| YEARS GONE BY ARCHIVES |
| Pottsville Republican of March 14, 1911 NEW WATERSHED TO SOLVE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN'S BIG PROBLEM What will undoubtedly prove a blessing to the towns of Cressona and Schuylkill Haven, is the acquiring of nearly five hundred acres of land and an excellent watershed by the Schuylkill Haven Gas and water Company. The land is located just over the summit from the present location of the Water Company's dam in the Panther Valley. It has been known for some time that the water Company was after this tract. The tract is known as the Burdelback farm and consists of about four hundred and fifty acres. There is an excellent flow of water on the tract which is hoped will supply all the residents of Cressona and Schuylkill haven with a sufficient amount for all its industries. The stream at present enters what is known as the Swatara Canal near Pinegrove and is used not only in running a mill of large proportions but of supplying seven or eight large farms with water for drinking purposes for cattle. Superintendent McKnight of the water Company was asked about the deal but stated that he knew nothing whatever about it, although acknowledged that it was the talk in Schuylkill Haven. The tract of four hundred fifty acres was purchased from Isaac Beck for a consideration said to be $2,500. It was also reported that Mr. Beck wanted $3,000 for the tract but that a compromise was reached for the first named sum. The deal was brought about through G. H. Gerber of Reading, representing the interests of the Water Company. In conversation Mr. Gerber would not at first state who had purchased the tract but finally made the statement that it was for the Schuylkill Haven Gas and water Company. This company also came to an agreement with the owners of the land situated along the route of the stream. What the conditions were could not be ascertained. It is believed that the mill was purchased outright and after a monetary consideration, the farmers were assured that they would have water sufficient for their cattle. This stream is considered one of the best in this section of the state and only recently was gone over by a number of the officials of the Pinegrove water Company. This town wanted it but on account of a little misunderstanding let it slip through their hands. It is a known fact that the present Schuylkill Haven Gas and water Company will pump the water from this stream up over the summit into their present dams and then allow it to run through the old mains. For this purpose the Water Company will build a dam over four hundred feet wide or one hundred feet wider than the present one in the Panther Valley. A powerful pump will be erected that is estimated will force the water the mile and one quarter over the mountain into the old reservoir. The company has already ordered the necessary pipe and will start laying an eight inch line within the next few weeks. Just when the work on the erection of the new dam will be started could not be ascertained as the officials connected with the company in this section and the employees feigned ignorance on the subject. Nevertheless it is believed it will be completed in time to assure the residents of the above mentioned towns sufficient water during the summer months and at all times in the future. It was reported that the company had ordered seven hundred water meters to be placed in all houses in Cressona and Schuylkill Haven. Already a number of the houses have the meters as have all the hotels, the greater number of the saloons and all the manufacturing industries and the bleach and dye works. It is believed that if the company can insure a sufficient supply for all the year around that the proceedings to declare their charter forfeited will be dropped by the Borough of Schuylkill Haven and the $53,000 which was to have been expended for municipal water works , which was to be supplied from Tumbling Run, will be saved. Pottsville Republican of March 17, 1911 SCHUYLKILL HAVEN SHORTS The boys of the high school have chosen the following officers for the baseball season for 1911: Manager William Quinter, Captain Walter Knarr, Treasurer John Starr. The baseball committee of the Alumni association will please note the selections, consult the officers and make their peace with them. Charles Davies acted as chairman of the meeting. Miss Ebling, teacher of School Number 10 and principal of the North Ward building, who was on the sick list for a week, is at her post again. EPIDEMIC OF MONDAY MORNING ILLNESS OF PUPILS The teachers have been annoyed a great deal by parents delaying to send excuses for their children's absence from school and by parents sending what were very evidently false excuses. Children who are detained at home regularly every Monday morning and then present an excuse of illness just as regularly arouse suspicion of the instructors that wash day has had something to do with that particular illness. It is a fact too, that this "disease" is quite "contagious" and is becoming somewhat epidemic. To look into this matter, the board at its last meeting, directed that the truant officer be sent to the homes of the absent pupils and discover how sick those pupils are. A number of them have been found taping shirts and doing other work around the home. The parents, to a large extent, are indulging their children too much, with all sorts of amusements and pleasures and school work is being neglected proportionately. The early evening, which should be devoted by the boys and girls to earnest study, is taken by the boys and girls for personal and social enjoyment; then during the later period of the evening, when their minds are fatigued, they make a feeble bluff at preparing lessons for the next day. Some get at their books early in the evening and continue at them a short time only, to cast them aside and go out for fun. In the great majority of cases, the pupils try to prepare about three or four lessons in less time then is required for the proper preparation of one. The parents seem to encourage this; they then wonder why the marks brought home on the reports are so low. Immediately they are ready to charge the teachers with carelessness, indifference, and even partiality and unfairness. It is even held that the boys and girls are sent to school to study and to be taught, just as though two vacant periods were sufficient time to prepare fully five and six difficult lessons and as though the teachers were expected to pour knowledge into pupil's heads, through the aid of a funnel, without the pupil's least effort. We have heard of no one getting an education in this manner. Franklin, Webster, and Lincoln did not acquire knowledge in that way. We are told that the young must have pleasure, so they must and do, but nothing but pleasure is ruinous to mind and character. Of what is moral and mental "backbone" to be developed? Where shall they get grit, push and energy? It is sincerely hoped that parents will be aroused to a sense of their duty in these matters, if for no other reason then to save themselves a lot of chagrin at the end of the term, which may come upon them through the failure of their children to pass. |
| MARCH 1911 |