124
1. Appendix No. 167, Journal of the Common
Council [of the City of Philadelphia] Letter dated August 22, 1871,
from Mayor Daniel M. Fox to the Common Council, vetoing an ordinance
for extending the City's water works, a particular target of the veto
being the expenditure for the proposed East Park Reservoir.
2. Appendix No. 168, Journal of the Common Council.
Letter dated August 22, 1871, from Frederick Graff Jr., Chief Engineer
of the Water Department, tot he Select and Common Councils, defending
the need for a new large reservoir in East Park.
125
1. Advertisements for stagecoaches and steamboat lines, with small
illustrations. February 20, 1829, no source
2. Advt. for Handel's Messiah, Musical Fund Society, February 20, 1829
3. City Councils "Preamble and Resolution requesting the Legislature
to pass an act for the better preservation of the Schuylkill water."
Mentions supplement to an 1832 act to maintain the quality of the Schuylkill.
Resolution passed April 11, 1868
4. "Unwholesome Water." Short article warning "against
allowing drains to pass near wells or springs, or permitting sewerage
to escape into water used to for drinking purposes, even at what is
considered a safe distance." Also mentions an odor test for impure
water. No date, no source.
5. "The Want of Water." Editorial, no source, about "lack
of sufficient water for domestic purposes during this summer.... We
hope, now that the superintendancy has gone into other hands, that we
may have some relief." August 18, 1858, no source. [Second copy
on Scrapbook page 128, with date]
6. "The works at Fairmount. How to get a sufficient supply of
water." Letter to Public Ledger from A. C. Jones, regarding how
to make the pumps at Fairmount more efficient. Ca. 1858 (see No. 8 below)
7. "Impure Water." Brief article about the water coming out
of the Kensington Water Works, which served the Kensington and Richmond
areas. "The water which flows from the works is now unfit for use
for any purpose, and offensive alike to the taste and smell."
8. "The scarcity of water: where the defect lies." Letter
from A. C. Jones to the Public Ledger, dated August 26, 1858, regarding
the defects in the pumps at the Fairmount Water Works, including his
comments on the 1851 Morris Pump.
9. Report of the Committee on Plans and Improvements of the Fairmount
Park Commissioners, listing the boundaries of the park and the sections
making up its 1,619 acres. No date, no source.
10. "Give it a fair trial." Letter to the Evening Star, no
date, complaining about the cost of the New York Duplex, an engine built
in New York, asking that it be given a trial to compare it to similar
engines built in Philadelphia.
11. "The People's Gas Works." Letter to the Sunday Transcript
complaining of corruption and political maneuvering by the Gas Works
trustees and chief engineer.
12. Ordinance of November 12, 1855 regarding water rents, indicating
no change in price in 1856.
126
1. "Mismanagement at the Water Works." Letter to Sunday Dispatch,
no date, from "Locomotive," complaining about the running
of Fairmount and responding to a previous letter by "Mechanist."
"Shameful blundering." No source, no date. See other letters
from "Mechanist" at 140:1, 144:3
2. "Turbine Wheels. The minority of the Watering Committee."
Letter to Public Ledger, no date, about the testing of the Jonval Turbine
(ca. 1866)
3. Small article on West Philadelphia commissioners meeting, stating
proposed plan for building a reservoir near Monument Road and the necessary
water works "near the foot of the inclined plane" for the
introduction of water to West Philadelphia. Ca. 1850 No source, no date.
4. "The Water Supply.... Report on a supply of water for the Twenty-First
Ward" to City Councils, by H. P. M. Birkinbine, September 1859.
Supplying Roxborough and Germantown with sufficient water. No other
date or source.
5. "What will Councils do?" Editorial, no source or date,
about the election of a new Chief Engineer for the Water Department,
which says that the re-election of Birkinbine "will be tantamount
to a public calamity." "...There is...in the character of
Mr. Birkinbine, that charlatanry and love of mysticism peculiar to little
minds, behind which he ever shelters himself from remark or criticism.
Around the duties of his office he throws an air of mystery, affecting
profound skill and science as an engineer, magnifying with grandiloquent
and high sounding phraseology, the simplest operations falling to his
duty. This weakness is exemplified in the lithographs of his stop-cocks
and other nick-nacks, periodically paraded before Councils and the people,
all of which are ostentiously [sic] underlined, 'Planned and designed
by H.P.M. Birkinbine.' Though these gimcracks generally are valueless,
the lithographing still continues; but the Chief Engineer is not quite
so obtuse as to lithograph his bursted air chests and other signal and
expensive failures, that have resulted from the borrowed and only half-conceived
ideas of other and better men..."
6. Explosion at I. P. Morris & Co. (iron works), Thomas Herbert
(and others?) killed; loss to company at $10,000. No date, no source.
7. Two brief articles describing officers uniforms, how to differentiate
them. No date, no source.
8. Weather month by month for 1859, recorded by "Dr. Conrad, of
the Pennsylvania Hospital." No date, no source.
127
Ca. 1858
1. "Short Supply of Water" Editorial which comments on Graff's
report that Schuylkill is at an all time low due to the needs of the
Schuylkill Navigation Company. Fire service threatened. "Under
these circumstances it behooves every housekeeper to economize in the
use of water..." No date, no source.
2. Receipts and expenditures of Water Department, 1856-1858
3. "West Philadelphia Water Works." Complaining of insufficient
water supply in the neighborhood "since the new Chief Engineer
of the Water Works [Birkinbine] entered upon his duties.... The trouble,
it is said, did not exist under Mr. Birkinbine' predecessor."
4. "The Water Department." Editorial complaining about the
24th Ward Works, "an utter failure." "There is even some
fear that the Fairmount Works will go the way of all perishable things,
unless some measures be adopted by Councils to obtain the services of
scientific men to avoid such a calamity." "We well remember
that, when the [West Philadelphia] works were reported as completed,
Messrs. Birkinbine & Trotter, the builders, gave a grand feed in
the engine house, to members of Councils at that time. Speeches were
made by distinguished men; the whole party were "champagned"
with Heidsick, and 'smoked' with Principes and regalias, and the works
were of course at once considered very useful and decidedly ornamental.
Time, with its 'sober second thought,' has brought the stern reality
that the works were not put up right, and that the workmanship in many
parts was put up so slightly as not be relied upon...." November
7, 1858, The Sunday Atlas
5. Annual pumpage for Fairmount, Schuylkill, Kensington (Delaware),
Twenty-fourth Ward Water Works. No year given; ca. 1858 [numbers could
be checked against those in Annual Reports] No source.
6. Statistics of the Philadelphia Gas Works. No date, no source.
7. "The free use of the Schuylkill water." Problem in summer
months keeping supply adequate in the "lower section" when
housekeepers use liberal amounts of water on "the fronts of dwellings...running
from pipes and hoses for hours at a time..." June 7, 1858. No source.
8. Note from Councils meeting, 1858, regarding the reporting of an
ordinance for $221,500 loan for the extension of the Water Works.
9. Two articles on Councils meetings about a "voluminous document"
from Birkinbine detailing the present condition of the Water Department.
Ca. August 1858. No source.
10. Second copy of letter detailed on Page 125, item 8.
11. Local Affairs. The Water Works. New Chief Engineer working to secure
ample supply of water. Public Ledger, no date.
12. Amended census of the Eight Ward, ca. 1870, no source.
13. List of city officials: Mayor, councilmen, etc.
128
Ca. 1858
1. Letter to Evening Star, Aug. 16, [1858], from "Hammer,"
responding to letter from "Chisel," about the engine at the
Belmont water works. Complains about contracting for this engine with
New York firm when "it is claimed for this city that machinery,
particularly heavy work, can be built cheaper and better here than in
any other place in the country, by reason of the cheapness of material
and skill of our workmen." This scrapbook page includes several
other notes on the same topic.
2. "Local Affairs: Water! Water!" Editorial from [ ] regarding
need for ample supply of water at all seasons. Public Ledger, August
18, 1858. See second copy on 157.
3. "The Supply of Water for the City." Editorial, no date,
no source. Mentions plans for extension of the works, but concludes:
"For the future wants of the city, other sources of supply must
be looked for..." Fairmount, Cornish engines, Kensington, Twenty-fourth
Ward, Schuylkill, Frankford.
4. " The Water Question." Editorial, no date, no source,
Concludes: "We want water to run freely in every house, the moment
that faucets are turned. We do not wish to have to wait two hours to
get enough water for a bath. We want water, plenty of it, at all times
and under all circumstances. It Mr. Birkinbine's plan, extensive as
it may appear, will secure us that desideratum, no matter how much it
costs, he shall be applauded to the echo, which will applaud again."
5. Brief article about water supply problem, blaming the "d--n
fool" who designed the Fairmount Water Works system and "forgot
to place the dam below the wheelhouse," which would have allowed
the wheels to run even at high tide. No date, no source.
6. "Shall we have pure water?" Editorial regarding the "filthy
taste of the water" in the basins of the Delaware (Kensington)
Works. "...If it is true that the operations of the cleaners of
catfish immediately in the neighborhood of the Delaware Water Works
occasion the contamination of the water, it is in the power of the Councils
to pass an ordinance to prohibit such labor with a safe distance of
Gunner's run..."
Also mentions that "a nasty culvert debouches at the foot of Coates
street upon the Schuylkill, and almost in the forebay of the Fairmount
works. This dirty sewer was constructed by the Commissioners of the
old district of Spring Garden, at a time when the district was quarreling
with the city in relation to the right of using the Schuylkill water.
It was built in direct and spiteful determination to injure the water
used by the city. It now drains a large portion of the region above
Coates street and west of Broad. That such an impure conduit should
be allowed to exist after Consolidation, (which was intended to harmonize
the existing jealousies of the city and county,) has been very discreditable
to Councils. As matters are now, a portion of this filth has, like a
poisoned chalice, returned to plague the inventor. The dirty stuff is
pumped up now for the delectation of the Spring Gardenites as well as
for the people of the old City, Southwark and Moyamensing." Suggests
a culvert to carry the flow to the river below the dam.
July 4, 1858, Sunday Dispatch
7. Brief sarcastic note on the stand pipe of the West Philadelphia
Water Works, "a failure...one of the scientific triumphs of that
eminent engineer, H. P. M. Birkinbine." No date, no source.
8. "The Late Fire." Editorial complains about the insufficiency
of water and hydrants in fighting an "extensive fire in the Fourth
District." "Can any one inform us how long we are going to
be at the mercy of an incompetent Chief Engineer of the Water Department?"
September [17? 8?], 1870, Sunday Mercury
9. Ordinance passed regarding reassessment of water rates. Ca. 1858,
no source.
