Omaha daily bee., 1909-05-09

~ EN- YEARS ago Asmus Boysen, a banker of Grey, Ia, while
rambling through the mountains of central Wyoming
came upon the Big Horn canyon, a huge gap which the
Big Horn river has made dividing Copper and Owl creek
mountains. He saw the enormous rent made in noun
tains and was impressed with the idea that the Big Horn river could
De harneSsed and a power plant could be Installed which would fur
nhh power In sufficient quantities to develop the untouched wonder
full resources of that section of the state.
Being first of all a man Of action, Mr.. Boysen at once set about
to perfect his plans for acquiring the site that he might build a dam
and power plant. He has met undreamed of obstacles, but through
1t all his faith has never wavered, but he has gone persistently for
ward until he is about to see the fruition of his labors and a giant
power plant will soon be in operation, a monument to a man whose
mistaken confidence in the west has spurred him almost single
handed to block the flow of the mountain torrent and provide cheap
power for himself and neighbors.
When Asmus Boysen first made his discovery he treated with the
Indians and secured valuable leases to IFS, 900 acres of land ON the
Wind River reservation from the Arapahoe and Shoshone Indians.
When the United States government wished to throw these lands
1905, Mr.. Boysen exchanged his claim on these Indian lands for a
clear title to Gao acres, on which the famous Big Horn gorge is sit
uated. He received title to the land through an act of congress.
Copper mountain is situated on the east side of the gorge and for
the last ten years it has been known that this mountain is filled with
valuable copper and gold ore. To develop these mines Mr.. Boysen,
through the Big Horn Power company. has built a splendid dam
which Will furnish power It one-Sixth the cost of power produced by
coal.
Horn gorge one of the greatest of engineering feats and Mr.. Boysen's
energy has created some most valuable property by being able to fur
nsh this most necessary power and also to provide means for irri-
eating 10000 acres Of land which is absolutely worthless without
water, which can only be supplied by the aid of the Big Horn dam.
Steam power for the construction of the dam, or for working mines
in that vicinity cost between 5000 and $500 a horse power a year
and many mines which it was absolutely impossible to reach with
any kind of power can now take advantage of Boysen's efforts.
The dam is about half way between Shoshoni, Wyo, and Their
mopons. and is most unique. in it's construction, in that a power plant
Is situated Wlthln n dam, which is a II Amnursen type o reinforced
concrete. This hydro-electrtc implacement is fifty feet high, includ-
ing hashboards, and the length of the dam is 14 feet.
Nesting in the very mouth of the Big Horn gorge, the dam is a
most picturesque sight. Although 1t is $50 feet from the lowermost
parts Of the dam to the top. it looks small in comparison with it's
surroundings, for the mountains rise 900 feet, almost perpendicu-
larly, on each side of the dam. A road has been carved out of the
mountains ON each side and the dam will form a bridge across the
river, making a most beautiful drive. A lake about fourteen miles
long, and in some places two and one-half miles wide, will be formed
by the dam, backing the water up to within Ave miles Of Shoshoni.
Giant mountains rise on each side of this lake, which will furnish
the power at the dam.
Room is at present provided for FIVE units of a capacity of 1000
kuowatts each, which is equal to a total horse power of 6 800. The
novel feature of the installation is that the water wheels, generators
switehboards and other machinery are all within the dam, and this