Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1913-06-18

colonized the heretofore arid reach
ed of Southern Idaho. Towns, with
every metropolitan convenience, have
sprung up like magic. All who
have worked. have been blessed with
plenty. All speak alike in their
praise of the founder of their for
tunes, not only as to his ability, but
as to his integrity and answering
belief in the country he made from
the desert
Work To Go Ahead.
Mr.. Watson, who is telling
speaker, was then introduced. He
said in part: 81 have long been in
terested in irrigation and l was one
of the first to speak before Congress
in favor of government appropriation
for irrigation projects. This Pres
colt project was conceived nearly
three years ago. Competent engi-
neers pronounced it feasible.
Through the Santa Fe Railroad, we
next secured title to $1,000 acres
of land, which form the project"
Recounting the trials and tribula-
less familiar to Prescott people, the
speaker came 10 the next step, the
important one of financing the ven
ture. In the course of investigation
of this point, he though of his
friend Burton and chose him to Sc
cure the best men to have charge
over the construction and colonial
ton of the lands. He felt that the
choice had been an admirable one
in both cases.
81 believe every acre is irrigible.
AS to the water that can be i'm
pounded, that is a different ques
ton. Engineer R. S. Cookinham,
who has been with Mr.. Perrine since
he began the reclamation business,
is on the ground and will soon
have his field force on the land. We,
will soon know as to this Mr..
Perrine has so changed the plans of
the previous engineer that 10000
acres will be added to the drainage
area and another dam will be built.
Eve think we are going or with
this enterprise. We know we have
the right people. We trust that the
people of Prescott will get behind
the project, in the manner to be
outlined by Senator Burton. I'll
means much to you to develop this
land, which lies at your doors.
1--WE have passed all obstacles anu
must now stand shoulder to should
err We can make this land verti
table garden. Messrs. Hollistel and
Perrine are the largest and most
successful colonizers in the United
States. They will supply the set
tiers, but we want some of your
representative citizens to make show
places on these lands, places which
will be pointed out as evidencing
your cooperation with us in the in
tensive cultivation of the soil"
Wants Garden Spots.
Senator Burton said he had come
to Prescott to take charge of the
work He wants few of the citi-
zens of this city to take small acre /
ages, to make them garden spots, /
thereby to denote to the outsider
their interest in this undertaking. |
He said the company has passed
through all the conditional stages
and has come nearly to a point OF
contracting. In fact, Mr.. H. G.
Wells. whose company has held
some of the biggest reclamation
contracts in the history of irrigation
is on the ground and has agreed to
undertake that branch of the work
as soon as the engineers plans are
available.
"In September, when the fruit is
T. g
progress, it is my hope to have an
opening day on the land. Our col
onizers will bring in men who will
stay with the settlers and teach them
the business. These men will not
be indoor agriculturists, but men
who have had training such as the
farmer needs.
1--WE are not going to bring drones
here. l believe tonight we can say
TO you that it is up to Prescott. In
side of a comparatively short time
the project will go to contract"
Judge Wells contrasted the effect
of settlement under the government
reclamation scheme at Minidoka with
that on the Twin Falls and Salmon
River projects of Messrs. Perrine
and Hollister. In the former, he
saw Indifferent husbandry, habita
tons of rude construction and an
air of general shiftlessness.
Predicts Success.
Under Perrine's management, he
found thrifty well-schooled farmers,
living in good houses. with every
kind of implements and out-build-
ings He declared that this was the
result of selecting settlers, as prac-
tised by the experts of this firm, and
that the same conditions should pre-
vail here
r. n. Fredericks said he had fol-
lowed the raw land OF Idaho to cul-
tivation in its highest state. He
found a hourishing modern city at
Twin Falls, where there was moth
ing but sagebrush ten years ago.
He found conservative men of in
fluence and wealth who said that
all they had they owed TO Mr.. Per