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CITY DOCUMENTS

Municipal Register 1915,

Mayor's Address to the Council

Annual Reports, Etc.

FOR THE YEAR 1914.

CITY OF NEW BEDFORD

MASSACHUSETTS

OLD DARTMOUTH

HISTORICAL SKETCHES

No. 42.

Being the proceedings of the Old Dartmouth Historical Society, held in their building, Water Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts, on April 19. 1915.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NEW BEDFORD

WATER SUPPLIES.

Presented by Robert C. P. Coggeshall.

PURCHASE STREET PUMPING STATION, 1870. THE DEVELOPMENT OF

NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES.

R. C. P. COGGESHALL

A supply of good water was a a well of delicious water which exist ed in Rose Alley in 1815 and which factor always considered by our supplied that neighborhood. The town ancestors, in determining a location pump in City Hall square and the for permanent settlement. Good inverted cannon fountain on Rodman spring water was always preferred, street at Water street, were liberally patronized and gave satisfaction to but if not found, shallow wells were their users. sunk from which water was obtained At the opening of the last century by buckets raised by poles or pulleys the science of delivering wholesome, liberal, and reliable supplies of water or by long balance poles. to congested districts was little under The accumulation of organic mat stood. The appliances and methods ter, due to increase in population, necessary to accomplish this result gradually polluted such waters. This had not then been developed. The was especially true In congested dis average well was unsatisfactory. It tricts, where such supplies also be might be dry when needed, or unsafe came insufficient. In every commun for domestic use at other times. The ity the waters of certain wells were growing agitation for more water pnd preferred because they were thought that of better quality was making it to be superior in quality. Citizens self felt. Private water supply com would sometimes reject the water of panies began to organize to Improve their own wells, and travel long dis conditions. It later developed that tances to obtain the better water. the majority of these enterprises were Certain wells were known as "tea based more upon the health of the water wells" because it was thought investors' pocketbooks than upon any that better tea could be brewed anxiety concerning the physical well- therefrom. being of their patrons. Such com New York had its famous "Tea panies were content to do as little as Water Pump Garden" situated at possible. Their plants were crudely what is now the junction of Chatharr. constructed and clumsily operated. and Roosevelt streets. This was a The nearest supply was taken in pref famous resort in Revolutionary times, erence to going a longer distance to where tea and stronger beverages get something better. Their capacity could be obtained. The streets in its was limited at beet and growing tree vicinity were often obstructed by the roots completely filling the log pipes vehicles of the rich and fastidious, would cut off the supply. The cus waiting their turn at the pump. The tomers were dissatisfied and constant place finally became so congested that friction between company and taker the New York common council in became rampant, generally result 1797 ordered "the spout of the pump ing In a short life for the com to be sufficiently raised and length pany. ened to permit pedestrians to pass I am now going to relate the story beneath It." of the Manhattan Company of New In the early days of our own city, York City. Its promoters induced the certain wells came to have a good citizens of that city to believe that repute. Leonard B. Ellis has told of their whole concern was to supply 4 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. them with pure and wholesome water, granted the comjiany to invest all while all the time they were inwardly surplus capital in other directions. conniving to accomplish something The eighth clause of the charter, very different. which attracted but little attention at Until very recently anyone happen the time, was really the most impor ing to pass the northwest corner of tant one. It reads as follows: Reed and Centre streets in the city of "And be it further enacted, that it New York could observe through the shall, and may be lawful for the said windows of the building located there, company to employ all such surplus a large cast-iron water tank which capital, as may belong or accrue to was supplied with water from a large the said company, in the purchase of well beneath, by means of a steam public or other stock, or in any other pump. This interesting relic has monied transactions or operations existed for over one hundred years, not inconsistent with the constitution and its former use is practically for and laws of this State, or of the gotten by everyone except the owners, United States, for the sole benefit of the Manhattan Water Company. Due the said company." to a curious legal fiction, that com Availing itself of the powers con pany must continue to maintain the veyed by the above clause, the Man semblance of a water plant In order to hattan Company formed a powerful keep its charter, which is an exceed bank, which was the real object of the ingly valuable document since under Incorporators. Only enough was done a "Joker" clause it has built up the in the matter of introducing water great Bank of the Manhattan Com necessary to hold the charter. pany of New York City. The tank was It is evident that the legislature ex removed last June (1914), but the pected the Manhattan Company to Water Company will continue the obtain an ample and satisfactory maintenance of pump and well. simply from the Bronx River or some The granting of this charter to the other stream from the wording of the Manhattan Company establishing a charter which grants the Company the water supply to the City of New York right "to erect dams, or other works was an historic event and thereby across, or upon any stream or streams, hangs a tale. of water, river or rivers, or any other Corporate Banking in New York place or places, where they shall City began with the organization of judge proper for the purpose of rais the Bank of New York by Alexander ing such stream or streams, or turn Hamilton in 1784. For fifteen years ing the course thereof, or of making this hank, together with the New York use of such streams, rivers, or places branch of the first Bank of the United for constructing or working of any States, were the only hanks doing necessary engines, or to construct, dig business in cither the City or State of or cause to be opened any canals or New York. With Hamilton and the trenches whatsoever for conducting of Federalists in control of the legisla such stream or streams or any other ture, new bank charters were un quantity of water from any source or obtainable. This monopoly of hank sources that they may see fit." ing facilities in the City and State was Instead of obtaining an ample sup of great strategic value to the political ply from the Bronx or some other narty in control, and naturally aroused stream or streams the Manhattan jealousy and resentment among the Company proceeded to sink a series members of the opposition whoso of large wells at the location stated at leader was Aaron Burr. the beginning of this story. At that In 1798, New York City suffered time this was a thickly populated lo from a severe yellow fever epidemic cation totally unfit to produce whole which was attributed to the poor some and pure water. The water was water supply. Upon the assembling pumped from these wells into a Tes- of the legislature in 1799 an associa ervoir located on Chambeirs street tion of individuals, among whom from whence it was distributed in Aaron Burr was the moving spirit, hollow logs of small bore generally applied for a charter for the purpose through the city south of City Hall. of "supplying the City of New York The company laid about 25 miles of with pure and wholesome water." pine log pipe of different sizes and With a capital of J2, 000, 000, the supplied about 2,000 houses. project was an ambitious one for t herewith present to you a sample those days. Burr used his influence section of one of these log pipes. This as a member of the assembly in per was rescued from a street in lower suading that body to feel that as there New York some years ago by Andrew was a great uncertainty as to the Snow of South Dartmouth, who was probable cost of the (ptfjposed water then living In New York and by him works system, perralsi*on). should be presented to the speaker. DEVELOPMENT OP NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. 6

The quality of the water was ex "For the purpose of conducting the ceedingly poor and caused constant water from the southwest part of the irritation and complaint. Cartoons is village of Bedford through the most sued at the time indicate that "Pure convenient streets to the four cor Manhattan" and very muddy and un ners, so-called, and from thence to inviting water were regarded as syn such parts of the village as shall be onymous terms. The citizens of New thought best. Do agree to take the York endured this nuisance for over number of shares as set against our thirty years, during which time con names, and no more. That the as stantly increasing agitation resulted sociation shall consist of fifty shares In the introduction of the Croton and when the whole number of Supply in 1842. Shortly after the shares shall be subscribed, do agree Manhattan Company closed its to pay such installments thereon as a committee (which shall be ap activities and practically retired as a pointed for that purpose) shall assess water distributor. from time to time. Boston had its Jamaica Pond "And having assumed the name of Aqueduct Company which flourished the First Aqueduct association, do several years previous to 1848. This further agree that the business shall Company led the waters of Jamaica be transacted by that name, that Pond into Roxbury and Boston, using each share shall be entitled to one for that purpose pitch pine logs, none vote provided, however, that no per larger than a four-inch bore. The son shall have more than five votes. extent of their operations did not "And there shall be annually ap exceed fifteen miles of distribution pointed a treasurer and committee logs. As can well be imagined, this who shall assess such sums of money supply was neither satisfactory nor as shall be wanted for the purpose adequate, and with the advent of the aforesaid, and who shall have power much superior Cochltuate supply the to make contracts in behalf of the business of this company vanished. association, viz: for purchasing a lot, In 1799 the Massachusetts general dig-ering a fountain, procuring and court passed an "act enabling pro sinking the logs, to make contracts prietors of aqueducts to manage the with such people as may wish to take same." This act was a long docu the water, and keep the aqueduct in ment in 12 sections regulating the repair and to examine the treasurer's business of furnishing water sup accounts." plies. This was followed by the ap The stock must have been quickly pearance of many aqueduct com taken for upon the next day the first panies throughout the state. Most meeting of the association was held, of these were insignificant affairs and with Charles Russell as moderator, the majority have long since been Joseph Rlcketson clerk, and Jona forgotten. One case of this very than Allen treasurer. A committee kind Is identified with our own city of six was appointed with full power and no one living today seems able to to attend to all duties stated in the give much information as to the ex lust paragraphs of the subscription tent of its activities. It flourishe 1 paper given above and, in addition, between 1803 and 1822. The books they were directed "to assess such of records, dividends, stock transfers, sums of money from time to time is with a few scattering papers have re may be wanted for this purpose, pro cently been rescued and are now de vided such sums shall not exceed, in posited in the Free Public library. the whole, twenty-five dollars per These documents have little to say share. regarding the plant, its actual cost We can only surmise as to Just and manner in which it was operated. what they did. They must have In the absence of the treasurer's ac made a contract with Caleb Jenne counts I am unable to give any state (one of the stock holders) to dig ment whatever regarding receipts and the fountain (well) and very shortly expenditures, neither can I give a there was some sort of disagreement list of the streets in which logs were for at a meeting held a month later placed, the number of service sup a vote was passed allowing Caleb plies, or the rates that were charged. Jenne sixty dollars over and above With the help of these papers anil the agreement made with him by stray bits of information I have the committee, whereupon the com woven the following story: An as mittee in charge "prayed for dismis sociation was formed in Bedford vil sion" which was promptly granted lage In 1803 for the purpose of fur- and a new committee appointed. Pishing a water supply. The paper Caleb got the best of the first com soliciting subscriptions to the stock mittee but that did not end his was dated July 14, 1803. It states troubles for two months later his that the said subscribers associate work is very sljarply criticised. The G DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES.

