REPORT OF BOARD OF CACHE RIVER DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS
1905
COMMISSIONERS. W. A. Wall of Mound City, Ill., Chairman, Andrew Davisson, Metropolis, Ill.. Hugh H. Copher, Marion, Ill.
Illinois Printing Company Danville, Illinois 1905 CACHE RIVER DRAINAGE COMMISSION. W. A. Wall, Mound City, 111., Chairman, Andrew Davisson, Metropolis, 111., Commissioner, Hugh H. Copher, Marion, 111., Commissioner, Chas. M. Gaunt, Mound City, 111., Clerk. Arthur H. Bell, Bloomington, 111., Chief Engineer, William N. Moyers, Mound City, 111., first assistant engineer, J. G. Hare, Bloomington, 111., second assistant engineer, John H. Sharp, Simpson, 111., special assistant engineer, William Martin, Metropolis, 111., special assistant engineer, James B. Wall, Mound City, 111., teamster, W. W. Browner, Villa Ridge, 111., chainman, D. W. Tarr, Mound City, 111., chainman, Thomas Hooppaw, Pulaski, 111., axeman, Frank Bernard, Cypress, 111., axeman, Barton Hale, Grand Chain, 111., cook. REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS, 1905.
The history of the Cache River Drainage Proposition dates back a great many years. Under the Swamp Land Act of Congress, many thousand acres of low lands fell to Pope, Massac, Pulaski and Alexander Counties. With the proceeds of the sale thereof some efforts were made at drainage, but, owing to the great extent of the territory affected, and the lack of concerted action and well-directed effort, little immediate bene fits and no permanent benefits were effected by the expenditures. This was back in the '50's or '60's wlien fine unimproved ridge lands were abundant and cheap. Swamp lands were passed at twenty-five cents an acre. Nothing remains now to tell of those early efforts at drainage but the records, a few choked-up ditches and the recollec tions of the "oldest settlers. " As early as the '70's or '80's some Chicago capitalists became in terested in the swamp lands in the vicinity of Belknap and Post Creek. Under their direction, a survey of the Post Creek Cut-off was made to ascertain if that route were feasible as an outlet for the waters of the Cache Basin. For some reason the scheme was abandoned and nothing came of the project. Other private surveys have been made of some small sections and some local drainage has been at tempted. Four drainage districts of small area, three in Pulaski and one in Johnson, have been organized under the Farm Drainage Act of the State; but owing to the lack of sufficient speedy outlet for the water as a whole all these efforts at drainage have met with only partial success. Some prominent citizens and land-owners, realizing that a survey of the entire Cache system was of first importance, have, from time to time, within the last twenty years, agitated the question of private subscriptions to pay for such survey, but without success. These same citizens, together with those of all other classes, have kept the crying need of State aid in this matter constantly before our members of the Legislature. Responding to this demand, Trousdale of Massac tried to get a bill before the Fortieth General Assembly, and Martin of Pulaski again before the Forty-first, both without suc cess. Hon. Chas. M. Gaunt, member of the House of Representatives from Pulaski, in the Forty-third General Assembly secured the passage of the following: 2 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER
An Act creating a -commission consisting of three persons to be appointed by the Governor of the State, whose duty it shall be to employ a competent engineer or engineers to ascertain the cost of straightening and dredging Cache River and make appropriation therefor. WHEREAS, A large area of land is overflowed by the waters of Cache River, to-wit: 250,000 acres or more, lying along the course of said river, which flows through the counties of Alexander, Pulaski, Massac, Johnson and Union; and, WHEREAS, This vast area of land is overflowed by the waters of said Cache River and its tributaries six to eight months of the year, there by cousing the land to be worthless, making it impossible to clear and till said land; and, WHEREAS, The waters of said Cache River, during the wet period of the year, leave the bants of said river and its tributaries, and cause destruction of roads in the low lands adjacent thereto; and WHEREAS, Said back waters stand for the greater part -of the sum mer season in sloughs and ponds and become stagnant and injurious to the health of the inhabitants of said territory and vicinity; and, WHEREAS, The dredging and straightening of the channel of said Cache River would confine the waters of said river to its banks and thereby drain and reclain the large area of lands above described as being overflowed by back-waters from said river, making said lands, which are practically worthless, valuable and desirable property, cheapening the costs of maintaining the roads of the counties through which said river flows, and immeasurably benefiting the sanitary con dition of said territory. The successful accomplishment of the work proposed will add to the wealth and taxable property of southern Illinois ten million dollars valuation, and open a new field for the in vestment of capital and the development of one of the most fertile sections of our great State. Therefore, for the purpose of making estimate of the cost of straight ening and dredging said Cache River, SECTION 1.' Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois repre sented in the General Assembly: That it shah be the duty of the Gov ernor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to appoint three persons, residents of this State, who shall constitute a Board of Cache River Drainage Commissioners, who shall hold their office for a term of two years and who shall receive a salary of $500 per annum. SEC. 2. It shall be the duty of said commissioners so appointed, to secure a sufficient corps of competent engineers to survey said river and make a plat of same together with the territory affected and ascertain and make an estimate of the cost of straightening and dredg ing said river, so as to confine its waters within its banks at all seasons of the year and thereby reclaim said territory for agricultural and sanitary purposes. SEC. 3. That, to carry out the provisions of this act, there be and is hereby appropriated the sum of $10,000 which shall be used by said DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 3 commissioners who shall have authority to draw upon the State Treas urer from any appropriation made, in pursuance of the purposes of this bill, as the same may be required to defray expenses incurred, and who shall report to the Governor of the State all and singular, the items of such expenditures, together with the business transacted under their commission, such report to be made on or before the com mencement of each fiscal year. APPROVED May 16, 1903. In pursuance of this act, Governor Yates appointed the following named persons as members of this Commission on the eighteenth day of August, 1903: W. A. Wall, Mound City, Illinois, Andrew Davis- son, Metropolis, Illinois and H. H. Copher, Marion, Illinois. On the twenty-second day of August, 1903, the Commission met at the courthouse in Mound City,. Illinois, and organized, and elected W. A. Wall as chairman, Hon. C. M. Gaunt of Mound City, Illinois, clerk. On the sixteenth day of September, 1903, Mr. Arthur H. Bell, a civil engineer of Bloomington, Illinois, was employed as chief en gineer at a salary of $15.00 per day to make the survey contemplated by this act. Mr. Bell is a graduate of a Philadelphia school of engineering, was one of the promoters and the first president of the Illinois Society of Engineers and Surveyors, and is now city engineer of Bloomington, and county surveyor of McLean County, Illinois, and has had large experience as a drainage engineer where large territories were affected. On the twenty-eighth day of September, 1903, Mr. Bell with his assistants began the field work. The engineers were furnished with all needed assistance. Two chainmen, one of whom acted as rodman, the other as flagman; two axemen; a teamster, with team and wagon, and a cook. The party was furnished by the Commission with tents and complete camping equipment. The camps were located near Mound City, in Pulaski County; at Unity and at Tamms, in Alexander County; at Ullin, in Pulaski County; at Belknap and at West Vienna, in Johnson County, and at Riley Hindman's in Union County (the latter being a farmer, stockraiser and capitalist and who furnished the engineers and their help with a comfortable building during the cold weather in December, REPORT OF CHIEF ENGINEER! CACHE RIVER DRAINAGE COMMISSION. NOVEMBER 28, 1904. To the HONORABLE W. A. WALL, ANDREW DAVISSON, H. H. COPHER, Gentlemen.