Has always been taken from white deer Creek, Union County.
For a number of years it was taken from a point near the mouth of the stream
but since the purchased by the present management in 1889, a 16 inch pipe has
been laid 5 1/2 miles to the dam, illustrated and described below.
The dam of the white deer mountain water company is located 6 miles West of Watsontown. It was completed in 1890. And the record and star of June 29th of that year the following article appeared from which some pertinent extracts are made. It must be added however that the lapse of seven years has fully proven the wisdom of the choice of this source of water supply. Recently the state has purchased practically all the lands lying along the Creek, for a forestry reservation, to be guarded by Game and Fish wardens, thus ensuring permanent and effective protection for the contamination of the water. The article reads:
“The location of the dam shows judgment and foresight and is construction the work of skilled engineer. The dam is constructed between two Bluffs, is built of the best concrete that will last for ages, it is not only substantial in every way but beautifully finished, the water pouring over its cement capped surface in one continuous transparent sheet over 200 feet in length. every gallon of water that enters the pipe passes through the settling canal, and then to the intake, which is built of concrete and lined with cement, and then through three sets of screens of 1/4, 1/8 and 1/16th inch mesh, respectively, thus making it impossible for anything to enter that might contaminate the water.
The supply of water is simply sufficient for all demands upon it from a drainage area of over 60 square miles white deer furnishes a supply unexcelled anywhere. From its source to the dam there is nothing but mountains, without human habitation near its banks. A strict measurement of the stream shows a drainage area 5,000,000 gallons every 24 hours, which is far beyond anticipated requirements. The capacity of the pipe is 2,000,000 gallons every 24 hours.
The first move in this project was made in 1894 by our townsman Jay. I. Higby and his associates. In the work Mr. higbee has been ably seconded by Mr. S. H. Hicks of Philadelphia, who did much towards the financial organization of the scheme Mr. J Thompson Baker of Lewisburg, is also credited with valuable aid in many ways.
Nothing adds more to the reputation and desirability of a town
nothing could be more conducive to the health comfort and convenience of the
people than abundance of pure, water, and this is supplied to the limit of the
most exacting demand of the white deer water company.”
The grounds are now surrounded by 8 strand wire fence,
shutting off the possibility of animals trespassing upon the plant. The grounds
have been sodded, underbrush cleared away and every possible precaution taken
to maintain the purity of the water. An employee of the company resides at the
dam and gives its entire time to the supervision of the property.
E.D. Dietrick, Treasurer
Reverend John Bryson was a pastor of this church from 1789
to 1841. A copy of the first call with names of signers follows the sketch. The
following have been his successors: Samuel E Sheldon, Henry M Parsons, E.D.
Yeomans, Lorenzo Westcott, S.B. Heron, George Eliot, George A. Marr and A.C.
Campbell. Reverend EM Smead is the present pastor.
REV. JOHN BRYSON
The original call of the reverend John Bryson first pastor
of the United congregation of the chilliwack in warrior run, is still in a good
state of preservation, although somewhat time stained. It is in the possession
of John B Hudson and sisters, Mary J. Hudson and M. Louise Hudson, formerly of
Williamsport, now of watsontown, the grandchildren of Mr. Bryson, and his only
lineal descendants in Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hetty B. Hudson, wife of reverend John
Parris Hudson, was the youngest daughter of reverend John Bryson. Mr. Bryson
was a graduate of the first class in Dickinson college September 26th 1787.
Study theology with reverend Charles Nesbitt, D. D., president of the college
and was licensed to preach the gospel at Carlisle October 8th 1780, the same
year in which General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church was organized. He
preached his first sermons to the people of his future charges as a licentiate
in November, 1789. The following is a correct list of the names of the signers
of the original call. The Danville signers are included in Chillisquaque:
“The United congregation of Chillisquaque and warrior run, being on sufficient grounds, well satisfied of the ministerial qualifications of you, Mr. John Bryson, preacher of the gospel, and having good hopes from our past experiences of your laborers that your administrations in the gospel will be profitable to our spiritual interests, do earnestly call and desire you to undertake the pastoral office and said congregation, promising you, in the discharge of your duty, all proper support encouragement and obedience in the Lord: and, that you may be free from worldly cares and avocations, we hereby promise and oblige ourselves to pay you the sum of 150 pounds of Pennsylvania currency, and regular yearly payments. During the time of your being, and continuing of the regular pastor of this church. And testimony whereof we have respectively subscribed our names this 23rd day of June in the year 1790.
Find More Stories & History Of Watsontown Here:
No comments:
Post a Comment
I'll read the comments and approve them to post as soon as I can! Thanks for stopping by!