The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1897-08-13

solved by the men who are putting
through the large bitches now in process
Of construction.
Perhaps the largest enterprise OF this
kind is the Fire Mountain canal, which
is to give a permanent water right to
the many farmers and fruit growers on
Rogers mesa and also to reclaim the
hundreds OF acres that are lying idle
because OF lack OF water. There is but
little capital used in the construction OF
this ditch. The men who form the
company are the interested rsnchmen
who are working out their stock as they
can find time to doso.
The Stewart ditch. which is being put
through by the Stewart estate OF Paonia.
is to be completed within the next GO
days. This ditch 10 to reclaim the thou
sands OF acres OF desert land on Stewarts
mesa. This mesa has already made
reputation for itself by producing the
fruit which took many Of the prizes at
Denver last season.
Besides these there are many shorter
bitches watering Pitkin, German, Bruce,
Hanson and other messs. The majority
Of the people thus far have been content
ed with the log cabin and shack common
ly seen in a new country, but many have
become able to build for themselves
beautiful and commodious dwellings,,
some Of them not to be eXcelled in any
farming community in the state.
Much attention is paid to roads and
bridges. The roads are being improved
each season. The bridges across the
North Fork are substantial and adequate
to all needs.
The last year has seen great improve
ments in the towns Of Hotchkisr and
Paonia. In Hotchkiss each day sees the
work OF building pushed forward. More
than half dozen business houses and
many residences have gone up in the
last year. The majority Of the buildings
are substantial and commodious. In
Paonia the buildings have been principal
ly for residence purposes. With few. il
any exceptions, the people Who have
settled this country were poor men. They
wrought out their own fortunes with
their own hands. What mon have done
men may do again and IL man il willing
- wWG NJ q. uusS into th1u cUsissSS
and make for himself home. This b q
community in which . man will Be re-
spected il he does the right thing. The
people, - a rule, are industrious, honest,
neighborly and liberal.
The settlers provided early and we'll for
the education Of their children. The
first terms OF school were taught in the
valley at Hotchkiss and Paonia in 1882,
the next year after the fret settlers ar
rived. At present there are ample &C.
commodations for all the children in the
valley. There are two religious demon
nations in the valley having appoint
meuts at Hotchkiss and Paonia.
Among the things which appeal to the
man who is looking for home are the
low price OF land. the certainty Of a crop.
the healthful situation. nesrness to tim
Der and good water. Unimproved Ian d
with good water right sells at IS to $50
per acre. Town lots in Psonia and
Hotchkiss sell at from Is to e75. In
proved land sells at from oADO to $500 per
acre. 1t would seem that s50O per acre
would be an enormous price to pay for
even improved land, but when il ID under
stood that such land nets 600 per acre
in one year il strikes one a. being good
investment.
One OF the arguments in favor OF this
valley as fruit country is that there
never has been failure in the fruit crop.
The situation is such that the valley is
protected from frost by the night winds.
These winds are 80 moderated by the
surrounding hills that they do no damage
to the crop. Thus protected the valley
will produce q crop when all other
regions fail.
Good health is the rule here. The ma
jority Of deaths ars from infantile trou-
bles and old age. The doctors get that
tired feeling which their own medicine
will not cure and soon leave.
Our water comes FROM the icy fast
nesses OF the hills and is untainted with
alkali. This advantage will be recosniz-
ed by all who have ever had to drink
alkali water. There 10 no lack Of water
for any purpose. There ID water enough
here to cover all OF the land and to spare.
il properly stored. This % being done
by the construction OF reservoirs for
which there are good facilities.
Taken all in all this section Of the
country offers more advantages to the
settler than any other section Of Colo
rsdo.-Denver Republican. RI
TArssgA Fall0aAUsrvtes
Denver. Colo. June Is 1897.
BEGINNING July lat the ~Burlington