Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-24
Taft Sees Relay
Race Of CoWgirIs
ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING
DAYS SINCE LEAVING EAST.
ON WESTERN SLOPE OF ROCKIES
President Studies Irrigation Effects
Visits County Fairs-Present at
Opening of Gunnison Tunnel.

eMontrose, Col, Sept. 23.-President
Taft passed the day on the western
slope of the Rocky mountains and
amid succession of scenes typical
of the great western country. In
many respects this day was one of
the most interesting he has had since
leaving Boston.
Gunnison Tunnel Opened.
Late this afternoon Mr. Taft stood
on the brink of the deepest irrigation
ditch in all the west and far out in
the foothills, with not a settlement
in sight, made the electrical connec-
ton which started flow of water
through the Gunnison tunnel that will
reclaim 100000 acres of arid land. 1t
was the setting in operation of the
greatest irrigation pr1ject. the United
states government ever has under
taken and the opening was made the
occasion of a joyous celebration
throughout the, valley of Uncompah-
gre.
At County Fairs.
Before travelling out to the west por-
tai of the tunnel on a little narrow
gauge train. the president visited the
Montrose county fair and after some
formal speechmaking in which he and
the mayor and the governor and sew
eral others participated, he was given
race of cowgirls.
The race was arranged especially
in honor of the president and was
novel and exciting affair. girl of
16, Miss Bertha Hall, in bloomers. de-
feated two older riders, wig wore un-
divided skirts.
Notes -fect of Irrigation.
During his travels today the presi-
dent had ample opportunity to stud>
the effect of irrigation For a long
time his. train would run through
stretches of country, where, as far as
the eye could reach, the only vegeta-
tion in sight consisted of few grease
wood bushes or sage brush. Then out
of a. rocky canyon the train suddenly
would rush upon a veritable oasis,
where waving green fields of alfalfa
and miles of orchards with trees laden
with fruit told of the miracle wrought
by the touch of water.
Told About the Seasons Fruit Yield.
At@Grand Junction and here at Mon
trose the president visited the fruit
exhibits of the county fairs and was
told the almost unbelievable story OF
the seasons yield. Enormous peaches.
apples, pears, pluIns, varicclored
grapes and almost every other known
fruit. as well as enormous samples of
lilC NG6tldDlC kIONln VI lHC
were shown to the president.
A Picturesque Scene.
The scene attending the opening of
the Gunnison tunnel was picturesque
On either side of the deep ravine lead
ing away from the portal of the great
bore several thousand people were
gathered. A little stand had been
erected for the president and his par
ty at the edge of the cut and looking
down $50 feet 10 the opening of the
tunnel. The tunnel has been hewn
through six miles of a mountain range
which. when the project is completed
next spring. will divert the waters of
the Gunnison river, now flowing away
the mountains where minor private
projects Of irrigation already have told
the wonders of the soil.
The vista of rolling hills and the
barren mountain ranges, the mesas
and tablelands stretching along the
hazy horizon. the surrounding acres
of sage and greasewood, the red light
of the slanting sun, the black clouds
of curling smoke from a double
header" tram, climbing up the wind
ing pathway of rails to the, x-thou-
sand foot elevation at the tunnel
mouth, all combined to make the scene
one to be remembered by the presi-
dent as unique in all his travels.
Presented Golden Key.
During the day Mr.. Taft was pre-
sented with golden key to the city
of Montrose a gold badge commtino-
rating his visit and a gold table bell.
1t was with this little bell that the
president opened the tunnel and when
the muddy wall of water rushed nois-
lily out of the concrete hole the crowd
cheered
Spoke Upon Irrigation.
In all of his speeches today the pres
ident touched briefly upon the sub
ject of irrigation. He promised to
promptly lock into the matter of COM
pleting the Grand Valley ditch which
Secretary Rallinger stopped.
Secretary Ballinger, who is accom-
panying the president. also spoke here
tonight. He referred to the subject
of reclamation, however, only in gen.
eral way. and his talk was brief, ow-
ing to bad throat.
Talked With Ute Indians.
At Grand Junction in the carly aft
ernoon the president shook hands with
several Ute Indians. one of them be-
ing Chipele, the widow of Ouray. one
of the famous chiefs of this section.