10. "Had nothing to say." Birkinbine, in letter to Council
specifying repairs needed, did not mention the scarcity of water, which
the writer found "somewhat remarkable." No date, no source.
129
1. Ordinance for Water Department appropriation of $145, 810, passed
January 27, 1858. Lists 43 different items covering a wide range of
salaries, items, plant renovations, etc., with amount appropriated for
each. Two other undated articles report on similar (if not the same)
appropriations. No source for any of these.
2. Nominations from Chief Engineer of permit clerks, messenger, inspectors,
and purveyors. No date, no source.
3. Note on report to Brooklyn Water Works made by Mr. Graff, "ex-engineer
of the Philadelphia Works," and others. December 12, 1858, no source.
4. Article on three comets visible in the sky. September 30, 1858,
Inquirer. Second article includes a list of known comets.
5. Our Water Supply. Editorial regarding need for adequate supply of
water for fire fighting purposes. Mentions problems with steam fire
engines connecting with fire plugs. January 25, [no year], Evening Star.
6. The Water Supply -- The Condition of the Works. With statistics
about pumping from various stations, noting that the supply continues
to be limited. August 23, 1867. Ledger and Transcript. A second copy
on 150.
7. Distances from New York to some of the most important places in
the United States. No date, no source.
8. Description of Croton Aqueduct board, serving New York City. No
date, no source.
130
1. List of water rates for Philadelphia. Refers to ordinance of March
15, 1866. No date, no source.
2. Advertisement for bid proposals for supplies for Water Department,
"as will be required for 1859," including pipe, iron castings,
brass castings, lead, gasket, coal, oil, tallow. Probably January 1859,
no source.
3. The Water Duplicate for 1869. Water rents to be collected, by ward.
Total of $710,933.40, an increase of more than $30,000 over 1868. January
26, 1869, Ledger and Transcript.
4. The Supply of water and the Water Tax. Letter from "West Philadelphia,"
complaining about the lack of a regular supply for that section during
that summer. September 30, 1858, Public Ledger.
5. The Water Supply. Condition of the Works. Complete version of article
on p. 129, number 6. Adds that heavy rains damaged Spring Garden works,
and the lining of the Corinthian Reservoir sprang a leak.
6. "Fairmount. The business of the Schuylkill Navigation Company
has been resumed, and the boats are passed through the locks as fast
as they can arrive. Although there is yet no water passing over the
dam, yet we believe the steamer now at work can keep the basins full
of water pumped from blow the dam. The Chief engineer seems to have
profited by hints conveyed through the press, as we notice he has had
a large scow built at Fraley's Fairmount dock, and has placed a dredge
at the mud banks, opposite the forebay, so that we hope these unsightly
objects will soon be removed." No date, no source.
7. Water Meters. Editorial regarding Graff's suggestion, in annual
report, of the tremendous waste of water and the need for devising a
way of charging for water that might lessen that waste. Writer argues
that health benefits of this use of water might outweigh the benefits
of metering: "What will be the effect of enforcing upon the frugal
mind the constant idea that every drop of water used costs something?
Will there not be a decline in the number of baths used among stingy
or poor people? When one understands that every time he washes his face
there will be a charge against him, he may be inclined to be mean upon
the subject, and may allow his countenance to remain dirty longer than
it should. Would there not be a marked decrease in the use of water
about many houses, yards, and pavements, which are now, in consequence
of the abundance of the useful fluid, kept clean? What is to be the
sanitary effect of diminished cleanliness of persons, and of an increase
of dirt about our habitations and abodes? After all, the waste water
finds its way into the gutters, which it helps to wash, and into the
sewers, which are kept clean by the abundance of the flow. Even with
dishonest contractors to clean out streets, and with a neglectful Highway
Department, Philadelphia has, since the opening of the Schuylkill Water
Works in 1800 [note: actually opened in 1801], suffered less from contagious
and epidemic diseases than any other city in the United States. [Note:
is this true??] We have since that time gone through experiences of
cholera and yellow fever, with less loss of life than in other cities.
Are we not indebted for this comparative exemption from sickness and
death to the abundance of our water supply? Can we expect to do as well
when, by an avaricious plan, we are compelled to buy our water by the
gallon? Would it not be better to spend any amount of money to furnish
water to an unlimited extent for drinking, cooking, washing and bathing
purposes to every citizen, than to risk the consequences of making water
dear?" March 7, 1869, Sunday Dispatch.
8. Meeting in Convention. Election for Chief Engineer: Birkinbine,
75 votes, Graff, 17 votes, Samuel Ogden (Ogdin), 10 votes. July 1, 1858.
No source.
9. "Our City Letter. Our water supply and the new store reservoirs..."
In support of Birkinbine proposal for more storage capacity. During
heavy rain, "Spring garden works had their tunnel filled up with
sand, the flow of water stopped, the works badly damaged and the Fairmount
works could not pump for several days because the water was too high
for the wheels and pumps to work...." Result was a shortage of
water. "We shall be obliged some time to build these store reservoirs,
and the longer we put off doing so the more liable shall we be to such
troubles as that which has just happened. We need these reservoirs also
to enable the impurities in the hydrant water to subside before the
water is sent through the pipes for use. At present every rain-storm
gives us cloudy or muddy water. Any expenditure we may now make to provide
ourselves with ample water storage will be judicious and praiseworthy."
No date, no source. Almost definitely referring to same event as article
on 129:6, which date was August 23, 1867.
10. Two copies of advertisements, "Water supply to Germantown,"
with Chief Engineer Frederic Graff urging "most rigid economy"
on those supplied by Germantown Works, as the pool supplying the works
"alarmingly low." September 27, 1870
11. "The Water Supply. The wrecking tug Fuller, with two seventeen-inch
pumps, twenty-three inch stroke, throws 1,393,920 gallons of water per
day into the Fairmount basins, at a cost of $500. Four first-class steam
fire-engines forced 1,728,000 gallons per day, at a cost of $200, were
the city to pay for fuel and food for men." No date, no source.
12. The Water Flows. Residents of West Green street made a "hubbub"
when water stopped flowing because of a mistake of a workman, who neglected
to turn on the water after repairs were made to a main. The residents
denounced Birkinbine, "censuring him for incompetency because he
could not anticipate or know that a laborer had been careless."
13. Erie Water Works. "The pure waters of Lake Erie" will
soon supply the citizens of Erie with a supply, thanks to a system designed
by H. P. M. Birkinbine. No date, reprinted from Scientific American.
14. Advertisement, resolution from Common Council for a loan for the
"extension of the Water Works, for the purchase of League island,
and for building an Ice Boat." Ordinance to be considered April
9, 1868. No date, no source. 1868/04
15. Chestnut Hill Reservoir, Boston. Description of this "gigantic
work." No date, no source.
16. No water in the Twenty-fourth Ward. Editorial. "In the last
three weeks the people of the Twenty-fourth ward have been without water
in aggregate more than half the time, and for several days together.
With incendiarism so rife, with the midsummer upon us, when water for
man and beast is doubly indispensable, with every engagement on the
part of the city to supply water for which it has enforced payment in
advance, such a condition of things is equally dangerous and disgraceful,
and demands not only the prompt, but the thorough and effective attention
of the proper authorities."
17. Insufficient Supply of Water. How Remedied. Letter to Public Ledger,
no date, from B. F. D., concerning water problems in Twenty-fourth Ward.
131
1. Select and Common Councils "meeting in convention" elected
heads of city departments; including Birkinbine. A resolution was passed
that, in essence, accused Birkinbine of fixing the prices for Water
Department parts purchased
. No date, no source
2. The trial of the turbine wheels. Interesting Experiments. Up to
this writing six turbine wheels had been tested at Fairmount. Two from
Pennsylvania, one each from Texas, New York, Massachusetts an New Hampshire.
No date, no source
3. Most Wonderful. Workmen blasting uncovered a spring in the rock
at Fairmount. "We understand that the Watering Committee will have
the spring so improved by art, that all visitors to the classic headwaters
of Philadelphia may have an opportunity to slake their thirst with a
first-class "Fairmount cocktail," very suitable in these days
of temperance." No date, no source.
4. Water meters and drinking hydrants. Councils Committee on water
examines six plans for drinking hydrants and meter invented in England.
No date, no source
5. Important to the city. Schuylkill Navigation Company, Fairmount,
City Councils. No date, no source
6. Birkinbine and his Axe. Editorial about employees fired by Birkinbine.
1859?, Ledger?
7. Fairmount. 100-foot diameter fountain completed, using a temporary
jet water thrown nearly 60 feet. April [29?], 1859, no source.
8. Letter to Ledger from Job R. Barry, engineer of the Fairmount Water
Works, regarding the action of Councils recommending the reappointment
of the writer and Mr. Garrett to positions from which Birkinbine had
previously fired them. September 12, 1859, Ledger. In brief article
following, " A Nice Man.", with no date, no source, the editorialist
elaborates: "A Committee of Councils
to investigate the matter
declare that Birkinbine's conduct was tyrannical and mean. The sole
cause of the discharge of Barry was envy of the superior mechanical
talents of the latter, who had invented "an airing apparatus"
for working the pumps, superior to anything Birkinbine could do, although
he concealed Barry's invention and endeavored to take the credit to
himself. The committee sustain these facts in toto. The report proves
that this good Christian Birkinbine, who is too pious to allow the fountains
to play on Sunday, was actuated in his conduct to Barry by envy, spite,
uncharitablenss and unchristianness. Had this report been made three
weeks ago, Birkinbine would not have been re-elected." 1859
9. The Water Works. South basin of Kensington works drained so mud
could be removed. North basin cleaned last summer of nine inches of
mud. Hoped this would keep the water from becoming offensive in warm
weather, as it has "for several summers past." Schuylkill
Navigation Company withdrew objections to construction of new mill houses
on mound dam. Laying of 30 inch main in Broad Street to commence next
week. April 14, 1859, no source.
10. Water Pipe. Thirty inch main laid in Broad Street, near Race. Trench
dug 12 ½ feet deep to go under culvert. Weight of main from Fairmount
Reservoir to Prime Street: 3,000 tons, cost $100,000. First of August
set for trial of new turbine wheels for "new mill house"
11. The Improvements at Fairmount. Blasting of rock near the head gates
for making a walk to people can ascend to the top of the reservoir.
May [26?] 1859, Ledger
12. Graff "considered worthy and an energetic gentleman"
in his candidacy for Chief Engineer's position.
13. Model Turbine Wheels. Competition for two to be placed at New Mill
House. Date and source illegible.
