Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1911-08-24
HISTORY REPEATS ITSELF
A mother Interruption of the Water
Supply Results In Action by
the Settlers.

something oNcr II year ago the
settlers on the North Side Tract
were suddenly met with the an
nouncement that water for irriga-
ton purposes would cease after a
certain date. This announcement
was followed by another statement
from the Water Company, that
steps would at once be taken to-
ward the erection of huge reser-
voir ad jaccnt to Jerome Of sufficient
capacity to preclude any possible
doubt of n continual supply of
water for irrigation purposes an
other season. True to their prom
ise the Company put large force
of men and teams nj work last fall
in the construction Of this reser-
voir, which might more properly
be termed huge lake. The spring
saw the large undertaking COM
pleted, and the settlers and citi-
zens generally pointed with pride
10 what we all considered one of
the most magnificent water sys-
tens in the Northwest. The water
from the main canal was turned on
and each day witnessed a rise III
the surface level of the water until
point was reached, where il was
found that any further rise in the
water was impossible II was
then that the water was turned in
To the canals in such an amount as
To almost flood the entire tract, it
being estimated that water enough
was going down any one Of the
canals to water the entire tract il
properly diverted. This waste ol
water was kept up, until, without
any prior notice to the users, thC
headgatcs were closed, and tn,
settlers were told that a systeu %
rotation would he inaugurated, -bu
that sufficient water would be rn
in the bitches at all times for do
mestic purposes. This promise
like many other promises made by
the company, was soon broken, anC
the announcement went forth tha
the headgates at Miner were tC
be closed down Sunday or Monday
evening.
Realizing the situation, the board
Of directors Of the Canal Users Assn
sought a meeting with Manage
MacWatters here Tuesday, but fail
ing in this they held a meeting 70
the purpose Of considering the sit
uation at which time a commltte
was appointed consisting OF j. W
Handy and o. j. Wilson, who's
duty it will be to visit the settler
on the tract who may feel tina
they will be damaged, ascertalnin
the conditions OF their crop at tn
time the water was shut off, and i
the presence Of witnesses estlmat
ing the damage that would bc su'
tained. They also instructed III
attorney to take steps at once
demand Of the company a flow
water sufficient for domestic pul
poses, as provided by the laws
the state.
1t was also ordered that two d
rectors and two members OF Il
association be selected to appe'
before the Land Board at its ne'
hearing relative to the pumplr
proposition as asked for by tt
company.
Relative to the supply OF watt
for domestic purposes, late supren
court decisions have provided wa
in which this may be furnished an
it would seem that the Co. Shout
have made arrangements Tor IN
prior to closing the gates. Notl'
being sent the land board regardil
the shortage here, they at once sci
two State engineers to the Sou
Side tract for the purpose OF mea
uring the water there, and there
some possibility that we may ha
supply for domestic use in the ne
future.