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About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 1, 1891)
THE OMAHA DAILY BEE ; SUNDAY,1 ! tfEBEUARY 1 , 189L-SIXTEEN" PAGES. IRRIGATION IN NEBRASKA , A Study of the Splendid Convention in the Eonthwcstora Section. IRRIGATION PRODUCES A CROP OF FACTS. JIow Ijaiul In Iiurcnxe < l In Value by the Mot hod Its Hearings on Cltlcaniiil Towns Prof Illokn XntlcB h'tllciicc. AIITICU3 V. After McCoolf , the Sidney convention. After Sidney , a great mass meeting at Lin coln to give n ringing endorsement to the hill to bo drafted for presentation to the legisla ture. ture.That is ttio programme for the Immediate future , ns outlined by the splendid gathering ut WcCook during the past week. Every body recognizes that n comprehensive state law must bo the basis of a Kcncral system of Irrigation In Nobraskn-that capital will not embark In an effort to develop the western half of the stnto unless It can bo assured that Justice will bo Riiar- nntecd to nil interested parties , nnd that canals will bo constructed nnd the water supply jrunnled under the supervision of n , competent stnto engineer. The McCoolc con vention undoubtedly spolto the sentiment of the state when It emphatically declared in favor of n state engineer , the division of the atiUo Int.o water districts , und the preparation - tion of drainage maps ni the basis for intelli gent Investment and development. Nothing that could bo written nt this time would ho of such interest and importance to the movement as n , study of the convention at McCoolf. It represented a district of largo nron , which has iicou settled mostly by homesteaders and Is now dotted witb promising towns. When It Wns thrown open to settlement nobody flrcnmqil that Irrigation was necessary or de sirable. To say so amounted to a slander. But experience has taught the people that ir rigation is necessary. Agitation and discus sion have brought them to believe that that Is a fortunate country which has opportuni ties of Irrigation and proceeds to utilize them. The fact is beginning to bo scon that out of the ashes of last year's devastated Holds there may arise a greater prosperity aim n nobler civilization than ex ists today In any section which depends upon the rainfall for the basis of its agriculture. Inventors and manufacturers have har nessed steam and electricity and made them the docile servants of their will. Now the western fnrmor proposes to domesticate the water supply nnU lead U in n thousand threads of silver over his arid acres. What other path of development Is open to Ne braska ? She hna neither mines nor forests. Her natural wealth Is n rich soil and a superb climnto. To make the most of these is the only road to prosperity. And nt least ono-half of the state Is now en gaged In un effort to accomplish this on n grand scale. It was in this spirit that the farmers nnd business men of ton southwestern counties aiRomblcd in convention at McCooli. The speeches nnd proceedings nro therefore of the greatest moment. i. .ninm : COCIMUN ANI > OOVCKNOK .Tmlgo .1. K. Cochran of the Eleventh Judicial district , had evidently closely studied the relation of the general govern ment to Irrlt ntlon enterprises In tha west. IIo stated that ho had had a considerable correspondence with senators and members of congress , nud that his latest advices were to the effect that the government would ren der no assistance , at least for a generation. In a very vigorous speech ho denied the theory tliat the government had no power to nut In this matter. IIo reviewed the history of legislation slnco l&SS and said that In that tlmo congress had appropriated multiplied millions to make thu farms of central nnd southern states lit for agriculture. IIo cited particularly the cases of Ohio , Michigan , AVlscons'ln , Illinois niu Indiana , which in that tlmo had rccclvci 1,500,000 acres to assist in building canals to drain tholr land. IIo also quoted similar in stances In regard to swamplands In the sou tl and analyzed the river nnd harbor bill , recently passed , ns another example that congress had both tbo power and dis position to assist in sucli works of Interim Improvement. "If the government for flftj years past has done this , " said Judge Coch ran , ' 'It has power to