The daily sentinel., 1908-01-09

Grand Junction appropriated from
its treasury the sum of fifteen hum
dred dollars to make the survey. The
survey was begun and a site select
ed for the barracks for the convicts
but in some manner the scheme was
dropped. The land owners were to
subscribe a certain amount toward
the maintenance of the convicts.
This they really did, but when Gov.
Routt was approached by one of the
men interested in the promotion OF
the enterprise and asked to be ap-
pointed superintendent of the work,
which the governor had not the pow
er of appointment he got mad and
refused to give up list of the SUBJ
scribers and the scheme Cell through.
There might be given in detail the
history of the many attempts to build
that irrigation waterway, which Is
fraught with such possibilities for
the people of this valley. but 1t Is
past history and would serve no pur-
pose save as a recital of past efforts.
A great many of the new settlers
: in this valley, not acquainted with
the history of the enterprise may
: think that the present united effort
to secure the construction by the
I government, Is the first really con-
certed effort made for its construct
: ion. There were men in those old
days of the early history of the val
ley that gave much of their time and
= spent considerable money to promote
the enterprise. They were Just as
loyal and progressed as far in the
work of securing the assistance of
the government, as have the men of
the present.
In the fall of 1902, G. IL Matthes
for the photographic department of
the Geological survey of the govern
ment made complete survey of tho
proposed High Line canal, beginning
at point eight miles up from the
mouth of the Grand river canon a.
bove Palisade and running to the
Excelsior Divide in Utah. He made
his report to the government, pro-.
nounced the plan of construction, so
far as Colorado was concerned as
being entirely feasible. Topographic;
maps Were drawn and the most min
ute data furnished the government.
Because of the great obstacle of
the Excelsior Divide was encounter
ed, the land on the other side being
so much higher than it was on the
Colorado side and the construction,
OF the canal contemplating a great
canal to water the unoceupied lands
of western Colorado and eastern
Utah, the government did not look
with favor and the scheme was again
dropped, although there were other
matters in connection of the aban-
donment of the plan to build by the
government, which materially af-
fected the scheme to build, ole of
them being the fear of the govern
ment that 1t was interfering with prt-
vate rights if it built the canal,
there being number of spectators
who were busy backcapping the
scheme.
The above is only a short account
OF the many attempts made 10 con-
struct the High line canal. They
could be multiplied maLy times.
They simply go to show how near the
to the hearts and desires of the peo-
pie the construction of this canal has
been in the past and is at the pres
ent time. No undertaking, no enter
prise ever proposed for the upbuild-
ing Of this valley has seemed SO pre-
gnaht with possibilities, as the con-
struction of the High line canal.
When many attempts were being
made in the past In this valley, the
value of the land had not become
nearly so great as they have since be-
come. Their great value was drea.
ed Of and talked of, but few beIiey
ed what they hoped would come to
pass, III the increase In their value.
With such a very circumscribed
area still left in the original irriga-
ted section of the Grand Valley, It
is more important than ever that
this undertaking be brought to fruit
ion.