14. Letter to the Inquirer, no date, complaining about the "vandalism"
at Fairmount basin, due to the blasting of rocks "to improve the
place and to add to its natural beauties, and yet the most ornamental
portion of the Park is thus ruined by the folly or the cupidity of somebody
"
No date.
15. Letter to Ledger, re: letter of previous day by "Bung,"
[see also 131:27], titled Schuylkill Water Works, complaining about
the changes at Fairmount: new Mill house, blasting rocks, ruining southward
view. 1859.
16. Inspector of Fire Plugs in second ward, Mr. C. McCormack, appointed
by Birkinbine, "after nearly a year in office."
17. Advertisement for a meeting in support of J. R. Barry, late engineer
at Fairmount. July 6, 1859, no source.
18. The Water department. Reports on new mains, heading North from
Kensington to Frankford and south to the lower sections of the city.
No date, no source
19. Birkinbine Reproved. Councils ordered Birkinbine to run the fountains
at Fairmount on Sundays. "he was not elected to do missionary service
on the part of fanatics and narrow-minded people, or to transfer the
Water department into a college of the propaganda fide. Let him attend
to his own business and make himself no longer ridiculous by attempts
to subvert his office to sectarian ends." No date, no source
20. Important injury at Fairmount, Scarcity of water expected. Pump
Nos. 3 and 4 burst. Birkinbine's airing apparatus blamed. Loss of Barry
as engineer, and discharge of Garrett for testifying in his favor, left
no competent engineer at Fairmount. No date, no source
21. Will Mr. Birkinbine Explain? Why fountains not permitted to be
played on Sunday? "Is the Water Department of the city to become
an appendage of the YMCA?
Let us not have any of this Puritan nonsense
about the management of the affairs of the city
"
22. "Notice to Quit" - City officials, including Birkinbine,
urged to quit by People's party. No date, no source
23. The Water Works. 30-inch main for lower section of city, several
Fairmount wheels rotting, Spring Garden Works, water rents may be paid
Jan 1st. Dec. 12, 1859
24. Exhibition of working models of turbines requested. Frankford near
receiving full supply of water, thanks to extension of 12-inch main
"as far as the bridge at the foot of main street." Completion
by July 1st certain, residents to celebrate, perhaps on the Fourth of
July. No date, no source
25. A New Fire Plug. New one invented by Mr. A.C. Jones of Philadelphia,
to accommodate needs of new steam fire engines. Description. No date,
no source
26. An Old Claim Revived. Of Judge Peters for land in Mantua on west
side of Schuylkill flooded when Fairmount Dam built. No date, no source
27.
The Fairmount Water-works. Letter to the Public Ledger from "Bung"
complaining about New Mill House, blasting etc. No date, no source.
Probably 1859: See Page 131:15
132
1. Brochure for "Wilson's first premium Electric gas Lighter
patented
August 16, 1859. Four pages, 7.5 x 11 inches, back page blank.
2. Silsby, Mynderse & Co.'s Steam Fire Engin. Illustration and
brief descriptive article. May 29, 1859, Scientific American.
3. Hoadley's feed-water heater for boilers. Illustration and brief
descriptive article. Scientific American, no date, but perhaps same
as 132:1
133
1. Review of the weather, 1869 and 1870. No date, no source
2. Clay sarcophagus of Henry Clay designed by Frederic Graff. No date,
no source
3. Advertisement for American Academy of Music fundraising concert,
February 17. Frederic Graff on committee of directors. No date, no source
4. The Brooklyn Common Council: the Open Canal on the Water Works.
Meeting to consider closed conduit rather than an open canal, from Baiseley's
pond to Jamaica creek. No date, no source
5. A Working Opera. Long review of Huguenots, an opera at Covent Garden,
London. 1858, no source, reprinted from Chamber's Journal.
6. Naval Intelligence. Report on tests of two boilers in he San Jacinto
[a steamship?]
No date, no source
7. The Quickest Speed in Everything." [and other records] Human
Horse, clipper ships, ocean steamers., river steamers, rowing, sculling,
fire engine playing, the prize ring, cricket, locomotives, birds, velocity
in flying; billiards, leaping man, leaping horse. "From the Clipper
of January 7, 1859". No other source or date. Continued on 134.
134
1. Council minutes, mention of Twenty-fourth Ward water supply. Petition
from Cincinnati man to offering to extinguish all fires in Philadelphia
for $200,000 per annum. Communication from Birkinbine calling Common
Council report "unfair, unjust, and absolutely false." Gives
reasons for discharging the men. Discussion in Council, most against
Birkinbine, summarized. [See also 131] October 6, 1859, no source.
2. Time trial of steam fire engines at state fair. Three articles.
One dated September 20, 1859.
3. Council minutes, Ledger and Transcript, March 11, 1859. Communication
from Chief Engineer regarding the claim of Schuylkill Navigation Company
regarding the extension of the dam for the New Mill House.
4. Advertisement for ordinance vetoed by Mayor, August 22, 1871, but
passed over the Mayor's objection by both Councils, requesting money
in relation to new engines Schuylkill and works, Fairmount dam, reservoirs
at Belmont, Delaware works, East Park, large connecting mains.
5. Graff: What he has to say about that large reservoir [East Park].
Graff's explanation of why the reservoir is necessary and why it can't
b constructed like a railroad embankment, "by careless contractors,
of materials indiscriminately taken from a cutting, and placed upon
a bank by a temporary railroad, but must be composed of carefully selected
material, thoroughly consolidated, puddled, and lined
" Written
"nearly 22 months" after November 30, 1869, placing this article
ca. September 1871. No source.
6. The Water Appropriation. Editorial supporting the Mayor's veto but
noting that because of political exigencies - that it will support corrupt
cronies - it will have to be passed. Ca. 1871, no source.
7. Something for the People at Last. Editorial noting that the Chief
Engineer will now turn his attention to "affording the citizens
an ample supply of water. Well, the people will be rejoiced to hear
that they are to be attended to in this matter, even though it is after
the more important public duty of rewarding the office beggars. No date,
no source.
135
1. Letter to A. W. Craven, Croton Aqueduct Engineer, from Cambridge
University Professor E.N. Horsford, regarding problems with the taste
and smell of the water. Reprinted in New York Times, no date. Letter
dated August 25, 1859.
2. Value of railroads, canals, and summary of the present elements
of Pennsylvania prosperity, as included in a pamphlet, "A review
of the relative commercial importance of the cities of New York and
Philadelphia, by George W. Baker, cited in unnamed newspaper, undated.
Ca. 1859.
3. Birkinbine, Bullock, and Brass. Investigating committee formed to
look into accusation from Councilmen Jobber Bullock that Birkinbine
was stealing "brass cocks, rings, pins, and so forth" and
then reselling them to the Department. Bullock, probably not coincidentally,
was interested in becoming Mayor. No date, no source. See 131:1
4. Letter to Public Ledger from B. C. regarding Schuylkill Navigation
Company taking issue with extension of works, New Mill House, on mound
dam. Date illegible, Ledger.
5. The Delaware Terminus of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Letter to the
editor from S. K Hoxsie. Proposal for bridge ver Schuylkill, etc. Ca.
1859. Inquirer, no date. See 146 for second copy.
6. The Engineer of the Water Works. Letter to Inquirer signed "Fairmount,"
in support of the re-election of Birkinbine.
7. Important to the City. Re: Schuylkill Navigation Company and the
construction of the New Mill House. No date, no source.
136
1. Improvements in the water supply, considered in connection with
the question of employment of labor. "
The point which strikes
most forcibly, after an examination of all the statistics of the Department,
is that the demand for water increases faster than the supply. The increase
of our city goes on at such a prodigious rate, that during the years
1859 and 1860, service pipe was laid (by the request and at the expense
of the owners) in thirty-eight miles of new streets; and this vast amount
does not include many miles of supply mains, laid at the expense of
the city for permanent benefit
. The direct result of such an enormous
extension of service pipe has necessarily been to diminish the effective
head of water afforded by the works, under an increased consumption.
A corresponding extension of the means of supply, both in machinery
and reservoirs, therefore becomes necessary
[since city has become
so large, "great objections" to Extending the works with the
New Mill House at Fairmount]
. "The whole of the Schuylkill,
between Manayunk and the dam, answers in many respects the purposes
of a sewer. Without entering too much into disagreeable particulars,
we shall merely mention that the river down to the dam is often covered
with a scum from the various print works at Manayunk (when in operation);
also, between the 1st of January and the 1st of July, of this year,
one hundred pieces of carrion, dead horses, dogs, &c, were fished
out of the river by men employed for that purpose by the Chief Engineer
."
Further discusses need for service for northern, higher parts of the
city. Mentions that Manayunk has no water service, exposing it to "great
danger from fires."
"The central portions of the city
are pretty well off, though even in them the water fails in the upper
stories. But in other parts of the city the case is very different.
It is supposed that from manufactories alone an increase in [water]
rents of near $50,000 could be obtained if the supply was what it should
be. The people of Kensington get an insufficient supply of water, and
what they get is often very foul, as the wharf is pumped directly into
the mains. West Philadelphia is liable to be burned down at any time,
as the supply is so irregular that many people will not take the water
at all, but rely on wells. In Manayunk an Roxborough 12,000 people are
almost without water; in Manayunk the evil is especially great, as the
wells are contaminated and the town liable to destruction by fire
."
No date, no source, Ca. 1861
2. Manuscript letter on blue paper, letterhead of "Department
for supplying the city with water," with small engraving of Fairmount,
dated January 10, 1860, from G. Neil to Frederic Graff. Reporting to
Graff, ex-engineer, on the doings at the Fairmount works under Birkinbine.
3. Small diagram of _____???? No date, no source.
4. New Inventions. [John] Ericsson's Improved Hot Air Engine. With
illustrations and descriptive article. No date, no source., probably
from Scientific American.
137
1. Turbine Wheels. Letter to Public Ledger, about the competition for
best turbine wheel, text of notice published in Scientific American
on June 4, 1859. After six months of trials Jonval turbine, built by
E[mile] Geyelin, chosen to be used in the Fairmount works, even though
turbine of J. L. Stevenson judged to be the best.
2. Letter to Public Ledger, from "Anti-Lager," re: blasting
of rocks at Fairmount, and asking for more facilities for drinking water
from the fountains at Fairmount. May 24, [no year]
3. Advertisement for bids for supplies for the works for 1860. Iron
pipe branches &c., iron castings, brass castings, lead: "amount
required will be, say about 100,000 pounds
" , gasket "about
5,500 pounds", coal (more than 7,000 tons), oil (sperm or lard
oil, about 500 gallons), tallow (about 4,000 pounds). Bids due February
21, 1860. No date, no source. See 130:20 for advertisement for 1859
supplies.
