The Delta independent., 1913-12-26
Delta-ParadOX Road Would
Be a Big Boost for Delta

At a meeting of various citizens OF
Delta. brought about by the efforts OF
]. z. Gallup, quite crowd was assem-
bled at the forest service Offices on the
goth inst The meeting was stimulat
ed by the presence of o. Barlow Will
marth arriving in town and getting
into communication with Mr.. Ham
mond, as a result of an article recent
ly appearing in the Independent and
which was copied in the Montrose En-
terprise.
As a result of the various converse
tions held, it was deemed advisable to
get out the government maps and as
near as possible scale the various dis
tances from the heart of the world
famous radium mining regions to the
railroad outlets at Placerville, Mont
rose. Delta and Whitewater. with the
result that the following accurate IN
formation was obtained:
The mouth of Atkinson creek, which
is about one mile below the Club ranch
on the San Miguel river and about one
mile above the intersection of the san
Miguel and Dolores rivers, was chosen
as a logical starting point for all Of
the roads. as the big majority Of the
ore from this world famous radium To-
gion absolutely must come out from
above that point.
From the mouth OF Atkinson creek 10
~. he ic ha-
ing hauled to the narrow gauge rail
road. is a distance OF over sixty miles.
and covers the steepest road Of all.
There is an exceptionally steep grade
up Tabaguache hill. then quite diff
cult road by way of Nucla to the san
Miguel river canon east of Nucla- at
which point a very steep descent Is
made across the San Miguel river ana
an equally steep ascent on the oppo-
site side. Then another rapid descent
is made into Naturita Creek canon and
a long, steep grade is then encountered
to within a few miles OF Redville.
From there to the top Of the Norwood
hill the country is comparatively level.
ne NOTWoou hlll IL Ntis ShNNf
scent for distance of about four miles
and then 1t is one continual uphill pull
for about twelve miles to the narrow
gauge railroad ct Placerville.
In addition to the steep grades
mentioned, the country from the top
Of the Naturita hill to the top OF the
Norwood hill. distance Of about NJ
teen miles. 10 almost impossible during
the muddy season of the year, and II
is very difficult over the deep SHOWS
of winter.
The proposed route to Montrose oy
way OF Nucla End Pinion covers the
,ame steep Tabaguache hill and the
steep descent to the Brooks bridge
across the San Miguel river to Pinon
and on up Cottonwood creek to the
top OF the divide and over HorsetE
mesa to Montrose, which would be a
least n distance OF sixty-three miles
over very steep country, and one that
would be practically impossible In the
depth Of winter.
The proposed road to Whitewater
would be at least sixty-four miles long
and would require two bridges across
the Dolores river, in addition to eight
miles of most difficult construction
down the Dolores river from the mouth
OF Rock creek to mouth Of Blue creek
There is long. steep grade from Gate
way out through the Unaweep canon
nearly all Of the way to whitewater
Therefore the great supremacy OF
Delta over all other proposed outlets
for this famous Paradox valley lies In
the fact that at most It is only about
fifty miles In distance, all but about
ten miles OF that road is already con-
structed. and the whole road can be
completed in excellent condition Tor
less money than would build either one
OF the bridges which would be neces-
sary for the Grand Junction route ana
certainly for far less money than the
proposed route to Montrose.
So It is up to the business men ana
citixens OF Delta to stir UP interest IN