association then voted: "That in Aqueduct association. Soon the direc their opinion Caleb Jenne did not tors have trouble trying to deal with build the fountain walls in a suf people conniving at their neighbors ficient manner and that he shall build and others, taking water from their the western wall (which has now pipes who have not purchased that fallen down) at his own expense." privilege. T he standing committee was directed So it appears that people actually to repair the damage and "keep an stole water in those good old days. account of the expense and That practice has not yet gone out when Caleb Jenne shall have paid of fashion. The directors attempted to the amount of Bald expense he shall stop this by making rules and estab be discharged from all further de lishing fines, but judging from com mands." plaints made in later meetings, they Caleb must have been terribly slow never wholly succeeded. In effecting a settlement, for two In 1807 the directors purchased a years later the directors are in second lot adjoining the first and ex structed to "call upon Caleb Jenne cavated the second well. to fulfill and complete his contract." In 1811 complaints are made by the This is the last mention of the mat ter but I doubt whether Caleb Jenne directors that many persons who take ever finished that job. the water make great waste of it. and That the fountain was finally fin that others have refused or neglected ished, log pipes installed, and water to pay therefor. Resolved — That it delivered to customers is attested to shall be the duty of the directors for by an article which appears in the the time being to inform the pro Columbia Courier of July 4, 1&05. prietor and occupant of the house of After a brief description of a slight the neglect, and if neither will agree fire occurring in the house belong to pay the amount due, and where ing to John Gerish, it goes on to say: water is wasted, engage to make an "As every person who was at the tire economical use of it, that they shall must have been sensible of the great immediately cut off the log leading to deficiency in the number of leather such premises. But when the contract buckets, and as their great utility !s has been made with a tenant who has so very apparent, the inhabitants are removed, or is about to remove from requested to call on Joseph Rlcket- the premises, that the director may sen, who has opened a subscription in such case let the logs remain, pro for the purpose of obtaining an ade vided the new tenant or proprietor quate supply. shall engage to pay for the water; and "As one means of obtaining a further it shall be the duty of the plentiful supply of water in case of directors to agree with all that shall fire, we would respectfully suggest to engage to take the water that they the selectmen the propriety of plac shall pay for the time they may en ing conductors (hydrants) at proper gage without any abatement even distances from each other in the should the water fail for any part of pipes belonging to the First Bedford the year, or should it at any time be Aqueduct corporation. This meas necessary to draw off the water fur ure is authorized by an act of this the purpose of repairs. state respecting aqueducts." On February 29, 1812 the directors Joseph Ricketson's subscription pa are authorized to use the money in per for obtaining a new supply of fire the hands of the collector and treas buckets appears among the aqueduct urer for the purpose of digging a new papers in the Free Public Library. fountain or any other method of ob There were twenty-seven subscribers taining more water and should the agreeing to furnish a pair of buckets; sums belnsuffi rient. to make an assess sixteen subscribers one dollar each; ment on the proprietors. four subscribers two dollars each; one The third well was finally dug and five dollars and James Arnold and some sort of a scrap occurred, for at William Rotch, Jr., subscribed the next annual meeting a new set of twenty dollars each. directors was elected and authorized Whether or not any connections for to call upon the former directors for fire protection were made with the a settlement. aqueduct as suggested by the news It was the custom of the treasurer paper article just read I have no to report the cash balance on hand means of knowing. at each annual meeting, whereupon On February 25, 1804, the associa the directors would either vote a divi tion was incorporated into a body poli dend or would direct the income to tic by the name of the First Bedford be used for repairs. After 1814 this Aqueduct association as authorized by balance is not given and the last an the laws of the commonwealth. Here nual meeting appears to have been tofore it had been known as the First held In 1819. On April 8, 1822, tit DEVELOPMENT OP NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. t last record states that Gideon How- tions. Many dwellings that were so land, Jr., Peter Barney and Abraham situated that water could be carried Sherman, Jr., be a committee to dis to them by gravity, were supplied pose of the lots of land belonging to from this source. When the enter the association. This was done and prise was new it bid fair to be suc the final dividend on the capital stock cessful, but the supply proved inade was paid September 28, 1822. quate to meet the growing demands. It appears that this association was The simple machinery was too crude a mutual association of proprietors, and perishable and finally the deliv divided into fifty assessable shares in ery of the log pipes became ob which the association has the right to structed by the roots of trees with sell any share for non-payment of as which the streets were lined. A tiny sessment. The assessment was first hole in the log would attract a fibre limited to twenty-five dollars per of root which would force its way share, but this limit was cancelled with through to the water under whose the incorporation of the association in nourishment it would grow until the 1804. Whether or not assessments ex pipe was filled and the flow of water ceeding twenty-five dollars per share completely cut off. were ever made we do not know but When the affairs of the association the directors had the right to do so. were finaly wound up in 1822 the I think it probable that ;in assessment wells were filled with stone, but the was made in 1812 when the third well springs therein continued for many was constructed, for in 1814 one share years to supply the Are reservoir at was attached for failing to pay assess the northwest corner of Walnut and ment and afterwards transferred to Sixth street. The springy condition the association. of the land In this location exists to When the affairs of the association this day, in spite of all the drain* were closed in 1822 the capital stock that have been placed in that region. was valued at $1,335.25 and $27.23 The following is a complete list of per share was paid to the stockholders. the 36 stockholders of this company, The association paid six dividends ex of whom 31 were original stockhold clusive of the final stock dividend as ers, at various times during its ex follows: istence: 1806 — $4 per share. Jonathan Allen, Gideon Allen, 1808 — $3 per share Aqueduct association, Uriah Brownell, 1809 — $2 per sharo. Peter Barney, Joshua Baker, Bedford 1810 — $2 per share. Bank, Caleb Congdon, Allen Case, 1814 — $3 per share. Jonathan Card, Cornelius Grinnell, 1816 — $3 per share. Isaac Howland, Jr., Peleg Howland, The project proved to be a poor Gideon Howland, Jr., Joseph How- investment. This fact, together with land, 2d, William Howland, Stephen the final failure of the supply, caused Hathaway, Caleb Jenne, Jr., William the abandonment of the scheme. .lames, Matthew Myrick, Silas Parker, The fountain lot, so called, meas Abijah Packard, Daniel Ricketson & ured 236 feet north from Walnut Son, Gilbert Russell, Charles Russell, street on west side of Sixth street and Davis Russell, Elihu Smith, Gideon 102 feet west from Sixth street on the Shepherd. Abraham Shearman, Jr., north side of Walnut street, and con Daniel Taber, Benjamin Taber, Jr., tained 89 rods. They were acquired, Francis Taber, Barnabas Taber, Gaxd- from Abraham Russell in two pur i er Taber, Taber's wharf. Sands chases, the first January, 1805, the Wing. second February, 1807. The amount In the early days there was a nat paid was $1073.25. This land is now ural water course having its origin in owned and occupied by Dr. Klrby and a cedar swamp west of the County Dr. Whitney. The fountains were street court house, according to Thom three large wells connected together as M. Stetson (see Ellis's History, and covered by a low triangular root page 63). It trickled eastward, cross parallel with Sixth street, with end ing County, Eighth, Sixth streets, Li facing upon Walnut street (Standard, brary square. Pleasant street, near Aug. 26, 1868). From this reservoir the north line of the Bates & Kirby the log pipe extended easterly in Wal property. A short distance east of nut street, and it Is presumed that Pleasant street it touched the south they finally supplied the region of west corner of the historical "ten the "four corners,' so called. The logs acre lot" purchased of Joseph Rotch were suplied and bored by Benjamin from Joseph Russell in 1765. Contin Taber at his water-power mill at the uing easterly parallel with the south Head of the River. The water de line of the 'ten acre lot,' It gave partment has occasionally come across name to the 'fountain lot," so called remains of these logs In past excava (J. V. Spare Dry Good Co.) because 8 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. of the numerous boiling springs of this reservoir ran north and east in excellent quality which appeared here. Purchase, William and Rodman streets. The brook now acquired the char On its passage it furnished supplies to acter of a 'little spring brook" and it the fire reservoir at the northwest is so described In the deed of the corner of William and Second streets, 'ten acre lot.' The "fountain lot" (Note: and the continuously running inverted Please observe that there were two cannon fountain on the south side of fountain lots in the village, the othe.- Rodman street, east of Water. being the aqueduct supply at Sixth In March, 1855, Joshua B. Ashley, and Walnut street) justified the es chief engineer of fire department, re tablishment of Willard Sears' tannery ports that he haa thoroughly repaired to the south. The brook continued this Purchase street (fountain lot) easterly, crossing Purchase street and reservoir. In 1857 Mr. Ashley reports Acushnet avenue. Here it was aug that: mented by the entry of a little water "The property of Purchase street, course from the north (see Leonard a few rods south of William street, map). on which a reservoir formerly was Further on it turned abruptly to located, and from which the the south and crossed Union street at reservoir on the corner of Wil the present location of J. & W. R liam and Second streets was sup Wing's store. Here was a street plied, having changed hands, the city bridge, and Daniel Ricketson tells us was deprived of its use, and It be of leaning upon the railing of this came necessary to find some other bridge to watch the surging water be supply to take its place. Accordingly, neath. It then continued to the cor a well was dug on Cheapside, from ner of Second and Spring streets, which, as a head, pipes were laid dewn where it passed through a sizable pool William street to the reservoir at and thence eastward in what is now Second street and also down Union Spring street, where it entered the street to the new reservoir corner of river a short distance east of Water Fourth street, which will contain street. This water course at Library 2600 barrels. This was tilled from the square and at the fountain lot was head alone in 32 1-3 days during the developed by the town for Are pro dryest season of the year, and the tection and other uses as will be seen stream has been constantly running later. since, the over supply being led into Some time previous to 1838. a the supply sewer. The water from the sizable fire reservoir had been con roof of Ricketson's block has also structed by the town upon this foun been led into this reservoir." tain lot. This reservoir extended into This was the time that the late Purchase street as far as the curb George Tappan purchased the foun ing of the west sidewalk. tain lot, ond proceeded to erect the A store building occupied by Sam present building thereon. He named uel Bennett (1840-50) stood directly it China Hall and it retained that over the water and the reservoir ex name for many years. How the water tended west of the building. The New gushing forth from the bubbling Bedford directories, 1838-52, include springs was finally disposed of 1 do a list of the public fire reservoirs. not know. Concerning the one under considera Regarding the well on Cheapside tion it says: which Mr. Ashley says has been dug. "One on Purchase street near the In some v/ay this was a connection First Congregational church, under with the large reservoir in City Hall the building occupied by Samuel Ben square nfar Sixth street. It was fed nett. (The directories locate Samuel by the springs of the brook which Bennett at 41 Purchase street). Two we have been considering. The* speak engines can have access to this reser er has been In this reservoir more voir on Purchase street, and two or than once. It consisted of three cir three on the platform in the rear. cular connecting walls, each about 10 The entrance to the rear is on Pur to 12 feet in diameter. Thus it was chase street through the premises of about 30 feet long and held from 10 Willard Sears." to 1 2 feet of water. The famous town When >he speaker was recently en pump entered the central well. This gaged in laying the water main in reservoir was probably constructed Purchase street incidental to the shortly after the building of the city widening of that thoroughfare he un hall. It does not appear in the direc covered the open end of this reser tory list of 1841, but it does appear voir beneath the westerly sidewalk. It in 184 5. It has been claimed by older was then tilled with earth. citizens that this reservoir yielded an Mr. Crapo is authority for the state unfailing supply, but this Is inac ment that a log pipe connecting with curate. It was completely exhausted DEVELOPMENT OP NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. 9 in the fiercest portion of the great enamored with the poetry of motion tire of April, 1859, and in 1909 when both vertical and circular and that abandoned and tilled up, prior to the once having established a natural placing of foundations of stack room rythm in late afternoon he would of public library, it was pumped dry go fast asleep and never miss a stroke in less than an hour. until he woke up, which sometimes The reservoir on Purchase street, was the dawn of the following day. south of Union, constructed by Mr. Ashley to replace the "fountain lot" The late fifties found the business reserv oir, was abandoned and partially of our city in a seriously depressed rilled up about the time of the erec condition. The day of the highly tion of the Institution for Savings prosperous whaling voyage was over. building. This tilling was completed The development of the oil wells in about a month ago with the relaying Pennsylvania had delivered a stag of the electric car tracks in Purchase gering blow to this once thriving in street. The controlling valves men dustry. Added to this came the great tioned in Mr. Ashley's report of 1857 financial panic of 1857 the effect of l»y which the surplus supply was led which was keenly felt for many years. into the public sewer, was rescued by Then followed the depressing days of the speaker a few weeks ago, in re the Civil war period. Yet it was right laying the water main in Union here amidst all these demoralizing street. conditions that the agitation for a Thus all traces of the water course public water supply had its birth. which at one time was a feature of There was a class of bright young the town and village have now men who believed that a revival of vanished. material prosperity could be obtained The New Bedford Steam Mill cor only through new enterprises. Manu poration was incorporated in 1846 facturing seemed to be the one indus with George Hussey as president and try which should be developed. Manu Samuel Rodman, treasurer. This was facturing, however, required water a cotton mill enterprise located at the and that was lacking. They decided northeast corner of Hillman and that this barrier must be removed and Water streets. In a few years it was an agitation was fostered to that end changed over to a flour mill. To ob which finally resulted in bringing the tain a supply of boiler water for this desired element to our doors. The industry a log pipe was laid in Hill- controversy continued through all the man street connecting with the springs Civil war period. The heavy tax pay at the fire reservoir in that street ers as a rule were opposed and the west of Purchase street, and deliver younger element in favor. Mr. Crapo ing at the boilers of the mill. says "that a proposition to expend Previous to the advent of the city several million dollars today would not water supply the water boat owned by excite such a bitter struggle." Mr. Benjamin Rodman was in evidence Crapo was a progressive in those days throughout the city water front when and was occasionally addressed as ever a vessel was seeking a supply of "Water Works Crapo" by those not water. As I remember, it was a sloop in sympathy with his position. of clumsy model with the word The first public movement in rela Water, in large letters, upon thr vnain tion to the introduction of water into Bail. The water was delivered through a rotary pump, the operation of the city was made by the late Fred which resembled the turning of a erick S. Allen, when he introduced an grindstone. This boat received its sup order in the city council on March 8, ply at the head of the dock between 1860, which passed both branches of the George Howland and Samuel Rod the city government calling for man wharf. the appointment of a commit The land at the southeast corner tee "to consider the practicability of Hillman and Second streets was and expediency of introducing a per formerly the property of Samuel Rod manent supply of fresh water into the man. There was a large carpenter's city and report some plan, with the shop located on this corner and facing probable cost of doing so, and that Second street. This was occupied at said committee be allowed six months one time by Ezra Clark. Just south to report thereon." This committee of this shop was the pump which was appointed. delivered the water at the cap log of Let me state right here that from the dock from whence it flowed into this date on a joint committee from the tank of the water boat. One Wil both branches of the city council has liam H. James operated this pump In been annually appointed. A complete Benjamin Rodman's interest. The list of these committees appears In an neighbors declared that he became appendix to this paper. 10 DEVELOPMENT OP NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES.

