davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13
ADDRESS BY |. E. DAVIS

The following is the address given
engineer in the reclamation service
and who is now visiting at Hermiston:
The Umatilla, like all rivers in east
ern Oregon, has a very uneven flow
resulting from the physical cond tions
of high altitude at the headwaters
and the relative high precipitation
there
A large proportion of the discharge
occurs in floods or in a high stage in
the flow. requiring for the utilization
of the entire flow an immense amount
of storage.
Discharge of the Umatilla.
The average discharge of the Una
tilla for the past sixteen yeares has
been about $4,000 acre feet, about
800, 900 of which is at present going
to waste The annual discharge is OF
course very uneven, and the low sea-
son flow near Echo practically moth
ing.
Use for Surplus Waters.
There is a popular impression that
this waste. in whole or in part, can
be used advantageously in several
ways-by perfecting the present pri-
vate systems by means of storage,
thus giving complete summer irriga-
ton.
BY the enlargement cS the present
system. by increasing the canal ca
pacities. and by storage, or by the
construction of entirely new projects
by means of storage and distribution
work. As matter of fact, however
it seems that there are on the Una
! tlla or its tributaries, no reservoir
sites of present value, the Umatilla
extension site excepted
Reservoirs.
On the main river are the follow
ing: At Cayuse where so foot dam
would impound $500 feet, and dam
100 feet high, % 900 acre feet.
At Bingham. a dam of these heights
would impound 2700 and 5000 acr,
feet respectively. The above storage'
are figured on a basis of a ten foo
freeboard for each dam noted.
The river at both places has grade
of about 40 feet to the mile, and ow
ing to this fact in connection will
the presence of the O.-W. r. & n
tracks in both sites, neither are prac
ticable.
, These are the best sites above Pen
dleton, and the same objection oper
ates against any site along the mai
| river on the North Fork are tw
small sites where storage is lmite
and costly--doubtless over 500 pc
acre foot
Mckay Creek Storage.
: On Mckay creek are three reser
voir sites. The lower near the mout
: appears to be the best and has a stor
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13
C. C. CHAP MAN

In one of the most interesting talks
OF the evening and one that enlivened
the crowd greatly. c. c. Chapman,
OF the Portland Commercial club,
poured coil upon the troubled waters
yet stood forth plainly as champion
of the extension.
In opening his remarks Mr.. Chap
man declared Pendleton would make
history by its action regarding the
project and said he spoke advisedly
in saying that the action of the club
was being awaited with interest by
President Taft and others concerned
in tho matter.
"They have raised a peach of a
rookis." said the Portland man in
speaking of the fight made by stan
field people in opposition to the ex-
tension. However, he held that while
IL is the unalienable right of every
man to defend his rights it usually
follows that he will lose out If he car
ries his personal interest to a point
where he gets beyond what is right
and for the general welfare.
In an able manner the Portland
secretary argued tnat local peopit
should endorse the extension and ther
devote their energies to q right set
tlement of such differences as may
occur. He urged that it is to the in
terests of the state to have the exten
sion carried out by the government
that no reclamation money will b'
available for oregon unless through
the extension.
The Private Interests.
Touching upon the interests of tn
I,adds and of the Northern Pacific II
lands held by these people under TIL
extension, Mr.. Chapman declared al
agreement has already been reache'
whereby those lands will be turne,
over at very reasonable considera
ton, something liz the neighborhoo
of $3.50 per acre.
At the conclusion of his talk, MI
Chapman was greeted by warm ap
plause though 1t was manifest his at
titude was especially acceptable to tn
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13
John Day Project.