—Having been employed by you to make the necessary surveys, plans and profiles, as provided by an act of the General As sembly to that effect, and said work being now completed, I have the pleasure of submitting my report upon the same. The survey was commenced on the twenty-eighth day of September, 1903, and was prosecuted at intervals since until the same was completed; the bulk of the work, however, being done in the fall of 1903. The present location of the channel of the Cache River was ascertained by run ning a meander of deflection survey of the same from its outlet on the Ohio River to what is known as the Old Saratoga Bridge near the village of Saratoga, and about eight miles northeast of Anna. In connection with this survey of the channel, levels were taken along the line both of the general surface and the bottom of the river there by giving data showing the relative fall of the ground and the river throughout the entire length of the survey. Cross-sections of the river were also taken at various points; also cross-sections of the bot tom land adjacent to the river were taken which will show the extent and lay of the land at those points. Surveys and observations were made to ascertain the lay and the extent of the exterior boundaries of the bottom land adjacent to the river, thereby enabling us to approxi mate its area. We have endeavored so far as possible to ascertain its character, conditions, present and prospective, and report to your honorable body what means and methods can best be employed for its future development and improvement. The survey of the river was conclued as specified near the village of Saratoga in Union County from the fact that from there up the river the bottom land is quite narrow and limited in extent, and the fall is heavy * not justifying consideration from a drainage standpoint any further up the stream. The result of our work has been carefully, and we trust very ac curately, portrayed upon the various maps, plans, profiles and esti mates which are herewith submitted and referred to and made a part of this report. They will give in themselves a vast amount of de tailed information which I could not well and intelligently set up in this report. The entire survey of the river is platted on a scale of one thousand feet to the inch and on ten separate sheets of paper; and each sheet is numbered consecutively in the order of the survey, sheet No. 1, em bracing the lower end of the Cache and its outlet into the Ohio River. The maps give the location of the river and its relative fall, also vari ous topographical features, such as boundary line of bottom land, or land subject to overflow, railroads, towns, etc. There is also located thereon a new proposed route for the channel of the river in case it is determined to deepen and straighten the same. This is shown by means of a red line. The station numbers along the line of the survey are all given in red ink. The elevation of the surface of the DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 5 ground at the various points is given in green ink and that of the bot tom of the river in blue ink. Reduced scale: 3,500 feet to one inch. There is also another map drawn on a scale of four thousand feet to the inch that shows the entire survey of the river and gives a more comprehensive view of the situation at one glance. The ten sheets drawn on a scale of a thousand feet to the inch are intended ,to show the situation more in detail and for the working plans of the future. There is a continuous profile showing the contour of the land along the line of the survey. There is also a plat and profile of each of the pro posed "cut-offs," known as the Black Sta^gh and Post Creek "cut offs." Also estimates of cost accompanying each. In this connec tion I will add, it has been suggested upon various occasions that it might be practical to deliver the waters of the upper Cache and Black Slough into the Ohio river at points much above the present outlet of the Cache, thereby relieving the lower territory of this burden. To this effect a survey was made along the lowest land from the Cache River in the vicinity .of Belknap to the Ohio River at a point about one mile west of Joppa, in Massac County. A similar survey was also made from the Cache River directly south of Belknap to the Ohio River by way of the lowest land along the Post Creek bottom. The latter route is unquestionably the one to pursue, having every point of vantage over the former, besides being about $50,000.00 less expensive. The total length of this cut-off (Post Creek route) will be about 25,- 500 feet or four and eight-tenths miles, as against nine miles on the Black Slough route. Along the entire Post Creek route there is but about one mile of what might be termed heavy cutting, ranging from 16 to 41 feet maximum. The maximum cut of 41 feet as will be seen from the profile, only extends a short distance—probably 100 feet— when it falls off very rapidly in both directions. There is fixed upon the profile of this survey a grade line, commencing two feet below the bottom of the Cache River and having a uniform fall of two-tenths of a foot to the one thousand feet, or about one foot to the mile, all the way to the Ohio River. I have planned numerous dredge boat ditches of this character and fall, which give very satisfactory results. The dimensions of the ditch here proposed is to be thirty feet bot tom, having slopes on the sides of 1 to 1. Nineteen thousand (19,- 000) lineal feet of this ditch, where the cutting does not exceed six teen feet, I have estimated at ten cents per cubic yard. The balance 6,500 feet, is estimated at twenty cents per cubic yard, making a total of $95,325.00, which I regard as ample to defray all expenses of its construction. In this connection, I desire to say somewhat more con cerning the Post Creek cut-off for the waters of the Upper Cache Riv er and the Black Slough territory, being now quite familiar with the whole stiuation involving the development of the Cache River bot tom lands. This is to me the solution of the whole proposition, sub stantially, and as the only course to'pursue to arrive at the effective reclaiming of this vast body of land. The topography of the country is such that the waters of the Upper Cache and the Black Slough country can not be successfully taken care of along the line of the pres ent channel of the Cache River. Between the towns of Belknap and 6 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER Ullin there is but slight fall, while from Belknap up the Cache River the fall is quite heavy. The country around the Upper Cache region is hilly and precipitous, hence in times of freshets it precipitates im mense quantities of water into this lower and flat region which then becomes a reservoir. Could this sudden volume of water be delivered into the Ohio along the Post Creek Route it would relieve the whole situation. I feel that I can not put too much stress upon this impor tant feature of the matter in question. With this accomplished, a comparatively small channel, straightened and deepened, would take care of the Lower Cache (from Belknap down) and prevent its over flow from the waters of its natural watershed. Between Ullin and the Ohio River I know of no means to prevent its overflow from the Ohio in extreme high water of that river. But I am advised upon numer ous occasions by the natives and land-owners along the line that it is not the back-water from the Ohio River that imperils so vast a body of this bottom land, so much as the water from the Cache River. The latter is so long in coming down and comes so frequently that it keeps the bottom land overflowed and too wet for any practical use. The action of the Ohio River can be contemplated and figured upon, while the Cache is always an uncertain quantity. It is my opinion that the bottom land of the lower Cache between Ullin and the Ohio River would become available for agricultural purposes under all ordinary occasions if the proper means were provided to deliver the water of the Cache rapidly and uninterruptedly. I am fully convinced that even in this region the Cache River is causing more trouble than the back-water of the Ohio River. A careful inspection of the levels as given on the detail maps (Nos. 1 to 10) will make my statements some what more clear. In regard to my basis of levels on all this work, I endeavored to start out with the same datum plane as used by the Government along the Ohio' River. My start was made from a bench mark (reliable, as I believe) along the levy at Mound City. The levels were then carried down the Big Four railroad, Cairo and Danville division, to the mouth of the Cache River, the starting point of our survey. All levels are continuous and based upon the same datum plane. Hence water ele vations along the Ohio River can be referred to in this survey direct. It will not be necessary for me to go into detail extensively on the levels of this survey, as the plats show this better than I could in a report. Incidentally it may be stated that-while at places the fall is light, yet there is no place along the line of the Cache River but what there is sufficient fall to give good results in a new channel, such as would or could be constructed with a dredge boat. No grade line is fixed on the profile of the main Cache River survey, from the fact that it is only intended to show the contour of the surface, and in case work of construction was carried on, the ditch would have to be staked out, setting stakes every hundred feet and taking the levels thereat. After such survey the necessary profile would show the grade line. For general reference and consideration, the following synopsis of levels (surface) is given. DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 7 SURFACE ELEVATION. Mouth Cache River 19 20 Near Beech Ridge 40 70 Point east of Tamms 53 .24 At Ullin . ... 58 70 At Big Four Railroad south of Belknap 59 24 South line Township 13, Range 2 east 71.30 Point southwest of West Vienna. . . . 