by Kristine Schmucker, HCHM Curator
One postcard in our collection has the dramatic image of a large metal drum teetering on the edge of a stone tower – the notation “The Fall of the Old Water Tower, Newton, Kans.”
An amazing photograph, capturing a moment in time, with a long story behind it.
Postcard, demolition of water tower at E. 12th & Walnut, Newton, Ks May 1907.
“With rush and roar:” May 25, 1907
The demolition of the old water tower at 12th & Walnut, Newton, was a long time coming and became a necessity at 4:00 o’clock in the morning of Saturday, May 25, 1907.
Evening Kansan Republican, 25 May 1907 p. 1.
The Evening Kansan Republican reported that
“with rush and roar . . . a big wave of water swept down the valley to the north, scattering stones, sheets of steel, and iron trusses across the valley clear to the Missouri Pacific railroad tracks.”
The farm of Silas Frame “a colored man, who lives in the Ensign house, a few rods northwest of the water tower” sustained the most damage. “The trees in Mr Frame’s young orchard were pulled out by the roots and carried along by the water.” Other damage included snapped telephone poles, damage to the hedge row and a corn field.
If the pipe had broken on the south side, there would have been a great deal more damage to property.
“Last night’s accident has brought the matter to a crisis.”
The Evening Kansan Republican reporter noted that
“The stone foundation of the tower had been in shaky condition for some time. The city authorities had been aware of this condition for months, but there had been some uncertainty as to the best course to pursue. Some favored repairing the tower; others a complete new tower. Last night’s accident has brought the matter to a crisis and makes anything but a new tower entirely out of the question.”
Water Tower damage, May 1907.
“The water tower is in a rather precarious condition: 1901-1906”
Discussion of what to do with the water tower at 12th and Walnut was not new. The city of Newton purchased the tower and equipment from the Water Works Co. for $75,000 in April 1895.
In February 1896, repairs took place on both the stone base and the steel pipe water tower.
“The water committee was instructed to have the water tower thoroughly repaired at as small expense as possible.”
By April 1901, it was noted that “the water tower is in a rather precarious condition and its future existence is a matter of some uncertainty.”
The problem remained in 1905.
Evening Kansan Republican, 9 June 1905, p. 1.
“People living near . . . are hoping that this action will be taken speedily.”
In an article in July 1906, it was reported that the northwest corner of the base was “crumbling rapidly . .. and even from Main street it can be seen that a large portion of the wall is gone.”
Evening Kansan Republican, 28 July 1906, p. 1.
The same article reported that the “council has given some thought to the matter lately and a committee was appointed . . . to investigate and report as to the best action.” The reporter noted that “the people living near the tower are hoping that this action will be taken speedily.”
Removing the Water Tower: May 1907
Nearly a year later, the decision was made when the rock base of the tower collapsed on one side early in the morning of May 25, 1907.
Shortly after the collapse, the Council voted to “have the water tower removed.”
Viewing the damage of the water tower at 12th & Walnut, May 1907.
On May 30, 1907, with “about half the town’s population there to witness,” the water tower came “tumbling down” at 3:30 in the afternoon. Local businessman, D.S. Welsh and his crew pulled the structure down on their third attempt.
Demolition of water tower at 12th & Walnut, Newton, Ks May 1907.
“A man climbed to the top of the tower and put a pulley there by which the steel cable was pulled to the top and there attached so that the pull would be on the top. . . the big steel tower fell slowly to the north striking the ground with a terrific roar and being obscured for several moments by a big cloud of dust.”
Demolition of Water Tower at 12th & Walnut, Newton, Ks, May 1907.
“Purest water in the State”
The City Council then turn their attention to a new water tower.
Postcard, New Steel Water Tower, 12th & Walnut, Newton, Ks, 1908-1909
A new steel water tower, 120 ft high with a capacity of 675,000 gallons of water was installed at the 12th & Walnut location. The water was “99.6 pure” and promoted as the “purest water in the State.”
New Water Tower, 12th & Walnut, Newton, Ks 1907-08.
The Council also had to address the issue of damages. Silas Frame’s orchard sustained the most the most damage. At the June 1907 meeting, he presented a bill for $400 damages to his young trees. He noted that “the orchard was damaged to that extent when the water and rocks rushed over it.” At the October 1907 meeting, it was reported that the matter was “settled with Mr. Frame for $250 . . . for the damages.”
Sources:
- Newton Daily Republican: 9 September 1892, 26 April 1893, 11 May 1893, 12 May 1893, 17 April 1895, 7 February 1896, 20 February 1896.
- Evening Kansan Republican: 24 May 1900, 6 April 1901, 8 April 1904, 9 June 1905, 28 October 1905, 28 July 1908, 25 May 1907, 26 May 1907, 30 May 1907, 7 June 1907, 4 October 1907, 15 May 1908, 3 March 1922,