Omaha daily bee., 1896-02-08
DAWSON COUNTY'S bitches
How that Section Of Nebraska Has I'm.
proved with Irrigation.
DISTURB ASSURED IN SEASON NOW
Thousands of Fine Farms Under Cui-
tivntion with Artificial Water
ways on All sides mt Reason
able Rates.

LEXINGTON. Neb., Feb. ITO the Editor
Of The Bee: The first step in irrigating en-
terprises in Dawson county was made in
1891, in which year a company of local and
outside business men became convinced that
the salvation OF the county depended on irri-
cation. This company duly organized, and
went 70 far as to commence and complete
a number OF miles of canal but the people
were not ready for 1t. A strong prejudice
existed that the country did not need mois-
ture--espsclally by this method. Ruin, they
said, would result TO the country to intimate
that irrigation would be needed. So preju-
diced we're they and so bitter did they fight
the project that the promoters, at great
financial loss, were forced to abandon their
plans.
The old entrenchment or canal can still be
seen above Willow island this county, few
miles. But this project was not without
Its effect. The fight over the matter, and the
arguments pro and were still in the
minds of the people, and had a tendency TO
prepare them for irrigation-some day.
Three years of crop failures and change
was noticeable among the people Less
prejudice was In evidence against irrigation
Ten to fifteen years OF bountful yields had
OF the youngest states. In the foremost
ranks in the production Of wheat and corn.
This was an ever present and unfailing argu-
ment against irrigation. But reason was
commencing to assert herself. The anti
irrigation fight had Informed many of our
people. and others were seekers after the
knowledge.
As they read and studied thay began to
see that irrigation, like advertising judi
cously applied was good thing. They be-
n ha 10 m IL
fu, harvests irrigation water would make
two bushels o.. wheat grow where one grew
before, two full ears of corn where only
''nubblns'' grew, and other produce in like
proportion. They had experienced the age
OF prayer for rain, and as result were
coming to the belief that the time had come
to cease praying and go to irrigating, and
when the county commissioners of Dawson
county submitted proposition to the voters
of Lexington precinct to vote $4,000 In
bcrds to assist In an irrigation enterprise
they expressed their approval by vote of
four to one in favor of the proposition
AS TO THE FIRST DITCH.
The first ditch constructed in the county
is known as the Farmers ditch 1t was
commenced in the early part of 1894 and
was so far completed to come into use
in the wheat fields for the season of 1895.
This company was comprised principally Of
farmers residing north Of and adjacent to the
Platte river. This ditch has ten miles of
canal and covers 5000 acres, the aggregate
cost being $4,000.
The Farmers ard Merchants Irrigation
company was organ zed in July, 1894, and the
first sod was broken August 23 following.
This system of canals comprises 115 miles
OF main and laterals. covers $4,000 acres
and entails an aggregate cost of $150,0O0.
The Gothenburg south side ditch was
the next enterprise of similar character and
includes thirty miles CT canal and covers
$4,000 acres, fer which its promoters were
set back in the sum of $65,O0O. The fourth
project had for its purposes the watering of
farm lands is the Bird and Newman ditch,
which home made river possesses eight miles
OF waterway and covers 1000 acres. 1t cost
$1,000 before water coursed through the
path prepared for II.
The Gothenburg Waters Power, and I'm
provement company next "shied its castor"
In the ring as a dispenser of wet goods and
caused twenty-five miles OF Nebraska's fertile
soil to be made into a water course This
canal irrlgates 1000 acres, and 1t caused
the expenditure Of $4,000 before the work
was completed.
public notice because 1t possessed six miles
of main ditch and laterals with a capacity
OF 1,500 acres. Two thousand dollars was
expended before it was called success.
The seventh enterprise is that of the
Cozard Irrigation company's system Of irri
cation; sixty miles of ditch, capacity of
10000 acres and an expenditure Of 100000
ONE LARGE SYSTEM.
In point Of miles of canal, capacity and eX-
penditure this system is second In importance
in the county, 1t giving precedence to the
greater mileage, superior capacity and cost
of the Farmers and Merchants system. The
Orchard and Alfalfa ditch south Of the Platte
river has twenty miles of canal and covers
$1,000 acres; $4,000 made 1t possible to be
thus.
Coming In It's numerical order the ninth
enterprise is the Elm Creek canal it's ten
miles Of ditch covering 5000 acres, at a cost
of $4,000. The Platte river canal was the
next to even things up by being the tenth
venture; 5000 acres Is its present capacity
and $25, 900 its cost.
The Edmisten ditch is the last to be
completed. It's total mileage is fve capacity
5000 acres and cost the owner $4,000. The
Farmers and Merchants south side system
Of irrigation is a proposed project that will
soon. be completed. Its total mileage will be
fifteen, capacity Of 1900 acres, to cost
$4,000 The Lincoln and Dawson County
system has had $275,0O In bonds voted to
this year sixty miles of canals will be its ex-
tent, with a capacity of 10000 acres. Two
hundred and seventy-ive thousand dollars
will be the net cost of this venture.
NAMES OF THE COMPANIES.
companies. the miles of ditch each has, the
number OF acres covered and the aggregate
cost. The list includes the two proposed sys-
TENS which are all but positive In their char
acter:
Name. Miles. Acres. Cost
Lincoln and Dawson county co 30 s275,OoO
Gothenbrg Water Power CO. 20 1000 900
Booker n Ralston. 1900 2,0O0
Bird & Newman. s 120D 1900
Gothenburg. South side,.,. so 5000 5000