The Grit-advocate., 1902-12-26
sedswick County Past and Future.

county and for its seat of local govern
ment--Julesburg. The two principal
notwithstanding and cattle grow
ing-have ilourished, and the people
who are engaged in these pursuits
have thrivcd during the year 1902 as
never before. Farmers have been
blessed with bountiful crops OF alfalfa,
corn, wheat and barley, and stockmen
have either raised plenty of feed upon
the uplands for their stock or they
have been enabled to buy all they
needed from their neighbOrs-the
farmers. The prices received by both
farmers and stockmen for the products
Of their lands have been in the main
satisfactory, and altogether the past
year has been u banner one for the
residents of this, the northeastern
county of the state.
The record made by Sedgwick coun-
ty during the year 1902 may be consid-
cred exceptional, when it is realized
THAT in this county irrigation is in its
infancy. Five years ago the first irri-
eating ditch was constructed by the
Petersen Canal and Reservoir company.
This ditch covers about 10000 acres of
land, considerable part of which is
now in cultivation and producing eA-
cellent yields of alfalfa and other crops.
SINCE the construction of the Petersen
irrigating ditch, several other bitches
have been built, chief among which is
that of the Settlers Ditch company, of
which P. J. Bangtson of this county is
the principal owner. This ditch al
ready iprigates about 5000 acres of
land and it is the owners intention
to double its capacity next year. AL
though the irrigating canals in this
county are not at present supplied
from any reservoir system, there has
never been any great scarcity of water
during the irrgating season. Howev-
err, the construction of the Pawnee Pass
reservoir near Sterling, which now
seems to be an assured fact, will for,
: eve ooV,at@ any future scarcity of tha [
essential means OF irrigation. Besides,
the Petarsen Canal and Reservoir com
pany and the Settlers Ditch company
Rre both contemplating the construc-
tion Of reservoirs during the next few
years, and even should the government
fail to build the Pawnee reservoir, this
county will never suffer from short
age Of water for irrigating purposes,
While there has been a number of
new families located in Sedgwck coun-
ty during the last year, this number
has not been so large as it would have
been had any organized effort been
made to induce immigration. Next
year, however it is proposed by the
business men of Julesburg to begin
systematic movement to induce people
from other localities to locate in this
county. A business mems association
will be formed, the resources of tho
county will be advertised, and its ad-
yantages as farming community will
be thoroughly exploited. There is no
question but that such efforts will re-
suit In large increase in the popula
tion of the county during the next
year. There is ample room here for
several hundred additional farmers,
and there is no section OF Colorado
that offers better advantages in the
way of cheap and highly productive
land, splendid irrigation facilities,
healthful climate, ETC., than this coun-
ty. The year 1903 is destined to far
surpass 1902 in the development of
E;edgWick county.
While Sedgwick county has pros.
pered during the past year, Julesburg
the county seat and practically the
only trading point in the county, ha.
kept pace with the surrounding devel
opment. A number of new residence
and business houses have been bull
and several new firms have entered
the mercantile field and they, togethe
with the old firms, are making money
The Union Pacific railroad oompan
has also greatly improved it's faclitie
at this place. The cnmpany's depO
md roundhouso have been enlarge
and improved several miles of II y
sidetrack have been built, u new waite
snftener is now in course OF constru'
tion, and other improvements are col
templated. Next year will Witnes
larger and more substantial improv'
ments in JuleSburg. Many new res
dences will be built. the railroad con
pany will probably make this town
general division point for its maj
line, as it now is for its Denver branc
and will establish shops here. TT
new year will alao probably witne
the commencement OF a new col
house in Juleshurg, the county COZ
miSsioners having already authorize
Il tax levy for this purpose. With ii
addition of IA large, number OF new pc
pie next year, the assurance Of plen
of water for irrigating purposes, al
the many and permanent impro,
,nents which viii he made in the cou
ty scat, Sedgwick county enters up
the new year with bright dreams
future greatness and cerfdent in tht
realization,