Relative to the opinion that the
John Day project shou be construct
ed at this tine instead of the Umatilla
extension it should be understood that
the former has never been formally
approved by the reclamation service.
1t has been sufficiently investigated
and mapped to indicate that the acre
cost will be high and that the con-
struction of a canal in the river canon
will be extremely difficult and long
in building. This section of the canal
alone will cost over six million dol
lars, and this great initial expense is
necessary prior to the irrigation of
single acre and is one of the reasons
tending to retard development here.
This project contemplates the irriga-
ton of about two hundred thousand
acres at cost of over 500 per acre.
1t is apparent that at some future
time the John Day project will be
built to irrigate all the land lying be-
tween Umatilla and Arlington and
from the Columbia river south to the
higher lands. At that time the west
extension would have then become
a unit of this project and the water
required there liberated to use else
where.
Doubtless at that time land in Una
tilla county will have become of suf-
ficient value to warrant the construc-
ton of first class projects along the
Umatilla or its tributaries.
Water Rights.
The impression seems to be cur
rent that the west extension will af-
feet the adjudication of water rights
in this county adversely to all liti-
gants, the government alone excepted
1t IS difficult to understand this opin-
ion since the title to the waters to be
used for this extension is at present
vested in the state. since the many
excessive filings on the Umatilla river
can never be previously considered.
To illustrate this condition: Fill.
ings on a certain ditch below here are
as follows: 10000. 10000. 10000, l..
600. 275,OOO and 1900 miners inche:
or about 10000. c. +. =. a flow larger
than the low season discharge of al
but a very few rivers in the Unitet
States.
The adjudication of these claims
will be made purely on question o
fact as existing at the time suit wa
instituted. with the priority right
ditch capacity and area irrigated a!
the ruling elements. and the who'll
modified by the modern principle o
beneficial use of the waters.
1t is most assuredly fortunate 70
all concerned that the government /
, party to this suit. since it will in
sure a final and equitable adjustmen
Of all claims. The large amount O
accurate data and evidence prepare
by the reclamation service will un
questionably tend to a settlement en-
tirely fair to all Just claimants.
Stanficld and other Damage
Contemplating as the west eXter
sion does, the construction of n larg
t reservoir OF undecided capacity o
the main river it may eventuate /
e damage to the town of Stanfield fror
t flowage, and the method of protec
t ton necessary. is to construct sui
t stantial dikes. near the r Il. track
t and pump out the seepage waite
e While the appearance Of these dixie
may not be entirely prepossessing,
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13

benefit to the town VIII certainly ac-
crue from their value in keeping
food water in the river from back
ing into any drainage system that
might be built.
Acreage to be Irrigated.
The exact acreage to be irrigated
under this west extension, it is under
stood. is not definitely decided, but
the area to be lost through this con-
struction can be readily estimated.
Rumor has it that fear is entertained
that this construction will cause,
when the reservoir is filled, the back
ing up of the waters in what is known
as the Meadows, and that this dist
rict will become a swamp. From
geological standpoint this tract has
but just emerged from this condition
but it may be stated that since this
valley has a general slope of about
ten feet to the mile, the backing up
can be measured by prolonging a
level line from the lake level to in
tersect the present ground water sur
face, a short distance up the valley.
This distance must also be meas
ured, a small amount, to allow the
head necessary for an underground
| flow to be acquired.
1t is reported that, this tract is in
serious need of drainage at present,
and it is doubtless true that consid-
| ering the comparative low elevation
of this country above the river, and
the presence of a large canal in por-
Gus ground, encircling two sides of it,
| drainage is imperative. 1t is probable
! 81 laly ~
/ of the natural drainage channels, but
/ il no particular sense. in light of the
| foregoing, will this interference eX-
tend beyond the area to be purchased
by the government to include over
! flowed land and the necessary margin
al strip to take care of this feature.
That this entire area must revert to
a state of swamp seems entirely un-
necessary to consider.
Should the tracts under the West
ern Land K Irrigation company and
the Irrigon project desire to throw
in their lot with this extension. then
such action is manifestly a confession
of benefits received. and these areas
would class as newly developed tracts.
otherwise the extension will he re-
lSjllCltu To SnldllSI area. anu the
, only land lost is for the reservoir site
itself.
Present Duty of Water.
,, In consideration of the vast amount
of water required to irrigate raw
sandy land in Oregon, when first
seeded. and referring as an instance
in point to that part of the Umatilla
project already built, and, ack.
nowledging the excessive amount o'
. water used there. at present. the state.
: ment is made that this condition o'
, affairs is but repetition Of conditi
ons occurring in California and other
places of like character.
1t is equally certain here as there
that the duty of water will steadil,
rise as the soil becomes broken down
as vegetation increases, and as tn
e irrigation system is improved an,
n perfected, In evidence of this state
n ment. the actual water required I
n irrigate Il ninety acre tract OF alfal
= fa at Hermiston, is as follows: 1905
= 10 a. f: 1910, a. f.: and in 1911
$ 80 a. + tt is evident that the gov
{. eminent cannot construct in the be
S ginning to furnish the vast amount G
a water necessary for an entire raw an
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13
friends of the extension.
Morrow County FavOrs.