In July, the committee reported contains a table of level notes in which that they had visited several localities, he gives heights in various locations but in the absence ot surveys were in the city, such as the underpinning unable to present estimates of cost. of city hall, water table County Street They were allowed three hundred dol Methodist church, underpinning of lars for further research. On Decem William G. Taber's fence, southeast ber 21, they reported that the exam corner of County and North streets, ination had been continued by William sill of windmill, Nash road at railroad P. Durfee and George A. Briggs un crossing, surface of Long Pond, etc. der the direction of Captain Charles These heights are interesting now, H. Blgelow, and that the results would because of the fact that they refer to appear in Captain Bigelow's report. a zero of mean high water in New The subject was then referred to Bedford harbor. This was a result the next city government. Mayor of a long series of observations of tide Isaac C. Taber in his inaugural ad levels. The datum then established dress of January 7, 1861 said, "that by Captain Bigelow has since been • the introduction of water involving, the basis of all city engineering opera as it does, so much importance in tions. To Captain Bigelow must be the sanitary, economical, and business given the credit of pointing out the interests of the city. I should be un possibilities of the Ansel White pond willing to leave the subject without reservoir location. In fact, the en urging it strongly upon your attention tire system as he then outlined it was with the hope that at an early date practically the same scheme as was the subject may be resumed and car later developed by Mr. McAlpine and ried through to a successful consum Mr. Briggs. mation." Mr. Briggs's report was upon the Another joint special committee was gauging of the streams and the results appointed on January 17th. (See ap of calculations as to quantities of pendix). This committee consumed water that may be collected under most of the year in its investigations. stated conditions. The committee's The report was dated December 21, report takes Captain Bigelow's esti 1861. In addition to the main report mates as a basis and adds to it de which is signed by Isaac C. Taber as tailed estimates for installing distri chairman, it contains the reports of bution mains. Captain Bigelow died Captain Charles H. Bigelow, engineer, here shortly after making this report. and George A. Briggs, city surveyor. Captain Bigelow was a United States In his inaugural address of January engineer and was then in charge of 6, 1862, Mayor Taber recommends construction of fortifications at Clarks delay because of the "present dis point. tracted condition of our country, and Their reports indicate that all avail the constantly repeated calls upon our able drainage areas between Snlptuit city for relief and the comparatively pond on the east and Watuppa pond large outlay by the city for the en on the west, including the Middleboro couragement of enlistments and the lakes, had been visited and examined. defence of our harbor." Captain Bigelow has something to say A few days later an order was in regard to all the places which he passed authorizing the mayor to peti visited; but he declares his preference tion the general court for authority for a storing reservoir in the Acush- to Introduce water into the city, and net valley near the Ansel White Mill a committee (see appendix) was ap dam, with an aqueduct with regular pointed to take charge of the matter. descent along the west bank of the There was no other movement of Aoushnet river to a receiving reservoir any Importance during 1862. Mayor In the north part of the city; thence Taber died in Septmber, 1862, and by pumping to a distributing reservoir George Howland, Jr., was chosen to somewhere on Windmill Hill, from fill the vacancy. thence to be distributed through the In January 5, 1863, Mayor George streets of the city. Howland, Jr., presented a discourag Windmill Hill is now known as Mt. ing aspect of the subject in his In Pleasant street. How many present augural address. Mr. Howland at this remember the old windmill that stood time was bitterly opposed to the pro there in the early sixties? As I re ject. He told Mr. Crapo that if the call, it was of the type similar to introduction of water became an as those which are still to be seen In sured fact he, with most of the com Portsmouth, It. I. It was located on munity, would never, never have it the west side of Mt. Pleasant street, introduced into their homes. I now a short distance south of the French quote a few paragraphs which un cemetery. Captain Bigelow's report doubtedly reflected the opinion of the DEVELOPMENT OP NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. 11 majority of the tax paying citizens Early in the month of January, at that time. 1863, the city council committee was "Were we not already supplied, go appointed (see appendix) to make sur far as sanitary or culinary purposes veys, obtain estimates, to inquire into are concerned, with as good and as the feasibility and cost of the opera pure water as any community can tion, and to obtain the necessary au require, the subject would present thority from the general court. Three itself to my mind in a very different hundred dollars were placed at the aspect. disposal of this committee. "Who among us for his own per The professional services of City sonal or domestic use, would If water Surveyor George A. Brlggs, and Pro were distributed through our streets. fessor George I. Chase of Brown uni Introduce it into his private premises? versity, were engaged to make the Probably very few if any; the only necessary investigations. purposes for which we want it then, The act, for supplying the city of as it seems to me, is for manufac New Bedford with pure water, was tories and the extinguishment of fires." passed by the legislature on April 18, He then Inquires, "What assurance 1863. It provides for commissioners have we that our own capitalists will to construct the works, gives power embark in new ventures or capital for the taking of lands and water will come from abroad to establish rights, authorizes the issue of bonds, new branches of Industry among us gives authority for the city council if the contemplated plan is consum to organize a department with full mated?" power for management, and makes We shall see a little later a reason it the duty of the council to estab which may have had an influence in lish water rates. It contained a favor of Mr. Howland's revisal of referendum clause, to the effect, that opinion, in regard to the pure water all Its provisions would be void unless that was being supplied from the accepted by the voters within one residential wells throughout the city. year. His discouraging remarks, however, It was desirable that the reports of did not dampen the ardor of those the experts should be distributed to who were pushing the matter. the voters in printed form, previous to the taking of the vote. Meanwhile A few days after Mayor Howland's the experts consumed the larger part address, the Rev. William J. Potter of a year with their investigations, gave a pulpit view of the business and their reports were not printed interests of our city, in which he for distribution until March, 1864. said: "To start business requires Professor Chase's report concerned personal effort, labor, assiduity and the physical properties of the Aeush- the utmost physical and mental net valley; the results determined by activity. Folded hands will not do the chemical analysis of samples of it; Bleeping brains will not do it; water, and the influence likely to waiting for something to turn up will be exorcised by decaying vegetation not do It; for to those who so wait, on margin and bottom of reservoir nothing will ever turn up. Nothing site. He also reports on samples but mould and poverty and death." taken from several wells within the After an analysis of the many sug city limits all of which were found gestions that had been made in the to be inferior in every way to that direction of securing an improved busi of the Acushnet supply. ness condition, he refers to the water One of these samples was taken question at considerable length. I from the well supplying Mayor quote one paragraph: George Howland's residence on Sixth "If it be said that water is wanted street. He was so aggressive in op before new business can be further posing the introduction of water and Introduced the reply is: Ten miles was so positive of the purity of his north of us are vast sleeping ponda. well that Mr. Crapo finally prevailed which are only waiting to be touched upon him to allow Professor Chase with the spirit of the age, in order to collect a sample for analysis so to fly into steam and be set to lifting that a comparison might be made. trip-hammers or turning splndleu. Mr. Howland consented and this was They are sleeping now like our city done and Mr. Howland was visibly in violation of the law of the nine embarrassed when Professor Chase teenth century." reported the well to be overloaded This sermon was distributed with chlorine and the water to be throughout the city In printed form of a very suspicious quality. Here and Its logical conclusions' attracted after Mr. Howland had little to say a great deal of attention. concerning the introduction of water. 12 DEVEIX)PMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES.

