The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-25

The Plains of Colorado Drying Up and the
Inhabitants Suffering.

Inhabitants Suffering.
Denver Special.
The great plains are hot and parched. and
daily they are becoming more like the veritabla
desert of the pioneer DAYS. Not for many years
has there been such scarcity of water in Colo
rada, and especially in the region of the Platte.
Vegetation is becoming brown and crisp. The
grass is withered, wells are driving up irrigation
bitches are dry crops are burned up by the in
tense heat. Cattle are dying, and at some points
on the plains the people are almost perishing for
water
Pitiful are the tales told by ranchmen of crops
destroyed. cattle perishing and their families in
great danger of suffering. Reports from the
eastern parts of Arapahoe and Weed counties,
near the Colorado and Kansas line, represent n
terrible state of affairs. This section seems
fated to disaster and misfortune Last winter it
is estimated that one hundred people lost their
lives near the State line in snow blockades and
terrible storms that prevailed. Now they are
scourged with an intense heat that is bringing
ruin and disaster. Noemigrants for many years
have suffered such extremes of heat and cold as
they. Induced by the favorable reports of the
rainfall of the two previous years, and influenced
by the commonly accepted theory that the
rainfall is each year increasing, and the rain
center moving westward hundreds of new set
tiers have attempted raising crops without irri-
cation, but the present season has been very
unfortunate one, not only the crons totally de-
stroyed and their stock dying, but the unfortu-
nate ranchmen and their families in some
places SQ1IerlDg Tor wafer TO drink. NOLQlnG
but misery is ahead OF them. and unless relief
of some kind is soon obtained it is said that they
will be obliged to move away or perish. Cattle
are choking with thirst and often the poor
brutes are seen standing at the dried-up water.
ing places with tongues lolling out of their
mouths.
In some places the wild animals are becoming
tame. even the antelope, the feetest and most
active animals on the plains, in some instances
have become so exhausted from thirst that they
haU hna oilu aopFf1 rad lxyh III
ranches. The reports from all the ranchmen
confirm the statement that unless water is pro.
cured the suffering among cattle will result most
fatally, and that the loss to ranchmen will be-
immense as these little punches are in many
cases all the ranchmen possess to lose them
would be most disastrous. Infact as one ranch.
man expressed it, it is matter of life and death
to them. The great stock ranges. which it had
been hoped would escape, are now becoming
brown, and the leading stockmen are beginning ia
feel apprehensive. The cattle have suffered
more in the southern sections, and many havo
persisted.
About 100, 900 head have been rushed through
the State from the dry regions to the ranges OF
the Northwest. The Rio Grande river has a
good volume, but the Arkansas and Platte rivers
are low. and at some points the Platte is now
but ankle deep, below the great irrigation
bitches, and many troublesome questions have
arisen over the irrigation problem. In many
places along the Platte the ranchmen arc
armed and will fight unless they obtain their
rights. The big ditch companies are monopollz-
ing what little water there is, and the feeling is
very bitter There have already been several
encounters, but no loss of life has yet resulted
Representative ranchmen from the plains have
just held convention in Denver and say il
they cannot have water by peaceful means. they
will take it by force. Water, water; give us
water" is the cry that comes from the plains
Governor Eaton has just given an audience to
a committee of ranchmen. and is devisng means
for q fair distribution OF the water, and it ii
hoped that he will succeed. Unless something
is done there is danger of bloodshed. The ereat
ditch monopolies guarding their bitches with
armed men, and ne ranchmen. hundreds OF
whom are now secretly organized and armed.
say that unless relief is soon given they will cue
the canals
Denver is feeling the result of the drought
The city's water supply comes from the Platte
and the water-works company has issued
quest to all citizens to be economical as pos
sible in the of water. and especially for lawn
purposes. Some of the small towns to the east
Of Denver are supplied with water from this
city and were it not for the water shipped ia
them on the railroads the inhabitants would
soon perish of thirst