45,600 Gal After Half A Century, New Pumps. West Alexandria, May 1--The two old steam-operated pumps shown above at the left are to be replaced with new electrically operated pumps. This apparatus is located in the waterworks here. George Winkelman is shown as he works on the pump that is to be replaced first, probably this week. In 1897, these two pieces of equipment were installed. The new equipment is to be paid for with mortgage revenue bonds.
The photo at the right shows the water tower which has become too small for the town's needs. It too is to be replaced. This one holds 60,000 gallons. The new one will hold 150,000 gallons of water. The new tower and tank is to cost about $26,000. Fifty years ago, according to Winkelman, the entire plant, pumps, tower, tank and boilers cost $14,000.


I think it's time now to add another entry from George's journal. The first entry was for January, 1943 and now I'll add February, 1943.

Mon. Feb 1; Temp 20-30; 56,000 Gal:  Yep, 55 today. Son-in-law F. Virgil Keltner of Ft. Lewis, Washington came home for a 10 day furlough. He looks good. Received 170 lb. G. K. compound via CCC truck. Charles bought it at Dayton for me.  Yesterday's rain sure brought a lot of grey (?) to disposal plant.

Tues Feb 2; Temp 18-42; 56,000 Gal:  Well the groundhog saw his shadow for we sure have had a day of sunshine. Worked a little on tip protectors. Young Evans was here, toilet stopped up in his home. W. Dayton St.  Supt. W. M. Derby called up and asked me to take some boys to the basketball game at Farmersville.  I promised.

Wed Feb 3; Temp 32-40; 52,000 Gal:  Cloudy this morning. Started to snow then turned to rain. Mother & I took Nina down to Keltners near Hamilton nearly 32 miles from here.  Mr. Derby was here. Sewer from girls toilets in Schoolhouse was stopped up.

Thurs Feb 4; Temp 32-48; 55,200 Gal:  Cloudy but also some sunshine.  Had Electro Sewer Service out from Dayton to clear schoolhouse drain. Charged $35.00 Mary was home today sick with her vaccination.

Fri Feb 5; Temp 20-48; 50,400 Gal:  Another nice day. Worked a little for Sight Feed.  Helped Charles at Mrs Borgwort's place, a chunk of lead in soil pipe caused stoppage. I sure have a sick headache.

Sat Feb 6; Temp 30; 54,000 Gal:  My old engine got a little too tired, reason for headache. Was in house all forenoon. Versae mopped floor for me at station. Rained this morning turning cold down to 30 at 5 P.M., wind blowing.

Sun Feb 7; Temp 20-36; 53,600 Gal:  Cooler but nice day. Good attendance at S. S. and church. Boy Scouts were there in a body with their scoutmaster, Mr. Benjamin. Dedication of service flag with 21 young men in service and six more entering. Mr. Peeling visited at station this P. M. also. My son-in-law George Carico (Mrs. Ed Sweeney 72 dies) Some one moving into Roberts house in front of station. (Mrs. Mary Fudge 75 dies)

Mon Feb 8; Temp 18-48; 53,600 Gal:  Fine day but not much ambition.  Two members of boy scouts were here selling tickets for the scout supper for Thur. evening. Nina and Gary came home yesterday after spending several days with Virgil near Hamilton (Virgil's folks) Finished pumping at 6 P. M.

Tues Feb 9; Temp 35-56; 52,800 Gal:  Cloudy this morning but turned out to be a fine day. Cora and George took Tommy to Good Samaritan Hospital. His foreskin was growing fast. Had it taken care of. Made 12-100# tips today

Wed Feb 10; Temp 35-60; 54,400 Gal:  Cloudy and rain in afternoon.  West Alex Hi beat Lanier basketball 34-36.  Mrs. Fudge and Mrs. Sweeney were buried today. Made six 100# tips today. Helped Chas. to clean Mrs. Roselius' drain A. M.

Thurs Feb 11; Temp 18-24; 48,000 Gal:  Cloudy and colder, took some clothes to Mary last night. Assisted Charles this morning at Geo. Coffman's putting in sink drain.  Made six more 100# tips today. Wm. Koontz 86 dies.

Fri Feb 12; Temp 23-33; 55,200 Gal:  Abraham Lincoln's 134th birthday.  Cloudy most of day, otherwise nice.  Attended boyscout banquet last night 38 present. fine time. Made 9-100# tips today.

