Deming graphic., 1912-05-17
MIRACULOUS GROWTH
Of DEM|NC COUNTRY
B. P. Shull, Pioneer Irrigator
Sees Rapid and Sure
Progress
GOOD BOOSTER SPIRIT
Recounts Early Struggles and
Ultimate Triumph of the
Irrigation Idea

Garden City, Kas., May 8, 1912
Editor GRAPHIC:
We have just received your boos
ter edition. | think it is one of the
greatest publications that ever left
the press of Deming. and while our
little beginning, away back -four
years ago. has almost been lost sight
of, through the coming in of great
wealth in the way of companies and
individuals. We could not help feel
ing proud away down in our hearts
that the small beginning, made un-
der the most discouraging circum-
stances that | ever had to undergo,
has brought forth that which was
then thought to be impossible, wa
ter for irrigation from tine sunken
waters of the Mimbres, the devel.
Opment at Demi"~. New Mexico, in
the past four y, IS has been almost
miraculous.
When we think of the mesquite
and sage-brush flats which stretch
for many miles in every direction
surrounding the town when we first
went there, and then see the pict-
ures of the modern homes; see the
great pumps gushing forth their
streams Of pure water; see alfalfa
fields; bean fields, vineyards and or.
chards springing up in every direc-
ton, it looks as though the magic
wand had touched the soil and the
water had gushed forth. but the
most pleasing thing To US of all in
this great development is to Sc e
those staunch and sturdy business
men who have breasted the hard
ships of frontier life for years.
who ridiculcd the idea of irrigation
in the Mimbrcs Valley, not from n
malicious standpoint, hut because
of their association and environ
ments they could not understand;
conceive what development might
come to [ heir Valley, to see
these men now standing shoulder to
shoulder, boosting for Deming and
Mimbres valley, telling that the
things have acutuly come to pass,
which we told them would come to
pass, only four years ago, which
they then scoffed at, now have be-
come a stern reality. We now see a
future for Mimbres Valley, far
greater than we have ever dared to
hope, when the little development
work east of town was begun.
Wife and read every line of that
issue; looked OF every picture; talk
ed over our troubles, Of our sacri-
flee and hardships which we have
endured that these many goo d
things might come to Mimbres Val
ley. We are thankful that we spent
our money; we have not a sore spot
nor a heart-ache for what we have
done and to-day we are not living
away from Deming and the Mimbres
Valley from choice, but because of
the fact that we have met with re-
verses and disappointments regard
ing our project there and the fact
that we have sacrificed our poses
sions in western Kansas to such an
extent that made i! necessary that
we come back and gather together
the fragments and remnants of what
we thought, at one time, wou d
make us comfortable in our declin-
ing years, and our only hope is. that
with proxies of the others. attended
the convention as delegates, Senator
Upton going along to explain how it
happened and to mix with his old
political friends.
The Missourian's friends felt ratE-
er jubilant, but the governors
friends are whetting up their knives.