Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-04-04

in the mountains of Colorado, traverses
the valley from the north to the south,
carrying its leaping waters down through
deep gorges and DER hanging cliffs to the
gulf. Numerous small streams from the
east, about twenty in all, empty their
waters into the Rio Grande.
1t is through this agency that the mag
niticent and fertile valley OF Taos is to be
brought under cultivation. A syndicate
known rs the
TAOS VALLEY COMPANY
some months ago conceived the idea that
the surplus water of the Rio Grande could
be utilized for irrigation, and began the
work OF constructing mammoth canal
from point in the San Luis valley OF
Colorado, south through Taos valley along
the west side OF the river. Already sew
eral miles OF the canal have been com
pleted. The company is building num-
Der of large reservoirs in which to store
the surplus water. The undertaking is
one of the largest so far in the territory,
and " hen finished will have cost an enor-
nous sum OF money, reaching into the
hundreds of thousands.
Numerous other companies have been
Organized to construct canals and reser.
voirs east OF the river and altogether the
prospects for speedy reclamation of the
arid lands are tlattering.
VISITORS.
The visitor to Taos leaves the cars at
Embudo, where stage meets all trains.
The distance across the country is thirty
miles, through one of the most attractive
and picturesque countries on the globe.
The trip is always refreshing to the trav.
eler after wearisome ride on the train.
Guests in Taos tind ample hotel accom-
modations and are always received with
that warmth of welcome which makes
them feel at home.
NEW TOLL ROAD.
A new road from Taos to Tres Piedras,
which has been under construction for
some months, is nearly completed. 1t
will not only prove very beneficial to the
Rio Hondo mining camp, but to the en-
tire valley as we'll. The bridge across
the Rio Grande is substantial struc.
ture, 10 feet long. Heretofore the only
place to reach the railroad was Embudo,
and the new road will shorten the dis
lance several miles. The road is thirty
miles in length, and passes through some
of the best portion of the valley; it will
especially prove a boon to the citizens Of
the north end of the county.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of the county are in fairly
good condition, there being many mission
schools distributed among the various
towns and settlements. While the schools
are for the most part sectarian, they have
competent teachers and are doing mu.h
to educate the youth of the valley. Pub.
lie schools are lew, but the people are now
working with an energy which means
success to establish good public school
il each district in the country. Every
town and settlement has church.
FINANCIAL.
The books of the assessor for Taos
county for the year 1889 show decided
increase in population and in taxable
property. There we're 2,472 registered
voters and the assessed valuation OF the
taxable property amounted to 1921 500.
This does not include the amount owned
by persons whose property is worth less
than $500. The rate of taxation ls light,
and financially the county is in good con-
dition, being almost entirely out of debt.
Taos county warrants are worth their face
value in gold.
MINING.
The mining industry in Taos county
has bright future. The Rio Hondo noun
tains which form the eastern boundary of
the county are rich in gold, silver, "copper"
iron and lead. There are more than 900
mining claims recorded in the clerks of.
ice in the Taos county court house.
A deposit OF hard coal has been found
near laos. 1t resembles anthracite and
the first layer carries large percentage
Of ash. 1t Is thought that large quantities
Of coal can be found that Will pay well.
MANUFACTURING.
Taos county affords the manufacturer
Inducements that can not be found west
Of the Mississippi, and it is not improba.
Die that In . few years it will show
splendid progress in this respect. Here
are found the raw materials in never aad-