The Delta independent. [volume] (Delta, Colo.) 1886-19??, 1903-03-20
THE JUBILEE
The people Of Delta Rejofce In
the Beginning Of Work on
the Gvnnison Tunnel.
Large Gathering al The Opera House 10
Hear Of The Scheme by Those
Who Engineered u.

Wednesday night a mass meeting was
held in the Delta opera house to cele-
brate the acceptance by the general
government of the Gunnison tunnel
proposition and the announcement that
work would soon be commenced. The
people gathered at an early hour in
front OF the opera house to witness q
display OF fireworks that put ono in
mind OF Fourth of July night. The
Delta Concert Band was out in full
numbers and discoursed sweet music for
an hour. Bengal lights were burned,
bombs and fire crackers touched OF and
Roman candles and sky rockets lit up
the night with beautiful colors.
The hall was we'll filed when the band
played the overture.
Miss Letitia Crabill favored the audi
ence with piano solo and was heartily
applauded.
DR.. A. II. Stockham was made chair
man Of the meeting and in a pleasant,
entertaining address of some fifteen
minutes introduced the bject for which
the meeting was called, TO rejoice to-
gether over the initiation by the govern
ment OF ; gigantic system OF irrigation
in tho arid west and Of the selection OF
the Gunnison tunnel enterprise as the
very first OF these immense improve
meats that means so much to the people
Of the west. Little do the people Of this
section today realize what tremendous
advantages will be theirs with the tun-
mel once completed, it's waters scattered
all over these broad mesas and fertile
bottom lands. the almost incalculable
power that can be guaranteed with tho
water as il comes into the valley, power
that can be carried to the mountain
towns OF Ouray and Telluride and to the
valley towns OF Delta. Paonia. Olathe
and other settled points lighting The
houses and turning the wheels OF every
shop and factory. The doctor illustrated
his speech with many pretty sayings
and stories and was loudly spplauded.
Judge Gray. OF Montrose. made the
principal speech Of the evening. appeal
ing to the people Of the Uncompahgre
valley to stand as stone wall for the
tunnel at all times and to subscribe
literally to the water stock 90 that when
the agent of the government comes out
for the purpose ef disposinR OF the water
to be brought thr-ugh tho tunnel. no
delay may be caused in securing the sale
OF the entire amount. No interest 10 10
be charged for deferred payment and no
payments will be expected or demanded
until the tunnel is put through. the
bitches made and the water delivered
ready for use. Ten years time 10 to be
given to cJmplete the payments-in ten
equal installments without interest and
when oil the instsllments arc paid the
purchaser will own in perpetuity the
right.
Hon. c. N. Hammond aud J. j. Tobin.
members of the board Of control. both
spoke more particularly OF the lsbors Of
the board and what had bsen done %
far. Both urged strongly the people Of
the valley to stand shoulder to shoulder
with the proposition and let nothing be
left undone to help it along Both gentle
men were fsvorites with tbs audience
and their speeches were we'll received.
A letter from Judge Bell was read at
the beginning Of the meeting regretting
that owing to sickness he was not per-
mitted to be present. His advice was to
support the government in it's work,
both by subscribing for the water to be
developed and by moral aid. The judge
was very happy in his message to the
people and predicted good times ahead.
Rev. H. J. rockingham being unable
to attend sent letter Of congratulation
to tho meeting over the good fortune OF
having the gent raj g v.rnment take
bold Of the enterprise.
At late hour the meeting adjourn cd