His aggressive opposition ceased and open, yelled in stentorian tones to when the water finally flowed through Mrs. Carpenter, who was within the his street he promptly applied for its kitchen, inquiring in language strong introduction into his house. ly emphasized by profanity, what she Mr. Briggs's report was devoted to had done with the chicken fixings and estimates of cost based upon proposi other things. The effect was that of tion of a storage reservoir to be lo a bomb. George F. Kingman says that cated as later constructed, from which he immediately grabbed Mr. Carpen a brick conduit was to bring the water ter and told him to stop all such talk. to the city by gravity, leaving out all Some were terribly shocked, others calculations for pumping and distribu amused. It is said that one good tion. He also reports adversely upon Friend lost his appetite with that the proposition for obtaining a supply blast, but my good friends George F. from the Burgess swamp, situated Kingman and David B. Kempton al west of Cedar and north of Kempton ways declared that it had an appetiz street. ing effect upon them. The distribution of these reports in On July 20, 1865. a joint committee printed form to the voters was short of the city council was appointed to ly followed by an acceptance of the make further investigations (see ap legislative act for supplying the city pendix). This committee entered of New Bedford with pure water. upon the work in a most vigorous This vote was taken on April 14, manner. They retained the services of 1864. Yeas 781, nays 694. Hon. William J. McAlpine, an hydrau The work had now so far progressed lic engineer of national reputation, to that its final accomplishment seemed be assisted in his work by Professor assured. This was the view which George I. Chase and George H. Brlggs, Mayor Howland expressed In his in city surveyor. The report of the com augural address of January, 1864. mittee In October, 1865. includes the No progress was made during the reports of Professor Chase and Mr. year 18fi4, other than the appoint McAlpine. The report of Professor ment of the city council committee. Chase is largely devoted to the analy In the inaugural address of January sis of samples. Mr. McAlpine's report 2, 1865, Mayor George Howland, Jr., was a remarkably able document. He very briefly alludes to the subject, he examines with clearness and fullness, calls attention to the acceptance of every phase of the question. He con the act by the voters in the previous siders and presents estimates for tak April, and adds: ing supplies from the following "The act is therefore within the sources: control of the city to be carried into effect at such time as the city coun 1 — A reservoir to be formed upon cil may determine." the Aeushnet river by the construction The full city council, together with of a dyke at Dog Fish bar. Mr. McAlpine and other invited guests 2 — The Aeushnet which was later made a visit to the location of pro constructed. posed storing reservoir and the Mid- 3 — A modification of the Aeushnet. dleboro ponds, in April, 1865. There 4 — Long Pond. were some happenings upon that trip 5 — Turner's Mills. that have never been forgotten. A 6 — Smith's Mills. heated discussion occurred between He considers the advantages and Ixium Snow and James B. Congdon as disadvantages in each of these pro to capacity of the flow at the Ansel jects and gives the reasons which in White dam, Mr. McAlpine's state duced him to recommend for adop ments were questioned by Mr. Snow tion, the Aeushnet plan, substantially and upheld by Mr. Congdon. All this as submitted by Mr. Brlggs. afforded amusement for the others. It is interesting now to recall the Mr. Carpenter had been previously severe criticisms that were made at commissioned to provide a dinner for this time by those who declared Mr. the party at his tavern in Lakeville, McAlpine's comprehensive plan to be bordering on Assawamsett pond. positively reckless. One factor pro (This was later the Eben Perry place.) posed Tripp's brook valley (Burgess He took great pains in providing an swamp) as the source of supply, and attractive spread. After the entire the foolishness of this project is company were seated at the table, a shown by the fact that the stream silence came over the group out of mentioned was some years later con respect to a number of Friends who verted into a sewer known as the were of the party. Just at this mo Tripp's brook sewer. Another scheme ment, Mr. Carpenter, who was stand was to draw upon the supply of Fresh ing at the opposite side of the table river at Smith's Mills, and that was from the kitchen door which was regarded with favor by many. Others DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPIJES. 13 preferred Turner's pond. Tobey's his opinion yielded to the proofs and pond, now known as Sassaquin, was arguments in favor of the work as it suggested as a good source, but in was finally constructed. vestigation found it to be lacking In The board of water commissioners the essential qualities necessary for was organized on December 13, 1865. a water supply. It was even proposed Mr. Crapo, chairman, and James B. to dam the Acushnet river at Dog Congdon, clerk. Shortly after organ Fish bar. Those who proposed this ization George A. Briggs was appoint scheme admitted that the water might ed chief engineer and William J. be brackish, but what of that, it was McAlplne was retained as consulting needed only for manufacturing pur engineer. poses and it did not matter. We can The city council committee for 1866 not now understand how some of was appointed (see appendix). Mayor these schemes, which today seem posi John H. Perry briefly alludes to the tively ridiculous, could ever have been water question in his inaugural of seriously considered. January 1, 1866. The reports of the committee was In less than two months we find signed by Warren Ladd, chairman. the water commissioners pleading The committee were not united in this with the city council for a change In recommendation. Four of the num the plan. They recommend that the ber, Joseph Knowles, Matthew How- Wilson dam should be erected at once, land, Charles H. Gifford and David B. thus avoiding the delay contemplated Kempton, submitted what they termed by the minority report. The council the minority report. They gave great authorized such changes in the plan credit to Mr. McAlplne for the able as the commissioners may deem most manner in which he had investigated expedient and gave them authority to the subject, and gave full credence to exercise their own discretion as to the his statements and conclusions. They extent of grubbing, excavating and approve of all that portion of the un dredging the proposed reservoir. dertaking that sets forth the Acushnet The growth and decay of micro as a source of supply with the brick scopic organism in water supplies, do conduit to the receiving reservoir In an immense amount of mischief and the north part of the city. They is the source of constant annoyance to recommend for adoption the plan pro those in charge. No natural water posed by Mr. McAlplne as the modi- which is exposed to light and air is fled Acushnet plan. ever entirely free from these green The minority report was adopted by dust-like plants known as algae. the city council on Nov. 30. 1865. The "The number of individuals is al modified plan contemplated the use most infinite and under favorable con of the Ansel White dam and pond and ditions they increase with great rapid conveying water by brick conduit to ity. Their appearance gives a decid a receiving reservoir in the city, from edly green or greenish-yellow tinge to whence it was to be distributed on as huge bodies of water and their death high a grade as it would naturally and decay often cause considerable flow. offence to the sense of smell, of those On the same day an ordinance was in the vicinity and to the sense of passed "to regulate the proceedings taste to those obliged to drink the of the commission for supplying the water." city of New Bedford with pure water." While the plant is alive and growing The body was designated "the New there is little taste or odor given to Bedford Water Commissioners" in ac the water, hardly noticeable if the cordance with the provisions of the water is iced. When the plants enter act of the general court. into the first stage of decay, the water William W. Crapo, Warren Ladd acquires a peculiar taste and odor. and David B. Kempton were chosen Light and a certain degree of tem water commissioners for a term of perature are required for a normal two years as provided for by the leg growth, and the decay often takes islative act. Messrs. Crapo and Ladd place In the mains and service pipes, had been warm friends of the pro it will not infrequently happen that ject from its Inception. Mr. Kempton the water in a reservoir or pond will at first was very skeptical as to the have almost no taste while the water feasibility of the introduction of delivered to consumers will be de water. He represented the conserva cidedly unpleasant. There is one tive sentiment of the community. species known as the "anabena" that This commission became a very happy is particularly dreaded by all water and harmonious family and each did officials. That particular plant flour good work. As Mr. Kempton became ishes in the Acushnet reservoir and better acquainted with the situation all water takers realize its effect upon 14 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. the water. The "spongilla" is also exception of change stated in pre abundant there and it is always an un vious paragraphs by which the supply welcome visitor. to the citizen was to be confined to The water commissioners fully those portions of the city which could realized the possibility of trouble from be reached by gravity. the causes just described and the sub On November 20, 1866, the water ject gave them much concern. Pro commissioners call the attention of fessor Chase in his earliest report had the council to the importance of mak emphasized the importance of re ing provision for the distribution of moval of all vegetable deposits from the water. The plan recommended by margin and bottom of proposed reser Mr. McAlpine would Include an engine, voir to insure acceptable tasting engine house, a force main, a distri water at all times. Mr. Briggs had buting reservoir and ten miles of dis roughly estimated the cost of this tributing mains, in addition to the work known as grubbing and cleaning, work that they were authorized to to be $100,000. This was so large a construct. The necessary authority was sum that the commissioners hesitated. granted by the council on December They visited kindred works where 20, 1866. This change in plan nearly- similar conditions existed. This in doubled the Importance and extent of cluded visits to Hartford, New Britain the work and involved a much larger and New Haven, Conn. They visited expenditure than was contemplated the New Britain reservoir with F. T. by the plan first adopted by the coun Stanley, who had charge of its con cil. struction. They consulted with Pro Mayor John H. Perry in his address fessor B. Silliman, Jr. at New Haven, to the city council January 7, 1867, a noted water supply expert of that reviews the progress of the work. day. The consensus of opinion which We now have the enterprise well they obtained led them to believe that underway upon the lines on which it an extensive grubbing and cleaning was later finished. It is not the pur process could safely be omitted. That pose of this paper to deal with the if the reservoir were maintained at a constructive parts in detail, but mere high water level for a few years an ly to outline the history in a gen offensive odor and taste would prob eral way. ably appear occasionally during the The storing reservoir was complet first year, but that the annoyance ed in July, 1867, when the gates were would diminish year by year until it closed and the reservoir rapidly filled. entirely ceased. On February 15, at ten o'clock in the This grubbing operation somehow forenoon, Thomas Hersom, the well seemed to be a subject which caused known soar; manufacturer, was driv many citizens to view it in a whim ing to the city from Long Plain, when sical light and when the commission crossing the Acushnet river bridge ers returned from their Connecticut at Leonards, he saw a flood coming journey they received the attention of down the valley. Realizing the dam the know-it-all critics of that day, in had given way he drove post-haste to the form of newspaper squibs and the city and notified Mr. Ladd of the back-store gossip. casualty; stopping at each mill site James B. Congdon, then clerk of on the way and advising the owners the commissioners, added to the fun of the coming flood. Beyond the dam by contributing the following, which age done to the dam itself, and the he styles an impromptu: destruction of the highway bridge at Leonards, little injury was sustained THE WATER BOARD ON A BENDER. by the sudden rush of so large a body Behold the Hoard on a Bender bent. And gravely chat upon pipes, brick of water. The break was caused by and mortar — the action of water upon the quick As forth to the land of the* Blue-Laws sand upon which the foundations of they went. gale hoiise and dam rested. Repairs To tast» of the tipple and talk about were made during the following sum water. mer and fall. And safe returned from their venture Andrew G. Pierce was mayor in some trip — 1868 and 1869. In both of his inaug Each fault-finding tax-payer quietly snubbing — ural addresses he enlarges upon the When charged with an overlarge out progress of the work. lay for flip — ■ Under the provisions of the legis Each dollar for grub, saved a dollar lative act, the terms of the commis for grubbing. sioners expired November 30, 1867. The operations up to November, An ordinance was passed under which 1866, were carried out upon the lines the old board was re-elected for two of the limited plan adopted with the years or until completion of work. DEVELOPMENT OP NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. 15

