Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-06-08
Supervisors Take Action on
Petition For Big Monona-
Harrison Ditch
G. H. ELLlorT's BOND APPROVED
Whiting Man Appointed Commissioner
For Monona County - improvements
Commenced Under Old Law, Which
Supreme Court Declared to be IN
constitutional.

Onawa, June S.-The petition for the
big Monona Harrison was presented to
the board of supervisors Monday, and
the afternoon was spent in giving a
hearing to the matters therein set
forth. +. A. Sawyer, an attorney of
Sioux City. appeared as counsel for the
petitioners. numbering about seventy
five, and Hon. Addison Oliver appear
ed as an objector. Arguments were
made by both sides, and after thorough
discussion of the subject, the bond ten
dered was approved, and G. Fl. Elliott
er for Monona county. There was a
good attendance and considerable dis
cussion took place between l.. j. Sey-
bolt. leading petitioner and Judge
Oliver. the great objector who claimed
the work involved might reach half
million dollars and was likely to ruin
a large amount of land and that the
board ought to be careful about COM
mencing SO vast q project. The judges
objection, however, didn't seem to
have much weight with the action of
the board.
The drainage district proposed is ex-
pected to drain and reclaim the lands
in Monona and Harrison counties, en-
bracing about 5000 acres estimated
by the engineers, which is owned by
more than 5000 persons, at a cost of
s23S,0
The drainage district commences at
section s. township "a, range 10, In
Ashland township. Monona county.
running thence south to the line OF the
right of way of the Chicago & North
western railway, thence running along
said line to the Little Sioux river in
Harrison county, thence following up
the Sioux river to Monona- Harrison
line. thence east to the foot hills of the
bluffs on the east side of the Little
Sioux river. thence north to place of
beginning.
The petition recites that the land IN
this district is subject to overflow, ana
too wet for cultivation, and that the
public benefit and utility and the pup
lie health, convenience and welfare
will be promoted by draining. ditching
and thing same, and by changing the
course of the West Fork and Little
Sioux rivers, and by making several
cut-offs therein. Strengthening the
same by locating and constructing a
main ditch and drain. connecting with
the Woodbury. Monona ditch and eX-
tending in a southerly direction thru
AIonona county TO the county line be-
tween Monona and Harrison counties
and thru the tup of Little Sioux in
Harrison county, terminating at the
Iva shout above the town OF Little
Sioux. and emptying into the missouri
river.
The improvements had been com
menced under the old ditch law Whieh
was declared unconstitutional by tue
supreme court. c. G.. Elliatt, the gov
eminent expert on drainage, spent con
siderable time in examining the pro
nosed work. and has recommended the
drainage ditch as petitioned for ana Is
confident the advance In the price OF
the land will soon pay for the I'M
nroyements. For the past three years
q large portion of the lands IN the ais-
tr;ct named has been too wet ior
crons. and considerable of the iahas
are now covered by water. Inc inosl
Of the land, with proper drainage 70
said TO be very rich and fertile, ana
capable of raising seventy-hve pasneis
of corn per acre.