The Delta independent., 1925-02-27
SOME HISTORY
CONCERNING
GRAND MESA
lRr Milton r. Melchl.


| The Alexander group of lakes on
Grand Mesa in Delta county were
originally located in the early eight
les by William Alexander for fishing
purposes. He took in Richard Forrest
later. as a partner and Forrest lake
was named for him Alexander locat-
ed and acquired title to one hundred
and sixty acres of land which includ-
ed Alexander lake and all of the
Twin lakes.
Part of the lakes originally contain
ed some native trout; others con-
tanned very few fish and some none.
Barren lake gets its name from this
fact
Alexander and Forrest constructed
a hotel and hatchery near Alexander
lake. The Surface Creek Ditch &
Reservoir company by arrangement
with Alexander and Forrest. located
the lakes for storage of water for
irrigation. Alexander and Forrest
helped construct the dams. and by
contract received the fishing rights
and privileges. The reservoir COM
pany. however. retained free fishing
privileges for each Of its stock
holders
Alexander and Forrest continued to
run the resort and propagated and
sold fish hut never interferred with
the public fishing in the lakes. About
1888 William Alexander mysteriously
disappeared and what happened TO
him or what became of him has not
been learned to this day. Richard
Forrest having put up most of the
money for the proposition succeeded
to all his rights and about 1896 sold
his lands and fishing rights to vii
liam Radcliffe. an EnElishman.
In the meantime and in the early
eighties n man by the name of Egg
lesion located a claim on EgEleston
lake. the lake being named for him,
and between this claim and the Alex
auder claim 5. L. Cockreham located
one hundred and sixty acres which
included a part Of the EgEleston. Bar
rem and Alexander lakes. Later and
about 1898. fifteen men acquired the
Coclreham claim for their own rec.
reation. some of them constructing
cabins and called themselves The
Grand Mesa Resort company. They
later resisted Radcliffes pretentons
TO an exclusive fishing right in the
lakes. Radcliffe was a shrewd lob.
hiest and a delightful entertainer As
soon as he obtained title he immedi.
ately began to exercise authority and
sought to exclude the public from
fishing in the lakes without a permit .
He passed around his permits to his
friends and those in authority. such .
Hs county and other officers His
rights were disputed by the Resort
company and others and there was
more or less friction. But Radcliffe .
at all times had the support Of the .
Forest Service and the Fish & Game .
Department and other officials and .
authorities. He continued the propa. .
cation OF fish and sold fish from the .
lakes In large quantities
In 1899 law was passed by the .
state Legislature, said to have been
written by Judge Beaman and Rad.
cliffe. which helped Radcliffe TO ob.
tain n lease from the state permit
thg nm To propagate and sell fish /.
from the lakes and exclude the pub
lie,
After this Radcliffe enforced his
rights with more or less success.
Some arrests We're made and the law
was sustained,
The Delta people fought Radcliffe
before the state fish and game com,
missioner without success. S. c..
McMullon, the district attorney at the
request OF the Delta people, brought
QUO Warranto proceeding In the
District Court Of Delta county. which
likewise was unsuccessful.
After Radcliffe obtained his lease
from the state he claimed this cut out
the rights TO fish in the lakes OF the
at IL hnfInfg la IA, 1