Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-12-31

4
~&S natural elements
are all favorable, and we believe the
sign is right in the moon. If plans be-
ing mapped out do not misscarry, II all
that is promised is fulfilled (which
does not always happen) Lake Baldwin
will be condition and not theory.
The people of this locality like the
people of every other locality on this
sinful earth-have been humbugged
time and again; have been promised
great things by men who never for one
moment had it in their power TO fulfill
one jot or little of such promises; and
the people have survived and remain
hopeful, while the schemers have
switched off on some other tack-gone
to getting out weekly edition for the
New York Sound Money Club, or
something like that.
We believe, however, the plan now
under consideration for creating such
an immense inland lake on what is
now known as the Cheyenne Bottoms
is practical one and worthy of consid.
Grafton by our people.
Recently the DEMOCRAT stated that
corps of government surveyors were
taking measurements of the Cheyenne
Bottoms and making survey of the
territory surrounding. This was an
error SO far as the parties making the
survey was concerned.
MIR. Koen, capitalist, of Colorado,
has, in the past few years made several
quiet Investigations of the territory in
question, and recently he came here
and began careful survey, making
his object public at last, and consult
ing with our citizens about his plans.
A meeting of number of prominent
citizens was held in the parlors of the
Morrison one day last week, for the
purpose Of aiding in any and all ways
within reason the plan OF huge irri-
cation ditch and filling up the Chey-
enne Bottoms, thereby converting that
territory into the largest artificial lake
in the world.
This meeting consulted with Mr.
Koen, who represents capitalists who
have the project in hand. Some of
them assure the DEMOCRAT that there
Ia no question about the financial re-
sponsibility of Mr. Koen and the men
he represents, and that they have the
money back Of them. At this meeting
Mr.. j. v. Brinkman was made chair
man and S. A. Newcombe secretary
The following committee was appoint
ed, to aid in securing the right of way
for ditch, or canal, from the Arkan'
sas river to the Cheyenne Bottoms:
J. v. Brinkman. J. f. Lewis.
Theo. Griffith. VIM. Essmiller.
Levi Gum. BENZ. Unruh.
G.. N. Moses. F. 81. Miller.
Johe Reinecke. c. Samuels.
Rudolph Steuri.
These gentlemen will prepare them,
selves TO explain the proposed plans,
and what is required Of the owners of
land through which it is proposed to
run the ditch.
If the plans go through as now out
lined, $50. 900 TO $50, 900 will be spent
in this county by the promoters of the
lake scheme during the next twelve
months. So far as we can learn these
plans are:
THE DITCH.
A large ditch, or canal is to be con-
structed, commencing at the Arkansas
river, near Dundee, and running in
such a course as to give the proper
grade of fall to the mile, to the Chey-
enne Bottoms, emptying into the same
at point near the Carney house The
ditch to be carried across Walnut
creek in an immense fiume. At the
point of entering the bottoms the sur
vey demonstrates that a good fall for
water-power can be obtained. The
canal is to be large enough to carry off
q large volume Of water, and when the
spring and summer storm waters that