-10 ets
Belleville, N. J.,
_ 8 cents.
Newark, N. J., Roxboro, Phil.,
=
44
8
6
--
. 99-10 "
Belmont, Phil.,
=
7
66 4715
3616
569
DRAINAGE .- WATER SUPPLY .- PARKS.
RECAPITULATION.
Average cost of raising 1,000,000 gallons one foot high :
Cornish Engines 11.35 cents.
Holly Engines. 37.80 66
Worthington Duplex Engines 8.64
The report presented the following conchi- sion :
We are satisfied from knowledge obtained, and the comparison of statisties given above, that for the use intended in our case, there can be but little question which engine should be selected. The efficiency of the pumping service of a City underlies the prosperity, comfort, safety and health of its in- habitants, and such efficiency is dependent to a great extent upon the durability of the engines, and their freedom from accidents; and on these points, in the judgment of your committee, the Worthington Duplex is the most desirable. * The * system of pumping directly through the mains on what is known as the Holly plan for fire purposes, is in use in several of the Cities visited. After a thorough investigation. and weighing all the avail- able evidence, we are clearly of the opinion that it is not what Toledo wants. There remains, therefore, but the stand-Pipe system for consideration.
Upon the reading of the report of the Special Commission (March 31st), an ordinance was passed, whereby the Council assented to the action of the Trustees in the choice of the Stand-Pipe system, in place of the Holly plan of Water Works, previously adopted by the Council.
The disagreement between the Board of Water Works and the City Council having thus been removed by the action of the latter body, the former at once proceeded to the execution of their trust in the construction of the Works. These were located on the West bank of the Maumee River and on those parts of lots 16 and 17, River Tract nine, lying be- tween Broadway and the River.
Such was the energetic prosecution of the work, that on the 29th of December, 1873, water was delivered in the City, the first being received at the store of Fred. Eaton & Com- pany. 165 and 167 Summit Street.
The report of the Trustees for 1873, showed the following expenditures during the year, in the construction of the Water Works, to wit:
For Cast-Iron Pipes, various sizes.
$178,939 68
Hydrants and Water Gates.
11,084 0C
Pipe layiog ...
36,704 80
Two Duplex Pumping Engines
105,000 00
Building Stand-Pipe (Iron work).
6,053 00
Brick work on Stand-Pipe, and earth work
42,253 00
Brick work on Boiler Honse and Smoke-Stack
8,052 00
Stone-masonry on Boiler-House and Stand-Pipe.
35,715 00
Setting Hydrants and Water-Gates.
1,974 00
Making Conduit and Pump-Well
4,755 08
Furnishing and driving Piles.
2,287 50
.. Running Temporary Engines one year.
8,750 00
Painting and Glazing
310 00
$441,908 56
J. D. Cook, Chief Engineer, in his report of same date, said there were then laid about nine miles of pipes of the following sizes :
30-inch Main pipe
4,886 feet.
12-inch
8,699
S-inch =
11,217
6-inch
66
21,159
Total 45,941 feet.
There were then also set and connected with said pipe, at proper locations for efficient ser- viee, 50 fire hydrants.
The first collection of water rents was in March, 1874, and the total of receipts there- from to December 31, 1874, was $4,450, the number of connections then being 640. The receipts for 1877 amounted to 822,769.60; for 1881, $34,178.69 ; for 1883, 841,326.96; for 1885, 850,170.74. Total collections to Decem- ber, 1885, $340,417.86.
In 1875, at the request of the Toledo Board of Water Works, Professor H. Douglass, of Michigan University, made analysis of water from the Maumee River. Samples were fur- nished him of this water filtered and unfiltered. This matter is one so intimately associated with both convenience and the health of resi- dents, not of Toledo only, but of the Maumee Valley, and of others upon like water-courses, that it is deemed proper here to reproduce some of the results of Professor Douglass's ex- amination, to the end, that they may in some measure correct misapprehensions as to the real nature of that water, and thus aid in re- moving the prejudice based upon such wrong notions. The Professor furnished the follow- ing table, showing the comparative qualities of water in the several Cities named :
PURITY OF CITY WATERS.
Impurities expressed in grains in 231 cubic inches, or one gallon.
Inorganic Matter.
Organic Matter.
Total.
New York-Croton.