89 40 Old Saratoga Bridge, terminus of survey 153 02 It will be observed that there is very little fail between Ullin and Belknap. While this is true there is some perceptible current in the river, giving evidence that with a clear and straight channel the drainage would be effectual that way, that is, to take care of the water shed in that region but not to take the water from Upper Cache. This should be cut off by the Post Creek route as previously stated. Just here it might be well to speak of the general character of the present channel of the Cache River. A general inspection of the de tail map will give you the best impression of its alignment. While there are some stretches of comparatively straight channel (notice ably below Belknap), the greater part of the river is exceedingly crooked and winding in its meanders. To demonstrate this in a measure, the total distance we measured on the meander survey from the mouth of the Cache to the Old Saratoga Bridge was 98.2 miles; while the distance along the proposed ditch line (new channel, red dotted line) is 66.2 miles. This would shorten the distance the water has to travel by at least thirty-two miles. Possibly a careful re- connoissance on the ground might shorten it much more than this. But in plain words, it is very crooked and hence offers great resist ance to the flow of the water. There are other obstructions of a still more serious character. The stream is clogged with drift wood a greater portion of its way. In many places this amounts to absolute dams through which the water* can only trickle at a very slow pace. The stream varies in its cross-sectional area from 200 feet wide to about twelve feet in places. Below Belknap in what is known as the scatters the stream, the real channel, is scarcely to be defined, being divided up into scatters of ten and twelve feet cross:section and pos sibly two feet deep. Its depth also varies very materially, ranging from two to fifteen feet. TOPOGRAPHY. The nature of the soil in the bottom land is very similar to that found in most all river bottoms throughout the State. It is a rich, black, loam soil, no doubt exceedingly productive for agricultural purposes. It is pretty generally covered with timber, which, how ever, is being rapidly removed, owing to the great demand for almost any class of lumber. Classifying the entire growth of timber on the bottom lands o,n a basis of 100, the following is an estimate of the var ious varieties. Oak 10% Sycamore 4% Walnut 2% Gum 10% Birch 4% Cottonwood 2% Elm 8% Willow 2% Ironwood 1% Hickory 8% Sassafras ...'... 2% Wild Gherry 1% 8 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER Cypress 8% Mulberry 2% Crab-apple... 1% Beech 8% Persimmon .. .2% Papaw 1% Ash. 5% Catalpa 2% Haw : 1% Maple 5% Locust 2% Box Elder 1% Poplar 5% Pecan 2% Hackberry ... 1% The area and extent of the bottom lands adjacent and tributary to Cache River embraces some 90,680 acres of the richest land of the. State. Owing to the magnitude of the territory affected no combined effort has ever been made to re-claim this land from overflow and render it fit for agricultural purposes. There is one instance in the immediate vicinity of Belknap where an effort is now being made to levy out a small portion of land. This may prove successful so far as it goes, but in my judgment the levy would be of no avail in so< large a territory as is here affected. The dredge boat and the straight deep ditch is the only solution of the problem. I can see no 6bstacle in the way of its successful execution from an engineering standpoint. From experience in some fourteen other enterprises of a similar char acter, I have no doubt whatever concerning the practicability and feasibility of reclaiming this bottom land from overflow, save possibly that portion near the mouth of the Cache River and subject to over flow from the Ohio River, and even this area would be greatly bene fited by furnishing means for the waters to pass off immediately when the Ohio receded. That the benefits throughout would far ex ceed the cost, there can be no question. So far as my observation has extended the best land of Pulaski, Massac, Union and Johnson Coun ties lies in the bottoms of the Cache River and its tributaries, idle and undeveloped, save for the timber that is being harvested therefrom. This land that should be worth $100 per acre in the State of Illinois- has but little market value. All you need is dollars and cents and ex ecution directed in the proper channel. In a short time the condi tions would change. The benefits to * the individual land-owners, the community, the counties and the State at large would no doubt be greater than what at this time can be realized by the most sanguine. From a sanitary standpoint alone the benefits would be of great im port. The condition of affairs now existing in these bottom lands can not but be detrimental to the health of the community and of this your engineer had ample evidence while engaged in the work of the survey. RECOMMENDATIONS. For the reclaiming of the bottom lands tributary to the Cache Riv er, and to prevent overflow and give ample drainage, the following recommendations are submitted. Commencing at the Upper Cache region, I would suggest a dredge boat ditch to commence at Station, marked 1247 in section 14, township 12, south, range 1 east, on Detail Plat No. 10, and extending down Cache River along the red dotted line to Station No. 640 in the northeast quarter of section 8, township 14, range 3 east, in Detail Plat No. 6. Said ditch to have a bottom width of twenty feet, bank slopes of 1 to 1, and an average depth of ten feet. From said Station No. 640 to Station No. 594, in the northeast DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. • 9 quarter of section 14, township 14 south, range 2 east, on page six of Detail Map, I would recommend a ditch along the lines a there indi cated of the following dimensions: Bottom width, 30 feet; side slopes, 1 to 1; and an average depth of 10 feet. At this point (Station 594) the Post Creek cut-off enters the Cache, which I would recommend to- be constructed as shown upon the plan and profile herewith submitted. Commencing at Station 578, immediately west of the Big Four rail road and southwest of Belknap (page 6 of Detail Plats), I would re commend the construction of a dredge boat ditch from there on down to the mouth of the Cache at the Ohio River and along the general line indicated 6n the maps by red lines. The dimensions of said ditch to be as follows: Bottom width, 30 feet; side slopes, 1 to 1; average depth, 10 feet. If the Upper Cache is cut off at Station 594, no additional channel will be required between that point and the west side of the Big Four railroad at said Station 578. If the above re commendations were carried out, I am of the opinion that it would bring all this bottom land into suitable condition for agricultural purposes, and protect it from overflow. ESTIMATES. - The following estimates are submitted, wherein excavation is com puted at eight cents per cubic yard. That portion of the ditch as previously described between Stations 1247 and 640 (Upper Cache) $ 45,000 00 That portion between Stations 640 and 594 ... ;' 19, 733 00 Post Creek Cut-off 95 ,325 00 Station 578 to Station 0, Lower Cache, mouth of river . . 220,872.00 TOTAL COST ,- • ....$380,930 00 In the prosecution of the field work I have been ably assisted by Messrs. J. G. Har,e, as transit man, and W. N. Moyers, as level man, appointees of the Cache River Drainage Commission. In closing I desire to thank your Honorable Board for courtesies and assistance in the prosecution of this matter, which altogether has been an under taking of considerable magnitude. Respectfully submitted, A. H. BELL, Chief Engineer Cache River Drainage Commission. On January 18, 1905, the following supplementary report was pre sented which is self-explanatory. Also plats and profiles as shown elsewhere. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT. To the CACHE RIVER DRAINAGE COMMISSION. Gentlemen.—We, your Assistant Engineers, beg to submit the fol lowing report of a supplementary survey made of the Cache River tributary known as the Black Slough or the Pond, which tributary extends from Cache eastward entirely across Massac County and sev eral miles into Pope County through townships 14 south, ranges 3,4,, and 5 east. 10 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER We began work on the eleventh day of November, 1904, at the wagon bridge crossing the arm of the Black Slough known as the Hurricane, near the quarter corner between sections 22 and 27, town ship 14 south, range 3 east of the third principal meridian on line pre viously surveyed for Black Slough or Joppa cut-off. This point is sixty-five feet above low water at Cairo. We finished the field work on November 26, 1904, or in fifteen working days. The weather was dry and pleasant. The water, although it was the driest time of that year, there was a great deal of water in the ponds rendering it impossible at many points to cross them, thus hindering the most desirable work, it being necessary to keep on higher ground than we would have liked. DEVELOPMENTS. 1. This region is the continuation of the low level bottom extend ing from near Ullin to near Belknap, known as the scatters. Indeed, they are parts of one and the same basin. This basin is of an average width of three miles and is about thirty-three miles in length. It ex tends from the east side of section 2, township 14, range 5 east, in Pope County, entirely across the' north side of Massac County, and to the west side of section 16, township 14, range 1 west, in Pulaski County. It is of the same general character and level throughout, being a sys tem of ponds with low (usually sandy) ridges between them, with the difference of surface elevations of less than six inches to one mile. East of the range line between township 14, 3 east and 4 east, the ponds are divided into two groups, those to the north and those to the south with a pronounced ridge between. 