The record-union., 1892-09-22
THE RITTER DITCH.
irrigation Scheme for Amador and
Sacramento Counties.
Prospect That Very Large Area VIII
be Supplied With Water for Irri-
CATION Purposes.


Flattering are the prospects for a COM
plete renovation, in the near future, OF
the mining and irrigation property
owned and controlled by the Amador
and Sacramento Canal Company, and
the farmers and cattlemen along the cam
yon and valley of the Consumes River
are jubilant as visions of clear, bubbling
water flow through the parched maze of
their waking dreams. The interest
evinced by them in the prospective
change Of proprietors is second not even
to the coming Presidential election. for to
them it means water in unstinted quanti-
ties-and water means everything.
The property of the Amador and Sacra-
mento Canal Company, commonly
known as the RITTER Ditch" taking its
name from Mrs. Jennie Ritter, who,
since the murder of her husband years
ago, has owned the controlling interest.
receives it's first supply of water from the
the south fork of the Consumes River,
about ten miles northeast OF Eiddletown
NOW Oleta), and is capable of bearing
1900 farmers inches of water, or water
flowing without pressure. The ditch
follows the canyon of the stream for
top OF the bluffs at Gilberps ranch, three
miles east of Michigan Bar, at which
point it's usefulness may be said TO COM
mence. Before reaching Gilberts, how
ever, it taps Indian Greek, from which it
receives head of water nearly equal to
that taken up from the river.
At McCullough's ranch the ditch forks,
the main branch running east, the switch
going southeast, crossing Arkansaw
Creek above the DeVore ranch, heading
off Drummond's Greek at the Reeves
ranch, striking the crests of Dead Man s
Hill and Poor Mans Mountain and fin
ally emerging upon the plains in the
vicinity of Sevastopol, from which place
1t derives its name. 1t is capable, when
in order, of carrying LOO inches of water.
The main ditch passes along the high
lands OF the river, crosses Arkansaw at
the Flint and Raymond hop ranch and
continues its course until lost in the
wheat fields that surround Gait.
In the days of gold the stockholders
laughed and grew fat as the monthly
clean-ups showed heavy colors on their
side of the pan, and probably no like in
vestment in the State gave greater re-
turns in coin of the realm than did the
monitors along the Ritter ditch.
But the company was slow in procur-
ing land, and when the rich deposits on
Arkansaw and Drummond Creeks We're
thrown on the market took their own
good time in making purchases, deferred
probably by number of lawsuits invOlv-
ing the title to mineral lands in the vi
entity ofwhat is now known as Hilltop or
Harrisonville, and when it was ready or
able to buy found itself forestalled by
wideawake, live men, who foresaw a
fortune in the land OF the foothills stu
ated in the citrus belt, and that fruit trees
would grow equally as well with gold at
the roots as any other vegetation.
A mn hon of hn arfI
was leased by the Costumes Land and
Water Company, but in February last
the lease expired, since which time the
original company has been at the helm.
But for the past few years pay-dirt has
become scarce and it has been only ques-
ton of time until the monitors would
find nothing to play upon, until at the
present time it is asserted that only one
more run can be made at Hilltop. True
the company owns other and richer
lands, but in each instance their restrain
ing dams must be built upon outside
ranches, and this the farmers in the COM
munity object to in very vigorous If not
very polite language.
For some time past strenuous efforts
have been made by Mrs. Ritter and other
stockholders to dispose of the property,
and everything at present points to sue
cessful conclusion. Chicago capital is
now on the ground, and the sale would
".
that the company holds its charter under
the old mining law of the State which
has never been repealed, and which stip-
ulates that the right of way shall be Sc
cure so long as water flows the entire
length of the ditch at least once each min
ing season. Holding under that aged
though respectable Act, no survey of the
property had ever been made, and con-
siderable time was consumed in having
the survey made and the plot spread on
the records so that deed might be given.
Another reason why the sale has hung
fire so long, is said to lie in the person OF
smart San Francisco attorney, who
years ago was presented with number
of shares Of stock. He threatens to in
volve the proposed purchasers in maze
OF litigation concerning some point he
claims to know all about, but which is a
mystery to everyone else, and which the
other stockholders declare is only the
vivid imagination of a diseased brain.
While the present combine pose as an
irrigation as well as a mining company
the former branch has been entirely dis
regarded. The Sevastopol ditch has
known no water for the past four years,
except what has been procured by the
energy of a number of enterprising foot
hill rancherS, while the eastern section
of the main ditch, capable of CARRYING
900 inches of water, is known to have
been absolutely dry for period of two
years, anu water WAS Only ruSloQ through
then because disguised Californian Swore
to cut their ditch and with it their right
of way if water was not through in a
week. AT the end of the week he had
water.
Several reasons have been given by the
company why the ditch has not remained
full, one OF them being that a number OF
wealthy farmers living near the mouth OF
Arkausaw Creek kick the BEAM with
out the least compunction of conscience
Tor their suffering neighbors, but as these
gentlemen deny the report, it is not gen.
orally believed. Most people are inclined
to the belief that the company has given
its undivided attention to mining, to the
entire exclusion of irrigation, which sur
misc is probably correct.
AS mining and irrigation have, in this
instance, failed to connect the Chicago
capitalists propose to use the property fol
irrigation purposes only, and assert thai
better returns can be had from it as such
than to stand the brunt of the law suits
for covering the farmers little ranches
knee deep with slickens.
Ii the sale be made, as it no doubt will
not only Will the foothills of western
Amador and eastern Sacramento Coun.
ties be greatly benefited and land values
increased, but the great plains between
Michigan Bar and Gait and the famous
Buckeye Valley will bloom like flower.
garden the year around and facilities be-
opened to them heretofore only dreamed
of
That is why the heart of the farmer anC
sheep-owner is glad when he thinks O.
the change which is sure to come. l..
TELEGRAPHER TOURISTS.
Arrival of Party From the East to