The Delta independent., 1893-09-27
HEALTH AND WEALTH.
Few Facts Concerning A Great Fruit
Country.

white man Of what is now the most productive
valley in America. The Ute Indian caught fish
and wildly pursued the deer over the land now
covered with orchards and vineyards, bearing
luscious and various fruits, and where the savage
nitched his wigwam can now be seen the pleasant
homes of the most moral and thrifty class OF
citizens to be found anywere. In 1881 the Govern
ment removed the Indians to the Reservation
now in Southern Colorado and Utah, and hardy
pioneers soon took possession OF these valuable
lands SO eagerly waited for.
Nearly IL years have elapsed. and the rapid
strides the county has made must fill the hearts
Of those early pioneers with pride and Joy as they
look over the 200 square miles that Delta coun-
tv contains and see 1t tseming with excellent
farms. highly cultivated and covered luxuriantly
with wheat alfalfa, fruits OF every description.
apples, grapes, peaches, pears, ounces apficots
plums, cherries, raspberries, blackberrles, cur
rants gooseberries InulDerries, and almost every
| k,nd of fruit Except few tropical) that grows
anywhere OH earth, as well as to see the entire
face of the land dotted here and there with ine
residences, schools, churches, excellent highways
bridges in fact all the needed Improvements that
20 to build up and make county great. Sesshe
thousands OF cattle, sheep, horses, mules ana
swine roaming the ranges and ranches
| Notice the healthy, vigorous people, the enter
| of the climate, the nature and character OF its
soil which is rich and productive 1t Will be
no surprise that within the limits Of Delta county
there are are now 900 energetic. enterprisng
cultured and refined people rs can be found III
any section Of country.
CLIMATE OF COLORADO.
Climate and health are associated throughout
the state so much so that the state bas become
noted as a great health resort. Annually there
come within its limits thou3ands from different
climes to regain lost hcalth--fndinG with a few
mouths residence their disability greatly improv-
ed. IL not completely restorcd-often the latter
Colorado, California and Arizona have rcputa-
tiou the world over for healthy climate, and the
curtaive qualities of the atmosphere. The west
ern portion of Colorado possesses qualities super
ior to the Others named for the reason we escape
the "rainy season" which arrives annually IN
California and the torrid heat experienced In
Arizona. Many of Delta cOunty's citizens have
been benefited and restored to health after hav-
ing been given up life long sufferers to pulmo-
nary troubles, and are today living witnesses of
what the genial touch of mountain air Will do as
restorative. The many resorts where ex-
cursions In beautiful valleys are to be enjoyed
can not but bring the blush Of health to the pal
est cheek These valleys and mssas are profusely
decorated with rare and beautiful flowers whose
odors are ever present Spruce, pine, fir and
cedar grow luxuricntly and fll the air with pro-
| perties especially beneficial to the lungs
The invssoruting character Of the air and
climate together with its dryness and lightness
and Its almost constant sunshine with which 1t Il
favored, imparts to the invalid new lease OF
life filling his heart with JOY well as increas-
ing his admiration tor this state as natures great
sanitarium The genial touch OF the climate
with the inhalation Of its pure air, exercises
begin influence upon those suffering from pulm-
onary or lung disease. often uness the disease Is
too far advanced) affecting preventative Of
consumption. and 1t is established fact that
phthiss is never known to afiict those born under
Its influence.
IRRIGATION.
The system Of irrigation Of Delta county as yet
Is not complete, but Is well advanced and In a
short time will be perfected The opportunities
for irrigation are good. and within short time
all will be supplied, The natural facilities are
such that 1t makes 1t comparatively easy to con-
yey water up to and over the most elevated por-
tons of the mesas, This Is true Of California,
Garnet and Rogers mesas.
Irrigation is no longer an experiment OH the
arid lands and the conditions of the soil in Delta
county make the building and maintenance OF
canals and bitches very easily accomplished.
Every valley and mesa has its net work oftrcnch-
90 and the number Of canals IN 1893 is over 200
with AL aggregation of over GOO miles.
Along the valleys of the Uncompahgre, Gun
nison North Fork, Smith Fork, Muddy, La Roux.
Tongue aud Surface Creeks, there is an abund-
ance of water for all purposes In addition to this,
a complete system OF reservoirs have been estab
lIshed along the Grand Mesa, which afford SUI
ncient water for purposes required along the
x.,1In taII Ian h.,rfIa ariu
advantages to be derived from the facilities for
procuring abundance of water throughout the
county Is OF inGalculable value, and one that
should be taken into consideration. as upon this
depends largely the success OF the toer.
THE GRAND MESA.
To the tourist or stranger who visits Delta one
OF the gr"ndcst and most awe-inspi ring sights
which greet his eye is the Grand mess which
rises ma jesticaly 500 feet above the Gun
niscn River valley. Distances well knownt to
be deceiving to the eye in mountain countries,
and In spring when the peach and apple trees are
in blossom In the valley and the weather warm,
1t appears as II n few hours climbing over wooded
hills would take one to the mesa top where they
might have a jolly time making snow balls But
It Is not so quickly done as the distance in
direc. limo is 81 miles, reached by circuitous
route through enchanting mountain scenery
made 80 by the heavy growth Of trees, the ecrystal
streams. and the quick movements of mountain
deer, elk, antelope and the frisky jnck rabbit.
But when tho top is reached then only can bo
fully realized the beauty aud grandeur Of the
valleys below, and here only can be fully nppre-
dated how libcrally nature has prov .ded for the
amusement and comfort ofthose who seek a cool
place for a summers outing.
On the rugged mountains which rise still high
er are known to be rich deposits Of silver and
gold, but very little ,prosP .ct!ng or attempt at