Delta chief., 1883-03-28
progress on surface Creek.
SURFACE CREEK, March "a.

sluer ourselves US constituting Ns SUBURBS,
and Notwithstanding our proximity to the
city, the lamentable ignorance expressed by
a majority of the citizens regarding our local
itv seems to call for some active measures that
will tend to disabuse their minds of the lurk-
ing idea that we are either species of cliff
dwellers, subsisting on trout and vension, or
inhabitants of tents and dens in the earth,
giving no thought for the morrow what we
shall eft or what we shall drink.
With the advent of THE CHIEF, however,
we hope that ours will be no longer an un-
kown land, and in order that the enterpris-
ing reporter when he does visit section
may not be so surprised at the evidence of
thrift that will meet his eye as to be incapa-
BILE of performing his duties, we beg to sub
fragmentary will convince your readers that
two of the tributaries of Delta, Surface and
Forked Tongue creeks, are endeavoring to
keep abreast of the boom.
Mr.. Settle who is located on Surface creek
at the lower edge of the cedars, is building
large addition to his house and fencing "A
tract Tor meadow. lie reports the cattle to
severity of the season better that he expected.
Messrs. Shepherd and Weaver who are win
tering large amount of stock for parties in
Lake City and Animas Forks, report them all
in fine condition, although look of deep
melancholy has settled upon the faces Of the
mules in anticipation of returning to their
summer labors, while the most dcyout burros
are braying that the range will not be open
until after the Fourth of July.
Messrs Sheffield and Gresham have their
entire quarter section fenced and fine ditch
completed.
Mr. Weir is engaged with Mr.. Frickle
in the construction of two bitches that will
supply with water a large area of land on
each side of Surface creek.
Capt. Spalding is associated with Mr.. Me-
Mullen in constructing large ditch that will
convey eight thousand inches of water for the
benefit of claims not yet taken up.
Mr.. j. b. Hart is in receipt of three thous-
and pounds of barbed wire with which he
has enclosed two quarter sections. He ex-
poets to put in about thirty acres of timothy
and alfalfa, besides wheat, barley and other
grains.
Mr.. s. $. Baldwin has purchased an inter-
est in the well-known basin and ditch owned
by Messrs Hart x Botstord, and will imme-
diately commence the erection of suitable
house for the reception of his family.
Mr. Jesse Hart has had a neat house put up
ON his claim, on the mesa about two miles
this side of the river.
On Forked Tongue creek Mr.. Fogg, from
Ruby, has his large ditch completed, two good
houses and other buildings on his place, and
expresses himself as being ready for the com
bat.
Mr. Whitaker, who owns the next claim
below, leaves for the Indian Nation about the
first of April to purchase cattle. He expects
to bring in about n thousand head and deliver
them on the range by the first of August.
Messrs. Turney Bros. & Sowles have their
bitches completed and houses in good shape,
and expect to cultivate quite an acreage.
The Kennicott Brothers, who also own
ranches on Surface creek, are engaged in
in fencing, their bitches having been finished
last fall
Messrs Gillian & Stetle, who are located at
the mouth of Surface creek, have been busy
all winter in fencing and clearing. Their
tire ranch is now enclosed with quite the best
fence we have seen, strong enough to repel all
boardcrs. Several cows boarded last summer
with great satisfaction to themselves on the
proprietors' vegetable garden. The fence be-
jng made Of poles is expected to be in itself a
sufficient warming that this summer there will
be no hoard.
Mr. Fleck, who owns the adjoining ranch
below, has it also entirely fenced and bitches
completed.
The spring has found every one in good
shape to commence operations, and we have
every reason to believe that in the coming
harvest Delta will show quite as good results
as her sister counties.
great convenience now and what will be
a necessity eventually is the construction of
bridge across the Gunnison at what is called
"Baker's Crossing" twill accomm odatc all
the North Fork country, Surface and Forked
Tongue creeks, and will in summer bring all
the travel from Plateau creek direct to Delta.
The road that we are compelled to use at
present when the Gunnison is high, is a most
miserable one, abounding in such heavy
grades that it is next to impossible To pull
even light load over it. A great many
people in this vicinity will help in its con-
struction, and we hope the County Com
missioners will give this matter their earliest
attention. SOLEMN FACTS.