The Glenwood post., 1912-05-11
\. J. DICKSON, Editor and Proprietor
Saturday, May II, 1912.
THE WILCOX CANAL

gaticu project which VIII mean mrc 4
t. the prosperity of toe county and
the whole Grand valley scctlcn. The
consummation of such gigantic enter
prises can scarcely be measured N
their intrinsic value to a county or
community.
The writer finds it difficult to refer
to this great project without becoming
somewhat reminiscent. About twenty
years ago, while employed in the coun
ty clerk S Office, we recorded many of
the deeds and other papers for the
Riverside orchard and Irrigation com
pany, the predecessor of the Wilcox
Canal company, and the most of these
conveyanees affecting part of the
property now owned by the latter COM
pany and included in what is now
the Grand Valley Irrigation district.
Right well do we remember Henry
w. Hallett and the efforts he made at
that time to bring to completion a
prophetic vision he believed would
soon transform the country between
Rifle and Grand Valley, then Para
chute, from a desolate waste to a land
of great productiveness and wealth
But Mr.. Hallett received but little en-
couragement from his neighbors and
friends, some of whom declared him
crazy and in proof of that statement
pointed to the great project he was
undertaking, while others more col-
servative and kindly in expression, did
not hesitate to say that he was at
least a quarter of century in advance
of his time.
And from the trend of later events
it must be admitted that these latter
prophets were, after all, not SO very
far from the truth. once matters had
progressed to such point that bonds
had been issued and it was thought
that success was almost in sight for
the great project, and then came thu
dark days of democratic free trade
administration and the financial depres-
sion which is its natural accompani-
ment and Mr.. Hallett and his associ-
ates found it impossible to dispose Of
their bonds and for many years the
partially completed project was at a
standstill.
But later f. w. Popple came on the
scene and brought about degree OF
confidence in the project, and he was
succeeded by the Havemeyer Brothers
who have worked faithfully and un-
ccasingly to bring about the consum
nation of the original plans, and las
Saturday the completion of the great
project was celebrated in fitting
manner.
Now, in the face of what we have
seen, we can say that the dreams CT
the original promoters of this great
project were not altogether dreams
Henry w. Hallett builded wiser than
he knew. What pioneer of this coun
ty but is glad now for the prophetic
vision, the indomitable courage and the
sublime faith of Henry W. Hallett
who, although gathered to his fathers
before the success of his favorite pro-
ject was generally admitted, initiated
the great work which others have now
so ably brought to a successful con
clusion.
The project is one of which all
Garfield county and the western slope
should be and is more than proud. 1t
will add to Garfield county's produc
tive territory choice area on which
many families may prosper and -four
ish.
Arthur and Raymond HavemeyCr
have accomplished task-a difficult
task-which makes us all indebted to
them more than we can at this time
fully realize for it can soon be said
OF them, not that they have caused
two blades of grass to grow where but
one grew before, but that they will!
cause thousands of blades of grass to
grow where none grew before they
completed the great canal and the lat
eral bitches that are to carry the life
giving waters to nearly eight thousand
acres of splendid land which has here
tofore lain dormant and worthless IN
its aridity,