The daily sentinel., 1900-07-09
HARVESTING THE GRAND.

The Colorado Springs Gazette
Records an Interesting Talk
With Hon. George Smith
While on his wedding trip, Represent
ative George Smith Of Mesa county in
the Twelfth general assembly, received
some gratifying news.
he war at the Alamo yesterday when
he received information from England
to the effect that gigantic scheme to
harness part Of the water in the Grand
valley would be accepted by capitalists
whom he visited year ago on the other
side Of the Atlantic.
Information also came that prompted
the assurance from Mr.. Smith that the
scheme he was engineering among Colo
RADIO capitalists, to open $1,000 acres of
land in the Grand valley, was about to
be launched.
Taking it as whole, Mr.. Smith is
about the happiest bridegroom claiming
residence on the western slope.
The plan when carried out will put
$4,000 acres OF rich soil in cultivation
under an irrigation system that will be
the 6rst of it's size in the world to be
run by pumps and the farmers will en-
joy the facility OF an electric railroad
round about the Grand valley that will
afford convenient shipping of their pro-
Duct to any Of the towns on the western
slope.
At the same time natural waterway
will be turned 80 as to strike fall Of ITO
feet which will be harnessed for power
and light. Coal mines adjoining this re-
markable work will produce the fuel
necessary for the enterprises.
ut is all settled" said Mr.. Smith at
the hotel yesterday. 1--WE bave received
word from Europe to the effect that the
water power and the electrical railroad
scheme will 60 through without any
trouble.
"It will be the greatest improvement
the western slope has ever seen or prob
ably will see. The electrical plant and
railway in which the English capital is
interested, will involve an expenditure
Of upwards Of $25O,OOO.
"In measure the two companies will
operate in conjunction. The English
syndicate will take water from the
Grand river and carry it six miles to
point where there is fall Of ITO feet to
the Grand valley ditch.
"At this point three quarters of a mile
Of pipe will be put in and power plant
erected. Then an electric railroad will
form loop about the valley, taking in
Palisades, Fruita, Grand junction and
the other cities, affording easy shipping
facilities for the ranchmen who would
otherwise have to haul by wagon long
distances to the markets and the beet
sugar factory at Grand junction. In
wet seasons the roads over there become
worked up badly and wagon traffic would
be very difficult, especially in the new
territory.
"The power plant will have a capacity
at the start Of 5000 horse power and the
water that comes through the pipe will
be utilized in the ditch below.
1.-The Colorado syndicate now owns
extensive coal lands at the mouth OF the
valley and we closed deal yesterday
with st. Louis company for two mon
ster pumps that will be shipped to US at
once for irrigating part Of the $4,000
acres Of land that is chiefly owned by
small companies and individuals but is
barren in most places because of the alb
ssnce Of any irrigation system.
by means Of the pumps We can take
the water from the river at the mouth OF
the valley and distribute it over the
land. Each pump will take up 16,6O0,-
wv gallons OF water per day and will ir
riGate 10000 acres of land. BY using
slack from the mines and selling the