Attorney Woodson of Heppner was
the last of those speaking in favor of
the extension. He declared Heppner
people had joined with others in urg-
ing the extension and that all after
listening fully to the arguments dur
ing the evening he was still firm in
his former belief that the project
should be carried out
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13

age capacity for a so or 100 foot dam
of 500 and 21,400 acre feet respect
lively. The higher dam. owing to the
topography of the site, is the more
economical. For the same reason an
artificial spillway will be necessary.
Considering also that the foundations
for any dam on this creek would have
not been determined. The estimates
OF cost hereafter given are taken suf-
fic!ently liberal to cover these fea-
lures, and are from actual cross sec
tions taken several years ago in the
field, and from accurate topographic
maps.
1t is doubtful if any dam can be
constructed at this point for less than
$40 per acre foot, and from its loca-
ton, the land along the lower river
only could benefit.
The site at Big Bend for a dam.
the same height as before noted,
would impound $4,000 or 10000 acre
feet. and the estimated cost per acre
foot stored is about sS5.
At the Forks. storage would doubt
less cost $50 per acre foot and $40 is
about the maximum.
In none of these estimates has the
damage from flowage been consider
ed The figures as. given are based
, on accurate surveys and are believed
to be conservative.
1t might be remarked that before
now these sites have been condemned
I by capable engineers.
Lower Storage.
- I'D trn OF Nf
| desert land lying between the Umatil-
la river and Willow creek are two res
| ervoir sites of good size, but owing to
the extreme porous character of the
underlying strata both were condemn
ed by the reclamation service after
exhaustive Investigations.
| About 80 miles west of Echo there
| is a large reservoir site but very eX-
| pensive. owing to the high dam ne
cessary. on account of the topo-
graphy of this site, the maximum
storage is the most economical. The
dam and dykes necessary aggregate
about six miles in length. A feed ca
nal for this site would be very Ions
and expensive as it would be largely
in hard pan or gravel, the latter re
quiring a concrete lining to proven
loss by seepage. The use of this res
ervoir in connection with a projec
from the Umatilla river is not con
sidered feasible.
Combined Capacities.
The total capacities of all reservoi
sites above Echo on the the Umatilli
, and including the largest on McKa,
creek is about $4,000 acre feet, an
/ it is therefore perfectly apparent tina
the only feasible opportunity to us
these waste waters of the Umatill
is on the lowlands below Echo. 1t
equally obvious that no successfu
project will be developed above thi
: vicinity for years as the cost woul
be exceedingly high. From the fig
ures given il is a simple matter fo
= anyone sufficiently interested to com
1 pute the probable cost of any projeC
. in the vicinity of Pendleton The eN
l tremely high cost is certainly appal
+ ent. it is not entirely improbably tn;
small storage works can be built
this time upon the upper regions {
= the river to irrigate small tracts, bi
h not to n sufficient extent to influenl
= the present great loss of water.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13
TALK BY E. P. D0DD

