Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1905-06-08
PATHFINDER DAM.
IRRIGATION PROJECT WILL COM
MEMoRATE GEN. FREMONT.
Canyon Of the North Platte River,
Wyoming, Where the "Path-
finder" Narrowly Escaped
Death Site of Barrier.

The National Reclamation act was
passed by congress on June II, 1902.
The third anniversary of that day will
be marked by the opening Of the flood
gates leading to the first irrigation
canal completed under the direction
Of the federal government reports the
New York Tribune. This canal Is in
Nevada, and will divert the waters Of
the Truckee river, and with the COM
pletion of the distributing bitches 1t
will reclaim 10000 acres of land The
act placed at the disposal of the secre-
tary of the interior a sum Of money
pow aggregatlng $27,00O,OOO, growing
out of the sale Of the public domain,
which is to be used in building the
reservoirs and dams for the impound-
ing of water for irrigation purposes;
and one Of the important enterprises
of the government, looking to the irri-
CATION of nearly 100000 acres, is the
Pathfinder project in Wyoming and
| Nebraska.
Especial interest attaches at this time
to this gigantic undertaking OF the en-
gineers of the reclamation service, for
the dam is to be built in the canyon OF
the North Platte river, Wyo., in which
Capt. John G. Fremont, the Pathfinder,
had a narrow escape from death while
shooting the rapids
At the identical point in the canyon
which was the scene Of Fremont acct
dent the reclamation engineers have de-
cided to build dam Of solid masonry to
hold in check the foods Of the North
Platte river, and to be known as the
Pathfinder dam, commemorattng the
achievements of the nations daring
pioneer and explorer. Here In a wild and
wonderful region the preliminary work
Is already under way to control the
floods which are wholly untitled, but
which annually cause the loss OF mil
lions of dollars In the destruction OF
property.
A millionaire feet Of water, not a
irop of which Is now Of use, annually
will be directed through canals and
bitches upon 100000 acres of land, with
soil of inexhaustible fertility, and want
Ing only irrigation to make 1t rival In
productiveness the valley Of the Nile.
Under the terms of the reclamation
act all of the land under this project
which belongs to the public domain Is
open to entry under the homestead law
In tracts not exceeding 80 acres, nor less
than 40 acres, Actual and continual
residence on the land is required. and
each entryman must take water from the
government irrigation system, and pay
an annual installments, not exceeding
ten. the proportionate amount charged
against the land included In his entry.
Here are some don'ts for intending
settlers:
Don't rush out west and take up a
homestead under a government project |
without thinking over the matter.
Don't imagine that the irrigator can |
succeed without work He must toll to |
win.
Don't go west without some ready |
money. You will need 1t for necessities,
,or lumber and nails, for farm imple-
nents. A house must be built for your
self and family. A stable is needed for |
horses and cattle.
Don't think you can live in town and
still work your farm. You must live on
he farm, not constructively, but actu-
ally.
Don't sit down and wait for crop.
Help 1t along by intelligent effort.
Don't imagine putting water on the
soil will make up the cultivation. The
and must be cultivated.
Don't forget that farming in the arid
region is not like farming in the east.
The easterner who locates in the desert
has much to learn.
Don't get discouraged.