3G7 



trimmings. The chimney is located at one corner of the house. 

 It is ten feet square at the base, and is to be sixty feet high, 

 and has a flue two feet square throughout. The house is completed, 

 except the roof, and the chimney is carried up but about forty-five 

 feet. 



ENGINE AND PUMP FOUNDATION. 



It was necessary to place the pumps and engine near the surface 

 of the water in the well, and in order that they might be entirely 

 independent of the Avails of the well, which were liable to settle- 

 ment, it was decided to place them on a platform carried by six cast- 

 iron columns. These columns were made nine inches in diameter, 

 with three-fourths inch thickness of metal, and of different lengths. 

 They were cast with flanges on the outside, by which the sections 

 were securely bolted together. They were sunk into the sand by a 

 very rapid, cheap and effective method. The sections forming each 

 column were bolted together. A cap was made to fit the top of the 

 column, and was securely bolted to it, and in the center of this was 

 a coupling for a two and a half inch hose. At the bottom another 

 flange was cast with a cone projecting ten inches from its under 

 side, with an opening at the point two and a half inches in diameter. 

 The column thus equipped was suspended over the position it was 

 to occupy, and suitable guides provided to insure its maintaining a 

 vertical position in its descent. A hose was thus attached to the 

 coupling on the cap, and connected with a small number-four Worth- 

 ington pump. The pump was started, and water forced in at the 

 top of the column and out at the bottom. As soon as the flow 

 was fully established, the column was lowered down. The water 

 escaping into the sand below the column, loosened it, and kept it 

 in violent agitation, so that it offered almost no resistance to 

 the sinking, the water escaping alongside of the column to the 

 surface. 



These columns, nine inches in diameter, with a bottom flange 

 eighteen inches in diameter, were sunk into the sand from eight to 

 ten feet in about eighteen minutes, when the columns were at their 

 proper depth. So long as the pumping continued, they were loose 

 and easily moved around in the sand ; but within three minutes 

 after the pump stopped, they were almost as firm as if set in stone, 

 the sand having settled so compactly around them. The method 

 was a complete success, and I see no reason why columns could not 

 be sunk to almost any depth by the same process. Upon the tops 

 of the columns were placed wrought iron beams carrying the floor 



