The Meeker herald., 1896-10-17
The White River Timber Reserve

The White River Timber Reserve
A brief item in last weeks issue con-
veyed intelligence to HERALD readers
Of the presence within our borders Of
government commission of experts who
we're sent in to examine and report on
the boundaries Of the proposed timber
reserve. 1t was by the merest accident
that Mr. A. G. Moulton, who was in
Denver last week. got onto the fact that
the commission was coming, and he
telegraphed the news to w. IL. Clark.
the telegram coming in on Monday
evenings stage. Mr.. Clark at once
summoned . meeting Of Meeker's pub
lie spirited citizens, who have always
taken a lively interest in this park
.cheme and other matters having a
bearing on the county's welfare. The
meeting appointed MIR. E. Flemming,
chairman of the board ct county COM
missioners, Messrs. W. II. Clark and
l.. u. Walbridge as committee to go to
Marvine Lodge and interview the COM
mission relative to the boundaries Of
the proposed timber reserve.
The committee started on its mission
Tuesday morning and met the govern
ment commission at the club house that
evening. when it made known its er-
rand. At first the government repre-
sentatives were little "offish. y but they
gradually thawed out, after which the
committee gave its authority and Yea-
sons for calling on the commission, and
then proceeded to lay the case, as ef-
fecting the settlers of Rio Blanco county,
before that body.
The commission is composed of the
following named gentlemen Prof.
Sargent, chairman, OF Brookline, Mass,
Clifford Pinchot, secretary, New York
City, Arnold Hague, Of the U. s. geo
logical survey, Washington. d. c., Gen.
Abbott, U. s. army, New York. and
two others who were absent. The COM
mission was appointed for the purpose
Of examining all proposed timber re-
sci 700 ..s,d rooonanc ending boundaries
and plans relative to supervision OF re-
serves when created.
The commission listened with marked
interest to what the Meeker delegation
had TO say regarding boundaries and
rights Of the settlers in the reserve and
in reply said they (the commissioners
were pleased to know the wishes of the
citizens in the matter; that their de-
mands were reasonable; that they were
anxious to have the good will and CO.
operation OF the settlers instead of their
opposition in arriving at settlement of
the work entrusted to them, and that
while they could not say what their re-
concentrations would be in advance Of
their report to the authorities at WASH
ington, the people of this county could
rest assured that their rights would re-
ceive due attention at the hands of the
commission.
The report will not be out until next
spring, but in the meantime the COM
missioners thought there would be no
objection to bona fide settlers cutting
what timber they needed; provided they
did not destroy young timber and took
necessary precautions as to fires.
In conclusion we wish to remark that
the thanks of the people Of the county
are due Messrs. Flemming, Clark and
Walbridge for the efficient discharge of
the public duties imposed on them in
the case under discussion. Also. to Mr..
Moulton, whose timely teleRam was the
means of doing so much good in the
county's behalf; for, as the government
commissioners afterwards admitted,
had the Meeker COMMITTEES not called
on them, their report might have been
OF different character from what it
will be. The commission obtained facts
from the local delegation which placed
an entirely different face on the whole
matter.
DIR. Miller will be at Meeker the last
week Of October. Make up your mind
to attend to your teeth before cold
weather.
Wanted.
800 cattle wanted to feed for the win
Tar TnHnna cham