2. This basin is cut-through and drained by the Bay Creek at the easterly end, and by Cache at the westerly. The general slope being toward the west, and the bottom of Bay Creek being higher than the bottom of the Cache River at Belknap, the overfllow water from the Bay finds an outlet through this Basin and the Cache. Also it is cer tain that at extreme high water, the back waters from the Ohio River have overflowed the Bay, and through this basin and Cache reached the Ohio again. These facts complicate the question of drainage for this basin and the lower Cache. 3. East of range 3, the tributaries from the north accumulate in the ponds north of the ridge, while those from the south accumulate in those to south of the ridge. This renders two main ditches neces sary through this section. RECOMMENDATIONS. We recommend: 1. That Bay Creek be so improved as to take care of its own wa ters, and that a levy be built to separate the waters of the two sys tems, Bay and Cache. 2. That one main ditch be constructed from Cache at the point where the Black Slough enters it southeastwardly to a point in section 25, township 14 south, range 3 east, near the range line, a distance of about six miles. (Shown in profiles No. 1, at Station 38.) DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 11 3. That a ditch (profiles Nos. 2 and 3) be constructed from Sta tion 38 to Station 217, on the south side of the ridge through the ba sin nine and a half miles long. 4. That a ditch (profile No. 4) be constructed from Station 38 to Station 28 (main line No. 2) five and seven-tenths miles long. Total length 21.2 miles for dredge boat work. Such ditches will accommo date all the waters properly belonging to this system. The soil throughout is of an open porous nature, no stones, no, hardpan, and the work should be done for the minimum cost. AREA BENEFITED. Without the means of exact information, we feel safely within the limits to state that the area directly affected by this drainage is 35,000 acres. More than 15,000 acres of this is at present drowned lands and is absolutely worthless in its present condition for agricul tural purposes. COSTS. • For estimates see profile. The 21.2 miles of ditch recommended equals 638,273 cubic yards. Mr. Bell, your Chief Engineer, estimates the same character of dirt, with the same depth, to cost ten cents per cubic yard which would equal $63,827.30 which equals $1.82 per acre. At seven cents per cubic yard, cost equals $44,679.11, which equals $1.28 per acre. NOTICE. These estimates and recommendations anticipate that the Joppa or Black Slough cut-off will not be made. Respectfully submitted, WM. MARTIN, Metropolis, 111., W. N. MOYERS, Mound City, 111., Assistant Engineers Cache River Drainage Commission. SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT No. 2. In regard to the reputed overflow of the waters from the Ohio River through Bay Creek into the Cache Basin, we offer the following fig ures and deductions. According to a recent survey of the Ohio by Bixby, U. S. Engineer, the total distance from Pittsburg to Cairo is 965 miles with a total fall of 419 feet, and twenty-five feet of this at the Louisville Falls. This leaves 394 feet to divide by 965, which equals T4A ft. for the average fall per mile. Louisville to Cairo is 366| miles, with a total fall of 94 feet, or an average of A5o ft. per mile. Paducah to Cairo is 50 miles with a total fall of ten feet, or an average fall of T2O°O ft. .per mile. There is no gauge at the mouth of the Bay Creek, nor is there a record, so far as we know, of the elevations of either the low-water 12 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER line, or the high-Water line, at that point. However, if we multiply twenty-miles, the distance from Paducah to the mouth of the Bay, "by TOO-, the maximum rate per mile, we have eight feet, the great est possible difference between the low-water lines of those two points. If to this we add ten feet, the difference from Paducah to Cairo, we have eighteen feet as the elevation of the low-water line at the mouth of the Bay, above zero of the Cairo guage. The highest recorded altitude of the high-water line at Cairo is 52.5 feet, in 1897. If the altitude at the mouth of the Bay equals 52.5, then the high-water line at that point is 70.5 feet above zero at Cairo. The altitude of the high-water line at different points along any river is not a constant quantity, but varies with the conditions at those points. ,* In all our level work on the Cache survey, zero of the Cairo guage was our base. Hence the above deductions at the mouth of the Bay, and the following quotations from our levels in the vicinity of the Bay, near Reevesville, have'the same zero, or base. Elevations at— a. REEVESVILLE. 1. On Railroad 82 feet. 2. Surface 80 " b. MCNOEL. 1. On Railroad 80 " 2. Surface 76 " 3. Under Railroad: : North of depot 71 " South of depot . . . 72 " •c. CORNER OF JOHNSON, MASSAC AND POPE COUNTIES. 1. Surface 80 " 2. Bottom of Bay 69 " d. CLANAHAN BRIDGE. 1. Surface 79 " " 2. Bottom of Bay 69 " (N. B.—These figures are quoted to the nearest whole foot.) X)EDUCED ELEVATION AT THE MOUTH OF BAY CREEK 70. 5 feet. A comparison of these figures shows at a glance: 1. That the backwater from the Ohio may reach a point near Reevesville on the bottom of the Bay. 2. That to reach the surrounding surface in that vicinity would require an additional eight feet of water at the mouth of the Bay,— an altitude of 60.5 feet, or an elevation of 78.5 feet—an entirely im probable condition. 3. That an increase of one foot to three feet over the Cairo alti tude would let this backwater into the Basin through some swales, DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. ' 13 as under the railroad above and below McNoel—a very probable con dition. If our deductions are correct, a levee beginning near Reevesville and following the general course of the Bay to the ridges which con nect with hills to the south of the Basin, would be an effectual barrier Against the waters of the Ohio River ever entering the Basin west of such levee. • This levee would need to be about four miles long,—four and a half extreme length,—two feet and six inches average hight, with ten foot crown, slopes one to one. This, at the extreme length would be ap proximately 27,500 cubic yards, which at fifteen cents per yard would cost in round numbers $4,000. W. N. MOYERS, Assistant Engineer, Mound City, Illinois, WM. MARTIN, Assistant, Metropolis, Illinois. Before entering upon any general discussion of these reports, we desire to call attention to some fact with regard to the territory af fected which lies outside of the province of a drainage survey, but are most.important as showing the need of a survey and of drainage, and of State aid. GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY. With no desire or effort to speak in geological terms we offer the facts and conditions as they are. The Cache system is divided into three very distinct parts or divisions. Traversing Union, Johnson, and Pope Counties from west to east, is a range of hills, the highest in the southern part of the State, and are the spurs or shoots of the Ozark Mountains. These hills for the most part are underlaid with rock, blue limestone and sand rock forming the great bulk. About the south line of Union and Johnson Counties these rock-bearing hills break off abruptly, forming bluffs in many places abrupt or over hanging. These bluffs expose great faces of stratified rocks. The *' dip " of these strata suggests that these hills were formed by the un equal cooling of the earth's surface. They were surely the first dry land to appear south of the Illinois River in the State, when the ''waters receded. " They were dry land covered with forests when the great coal fields of the State were yet submerged. They form sub stantially the southern terminus of our coal fields. But little coal is found as far south as the summit of this range of hills, and none is 14 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER found south of them. They are covered with a deep, rich lime soil, the results of centuries of disintegration. They were once covered with an immense forest of hard woods. There have been sea shells, fossils- and petrifaction found along the southern bluffs. Evidences that these southern bluffs were once washed by mighty waters are abun dant throughout their entire course.' They have, as a whole, a some what semi-circular form, the concave side facing the south. Belknap is near the center of this semi-circle, Thebes is near the westerly end, and Bay City the easterly. From three to ten miles within this is another range of hills, convex toward the north, but of entirely dif ferent formation, doubtless many centuries younger or newer. They are not rock-bearing but are underlain by a thick stratum of gravel at a depth of twelve to eighteen feet, and by non-stratified sandstone at a much greater depth. These hills have the appearance of having been formed by the action of winds, waves and tides. Remains have been found far beneath their surfaces suggesting that they are not the results of upheaval, but of upbuilding. Between these two ranges of hills is a stretch of low land known as the lake, the scatters, or the basin. We might have dispensed with any discussion of the "Hills" in connection with this drainage problem, but for the purpose of calling especial attention to this basin. Into it