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The Water Power of Texas. 
15 
and sixteen feet at the crest — the upstream side where the slope of the 
top ends being vertical. The ends of this wooden dam join on either 
side a dam of roughly shaped rock and concrete, the section next the gin 
and mill being 120 feet long and that on the far side 80 feet, making 
a total length of dam of 400 feet. This dam was built in 1897, and 
affords a head of nine feet on the turbines. It is intended to raise the 
dam several feet, however, in the near future. The power is derived 
from three turbines: one 40-inch 1893 patent Leffel wheel, which pro- 
duces sixty-eight horse power under the nine foot head; one 30-inch 1899, 
patent Leffel wheel, giving forty horse power; and one 18-inch special 
wheel, giving five and one-half horse power, making a total of 113^-horse 
power. This is utilized in operating the cotton gin, cornmill, sorghum 
mill, and a small electric light system. The machinery consists of ten 
gins, two presses, one cane mill, one sorghum mill, and a 125-volt West- 
inghouse direct-current dynamo. The total cost of the plant was $25,000. 
At the town of Martindale is located the gin and mill of J. W, Teller. 
The dam is constructed entirely of timber and rock and is similar to the 
central portion of W. S. Smithes. It is 250 feet long, was built in 1893, 
and gives an eight foot head. The power is derived from two turbines, 
one Leffel standard 61-i.nch wheel and one 35-inch special wheel. The 
power is utilized in operating a cotton gin, corn mill, sorghum seed 
thresher, and the electric light and waterworks systems of the town of 
Martindale. The machinery consists of five Munger gins, one corn mill, 
one Westinghouse 125-volt direct-current dynamo, one Munger press with 
Murray elevator, one sorghum seed thresher, and one pump. The total 
coM of the plant was about $20,000. 
Hear the town of Staples, on the San Marcos river, Q. J. Lowman is 
rebuilding a gin and corn mill that was destroyed by fire in October, 
1901. He has a dam of timber frame work and rock 140 feet long and 
nine feet high, which was built in 1899. The original dam was con- 
structed in .1867, but in 1899 it was practically rebuilt and raised several 
feet higher. The timbers of the old mill were unhurt by the fire and are 
to be used with the new machinery. They consist of one 66-inch Morgan 
Smith wheel; which develops eighty-two horse power under the nine foot 
head obtained; one 42-inch McCormick wheel, giving eighty-two horse 
power, and one Leffel 26-inch wheel, giving twelve horse power. The 
power is used at present in operating the waterworks of the town of Sta- 
ples, but will be utilized for ginning purposes, the operation of a corn 
mill, and electric lights for the town, upon the completion of the mill. 
The machinery will consist of eight cotton gins, one 1000-volt alternat- 
ing-current dynamo of 750 light capacity, a Gould pump with a capacity 
of seventy-five gallons per minute, and a fifty horse power Atlas engine 
and boiler; also a corn mill. The total cost of the plant will be $25,000. 
At the town of Fentress, C. E, Smith & Co. own and operate a gin and 
