Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1906-03-03

We republIsh the subj0ined story
from the Hastings. Mich, Banner, TO
enable New Msxicans who are FAINT
liar with the wonderful progress. the
splendid irrigation facilities. the fine
farms and prosperous homes OF the
Pee0s Valley 10 see to what extent
INSCRIPTIONS d~etractors may 80 In
OBTAINING this country. Of course
everyone who knows enough Of the
conditions In the Pecos Val.
ley to understand the extent OF the
OF the article Ia question. will
feel very certain that this fellow had
been defeated In some scheme. which
he hoped 10 ~perpetrate upon the peo-,
pie. There Ia pretty malice In al
most every line Of the article. II
would be interesting to know Just
what sort Of q gold brick this talented
liar Sedgwick tried to work of on the
people Of the Pecos Valley.
III II beyond the bounds Of posslbi.
lily, II this fellow ever was In the
Pecos Valley for even q day. that he
should believe the silly twaddle he
has written. OF course, those who
know Southern California and the
Pecos Valley. know that az far as soil
quality Of water for irrigation and
general natural conditions the Pecos
Valley Ii az far ahead OF the sandy
wastes OF Southern California Of a
few years ago. AZ day IA ahead Of
night. Southern California, too. had
her rattle-pIited. INSCRIPTIONS de-.
tractors who talked loud and wrote
much. Yet the once sandy wastes Of
Southern California have been trans.
ferred to gardens and orange groves
and Truthful fields. through the care
full conservation Of the scant water
supply.
And the Pecos Valley. which has
been the theme Of a thousand skill.
ful, truth telling pens will not be
injured by such Impossible tales as
are told by this cheerful liar from
Michigan. who tells those who will
listen that Northern Michigan has
a winter climate superior to that OF
the southern. sunny section OF the ter.
ritory. Of which all New Mexicans are
p~roud--the Pecos Valley.
The letter follows:
| noticed In the Banner Of recent
date an interesting account of the Pc.
cos Valley. Having travelled and
camped through that valley during
seven months Of the past year. | feel
justified In expressing my opinion Of
It In order that eastern people may
not be misled by the above letter.
Roswell Ii situated SIX miles east
OF the Pec0s river at an altitude Of
3,665 above sen level. This town has
existed for about fifteen years. and at
present time has q population OF about
5000 people, nine-tenths Of whom are
Of ~landagents, "~sharpers.'
and invalids, mainly consumptives
who have left their homes and
friends and come to this semi-ciyil.
lied. far-away place In the vain hope
getting well. Real, bona-fide citi,
zens who have come with the intention
making this their home are about
AZ scarce as the proverbial hens teeth.
The fertile Ct? soil IL acrid. greyish,
white alkali, which during the nun.
erous droughts Ii as dry as powder.
On windy days this dust rises In
so thick that one can hardly
across the street Fltering
through tents and houses alike Ii
everything to a thickness Of
quarter Inch pr more On coming In
with the flesh 1t has the same
% I've. causing a roughness of
The skin that II almost %intolerable
After . rain the soil Is moistened to
! depth of about a foot, forming a
mud 10 sticky that with the addition
9 little chopped hay II Is used, BY
Aexicans In making theits Sdotv
Water running over this al
tall soon became SC charged with II
hat II In milky white, causing rheu-
natism. kidney trouble and typhoid
ever. This latter disease is alsol
'auscd by so much standing water
n the ~irrigating bitches.
An to the artesian wells. n good one
> indeed a pretty sight bur, taking
cost into consideration. they are
luxury. Flowing water can be got
My ut A depth Of from zoo to 900 feet
'elow the surface and In a narrow belt
long the Pecos river. The average
os, OF a well Is $4,000. Very often :
n accident occurs during the drill. :
ng. leaving nothing but a dry hole /.
the ground About half OF the ar. :
esian water Ia sulphur. giving off an !,
dor Ike that Of spoiled eggs aud !
18th the same taste.
Mr.. Norris says that II II possitlel
, raise all the crops grown In the
asst. II u true that apples are rails.
4 there, for which are charged the
lodest price Of four cents a pound.j
10 almost impossible TO find onel
h mot wormy. Pears we're In