AS the first speaker has said we
have several subjects to present and
it is my purpose to give you few
facts on the available supply of wa
ter in the Umatilla river, and where
in a general way the ownership of
this water lies, 1 also want to dis
close to you part of the motive of the
opposition to the west extension and
correct some of the false statements
that have appeared in some of the
resolutions of protests recently pub
lished by the newspapers. What I
will say is here in typewriter form
and can be referred to by any of you.
and if you desire to make note of
some of the figures that 1 give you.
please do not hesitate to ask for time
to do SO as we pass along.
From the printed public records of
the geological survey l will give you
the run off of the Umatilla river in
acre feet per year for the last 10
years. This is computed for the river
below Pendleton and including all its
tributaries like Birch and Mckay
creek. These figures are as follows
1S9T.............. 100000 acre feet
1898. 1000 acre feet
1899. .62O,OO0 acre feet
1900. 200 acre feet
1901. 10000 acre feet
1902. 10000 acre feet
1903. 1000 acre feet
1904. 100000 acre feet
1905. 100000 acre feet
(Smallest in 10 years.
1906. $50, 600 acre feet
1907............. 100000 acre feet
1905. $4,000 acre feet
19O9.............. $4,000 acre feet
1910. 100000 acre feet
1911.............. 100000 acre feet
The average run off for the last 15
years per year is 10000 acre feet.
1 These measurements We're taken for
two twelve months periods. that is
one from October Is to october 10,
and the other from January to jan
uary /, and the lowest record for the
year was used in order to make the
estimate safe. For this supply of
water there is now under irrigation
and process of reclamation about 55,-
eco acres of land. The United States
project at HermiSton has $4,000
acres; the Western Land and Irriga-
ton Co., 10000 to 1900 acres; the
Furnish Ditch company 5000 to TO-
600 acres; the Browneu ditch COM
pany 1000 acres and other smaller
projects total about 1000 acres. For
this area approximately 1875, 200 acre
feet were diverted during the past sea-
son. Most of the ditchcs were run to
} nearly full capacity during the period
when water was available in the river
and this amount cannot be very well
8 increased. There, therefore. remains
= at least between 100000 and 10000
T. acre feet of water flowing 70 the sea
(conunued on Page 6, Col. ID
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13
un developed project.

undeveloped project.
BY opening successive units, how
ever, and in connection with better
ment, work and cultivation, there can
be no question of the adequacy of the
government water supply, and the
rapid rise of the duty of water, as in
stanced by many successful projects
in other localities.
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13

Continued on Page 6, Col. y
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13

benefit to the town VIII certainly ac
crue from their value in keeping
food water in the river from back
ing into any drainage system that
might be built
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13

On Mckay creek are three reSer-
voir sites The lower near the mouth
appears to be the best and has stor-
East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1911-12-13

The average discharge of the Una
tilla for the past sixteen yeares has
been about $4,000 acre feet, about
800, 900 of which is at present going
to waste. The annual discharge is OF
course very uneven, and the low sea-
son flow near Echo practically moth
Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-12-29

Hickock and Fairbain assisted in this
effort to learn the whereabouts of the
dead boys father, but without the
slightest result, nor did Keith's inves-
legations reveal the gambler at any of
his accustomed resorts, while Scott
had apparently made complete get
away. These disappearance merely
served to convince him as to the truth
of his first suspicious; Scott might
have departed for good, but Hawley
would certainly reappear just as soon
as assured his name had not been
mentioned in connection with the
tragedy. To Neb alone did the plains
man candidly conf1de his belief in the
guilt OF these two, and when other
duties called him elsewhere, he left
the negro securing the town for any
possible temperance of either
Heavy-eyed from lack of sleep.
heavy-hearted with his message, yet
fully decided as to what advice he
hotel. and requested an interview with
Hope Although still comparatively
early. some premonition of evil had
awakened the girl, and In very few
moments she was prepared to receive
her visitor. A questioning glance into
his face was sufficient to assure her of
unpleasant news. but, with one quick
breath, she grasped his arm as though
his very presence afforded her
strength
How tired you look, Something
has occurred to keep you out all night
-and-and ! know you have brought
me bad news. Don't be afraid to tell
me; can bear anything better than
suspense Is 1t about father?'
No. Hope" and he took her hand.
and led her to a chair. Bending above
her he gave her the whole story OF the
night. and she scarcely interrupted
with question. sitting there dry-eyed.
with only an occasional sob shaking
Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-12-29
Colonel Lemert Tells How Warning to
Late Ohio Senator Was
Breath Wasted.

