The daily sentinel., 1899-08-14
COMING OUR WAY
Hon. George Smith Promises
Nearly SO, 1000, 900 for Invest-
ment IN Mesa County-An
Era Of Prosperity is
Evidently Da,on-
ing for Grand
Valley.


who wait. Grand junction and the
Grand vualley has been waiting for that
prosperity that has so long bsen prom
ised and it looks as if its fulfillment il
not now far distant.
Hon. Geor Q Smith, representative OF
Mesa county in the state legislature. ar
rived in Mesa county last Saturday at
ternoon. He brings with him some very
fiattering promises OF big investments
soon to be made, which. il true, and we
have every reason to believe they are,
will bring this valley to the front more
prominently than any othel portion of
the state.
1t has always been predicted that the
powerful river which flows past our
doors, would sooner or later be harnessed
and that immense profit would come to
those whose far-seeing business sense
would be the first to secure this great
factor in the life Of the valley.
AS Mr.. Smith was interviewed in Dem
YER by q member OF tho Republican staff
which article fully sets forth his scheme,
the Sentinel gives the interview and
comments in detail, as follows:
II have every assurance th't the
money will be forthcoming for the carry
ing out of one of the greatest agricultur-
tural and electrical schemes in Colorado
and believe active work will begin in .
few months"
The speaker was Representative
George Smith Of Mssa county, who was
at the Albany yesterday afternoon re-
turning to his home In Grsnd Junction
from his European trip.
The scheme spoken OF by Mr.. Smith is
one OF the most extensive ever under
taken in the state. 1t includes 4O-mile
ditch to irrigate $4,000 acres Of Mesa
county land, an electric railway down
the Grand valley and the illumination Of
the valley.
while abroad visited London, Glas-
gov, Edinburg and Manchester, and
found capital ready and willing for any
thing that could be shown TO be practical
BILE and which would return fair inter
est on the money invested" continued
Mr.. Smith. "rhe trouble in South
Africa has turned much money toward
this country and Colorado will reap the
benefits, particularly in mining.
My proposition upon which l was
abroad and for which have no doubt
shall secure the money, is the building
OF ditch in Mesa county that will irri-
gate 10000 acres of land now totally
without water. OF this land 10000
acres are still owned by the government,
but the rest has been pre-empted. 1t is
Of comparatively little use at present be-
cause it is not irri 'ated. With water it
wi bloom like the Grand valley.
This ditch is to be built ITO feet
above the present system of bitches in
Mesa county. This will insure US a
drop Of ITO feet and from this drop we
expect to generate electricity for our
electric railroad.
"This railroad will run from Grand
Junction to Palisade and Fruita and
back TO Grand Junction, about 40 miles
The right of way has been given US by
/ Cno county ana IL Will IOllOW 6eCIlOn
lines.
I'VE will build stations at every SEC
tion and will do general freight and
passenger business, The road will be
welcomed by the farmers. They now
have to haul seven or eight miles. The
completion OF the road will reduce this
haul to one or two miles.
1--WE will haul the fruit into Grand
Junction at about cent per box and the
factory at about 25 cents a ton. This is
cheaper than team hauling.
1--WE also propose to illuminate the
valley and to furnish electric light to the
farmers in the valley for lighting their
homes, barns, buildings or orchards. We
will also furnish power for running vari-
GUS small machines.
I'VE will build the power house prob
ably at Grand junction, and with the
fall Of ITO feet we think we can generate
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