November 9, 1964 – November 17, 1964
D. E. Edwards offers to drill the town's well at his own risk
Looking for water for a town water system, the council took bids on a test well. The only bid was J. E. Latta & Sons of Riverside: $600 for the test well and sand points. Well driller D. E. Edwards offered instead to drill a permanent well and test it himself, the town to pay nothing unless it produced at least 50 gallons a minute in a 14-day pumping test ($1,500 to $2,500 if it did). On November 17, on the advice of engineer Wayne Reed (a well that could not be tested first would commit the town), the council awarded the test well to Latta. The test well found water at about 70 feet (December 2, 1964).
“Mr. Edwards presented an alternate proposal, to drill a permanent well and test for flow himself with the understanding that if said flow was not attained, the Town would not pay him any amount.” (document 3322, p. 2)
“Glen moved, Bill Bream seconded the motion to award the contract for test well to Latta. Unanimously carried.” (document 3323, p. 1)
Sources: document 3322, p. 2 (Special Council Meeting, November 9, 1964: the Latta bid ($600) and Mr. Edwards' proposal); document 3323, p. 1 (1964-11-17 (continued): Wayne Reed's advice; contract to Latta); document 3321, p. 1 (1964-12-02: "Geologists hit the vein at about 70 feet") · People: D. E. Edwards, Wayne Reed