La Junta tribune., 1909-03-27
HoLsaook IRRIGATION DISTRICT
Objsetors Finally Convinced that ir.
risation District 10 the Only Sal.
vation for Hoibrook Valley.

Three auto loads Of La Juntaites
attended the meeting of the farmers
Of the Holbrook Valley last Saturday
afternoon, at the Center school house.
called for the purpose of discussing
plans for the formation Of an irriga-
ton district over there under the law
OF which the Otero Irrigation Dis
trict was the pioneer. In fact, Colo
radios irrigation district law was in
stigated in 1901 for the sole purpose
OF meeting the conditions and solv
ing the problems existing under the
old Otero canal. The law has been
such a panacea for all the Ills, H.
rigation and otherwise, that irri-
CATION schemes are afflicted with,
that 1t has resulted in the formation
OF nearly thirty irrigation districts
in Colorado during the past eight
years, the Otero Irrigation District be-
ing the pioneer Of the bunch.
As the Otero canal has had a rath-
er checkered career and a reputation
that was not wholly enviable. the
Holbrook farmers were doubtful AS to
whether they wanted to follow in
its footsteps. Many Of them had not
learned that the Otero canal had
been rejuvenated, and that under
changed conditions it had excellent
prospects of becoming one Of the
best irrigation projects in the Arkan-
sas Valley.
The meeting was known as the
collectors" meeting. or those who
were opposed to the formation Of an
irrigation district. o. G. Hess made
the first talk and volunteered the
information that he was an entire
ly disinterested party, but had been
employed by some Of his clients to
appear on their behalf and cite GER
tain objections. His clients were OPP
posed to issuing bonds and buying
any water from the Holbrook ditch
for the reason that che Holbrook
ditch had no water to sell. Water
was like the air and salvation-free
to whomsoever would partake. His
clients were also opposed to the for
nation of an irrigation district. be-
lieving that the scheme could be han
died more advantageousiy by pri-
vate stock company.
Before retiring to the seclusion OF
the audience Mr.. Hess was asked
few pointed questions by j. C..
Gracey, who also made few peril
nent observations on the argument
that had been made. Mr.. Gracey then
called upon G.. A. Kilgore to tell the
story Of the formation OF the Otero
Irrigation District, and to relate
whether or not the farmer under
the canal were satisfied with their
experience thus far.
Mr.. Kilgore told the story OF the
formation of the Otero Irrigation DIS
trict. The farmers under the canal
were eminently satisfied with their
experience thus far, and were prac-
tically a unit upon all questions re-
lating to the district. All OF the
elections thus far held in the dis
trict. both as to bond issues and the
selection of officers, had teen prac-
ticaIly unanimous. The district mas
made three bond issues since 1t was
first organized-the first being for
$500 900, the second for $160,00 and
the third for 40,0O0-a total OF $780,
900. .or total indebtedness OF SzS
Der acre upon the 10000 acres OF
land in the district. The first issue
OF bonds was now selling 1t par. ana
there was demand always for the
bonds OF the district-a condition
that irrigation schemes owned byl
private corporations could not boast
Of. Mr.. Kilsore did not think the
Hoibeook irrigation project could De
financed otherwise than By organic
inG undes the irrigation law. ana
rsad letters from prominent bond buy
en- that thsy would not handle the
beaAs Of . psiyats company under
an consideration. but would take an
tAat were eeg9sd ~ . Hoahsoek r
rieAkioa distsisk
NJ. lIfleoes thsn ave = tsw ~
NJ . 10 ths amoant whieh vosld
- nscsssasy 70 sfssct the. orBanasa-
- 6 - revssssl izrisataee -
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