flows the Upper Cache and out of it the Lower Cache. It extends from a point somewhat east of Temple Hill, in Pope County, to a point somewhat west of Ullin, in Pulaski County, a distance of thirty-five to forty miles. It has a great many inlets or feeders/and two outlets. •When the original United States Survey of this section was made,, 1806-9, this basin was variously quoted "The Lake," "A Pond,'' "Drowned Land, " " Inaccessible, " etc. In later years, different parts of it have been designated by different local names, "the Ponds," in Pope; "Black Slough," in Massac; "the Scatters," in Pulaski. From a drainage standpoint it is all one continuous basin or reservoir. At no distant day in the past this basin must have been a lake, or a deep bayou. The Indian of that day might have called it "Lake Cache," or "Bayou Cache." The notes of the United States Survey quote "An Old Trail" skirting the northern banks of this basin. An evidence that the Indian knew the region, whether as a lake, a bayou or a river, we can not guess. In Pope County are some long ponds trending in the general di rection of this basin, suggestive of old river or bayou beds. In Mas sac are these same long ponds, and besides them two very distinct DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 15 lakes, Long Lake and Fish Lake. The latter is owned by the Marion Gun Club and maintained as a fishing resort. In Pulaski are Long Reach and Eagle Pond, near the westerly end, and at the lowest point of the basin proper, strongly suggesting the idea that this was once a lake of which they are the remains. The Engineer's report shows the basin to be almost level—a slight fall towards the west—and at an elevation of about sixty-four feet above low water at Cairo. The Upper Cache, which is the principal tributary, enters this basin near its middle point from east to west. Mill Creek enters nearly exactly at the westerly end, and Bay Creek at the easterly. The lower Cache, the principal outlet, enters the Ohio River about four miles above Cairo, and the Bay Creek, which drains the easterly end of the basin, enters the Ohio near Bay City. These two outlets are about seventy miles apart measured along the Ohio, and about the same distance measured along the Lower Cache, the Basin, and the Lower Bay. It is evident that many decades ago the overflow waters from the Ohio found free outlet through the Bay into the Basin, and through the Lower Cache to the Ohio again. That is known to have happened no longer ago than 1884. This outlet for the Basin was then an inlet. The overflow waters from the Upper Bay find outlet down the Basin and Lower Cache instead of down its own channel, which is insufficient in its present condition, even when the Ohio is at low stage. Bay Creek, George's Creek, Clifty, the Upper Cache, Cypress, Big Creek, and Mill Creek all feed the Basin from the North, each draining a large and precipitous water-shed. There are numerous smaller inlets, some of them pouring broad sheets of water over stony precipices. On the south are Bearrough, Maple, Hurricane, Post Creek, Kitch- ell's Slough, and smaller feeders. These have smaller water-sheds, and are less precipitous. In the course of time, these tributaries, obedient to the laws of erosion, and carrying powers of running waters, have been filling the Basin with sediment. Each has formed across the Basin its own little "Whaleback." Numerous sandbars have been formed. By this process the general elevation of the Basin has been increased. Many acres of it have been for centuries above the line of overflow, are fertile, and covered with forests. But this un even filling has had the effect of forming ponds or "scatters." The watershed, the total amount of water, drained into this Basin has not been decreased, consequently the gradual elevation of its surface has had the effect of elevating the high-water line, and consequently of broadening the flood plain. If we could afford to wait some centuries 16 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER yet the waters might solve this drainage problem for us by their own leveling processes. Formerly, Bay Creek waters might have found free outlet, after jumping through the hills at Reevesville, either down the Basin, and through the Lower Cache, or down the Lower Bay, owing to the direction in which the higher waters lay. But after help ing to form the McCammon Ridge and forming a little " Whaleback" from Reevesville toward Big Bay, it confined itself to its own present channel except at overflow. The waters of the Upper Cache leaping through the bluffs abo*ve Belknap, laden with sediment from the hills of Union and Johnson Counties, might have had free course through the Lower Bay or Lower Cache, until the Upper Bay formed its own "Whaleback," and con fined the Cache to its present outlet. Depositing its load of sediment, the Upper Cache formed the semi-circular plain contained within the Belknap Drainage District, and made for itself its present channel around it, with a strong tendency even to this day of going east through the Lower Bay, instead of west through the Lower Cache. In the meantime Big Creek and Mill Creek were busy building up But ter Ridge and the adjacent high bottom lands. They changed their own channels often, the old bed of Mill Creek being still discernable. They have not only changed their own channels, but have forced Cache itself to change its channel until it now lies against the south side of the Basin, practically from the mouth of one to the mouth of the other. This Big Creek "Whaleback" forms practically the west ern terminus of the Basin, while the Bay Creek "Whaleback" forms the eastern. THE SOIL AND VEGETATION. Between these two ranges of hills, being all filled land, is a soil of unknown depth and of inexhaustible fertility. This is true not only of that portion which still lies below the flood plain, but of that which has for centuries been above it. A soil can be judged not so well by the kinds of timber growth as by the rapidity of that growth. There are large sections which thirty years ago were covered by immense cypress groves. These groves have been depleted by the woodmen, and in their stead today are forests of Tupola eighteen inches in di ameter, which many of these same woodmen have lived to help har vest. The old stumps and fallen trunks of the cypress forest are not decayed until another marketable forest takes its place. This is with in the flood plain, where the conditions for growth are the most favor able, and the timber a rapid grower. On a higher bench, two good crops of timber have been cut within the memory of one man. The DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 17 same land is now being cut off again. There are several varieties of soil. The ridges are largely sandy, with a deep, rich loam mixture, decayed vegetation, and will produce abundantly any crops grown in this latitude. As -much as 110 bushels per acre of corn, 451 bushels per acre of wheat, 65 bushels per acre of oats, and six tons per acre of timothy hay have been known to grow upon this bottom land. Many of the fields where it is not too wet have been planted in corn continuously for more than thirty-five years, and the quality and quantity of the crop does not seem to diminish with time. The same may be said of other crops. Potatoes grow almost without cultiva tion in great abundance. The bottom lands are of two classes: the black bottoms, which are unsurpassed for corn, wheat, oats, potatoes, etc., and the gray bottoms, which are the finest timothy lands which we have ever seen in Illinois. Tobacco and small vegetables grow to great perfection when it is "not too wet;" Cotton, broom corn and alfalfa have recently been tried as experiments and grow to great abundance, and pay well. Many cane-brakes were quoted by the old surveyors, 1806-9. The early settlers stock and forest fires had well-nigh destroyed these. Since the enactment of the Stock Law, 1896, these are replacing them selves. The luxuriance of the wild grass and vegetation in summer reminds one of a picture of the tropical regions. Being situated between two large rivers, the Ohio and Mississippi, drougths and crop failures from that cause, are almost unknown. For classes and ratios of forest trees, see Engineer's report. We will add that^several'species there mentioned are not natives of South ern Illinois. They have been transplanted here from higher lati tudes by way of the Ohio, when its overflow many years ago found access to this Basin. We mention two well-known species, the birch and two species of catalpa. The presence of these foreign woods fur- furnishes powerful proof that the waters from far up the Ohio once found ready ingress. The presence of sandbars of uniform trend, of ponds resembling old river beds, of deeply buried shells, and partially decayed wood, all strengthen this supposition. That this was once a bayou from the Ohio, or possibly the principal channel of that stream, we believe there is no doubt. We put stress upon this fact as it tends to show the wonderful depth of soil and the nature of the drainage required- 18 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER EARLY SETTLEMENTS AND SETTLERS. The United States Survey, 1806-9, is the aerliest written record of this section of- the country. At that date there were a few "cleared fields" on the hills south of the Basin, near the Ohio River. Few references were made to settlements in this survey. For the subse quent early settlements we rely upon tradition and the recollection of the "oldest inhabitant." As early