A brief description of the work as depth 12 feet, capacity 3,000,000 gal completed is as follows: A storing lons. reservoir had been artificially formed The Purchase street pumping sta by the construction of a dam across tion was equipped with notable pump the valley of the Acushnet about seven ing engine especially designed by Mr. miles north of the centre of the city McAlpine, by means of which water and half a mile down stream from was pumped from the receiving the Ansel White dam. The high water reservoir to the Mt. Pleasant reser level of this reservoir is elevation 40. voir on Mt. Pleasant street. The Invert of conduit is elevation 30. water surface of Mt. Pleasant reser Area of water shed 5.1 square miles. voir has an area of 3.1 acres, ele Area water surface full reservoir 300 vation high water 154.8, depth 18 acres, (estimated contents) 300 mil feet, capacity 15,000,000 gallons. lion gallons, allowing 600,000 gal From this reservoir the water flows lons per day per square mile, its full by gravity through the distributing capacity may be placed at 3,000,000 mains of the city. gallons per day through the dryest By the end of 1870, 17 % miles of year. distributing mains had been installed. An egg shaped brick conduit con Of this number a little over 9% nects this resevoir with the receiv miles were of the wrought iron ce ing reservoir on Coggeshall street. ment lined type of pipe all of which This conduit is three feet horizontal, has since been replaced by cast iron four feet vertical. Invert at storing pipe. resevoir elevation 30 feet, at receiv George A. Briggs was assisted in his ing resevoir, elevation 26.82 feet. engineering operations by Engineers Grade six inch per mile. Capacity George B. Wheeler, William B. Sher 7,000,000 gallons per 24 hours with man, floswell E. Briggs and Israel full resevoir. C. Cornish. Receiving resevoir water area 1.1 The following table will illustrate acres, elevation high water 30 feet, the growth of the supply: Mileage of Gals. Distribution No of No. of Average Daily per Year Population Mains Services Meters Cons, in Gals. Capita 1 870 21,320 17 553 329,375 1875 25,895 35 2311 :i 1,136,835 1880 26,845 42 % 3798 22 2,014,200 1885 33,700 50% 4965 B7 2,876,167 s 5 1890 41,500 62% 6394 123 4,066,200 9 8 1895 56,300 76 % 8027 254 4,711.866 St 1900 62,500 92% 9280 1429 6,320.542 mi 1905 75,000 104 % 10477 2434 7,093,187 !•:, 1910 99,000 137 12769 6106 7,864,323 T!l 1914 108,000 162 14407 13788 7,432,137 6 9 Water was delivered through the president of the common council, ex distributing pipes for the first tine on officio. Messrs. Crapo, Kempton and November 25, 1869. On the after Ladd became the first members at noon of that day a display of hydrant large, and George A. Briggs was streams was made on Purchase street elected the first superintendent. between Union and Elm streets. In 1882 the name Acushnet Water Application No. 1 for a service sup Board was changed to that of New ply was made by William J. Kotch Bedford Water Board. for his residence on Orchard street In 1871 George A. Briggs resigned at the head of Madison street. as superintendent and Israel C. Corn Application No. 2 was made by ish was elected his successor. Elisha Thornton 98 Cottage street and The financeering of this enterprise was the first service installed October was lightened by the assistance which 27. 1869. was supplied by the use of the Sylvia The total number of applications Ann Howland bequest. since made has been over 16,000. The one hundred thousand dollars which was bequeathed in aid of the The term of Water Commissioners introduction of water was at once expired November 30, 1869 when the applied in meeting construction ex Acushnet Water Board was created penses. by ordinance for the care and The bequest of the second one hun management of the New Bedford dred thousand dollars which con Water Works. This board consisted stitutes the educational and Free Pub of five members the same as today, lic Library fund was invested by the three at large with the mayor, George city council in the cost of the water B. Richmond and C. M. Peirce, Jr. works, the city engaging to provide 16 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES.

