The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1892-03-18

lIssfa Sas sssa EtSesSs
A. II. SNYDER, Snoma, Butte Count,
j. 8. PRATT, Spearfish, Lawrence
III. DAVENPORT, Sturgis, Meade
LEVI MCGEE, Rapid City, Penn.
JAS. HARTGERING, Hermosa, Custer /.
j. RIDPATH, HotSprings, Fall r.
8. F. FoRsHA, (at latge) Rapid City.
At a mass convention OF the citizens
OF western South Dakota, held at Pied
mont on January Both, 1892; for file
purpose Of discussing the Dues.
ton OF irrigation, the resolutions herein
were UNANIMOUSLY adopted, to which we
invite your attention andconsideratiou,
The deserted cabins and dugouts, the
neglected fences and deserted fields,
which everywhere meet the eye of tie
traveller upon the plains and valleys, for
hundreds OF miles east of the great
Rocky mountain range, in the United
States, speak in language too plain to be
misunderstood, that agriculture cannot
successfully be carried on, in the greater
portion OF this vast region.
The tide OF agricultural immigration.
which for more than a century swept
over the Alleghanies and across the great
Mississippi valley, leaving waving fields
OF grain and happy homes in it's tract,
with such even sway, has ceased Its flow
and is ebblng slowly backward, not be-
cause there is no more vacant land, not
because these unoccupied lands are
sterile and nonproducSive, but because
OF the insufficient rainfall, the lack of
moisture for the maturing OF crops.
Thousands OF honest, industrious men
have settled upon these lands, to make
homes for themselves and families, only.
to lose all they took there with them,
and finally, to be driven from the
country by the blighting touch %ofdrouth;
leaving several years work and heavy
debts behind.
The few seasons with sufficient ram
TALL, and the few tracts OF land under ir-
rigation, demonstrate the fact, that the
sun no where shines upon more fertile or
soil than that Which lies
this very section OF country. No
other land has clearer streams, no other
CLINE has purer air or bluer skies, than
the n at the foot OF the Rocky noun
tains OF North America.
All these things being true, the q,,es-
ton naturally suggests itself, a any
be done to bring moisture upon all
Or q portion OF this land? Let us see:
In some localities OF this dry country,
South Dakota more particu-
arteslans wells have been sunk
and the undernow brought to IL e
surface, and successfully utilized for ir-
purposes; thereby increasing
many fold the agricultural yield, ana
oyer the entire face Of this region are
swift running streams, carrying
vOlumeS OF water III narrow chan
nels back to the ocean All along the
DOT OF the mountain ranges are MANY
small streams which flow IN torrents
Town the mountain sides from the melt
ng snow and excessive rain fall in the
higher country; many OF which sink
AWAY in the rocks or gravel beds TAR be-
heath the surface, at or near the foot
Hills, an | never extend out upon the
and valleys.
These waters which hide away be-
heath the surface and slowly filter
gravel beds and subterranean
streams and this vast quantity that
sweeps away across the country over
the surface in narrow river channels,
be preserved and stored away
or irrisating purposes during the dry
This can be done by placing
0ed rock dams on all streams which sink
the surface, above the point of
and at such points along
5he surface streams as may be neces-
'lry to bring the entire flow to the sur
ace and conducting the same through
and canals out upon the higher
portions OF the agricultural country and
it in large reservoirs which can
)e constructed at nominal cost in most
instances, as the topography issuch that
title work would be necessary, and from
his high ground all land below co,.ld be |
The effect of preserving this great wa
erflow and causing it to be spread out
'ver the land, and evaporated in this
egion, instead of flowing through under
urrents and narrow channels back to
he ocean; taken in connection with the
Increased growth OF vegetation, and
specially OF timber, which could be sue
essfully grown anywhere upon these
'ltins and valleys by irrigation. must be
o continually keep the atmosphere
harged with moisture, and this in turn
increased rain fall.
Can this be accomplished? We say
But we are too poor to accom-
'lIsh this as NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. are any
i the states or territories able to do it.
We must have federal aid, and none can
eny our right to it; for it Is not a huge
scheme, but a great national bus
ness proposition, which would, if ac-
add many millions to the
'ealth OF the country every year; be-
ides bringing relief to many thousands
+ settlers OF this region, andfurnish new
for millions in the crowded cities
I the eastern states.
For many years the congress Of the
United States has made large appropri-
,tions for the improvement drivers and
arbors and other internal improve
nents, gwen liberal grants OF land to
ublic institutions and extravagant
rants OF the richest land OF the nation
o private individuals and corporations
We therefore have no hesitation in ask
1g federal aid for this purpose; relying
pom the business OF our claim, the past
berallty Of congress and the vast i'm
'ortance OF the proposition.
The western portion OF South Dakota
nd especially that portion known as
he Black Hills country, is peculiarly
dapted to just such a system OF irrlga-