The Coalville times. [volume] (Coalville, Utah) 1894-1923, 1896-05-08
IRRIGATION NATTER



History Of Irrigation In Nebrasia.
The following IS brief history Of
the inception and commencement Of the
construction ~ irrigation canals Ia that
part of America lying east Of the Rocky
mountains
During the past three years 81 active
discussion Of the irrigation questions.
wc have read and heard ~ the merits
Of different canal system. of the United
states, yet the pioneer irrigation coun-
try Of the great plains ~ America has
remained silent
Lincoln county. Nebraska claims pre-
ccdencc In the leadership ~ the irriga-
ton movement Of the great plains. As
far as can be learned from careful in
quiry the first irrigation cunal CON
structcd by Americans ON the territory
designated was built by gentleman
now residing In North Platte. Nebraska.
by the name Of Washington VI. Hin.
man. Mr. llinman first commenced
cScavatinR a small canal IN the month
OF March. 1903, taking his water out
from the south bank Of the South
Platte river. at point about six miles
ives, Of old Fort Mcphcrson, now In
Lincoln county, Nebraska. In the
spring Of 1864, another resident Of that
vicinity, John Burke. OF Cottonwood
Spring, near the same military post.
commenced the construction ~ q canal
a little below Mr. llinman. Both Of
these canals were used. Mr.. Hinmnn'.
In both the summer ~ 1888 and 1861,
and Mr. liurlSc's during 1864 aud 1865.
and large amount Of valuable farm
aud garden produce was gathered aud
sold Go the soldiers and residents uf the
post. hut the Indian war. breaking out
In 1865. made farm labor and irrigation
both difficult and dangerous aud no
crops were planted ON the lands sub
jcct % irrigation 10y these bitches
after 1895, and the canals were ahnn.
doncd
In 1870 there was stock company
furmt ! In North Platte. Nebraska. and
small canal WIS cNcavatcd that oh.
tanned it, water from the South Platte
river, at point about four miles west
from North Platte, the head gates DE.
ing located on the north hnnis ~ this
river. This canal WIS capable ~ irri.
eating about three thousand ucrcs MI.
untcd In and about the town of North
Platte. Only three crops were grown
ON the lands thus watcrcd 10y this ditch.
As the rapid growth and development
OF the free range and stock interest
during those earlier years entirely elm
mated all interest In everything per.
tanning TO agriculture by the cultiva-
/ ton Of the soil In this vicinity. The canal
/ was abandoned Hut North Platte
/ still retains some Of the benefits derived
/ from this work, In the growth aud de.
vclopmcnt OF several long rows Of muV.
niiiccnt trees now standing that were
/ planted In those years along the line
| OF this cannl. In 1871 the soldiers ~
/ Fort Sidney, Nebraska, constructed u
small canal that was used 90 water the
trees and also the post gardens. This
has since been abandoned also owing
10 the non-occupancy OF the fort by the
United States troops.
In 1853 u promoter. by the name OF
L. NJ. Day, OF North Platte, organized
a canal company nj this point. that
after several changes Ia IT. orgnnizn-
ton, finally completed canal. now
known as the North Platte canal. that
was twenty miles In length and was
capable OF irriguting 10000 acres OF
land. This canal is one Of the perma-
ncnt works Of this section aud has been
the means Of educating the people OF
Nebraska 10 the great benefits and
value Of irrigation. In 1857 the people
Of SCOTS Blur county. Nebraska. com
mcnccd the construction Of irrigation
canals, and la 1890 the Culbertson canal
OF Hitchcock county was proposed and
commenced. Since this date the irri-
CATION sentiment has been steadily In.
creasing, and at the present time. with
the canals now completed and under
construction that will be finished be-.
fore 1897, Nebraska can claim To have
over million acres that are susceptible
Of irrigation, by means Of the canals
that VIII ensure u pcrinancncy 90 her
agricultural population and guarantee
bountlful crops In all years 10 come
!. a. Fort, OF North Platte, Ia Irrigation
Age.