the annual income and apply same my outer office. The lemon juice killed for the purposes set forth in the the musty taste of the water. When will. a complainant entered and stated his The city council's appropriations to trouble he was invited to sample the December 1, 1870 was $700,000. This water furnished to the office, he was includes the $200,000 bequeathed by told that it did not seem to have a Sylvia Ann Howland which deducted disagreeable taste. He was apt to be leaves $500,000 as the amount of cautious about the first cup, after water bonds issued up to that time. which he partook freely and departed After the storing reservoir was fin in a more comfortable frame of mind ished and filled it was found to be than he possessed when he entered. Impossible to keep the water level at Within a year after the introduction high water mark during the summer of water a large reinforcing main was months. It settled two or more feet started from the distributing reser each year and in 1 886 it shrank 7 voir, south through the Cedar street feet. This of cours» exposed large district, to overct me the loss of pres areas of vegetable del osits to the ac sure which existed in that area. tion of the blistering summer sun. In April, 1872, George B. Wheeler Periods of offensive tasting water was elected superintendent in place came altogether too frequently and of Israel O. Cornish, who resigned. there was much complaint on the During Mr. Wheeler's administration, part of the takers. a second pumping engine {Worthing- The longest and most intense visit ton, three million) was installed in was in 18S5 when the causes were the Purchase street pumping station, thoroughly investigated by Professor and the stand-pipe was erected on William Ripley Nichols who advised Mt. Pleasant street opposite the dis aeration and filtration method treat tributing reservoir. ment but thought that a direct con In April, 1877, William B. Sherman nection with Little Quitacus pond was elected superintendent and dur might result in obtaining better ing his administration many improve water. ments were made. The consumption was now fast out During that year the reinforcing growing the capacity of this reservoir main of 1872 was continued in Ash. and the board knew that more water Bedford, Borden and Grinnell streets must soon be obtained. to Water street. The next year the city came very In the early 70's the water board near facing a water famine. It was adopted the policy of maintaining the the closest call we ever had when in Acushnet storing reservoir at a re October the reservoir level allowed a duced level in the early part of each nepth of less than three feet to en year, hoping thereby to diminish the ter the conduit. periods of objectionable tasting water. A hurried connection was made This nearly resulted in a water famine with Little Quittacus pond. After in November. 1877, when the reservoir that supply had been provided it was level settled to 68 Inches below high possible to maintain the reservoir water. This caused much anxiety and level near that of high water through it was deemed wise to move in the out the summer. It also improved the direction of obtaining additional color and the periods of bud taste water from either Long or Utile were of less intensity and not as fre Quittacus ponds. quent. This reservoir was abandoned During the winter of 1877-78 Mr. for regular use on July 10, 1899. Sherman made extensive surveys to One point should be emphasized, locate possible routes from both the storing reservoir water was a ponds. pure, safe and healthy water, even in Upon April 13, 1878, the General the days when its taste was unpleas Court passed an Act authorizing the ant. At such times those in charge City of New Bedford, the use of fairly earned their honor by the pa water from either pond under certain tience which they exercised in listen restrictions. ing to the complaints that came from On August 1. 1878 the city council every direction. The people were very authorized the water board to use its restive under the annoyance that it discretion in the selection of ponds, was impossible to avoid, and the as and to take water therefrom when surance of the highest authorities ever they deem it expedient. that theie was nothing harmful or On November 12, 1878 the water noxious in the water did little to board voted in favor of Long pond as ward removing their impatience. Dur the source of supply. Mr. Sherman's ing the worst epidemic it was my cus plans called for an open canal con tom to have a tank of stiff lemonade necting Long pond with the head mixed each morning and placed in waters of the Acushnet river. The DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. 17 water level of Long pond is ten feet time was the Wamsutta, which had higher than that in the storing reser its own water supply from Rodman's voir. There was to be a controlling pond, so they were not likely to re gate house at its entrance at Long quire large amounts from the city pond. Estimates of cost were pre mains. It was impossible to fore pared. Plans were made and all cast the future of the green fields and necessary documents filed. The re still pastures which then existed in quired land was taken and settlements every direction at the extremities of were made with the owners thereof, the city, and no one suspected the and all preliminary work was com the tremendous textile activity which pleted. This action left the work in came later. The Potomska mills condition to be taken up and com came during the 70's for which the pleted at any time when the water supply was adequate. board considered it expedient. Noth By 1880 the city had gained over ing further was ever done. The G000 in its population and both the city's rights here still exist. Wamsutta and Potomska had built In 1878-79 a new boiler house and additional mills. Conditions rapidly coal shed were erected at the Pur changed in 1882 with the construc chase street pumping station, replac tion of the Acushnet, Grinnell and ing smaller structures which were de Oneko mills. Let me say right here molished, and two new boilers were that New Bedford differs from other installed. large mill centres in this respect. Fall In 1879 James H. Hathaway was River factories draw upon Watuppa elected city treasurer in place of lake; Lowell, I>awrence and Man James B. Congdon, who declined a chester upon the Merrimac river, re-election on ccount of ill health: a Holyoke upon the Connecticut river, little later Mr. Hathaway was elected and the public water supplies of water registrar. Mr. Congdon hud those cities supply only a small pro been identified with the works from portion of the manufacturing water. its very beginning. The mills of New Bedford have no William B. Sherman resigned as auxiliary fresh water supply, so every superintendent and clerk of the drop must be obtained from the city hoard on June 9, 1881 and R. C. P. mains. In 1882 the water board was Coggeshall was elected to fill the va confronted with four strong petitions cancies. from different sections of the city In providing a distributing sys at the same time. The drop in pres sure and lack of supply was proving tem, it is a recognized practice a serious impediment to the new en among hydraulic engineers that the terprises. The water board well largest takers (manufacturing and knew that to provide satisfactory de fire protection) should determine the liveries required more than the mere size of the distributing mains. The enlargement of certain pipes. The domestic draught in any given area, maximum daily consumption was say a quarter of a mile square, is but hovering around 4,000,000 gallons. a small fraction of the possible man There was only one pump (McAlpine) ufacturing or fire draught. The do to provide this supply and that was mestic draught is distributed with becoming worn after thirteen years' approximate uniformity over its en service. More pumping facilities tire area. Pipes for domestic supply were badly needed. A special ap alone might start with main arteries propriation by the city council en and taper down to small veins at the abled the water board by 1886 to extremity of the area. Manufactur place the pumping capacity upon a ing and fire protection often demand more reliable basis than had hitherto all the water a system can supply at existed. This work consisted in pro one point, and this point may happen viding new pump wells; new connec to be anywhere. It is in one case tions with the receiving reservoir; an distribution and In the other concen addition to the engine house; a new tration. In planning works it is of five million Worthington pump; a the utmost importance to be able to new force main to the Mount Pleas concentrate the full supply at the ant distributing reservoir and the be point where It is likely to be needed. ginnings of a twenty-inch reinforcing When the water commissioners main which in a few years continued constructed the works they provided through State, Pleasant. William and a distributing system for the city as Sixth streets to Grinnell street. From it then existed with its 21,000 inhabi that time to the present, more or less tants. They did not provide for con of larger sized pipe has been laid centration at the extremities for the each year, replacing the small mains reason that nothing was then In ex of earlier days, especially the wrought istence that warranted their so doing. iron cement lined pipe. A great deal The only large mill in the city at that of this work has been required to 18 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. provide the concentration ability It was perhaps fortunate that so needed by the new mills that have many defects in the orignal system appeared during the last thirty years. appeared at the same time, otherwise The energetic members of the water the board would have probably yield board of these days were George R. ed to the great temptation to patch Stetson, Williajn N. Church and David up the old system. B. Kempton. For many weeks much As they came to appreciate these uf their time was required and free many shortcomings they decided to ly given and the work was faith submit the whole question to experts fully executed. for study and recommendations. The consumption of the summer of .Messrs. George E. Kice and George 1886, as has already been stated, was E. Evans were employed to do this beyond the capacity of the storing work, which occupied several weeks. reservior to supply. The water level They finally submitted an elaborate by October had droppped over seven report in which every nhase of the feet and the city with all its new question was considered and discussed. industries was facing a problem. A They presented alternative plans, in quick connection was made with cluding the possibilities of patching Little Quittacas pond by cleaning out up the old system with the addition of what was known as the Dry Swamp a separate system for high service Ditch. This ditch is said to have supply: bu>: in the end they strongly been dug by Ansel White about 1830 recommended the adoption of an en in an attempt to obtain more water tirely new plan which later was ac for his mill pond. It had not been in cepted and constructed. use for many years and had complete It is not the purpose of the writer ly filled up with vegetable decay. to enter into the history of the "Fur After this connection had been com ther Supply" at this time. That will pleted it was possible to maintain a be left for consideration in a later well filled storing reservoir through paper. out the summer months for many The worn-out Aeushnet plant con years. tinued to supply the city during the On March 24, 1887 the Massachu period of the "Further Supply" con setts general court passed an act en struction. On three occasions its ca abling the city to use the water of pacity wis taxed to its utmost limit Little Quittacus Pond. proving to the satisfaction of the wa ter board that the construction of the new supply had been begun none too soon. In 1890 a new chimney and a large The transfer of supply from the addition to coal shed was constructed old to the new system was made at at the Purchase Street Pumping Sta 6 o'clock on the morning of July 10, tion. 1899. In 1892 a "Belpalre" type of boiler Since its abandonment, the old sys replaced two boilers which were tem has been held intact as a reserve worn out. The old chimney was re supply. Its pumps have since been moved and a meterological observa occasionally operated allowing certain tory was erected upon the location. repairs to be made. Should occasion In 1893 it was necessary to deepen require it is possible to pump a por and enlarge the dry swamp ditch. tion of the daily supply through these We have now arrived at a critical pumps. point in the history of the Aeushnet The growth of a city is always in supply. The population has passed timately connected with its water the 55,000 mark. The city is spread supply. It does not require many ing out in every direction. Building years for a city to outgrow a well has invaded large areas of high ele conceived plan. The early water vation to supply which will require commissioners thought that they had the construction of a high service planned for at least fifty, and prob system. The amber colored water of ably for 75 years. The plant lasted the Aeushnet supply with its marked just thirty years. Exactly the same periods of disagreeable taste and odor length of time that the original Co- is a source of criticism. The conduit ehituate aqueduct unaided continued must at times l>c strained to its ut to supply Boston. The original Cro- most capacity to satisfy the consump ton aqueduct of New York lasted 4 2 tion; the capacity of the Mount years but was badly strained in the Pleasant reservoir is not equal to latter part of its career. Thus we modern requirements. An increased see that our early commissioners were pressure for fire protection purposes fully as far seeing as those in charge has become very necessary. In short of similar affairs in larger cities. the Aeushnet suppiy is now worn out The board of water commissioners and in many respects outgrown. bad a hard time of it during the con DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPl'MES. 1!) atruction period. The disposition of upon our citizens and corporations, ir the owners of land required was to respective of their use of the water. hold same at prices far in advance Those who have no benefit contri of its real value. This made it dif bute toward the payment of this in ficult to effect settlements. They terest equally with those who enjoy were the targets of criticism and rid them. icule and on one occasion an individ The consumption of water in New ual advertised and gave a ridiculous Bedford is now so extensive that if lecture in Liberty hall upon "The the moderate charges made in other Rise and Fall of the Mighty Water New England cities were established Works of New Bedford." At the here, it would enable this department time of the construction of the fur to bo self-sustaining." ther supply 18114-98 Mr. Kempton Later he expressed the opinion that was a member of the board. He had the manufacturing interests should the satisfaction of being one of the have the benefit of the income of the construction agents of both works. Sylvia Ann Howland fund. The water board of the late itO's Mr. Crapo's words attracted much were often severely criticised and Mr. attention. The water ordinance re Kempton often referred to the days quired a revision of the water rates in when the original commission was 1 877. On May 3rd of that year the under lire and would say: "I have an city council established rates In which impression that 25 years from now no important change was made from there will be as little criticism of the those heretofore in force. work in which we are now engaged On May 1st, 1878, the water board and that there will be just as much sent a communication to the city commendation bestowed upon this council strongly recommending a re board, as is now freely given to Wil vision of the rates in the direction of liam W. Crapo, Warren Ladd and placing the department upon a self- David B. Kempton for their service of sustaining basis. The charges recom 25 years ago." mended were placed at about the From the date of the introduction same figure as obtained in other New of water in 1869 to the present time England cities. Metered water was no one subject has been the theme placed at thirty cents per thousand of more controversy than that of gallons. This measure was killed by water rates. the city council. Ihe first schedule was passed by Beginning at this time and continu the city council on January 1, 1870. ing for many years, the question of This list Has based upon figures water rates was a veritable fire-brand similar to those adopted in other wa for violent controversy between three ter departments throughout the state. factors, viz.: free water advocates, The first faucet was placed at $5 and those who desired no change, and the maximum charge for one family those who wished to see a self-sus was m. For manufacturing purposes taining department. the charge was 15 cents per thousand Early in the year 1883 the city gallons. council requested the water board to These charges were deemed exces prepare a revised tariff of rates and sive by many and agitation resulted submit same with recommendations in a reduction of fifty per cent in all that they be adopted as an ordi flat rates, while the manufacturing nance. This was done but its passage rate was placed at 2 cents per was defeated by the city council. thousand gallons. This revision took Exactly the same thing was repeat effect July 1. 1872. ed in 1884 and again in 1885 when The Sylvia Ann Howland bequest the agitation was the most bitter had its influence in determining the struggle of the many attempts to re low manufacturing rate. vise the rates. This was largely caused In 1875, Mr. Crapo, who was about by an attempt to obtain a legislative to begin his congressional career, sent bill authorizing the city of New Bed a letter to Mayor Abraham H. How- ford "to create from its rccipts from land, Jr., resigning his membership the price of the rent of water, a sink in the water board. In that letter he ing fund for the payment at matur reviews the past activities of the board ity, of the water bonds of said city and expressed himself in sympathy now outstanding." with a readjustment of the water An increase in water rates would rates. I quote a few paragraphs: "The have been required to meet this con water rates as now established, pay dition. When this was realized public the expenses of maintaining and oper meetings in protest to this bill were ating the works, but reimburse a por held and the discussions were long tion only of the yearly interest paid and varied. I remember two iteais that on the water bonds. The deficiency is were humorous but convincing. One met by general taxation, which falls citizen declared that water should be 20 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES.

