Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1907-08-01


land when he was a member of the
state senate, and Mr. Grindeland
always Jealous for the cause of
drainage went to work and framed
and passed the Judicial district
drainage law under which this ditch
and a large number of other
judicial ditch, have been construct
ed in our state. AS soon as the law
was passed Mr.. Beardmore set to
work with his comtomary energy
and got up a petition for judicial
district ditch No. l, and ius branches.
The petition came before the court
and was granted in due time, the
different preliminary steps were
taken and finally the contract was
let to Mr.. McKinnon, Of Crookston,
about four years ago. He started
the work, but lacking experience and
equipment for a ditch of that
magnitude, he had to give it up.
This delay in construction was no
doubt a great detriment to many
whose lands had been assessed.
Finally Ward Bros, of Audubon,
Iowa, were induced to take the
contract off Mr.. McKinnon's hands
and finish the ditch. They took hold
of the work in the fall OF 1905 and
in the fall Of 1906 the ditch was COM
p]eted, with the exception of the
roadbed to be built on the top of
the dump, where has been made this
year. The ditch appeared TO be a
very satisfactory job, fully up to
contract specifications both as to
width and depth. AS to the road
bed on TOD of the dump, we found
it to be very good, hard and firm
road, the only complaint that we
heard on the part OF farmers, being
that it was rather narrow. That
NAV be so, but according to the
terms of the contract, Ward Bros,
have done all that they were requir-
ed to do, and any further improve
ment on the road viii devolve upon
the towns and road districts Through
which it passes. = ~: IS ~ ~ =.
Engineer Ralph, who has supervis-
ed the construction of the big ditch,
deserves praise for the efficient
manner in which he has discharged
his duties. He has been very careful
to see that the ditch was well and
economically built.
Our party arrived at Ole Bangs
beautiful farm on Red River at
noon. Here we were served SUBJ
staptial and palatable dinner by
Mrs. Bang to which we all did ample
justice. Mr.. Bang is one of the
well-to-do farmers in this section.
He is a sturdy looking son Of old
Norway and his farm residence is
the finest we have seen in the state,
and is most elegantly furnished.
He owns several sections of land,
and this year he has the good luck
to have 500 acres in fax, which &C.
cording to present prospects and
prices will sell for $4,000. In his
orchard he has over 200 apple trees
and SO cherry trees.
On the way home the branch line
was inspected throughout it's entire
length, careful measurements beine
taken at different points along both
the main and lateral ditch to ascer
tain whether the terms of the con
tract had been complied with, an(
in every case it was deeper thar
called for.
The fact is that the ditch will
gradually deepen bv the action o
the swift current except in feV
places in the upper part where it i
liable 10 fill in places where latera
drains enter it. The towns SHOULD
see to that the ditch is kept fire
from weeds and all obstrutions.
We saw some very good crops il
the towns traversed by the ditch
especially flax of which there wi
be good crop. We also saw som
wheat fields that will surely 20 4
bushels to the acre. But there ar
a great many noxious weeds, an
we would urge farmers and tow
officers to enforce the law in regar
to them. Canada thistle has game
a foot hold on many farms. Swee
clover is also a weed that will bea
watching, and there are man
ohters. This land is too rich an
valuable for the raising of weeds.
The ditch will carry an enormot
volume of water, and will divert
great deal of water that former
had to enter Snake river and cau'
that stream to overflow in it's low
course.