help to make the nrii regions of the west flt for babltntlon and pu them iu a position to Increase the nation n wealth. " The convention In its resolution : urged congress to turn over the arid public lands to Iho several states for irrigation pur poses and on the second day of Its session do clnred in favor of n direct appropriation. Hon. Hobort W. Furnas , nlonoof the nici who have enjoyed the highest honor la tbi gift of Nebraska , continues to bo a promlnen llguro in nil movements aiming to dcvoloj her resources and increase the prosperity o lor people. The warm greeting which ho ro Jolved in MoCook showed 'that ho wns stil one of tha best loved , as well a. ono of the most conspicuously use ful citizens of the state , In his Inter ostlng address lie referred to the well kuowi fact that ho favored irrigation moro thar thirty years ngo , when it was not safe tc lutlmntu that such a thing was necessary IIo rejoiced that tbo tlmo had coma when th doctrine fell on willing can. IIo sntd tha western Nebraska had a line poll and plenty o waterif it Is looked up nnd properly cared for IIo alluded to the need of legislation wide would glvo proper assurance to Investors 1 regard to the management of the wntc supply. IIo nlso descrlbell his observation in California when he was acting for the government ornmont , and gave some rather stnrtlin figures of crops now raised In that state In volley that wns desolate until brought undo Irrigation. In closing , the governor urgontl. suggested the need of a mass convention n Lincoln , to Impress the loglslaturo with th slio nnd Importance of the movomont. H IMIOKKWOU 1IICICH1 U'CU ) Sl'BKCir , There li one qttlot and scholarly man , of om Incut scientific attainments , who has for flv years been probing the soil , sampling th water nnd ascertaining Its extent , in wester Nebraska. This Is Professor Lewis K. Hick of the geological department In the state un vcrslty. During that period ho has becu urg ing that irrigation was desirable , but ha found the people unwilling to listen to his ni gumonts. His appearance at the McCoo convention , however , was a signal for heart applause , and both farmers and business me were ready to listen with eager cars to a sc cullllc explanation of their resources. VSavo the water you have nud make th most of It , " wns the text of his address. II urged the people to first make the most o the water that Is In sight , assuring them thn they would llnd an abundant supply uudct ground when they needed It. IIo had care lully examined the He pub ! lean rlvor , both wit reference/ its surface and its underflow IIo stated that the surface water In tha river was usually suftlclont to Irtltrato 100,00 u-res , wbllo the uudcrflbw could bo nmdo t furnish water for at least ono million more IIo answered ono question about whlc there had been many anxious cnquli ' Ira , by stating that thcro is uo d vide iu thu valley of the Kopubllcan o tbo Frenchman which was not susceptible o irrigation if the streams were tnppou at th right place. Ho also described what coul > o onslly done in Iho vnlloy of tlmo rivers. Conflrilng himself closely M lib text , 01 to 10 wisdom of making the incut of every drop f surface water , ho explained the plan of onstructlng storflK'o Imtns or reservoirs to retain the water ilurlnj ? the months when It YOUJ ! not bo needed for Irrigation , llostntcd int very many cnnons or ravines , having largo drnlniiKO area , could nt slight cost bo nmmcd up nnd miulo very useful M stornRO aslns. These would be illtod by the ccatlonnl. heavy rain , the melting snow , r natural springs. If used in this way n ast nmount of water would ho saved which ow runs almost entirely to waste. In connection with this branch of the sub- cot ho explained how this system , available it slight cost to many farmers , could bo made o do ( ; oed service In n double sense. In tbo rat placa the presence of n sheet of water n such n basin would greatly enrich the soil iy the process of slltlujf. similar to that In ho valley of the Nile. Such a basin would ho wonderfully productive , and if It were an Ikullsoil the water would euro Hand n rich 011 gradually lie hullt up. Furthermore , tbo vntcr which had already performed thli uso- ul function could bo drawn off by a simple ilau of ( tltchns , and