IN SEARCH OF WATER

Part One  --  1884 to 1897

In the beginning, the citizens of the newly formed community of Manor either drilled their own water wells, collected rain water in cisterns, or hauled water from other locations to meet their everyday needs. According to the 1880 United States Census, the population of Manor was about 120 people. It was shortly after that when Manor residents decided that they needed a better system of obtaining water. The following articles tell the story. Unless otherwise stated, all of these accounts are from Austin newspapers.

Dec 16, 1884  --  “Manor is quiet, business dull and cotton about all marketed…Manor needs another railroad, an artesian well, three or four more churches and a sand bar like Galveston, then she would become noted.” 

Oct 22, 1891  --  “Several houses are in course of construction and other improvements being made. The question of boring an artesian well is being agitated.”

Jun 24, 1892  --  “An effort is being made to establish a system of waterworks for our town. Mr. J. C. Harris, Sr., proposes a standpipe of sufficient height to supply all and be of service in case of fire. Some favor an artesian well. Considerable interest is manifested and there is little doubt but the object will be accomplished on some plan. The town is naturally well situated for waterworks and it would be of incalculable benefit.”

The October 20, 1892 edition of The Austin Weekly Statesman newspaper contained the following article:

Feb 5, 1894  --  “Mr. G. J. Eppright has purchased an artesian well boring outfit and is sinking a well on top of Eppright hill. He has reached a depth of about 300 feet and is prepared to go 2000 feet if necessary. If he succeeds it will be an easy matter to supply the town with artesian water.”

Aug 17, 1895  --  Mr. G. J. Eppright has suspended operations on his artesian well and has water within 30 feet of the surface. As this height is 85 feet below the level of Manor, the same water would give us a good flow. An effort is being made to raise sufficient funds to drill a well in town, and $3100 has been subscribed so far. As this would be of untold benefit to Manor, it is to be hoped the effort will be a success.”

Aug 20, 1895  --  “The meeting of subscribers to the artesian well called for this morning, developed sufficient stock subscribed and organization was effected….It was agreed to accept the bid of G. J. Eppright to drill 1400 feet and the work will commence as soon as he can get his machinery moved. There is little doubt now but that the matter is in shape for permanent water and Manor will be in the front row for progress.”

Sep 13, 1895  --  “Drilling on the artesian will is being pushed, the hole now being about 400 feet. It is hoped that before long we shall see a fine flow of good water. The long dry weather has made water very scarce and tanks and wells are fast drying up. The large well recently dug by W. J. Daugherty to supply the Manor ginnery is failing.”

Sep 14, 1895  --  “The Manor Water Works Company of Manor, Texas filed its charter with the Secretary of State yesterday morning. The capital stock at present is $8000, though the right is reserved to increase said capital stock to $10,000. The board of directors for the first year is as follows: J. W. Bitting, J. G. Wheeler, Wm. Luedecke, T. H. Barrow, R. S. Gregg, M. D, H. E. Lancaster, and J. F. Nagle. This association is authorized for 50 years by its charter, and as some of the most enterprising citizens of  Manor are on its directorship it is needless to say that the association will be eminently successful in its efforts to furnish the citizens of Manor with an efficient water works system.”

Oct 9, 1895  --  “The artesian well has been progressing finely, having reached a depth of about 1100 feet, but a serious accident has happened which may cause the contractor to have to abandon the hole and start anew.  Last night as the drillers were letting the drill down, it seems it caught in a defect in the pipe in some way and wrenched the bit, causing it to break and about 24 feet of bit and stem dropped to the bottom, a distance of 600 feet. An effort was made to pull it out but was unsuccessful. Mr. Eppright sent to Gainesville and Austin for more tools and will make another attempt to fish out the broken tools before abandoning the hole.”

Oct 11, 1895 -- “There was quite a gloom cast over our artesian well project today when an 1100-foot hole had to be abandoned on account of the accident reported a few days ago. Mr. Eppright, the contractor, is busy moving his rig, however, and will soon be drilling again and it is hoped, be more successful this time.”

Jan 24, 1896  --  “The efforts of our enterprising citizens were rewarded this evening by seeing for the first time water flowing out of the ground in Manor. At a depth of about 1300 feet the artesian well diggers struck water, with a very good flow, but it is expected that a still stronger flow will be found at about 60 feet deeper, and drilling is still being pushed. The prospect of everlasting water means a bright future for Manor. Too much praise cannot be given Mr. G. J. Eppright, the contractor, who purchased machinery and drilled a well on the top of his hill, 115 feet above the level of Manor, from which we had encouragement to try in Manor. His well, however, only furnishes water 30 feet from the surface. Despite the many accidents he has encountered he is faithfully carrying out the contract.”

Feb 21, 1896 -- From The Temple Times -- “Manor’s artesian well is completed, is 1408 feet deep and has an abundant flow of pure water.”

Jun 23, 1896 -- “A car of pipe was received this morning, which is being laid to conduct the flow from the artesian well to the outskirts of town. There is talk of building a large and convenient bathhouse at the well, as many are of the opinion that the water will be panacea for many skin diseases. As the water is not satisfactory for all purposed, an effort is being made to go deeper, and it is thought a contract will soon be let to go 800 feet deeper, which will, it is hoped, reach the second flow of better water.”

Apr 15, 1897 -- “Constable Jack Puckett of Manor was in the city yesterday, and he informed a Statesman reporter that the stockholders of the Manor Artesian Well company had determined to spend another $1000 to bore the well deeper, hoping to get clear and fresh water. The well is now down 2700 feet and flows a powerful stream of water, but it is strong sulphur, and is hardly fit for use.”

Apr 23, 1897  --  “J. A. Welburn, who is boring the artesian well at Manor, has bought out the company and will continue the work on his own account. The water now flowing from the well is unfit for use, but Mr. Wellburn thinks he will strike good water by going deeper.”

Apr 24, 1897  --  From the Bastrop Advertiser  --  “The Manor artesian well has reached a depth of 2700 feet, and flows a powerful stream of water which is so strong of sulphur as to be almost unfit for use. At a recent meeting of the stockholders, it is said one member proposed bottling the water and kill off populists with it, and take up the hole and use it for post holes, but after discussing the question it was decided to spend another $1000 in sinking it deeper, in the hope of getting clear and fresh water.”

Part Two -- 1898 to 1925