Hon. J. H. Neff presents Auburn with Beautiful Drinking Fountain
Ex-Lt. Gov. J. H. Neff has just made a gift to the city of Auburn of a beautiful fountain to be located near the east entrance to the Court House. "Uncle Jake" spent most of his life in Placer County and served her as Sheriff for a number of years. He naturally has a warm spot in his heart for Auburn.
At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees on Monday night, Trustee M. J. Predom presented a letter from D. W. Lubeck stating that Mr. Neff desired to present to the city a fountain provided it was set up at the junction of East and Commercial streets and that the city would take care of it, furnish the water, lights, etc. The letter was accompanied by a blue print showing the design of the fountain. There are two water troughs on two sides for horses and cattle, 33x22 inches, 10 inches deep. On another side there is a drinking fountain and on the fourth side a place for dogs and smaller animals to drink. A column rises in the center to a height of 20 feet, surrounded by five electric lights. The design is very handsome and the fountain will certainly cost the generous giver more than $3,000.
The Board of Trustees not only accepted the gift on behalf of the city, but passed a unanimous vote of thanks to Mr. Neff.
W. R. Arthur, superintendent of the South Yuba Water Co., said that his company would furnish the water for the fountain free.
(Thanks to Lorelie Hodkin, Auburn historian, for this article - the fountain is 100 years old this year-2008.)