4. The Schuylkill Water Works. Praise for new Cornish engine. Description
of the engine and its operation. "
54,900 gallons of water
for every 100 lbs. of coal used." No date, no source.
5. Advertisement related to auditing executors of the estate of Ann
M. Graff, April 19, 1859. Frederic Graff one of the executors. No date,
no source.
6. Laying of water mains on Broad and Prime streets completed. [November
3, 1859?]
7. No pavilion this summer at Fairmount, for music, as was adopted
last summer [by Councils]. When mound dam completed promenade will be
extended and widened over the new mill house. April 21, 1860, [Ledger?]
8. Birkinbine Alarmed. "Birkinbine is scared. He has unchained
the fountains in Fairmount Park on Sunday. This is in clear violation
of the Chief Engineer's religious principles. He is fully convinced
that the fountains are sinful when they play while the church-bells
are ringing." Editorial goes on to say that he relaxed his prohibition
because he thought it might jeopardize his re-election. Also says that
he has put forth three "decoy" candidates to help take votes
away from Frederic Graff. Encourages Council members to ignore the decoys
and vote for Graff. [June? Jan?] 17, 1860, Mercury.
9. Letter to Public Ledger, signed 'Honor," lauding decision to
issue a detailed report of the turbine trials. [June 6?], 1860, Ledger.
10. Behind the Municipal Scenes. A Scrabble for Important Offices.
Editorial about election of department heads. Very amusing view of this
process. Water Department Chief Engineer choices are Graff Jr., Birkinbine,
and O. H. P. Parker. "Birkinbine is understood to have the inside
track for the caucus nomination, notwithstanding his notorious incompetency,
silly bigotry and decided unpopularity. He is using all the means at
his command and lavishing promises of office and fat jobs in every direction
where he supposes the prospect of patronage will favor his interest.
The re-election of such a functionary would be disgraceful
.. Mr.
G[raff]'s management of the affairs of the department was honest, skillful
and laborious. He is a sort of hereditary engineer, and knows more about
the Fairmount water-works than any individual who can be mentioned in
the same connection. His long and thorough experience, faithful service
and first-rate administrative qualities, eminently fit him for taking
charge of the works, and completing, in an economical and satisfactory
manner, the improvements over which. Birkinbine has blundered and floundered,
until nobody knows the limit of the cost or the character of the work
that has been performed
.." June 3, 1860, Mercury.
11. The Water-works. Action of the Finance Committee. Discussion of
completion of various improvements, including Fairmount, Spring garden,
Kensington, Corinthian reservoir; also some reference to Schuylkill
Navigation Company. March 14, 1860,
Ledger.
12. Birkinbine. Editorial claims that Birkinbine deliberately underestimated
costs of improvements and is incompetent. Date illegible [probably June
1860; see 137:13 for same meeting discussed], Dispatch
13. A Blow at Birkinbine. Editorial praises Select Councilmen for denouncing
Birkinbine's "false estimates." June 10, 1860. Mercury.
14. The New Mill House at Fairmount. Two undated letters to The Dispatch,
signed by M., and one article from the Ledger, February 16, 1861, regarding
the "extraordinary expenses incurred in laying the foundation."
Mill house, if finished, to cost $54,000 above initial estimate. "The
total cost of raising the Corinthian avenue reservoir was $65,300, and
the laying of the main to the First Ward $126,172.10."
138
1. The Chief Engineer of the Water Department. Scathing editorial denouncing
Birkinbine and requesting that the "dominant party in Councils"
to pause and examine his record "before deciding to inflict him
upon us for another term." Mercury, May 27, 1860.
2. Extension of the Water Works. Letter to Public Ledger, signed "Make
Haste Slowly," about the money requested by Birkinbine. Ledger,
March 5, 1860.
3. Jonval Turbines. Description of the turbines under construction
at the I. P. Morris works. No date, no source.
4. The Fairmount Water Works. About the turbine experiments, commenting
on the "inadequate" report on the trials. The text of report,
undated, perhaps in June 1860, on the same page, along with letter from
O. H. P. Parker, chairman of the testing committee, to Scientific American,
March 1860, disputing some of the magazine's claims and offering a full
report at the conclusion of the tests.
5. Small articles on lining of Corinthian Reservoir and construction
of New Mill House, no date, ca. 1860. "During the present year
nearly 90,000 feet of water pipe have been laid by the Department, nearly
all of which has been put down in streets improved within the past eighteen
months. The erection of new houses in the outer portions of the city
keeps the Water Department busy in attending to the applications for
water pipes, as the pipe has to be laid before the streets are paved."
No date, no source, ca. 1860
6. "The Water Department. The number of men employed by the department
during 1859, worked in the aggregate the following number of days: laborers,
65,000 days; carpenters, 2,000 do.; masons, stone-cutters and bricklayers,
11,000; horses and carts, 5,500; painters, 500; machinists, 8,000. During
the year 22 ½ miles of water pipe were laid, exclusive of the
main in Broad street, which makes the number of miles laid, since consolidation,
65. From this it will be seen how rapidly the city has grown in the
portions that were looked upon as entirely rural at the tome of consolidation."
[Ledger?], April 20, 1860.
7. The Water Job a Failure. Loan for $350,000 defeated; $64,000 approved,
as recommended by the Sunday Transcript. March 18, [1860], Transcript.
Other brief notes about this loan.
8. Birkinbine provided Argus, [February 14?], 1860, with copy of history
of the works and the department's annual report. 1860, Argus.
9. Report on the new air-ship, City of New York, the largest balloon
ever made.
10. Interesting Statistics of the Water Department. For 1859, probably,
though no date is given.
139
1. For the Digestion of Councilmen. The Water and Highway Departments
of the City. Editorial from Mercury urging defeat of Birkinbine, and
complaining of the corruption in the Highway Department, which includes
interesting information on paving. June 24, 1860. Mercury.
2. A Large Iron Casting. Made at I. P. Morris, Towne & Co, of the
Port Richmond Iron Works. Made largest casting ever made in state, a
anvil block for a team hammer for the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company.
3. Table showing mortality by ward in Philadelphia, 1860? No source.
4. Testing of Wrought Iron Girders. Extensive Experiments to Test
the Strength of Iron and Steel. No source, no date. Probably from Scientific
American.
8. The Home Guard Bill, State Legislature passed May 16, 1861. Inquirer,
no date.
9. Colonel Siegel's Retreat. Splendid Military Movements
Battler
near Carthage, Missouri. Reprinted From St. Louis Democrat, July 12,
[1861?] Includes diagrams of the battles.
10. Boiler Explosion at Richmond. Serious Accident. Two Men Killed.
At Penn Works of Messrs. I. P. Morris & Co., Richmond Street, near
Cumberland. No source, no date.
140
1. Mismanagement of the Fairmount Water-Works. Communication signed
"Mechanist" following up on one of October 21st. Long discussion
of perceived problems with water power at times of low flow, the new
water wheels (New Mill house?). Sunday Dispatch, no date. See other
Mechanist letter, 144:3
2. The Kensington Works Purified with Lime. Used to neutralize the
organic matter in the reservoir. No source, date illegible.
3. Two brief articles on the operation of the various water works for
March (no year given), and description of recent improvements to Fairmount
Water Works, and Fairmount Park. Ledger?, no date.
4. Cornerstone laid for new standpipe at Fairmount. One of the piers
for the new railroad bridge over the Schuylkill completed. Ledger, date
illegible.
5. Water Supply of Boston. New aqueduct from Dudley Pond to Lake Cochituate
opened last Friday. No source, no date.
6. Performance of the Brooklyn [Water Works] Pumping Engine. Ca. 1860,
probably Scientific American.
7. Committee on Water [of Councils} visited to New York to examine
water works, including Brooklyn. Will recommend that 21st Ward works
be constructed on the same plan. No source, September 3, 1861.
8. Improvements at Fairmount. Standpipe in place, in connection with
new Turbine wheels. New Mill House progressing rapidly.
9. Newspaper transcript of meeting of aldermen from some unnamed city,
probably Brooklyn, mentions Brooklyn and Croton water supplies. No source,
no date.
10. Extension of the Water Works. Committee on Water Works of Council,
recommends doing away with Kensington (Delaware) Water Works, and serving
neighborhood with Schuylkill Works. No source, March 3[?], 1860. Another
longer article about his project, citing report from Chief Cassin, ca.
1862.
141
1. Report from Common Council [of Brooklyn?], January 23, 1860, discussion
of water supply. Mentions James Kirkwood, Engineer. No source, no date.
2. The Fairmount Water Works. More Improvements. Replacing dilapidated
wooden steps with inclined planes. New Mill House. Turbine experiments.
Abandonment of Kensington Works recommended. "The main sewer now
being constructed by the city along Pennsylvania avenue will be so far
completed in a short time as to cut off nearly all of the sewers now
emptying into Fairmount dam. When this work is finished, all the drainage
now flowing from the prison and other public institutions into the forebay
will be deposited below the dam, and thus remove a nuisance which has
long been complained of. Ledger, February 18, 1860? 1861?
3. The alteration of the breast wheels at Fairmount to turbines. Cannot
be done until completion of new mill house. Ledger, 1861/02/17
4. Water Department and the Unemployed Poor. Letter to the Press, signed
"Caution," complaining that contracts for new Fairmount pumps
going "to another State, which contains many disloyal citizens.
Press, 1861/07/18
5. Accounts of the Water Department for 1860, with actual expenditures
for 28 different items, including salaries and supplies. No source,
no date. 1861 ca.
6. Supply of water to American cities. Table 1860 ca. Inquirer, Year
not given, Monday Nov. 5.
7. "A Large Pond of Water." Corinthian Avenue completed to
allow 22 feet 9 inches of water. Will be 25 feet deep when completed.
No source, 1861/06/05
8. The Water Works of Philadelphia. 1858 pumpage for Fairmount, Schuylkill
(Spring Garden), Delaware (Kensington) and Twenty-fourth Ward. No source,
no date.
9. Operations of the Water Department. Pumpage for 1859 for Fairmount,
Schuylkill (Spring Garden), Delaware (Kensington) and Twenty-fourth
Ward. No source, no date.
142
1. Comparison of New York and Philadelphia Water Works, in relation
to need for more water in Philadelphia, and loan to complete construction
of new mill house. No source, no date.