free as the air we breathe, whereupon Councilmen, Cornelius Howland. Benjamin Reed of the Standard force Frederick S. Allen, John H. Perry, replied, "So it is out in the Ansel George R. Taber. White pond. It is your privilege to 1862 go there and take it by the pailful, Aldermen, Warren Ladd, William and brinjr it home, but I suspect that H. Reynard. Councilmen, George by the time your wife asked for the Howland, Jr., Edward T. Taber, J. A. second pailful you would be willing Brownell, Charles M. Pierce, Jr. to pay a good price for a faucet in 1863 your house rather than repeat the Aldermen, Warren I.m.M, John H. journey." Perry. Councilmen, Charles H. Taber, Another reply was to this effect, Caleb Hammond, Elijah H. Chisholm. "It is true that the air is free to all, George F. Kingman, Charles H. Gif- but how free would air be if you had ford. to bring it seven miles underground 1864 in a pipe and then pump it into a Mayor, George Howland, Jr. Alder reservoir." men, Warren Ladd, Eben Perry. Councilmen. William G. Taber. L. M. • The measure was again killed and Kollock, George F. Kingman, J. P. water rates were not considered again Knowles, Jr. for twenty years. 1865 Meanwhile a large number of care Aldermen, Warren Ladd, Joseph ful water takers had discovered that Knowles, Cornelius Howland. Coun by proper care a saving over the fix cilmen, Charles H. Gifford, David B. ture rate could be effected by the use Kempton, John W. Macomber. Elijah of meters. They passed the word H. Chisholm, Caleb Hammond. along and the sentiment in favor of 1866 metered supply was soon in ascen Aldermen, George G. Gifford. dency. Thus the interest in fixture George F. Kingman. Councilmen. charges was passing in favor of the Andrew G. Pierce, John W. Macom policy of one unit price to all. As ber, John P. Knowles, 2nd. long as the manufacturer was charged 1867 2% cents per thousand gallons there Aldermen, George G. Gifford, was more or less discontent among George F. Kingman. Councilmen. those who were obliged to pay the Andrew G. Pierce, Horatio Hath fifteen cent rate, but when the manu away, William Gordon, Jr. facturing rate was by the ordinance 1868 of 1905 placed at the same figure, Mayor, Andrew G. Pierce. Alder while not pleasing to the manufact men, George H. Dunbar. Elijah H. urer it proved satisfactory to all Chisholm. Councilmen, Horatio others. The manufacturers in turn Hathaway, William Gordon, Jr., John were discontented when by ordinance W. Macomber. of 1906 a five cent rate was allowed 1869 to one mill. The agitation which fol Mayor, Andrew G. Pierce. Alder lowed resulted in the ordinance of men, Joseph H. Cornell, Elijah H. 1908, which repealed the Ave cent Chisholm. Councilmen, Horatio rate and placed all manufacturing Hathaway, James C. Hitch, John II. rates at 10 cents per thousand gal Mackie. lons, where it now remains. The or 1S70 dinance of 1909 provided for the Aldermen. George G. Gifford. Isaaac metering of all supplies, the abolish C. Sherman. Councilmen. John H. ment of fixture rates automatically Mackie, James C. Hitch, William T. with the installation of meters. All Soule. supplies in this city are now measured 1871 through about 14,000 meters. Aldermen, George G. Gifford, Sam The joint committees of the City uel C. Hart. Councilmen, John H. Council upon Water Works and Mackie, William H. Sherman, Abram Water Supply from the beginning T. Eddy. have been: 1872 18G0 Aldermen, William Bosworth, Sam Aldermen, John Hunt, Nathan uel C. Hart. Councilmen, Charles M. Lewis. William H. Reynard. Council- Pierce, Jr., Joseph G. Dean, Loum men, Frederick S. Allen, Eben Perry, Snow. Jr. Edmund Anthony, Nathan E. Ham- 1873 mett. Aldermen, Frederick S. Allen. An 1861 drew G. Pierce. Councilmen, James Mayor, Isaac C. Taber. Aldermen, H. C. Richmond, William J. Norton, Nathan Lewis, William H. Reynard. Samuel Dammon. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. 21

