Delta chief., 1884-02-13

less" whose name alone is synonymous with
the history of Delta county ! have heard
all my life of men who were regarded as in
defatiguable workers. but Mr.. Finney takes
the cake, as he, according to his own state.
ment, raised last season one hundred bushels
each of corn and potatoes with but one farm
ing implement, and that an old plantation
hoe. lie says that when he finished his crop
there was nothing left of the hoe except
round, flat band around the end of the ham
die. 81 pass" Mr.. Finney is fluent con-
versationalist. good thinker and a clever
ranchman.
As the sombre shades of evening were fast
spreading themselves over the country it be-
gan to transpire to me that must find a rest
ing place for the night, and acting accordingly
| set out down the valley, through which !
travelled for about three miles, when pulled
up at the residence of Mr.. George Fogg, who
STIMULATED my horse and took me into his
care and keeping for the night. Mr.. Fogg's
ranch is situated on Forked Tongue Just be-
low where it opens out INTO beautiful val
ley, highly adapted to agricultural purposes.
The valley ut this poiHt is about one-half
mile in width, and the soil is principally
"doby" with a mixture of SAM sufficient to
render it easy of cultivation. Mr.. Fogg has
two sons, both of whom have located claims
on Surface creek recently, and are getting
out ditch to water the same.
Passing down the valley some three-quar-
tiers of mile found myself at the ranch of
Mr.. James Moore, who is n late acquisition to
the ranching fraternity, having purchased
the ranch formerly owned by the Turney
Bros He has valuable ranch and small
bunch of cattle, between which he expects to
devote his attention. The Turney Bros,
understand, have Just returned from Utah,
bringing with them cattle which they expect
to Craze on the country above described.
Ny next stop was at the 'Wayside Inn"
owned by those 1.-TWO old buns and Jolly
ynnI oil - Iesse I,illiIanI md las Stpll
both of whom are 'si-ers in these parts, hav-
ing stuck to that sandy ranch like grim death
to n sick monkey. Mr.. Stell, the Junior
partner of the firm, is one of the latest acces-
sions to the matrimonial faith, and is just
verging frcm that period of conjuyal bliss
known as the honeymoon. He puts in about
ten hours day exercising himself over u
grubbing hoe, and the manner in which he
wields this implement never fails To impress
the passer-by with the fact that he has turned
a new leaf in life's history, and has begun
married life upon the theory that God helps
those that help themselves" Their ranch is
very conveniently located as regards water
privileges, the soil is of loose, sandy nature,
lays well for cultivation. and is enclosed by
as good fence Us one would wish. and "a the
boys are good ''rustlers." bespeak for them
if they will only hold their grip, that success
to which to which they are 50 justly entitled.
Ny next respite was Mt the residence of
"Unclen John Brewer, where / sojourned
just long enough to bathe my weary soul in
buttermilk, and listen to the glowing manner
in which the family expressed their conf
dence in the country's future. They were
formerly from Wet Mountain valley here,
having bought their present location, upon
which he is putting improvements that CON
vinces You at once of the fact that Uncle"
John Brewer and family have struck camp.
A ditch is in the course of construction to
water ranches in this vicinity.
cra.E talps n ruthpr firrIitgus y
route through the valley at this point and in
going to the next ranch was necessitated to
cross it thirty y-eight times, putting in the in
tervals in holding my hands over my eyes
while my steed dragged himself over the
willows. The last named ranch is at the
junction of Tongue creek with the Gunnison
river, and is owned by John Wilbanks, who
halls from that part Of the moral vineyard
where the .'sons of Ham view the ticket they
are expected 10 vote by gazing into the dark
recesses of double-barrclled shotgun. Mr..
Wilbanks and lady spend their summers on
Surface creek, Mt their milk ranch, where
they have achieved the reputation Of being
the boss" butter makers of Delta county,
but at present are rusticating at the mouth of
Tongue. where his better half divides her
time between attending TO the chickens and
admiring her two pet deer OF which she is
Justly proud, while Johnny" as he is fa-
miliarly known, rustes wood aud water,
makes fires, and explains to the travelling
public what a jodaisy of place Bakers
Ford would be for a bridge"
The ranchmen of whom have been speak
ing. unlike Micawber, are not waiting for
something to turn up" but have settled in
the country with a view to building it up, se-
curing homes for themselves and families
and becoming permanent fixtures After
hearing them recount the adverse circum
stances under which many Of Them had to
labor in order to secure this end, am con-
WINGED of the fact that one trip to this part Of
the county would convince the most disinter-
ested that their efforts in this direction should
not only rebound to their benefit temporarily
but be AS bread east upon the waters, to be
gathered up many days hence.
Yours for the right
THE LOST CHARLIE Ross.