Delta chief., 1883-07-11
THE RESERVATION.
A Ranchman's Candid opinion OF the
Country.
HARD-BREAD RANCH, Surface Creek,
July l, 1888.

July /, 1883.
To the Editor of THE CHIEF:
Having seen nothing from this part of the
moral vineyard for some time, l have conclud-
ed to give ranchman's opinion of the coun-
try. 1t was in the fall of 'Sl came to Gun
nison city, where found all hustle and ex-
citement over the new country being opened
up for settlement. l made enquiries of some
of the would-be emigrants in regard to their
Eldorado of the West, as they termed it, and
one of the most knowing ones said, why, it
is a small strip of country discovered by John
C. Fremont while en- route west to old Fort
Bridger, afterward settled by the Utes, and
later on bought by Uncle Sam, who was now
offering extraordinary inducements in the
way of homes to both the rich and the poor,
who wished to take Horace Greeleys advice,
and go west,'" etc.
The geographical description, just listened
to was to say the least, highly satisfactory, so
lost no time in making the necessary arrange
ments for the journey westward. My first
overt act was to invest $15 in one of those
obstinate little animals whose history is SO
intimately connected with the life of our Sa-
viour. Strapping or rather lashing on his
back kit of tools, $50 pounds of grub,
Winchester rifle and about 60 pounds of old
dirty clothes, hied myself out for the eden
of the West, my objective point being that of
our present county seat. In coming to the
Reservation had in view not the finding of
that the Glove of which is the root of all
evil" but n home where could lie down ut
night and take that rest so much appreciated
by ranchman who has passed the noontide
of life after hard days work. Was l well
pleased with the country? Yes, from the be-
ginning, for while was thoroughly convinc-
ed of its aridness, l was equally convinced of
its productiveness, judging as did from the
color and texture of the soil. In converse
ton with settlers who had preceded me and
secured ranches. / found some confident,
while others were respondent and claiming
as they did that their presence was due to the
gross misrepresentation published so often
in the newspapers regarding the country.
Such assertions emanated only from those
who had never depended upon ranching for
living, and it is my honest opinion that the
majority of the first settlers of the reserva-
ton was composed of miners, herders and
freighters, none of whom had the remotest
idea as to what it took to constitute the gem
eral makeup of q ranchman's life, and, of
course, they became more and more dissatis-
fed with the country, and the result was the
offering for sale of their claims, which in
many instances found purchaser. This
thing of selling ranches has been so prevalent
among this class that the country is fast fill
ing up with men of indomtable will and
energy, full of confidence in the country's
future, doing all in their power to develop its
resources, thereby setting an example well
worthy of emulation. That this is good
farming country none can doubt, for the
productiveness of the soil has been tested
with gratifying results Melons grow in
abundance, corn has been raised with sue
cess, and the cereal and grass crop is a sure
thing. With the vast tracts of tillable land,
the unlimited supply of water for irrigating
purposes, and climate not excelled even by
that of Italy, bespeak for this part of Colo
RADIO bright future. Fruit culture is being
largely engaged in, and with an altitude so
we'll adapted to its growth predict nothing
but grand success for all who have embark
ed in this branch of enterprise. As n stock
country this is among the first on the list; in
fact so highly are its advantages appreciated
that it has well been termed the home of the
stockman. Cattle do well here through the
winter, many coming out fat in the spring,
while in the summer the range is unlimited.
Now you have a ranchman's opinion of
this country, given from an unprejudiced
standpoint, and if not committed to the waste
basket this time you will hear from me again.
Yours Till death,
BILL DUNDEgFUNXs.
To Arrive this weeki