La Junta tribune., 1910-01-08
IA JuNrA IN 1909.

The year 1909 has been an excep-
tionally prosperous one for south.
eastern Colorado. and especially for
the Arkansas Valley. There has been
an abundance OF water for all the
irrigating bitches and as a conse.
Quence the farmers have had bumper
crops. The melon crop was very fine
and brought good price, about q
thousand carloads being sent east to
tickle the palates Of our eastern cous-
ins. The beet crop was away above
the average. both as to quality and
tonnage The farmers are still busy
hauling beets to the factories, which
are still running night and day. The
Holly and Swink factories will pay
out about 100000 to the farmers
for beets, while the American Beet
Sugar factories will pay about an
equal amount.
A large number Of cattle and sheep
are being fattened In the valley on
alfalfa and beet pulp.
A number Of new irrigating bitches
and reservoirs have been started this
season, and a large a mount Of money
has been expended In the improving
Of the reservoirs and bitches of the
older enterprises. The Otero canal,
on the south side OF the river. which
had previously expended &500, 900. has
voted bonds for Sl5O,00O, to be ex-
pended for improving the canal and
reservoir system.
On the north side H the river. the
old Fort Lyon canal, which was bond
ed two years ago for $3.50, 900, has
Just voted an additional bond issue
Of $3.50 900 to be used In the compile
tlon Of Its reservoir system, and the
betterment OF its canals.
The farmers living under the Hol-
brook ditch, In the Holbrook Valley.
some five miles north of La Junta.
have recently organized the Holbrook
Irrigation District and voted bonds
In the sum OF $3.50 900 with which
they will purchase the ditch, water
Canal Company, and build a new res
ervoir system.
Considerable interest is being man
Tested by the farmers and fruit
growers In the subject OF fire pots. as
a protection to the orchards from the
late spring freezing. II is claimed
valley will prove to beone of the
best fruit sections OF the state.
The city OF La Junta has enjoyed
quite boom In the building line.
The new McNeen block. consisting
OF two store rooms on the first floor.
one OF which is 80 by l40 feet. and
the other 80 by 100 feet. with base
ment Under the entire building. and
with handsome office rooms In the
second story and costing some si0.-
OOO is. completed and occupied.
The La Junta Boys Club building.
which is built In a substantial man
ner OF concrete blocks. and costing
about $50 900, is nearing completion,
and will probably be the most unique
and the only building OF the kind In
the United States. II is built es.
pecially for the benefit OF the school
boys OF La Junta. and will be under
the care and control Of the La Junta
school board. II is designed with
club rooms. reading rooms. gymnasi-
um. bowling alley. shower baths and
library. and the manual training shop.
the idea being TO give the boys a
higher ideal OF life and TO encourage
them to good use OF their time on,
OF school hours.
Blankenship Brothers have built n
new garage for the La Junta Auto
mobile and Machine Company. so by
100 feet. with cement floor. A large
number Of new residences have been
completed during the year.
Last spring La Junta voted SIX sa'
looms out OF business and since the
sth OF July has been Il dry town. w,
are pleased to announce to the world
i. that we are getting along nicely with
out them and would not have them
" back under any consideration. The
d money that was formerly wasted In
D. them now goes into the Legitimate
N channels OF trade. while the police
e Judge is having An easy time Of II
h A new steam laundry In a suhstan.
: tlal brick building has been added