as 1835 some tracts of land were entered and settlements made along the immediate borders of the low lands. The settlers were largely from the Southern States and origi nally came to "hunt" and to "log." Saw-mills came early as the 50's, and from that date until the present, "logging" has been one of the occupations of those who wished to work, and "trapping" of those who do not care to work. This constant timber-cutting has decimated the once gigantic forests. The remaining inferior soft woods are being rapidly marketed although there is much good timber yet standing on these lands. Many of the loggers have turned farmers and their clearings have pressed close upon the borders of the Basin. Of recent years, the large influx of German farmers, the increased value of hill lands, and the hope that drainage is near, have pushed the agricul tural area far out into the Basin. Dry years, these low lands produce phenomenal crops; wet years, however, they drown out. These per sistent wet land farmers frequently lose two crops in succession. Floods as late as June very greatly damage field crops, and as late as July are fatal. With proper drainage, this is the finest agricultural section in Southern Illinois. For corn, hay, wheat, potatoes, water melons and vegetables it is equal to any lands of Illinois or Indiana. To the loggers, the water is an advantage, being a cheap means of transporting logs from romote corners. They oppose drainage. A dam was once built across the mouth of the Black Slough near Bel knap to maintain the floating stage of water. For many years a dam has been maintained across the Cache just below Ullin, in order to main tain a deep log boom for the mills at that point. This dam is about four feet high, and backs the water some five miles up the stream. The farmers are now largely in the majority. The farm products are annually worth many times the timber products. The American idea of "the greatest good to the greatest number" demands that these wet lands be now drained. A large recent influx of farmers from Central Illinois, Western Indiana, and Southern Ohio has great ly increased the popular demand for drainage. ROADS, HOMES AND HEALTH. Near the easterly end, in range 4 east, the Basin is crossed by the DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 19 Metropolis and Vienna road; near the center, in range 2 east, by the Grand Chain and Belknap road; toward the westerly end, in range 1 east, by the Caledonia and Jonesboro road; and again, at Ullin, in range 1 west, by the Olmstead and Ullin road. Each of these roads are public highways under the law, and are to some extent graded and graveled, but neither of them is above high water. They are of an average of six miles apart. Each is about three miles in length across the Basin. Owing to the great difficulty and expense of road-making, few other roads have been attempted, though more and better roads has become a crying demand. This would come with drainage at far less expense of construction and maintenance. There are fewer homes within this Basin than should be. Some of the owners live on the adjacent hills and travel from one to five miles to till the bottom fields, hauling out their crops at harvest. Former ly this Basin was a great breeder of malaria, and residence therein was somewhat dangerous to longevity, but of recent years there have been enough clearings opened up to very greatly help the sanitary condi tions, which can, of course, never be permanently cured without drain ing the ponds and bogs which breed the malaria bug, and still frequent ly cause * * fall chills." If good roads could be made, and healthful homes built within this vast fertile region, the benefits accruing, not alone to this region, and to the immediate surroundings, but to the State as a whole, would be almost incalculable. There is room for a thousand happy homes of a hundred acres each. This means five thousand wealth-producing, surplus consuming, tax-paying citizens for the State. It means five thousand more horses and mules, many thousands of cattle and hogs, thousands of dollars worth of farm machinery and household goods, and a land value equal to the present value of the whole Basin multi plied by eight, upon which to assess State, county, municipal and other taxes. This increased taxation would soon return to the State all the ex penses of drainage. And as the improvements would be a perma nent or perpetually greater tax-payer, the benefits to the State would be accumulative. A thousand homes with roads connecting them, schools and churches accommodating them, the increased health, wealth, happiness and intrinsic value, not only of the reclaimed section, but of all Southern Illinois, must be taken into account in making up the total of benefits to be derived from this proposed drainage. All of the interests affected and all who would be benefited if a 20 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER drainage district was organized, including all the land within this Bas in in the five counties in which it is located, under the drainage laws of the State, could not be reached by special taxation for drainage pur poses, for the very obvious reason that the lands in this Basin if drained would jump in price at once to not less than $100 per acre and thereby bring up the price of all lands in Southern Illinois, thus bene fiting all adjacent farm lands very materially, but with no right to tax them for drainage purposes. TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. Lying at the junction of two of the largest rivers in America, the Mississippi and the Ohio, transportation by water needs no discus sion. Three great railroad systems, the Illinois Central, the Cleve land, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis (Big Four) and the Frisco (C. & E. I.) cross this Cache Basin. The Illinois Central main line at the west end, and the Carbondale and Paducah branch at the east; the Big Four (Danville and Cairo branch) near the center; the Frisco, from Marion to Thebes traverses the westerly part, and the Joppa branch of the latter,road crosses near the center. Each of these roads maintains a heavy grade across these low lands. With better condi tions for highway building, good shipping facilities are abundant. But under present conditions, phenomenal as it may seem, many lo calities are sometimes cut off from river or rail for a few months of each year. CLASSIFICATION OF LANDS AND BENEFITS. This Board recognizes the two general divisions of benefits, agri cultural and sanitary. The sanitary benefits can neither be classified nor estimated. Whatever malaria to which the inhabitants are still subject is necessarily bred in the swamps and ponds. The disease is carried to the adjacent hills and is more or less prevalent thereon as it sometimes is in these bottoms. If the lands in the Basin were drained, the breeding places, the nests in which the malaria is hatched, would be destroyed and hill and valley alike freed therefrom. As to the lands to be drained we recognize three classes: viz, those lands which are, first, directly affected; second, indirectly affected; and third, remotely affected. There are no very well-defined lines dividing the three classes, nor is there a difference in the degree or quality of the drainage sought. We have made the classification for purposes which will appear later in this report. The lands directly affected are those lands within this Basin, and along the Upper and Lower Cache, which are subject to overflow, or DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 21 are surrounded by that overflow. Of these there are eighty to ninety thousand acres as shown in the Engineer's report. The lands indirectly affected are those along the tributaries whose outflow is hindered by the congestion within the basin. Of these there are fifty to sixty thousand acres, not shown in the Engineer's report. The lands remotely affected are those of the sub-tributaries and con tiguous flat lands, whose drainage is good when the waters are out of the Basin, but bad when the Basin is full. Of these there are thirty to forty thousand acres (not shown in the Engineer's report). The drainage of these remote lands has not been attempted to any con siderable extent for lack of sufficient outlet. THE WATER-SHED AND RAINFALL. The water-shed drained into and out of this Basin embraces more than a thousand square miles of territory, nearly three quarters of a million acres, practically all of the six southern counties of Illinois. More than two-thirds of that water-shed lies along precipitous hills, consequently the rush of waters into the Basin is terrific. While the inflow is rapid, the movement through the Basin, owing to the lack of fall, is very slow, and the outflow is less rapid than the inflow. There - fore a large percentage of the waters reaching the Basin remain until removed by evaporation. The annual rainfall, according to the Cairo weather bureau, is 42.8 inches. This means a million gallons or twenty thousand barrels to the acre, thirteen million barrels to the square mile—ran immense volume of water to be poured into this Basin with no adequate rapid outlet. That part of Illinois lying south of the rock-bearing hills described elsewhere, has always been regarded as swampy, and avoided upon that account. We wish to call attention to the fact that all of those swamps are included within, or closely connected with, that part of the Cache system designated in this report as "the Basin." With the drainage of that Basin all those swamps will be drained and no part