3.90
.66
4 56
Brooklyn- Ridgewood
38,95
4.55
13.50
Boston-Cochituate
3.37
.59
3.92
Philadelphia-Fairmount.
3.40
.71
3.11
Albany-Ilydrant.
8.47
2.31
10,78
Syracuse ..
12.13
1.80
13.93
Cleveland-Lake Erie
4.74
1.53
6.27
Rochester-Genesee River ..
12.02
1 23
13.25
London-Thames River
15.15
.83
16.38
Detroit
5 72
5.72
J Filtered
15,35
1.16
16.51
Toledo
1 Unfiltered
16.23
1.20
17.63
Taking the average of the Cities named above, we have the following results :
Average organic impurities, other Cities, 1.421 graios in one gallon.
Average inorganic impurities, other Cities, 10.785 grains in one gallon. Average organic impurities, Toledo, 1.10 grains in one gallon Average inorganic impurities, Toledo, 15.35 grains in one gallon.
Referring to the Maumee River water, the Professor said :
The principal objections to your water exist in the amount of organic matter, and earthy carbonates, which latter communicate hardness. The most dam-
37
570
HISTORY OF TOLEDO AND LUCAS COUNTY.
aging form of organic matter found in water, is that of decaying nitrogenons material. Of this there is found but very small quantity, as was shown by the rapidity of action of the permanganate of potassium, and the almost entire absence of nitrates and nitrites. Even this small quantity of decaying matter is mostly separated by filtration. The hardness also seems to be somewhat reduced by the same process.
The results of the examinations then made, were regarded as far more favorable to the Maumee water, than had been expected.
In their report for 1882, the Trustees state, that
The chemical analysis of our City water proves it to be superior to that of most Cities, and far better than cistern water, or that obtained from artesian or surface wells. During a part of the year, owing to floods, high winds, &c., it is not as clear as desirable. and can only be used by filtration, which to those of limited means, proves burdensome. To deliver at all times a more acceptable supply, is a necessity that must be apparent to all. We would again recommend the construction of an impounding or settling reservoir, to be located in the River, and near the pumping station.
The report for 1883 repeats the above recom- mendation.
The report of Consulting Engineer J. D. Cook for 1885, discusses the matter of quality of the water derived from the River, and two new sources of supply, as follows :
As instructed by resolution of your Board, I have had under very careful advisement the question of clarifying, and to that extent purifying the Maumee water by subsidence; also, the feasibility of the policy suggested by your President, Mr. George W. Davis, of taking your supply from above Providence Dam, through the Miami and Erie Canal, in the event that the Canal should be abandoned or dis- posed of by the State. The large pool caused by the construction of Providence Dam, constitutes a sub- siding reservoir of no inconsiderable dimensions, holding in store about 6,500,000,000 gallons of water, equal to a daily supply of 3,500,000 for over five years.
The other project under consideration contem- templates taking the supply from the Easterly or main channel of the River, in the vicinity of Eagle Point. and above the House of Refuge. In order to furnish uniformly clear, acceptable water from either source, large settling or subsiding reservoirs will be necessary, and after a somewhat thorough personal examination, I am of the opinion that the most eligible and accessible site for these reservoirs can be found on the land belonging to the City on the oppo- site side of Broadway, from and near the House of Refuge.
Plans and estimates for the propositions thus presented, were submitted. Of the con- dition-present and prospective-of the River water, Mr. Cook said :
It may seem paradoxical to suggest that the nor- mal condition of Maumee water is gradually improv- ing and becoming less objectionable as a source of public supply-that the added pollution due to the increase of population upon its water-shed may be more than neutralized by the reclamation of its forests. the destruction of wild vegetation, etc. That the immense system of ditching which has been carried on during past several years, tends to the
more prompt discharge of rainfall into the River and its tributaries-resulting in more rapid current and more sudden and greater floods-all beneficial in thoroughly and frequently cleansing the River chan- nel from the various impurities accumulating along its shores during the season of low water, and less rapid flow. Tiling, which has been adopted as a means of underdrainage, and even now almost in- credibly extensive, is destined to become universal throughout the entire water-shed or drainage area. The time will therefore doubtless come when these countless little pipes will furnish a very large per- centage of the ordinary River flow, with water almost universally clear by filtration through the soil-the organic impurities, the albuminoids, etc., being re- tained in the earth as the life-giving essence of vegetation.
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