El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-01-30
THE CALL OF THE WEST
SIDE To SETTLERS


Editor FL Paso Herald:
The spirit of progress and advance
ment which has manifested itself so
strongly over the length and breadth
Of these United States, has struck the
western Mesilla valley with full force
From Santa Tomas to La Union, the at
mosphere seems pregnant with a spirit
of evolution and transition into the
realm of new and advanced Ideas
The west side will no longer tolerate
its obscure and reticent position Win
the advent of the great Elephant Butte
dam, with the preliminary work OF con
structiOn of the main canals ana d.
version dams for the west side already
under way, the awakening is timely;
the organization of west slders Tor
the purpose of harmony and cOopera-
ton. comes none too soon,
About 10000 acres of the most Ter
tile soil on earth, where the produc-
ton per acre exceeds the production
of any land in this or any other coun-
try. is the area of irrigable land when
composes the west side, all practically
in one solid body, stretched along the
western banks of the RlO Granues
level smiling valley, dotted with sew
eraI villages and many farms OF more
or less pretentiOus appearances
No section under the Elephant Butte
project is perhaps less known, and has
been more stepfatherIy treated by the
powers that be, than the west sac
but alas, we have shed the infant
robe. and the call OF the west size
rings forth in resOunding tone
One of the causes of the IonS
neglect of the west side is undoubtedly
the scant means of communication ana
the lack of transportation taclIlIl-s
which heretofore confronted farmers
and others, as well as Impeding ne
usual influx of settlers. In spite OF
these disadvantages, the west size
forged ahead and held its own; we
are now connected by telephone anu
every farm house has communication
with the outside world, while WITHIN
the past few years four bridges have
been constructed within the radlus
! known as the west side
There is not another section under
the big Elephant Butte project more
attractively located than is the west
side There is no alkai or other DIS
crepancies to mar the beauties OF our
valley: the rugged foothills west OF US
form A natural background to TINS vast
even stretch Of alfalfa ueIds, orC dl--tss
and gardens while the majestic organ
mountains with their towering peaks
on the east complete most remark
able and picturesque view. .,-
Good roads are coming. The money
n construct these has been voted
n1anir7ouslv by our citizens, a live
county commission has been deslSnaSeu
bv our governor to see that we Obtain
! good roads and it is coming. SchoOt
buildings have sprung up at Tour q
the west side towns, very creullaDiS
structures. and comfortably 1urnlsneu,
and capable instructors are directing
the destinies of our youth SeVerdl
churches have been built IN the pas
few years, and where we have no RESI-
dent preacher, services are con9uctSo
| regularly by preachers from Las cruces
| and FL PasO. 49,,
1t is but a question Of one or two
years when the whistle Of the inter
! urban railroad will be heard on the
west side. There is rich harVSsl
a7valting some enterprising person VINO
, will take the initiative in regard TO an
\ interurban line from FL Paso through
! the western Mesilla valley 10 Las
, Cruces. e..
| The west side needs more farmers;
/ only a fraction of these fertile lanus
are as vet under cultivation, enter
! prise and energy must develop TINS
/ rich valley, and at the present prices
| of land. opportunities should De al
| hiring TO the thousands who are crowd
] ed together in the large cities, anO
/ even on the crowded little eastern
| farms. The western Mesllla valley
! call to the homeseeker IS made IN
| dfgnified but sincere spirit. Come an1
| assist ms in the development of tins
! wonderful valley. the Nile OF America
| and by doing so t2lp yourself 10
| home where you can raise every klnt
! of crop, where the climate IS superior
! to tbe famous Riviera of France, and
| where dwell the most hospltable peo-
| pie of the west