Imperial Valley press and the Imperial press., 1906-04-28

Webb the Holtville bridge builder, IS
 putting a bridge across the stream.
 There Is an immense body of fine land
 along the Alamo river on both sides of
 the stream and this bridge is very necessary structure, We returned to
 Brawley more than ever convinced of
 the splendid resources of that part of
 our great Valley. and of the bright fu-
 ture of that town in spite of the mis-
 haps from which n has suffered.
 The town of Brawley was planned at
 the same time Imperial Water com
 pany No. 4 was promoted. That wat
 CT company and the settlement of that
 splendid tract of land was undertaken
 by Mir ]. H. Braly, of Los Angeles.
 He bought the water stock for all that land, organized the water company and
 built the first ditch system. |. With the
 settlement of the lands and the sale of
 the water stock however. Mir. Braly's
 interest in and control over the com pany ceased and 1t early passed into
 the hands of the actual farmers and users of the water The land owners
 soon found their first ditches were in-
 adequate, so they completely rebuilt the entire system. So nsturallyis the land adapted to irrigation, however that il only took so cents per acre on the lands covered 10 rebuild the whole canal system. The people who bought the water stock and settled the land in Wat CT company No. 4 are farmers of the most alert and progressive class. There have been no factions among them and there was no outside company or infu- ence with any interest to serve by inter fering in their affairs Consequently they have gone about their business and their good work is to be seen on every | hand. They are leaders in the work of promoting intensive cultures in our Valley. In 1904 they were first to plant out fruit trees and grape vines in any quantity, and in 1905 they made the best organized and most successful effort to grow and market cantaloupes. This year, the success of their early i is most apparent, and they are promoting the way to greater sue cess with all the proven cultures, and are determining the matter of growing onions and asparagus at great profit. Sc much for the thrift, pluck and per severence of the farmers of Imperial Water Go. No 4. And now few words concerning the town of Brawley. As above noted, it was planned as part of the Water company No. 4 set tlement. However, with the withdraw al of Mir. Braley from participation in Valley affairs. the town passed under he control and into the ownership of he Imperial Land company. and was added to their string of Valley towns. Following this it passed through a number of vicissitudes. It was farmed put to Frank s. Miller for awhile. the Emerson Realty company controlled 1t or time, and under the management that prevailed fl gradually grew up in brush and weeds and came to be exc ;rated by the thrifty farmers surround ns it as a breeding place for Jack rab- pits. Under the conditions that pre- vailed the town could not build up and Ieep pace with the surrounding coun- ry. Realizing this the progressive citizens of the town organized the 3rawley Improvement Association, and opened negotiations with the Imperial -and company for the purchase of the