Gilpin observer., 1904-09-29

for the reservation. Vernal has miles
of asphaltum pavements that are not
excelled in any city of the West.
The Ashley valley, in which Vernal
is located, has miles and miles Of lanes
that are bordered with shade trees, and
on either side are farm lands that pro-
duce the heaviest OF crops Hay, grain.
potatoes, etc, were splendid crops this
year. and the hundreds of people who
will flock into this country for the win
ter will find living quite inexpensive.
" neat is rs cents per bushel, oats II
per hundred, apples rs cents per bushel.
loose hay $3.50 per ton, and other
things in proportion.
The climate Of the whole Uintah ba-
sin is an ideal one. The Uintah range
to the north, with its towering peaks.
tempers the hot winds of midsummer
and the nights are delightfully."- cool.
1t is doubtful if there is any place in
the world where vegetation grows SO
luxuriantly, and yet the heat is not op-
pressive, as is the case in Uintah
county. That Uintah county and the
territory now embraced in the Uintah
reservation Is destined to become rich
and prosperous section is beyond ques-
ton. With it's marvellous production
of crops of all kinds, and grRt trans
continental line passing through 1t,
opening the markets of the West to it's
produce, it is bound to become the
great distributing point from which
will be drawn the food supply for hun
dreds of miles around.
The immense deposits of gilsOnite
and kindred minerals, to tap which the
Uintah railroad is constructed, will
form the basis of great industry, and
xxin 70 rl- nt
the farmers of Uintah basin.
All around the Ashley valley and on
some parts of the reservation, are de-
posits of coal that furnish cheap and
convenient fuel, and the foot hills of
the Uintah range are covered with a
dense growth of cedar and pine which
Is easily accessible.
The soil and climate of the Uintah
basin is especially adapted to the cul-
tivation of the sugar beet. Tests made
on beets produced in the Ashley valley
show them to be above the average in
saccharine, and they yield immensely.
1t is estimated that the Uintah basin
is capable of supporting a population
of one hundred thousand people. Its
population at the present time, exclu-
sive of Indians, is about eight thou
sand
is accessible at all seasons of the year
will make it's settlement rapid when
opened. 1t has also the three requisites
for the foundation of a prosperous set
tlement in the West, viz: good sup
ply of water, a goodly quantity Of fer
tile soil, and good climate.
OF all the western reservations that
have been thrown open recently, there
are none that will furnish the homes
that will be built up on the Uintah and
Duchesne rivers in the next few years.
On the headwaters of both these
streams are great forests of spruce and
pine which will furnish an inexhausti-
BILE supply of lumber to settlers in the
lower valleys.
Because of the fact that this section
of the West has been SO remote from
railways its resources and possibilities
have been unknown, and people going
in from other states are astonished at
the riches and progress of the Uintah
country outside of the reservation.
When the true conditions are actually
known to the outside world there will
be a rapid immigration to this naturally
favored section.
From all points in northwestern Col
orado the reservation can be easily
reached by way of Yampa or Bear
river, the road following the river to
the head of the Canon, thence around
Blue mountain to Jensen. From Jen-
sen to Vernal is fifteen miles. From
southwestern Colorado the route by way
of Dragon, the terminus of the Uintah
railway. is convenient and easy OF ac-
cess. From all points to the southwest
the main road from Price, on the Rio
Grande railroad. leads north to the
/ t., all 90
the year. From the northwest. the best
route is Heber City and the Strawberry
valley, but this road is usually blocked
with snow after January. AS before
stated, Vernal is the most convenient
point to the reservation. from which
supplies will be drawn until that sec
ton becomes self-supporting.
| 1t is certain that somewhere in tho
Uintah basin in the next few years a
city will be built that will be the larg-
est between Denver and Salt Lake City
and the center of trade for a large ter
ritory for all time. by reason of its pos
sibilities for development. which are
unequalled by any new country OF the
West.
Added to the possibilities in an
agricultural way are the many indica-
tions of mineral which exist aside
from the hydrocarbons. Gold. silver.
copper and lead are found in different
localities. and even vanadium and
uranium have also been found; all OF
which make OF this an attractive and
interesting section to both the home
seeker and the prospector.
the wishes OF the interparliamentary
union. and that success would crown
bte Initiative