Sat Feb 13; Temp 18-28-16; 54,400 Gal:  Snow and colder.  Clara Rink married Conrad Roth this A. M. at church by Rev. Bradow.  Made 12-100# tips today.

Sun Feb 14; Temp 4-14-11; 55,200 Gal:  St. Valentine's day. Brrrr it's cold & windy.  High school chorus sang two anthems at church services this A. M.  Mary Steward (Smith) was married this P. M. to Cpl. Edward Heisel of Camp Maxey, Texas. Mr. Wm. Koontz was buried.

Mon Feb 15; Temp 2-15; 56,000 Gal:  Still cold and more snow.  A pipe froze in school building this morning, faucet busted. Cloe Meyers' Duro  pump froze & busted. Made 9-100# tips today.

Tues Feb 16; Temp 4-20; 69,600 Gal:  Still cold, wind rising now at 6:30 P. M.  Someone broke a rule in about 3 pieces and put them in a toilet as it was flushed, in the boys landing. got 2 pieces out today. Made 6-100# tips and fixed George Jr bicycle. Charles Mause brought part of the packing I had ordered from Garlock.

Wed Feb 17; Temp 19-34; 55,200 Gal:  Fine day. Tried to unstop toilet at schoolhouse. no success. will take it up tonight.  Brought Cora and children down from Lewisburg. Took Thomas to Dr. Hearst. Made 9-100# tips today.

Thurs Feb 18; Temp 12-38; 52,800 Gal:  Another fine day. Opened up toilet at schoolhouse last night without taking it up. Another one in girls room was stopped up with an apple.  Helped Chas at Pat Dillons' change a sink.  Made 6-100# tips today.

Fri Feb 19; Temp 24-52; 52,000 Gal:  Another fine day. Hung toilet tank at Paul Fox's for Ed Rinck A. M. also looked after stoppage in Sanitary sewer on W. 2nd St.  Hole in South Smith st reported by Jim Zimmerman. Delivered 63 tips today.

Sat Feb 20; Temp 39-55; 62,400:  Went to basketball game at Monroe last night.  Lewisburg defeated W. Alex Hi.  Omar (Peach) Bickel helped to unstop the sewer on W. 2nd St between main holes 88 to 89 about 140' from MH 88.  7 1/3 hrs @ 45 cents per hour.

Sun Feb 21; Temp 33-50; 48,000 Gal:  Cloudy A. M. sunshine P. M. Change of time from Eastern War time to Central War time. Quite a bit of confusion at church but worked out alright.  Amos Eby was here to see about water tap and sewer connection. Alan Glander and son were also visitors.

Mon Feb 22; Temp 20-58; 52,000 Gal:  Washington's Birthday. Extremely find day. Took Mary J back to work last night.  Assisted Charles this A. M. at Dillars. Ernest Deem was here this P. M. He has started on his sewer ditch again after laying off during cold weather.

Tues Feb 23; Temp 40-60; 56,000 Gal:  Board met this P.M.  Ordered gravel for driveway and it was delivered this P. M. Can't find anyone to dig.

Wed Feb 24; Temp 37-34; 78,400 Gal:  Flushed fire hydrants and Sanitary Sewer 7 places. 5 dead ends. Wayne Bennett helped after noon (4 hrs) David H. Harker and Mr. Bernhagen representing Ohio Water Supply Board and Mr. Flory of west of Eaton were here getting data on the water works wells.

Thurs Feb 25; Temp 26-40; 51,200 Gal:  Trouble this morning at telephone bldg. Heater coil limed shut. Could find coils to replace. Wayne Bennett dug out the place on Smith St, could find nothing wrong so filled it up again.

Fri Feb 26; Temp 26-14; 59,200 Gal:  Cleaned east boiler today but did not fill.  Weather too bad to dig outside this morning. Thermometer stood at 26, noon 27--2:00 32, 4:15 at 20 and at 6 it was 14 brrrrrrrrrr snow and wind.  Clyde Glander with his 2 children was here. Gilbert & Fred Ehler also.

Sat Feb 27; Temp 8-38; 45,600 Gal:  Cold this morning, fairly brisk wind from south west in evening. Amos Eby applied for water tap. Personal property of Mrs. Sweeny were sold this P. M.

Sun Feb 28; Temp 35-42; 47,200 Gal:  Windy today but temperature not bad.   George Carico and Frank Miller were here also son George Jr. and  Jerry Minnich.