Old pump - Lissewege

This pump used to be at the Roelandsbrug but has been moved to the market square. A pump was a necessity at the time. Few people used to have their own pump. And the canal provided both the livestock and the people with the necessary drinking water and also served as a sewer. After yet another epidemic of cholera in 1850, the government decided to intervene. The boat had to be cleaned up. Who should bear the costs? One process after another followed. Neither the state, nor the province, nor the municipality of Lissewege wanted to pay. Everyone blamed everyone. The farmers were most blamed for blocking the deserts with straw in dry weather, so that the canals had enough water to feed their cows. Upon inquiry, it turns out that no one is the owner yet. The watering of Groot-Reigaertsvliet considers itself the owner until evidence to the contrary. But back to that pump. Once upon a time people harbored a great deal of suspicion. A local wizard Gatje Kosters had enchanted them and whoever touched the pump arm saw a swarm of rats emerge.

Willem Vandenameele