Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1880-08-14
THE DAM BOOM.
To the Editor of the Times.

will put in my hook. In my opinion. l
would agree with you in the first part Of the
article on dame in your issue Of July 3lst,
that they are nuisance for two important
reason., and 1 may say in every way, and l
can see but very little benefit resulting from
them. In the FIRST place the coil must be Of
q tenacious or clayey nature to hold the wa
ter against the time of need, and the cattle
going in TO drink mixes the soil with the
water and are Obliged to drink muddy and
impure water. which is injurious; none bat
strong cattle can get out when they get in,
and sheep will not 20 in to drink unless OBJ
liged to do 90 from sheer thirst; the hind
ones crowd the forward in until they mire or
are tramped 90, and either have to be pulled
out or perish.
Stagnant water becomes impure and ipju-
rious to stock Of any kind; besides creating
an impure atmosphere which never fails to
produce more or LEES sickness. As to the in
fuence they would have on the rainfall l
consider il all bosh. When the dams are full
of water all the vallows will have supply
from the clouds. Irrigation Is not necessary
and when ii is there will be very little water
in The dams to supply the wants. Ihave seen
the dam nuisance in Texas demonstrated,
where the loss Of cattle and sheep in one
week would have supplied every section in
. township with vind-miils and wells Of pure
clear wafer. The same on the Sacramento
plains of California, where the natural pools
were far superior 10 the dam pools Of Texss
or Missouri, where carcasees Of animals lin
ed the banks, snd fevers and ague was the
rule instead Of the exception. Several large
stock men in Texas commenced filing up
their dams and ordered wind. mills; the same
in California. Their doctor bills would buy
good mill every year.
But in these dry, hard times it il we'll 10
have something new TO sgitate the mind.
and We might - we'll discuss the dam ques-
ton as not; but would prefer to discuss Q
subject Of more practical importance. Let
the man who has TIE interest Of south western
Kansas ct heart advocate digging or boring
wells and putting up good substantial mille,
that will throw 20 to rs barrels Of water per
hour, which will wear for years without re-
pairs, and We think he will be talking sense,
and the eheep and cattle will think %, too.
1t 10 nonsense to b running over the coun-
try looking for good ranges when $3.50 90
would make good range out Of every SEC
ton Of land on the plains; and the farther
from rivers the better.
We are convinced the country cannot be q
successful agricultural country and success
full stock country both, and il We make it
the one we virtually spoil il for the other.
Providence calculated it for sheep country
and We think he knew best; and We also
think he will have his way about it.
Ny advice to sheep men is to steer clear
Of all kinds Of dams, and keep away from
the rivers and streams; get out on the high,
rough land or plains, where the short, sweet
grass grows; dig a well, put up good Per-
kin's mill and few troughs; rsise broom
corn for sheds; raise milet, rice corn and
sorghum for feed, and you are heeled. A
mail flock Of sheep will make you more
comfortable and more esse than q section of |
land farmed to wheat and corn. think in
alden times the most of Gods chosen were ,,
,heep and cattle men. Sheep and cattle have
,lwsys paid and always will. They are victu-
lie and drink, and tolerably good lodging,
md about all We have for clothes. Sheep 5
md lambs were always the favoriies. l have =
'aised and handled sheep in = number Of