122                 HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY

to the contamination of numerous sources, and by safeguarding the sup-
ply through the creation of what might he termed a “sanitary district”
around the pond the most favorable possible conditions were created to
afford usable water for domestic purposes.
    The city made separate contracts for the construction of the reser-
voir and the pumping station, the purchase of the machinery, and all the
works necessary to the establishment of the plant, so that in every sense
it was a municipal undertaking.
    Before the end of the summer the plant was built, the mains laid
through the principal streets of the city, and in August the citizens were
for the first time treated with the spectacle of water forced from the
end of a hose with sufficient power to prove an effective weapon in fight-
ing fire. The Enterprise, in the issue of August 26th, says: “On Mon-
day our streets were crowded to witness the first test of our water works.
    Water was thrown from fire plugs at the same time through inch
and a quarter nozzles, at Main and Depot and at Main and Meridian
streets, a mile from the works, over one hundred and fifty feet.” The
newly organized hose company also paraded through the street, and gave
a pleasing impression of their effectiveness in fighting fires.
    On September 4th occurred the water-works celebration. It was
also the occasion of an old settlers’ picnic, and people gathered from coun-
try and town to enjoy the events of the day. The band played, the Green-
castle fire department arrived to be guests of honor, and after a demon-
stration at various points in town of the water pressure and a drill of the
hose company, the procession went first to inspect the pumping station,
and thence to the fair grounds, where the pioneer celebration concluded
the ceremonies of one of Brazil’s red letter days.
    For about thirty years the water works service of Brazil was an
object of opprobrium to the majority of the citizens. The trouble lay in
the water supply, and the experience of this city has been repeated in
large degree by most municipalities that have tried the reservoir system
on a comparatively small scale. Cities that have been able to draw their
water from high mountain ponds, or that have revenues sufficient to con-
demn large bodies of land and thus safeguard every contributing source,
have usually succeeded in securing wholesome water. But under the
most favorable conditions the water that came from the pond west of
Brazil did not measure up to the ordinary standards for water for domes-
tic uses. When taken from the hydrants it was generally discolored,
would precipitate a sediment when allowed to settle, and its appearance
was such that even when pronounced free from dangerous organic matter
the average housewife preferred well water for her cooking. A collec-
tion of the various experiences and opinions relating to the city water
would make an interesting exhibit.
    Finally, about twenty years after the first establishment of the sys-
tem, the city council undertook to reconstruct the plant and procure
another supply of water. It was resolved to penetrate to the gravel beds
which lie at various depths below the surface, and through a battery of
tubular wells, eight in number, to suck up the waters that flow over these
gravel beds. To carry out this object a twenty-five thousand dollar bond
issue (six per cent, 20 year bonds, dated May 21, 1895) was ordered, and
at the same time the city contracted with the Howe Pump and Engine
Company to reconstruct the water works, sinking the tubular wells, install-
ing new compound condensing engines, new boilers, new water mains,