Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-05-22
In the Heart of the Pecos Valley.
Eds. Democrat:
New Mexico is said to he

Eds. Democrat:
New Mexico is said to be-
IA land of lake and plain
OF wild wastes alternating
With valleys rich with grain.
OF mountains white with winter,
Looking downward, cold, serene,
Their feet with wild vines tangled
And Tapped in softest green"
Parts OF New Mexico present many
scenes of rugged beauty. Rock ribbed
mesas standing guard over beautiful
valleys, wonderful lakes and under
ground rivers that burst forth in the
midst of the arid plain; lofty tablelands
that rise step by step to eliminate in
the mighty pine clad range that forms
the backbone of the continent.
To one having seen all this, the beau.
tiful valley of the Pecos is indeed q
revelation, for the Pecos leads into a
different land.
Through southern New Mexico Its
course lies through broad open coun,
try; to the east the staked plains, ex-
tending far into Texas, and to the west
the country is unbroken but gradually
rising from the river.
Well watered by unfailing streams
the wonderful valley did not long es.
cape the eye of the enterprising Texas
ranchman.
GAS early as 1867 the Oh sum ranch
was located on South Spring River, five
miles south of the present site of RIOS.
we'll.
John Chisum claimed the Pecos val.
ley for 200 miles from TT. Sumner to the
Texas line and "policed" it with his
cowboys.
These were the days of the ''liustler'
and the Indian now only memory IL
the few tanned veterans who were here
and experienced many dark and bloody
days as they developed this great plains
country, the Llano Eslacado ol history
The cowboy is left, to be sure, but be
is vastly different individual fromIwhal
history tells. He takes no delight III
shooting up the towns, and not UNI
frequently is well educated and saving
Here in 1879 was fought the Linco Il
County War which was carri,d To ID
successful termination Of tue despura.
does by whom it was waged.
1t was Chisum who first planted the
famous Chisum Orchard which began
an industry which is destined to flour,
ish and become source of wealth to
the valley when all these days are for.
gotten.
Other large herds were brough. into
the valley and established. The mana
gers of these outfits observing the sue.
cess of Chisum's venture took to i'm.
proving their holdings.
They drew large bitches OF water
from the numerous streams, planted
orchards and laid out large fields of al
falfa. From the beginning Pecos Val
ley ranchmen have occupied An unique
position among COW owners of tn. west.
Their home ranches instead of Icing
barren spots lying in the midst Of dusty
corrals and pastures were verllable
plantations.
Instead of being side issue to the cat
tie business this soon became de, art.
ment by itself. These are the "old
farms that are a source of wonder to
the new conner.
On the fruit trees we fad peaches
that weigh 8 ounces and apples III
pounds.
All grains are grown, the gardens are
filled with vegetables of'every kind and
the sound of the mower and hay press
is never still in the land for they cut
Alfalfa four times a year.
The valley was early blessed with
men of foresight, and in 1888 the pecos
Irrigation and Improvement company
was formed. Mr.. uugerman the Colo
RADIO capitalist, builder of the Colorado
Midland X. r., WAS elected president
This company of immense resources
by liberal expend itures have built rail.
roads and cities and led the food
waters of the l'pcos upon thousands of
acres of arid PLATA. Six miles north If
Eddy WAS first constructed the six
mile dam" wonder in engineering I'M
til over Swallowed Wy the Seven River
reservoir, six miles farther north. rhi.
latter is worthy of notice for il is the
largest in the United Statee-There
being but one larger in the world. The
reservoir submerges 8,lOO acres and has