52	HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

in time, a question of policy and privilege on the part of the interested
public as to what disposition should be made of Splunge Creek reser-
voir. Among those supposed to be most materially affected and con-
cerned there were two sides to the question, one faction wanting to
maintain it, the other to release it. The line of contention was so
sharply drawn between those who fancied their interests involved, pro and
con, that for a time in the fall of 1866 the guard-bank of the feeder
was patrolled by night, to prevent its being meddled with by the oppos-
ing party. Notwithstanding, at some time in the month of November the
assault was made, cutting the embankment, when, within an almost in-
credibly short time, the miniature sea was flowing out so voluminously
that, when discovered,, it was impossible to arrest it. On the night of
the cutting shots were said to have been exchanged between the conten-
tionists.