2. Long letter, no source, no date, signed "M. R. Moore,"
explaining why Geyelin's Jonval turbine was chosen over Stevenson's
turbine to replace the breast wheels at Fairmount. Also discusses turbine
experiments. In answer to "allegation" of Mr. Neal that Geyelin's
wheel was judged second best. No source, no date.
3. Accounts of the Water Department for 1861, and recapitulation of
expenditures under various water loans. No source, no date.
4. Failed. Editorial lauding the Watering Committee of Councils, for
refusing Birkinbine's request for a $350,000 loan. "There can be
little doubt that in the Water Department Birkinbine is the Wrong man
in the Wrong Place. Sunday Dispatch, 1860/03/18
5. Philadelphia Water Works. Monthly pumpage for 1858. No source, no
date.
6. Work that is needed. An Appeal to the Authorities. Letter to Public
Ledger, signed "A Laborer," asking that laborer's be paid
$1.00 a day out of a special loan to extend the water supply, build
reservoirs, pave streets and grade parks. Says more storage a necessity.
Ledger, 1861/07/10
7. Increased capacity of the works. At Kensington (Delaware) Works.
No source, no date.
8. Blunder at Fairmount Water Works. Article, following up on one published
"in your last issue
"Management of the City Water Works,"
that claims the entire system a Fairmount is defective. No source, no
date.
143
1. "Minute" description of new Jonval turbines at Fairmount.
No source, no date.
2. "Strong effort" to be made in Councils to authorize construction
of water works at Flat Rock, to serve Manayunk, Twenty-first, Twenty-second
wards. Ledger, 1861/07/17
3. Excerpt from statistics in report made "yesterday" by Birkinbine
[Annual report for 1860) No source, 1861/02/27.
4. The Water We Drink. Fairmount Park. Letter, signed P., regarding
the formation of Fairmount Park and the wharves near Fairmount. Andrew
Miller, a councilman who voted against the city acquiring the wharves,
"asked leave to place on the Journal a protest against the ordinance,
and there it is in print, as funny a paper as ever appeared to public
view. He gives a hideous picture of the old wharves, and describes them
as "four acres of quagmire;" he also says, "the whole
of it has been made by filling in the dirt and offal of the neighborhood.
Again, "There is two water courses passing through it into Fairmount
dam; one of which-perhaps both-must be kept open for the accommodation
of the adjoining property. All the hill side between landing avenue
and the railroad, containing from ten to fifteen acres, is nearly filled
with houses, the offal from which has no other way to pass but into
the Fairmount dam." After placing this rather unpleasant statement
before a half million of lovers of pure water, Mr. Miller consoles us
with this reflection: It is not pretended that this land, or these houses,
do any injury to the water." Mayor vetoed the ordinance. "
The
water we drink is at stake. These wharves are at the very fountain from
which we draw water daily, for the wants of half a million of souls.
The front on Landing avenue will now, perhaps, be sold out in lots,
and be soon covered with buildings of all kinds, with their cesspools
emptying into the basin. The present owners will realize their money
[that they would have gotten from the City's purchase] from sales, and
a hundred colonists may cover the ground within a year or two
.Mr.
Graff, so late as 1857, says, "the impurities thrown out from the
east side of the river cannot be sufficiently deflected from the banks
to reach the rapid current of the river, but hug the shores, as such
matters generally will, and are carried almost directly toward the mouth
of the fore-bay of the water-works, there to be pumped up and supplied
to our citizens."
Sunday Dispatch, no date.
5. Advertisement for bids for iron pipe, iron castings, brass castings,
lead, gasket, coal, oil, tallow needed by the various water works for
1862. March 21, 1861. No source, no date.
6. Letter to the editor of the True American, incomplete, regarding
the insufficient head of the Fairmount Water Works. No source, no date.
7. Letter to The Press, signed "Dots.", criticizing Birkinbine's
1859 annual report because it glosses over the poor estimates and resulting
cost overruns he made of the projects described. Press, 1860/02/23
144
1. Editorial about another city's Water Works (perhaps Boston? Brooklyn?
"Commercial water works") and the nuisance of tearing up the
pavement to lay the water pipes. Mentions Philadelphia and the insufficient
head in the system. No source, no date.
2. An admonition to the Future. Editorial against Birkinbine. "The
Watering Committee of Councils have a lively time of it. The task of
managing Birkinbine is like that of driving a sorrel pig up a blind
alley
" Sunday Transcript, 1860/09/23
3. Letter from "Mechanist," responding to one from "Locomotive,"
pointing out problems in the Fairmount Works extension, New Mill House,
etc. Sunday Dispatch, no date.
See "Locomotive" letter, 126:1; another letter from Mechanist,
140:1.
4. Small articles on leak in Corinthian Reservoir, completion of stone
tower at Fairmount. No source, no date.
5. Water in Kensington. Editorial regarding terrible water in Kensington,
with mention of Sewers, Gunner's Run, disease. "
Whether this
[new Delaware water works project, completed in 1850] enterprise was
in order to give certain parties profitable jobs cannot be known; but
the plan from the first was deemed to be objectionable by persons who
believed that the refuse and discharges from the large number of vessels
at Port Richmond above, and the washings from the shipping and the common
sewers below, would combine so as to render the Delaware water taken
from any point opposite Kensington impure and foul. [Since the works
were completed in 1850],Every summer a complaint comes from the houses
supplied by the Delaware works. The basins have been cleansed again
and again; the pipes leading out into the Delaware have been changed
and extended with but a temporary relief; and the evils of the water
system of the vicinity seem to be chronic. At present it is said that
a painful and dangerous form of dysentery exists in the region supplied
by the works at Gunner's Run, and the water is blamed for the consequences."
Includes text of handbill posted by S. Atkinson, M.D., blaming the bad
water on the fact that the "dirty stinking pipes" [sewers]
had not been cleansed since Consolidation. He recommended opening the
fire plugs and cleaning out the pipes, and then the water supply would
improve. Sunday Dispatch, 1862/03/09
6. The Turbine Water Wheel Discussion. Select Council to reply to Mr.
Neal's minority report regarding awarding of turbine to Geyelin. [Month?
12, 1860]
7. Councils Committee on City Property recommended the purchase of
60-acre strip along Schuylkill, from Wire Bridge to just above Girard
Avenue. Still needed approval of full Councils. Price between $160,000
and $180,000. "Upon the plan of the city, there are fifteen streets
running through this strip of land, and it is estimated that the cost
of grading said streets, whenever they shall be opened, would cost the
city more then the entire amount asked for the property. If the ground
is turned into a public park, it is probable that a number of fine improvements
will be made on the brow of the hill, the situation of the ground being
most admirable for the erection of fine country seats
" Also
mentions that Geyelin has been awarded turbine contract; and Landing
avenue to be graded and paved, between Smith's rolling mill to Pennsylvania
avenue
No Source, 1860/05/31
145
1. Brooklyn City News. Excursion to the Engine House at Ridgewood.
Speeches made by Mayor, Councilmen, etc. Brooklyn Water Works. No source,
no date.
2. Strength of Boiler Iron. Probably Scientific American, no date.
3. Suit of Commercial Bank vs. hydraulic engineer Albert Stein, regarding
the water works of an unnamed city. The engineer of the Philadelphia
water works (probably Graff) is cited in the article.
4. Letter to unnamed newspaper from correspondent in Paris, "Malakoff,"
regarding the reorganization of city government and contemplated public
improvements. No source, 1859/12/29
5. United States Census of 1850 compared to 1860, by state. Lists Free
and Slave . No source, no date.
6. Frederic Graff designed sarcophagus for remains of Henry Clay. No
source, no date.
7. United States Census figures for Philadelphia, by ward, including
manufacturing establishments, probably 1860. No source, no date.
8. Dimensions of the principal European churches. In persons, and square
yards. No source, no date.
146
1. The other side of the question. Birkinbine's dismissal of Barry
and Garrett. Letter from him dated September 15, 1859, giving his side
of this controversy. Also, small article about a petition for extension
of Fairmount Park, from Wire Bridge to Girard Avenue, "signed by
several hundreds of our heaviest taxpayers." No source, no date.
2. West Philadelphia Water Works. Repairs planned. No source, 1859/06/04
3. Difficulties at the Water Works. Letter from Job. R. Barry, concurred
with by W. Garrett, "Late Engineers at the Fairmount Works,"
decrying the unjustness of their dismissal by Birkinbine. Sunday Transcript,
1859/07/31
4. Advertisement, signed "Equity," refuting Birkinbine's
explanation of the dismissal of Job Barry and Washington Garrett from
Fairmount, which had been published in the North American, September
17, 1859. North American, probably September 20, 1859. The exact advertisement
appeared in the Ledger, 1859/09/20.
5. Two other short articles about Birkinbine, Barry, Garrett. No source,
no date.
147
1. The Croton Water is Pure. Chemical Examinations by Messrs. Chilton
and Torrey. Their Report. Dated August 25, 1859, to Croton Aqueduct
Board, [New York City Water Supply]. No source, no date. See also page
152, 153. These are probably all different pieces of the same article.
2. Report of the special committee [of Councils] in the case of Mr.
Job R. Barry. Hearing held May 26, 1859. Concluded that "Mr. Barry's
statements of the transaction is the truthful one
" No source,
no date.
3. New Mill House delayed. No source, no date.
4. Cutting off water. Register of Water instructing Purveyors in each
ward to cut off water to those who had not paid their water rents for
1859. No source, 1859/10/22
5. Councils in Motion. Organization and election of officers. Sunday
Dispatch, 1859/05/15
6. Letter, signed, "old Citizen," lauding the decision of
Frederic Graff to become a candidate for Chief Engineer. Evening Journal,
1859/06/14
7. Letter from Job Barry explaining his view of Birkinbine and his
dismissal from Fairmount. No source, no date.
8. Cochituate Water Works aqueduct broke, affecting Boston water supply.
No source, no date.
9. Heads of Departments. About Water Basins. Letter, from "An
Observer," about the water supply, and critical of various aspects
of it. Philadelphia Daily News, no date. Second copy on 148.
148
1. The Department of Water,. Editorial regarding the department's importance,
praising Birkinbine, with extract from his 1859 Annual Report. "We
might refer in this connection to the enormous coal fraud in the water
department during the democratic administration, which was ferreted
out and exposed by Mr. Birkinbine, aided by Mr. Neal and other members
of Councils
." Based on 1858 annual report, writer concludes:
"Under democratic rule it costs 61.20 cents per foot to lay water
pipe, and under the People's party 28 cents. We cite these facts in
view of the approaching municipal election
Should the democrats
recover sway there [in Councils], they will, of course, oust these officers,
an put back their worthless old hacks again, or seek out others equally
objectionable
."