of '"Egypt" will be longer considered swampy. Similar lands in southeast Missouri are being drained by a great timber syndicate. We are sorry to say there is no such syndicate in existence here so as to drain the Basin. Having thus described this Cache Drainage System and its related interests, together with the Engineer's report, we wish now to call attention to that report as a whole, and in parts. For brevity we refer to, section and township numbers as shown on plats elsewhere. An inspection of plats 5, 6 and 11, and exhibits C and F will show a 22 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER long stretch of nearly level surface, with a slight fall toward the west, and in sections 14 or 15, township 14 south, range 2 east, enters the Post Creek. This seems to be almost as low a point as any within this level stretch. Plats 6 to 9 and exhibits D and E show a splen did fall for the Upper Cache. The estimates show that the entire Upper Cache can be drained down to Station 594 for a maximum of $64,733, and that the entire Black Slough region, called East Branch of Cache in notes of the United States survey, can be drained to the same point for $63,827— a total of $128,560. From this point the water can be taken to the Ohio by either of two routes, by the Post Creek cut-off at a cost of $95,325, or by the present route at a cost of $220,872. If the former route, Post Creek, be se lected, the total cost of bringing the water from the Upper Cache and from the Black Slough, and emptying it into the Ohio, is $223,885. By the old route the cost is $349,432, a difference of $125,547. An inspection of the water-shed will show that if the Post Creek cut-off be made, sixty percent (60%) of the water which now reaches the Ohio through the mouth of the Cache, would then enter it by the cut-off. Of the remaining forty percent which would still find out let by the mouth of Cache, one half is added from the mouth of Mill Creek down, and five-eights from the mouth of Big Creek down. By inspection of plats 4 and 5 and of exhibit B, it will be seen that Big Creek enters Cache at a point (section 16, township 14 south, range 1 east) from which there is considerable fall. This leaves about eight miles of the west end of the basin into which less than fifteen per cent (15%) of the total water-shed empties direct, or laterally, and through which there is but little fall. This remaining eight miles of the Basin is comparatively narrow and straight, and is sharply defined. It would fill with water then as surely as now, but much more slowly. And being relieved of the great pressure of water from higher up the Basin, it would also empty much more slowly. It would still need dredging, but that could undoubtedly be done at far less expense than if all the upper waters are to go through it as at present. It will be noticed also that Post Creek cut-off drains about sixty percent of the total low land area, if we count the three classes of lands benefited, direct, indirect and remote. The construction of the Upper Cache ditch would throw the waters of that section into the Basin with great velocity. (See exhibits D and E.) The Post Creek ditch would throw them into the Ohio, a distance of four and one- half miles, with equal velocity. The Black Slough ditches would re- DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 23 lieve that section less rapidly but with equal certainty. This means the reclaiming of all the land above the mouth of Post Creek, and the relieving of the congestion of the Basin below that point, at a maxi mum cost of $223,885. If the State should construct these main ditches, the citizens could then organize general drainage districts, with the necessary subs and minors, and completely reclaim this en tire fertile section. With the relief of the Lower Cache from this sixty per cent of the present congestion, the enterprising citizens would hasten to complete its reclamation. Respectfully submitted, W. A. WALL, ANDREW DAVISSON, H. H. COPHER, Commissioners. 24 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE. Below are the items of expenditure in full since the work of this Commission has begun. PAY ROLL FOR SEPTEMBER, 1903. A. H. Bell, engineer, 3 days at $15 per day $ 45 .00 W. N. Moyers, assistant, 3 days at $5 per day 15 .00 Grant Hare, assistant, 3 days at $5 per da*y -* 15.00- Calvin Wise, cook, 5 days at $1.50 per day 7 . 50 David Tarr, chainman, 3 days at $1.50 per day 4. 50 Wm. Browner, chainman, 3 days at $1.50 per day 4. 50 J. B. Wall, teamster, 5 days at $3.75 per day 18.75 Thos. Hooppaw, axman, 5 days at $1.50 per day 7 . 50 Frank Bernard, axman, 5 days at $1.50 per day 7 . 50 L. G. Caster, attorney 25 .00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense for 4 meetings 12 .00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner's salary 43 days 59 . 72 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense 3 meetings 17 . 70 H. H. Copher, commissioner, salary 43 days 59 . 72 W. A. Wall, commissioner, salary 43 days. 59.72 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 43 days 43.00 M. F. Browner, merchant, for camp outfit 100.00 TOTAL $502.11 PAY ROLL FOR OCTOBER, 1903. A. H. Bell, engineer, 27 days at $15 per day $405 .00 W. N. Moyers, assistant, 27 days at $5 per day 135 .00 J. G. Hare, assistant, 27 days at $5 per day 135 .00 J. B. Wall, teamster, 31 days at $3.75 per day 116.25 L. C. Wise, cook, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46. 50 David Tarr, Chainman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46. 50 Frank Bernard, Axman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46. 50 Thos. Hooppaw, axman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46. 50 Wm. Browner, chainman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46. 50 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 H. H. Copher, commissioner, one month's salary 41. 67 H. H. Copher,'commissioner; expense, fare $3, hotel $2 5 .00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67" W. A. Wall, expense, hotel $5, fare $1.15, livery $6 12.15 J. F. Connell, printer 4.00 TOTAL $1200.91 PAY ROLL FOR NOVEMBER, 1903. A. H. Bell, engineer, 25 days at $15 per day $375 .00' J. G. Hare, assistant, 25 days at $5 per day 125 .00 W. N. Moyers, assistant, 25 days at $5 per day 125.00 John H. Sharp, assistant, 3 days at $5 per day 15 .00 J. B. Wall, teamster, 30 days at $3.75 per day 112. 50 David Tarr, chainman, 30 days at $1.50 per day 45 .00 Wm. Browner, chainman, 30 days at $1.50 per day 45 .00 Frank Benard, axman, 30 days at $1.50 per day 45 .00 Thos. Hooppaw, axman, 30 days at $1.50 per day 45 .00 L. C. Wise, cook, 4 days at $1.50 per day . 6.00 Barton Hale, cook, 24 days at $1.50 per day. , 36.00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary. 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 5 .06 W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 TOTAL $1137.5* DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 25 PAY ROLL FOR DECEMBER, 1903. A. H. Bell, engineer, 27 days at $15 per day $405 .00- J. G. Hare, assistant, 27 days at $5 per day . 135.00- W. N. Moyers, assistant, 27 days at $5 per day 135.00 J. H. Sharp, assistant, 5 days at $5 per day 25 .00 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary. 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting. . 5 .48 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00* W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 David Tarr, Chainman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46 . 50 Frank Bernard, axman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46. 50 Wm. Browner, chainman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46 . 50- Thos. Hooppaw, axman, 31 days at $1.50 per day 46. 50 J. B. Wall, teamster, 31 days at $3.75 per day 116.25 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00> Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, paid for moving camp 3 times 10. 50 Barton Hale, cook, 31 days at $1.50 per day r 46 . 50 TOTAL $1223.74 PAY ROLL FOR JANUARY, 1904. A. H. Bell, Engineer, 20 days at $15 per day $300.00 J. G. Hare, assistant, 20 days at $5 per day 100. 0O W. N. Moyers, assistant, 20 days at $5 per day 100.00* H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary. 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 5 .00> Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary. . . 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting. 8.35 W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Chas. M. Gaunt, Clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 David Tarr, chainman, 25 days at $1.50 per day 37 . 50 Wm. Browner, chainman, 25 days at $1.50 per day 37 . 50 Frank Benard, axman, 25 days at $1.50 per day 37 . 50 Thos. Hooppaw, axman, 25 days at $1.50 per day 37 . 50 Barton Hale, cook, 25 days at $1.50 per day 37 . 50' J. B. Wall, teamster, 25 days at $3.75 per day. 93.75 J. B. Wall, teamster, moving camp 3 . 50 TOTAL .$954.11 PAY ROLL FOR FEBRUARY, 1904. A. H. Bell, engineer, 25 days office work at $15 per day .$375 .00 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 4.50 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 29 days at $1 per day 29 .00 TOTAL $536.51 PAY ROLL FOR MARCH, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 6. 50 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 Chas.