The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-07-21
A Gigantic Scheme


THERE'S nothing too bold and 4comprehen-
sive for the American mind tor grasp and
master. The success of Eads in directing and
and combining the waters of the Mississippi
within prescribed limits may have. suggested
what Hamilton Dsston, Of Philadelphia, pro-
poses to do for Lake 'Okeechobee, which is
the key to the reclamation to some eight or
ten million acres. of Southern florida. This
lake, covering upward of one thousand square
miles, receives the drainage Of nearly the
whole southern peninsula Of Florida, and,
having no outlet, in periods of great "a lnfall
| oVerf1ows the country, which at other times is
comparatively dry, and affording pasturage
for vast herds OF cattle. which supply the Gu
ban markets. 1t is proposed that by construct
! ing canal connecting this lake with the
ocean that the lake will be permanently lower
| ed, and thereby prevent the often recurring
overtlows, and thereby retaining and bring
| ing into cultivation this vast area.si. Mr. Diss-
| ton and his associates have, after fully con-
| flrnling the United States SURVEYS, showing
that there is abundant fall from 'Okeechopee
| to the ocean to make this undertaking entirely
safe and practicable, commenced work on the
construction OF steam excayators, by which
they expect to accomplish the prescribed work
during the ensuing year. One hundred thous-
and shares OF STOCK at par value of $40 will
be issued, with bonus of $1,000, 900 of laud
certificates, bearing 6 per cent interest, which
will give to each subscriber an amount equal
to that of the subscriptions. The Philadelphia
Rnss referring TO the scheme. says:
1t is expected that before the capital stock
shall have been half up the stupendous pro-
Ject OF retaining the most valuable land in
Florida, which has been for ages covered with
periodical flow fromLake Okeechobee will have
been begun, and the work will be pushed rap
idly toward completion The Company has
obtained from the Board of InternalsImprove-
ments OF the State of Florida the concession
for the reclamation ofthese lands. embracing
an area of 100000 acres. The lake, cover
ing surface OF 900 square miles, has no out
let, so that when the rainfall is excessive the
waters overflow its banks and submerge the
country. The United States survey made in
1879 by Col. j. L. Meigs showed the practibil-
ity of providing an artificial outlet to the
gulf and ocean by a system of canals, and
resurvey by corps of engineers employed by
the Company has verified the recommends
tiors made by Col. Meigs These canals will
not only attain the object of retaining the
land, but will also provide means of water
transportation for the productions of the val
ley and the surrounding country
1t is estimated that the cost of constructing
the drainage canals will be 1908 1854. and, with
the dredges now being built, the work can be
completed in nine months. Two Steamboats,
ct 100 tons each are to be built, alta cost OF
$150,000, and will be used for freight and pas
senger traffic, Against this, the Company ex-
pect to derive an early and substantial reve-
nue. from the general passenger business and
the mail service. 1t is confidently expected
that the route opened up will be a fayorite one
for tourists, and. in conjunction with the de-
mands which will naturally arise from the in
creasing population, the scheme will be on a
paying basis at an early date. liss
The terms of the contract with the Board of
Internal Improvements give to the Company
one-half of all the land reclaimed by providing
the outlet, and the State of Florida will exc
cute grant of land of 3 $40 acres per mile of
canal constructed and improved, AT close
estimate this is set down at 100000 acres,
and adjoining, as it will, the canal, its market
value will appreciate directly after the work
has been completed, An exhaustive report of
he project has been prepared by James M.
kreamer, civil engineer, in which he states
he scheme to be entirely practicable and di-
rested of any particularly large expense, and
expresses the opinion that the reclamation of
he lands will render some of the most fer
lie country in the world capable of being
illed t4 tss