No source, no date.
2. List of newly elected Council members.
No source, no date.
3. Letter from Job. R. Barry, defending himself against Birkinbine's
dismissal.
Sunday Dispatch, 1859/05/22
4. The Egotistical Arrogant Assumption of Official Incumbents. Letter,
signed "Aqua," against Birkinbine.
Evening National Argus, no date.
5. The Fairmount Water Works.
Letter, signed "Citizen," regarding work at Fairmount, blasting
of rocks, new mill house not needed, Birkinbine no good, etc.
Press, no date.
149
1. Court hearing related to Angelique Brinkle, asking to be released
from charge of breach of peace.
No source, no date.
2. Three advertisements for bid proposals for cast iron water mains,
1849, 1868 and 1869.
No source, no date.
3. Report on practicality of using salt water to flush streets in New
York City. October 13, 1869. Article continued on 153 and 155
No source, no date.
1869 ca.
4. Chemistry of a River. Concern over condition of Schuylkill river,
in an editorial from probably a New York newspaper, as it refers to
"our own Croton." Shown that acid from coal mines was a major
cause of the disappearance of fish in the river above Reading, but that
limestone neutralized the acid before it gets to Philadelphia. "So
the Schuylkill, without its limestone tributaries to neutralize the
acid from the coal mines, would be unable to furnish pure water to the
city of Philadelphia, or to feed the boilers of the twelve hundred steam
engines which have made her so great a manufacturing centre. Considering
that the Schuylkill is a mountain stream, with a precipitous channel,
purified by heavy freshets, and that is chemical condition is absolutely
perfect, it is difficult to understand how our neighbors of Philadelphia
can be alarmed for the purity of their water. On that score nature has
done everything for them but to raise it to their lips; and having made
it pure to their hands, it will be their fault alone if it does not
continue so."
Reprinted from New York Tribune.
No source, no date.
5. Letter from W. Garrett, replying to attack by Birkinbine on his
reputation as an engineer. Also mentions Job Barry.
No source, no date.
Probably 1859
6. The Worthington Engine. The contract for the new pumping engines
at the water works. Investigation by the Common Council committee. No
bids received. A one-sided decision. Questions into contract between
Graff and Worthington, of New York,
No source, no date.
150
1. Steam fire engine trail in new York City. Philadelphia engine part
of trial.
2. Biographical sketch of Madame Gazzaniga, "the prima donna of
the Philadelphia Italian Opera Company," and a list of the 39 operas
in which she had appeared.
Evening Bulletin
1858/03/19
3. Two advertisements for concerts at American Academy of Music, February
17, no year given. Graff listed as one of Committee of Directors. See
also 133:3.
4. The Wholesale Poison Question. Editorial noting that manufacturers
have petitioned against a bill in the State Legislature which would
forbid "the use of the [Schuylkill] river for sewage purposes from
Norristown dam to Fairmount dam." Editorial adamantly against the
pollution of stream by manufacturers. [In two pieces on page] [Complete
transcription below]
Sunday Transcript
1868/03/29
A committee of the manufacturers doing business along the line of the
Schuylkill River, have addressed a petition to the Legislature against
the bill which forbids the use of the river for sewage purposes from
Norristown dam to Fairmount dam. The document is, in many respects,
an extraordinary one, and the arguments advanced in behalf of the manufacturers
will not bear the application of common-sense and common justice. The
most cogent reason offered by the petitioners why they should still
be permitted to use the river as a sewer, is, that the roughly estimated
number of thirty thousand persons are dependent upon the offending factories
for their support, and that Philadelphia has thirty-six million dollars
capital invested in theses establishments. We fully admit, with the
petitioners, the vast importance of this large interest, not only to
the welfare of this great number of people, but to the industrial interests
and the wealth of the city. But even allowing for a moment that the
enforcement of the law would have the effect of ruining this interest,
and of throwing all of these people out of immediate employment, no
unprejudiced man would hesitate to say that it would be better to entail
this disaster upon these communities, and to rob the city of the advantages
gained by the investment of this capital, than to place in jeopardy
the health of the million persons who form the population of Philadelphia,
by poisoning the source of the water supply.
This manufacturing interest is not, as the petitioners assert, "as
necessary to the growth and prosperity of the city as the supply of
pure water is to the health of the inhabitants." The first is a
matter of dollars and cents; the other of life and death. If the manufacturers
are driven from this locality, they will find other places in the vicinity
of this city where they will continue their operations. But there is
no necessity for either of these disastrous consequences. We long ago
proposed to obviate the difficulty by compelling the manufactures to
construct a system of sewage with which to drain the poisonous filth
which flows from their establishments. This, the petitioners assert,
cannot be done; they say that "no artificial drainage can be efficiently
substituted for the natural bed of the Schuylkill River," and yet
in the very same article they propose that the great city of Philadelphia
shall erect a series of iron pipes from Flat Rock Dam to Fairmount and
procure water by this means. If the first proposition is not feasible,
this one is manifestly absurd. If less than one hundred factories find
it impossible to construct drains great enough to carry off their own
refuse, how utterly impossible will it be for the city to carry a sufficient
supply of water though a single iron pipe, or, indeed, though a dozen?
The proposal of the petitioners has not the merit of common sense or
common honesty.
The real position is just this: A few men plant themselves by the side
of a stream, the water of which supports the life of one million human
beings. Deliberately, they empty into that stream foul matter which,
in large or small quantities, is taken into the stomachs of this great
multitude of people. The manufacturers know this must be the case when
they make the river their common sewer. When the representatives of
the people undertake to legislate in their behalf, these gentlemanly
Borgias come forward and say, "You must neither break up our business,
nor put us to the expense of building sewers; if you do not wish to
drink our poison, you must expend a few millions in tapping the river
high up, and, as the factories increase, you must lengthen your pipes,
and take them further up the river." At this rate we will have
to build waterworks at Pottsville [near the source of the Schuylkill
River] in a few years.
The fact is, that the people have the best right to the river; because
they are in the majority; because they erected their works before the
factories were thought of; and because the Almighty placed the stream
there as a source of water supply, and not as a sewer. Their rights
must be protected before any individual interest, and if any expense
is to be incurred, it must fall upon the late comers, who planted themselves
there in full knowledge of the fact that they were using the river for
improper purposes. We sincerely hope that this foolish and selfish petition
will not have any effect upon the Legislature. That body owes it to
itself to protect the people as a mass, and to let manufacturers look
out for themselves when their interests militate against those of the
whole community.
5. Small note on Boston water consumption
No source.
1869 ca.
6. Chart showing what time it is in various cities when it is 12 O'clock
in New York. Before standard time zones established. From Appleton's
Railway and Steam Navigation Guide. For example, the time in Philadelphia
would be 11:55.
No source, no date.
7. Society of Practical Engineering, New York City, summary of meeting
at Cooper Institute during which Lawrence Holms of Paterson, read "an
exhaustive paper on The Filtration of Water for Industrial, Commercial,
and Domestic Purposes."
No source, no date.
8. Advertisement from Bushong & Brothers, of Reading, Pa., reprinting
a letter sent to Frederic Graff, in favor of a lower bidder for iron
pipe, Messrs. Mellert & Kinsey, of Reading. "The city loses
some sixty-thousand dollars by this rascality
.We feel in duty
bound to spare no pains or expense to have this fraud on the tax-payers
investigated and exposed." Graff returned the letter without comment.
No source, no date.
Letter dated April 22, 1870
9. Note from London board of Sewers regarding total traffic in crowded
places in the city.
No source, no date.
10. Currency exchange rates provided by James Ross Snowden, Director
of the Mint, Philadelphia, November 12, 1857.
No source, no date.
151
1. The Water Department and its Engineer. Long editorial about Birkinbine,
Barry and Garrett, with a scathing critique of Birkinbine, especially
his design for the West Philadelphia Water Works (Twenty-fourth Ward
Works).
U.S. Mechanic's Own (Philadelphia)
1859/09/24
2. The Job Finished. Editorial. Select Council passed, by vote of 18-1,
over the Mayor's veto, the Water Loan bill. "No debate was permitted
.The
scheme was hustled through the Camber pretty much as a burglar hustles
his plunder out the window."
Inquirer
September 6, [year not included]
3. Fairmount. The present prospect. No increase in the supply of water.
the effects of the late rains not noticeable. Philadelphia superceded
by new York. Chief Engineer Graff sends to New York for assistance.
"
The Schuylkill
reminded us more of a country mill pond
than a navigable river." Nice description of Fairmount Water Works,
the river at low stage, with fishermen, people strolling. Works not
working-not enough water-'John Fuller', a wrecking and steam fire tug,
from a private New York firm, employed in pumping water from below the
dam into the reservoir, rather than the Philadelphia steam fire engines
.
End of article to be found on 153.
No source, no date.
4. The Worthington Pump. Letter to Editor, incomplete, dated June 26,
1868. Why is an inferior and more expensive New York pump being used?
[from Mr. B. H. Bartol, "who for years managed one of our large
machine shops: see reference in 151:7] [End of letter on 155]
Bulletin
June 26, 1868
5. Water Meter. Small article in favor of metering, talks about waste
of water.
No source, no date.
6. Philadelphia Water Supply. Letter discussing the scope of the Schuylkill
watershed, the use of store reservoirs to equalize flow of the river,
Schuylkill Navigation Company. Corrects mistakes in previous letter.
No source, no date.
7. The New York Pump at Belmont. Another Chip By Chisel. Letter signed
"Chisel," complaining about use of New York-made Worthington
pumps at Belmont, pipe from Jersey City
. "Mechanics throughout
the country know at a glance Philadelphia made machinery by its fine
finish and absence of useless decoration as compared with the rainbow-hued
ornaments employed on Yankee tools. I saw lying at the [water] works
a lot of Patent Pipe from Jersey City, and I also learned that the Chief
Engineer [Frederic Graff Jr.] proposes erecting more patent New York
pumps
.Has anyone seen any advertisements for bidders?
"
Evening Star
No date
1868/06
8. Fairmount Water Works in Danger. Letter signed "Safety,"
regarding the enlargement of the works, and the danger of building the
new Mill House on the mound dam.
North American and U.S. Gazette
No date.
1859?
152
1. The Steam Engine Controversy. Letter, signed "Economy,"
against the [Worthington] Duplex pump.
Evening Star
No date
1868/06
2. An Insult to Philadelphia. Editorial, regarding Worthington pumps
for Belmont.
No source, no date.
1868
3. Reputation of Philadelphia Mechanics. Editorial against the Worthington
pumps.
