Delta chief., 1884-02-27
UPPER GUNNIsoN VALLEY.
A Glimpse mt the Ranches Under the
Big RIFLE Ditch,

endeavor to fulfill my promise of last week
by description of the upper Gunnison val
ley and that strip of country laying back
from the river and next to the mesa, some
thing near eight miles in length. The land
next to the river in the upper end of the val
ley is much the same as that of which |
spoke last week, being of loose, sandy ma
ture, very productive, and easy to reclaim.
The width of the valley at this point is not
sufficient to admit of "a full ranch in the bot
tom, consequently those taking ranches in
square had to extend their lines out on to the
mesa or second bottom, in order to get full
claim, but there is sufficient timber along the
margin of the river to meet every demand.
While, as said last week, this mesa land is
rs general thing the pure adobe, there are
small patches along next to the high mesa
thickly coated over with sand, ranging in
depth from one to five inches, which is of
untold value regards the raising of all
vines and vegetables. The Fay of this land
for irrigation is most admirable, while water
Tor domestic purposes is easy of access by
digging wells, which past experiments show
to range in depth from twenty-five to thirty
feet. The altitude of the valley will average
near 5000 feet
Experienced parties claim that the adobe in
this valley is far less refractory than that of
Adobe Park, east of the range, on the Arkan-
sas, where some of the most wonderful crops
in the State raised. Ii is thought by the
settlers along this fiat that the cultivation of
of wheat will prove very successful, while
that of different kinds of fruit is forcgone
conclusion.
The ditch expected to furnish water for this
section of country is known of the Big Rifle
ditch, which has its source in the Gunnison
river at the mouth of the Grand canon, about
eight miles east of Delta. The origin of this
ditch dates back to the latter part of the win
ter of 81, when NJ. Winfield, Henry Stipp
and We scribe broke the first earth preparatory
to its construction, which isyet thing of the
future, as the circumstances attending its
progress all along have been very adverse.
However, the adaptibility Of the scheme
coupled with its great need has secured suiii-
cient accessions to the faith to warrant me in
the prediction that its completion viii be
consunimated this coming spring in time to
meet the demands for farming purposes.
| promised myself about the middle of the
winter not to work any more if | could reas-
onably keep up my reputation as a bum,
and it was while laboring To achieve this end
that chanced to find myself at Joel Grifiths
ranch, the first to derive benefit from the
above named ditch. Mr.. Griffith made his
present in the spring of 's3, since which time
he has been working with vim that always
proves so eitectual in the development of II
new home.
To the east, and something near mile from
this point, lives Jay Gould, whose ever
watchfu eye is kept busy seeking those
whom he may dcvour." Notwithstanding
the fact that the people of these parts i'm
bued with perception almost akin to the
prescience of God. he fell upon them with
| the full force of what is to him of late years
a fevorite little ruse. In the first place he
was a heavy shareholder in the Bona Eide
| ditch company, which stock he managed by
every device known to himself to get rid of
at reasonable figures, after which he began
casting himself about for other worlds to
conquer, and as there were those who had
Big Rifle ditch scrip fof sale, he lost no time
in investing twenty-five dollars therein, but
not until he had cried it down to far below
par. But no sooner had he closed the bar
gain than he commenced watering the stock,
and with beneficial results too, as the stock
is now lilo, with not dollar on the market.
At first Mr.. Gould was highly censured for
his course of action, but they are now fully
rcconcled to the fact that "all is well that
ends we'll" Jay claims one mile along the
river which he thinks is vertable bonanza.
] next entered the sanctum of Martin Win
field, who is numbered among the Oldest in
habitants of the country, and whose faith in
the dolby" is Is firm as the rock upon which
the house was built. Since he has resided
upon his present location he has labored dill
gently in the Improvement of his ranch and
gardening, in which he has been very Success
iul. His ranch is partially enclosed by n
wire fence, under which he has all the land
cleared he can cultivate. He has fine
yonng orchard coming on, IL good prospect for
alfalia another year, cosy little cabin, n
good well of water in his yard, and a cellar
well filled with potatoes turnips, rutabagas.
sweet pickles and tOmdHa suSs. all of which
combined he thinks will tend to keep the
wolf away from the door until another har-
vest.
The next ran | encountered was Mr.. A. p.
Browne, who bought tla ranch formerly
owned by II. Stipp. His family are at
Montrose this winter enjoying the advantages
of the school, but will return soon. Mr. b.
is an old Colorado ranchman, having spent
several years just east of the range. Dolby"
he says, sis the boss soil to produce"
Calling on Mr.. James II. Rhodes ] found
that peace and harmony prevailed, which are
the natural results of a contented mind. He
contemplates the seeding of thirty acres to
small grain the coming season, with 10 fear
as to the result.
The next ranch is the one just south Of Mr..
Baker, and is owned by ye noble Welchman,
stood to he good article of adobe but he
says that since the survey it has underwent
grand change, as he dug five feet few days
ago in what seemed to all intsnts and pur-
poses to be pure sand. Since making this
wonderful discovery he and his family, are
.enjoying regular "fcast of the Passover"
lie enjoys the reputation of good farmer
which renders him grand acquisition to the
community.
From here went to the Boudor of Robert
kOppe,' who has 100 acres of the "pure quill"
but he, too, is smitten with the idea that
some day his claim will b, sandy. 1t was on