-^ M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL $165.51 26 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER . PAY ROLL FOR APRIL, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 TOTAL ': $158.01 PAY ROLL FOR MAY, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary. $ 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL $156.01 PAY ROLL FOR JUNE, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 A. H. Bell, engineer, 2 days' office work in March, 1904, at $15 per day.. . , 30.00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 TOTAL $458.01 PAY ROLL FOR JULY, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 5.50 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day. 31.00 W. N. Moyers, surveyor, 6 days at $5 per day 30.00 W. N. Moyers, surveyor, expense, board and lodging for 2 men 7 .40 J. B. Wall, teamster, 6 days at $3.75 per day 22 . 50 TOTAL $224.41 PAY ROLL FOR AUGUST, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 W. N. Moyers, surveyor, 12 days at $5 per day 60.00 J. B. Wall, teamster, 10 days at $3.75 per day 37 . 50 J. B. Wall, teamster, board and lodging for two men 5 .80 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL $262.31 PAY ROLL FOR SEPTEMBER, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 W. A. Wall, commissioner, expense meeting 3 .00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 A. H. Bell, engineer, office work 50.00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, expense meeting 3 .00 TOTAL $211.01 DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 27 PAY ROLL FOR OCTOBER, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 6.20' Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 Wm. Martin, surveyor, 6 days at $5 per day 30.00 Wm. Martin, surveyor, board $4.75, fare $5, livery $5 14. 75 W. N. Moyers, surveyor, 7 days at $5 per day 35 .00 W. N. Moyers, expense, board $4, fare $1.60 5 .60 W. A. Mclntire, 6 days with team at $4 per day. 24.00 Clifford Litherland, laborer, 6 days at $2 per day 12 .00 Richard Watkins, laborer, 5 days at $2 per day 10.00 Barton Hale, laborer, 5 days at $2 per day 10.00 TOTAL .$303.56 PAY ROLL FOR NOVEMBER, 1904, W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $41.67 Less proceeds sale camp outfit 15 .00 $ 26. 67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 6. 60 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 5 .00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 J. B. Wall, teamster, 15 days at $3.75 per day 56.25 J. B. Wall, teamster, expense, board and lodging. 13 . 70 W.N. Moyers, surveyor, 15 days at $5 per day 75 .00 W". N. Moyers, expense, board and lodging 10.85 A. H. Bell, engineer, office work 50.00 A. H. Bell, engineer, 5 days Post Creek survey at $15 75 .00 Wm. Martin, surveyor, 15 days at $5 per day 75 .00 Wm. Martin, expense, board lodging and livery 28.15 Arthur Cochran, laborer, 2 days at $2 4.00: Thos. Hurt, laborer, at 2 days $2 4.00- Larken Colley, laborer, 2 days at $2 4.00 Henry Hines, laborer, 2 days at $2 4.00' F. M. Jones, laborer, 12 days at $2 24.00 John Mesker, Sr., laborer, 6 days at $2 12 .00 John Mesker, Jr., laborer, 6 days at $2 12 .00 John Rienking, laborer, 6 days at $2 12 .00 Walter Baker, laborer, 2 days at $2 - 4.00 Allen James, laborer, 4J days at $2 . 9 .00 Alvis Purtle, laborer, 4J days at $2 9 .00 Edgar Williams, laborer, 1£ days at $2 v , 3 .00' Ed Johnson, laborer, 3 days at $2 6.00 TOTAL $642.56 PAY ROLL FOR DECEMBER, 1904. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, expense meeting 2. 70 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day SI .00 TOTAL $158.71 PAY ROLL FOR JANUARY, 1905. W. N. Moyers, surveyor, 7 days drafting Black Slough survey, at $5 per day $ 35 .00 W. N. Moyers, expense, board $5 fare $2 7.00 Wm. Martin, surveyor 6 days drafting Black Slough survey, at $5 per day ; 30.00 28 REPORT OF THE BOARD OF CACHE RIVER W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Gopher, commissioner, expense meeting 5 .00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting.. . 6.75 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL , $239.76 PAY ROLL FOR FEBRUARY, 1905. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 28 days at $1 per day 28 .00 TOTAL . .$153.01 PAY ROLL FOR MARCH, 1905. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 W. A. Wall, commissioner, expense to Springfield, fare $15, hotel $10.50, paid typewriter $7 32.50 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 2.70 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, expense meeting .. . .' < .. 5 .00 W .N. Moyers, surveyor, 9 days' office work at $5 . . 45 .00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL $241:21 PAY ROLL FOR APRIL, 1905. Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 2.70 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41. 67 W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Wm. Martin, surveyor, office work 12 .00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 TOTAL $169.71 PAY ROLL FOR MAY, 1905. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 2.70 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 L. G. Caster, typewriting 7 . 50 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL $166.21 PAY ROLL FOR JUNE, 1905. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 W. A. Wall, commissioner, expense to Springfield . 15 .40 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 4.50 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davission, commissioner, expense meeting 2.70 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, expense to Springfield 17 .60 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, per diem, 3 days at $5 per day 15 .00 TOTAL .$210.21 DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS OF ILLINOIS. 29 PAY ROLL FOR JULY, 1905. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting • 5 .00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 2.70 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL $163.71 PAY ROLL FOR AUGUST, 1905. W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary. .. $ 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 5 .00 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting. 3.20 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 31 days at $1 per day 31.00 TOTAL $164.21 PAY ROLL FOR SEPTEMBER, 1905. Andrew Davisson, commissioner, 1 month's salary $ 41.67 Andrew Davisson, commissioner, expense meeting 2.70 H. H. Copher, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 H. H. Copher, commissioner, expense meeting 5 .00 W. A. Wall, commissioner, 1 month's salary 41.67 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, 30 days at $1 per day 30.00 Chas. M. Gaunt, clerk, for express and postage 25 .00 TOTAL $187.71 SUMMARY. Pay Roll for September, 1903 $ 502 .11 Pay Roll for October, 1903 1,200.00 Pay Roll for November, 1903 1,137.57 Pay Roll for December, 1903 1,223 . 74 Pay Roll for January, 1904 954.11 Pay Roll for February, 1904 536. 51 Pay Roll for March, 1904 165 . 51 Pay Roll for April, 1904 158.01 Pay Roll for May, 1904 156.01 Pay Roll for June, 1904 458.01 Pay Roll for July, 1904 224.41 Pay Roll for August, 1904 262 . 31 Pay Roll for September, 1904 211.01 Pay Roll for October, 1904 303 . 56 Pay Roll for November, 1904 642 . 56 Pay Roll for December, 1904 158. 71 Pay Roll for January, 1905 239 . 76 Pay Roll for February, 1905 153 .01 Pay Roll for March, 1905 241. 21 Pay Roll for April, 1905 169 . 71 Pay Roll for May, 1905 166.21 Pay Roll for June, 1905.. 210.21 Pay Roll for July, 1905 163 . 71 Pay Roll for August, 1905 164. 21 Pay Roll for September, 1905 187 .71 Balance Appropriation undrawn 9.21 AMOUNT APPROPRIATED '.$10,000.00 $10,000.00 30 STATE OF ILLINOIS, 1 PULASKI COUNTY, J The undersigned, Chas. M. Gaunt, clerkr of the Cache River Drainage Commission, does hereby certify that the above is- a true statement of the expenditures of the said Cache River Drainage Commis sion. Dated this thirtieth day of September, A. D. 1905. CHAS. M. GAUNT, [SEAL] Clerk, etc. EXHIBITS •A, B, C, D, E AND F. PROFILES OF BLACK SLOUGH AND PONDS AND PROFILE OF BLACK SLOUGH CUTOFF. DETAIL MAPS, AND ONE SHOWING THE ENTIRE SURVEY OF THE RIVER. RANGE 2 WEST RANGE I WEST BOTTOM OF RIVER IN ITALIO FIGURES. ELEVATION OF THE SURFACE OF GROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES. RANGE I WEST RANGE I EAST SCALE S.SOO FEET TO ONE INOH. BOTTOM OF RIVER IN ITALIO FIOURES. STATION NUMBERS IN RED FIGURES. ELEVATION OF THE SURFACE OF GROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES, SCALE B.BOO FEET TO ONE INOH. (TALIO FIQURES. STATION NUMBERS IN RED FIGURES. ELEVATION OF THE SURFACE OF GROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES. RANGE 2 EAST RANGE 3 EAST SCALE a.soo FEET TO ONE INCH. BOTTOM OF RIVER IN ITALIC FIGURES. STATION NUMBERS IN RED FIGURES. ELEVATION OF THESURFACE OF GROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES TOWN 13 SOUTH RANGE 2 EAST 80ALE B.SOO FEET TO ONE INCH. BOTTOM OF RIVER IN ITALIO FIGURES. STATION NUMBERS IN RED FIGURES. ELEVATION OF THE SURFACE OF QROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES. RANGE I EAST RANGE 2 EAST SCALE 3,500 FEET TO ONE INOH. BOTTOM OF RIVER IN ITALIO FIGURES. 8TATION NUMBERS IN RED FIGURES. ELEVATIONOF THESURFAOE OF GROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES, © RANGE I WEST SCALE 3,500 FEET TO ONE INOH. BOTTOM OF RIVER IN ITALIO FIGURES. STATION NUMBERS IN RED FIGURES. ELEVATION OF THE SURFACE OF GROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES. RANGE 3 EAST RANGE 4 EAST RANGE 5 EAST SCALE, 5000 FEET TO I INCH. PROFILE; POST CREEK CUT OFF 60.28^ S 9 10 11 12 & 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 <*- TOWN 15 SOUTH BOTTOM OF RIVER IN ITALIC FIGURES. F .EVATION OF THE SURFACE OF GROUND IN ROMAN FIGURES. TOWN 15 SOUTH