Telegraph
1868/06/23
4. Several other editorials against the Worthington pump.
No source, no date.
5. "Cornish Bull" vs. "Patent Duplex." Letter,
signed Hydraulic, comparing these two engines, Cornish made in Philadelphia
and Duplex made by Worthington in New York. Concludes that it would
be cheaper to pay $100,000 for two Cornish engines than to accept as
a gift two Duplex engines. [See 151:7 for date information]
Evening Star
1868/06/28
6. The Pump Controversy. Editorial suggesting that no restrictions
should be made in bids by requiring that the material be made in Philadelphia,
or else other cities might respond in kind. Suggests that Graff may
need to be trusted in this scientific matter, and that Merrick &
Co., manufacturer of the Philadelphia-made pump, might or might not
be the best. Encourages a scientific commission to report on the questions,
as cheaper "in comparison to what may be lost if an inferior pump,
not able to do the work required, is adopted.:
No source, no date.
1868
7. Letter from John Torrey, on vegetable matter in Croton reservoir,
New York City Water Supply. See also letter from James Chilton, 153,
and a second fragment on 153.. Also 147:1
No source
1859/08
8. Fragment of article on new York City Water Supply.
No source, no date.
9. Part of Select Council minutes, June 1868, with letter from various
Philadelphia manufacturers discouraging the passage of an ordinance
requiring bidders to manufacture items in Philadelphia.
No source
1868/06
153
1. Fragment of Council minutes, providing text of discussion between
Bowker, Henderson, and Bardsley, regarding contract for Worthington
pump.
No source, no date.
1868 ca.
2. Copy of manuscript letter, signed B. H. Bartol, to Mayor Morton
H. McMichael, asking him to veto the purchase of the Worthington pump.
1868/07/10
3. Excerpt from Common Council minutes, with discussion of Worthington
pump. Also a mention: "Mr. J.C. Martin offered a resolution, instructing
the Committee on City Property to inquire into the expediency of importing
40,000 English sparrows."
No source, no date.
1868 ca.
154
1. Advertisement for bid proposals for iron pipe, signed by Frederic
Graff.
No source, no date.
2. Who can Answer? Letter, signed 'Inquirer," regarding questions
about differences in cost between Worthington engines purchased for
Roxborough and Belmont works. Also question about high cost of laying
the pipe across the Schuylkill?
Evening Star
No date
3. Worthington Engine investigation in Common Council. Meeting on March
22, 1871. Committee consists of Mitchell, Allen, Bardsley, Bowker and
Kendrick. Graff made statement. The committee will meet again "Monday
next."
Inquirer
1871/03/23?
4. Fragment of article on Paris, giving statistics of streets, gas,
houses, quays, transportation, accidents, and consumption of beer, brandy
and liqueurs.
No source, no date.
5. End of the Pump Controversy. Editorial. Worthington pump chosen.
Philadelphia mechanics should "live and let live
"
No source, no date.
6. The Worthington Contract. Letter signed "Fair Play," denouncing
the decision of the "Special Committee appointed by Common Council"
regarding the Worthington pumps.
Inquirer
No date
1871 ca.
7. Advertisement, signed "Mechanic," "to Republican
Voters of the Second Senatorial District," against Common Council
member A. Wilson Henszey, who voted in favor for the Worthington firm
in favor of Merrick and Sons."
No source, no date.
8. Editorial: "There are some jokes that are no jokes at all.
In that little story that Aesop tells about the boys and the frogs the
matter of throwing stones was certainly no joke to the frogs, however
it may have appeared to the boys, and the tax-payers of Philadelphia
will scarcely appreciate the facetiousness of Mr. Shermer's remark yesterday
at the meeting of the Water Committee [of Councils], that it would be
well not to make the commission test the Worthington pumps too large,
as all the members would have to be paid. This jest of Mr. Shermer was
responded to by Mr. Davis, who in the most jocular mood imaginable suggested
that $25,000 be appropriated, whereupon, according to the reporters,
there was laughter. All this may have been very funny to the gentlemen
named and their fellows on the committee, but it does not appear to
us in that light, for too much suspicion has already been excited with
regard to the management of the Water Department for those who have
to foot the bills to look with complacency upon the process of playing
ducks and drakes with their money, or to consider the suggestion that
certain men are to be bought up as a jest that is entirely too likely
to be a stern reality to be at all amusing."
No source, no date.
9. Hot Water vs. Cold. Graff being charged by William B. Henderson
in awarding pump contract without bids, in violation of section 27 of
the act of consolidation, and special committee has been appointed.
Source illegible
1871/04
10. The Water Supply. Editorial, excoriating Democrats on Select Council,
who, except for Col. Page, voted against an appropriation for work extending
the water supply and he Fairmount Park. They did this because they wanted
to keep the patronage jobs the appropriation would create out of the
hands of the Republicans until after the Fall election.
No source, no date.
11. Letter from Graff, to Select Council, dated September 5, 1871,
regarding a water loan passed by Councils June 28, 1871, but vetoed
by the Mayor. Letter refers members to Select Council Journal, 1871,
p. 80 and page 31 of the appendix. East Park Reservoir discussed.
No source, no date.
1871 ca.
12. Common Sense of the Worthington Pump Controversy. Editorial insists
the rightness of the decision to award contract to New York firm, instead
of insisting it go to a Philadelphia firm. "This all comes from
the same causes that bring people to Philadelphia to buy all the large
number of superior articles we manufacture, in preference to those they
can get at home."
Ledger and Daily Transcript
1868/06/18
13. Letter Signed "Economy," about the Worthington Pump controversy,
against paying more for a New York pump. Dated June 5, 1868
Inquirer
1868/06
155
1. Note reprinted from New York Sun, giving tax valuations both before
and after Central Park was built, showing surplus of more than $1 million,
and "which demonstrates the fact that a generous, well-appointed
Park acts not only as lungs to a city, but will pay for itself."
No source, no date.
1867 ca.
2. Belmont Pumping Engine. What a Machinist Has to Say. Letter, signed
"Hammer," asking for a test to be made of the Worthington
Duplex pumps. "The selection of new York pumping engines for the
Philadelphia Water Works has been thoroughly advertised throughout the
country, and has already resulted in great detriment to the reputation
of Philadelphia
." Second copy on 156
Evening Star
1870/11/21
3. Inspector of Coal Oil in trouble. Mr. Robert M. Evans. Republican
candidates for State Senate, including "Connell and Henzsey,"
and others, have signed petition for his removal. Reference to Alderman
Carpenter. Not clear what city this I in reference to, though Henszey
is mentioned as a Philadelphia councilman running for senate on 154:7.
4. Annual meeting of Schuylkill Navigation Company. Mentions tonnage
carried, compared to 1868. Mentions problem with Fairmount Water Works
using more water than it is allowed.
No source.
Ca. 1869
5. Advertisement, in which "citizens are
earnestly requested
to abstain from the waste of water in any form whatever," due to
"long continued drought and consequent unprecedented low stage
of water in the Schuylkill.." Signed by Frederic Graff. Dated August
12, 1869
No source
1869/08
6. Water Meters. Editorial in support of them.
Evening Star
No date, except Friday, January 6.
1871/01/06.
7. The Roxborough Water-Works. Common Council Committee investigating
Worthington pumps to meet again Monday.
No source, no date.
8. The Croton Aqueduct department, New York City Water Supply. First
part of an article.
No source.
Ca. 1858
9. Fragment of editorial about "whiskey ring."
No source, no date.
10. Municipal Loans and Works. Editorial about a Common Council resolution
to publish an ordinance creating a loan of $1,640,000 "for the
further extension of the reservoirs, Water Works, building of new reservoirs,
introduction of turbine wheels, laying of new water mains, building
of culverts, construction of an additional ice boat, etc. the work to
be provided for by this loan is indispensable to the progress of the
city
." Mention that, at Fairmount, old wheel houses have
been removed and operations begun to introduce new turbine wheels in
place of the old breast wheels. New water works required for West Philadelphia,
"in consequence of the old establishment having been blocked up
by the formation of a mud bank or island in the river directly in front
of it. The reservoir for the same district is also to be finished
.
From the proceeds of the new loan must also be paid
the $800,000
recently appropriated to defray the cost of culverting Cohocksink creek,
Mill creek and other streams. Mill creek is quite as formidable an obstacle
in West Philadelphia as Cohocksink creek is in Kensington and Penn Districts.
The work ought to have been one [already], and our only surprise is
that the Board of health have not presented both those filthy streams
as public nuisances, since they undoubtedly area, and of the worst kind,
too
." [See 130: for advertisement of this resolution, adopted
April 9, 1868, by Common Council.]
No source, no date.
1868/04
11. The Latest in Photography. Photoglyphic Engraving. Invented by
Fox Talbot.
No source, no date.
12. Rules of Fairmount Park[?], fragment of Section 19 empowering a
Park Police force.
No source, no date.
13. New Iron and New York. Railroad tracks laid with new T iron; incomplete
article.
No source, no date.
14. Advertisement for bid proposals for cast-iron service pipe, iron
and brass castings, lead and gasket. Dated January 30, 1868
No source, no date.
1868 ca.
156
1. Schuylkill Navigation Company Report for 1869 at annual meeting
of Stockholders.
No source, no date.
2. The Waste of Water. Good editorial supporting the more careful use
of water, especially during the summer months.
3. The Water Main Contract. Letter, signed S. Fulton & Co., refuting
Bushong & Brothers advertisement accusing the Water Department of
not awarding pipe contract to lowest bidder. [See 150:8 for original
advertisement]
4. Advertisement? "We want to be just with the Schuylkill Navigation
Company in the matter of its claims against the city [regarding the
city using too much of the water during a dry summer]. If it is true
that the company never declared but a single dividend, and that was
one summer when the directors turned out and mowed the tow-path and
divided the hay, why, then, we approve of giving this claim consideration.
It would be rather much to tell the directors to go to grass again,
wouldn't it? Hey?"
5. The Supply of Water Downtown. Mains in southern part of city being
laid. Thirty-inch main in Broad Street, Washington Avenue, Fifth, Eighth,
Tenth, Eleventh Streets.
Ledger and Transcript
1859/11/07
6. Two editorials(?) concerning the Croton Aqueduct, New York City
Water Supply.
No source, no date.
7. Advertisement for bid proposals for new 40 inch main for Boston
Water Works. Bids due July 31, 1858. Signed by John H. Wilkins, President
of the Water Board, and James Slade, Chief Engineer.
No source, no date.
1858/07
8. Trial of Steam Fire engines at Boston. Philadelphia engine assumed
to be the best.
Report dated August 11, 1858.
