The Delta independent., 1895-08-07
As Seen on Both Sides Of the River
Between Hotchkiss and Paonia.
THE PRODUCTION INCREASING
Steadily as the Orchards Grow Older
A Rich, Prosperous and Contented
Community Shipments Begun
For this geason.

When the present proprietor OF The
| INDEPENDENT came across the Crystal,
Muddy. Smiths Fork and North Fork
/ country in the autumn OF 1882 he saw
enough of the fertility OF soil and abun-
/ dance OF water in those sections to
thoroughly convince him Of the certain
ty that in later years there would be
seen communities OF prosperous and
happy tillers OF the soil. They have now
reached that condition and the large
number OF well titled ranches along
these streams gives ample proof OF the
correctness OF that conclusion.
For some weeks past arrangements
were being perfected for trip up the
North Fork, and on July 26th the bike
was strapped onto Mills stage and a
start made with driver Cockrehan. The
day was hot, the roads in fine condition
and an easy ride brought us to Hotch-
kiss at 2:3o p. m. where dinner was
found waiting at the Hotchkiss hotel
presided over by mine host, ]. f. Han
sen. who sets the best table in the
county for the money.
After dinner the left hand road up
the valley was taken and the first stop
made at Geo. Dukes ranch, just out
side Of town. Here was found 60 acres
OF alfalfa and acre orchard just COM
ing into bearing. In addition to this
place Duke Bros. have other ranches in
the vicinity OF Hotchkiss on which they
have l4o acres OF hay, 65 OF orchard just
beginning to bear, 100 stand OF bees and
about 1000 head OF cattle and horses.
They also have very large stock OF
general merchadise and at some future
| visit their interests will be written up
more in detail.
O. o. Page was found putting up hay
at Dukes place and stated that he was
working part OF the Hotchkiss ranch.
below town. where he had in 20 acres OF
corn. 6 OF potatoes and i OF onions.
Pulling up onto Hansen or Drum
mond mesa. c. L. Pike was next visited.
He has new place on which there is Il
| nice 8 acre orchard. newly set; 3 acres
OF corn. Of oats and OF potatoes.
Adjoining Mr.. Pixies ranch, Mrs. NJ.
J. Steele has small tract on which is u
3 acre orchard set last spring.
On the river bottom just above these
places Carl Sherman has 3 acre or
chard in bearing and about the same
amount OF ground in garden.
j. II. Rich has acres Of young or.
chard and OF oats.
J. L. Hansen has s acres OF oats, OF
alfalfa and a small orchard.
II. Wood has 10 acres OF alfalfa, OF
corn, OF millet, of potatoes and OF
orchard. some just coming into bearing.
| He has 30 stand OF bees and 40 head OF
cattle.
Jay f. Smith has y acre OF wheat, 3
| OF corn. 10 Of alfalfa and native meadow,
| u OF potatoes. . OF orchard and 10 stand
OF bees.
L. ID. Wimot has 35 acres in hay,
moetly timothy and red top; 30 OF or.
chard. OF which is in bearing and the
balance set last spring. He has 4 stand
OF bees and 30 head of cattle.
Lincoln Barnes has 8 acres in orchard
and the same Of garden.
| Mrs. Alice Garrison has acre OF or.
chard in bearing. 8 stand Of bees from
ono Of which she sold 100 pounds OF
honey last year; wheat, alfalfa and gar
den.
| G. b. Kersten has in s acres OF oats
and 10 of corn on the Shepherd place.
VIM. Shepherd has fine bearing or.
chard. IL acres in clover and in alfalfa.
Owing to the fact that Mr.. Shepherd
was away from home at work on ditch,
further particulars as to the work on
his place could not DO obtained.
L. G. Tinnin has % acres in alfalfa, 6
in corn, Il of garden, 6 OF orchard, . OF
which is in bearing; and has As head Of
horses and cattle.
II. Il. Love has 25 acres OF corn. 30 OF
alfalfa and 20 acres in orchard. all just
commencing to bear.
james Currier and Bro, have 10 acres
OF alfalfa and acres Of bearing orchard.
w. s. Coburn, the pioneer nursery
man and fruit grower OF the Western
Slope, was the next fruit grower reached
and in response to his cordial invitation
to take supper and stay all night the
aftcrnoon's journey was ended ut his
handsome home, Mr.. Coburn was one