History of Danville Main Page
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©2001. Terri Cook. All rights reserved.

Danville Past and Present
Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania
A Collection of
Historical And Biographical Sketches,
By: D. H. B. Brower
Harrisburg, PA.:
Lane S. Hart, Printer and Binder
1881



Water Works
  
     The question of supplying Danville with water was long and earn-
estly debated, and various plans or systems were proposed.  Some
favored a reservoir on York's Hill and forcing the water from the 
river by a powerful, stationary engine.  Others favored a reservoir
but insisted on bringing the water from Roaring creek in pipes pass-
ing under the river bed; others again were inclined to a connection
with the water works at the asylum.  Some ten years ago, a com-
pany was chartered, as the "Danville Water Company;" but it
never got beyond a formal organization.  In 1871 some pamphlets
were sent to this place, explaining the character and success of the
"Holly system," recently introduced by the Holly firm at Lockport,
New York.  The town council took up the subject, and whilst all
urged a water supply the council was about equally divided be-
tween the Holly system and a reservoir.  Finally a committee, con-
sisting of George W. Reay, J. W. Sweisfort, William Buckley, and
M. D. L. Sechler, was appointed to investigate the subject.


     In the later part of April, 1872, the committee went to Elmira, Buf-
falo, Binghampton, Rochester, Auburn, and other cities where the
various plans are in operation.  It is worthy of note that a majority
of the committee was opposed to the Holly system, but after a full in-
vestigation they unanimously reported in favor of the Holly works.
Previous to this an election was held at the court house to ascertain
the popular sentiment.  There was a large majority in favor of wa-
ter, but owing to some informality the result was not satisfactory.
After a warm contest the Holly system was adopted by the casting
vote of Burgess, Oscar Ephlin, and a contract was accordingly made
with the Holly Company at Lockport, New York.  The final vote
on adopting the Holly system was as follows:  For the Holly works,
George W. Reay, William Buckley, Jacob Schuster, George W.
Miles, J. W. Sweisfort, M. D. L. Sechler, and Oscar Ephlin, Bur-
gess.  Against Holly works; George Lovette, Samuel Lewis,
James L. Riehl, Henry M. Schoch, and Hickman Frame.

     The water works are located on the river bank in the First ward.
The engines and pumps are a model of beauty and of power.  A
filterer was constructed some distance out in the river, and the wa-
ter from thence forced through metal pipes through every portion of
the town, not only supplying the citizens but proving a great
safety in case of fire.  These works have a capacity of two millions
of gallons in twenty-four hours, but can be procured of any desired
capacity.  In the works here, there are two engines of each one
hundred and fifty horse-power, two powerful rotary pumps and a 
gang of twelve piston pumps.  There are ten miles of pipe laid and
there are about one hundred fire hydrants.  The pipe was laid by
S. Krebs & Co., under a contract for $87,500.  The contract for
the engines and pumps, with the Holly Manufacturing Company,
at Lockport, New York, was for $36,000.  In 1880 the council
had a well sunk on the river bank, fifty feet in length, five feet wide,
and ten feet deep.  The works are now perfectly satisfactory; the
 wretched filterer in the river having been a source of constant trou-
ble.  It is proper to say that the wells as now constructed, belong
to the Holly system.  The people of Danville, notwithstanding the
consequent debt, fully appreciate the great value of the Holly sys-
tem of water supply, and would on no consideration exchange their
magnificent works for any mud-hole of a reservoir that ever sent its
doubtful essence through a city, burdened, and yet deprived of pure,
wholesome water.  We now have an abundance, and the safety these
works afford in case of fire as well as the economy in supporting a 
fire department is alone worth more to Danville than their cost.
In point of convenience, purity, cleanliness, health, and safety from
fire, the Holly system of water works, so far as our experience with
the testimony of other cities extends is superior to all others.

     The water works are managed by a board of three commissioners,
appointed by the town council.  A superintendent, secretary, and
other employees are appointed by the commissioners.

     The present board of water commissioners consist of John H.
Grove, James Cruikshanks, and Doctor R. S. Simington.
     Superintendent, James Foster.
     Clerk, Charles M. Zuber.


This page is maintained by Terri Cook as part of the USGenWeb Project.
©2001. Terri Cook. All rights reserved.