turned upon the arid crcs , Ho cautioned formers , however , gainst ninkltif ? the mistake of trying to dam p every draw without regard to Its supply f water. The professor gave nn interesting dcscrlp- Ion of ancient hrlgatlon on the Nile. Ho luted that under such a system ns existed hero n farmer would make more money off a Ingle acre thun on an entire section under > rescnt conditions In southwestern Nebraska. Io then dwelt upon the difference between ntenslvo farming an practiced in Kurojxs , nnd compared h with the extensive fnnniuf of the vest. V unique feature of his address was ils statement of the effect of irrigation on the social llfo of the people. iVhcii n farmer begins to realise the value of water and to cultivate a small number of acres Intensely , rather han a large number promiscuously , hU acres : ikoon n cleaner and neater appearance. lie cannot allow the common weeds , with voracious cious appetite , to eat up the precious mols- urawith which ho fertilizes his ground. The result Is a model furin , so for as the land Is concerned. Following this , as a natural conSequence - Sequence , ho wants a better barn , a hotter louse , more of the comforts of llfo for him self and family. His Increased profits enable : ilm to have thcso tlilims , and the result has been , wherever Irrigation has been success fully Introduced , that social llfo has gained ? rcnt deal and that the farmers as a class mvo risen In the scale of civilization. Another practical suggestion In the profes sor's ud dross related to the treatment of the soil la a manner tlmt would make the rainfall most beneficial. Ho stated that a largo portion tion of the natural rainfall goes to waste because - cause the hard prairie sod Is net broken , and thut when It Is the plow does not go deep enough. The soil should bo plowed two feet deep so tlmt It would absorb and hold trio moisture nnd bo less husceptlblo to the action of the sun. Ho strongly advised the convention that It could not dcpond on the government to develop Nebraska , but It must rely on the energy of Its own people and the attractions which Jt can hold out to Invest ors. ors.Tho great Importance of Prof. Hicks' ' address lies in the 'fact that ho has recently Investigated the soil nnd water supply of south western Nebraska under the auspices of the general government. Ho has demonstrated by scientific methods that the section of the state which suffered most from the recent drouth may be made to blossom Into nssurcd prosperity by Irrigation. Iir. TIIK TALK OF \ FIIAOTICAL MAX. The members of the convention enjoyed a rare treat In the speech of Mr. B. F. Dab- cock of Garden City , Kas , Ho is not only skilled in engineering , but the principal own er of the largest Irrigation enterprises In Kan sas. IIo Is , moreover , a much traveled nnd cultivated gentleman , and his speech was therefore interesting from several stand points. Ho stated that irrigation Is not only the most practical question in Nebraska , but also the most Interesting agricultural problem In all parts of the world. From a personal knowledge of nil the states of the union , nml most of the countries of Europetio could tes tify tlmt the most profitable farming In the world was done by moans of Irrigation. This was the fact becausoundor natural conditions agriculture is not n certainty. Under Irriga tion it is nn absolute certainty , because you control ttio water that maltua your crop. Ho suggested that when the enterprise was tlnnlly under way In Nebraska it would bo well to bring practical farmers from Colorado , Utah and other sections where Irrigation Is practiced , to teach the best method of applying it. Ho stated that the farmer possessing forty ncrcs under a good system of Irrigation U wealthier than the farmer with 10U acres , dependent on natural rainfall. Ono feature of Mr. Daboock's address , which will interest the owners of realty , was his statement of the effect of Irrigation on the vnhjo of lands. Ho sntd that ho once ad dressed letters to' the county clerks of Colorado rado , Wyoming , Utah and California , asking them to state the value of farmland before irrigatioa wus introduced , and afterwards. Averaging the results of his Inquiries , he found that hinds hi these states had lucreasod from live to eight tlinos