Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-12-08
WILLARD Is GETTING THAR"
what water and work are Doing for
the Broad southern County.
Ei,or Deso,e, Newe

EdtOr Dssoye, NcDc
Willard county with her vast area
and genial matt, owing 20 her limit
oil water supply has been considered
slow, but there are signs that warrant
the predictioa that she Il going TO "get
thar" all the same. Early settlements
were only possible upon the small
mountain streams on the east aide Of
the county. Later several heroic
efforts were male TO liam the SEWER
river, anu plant the city OF "Deserei,"
but time after time the treacherous
qiicksani IA ths river bsj gaze way,
aud this toll and hunger planted dam
went with the mighty stream, leaving
scores Of families without pros.
pect for bread, except es they scattered
through the land among those VINO had
not made the venture. THIS happened
No often that the name Of "De,erep
was Whispered In deriaion OF those who
had once settled there. But undaunted
men again went down TO subdue the
land, ami with poverty and prayers
they worked the woven Willows IN the
water, checked tho current, and
wats red their little farms, pointed with
becoming pride 10 their Iabors, aud
felt safe In v hat they had accomplished.
but the insidious enemy was agaiu
at work, aud would have again
wrought ruin, had not friends
and capital come to the rescue
"A a.a.. ~. aaaA al
dam miles abOve the old location,
neccssitating an immense outlay OF
money aud LABOR for canals and
bitches, but givins security anu future
homes Tor Thousands. Dcserct with Its
neighhoring settlements In there, aud
tioufishing. We spesk OF them now
with respect; they answer with a smile
md hint at our absorption. We
laughed at first, but now we stop 20
consider, for tho developments Of the
last three years have sOocred us with
facts. About that time one OF our cit
izeus was wading through the wastes
In search OF ducks; his practical eye
perceived future for the slumbering
land, which have matsriaiizsd In tpo
investment OF hundreds Of thousands
OF dollars and the great future for the
swan Lake county about eleven miles
southwest from Desoret.
have Just ilshed out a few facts
about another project or enterprise OF
this same citizen. Again II 10 u 70.
aetvoir and the Irrigation Of one hun
dred thousand acres OF land, land un-
surpassed In fertility In oil our Terri.
tory. The reservoir, a natural basin,
win be four miles long by one mile
wide. Of great depth, fod by nm
enormous living spring, anJrding q
stream thirteen feet wide and six feet
deep, with fall OF six feet 10 tho
mile. There are three other streams
that will he poured into the reservoir,
for from ak TO eight months OF the
year. The outlet will be through u
tunnel in solid rock, about seventy n ve
feet long. There will be no trouble
from wave action, this lake being almost
entirely surrounded by hills. filed with
saw timber and flre wood Of the best
kind.
have gathered these facts mostly
from parties well acquainted with the
country anu nave not found one
doubter Of the feasibility and success Of
this great enterprise. From my own
knowledge the land 10 covered with
black sage and amongst tho best that
ever responded to the toll OF husband
man. II lays In the western part OF
our country. The father Of these great
schemes OF development, Is our respect-
ed citizen, MIR. jos. T.. Ray, not u
grasping speculator, but an easy.golng
fellow who seems 70 glide through the
world with great and practical ideas
and willing that those who work with
him shall share in these profits. Ho
has already secured rights from laud
owners, and done work on the scheme.
The small amount Of capital necessary
will easily be found.
Yes Millard 10 surely "getting thar''
and Joe" Rays name will be written
with honor In her history. A. BIRD.
FILLMORE, Dec. q, 1892.