The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-04-02
PRAIRIE COUNTRY
). TO Be DRAINED
SYSTEM OF bitches FOR WEST
ERIN LANDS.
Years Of the Wet Cycle Impel Farm
Owners and Officials Of Otter Tail
and Wilkin Counties to Take Meas
ures for Disposal Of the Surplus
Water.
Special to The Journal,

special to The journal.
Fergus Falls, Mimi, April IA comprehens-
I've system Of bitches, which will drain prairie
lands instead of swamps. has been planned in
the hat country from eight to twenty five miles
west of this city, and the survey work Is In
charge OF Deputy County Surveyor Martin AL
berg of this county and City Engineer Blegen Of
this city. The bitches extend from the western
townships of this county, completely across VIII
kin, and the system already planned contem-
plates the construction of about eighty miles Of
bitches. 1t is estimated that these bitches will
redeem 100000 acres of land, and the cost of
their construction will probably run up to
$125,000 to $150,O0O. Y,
None of the land that is to be drained is to
be classed as swamp land in the ordinary sense
of that term. In fact, in favorable years it
has raised some of the best crops ever har-
vested in the state. But In 1904 and 1908 it
has shared the fate of a great many other por-
tons Of the Red River valley and the grain
has been under water the greater part OF the
season. Thousands Of acres have been utterly
ruined, and even where the grain was worth
cutting it has been impossible to place binders
in the field Conditions have come to such a
pass that farmers are DESERVING the FARMS and
drainage petitions are pouring In by the dozens.
i " Wide bitches Needed.
The prairies are SO fiat that the surveyors
find fall of only two feet to the mile, and
there are many localities that can only be
drained by ditching every quarter section. It is
width to carry off the water.
| The surveys that are now being made con.
template one main ditch extending completely
! across Wilkin county and empty1ng into the
Red river near Breckenridge. This ditch will
be si- feet deep and eighteen feet wide al
its junction with the river.
! Another ditch will along the county line
between the towns Of Carlisle and Orwell, thfs
county, and the towns of Andrea and Foxhome
Wilkin county. This ditch will be about clever
miles in length. - 4. ~ .u
| Dozens of branch bitches will be constructed
| in these towns and the towns of Nordick, Nelson
| Connolly and Sunnyside. The town of Nelson
has become so thoroly demoralized that only
| fourteen votes were cast at the last election.
| 1t is probable that other valley counties will
! adopt similar systems in the near future! a!
| these counties suffer more or less nearly every
| year on account of water lying the fields IL
the spring. The delay in seeding Is often i
serious matter, and when rain. falls all summe
and turnout the harvest season, as has been tn
case in the last two years, 1T is simply tmpos
sible to raise crops in many localities: ,s'~'$G
Tax to Be Refunded.
The personal property taxpayers Of this city
| to the number Of about 700, are to receive {
handsome rebate on the taxes which they pai
in January and February. 1t is generally ad
i mtted that valuations in this city, both rea
and personal, are high, and this Is participant
true Of household goods and wearing appare
| valuations l. =. IL ~ ,.lg NJ ).
;Ihei state 4board1of equai1zattot at lta receIl
session noticed that the county LIN general wa
away below this city on this item, and ordere
an increase of IS per cent to eequalize matters
The clerk failed to note the fact that this cit
was to be excepted from the increase. and tn
result was that personal property taxes were s
high this year that taxpayers fairly groanet
household goods and wearing apparel being til
principal item in the average personal assess
ment. -. .' tx.
The state auditor at first thought that notl
ing could be done about it, but formal appl
cation for abatement was presented and al
proved by the county board, and word has jus
been received from the auditor that he hs
approved it and the extra tax can be refunded
"#t Diphtheria Kills One. .'.1
= The 14year-o1d son of Mr.. and Mrs. Andre
Wangren, who reside just south Of this cit
died today from diphtheria. Six cases of Il
disease are reported and many persons have BEE
exposed. The district school has been closed.