Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-02-26
Entertains and Opens Eyes of
VisitorS--EnormouS Pro-
iects Under Way.
REcLAIMING VAST WASTE,
salt LalScrs Are Guests at Banquet
And Enjoy Forty-hye Mile Ride
Through Promised Land.

The party of newspaper men who. as
guests OF Green River. Utah. have been
In that city for the past two days, re-
turned to this city today enthusiasts
over what they have seen and the
treatment accorded them. Writers from
this and oaher cities were invited to
Green River by its leading citizens. to
see what is being done towards building
up the district along the Green rivor.
Harry NJ Gushing, travelling passenger
agent OF the BIO Grande acted as chap
erpnc Ia the marty. The visitors were
met at the depot Sunday evening by
Mayor Rod Mcdonald and Il large mum
Der Of other town OH cials and residents
Suites had been reserved at the Palmer
house. which was the strangers head
quarters during their stay in tho city.
The writer's were awakened early sun
day morning and told they were about
to see one of the most promising spots
in America. Carriages We're in readi-
ness and a i0-mile drive through the
valley was commenced.
FLouRIsHING ELGIN.
The first IL miles We're covered On
the east side Of the river Tho toWnstte
Of Elgin. with a number of substantial
homes; large mercantile institution,
postotlicc and other establishments, was
VISITED llISl. 10 reach SlSlU llblll lNb
Green river side, carriages are carried
by ferry. operated by the arm strong
method. Elgin and Green river are ask
ing the present legislature to put aside
an appropriation 10 build a bridge here.
The approximate cost, II is figured, VIII
be in the neighbnrhoOd of $4,000. The
site of the ltlgln pumping station which
viii lift water enough by steam 10 ir~
rigato 1000 acres OF land IS under
course OF construction. Steam viii be
used until the big dam north of Green
River is finished The undertaking is
the largest Independent venture under
way in the west Huge logs are being
weighed down with rocks and covered
with material 10 dam the river at q.
point about six miles above the town
TO Green River. Two lifts win throw
water into two seven-mile bitches, FUR
nishing moisture Tor 5000 acres.
PUMPING PLANT.
The pumping plant is also under con-
struction aud is located about a half
mile below the dam. Several thousand
acres OF land win be planted in peaches
early this spring and there arc now
1000 acres planted. Little Green River
valley below the town proper has y
pumping plant also which will throw
water through two-mile ditch cover
ing an era nj 1900 acres. Green River
has Il population OF 1000 persons but
this number Is Increased with arrival
OF each train from the east and west
Homes are sprlngng up In all dlrec-
tons for miles around the valley. Tbs
town hds q bank, newspaper, several
mercantile establishments, bakery, tim
shop, large hotel, garage. livery stable
and all the possessions of a real city
Families are arriving constantly. Many
well to do farmers from eastern and
tents while their homes are IN course Of
erection. The man at the head of this
town is Rod Mcdonald. formerly of
Duluth. The town board Is composed
OF the sturdy farming element from
Iowa and other agriculture states.
surprising number of fruit raisers from
The Palisade country In Colorado have
sold their farms there and taken up
homes in Green River, AS the latter
district Is 700 feet lower peach crops
are two weeks earlier.
Green River, while just awakening
TO a realization Of its own possibilities,
Is not a tender-foot Many carloads
of fruit left the town last season. Two
cars of peaches went 10 Chicago and
Il car of pears to Liverpool. England
OPTIMISTIC SETTLERS.
To say the settlers in the new Ter.
ritory are optimistic is putting it OK
tremely mildly--they are now dream
ing OF beautiful homes In this new
home OF theirs where the sun shines
all the year around and there is a
foot OF dust on the roads in the middle
of winter, They are dreaming of
great things, bur with such men as
Mr.. Mcdonald. l., T. Merritt and doz-
ems OF others. these dreams are being
made realities.
A banquet In the Auditorium last
evening completed very. strenuous
but interesting and instructive day
The ladies had prepared a truly ole
giant repast, Speeches by tho resi-
dents and visitors and musical and
vocal selections We're features of this
entertainment. The newspaper men
who visited Green River came away
sharing the enthusiasm OF lis cltizens
Come again! You won't recognise
tho place. the crowd cried as the
train pulled out.