Typed as spelled and written
- Lena Stone Criswell

THE DAILY DEMOCRAT
Thirty-First Year     Number --
Marlin, Texas, Saturday, November 7, 1931

MARLIN's 'HOT MINERAL WELL'
CAUSED COUNCIL WORRIES

Leasing of Water Rights for Machinery,
for Bathing and Use as
Fire Extinguisher Considered.
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       With events leading up to and the discovery of hot mineral water in 1893, other significant happenings took place.  The city became interested in fire fighting equipment and purchased a chemical and hook and ladder engine from a Chicago firm.  They ordered a house built for the equipment.

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       Instead of building, however, on May 20, 1893, the city rented from W. A. Oltorf, representative of the estate of J. D. Oltorf, "the lower story of the Masonic brick building."  It purchased a horse for the fire department, also.

***

       In July, a petition, "signed by about 50 citizens," asked the city council to "provide measures for preventing baseball playing within the city limites on Sunday."  The matter was taken under advisement.

***

       The Marlin Oil Company's petition to "run water lines across the streets for their own use--said permit becoming null and void should they sell water to other parties," was granted.  The work was done under supervision of the city council street committee.  The Marlin Oil Company, also, was permitted to "erect electric light poles and wires for their own electric plant to their gins--for their own use.

***

       In November, Alderman Wagner resigned and at a special election M. Quaid took his place.

***

       When H. G. Johnston, driller of the artesian well, reported to the council early in 1895 that the last flow of water "was about the same as the first and as strongly impregnated with mineral," the city decided it would not be advantageous to have the two flows separated.  In order to bring to an end all work pertaining to the well, Mr. Johnston was ordered to remove and store away all surplus casing.  The city, aware of the fact the water was unsuitable for general use, proposed (July, 1894) to use the surplus casing for distributing the water "to put out fires."

***

       The proposal was received both favorably and unfavorably, as shown at subsequent meetings.  Those opposed to the movement evidently believed the mineral in the water was rust provoking and iron pipes would not long resist deterioration.

***

       Definite action was not taken until September.  A called meeting was held "to see about laying mains of casing left over from the well--according to a diagram."  The mayor was instructed to purchase necessary fittings and committee composed of J. W. Perkins, J. H. Robertson and W. A. Oltorf was appointed to direct the work.  Mr. Oltorf, who opposed the proposition, requested it be written "in the minutes of the city council" that he voted "no".

***

       Although the council had ordered the pipes laid, it appears the work was delayed.  In December, the council met again in special session "to see about laying mains and pipes from the well."  The result was a firmer stand favoring the proposition.  The mayor was ordered "to contract with competent parties to do the work and see if he could get convict labor to dig the ditches."

***

       With the hot artesian water flowing into an open ditch and people drinking it and bathing in improvised vessels, the attention of the people was attracted to its medical properties.  It would naturally be presumed propositions for lease of the well or use of its water would be received.

***

       Yielding to the demand or opportunity, the council, March 7, 1894, ordered the mayor "to advertise for bids for the lease of the artesian well."  A month later F. W. Glenn offered to lease it.  His proposition was postponed and later, "on motion of Alderman Dr. Albert Horne," rejected.  Another proposition from the Southern Speciality Company, receiving consideration by a special committee composed of the mayor, Alderman Horne, Branson and Quaid, was likewise "laid on the table."

***

     Results of the of the April election showed the re-election of M. M. Coleman and W. W. Hunnicutt as marshal and assessor and collector, respectively.  Martin Quaid and W. A. Oltorf were re-elected and A. L. Branson elected alderman.  W. P. Dashiel was elected secretary.  School trustees elected and re-elected were R. C. Nettles, John Ward and W. S. Conoly.

(To be continued.)




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Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing by
The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.