The record-union., 1891-04-20
A CAPAY COLONY.
Busy uit-Growers in a Pretty
Yolo Valley-Tancred and Its
Adjoining Farms.

IN THE SPRING OF LAST YEAR
= Robert A. and Neal D. Barker associated
themselves with William Mckay, all OF Oak
iand with view of searching out q suitable
location in which to engage in the profitable
occupation of fruit-growing After visiting
many localities, they decided on the Capav
Valley, Yolo County, and the Rhodes tract at
Tancred
Negotiations were opened with the Capay
Valley Land Company, owning the tract in
question: With W. II. Mills, the General
Agent of that company, they arranged for the
purchase of about 220 acres of foothill land
This being more than they had thought of
taxing for their own use, they spoke to a
number of friends about 1t. with the result
that the tract was divided among the follow.
ing people: B. L. Hickok. 40 acres: w. T.
barnett, 20 acres; n. 7. Greathead, 20 acres:
Mrs l.. Greathead go acres; w. Mckay. 90
acres; n. D. Barker, 90 acres; r. A. Barker
20 acres; j. P. Brownlee, 20 acres; f. H. Has
lett, 10 acres Joseph Barker, 10 acres; A. w.
Kelly 10 acres, and Frederick Kelly. o acres
SO far this had been merely a private ven
ture OF the gentlemen above named, but in
talking up the question of dividing the land
already purchased, 1t was found that so many
more would like to join it than the area Of the
purchase would admit OF, that it was sug
gested ON all hands, ''Why not get some mora
iand and divide it up in the same way?r
1leil ioiiowed the idea of a stock company to
take hold of larger tract and arrange for the
cultivation of the whole of it, after subdividinp
1t according to the requirements of the sub
scrtbers. A provisional board was formed a
prospectus issued, and finally on the 5th of
June, 1890, the Western Co-operative Col
onization and Improvement COMPANY was
otly registered and proceeded to business.
with the following officers: President. Will
lam Mckay; Vice-President, NJ. p. Brown.
Directors-H. c. Ellis, Charles Brooke and
II. a. Barker; Secretary and General Manager
Neal ID. Barker; Solicitor, C. E. Shook; Treas
urer, First National Bank of Oakland.
1he balance of the tract, 373 acres. was pur-
chased. a contract was entered into for the
purchase of a large number of fruit trees
vines, etc. This early purchase of trees was
Ile means of saving between $4,000 and
$4,000 TO the company the prices in some
cases having more than doubled since then,
The ideas which the prospectus set forth
nave been but slightly modified and tho
progress OF the company has been uninter-
fupted. Those who went into it doubtinglv
nave become enthusiastic, and almost all the
members arranged to set out all their lands in
fruit trees, etc., the first year. Consequently
IN this, the first season, some 40, 900 trees and
between 10000 and 10000 vines will be
planted.
Inc satisfactory working of this scheme has
had the effect of attracting considerable at
tentlon to the work of the Colony COMPANY.
and number of people are now desirous of
Joining in with them. An additional goo
acres have been added to the sixty acres
originally purchased.
For the company is predicted very bright
future, as well as for the beautiful valley in
which their operations are conducted. How
lhlS marvellous little garden has come to be so
long neglected is puzzle to every one who
mas visited it, but one thing is very sure. and
that is that this neglect win never again he
felt in the valley
The fruits set out are mostly of the standard
VaIlet1es-peaches, apricots, Bartlett pears.
prunes, figs, raisin grapes, etc. while along
Dolh SIDES or the avenues, throughout the
tract WahutS Will throw their graceful shade
a considerable number OF citrus trees are also
being set out; quite a sufficient number To
demonstrate that these fruits can be success
fully grown in the valley. about which the
colonists appear to have no doubt. provided
proper care is given to the young trees. Neal
ID. Barker, General Manager of the company.
resides on the tract, and to his care is to be as
crlbed much of the success of the venture.
Mention should be made of the town-site.
about which there is a pleasant innovation
which might with profit be followed by more
places y small park ofsoine three
acres has been laid out right in the center of
the town. This park it is proposed to beautify
by planting in 1t from time to time as MANY
of the beauties and curiosities OF tree and
shrub life as may be obtained by diIigent
search and a wise expenditure of money It
is not expected that Tancred viii ever be a
large and busy city, but it is thought that it
can be made very pleasant little place to
dwell in
a petition has been circulated recently and
very largely signed, asking the countyto ac-
cept Island avenue, on the colony tract, as n
county road, and to build a bridge across
Cache Creek at this point in order to give the
settlers on the east side of the creek access to
Iancred Station. The Tancred colonists are
quite willing TO give the necessary right of
way liiu are very ueSIrOuS OF having a bridge
there, as the colony lands extend along both
sides of the stream. It is thought that 1t
would be very wise expenditure of public
money to grant them this very necessary i'm
provement, as the operations of such COM
panles are OF widespread benefit to the whole
county and State. The attractions and COM
forts of the cities are well known, but to those
who are willing to settle on the land and show
that the country also affords attractions and
comforts and ways of making money pleas
antly, every inducenent should be held forth.
The following is a list of the principal men,
bers of the Tancred Colony, with the number
of acres owned by each, and fact worthy of
mention is that in each contract or deed is
sued by the Colony Company there is pro-
vision that no intoxicating liquor shall ever
be manufactured or sold on the land The an |
parent success 1.-THE enterprise shows that |
the ideas and plans of the colony, as set forth |
IN the prospectus some time ago, are not i'm
practicable: c. T. Hull, Berkeley, 5 acres; w, !
z. Hammon, Oakland, l acres; @. S. Kasson.
San Francisco, / acres; Jos. Barker l 0 acres:
A. w Kelly, Ktncardine, Ont, 5 acres; n. I. !
Greathead, acres; r. G.. Greathead, Oakland |
10 acres; Il. A. Barker, San Francisco, 10 |
acres; n. d. Barker, Tancred, 10 acres; DIR. X. |
Favor, San Francisco, 27acres; j. p. Brownlee,
Ont, 0 acres; w. T. Barnett,
acres; NJ. p Brown, 10 acres; !
Chas. Brook, ST., Oakland, 10 acres; w. C. |
Boutelle, Berkeley, 20 acres; Mrs. T. A. Crelin.
Oakland, acres; c. II. Peach, Tancred, |
acres; HI. c. Ellis, Oakland, 10 acres; j. Van i
stone, Winnipeg, 10 acres; E. a. Vanstone, |