According to a report submitted to Controller Coler in May, 1900, embodying \ a careful study of the whole matter, the present supply will safely meet all demands for live years to come, and if proper measures are taken to curtail the excessive waste of water \ i now prevalent, a period of ten years of abundance can reasonably be calculated on; but SCKNE IN PEEKSKILL DURING BLIZZARD OF 1888. in either eventuality (lie need of immediate steps to secure new supplies is insisted on. The local water supply systems of the cities and principal villages of Westchester County are entirely independent of the New York City system. To Y'onkers belongs the credit of having been the first community to erect waterworks of any dignified character. The Yonkers water board was organized in 1873, the year after the incorporation ofthe city, and in 1874 steps were taken which resulted in damming the Sprain and Grassy Sprain Brooks, the building of an extremely creditable system of works, and the distribution of a plentiful supply. Equally commendable enterprise in this particular has been displayed by the other leading communities of the county. The selection of Peekskill as the locality for the New York State Military Camp was determined on by a military commission, acting in behalf of the State government, in the spring of 1882. The need

:M-;*

m if1!

from

to

of establishing an annual encampment for the national guard had been impressed upon the attention of the authorities for several years, but no definite action had been taken. In March, 1882, Governor Cornell appointed a commission with instructions to make a thorough investigation. Mr. James T. button, a public-spirited citizen of Peekskill, at once entered into communication with this body, and also procured from the owners of the land on which the State Camp now stands an option of purchase for three years.