Delta chief., 1883-10-03
THE NORTH FORK.
Impressions Of a Correspondent on n
Visit to this Favored Section.


nison river, in July. but owing to illness have
not been able to write until the present. 1t
may be interesting, however, to some of the
readers of your paper even at this late date.
On the morning of the 18th day of July
left Delta in company with a friend who was
destined to the same point. My travelling
companion was intelligent and communca-
tive, and time passed pleasantly, nothing oc-
curing worthy of note until reaching the
valley of the North Fork. After crossing an
elevated plain we descend abruptly to this
beautiful and fertile valley. Here our eyes
are greeted with fields of waving grain, thrift
ty gardens and green meadows.
Stopping at the house of Enos T. Hotchkiss
for dinner, (who by the way is one of our
county commissioners we remained here for
some two hours or more, which was spent in
ramble over the large farm of our friend. The
house of Mr.. Hotchkiss stands near the public
road nestled in a beautiful grove of young
cottonwoods and oaks, with irrigating bitches
conveying water through his yard to his gar
dens and shrubbery. This cool retreat was
very pleasant, but the waving grain had
more attraction for me; so sailed forth for
ramble through the fields and meadows of
new mown hay.
The rank growth of grain excited my ad-
mration wheat, rye and oats tinged with
golden hue spoke of harvest near and the
large heads, bowling under the weight of the
maturing kernal, promised an abundant yield.
The next in interest was large field of
thrifty corn, whose tassels were just peeping
throus sh the folds of broad, green leaves that
enfolded them which also indicated boun-
tiful yield in due season. A large and thrifty
young orchard of about two thousand choice
apple trees; vineyard, small fruits and
shrubbery are the evidences of thrift which
hon, ,f nf he min nj
this valley. Besides this large and well cul-
tivated farm, Mr.. Hotchkiss is one of the
cattle kings of the county, owning the largest
herd of cattle in the county. After refresh
ments we were again on our way up the val
lev passing cultivated farms on both sides of
the river with here and there new settlers
laying the foundation for future homes, and
fat, sleek cattle runiinatiny by the wayside.
Irriga.ing bitches, fences and buildings of
various kinds are being constructed all along
the valley.
Arriving at the house of Samuel Wade, an
other of our county commissioners, some time
after dark we were kindly received and with
the comforts of life bountifully supplied.
During the evening we were entertained by
the accomplished daughter and sons of our
host with vocal and instrumental music. Af-
ter refreshing nights rest We spent the day
in look over the farm and surroundings Of
the proprietor. An ever pleasing recreation
for me is the rambling through the fields of
corn and waving grain. After our tramp
through fields and woods and shady groves,
we visited the orchard of thrifty young trees,
| vineyard, ornamental trees and shrubbery
| that adorn the premises of this thrifty farmer.
| Reapers, mowers and other labor saving i'm
| plements of agriculture indicate the enter
| prise of the proprietor. well-hlled store
room of general merchandise add another
source of income to his agricultural and stock
interests.
now tried to amuse myself at fishing, but
soon found the green fields and meadows had
more attraction for Inc than my bait had for
the fish 80 ! quit that business and again
took to rambling through adjacent fields and
groves and wherever my fancy led me. The
short-horned cows, Berkshire pigs, and poul
try yards were all inspected. Evening came
on, and the next thing in order was the lee
ture my travelling companion had announced
to deliver that night. But the time was lily
chosen to deliver a lecture in country place.
The audience was considered toe small for a
large amount of eloquence, SO the good peo-
pie of North Fork failed to receive the intel
lectual treat that had been prepared for them.
The gathering of the golden shcaves into their
garners was of more Importance to them than
listening to scientific discourse on the tran
sition of simiddG into men through evolution,
or of being told that in remote period their
ancestors inhabited the jungles of Africa and
Asia in the shape of monkeys, balloons and
orang-outangs.
Next morning we bid adieu to our hosplta-
BILE friends, and returned on our winding way
down the valley. As the road leaves the riv-
er bottoms at some points, crossing high me-
sas, we view from distance green fields and
improvements of different kinds, indicating
indicating the hand of industry. was there.
The farming is confined, with few except
tiOns, to the alluvial lands of the river. The
mesas, covered with rank growth of sage
brush, are not inviting to look at, but are said
to be very productive when water is brought
upon them.
The white tent pitched in some cozy nook
by the ways;dc, and the covered wagon with
its ever attendant appendage, the chicken
coop, COW or two and dog tell the story Of
the immigrant seeking home in the noun
tain valleys.
The comfortable houses, cultivated fields,
bitches and fences are the evidences of the
energy, thrift and industry of the citizens of
the valley. The abundant crops are proof of
the fertility of the soil the chool-houses
and bridges indicate the public spirit of the
people and desire to disseminate knowledge
among the rising generation. The advanced
Reservation, in 10 short time, is truly
marvel. Two years has not yet elapsed since
the red man, with all his savage instincts,
held this Reservation tightly locked against
the advancement of civilization. But his
footprints had not faded from the sands
of western Colorado until these beautiful val
leys were teeming with hardy, enterprising
and intelligent class of pioneers, who have
made such rapid strides in the development
of the country that it is a wonder to all pass
ing through IT, These valleys offer pleas
ant and beautiful home to the agriculturist
the extensive ranges, with their nutritious