"a visit to Washington always re-
calls the good old days when my
friend Senator Calvin S. Brice was
here" said Colonel Lemert of Ohio.
"Ohio never fully appreciated the
worth of Brice until he was gone, and
those who knew the real man person
ally never tire Of telling about his ca
reer Long before his election to the
senate he came to my town Of Buoy
rus as clever young lawyer, but even
then he was beginning to indicate
what was in him After our consulta-
ton he insisted on meeting with IA
nous character of our town who kept
rather high-class gambling place. |
do not mean a public resort, but just
gentlemen's poker game. Brice had
heard lot about the wonderful skill
of these citizens. and he had curl
osity to try them spell as a matter
Of recreation. / begged him almost
with tears in my eyes not to risk his
money with such experts, but he
smiled. Then l explained that | would
have a supply of funds for him when
he was ready to leave town. as | felt
sure these local sports would trim
him down to his shirt studs. / even
begged that / might take care of his
watch
We'll, l worried a good deal that
night. and could hardly sleep thinking
what was happening to Brice.
fastened to find him the next morn
ing. He was clipper and smiling,
and l asked him If he needed any
money with which to leave. He smiled
and pulled out a roll of bills. Then
he explained that he had tackled our
Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-12-29
King Road Drag.

OF the country into even good gravel
roads. That this is desirable few will!
gainsay, and that it is becoming nee
essary under modern conditions and
the relations now existing between
producer and consumer is also quite
generally admitted The increased cost
of hauling over unimproyed roads is
an immense tax upon the farmer and
those who purchase his products, and
is a restriction on the crops which
can be raised and moved in certain
localities
The Interstate Commerce commits
sion finds that two hundred and sixty
five million tons of agricultural, forest
and miscellaneous products of the
land are hauled to depots for ship
ment in the course of year. Figured
on a basis of the average haul at the
lowest average rate over unimproved
roads, % cents per ton per mile, the
cost would be four-hundred- thirty
two millions, four hundred thousand
dollars. If the hauling could be re.
duced to one-half the present average
or II 1ac ton, the resultant saving
would exceed 5000, 100000 a year
That such a saving is reasonable is
indicated by the experiences in other
countries and in localities where i'm
proved roads are found The cost of
hauling on such improved roads is
placed at from to 10 cents per ton.
The introduction of wise and equit-
able road laws and good business
management would, it is estimated,
administration of the country's roads
or leave it for some other use
Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-12-29
SYNOPSIS.

Jack Keith. a Virginian. now a Dor
der plainsman. is looking for roaming war
parties of savages. He sees wagon team
at full gallop pursued by men on ponies.
When Keith reaches the wagon the raid
ers have massacred two men and de-
parted He searches the victims finding
papers and q locket with woman's por-
trait. Keith is arrested at Carson City.
charged with the murder. his accuser be
ing ruffan named Black Bart. A negro
companion in his cell named Neb tells MIN
that he knew the Keiths in Virginia. Neb
says one of the murdered men was John
Sibiey. the other Gen. Willis Waite. FORM
erly Confederate officer. The plalnsm1an
and Neb escape. and later the fugitiVes
come upon cabin and find its occupant
TO be a young girl, whom Keith thinks
he saw at Carson City. The girl explains
had deserted from the army. and that
Mr.. Hawley induced her to come to the
cabin while he sought her brother. Haw-
ley appears. and Keith in hiding recog-
nizes him as Black Bart. There is ter
rife battle in the darkened room in which
Keith is victor. Horses are appropriated.
and the girl who says that her name Is
Hope, joins in the escape. Keith explains
his situation and the fugitives make for
Fort Larned, where the girl is left with
the hotel landlady Miss Hope tells Is u that
Keith and Neb drift into Sheridan. where
Keith meets an old friend. DR.. Fairbatn.
Keith meets the brother of Hope Waite,
under the assumed name Of Fred Will
Ioughby. and becomes convinced that
Black Bart has some plot involving the
two. Hope learns that Gen. Waite, who
was thought murdered Is at Sheridan.
and goes there. where she is mistaken for
Christie Maclaire. the Carson City singer.
Keith meets the real Christie Maclaire
and finds that Black Bart has convinced
her that there is a mystery in her life
" hich he is going to turn to her advan-
tage The plainsman tells Hope Waite of
they decide that Fred Willoughby may
mold the key to the situation.