1874 Stephen D. Pierce, Frank E. Sawin, Aldermen, Joseph R. Read, William James W. Kane. J. Kilburn. Councilmen, Augustus 1S88 Swift, Hiram W. Wentworth, John H. Aldermen, Stephen A. Brownell, Rounds. Wendell H. Cobb. Councilmen, 1875 James W. Kane, Andrew G. Pierce, Aldermen, James D. Thompson, Jr., William N. Church, Jr. George R. Stetson. Councilmen, Wil 1889 liam A. Beard, Rufus A. Soule, George Aldermen, Edward T. Pierce, James H. Freeman. Delano. Councilmen, John J. How- 1876 land, Andrew G. Pierce, Jr., William Aldermen, Jonathan C. Hawes, N. Church, Jr. George R. Stetson. Councilmen, John 1890 P. Taylor, Lemuel T. Terry, John Aldermen, Charles F. Shaw, James Wing. Delano. Councilmen, Eliot D. Stetson, 1877 William A. Church, George W. Parker. Aldermen, George Howland, Jr., 1891 Henry T. Wood. Councilmen, Aldermen, Wendell H. Cobb, Charles W Coggeshall, Benjamin Stephen H. Brownell. Councilmen, Dawson, John E. Murphy. George W. Parker, Martin P. Fichten- 1878 mayer. Isaac L. Ashley. Aldermen, John Hastings, Shear- 1892 jashub T. Vlall. Councilmen, Albert Aldermen, William H. Rankin, G. Stanton, Walter Clifford, Francis Stephen H. Brownell. Councilmen, C. Terry. Stephen B. Wilbur, Charles T. Luce, 1879 James Slater. Aldermen, Otis A. Sisson, William 1893 H. Sherman. Councilmen, Morgan Aldermen, Oliver W. Cobb, George Rotch, Simeon Hawes, Loura H. F. Brightman. Councilmen, William Faunce. T. Taylor, Edward G. Reynolds, Mar 1880 tin H. Sullivan. Aldermen, John Wing, John Mc- 1894 Cullough. Councilmen, Morgan Aldermen. George F. Brightman. Rotch, Ezekiel C. Gardner, Loum H, Arthur E. Perry. Councilmen, Harry Faunce. B. Wood, Henry T. Ashley, Lewis E. 1881 Milliken. Aldermen. James E. Stanton, Isaac 1895 N. Marshall. Councilmen, Hiram B. Aldermen, John H. Barrows, Wil Coffin, John A. Russell, Philip C. liam R. West. Councilmen, Harry B. Tripp. Wood. Charles H. L. Delano, James C. 1882 Piatt. Aldermen, Thomas Donaghy, Dana 1896 B. Humphrey. Councilmen, Phineas Aldermen, John H. Barrows, J. Ar White, Henry Howard, William E. thur Taylor. Councilmen, Edward G. Clarke. Reynolds, John D. Wilson, Henry T. 1883 Ashley. Aldermen, Stephen W. Hayes, 1897 James C. Stafford. Councilmen, Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, Samuel Henry Howard, William E. Clarke, C. Hunt. Councilmen, Joseph Magnant, Orlando F. Bly. Frank A. Habicht. William Bamford. 1884 1898 Aldermen, Andrew B. Hathaway, Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, Charles John P. Taylor. Councilmen, Orlando IT. Brownell. Councilmen, Joseph H. F. Bly, Frederick Swift, Thomas Sullivan, Ernest Findelsen, Abbott P. Boardman. Smith. 1886 1899 Aldermen, Edward T. Pierce, Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, Charles Wendell H. Cobb. Councilmen, Wil H. Brownell. Councilmen, Ernest liam A. Church, Arthur E. Perry, Findelsen, Joseph H. Sullivan, Weston Robert Snow. C. Vaughan, Jr. 1886 1900 Aldermen, Edward T. Pierce, Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, Charles Wendell H. Cobb. Councilmen, Wil H. Brownell. Councilmen, Ernest liam A. Church, Robert Snow, John F. Findelsen, Robert S. Gorham, John Canny. Hannigan. 1887 1901 Aldermen, Edward T. Pierce, Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, Charle9 Wendell H. Cobb. Councilmen, H. Brownell. Councilmen, Patrick H. 2'2 DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES.

Reardon, Robert S. Gorham, Robert 1915 L. Baylies. Aldermen, Mortimer McCarty, Ed 1902 ward L. Cronln. Councilmen, George Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, Charles D. Lacroix. John H. Hollihan, Robert H. Rrownell. Councilmen, Robert L. Burke. Baylies, Patrick H. Reardon, Stanis The Water Board consists of the laus J. Desautel. Mayor and President of Common 1903 Council, ex-offlclo, and three members Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, Charles elected at large. The board was des H. Rrownell. Councilmen, Joseph II. ignated as the "Acushnet Water Handford, John V. Thuot, Abbott P. Board" from its creation in 1869 to Smith. 1882 inclusive. Since 1882 it has been 1904 named "The New Bedford Water Aldermen, Henry P. Jenney, John Board." The following have been its Hannigan. Councilmen, Joseph H. members: Handford, John V, Thuot, Lewis E. Mllliken. MAYORS AND PRESIDENTS OF 1905 WATER BOARD. Aldermen, Charles II. Adams; Fred Andrew G. Pierce — 1869. erick A. Dammon. Councilmen, Sam George B. Richmond — 1870. 1871, uel Whitlow, George J. Allen, Charles 1.872, 1874. 1878. S. Ricketson. George H. Dunbar — 1873. 190C Abraham H. Howland, Jr. — 1875, Aldermen, Ernest A. Dionne, Fred 1S76. erick A. Dammon. Councilmen, Hen Alanson Borden — 1877. ry J. Gurl, Charles A. McAvoy, Wil William T. Soule — 1879, 18S0. liam K. Lees. George Wilson — 1881. 1882, 1883. 1907 1884. Aldermen. Samuel Higham, Joseph Morgan Rotch — 1885, 1886. 1887. Chausse. Councilmen, Joseph R. Glen- 1888. non, J, Ernest Dionne, John Halli- Walter Clifford — 1889, 1890. well. Charles S. Ashlev — 1891. 1892, 1908 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900, 1901, 1902, Aldermen, Francis P. Washburn, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1907, 1910. 1911, Joseph Chausse. Councilmen, Joseph 1912, 1913, 1914. Morency, Samuel T. Rex, Clarence II. Jethro C. Brock — 1893. Rrownell. Stephen A. Brownell — 1894. 1909 David L. Parker — 1895, 1896. Aldermen. Samuel F. Winsper, Thomas Thompson — 1 906. Joseph Chausse. Councilmen, William William J. Bullock — 1908, 1909. Burke. Stephen D. Perry, George C. Edward R. Hathaway — 1915. Hatch, Jr. 1910 Aldermen, John Hannigan, Joseph PRESIDENTS OF THE COMMON R. Glennon. Councilmen, Samuel A, COUNCIL. Percy, Henry F. Woodward, James Horatio Hathaway — 1869. Cawley. Charles M. Pierce, Jr. — 1870, 1871. 1911 Henry F. Thomas — 1872, 1873. Aldermen, John Hannigan, Joseph Rufus A. Soule — 1874. Chausse. Councilmen, Samuel A. Edwin Dews — 1875, 1876. Percy, Henry E. Woodward, Daniel J. William H. Matthews) — 1S77. Sullivan. Thomas R. Rodman — 1878. 1912 Robert W. Taber — 1879, 1880. Aldermen. John Hannigan, John F. Isaac R. Tompkins, Jr. — 1881, 1882, Hatch, Jr. Councilmen, Hubert S. 1883, 1884. Kelleher. Samuel A. Percy, Henry F. Edmund Wood — 1885, 18S6. Woodward. William A. Church — 1887. 1906. Stephen D. Pierce — 1888. 1913 William A. Tucker, 1889, 1890. Aldermen, William K. Lees, Aldege Joseph Dawson — -1891. Chausse. Councilmen, Robert Burke, William G. Kirschbaum — 1892. Wanton II. S. Beauvais, Joseph H. Samuel C. Hart— 1893. Fernandes. John A. Barrows — -1894. 1914 Oliver Prescott, Jr. — 1895. Aldermen, Aldege Chausse, William Arthur L. Blackmer — 1896. K. Lees. Councilmen, George D. La- George P. Bailey— 1897. croix, Alfred Leveille, Samuel A. Stephen A. Brownell — 1898. Percy. John L. G. Mason — 1899, 1900, 1901. DEVELOPMENT OF NEW BEDFORD WATER SUPPLIES. 2)

Samuel Higham — 1902, 1903. 1904, Thomas W. Cook — 1S77, 1878, 1 879, 1905. 1880. Francis P. Washburn — 1907. George R. Stetson — 1880, 1881, Patrick Loftus — 1908. 1882, 1S83, 1884, 1885. J. Ernest Dionne — 1909. William N. Church — 1881, 1882, D. Herbert Cook — 1910. 1911. 1SS3, 1884, 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888. Frederick H. Taber — 1912. 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893. Richard Knowles — 1913. Henry Howard — 1885, 1886. 1S87, Henry K. Woodward — 1914. 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892, 1893, James F. Collins — 1915. 1894. Edmund Wood — 1893, 1894. 1895, 1896. 1897, 1898, 1899. Thomas B. Tripp — 1894, 1895, 1896, MEMBERS AT LARGE. 1897, 1898, 1899, 1900. Will. am W. Crapo — 1869. 1870, Robert W. Taber — 1898, 1899, 1900, 1871. 1872, 1873, 1874. 1875. 1901, 1902, 1903, 1904 Warren Ladd — 1869. 1870. 1871, Samuel C. Hunt — 1899, 1900, 1901, 1872. 1902, 1903. David B. Kempton — 1869, 1 870, Zephaniah W. Peast — 1 900. 1901, 1871, 1 880, 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1902, 1903. 1904, 1905, 1906. 1885, 1886, 1887, 18S8, 1889, 1890. George H. Hedge — 1 903, 1904. 1891, 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, Lettiee U. Washburn — 1904, 1905, 1897, 1898. 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, George Howland, Jr. — 1871, 1872, 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915. 1873, 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877. William E. Smith — 1904, 1905, Henry J. Taylor — 1 872. 1 873, 1874. 1906, 1907, 1908, 1909, 1910. Frederick S. Allen — 187 1. 1875. William 11. Pitman — 1906, 1907. Thomas Bennett, Jr. — 1875, 1876, 1908, 1909, 1910, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1877, 1878, 1S79, 1880, 1881. 1914, 1915. Henry F. Thomas— 1875, 1876, 1877, Francis P. Washburn — 1910, 1911, 1878, 1879, 1880. 1912, 1913, 1914, 1915.

PURCHASE STREET PUMPING STATION, Showing Development Between 1870 and 1899.