No source, no date.
1858/08
9. Our Supply of Water. Schuylkill extremely low, no water running
over dam at Fairmount. "The exigencies of the Schuylkill Navigation
(who calm the prior right to the water by the terms of their charter)
require the stoppage of all the wheels at Fairmount for a portion of
every day
.We trust all will see the necessity of avoiding the
waste of the fluid at this time. It is to the interest of every one
to prevent it."
No source, no date.
10. Letter from "Chisel," incomplete, regarding the Worthington
engines.
No source, no date.
1868 ca.
11. "A remonstrance against lighting with gas," presented
to Councils 25 years ago, in March 1833. The article states, the petition
is reprinted "on account of the peculiar objections it contains."
Suggests that the waters of the Schuylkill and Delaware will suffer
and all the shad and other fish will disappear for some unclear reason.
Part of an article on the Courts, which is incomplete.
No source
1858 ca.
12. Brief article warning against water waste because of low Schuylkill.
No source, no date.
13. Brief article giving a list of other years in Philadelphia history
which were hot and dry. Refers to article in Daily Evening Telegraph
of the 1st inst. (July 1, 1870) for much valuable information.
No source
1870/07/07
14. Water main being laid across Susquehanna "at the upper part
of our city" [Harrisburg??]
No source, no date.
157
1. Letter to Press, signed "Housekeeper," regarding waste
of water during this drought time and asking why order is not issued
to ban washing of sidewalks and sprinkling of streets.
Press
1869/08/10
2. Small note asking residents not to waste water, calling attention
to the "card" [advertisement?] of the Chief Engineer in another
column.
No source, no date.
1869 ca.
3. Engraving titled 'Menagerie" [Philadelphia Zoo?]
No source, no date.
4. Croton Reservoir New York Water Supply during drought times.
No source, no date.
5. Improvement of the Schuylkill Canal. Attempt, using cofferdam, to
deepen the entrance to the locks. Could involve blasting rocks.
No source, no date.
6. Brief summary of receipts of Water Department 1857 and 1858, and
assessment of 70,000 houses in preparation for issuing the duplicate
for 1859.
1858/12/17
7. [Envelope, with handwritten in ink:]
Property of the Water Frederic Graff
Department of Philada.
June 24/[18]68
[Handwritten in pencil at top:] 1867-71.
[Perhaps this held some of the clippings that are included in this album?]
8. Brief note wondering why the Chief of the Highway Departments, Mahlon
Dickinson, is always in trouble with the Councils, "while they
close their optics to the grossest mismanagement on the part of the
Chief Engineer of the Water Department [Graff]."
No source, no date.
9. Graff Letter, calling attention to advertisement in paper of today
regarding the "alarming low stage of water in the pool supplying
Germantown." See for 130:10 for two copies of advertisement.
Daily City Item
1870/09/27
10. The Old Wooden Water Pipes. Last week the last of the old pine
wood water pipes were removed from Bread street, by the Water Department,
to make room for iron pipe. The last of these logs were laid in 1828,
and extended on each side of Broad street, from Filbert to Vine, and
out Vine to Fifteenth street. The city had altogether 241,604 feet of
Pine logs laid at various times, the first having been connected with
the old water works at Penn Square
..
No Source
1858/12/14
11. Scarcity of Water. About low level of Schuylkill.
No source, no date.
12. Advertisement from Graff, urging against water waste.
No source.
1869/08/12
13. Water supplies of Philadelphia and London compared for 1867.
No source, no date.
14. The City Water Works. Pumpage information. Kensington now supplied
from Fairmount. West Philadelphia works "kept fully employed to
answer the demands of that large and rapidly growing population."
No source, no date.
15. Engraving: United States emblem: Eagle and E Pluribus Unum.
No source, no date.
16. Water for Philadelphia. A plan to supply the city on both sides
of the Schuylkill with an increased supply of purer water. Letter, signed
"H." "The water in the present dam, between Manayunk
and Fairmount, is injured by the great quantities of dye waters and
other filth, let into the river below the upper dam, which is situated
at Flat Rock, immediately above Manayunk." Suggests taking purer
from the dam above Flat Rock. Evening Bulletin, 1858/10/25
17. Advertisement: In accordance with a resolution adopted by Common
Councils" January 20, 1870, "the annexed bill, entitled "An
ordinance creating a loan for the further extension of the Water Works,"
is hereby published for public information
" No source, 1870/01/21
158
1. Concerns about impediments to navigation in the Schuylkill in 1768.
Could be part of Westcott's history?? Good information about plans and
ideas that ultimately were adopted years later by the Schuylkill Navigation
Company. No source, no date.
2. Belmont Water Works. Some Facts About the New Pumping Engine. Review
of the controversy with the Worthington pumps. "Mechanics of Philadelphia,
your reputation is assailed by those who should do most to protect you.
You who handle the hammer and chisel, run lathes and know what a job
is worth, go to the Belmont Water Works and see for yourselves
.
Insist upon an honest public trial by fair men
Evening Star, no date, only Tuesday August 9, which would make the year
1870. 1870/08/09
3. Water Down Town. Broad Street main to be filled this week
No source, no date.
4. "The large fountain on the north side of the Fairmount basin
will be played on the Fourth of July. This is the largest basin in the
city, and the jet of water will be thrown at a greater height than any
heretofore constructed in Philadelphia. No source, no date.
5. Honored in the Breach. Personal cleanliness, compared to cleanliness
in the city. Washing pavements can be done too often. Consumption a
cause of this constant saturation of the bricks and increasing the humidity
of the atmosphere. "One may as well live in a bog as in some parts
of Philadelphia where this abuse exists." The Day, 1870/10/28
6. Argument against Graff's reorganization of the Water Department.
7. Number of dwelling houses in Philadelphia, 1860 vs. 1870. Table
by ward, including number of residents per house. No source, date only
Wednesday January 18, making the year 1871: 1871/01/18
8. The Water Question. Editorial, worrying about water supply being
deficient the coming summer because of inadequate machinery. "We
don't want a recurrence of the scenes of last summer - housewives walking
squares [blocks] for water for their tea, and the Fire Department totally
paralyzed and permitting buildings to be destroyed for fear of wasting
that which it was not improbable might be required for the support of
life." No Source, 1870/06/29
9. Water. Fountains erected throughout the city [Philadelphia] during
the past year [1869]. Gives addresses and donor of each fountain. Philadelphia
Fountain Society. In 1869, 11 fountains erected, making a total of 32.
10. Corruption. Councilmanic investigation. A $55,000 contract. The
one man power. Injustice to Philadelphia mechanics. Committee investigating
whether Graff awarded Worthington a contract for pumps without asking
for bids. William M. Henderson instrumental in investigation. Post,
1871/4/5
11. New spring found near the steamboat landing at Fairmount. No source,
no date.
12. Commencing of operations at the Belmont Water Works. The water
pumped into the new reservoir, near George's Hill. Article describing
the reservoir and the pumps and engines, Worthington Duplex design.
13. Philadelphia Mechanics Awake. Editorial about breaking up of the
"water ring in Councils." The continuing controversy over
the purchase of Worthington pumps from New York. Sunday Times, 1870/10/16
159
1. Letter, signed "Taxpayer," regarding Graff's secrecy over
his estimates of the cost of the new East Park reservoir. Inquirer,
No date.
2. Schuylkill water analyzed in 1870; as pure as it was when analyzed
in 1842.
No source
1870 ca.
3. Water Supply. An important suggestion. Editorial supporting construction
of East Park Reservoir.
Philadelphia Post
1871/01/18
4. Delaware Water Works. Basin sat Kensington (Delaware) Works being
cleansed of mud, but problem with unfit water still not the mud, but
the source of the water at the intakes.
No source, no date.
5. Table of Water Rates in Boston.
No source, no date.
6. Advertisement for bid proposals for cast iron mains. Due April 14,
1868.
No source
1868/04/07
7. An Attempt to Galvanize. Robert Evans, "Fighting Bob,"
Councilman, had words of praise for Birkinbine in a Council debate over
a $53,400 Water appropriation. Editorial scoffed at the idea of "resuscitating
Birkinbine in the chief engineership
. If it is true, as the enemies
of Mr. Graff now say, that he is a failure, what a stupendous, unapproachable
failure Birkinbine must be!"
No source, no date.
8. New Cornish Engine. At Schuylkill Works. Description of this engine.
Perhaps from Scientific American?
No source, no date.
9. Letter from Birkinbine to Graff, demanding an investigation into
Graff's contention that some of Birkinbine's work was faulty. Letter
dated March 3, 1871.
Evening Telegraph.
1871/03
10. Patent Pump. Letter to Councils, from maker of patent compound
propeller pump, dated May 9, 1871.
No source
1871/05/09
11. At Last. Common Council to investigate manner in which contract
awarded to Worthington for Roxborough.
No source, no date.
12. the Power of Locomotives. New York and Erie railroad experiments.
No source
1858/04/14
13. Trial of Philadelphia Steam Fire engines. Southwark, Weccacoe,
Good Intent companies.
160
1. Part of letter from Birkinbine responding to letter of "H."
regarding aqueduct water system for Philadelphia
No source, no date.
2. Trial of Steam Fire Engine Good Will.
No source, no date.
3. Statement of Graff regarding Mayor Daniel M. Fox's reasons for vetoing
water appropriation. Reservoirs, East park, etc.
The Press
1871/09/01
4. Advertisement authorizing contract for two pumping engines for Twenty-fourth
Ward Works. Ordinance for not more than $95,000, approved July 10, 1868
No source
1868/07
5. Mayor Fox, his reasons for vetoing water appropriation, East Park
etc.
Letter dated August 22, 1871.
No source.
Other items on this page also concerning this issue.
1871/08
6. Advertisement for bid proposals for pipe, and necessary branches
and turns.
Due Thursday March 24, no year given.
Signed by Birkinbine.
No source, no date.
7. Improvements of the grounds and works at Fairmount. Good description
of the work being undertaken. Fountain, lawn, gardens. "The improvements
to the square have been most economically made. The sunken portions
have been filled up with earth dug from the city culverts, and the black
dirt used to manure the ground was taken from the streets of the city,
and the gravel to pave the walks was dug from beneath the soil of the
square
."
Ledger?
1859/03/15
8. Improvements of mound dam, widening it from 20 to 85 feet, wall
built to accommodate new turbines. New Mill House. Corinthian Reservoir
being raised by nine feet.
Ledger and Transcript
159/10/24
TO TOP
OF PAGE
Back to
Website by Panacea
Design and Adam Levine
Page last modified April 4, 2015
|