The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1916-06-23
PERSONNEL OF THE DIRECTORS
Men Who Worked COnscientiOusly Tn
der Difficulties to Carry Out the
Wishes Of the Land Owners.

Originally the local irrigation pro-
ject was organized as a dual enter
prise, the residents of the west side Of
the Okanogan river taking the first
step toward forming a district. AS the
movement looked good to the east sid
ers they signified desire to get into
the game, and the two districts be-
came known as the West and East
Okanogan Valley Irrigation districts.
In the first and crude stage of this
double organization there were two
sets of officials, known as boards of
directors. H. H. Granger, E. Truax
and Ralph Pheasant constituted the
board of the west side, and H. r.
Picken, A. J. Blackler and H. R. Edger-
ton the east side board. Then those
interested in securing the water con-
cluded that the organization was too
top heavy, that with two distinct dis
tricts the chances of accomplishing
the object paramount in the hearts Of
all land owners were far less favor
able than they would be by combining,
and the result was general reorgani-
cation into a single district under the
name Of the West Okanogan Valley
Irrigation district.
The first board of directors elected
by the land owners under the new
corporation was made up of H. H.
Granger, E. Truax and Ralph Pleas
ant. This board conducted the affairs
Of the district until January 1, 1915,
when L. F. Pourtales was elected to
I'LL the vacancy made by the retire.
ment Of Mr.. Granger. On January 1,
1916 Mr.. Pheasant retired, and M. X.
Bowen, was chosen to fill the vacancy.
February 1, 1916, Mr.. Pourtales re-
signed and Geo. I. Cole was selected
to MI the vacancy. The board as or
ganized at the present time consists of
M. X. Bowen, president and Geo. 1.
Cole and e. Truax.
From the organization of the district
Earnest Riste has acted as secretary,
time to the business of the district,
giving his undivided attention and
with the exception Of few weeks last
summer, when he was in the east.
During Mr.. Riste's absence ]. F. Sam
son acted as secretary. On account of
his unbroken service and the keen in
terest he has taken throughout every
stage Of the formation of the district
Mr.. Riste is an encyclopedia of infor-
nation regarding the various acts and
transactions of the several boards,
and when any information is wanted,
thanks to his business like and metho-
dical methods of conducting the office
he can at once turn to the records and
produce that information.
On the 7th day of July, 1915, the
contract for the construction was
signed between A. Guthrie & Co., and
the board Of directors of the district
At that time L. F. Pourtales was chair
man Of the board and his associates
were E. Truax and Ralph Pheaasnt
J. F. Samson was acting as secretary
Since the inception of the move
ment, those acting as directors of the
district have worked earnestly, faith
fully and with personal disinterested-
ness for the success of the venture
receiving such nominal compensation
for their services that it could hardly
be dignified by the name of salary
They have given much of their time to
pertaining to the affairs of the dis
trict according to their lights, always
having the best interests of the land
owners who are called upon to pay the
shot, in view. Letting such contract
representing the expenditure of $780,
900 was great responsibility, and
the directors have endeavored at all
times to secure the best results for the
money expended. And when one comes
to think about it, the handling of a
business involving the expenditure OF
SO large sum by men not in the
habit Of spending money by the thous.
ands in any venture of industry, is a
grave and trying responsibility, one
that few men in the ordinary walks
of life are called upon to assume.
During the several years that the
organization has been in active exist.
ence Earnest Riste has held the posi-
ton of secretary of the board, and this
has ben no sinecure. Mr.. Riste has de.
voted all of his time to office work
carrying on all the vast amount OF
correspondence prior and subsequent
to the letting Of the contract, and tina,
accumulation of documentary evil
dence of things done, and attempted
to be done, would fill numerous vol.
umes. Like the several members Of
the board Mr.. Riste has been sustain
ed and encouraged in his efforts by
the desire to see the enterprise carried
to successful conclusion, and now
that that end has been reached he Is
tage taken Of the means provided the