in value. The orig inal vnluo of the land was the government prlco , 81.25 an aero. Aftcrlrrigatlon , districts remote from largo cities wore worth from $23 to $50 an acre , whllo in the vicinity of Denver they were worth from $100 tc § 150 an acre , nnd In parts of California II was quoted ns high as $350 an aero. Ho pro dieted that if the time over comes whoa any county can show 100,000 , acres under irriga tion it would bo the richest county in Nebraska braska , excepting only Douglas and Lao caster. IIo dwelt also upon the vast Importance tc the cities in the state of a prosperous sur rounding country. If the farmer * are nol making money nnd doing thulr share to iu crooso the wealth of the country , It Is useless to hope for the growth of largo cities nnd towns. For this reason the success of the present movement Is not loss Important tc the residents of citlos and towns than to tin farmers themselves. They are all in the sami boat and must stand or fall together. Having had laryo experience In operating upon the Arkansas river in Kansas , ho couli testify tlmt rivers of the same character ii : Nebraska were capable of supplying un bounded facilities for Irrigation. Ho is interested torosted In the Culbortson ditch , and expect : to see it In practical operation this spring. la private conversation Mr. Hnbcock sail that ho had no doubt that ample private cap it l would How In If the laws wore made tc conform to the best features of the Coloraih unit Wyoming statutes. As n citizen of Kan BUS ho is anxious to have a largo delogntlot from that state attend the mass conventlot at Lincoln nnd got Inspiration for a stmllai campaign at homo. Ono of tuo most interesting speeches o tbo convention wus inado by the gcntlomni who Is widely known as "Buffalo'1 Jones Having constructed most of the ditches li Kansas ami ojiorutoil to some extent In No uraska , ho predicted the complete success o the project in this state and gave many valu abla Buggostloiis of a practical nature. Senator ICoontz and Representative HIIJJ pics represented the legislature at the cou vcatlon. vcatlon.IV IV HKSKLTS Or TUB COSVKXT1OX. The practical results of tbo MuCook 030 vontion were of the most Importont nature. It constituted the formal inauguration of a campaign destined to bo crowned with a vic tory speedy and complete. As such it will DO n bright page In the history of Nebraska. The resolutions , which have been printed In full in Tim BKE , represent tbo programme of the movement. The western part of tbo state Is solid for a state irrigation englncor , for the division of the state Into water dis tricts , and the preparation of a complete sys tem of maps , showing the water , sheds nud the nnturo of the streams. When those laws have been secured tbo movement must under take to interest capital In those enterprises , and thus realize the fruits of the agitation. The appointment of Messrs. Lollow , Meeker nnd Morse as n committee to repre sent the southwestern part of the state , In conjunction witn a llko committee to ba ap pointed nt Sidney , secures n high order of ability for a service which will aim nt the rafting of a bill which , it Is hoped , will bo n nodel for olb or states to pattern after. Thousands of jxjoplo who have now a ivcly concern In the procrrosof the movement vlll nwnlt the results of the big convention t Sidney next Saturday with n keen lu cres t. On page fourteen of this issue of THE J BE there Is published a full account of the nimenso progress made In Scott's Bluff outity. WIU.UM E. SMYTIIIS. JC ETALIA'HOX. With fickle heart nnd love ho spoke To almost every girl ho met , And to the fact nt lust awoke That each one was against him set. His bacticlor llfo davold of Joy , His cheerless days 1 dare not limn Ho treated Cupid as u toy Am ) Cupid has made gnnio of htm , ODHH , I.V/ > j\JtS. A man In Lancaster county. Pennsylvania , catches rabbits with a hook and line. The sultan of Turkey baa iittahod to his joily guard a soldier who Is 110 years old. During 1800 railroad property of A face value of fiS',51)0,000 ? ) was foreclosed or went tilth the hands of receivers. Dr. Crulce of St. Joseph's hospital , Phila delphia , says tlmt delirium tromcns Is de creasing In this country. The cost to the state of Massachusetts of printing nnd dUtrlouliiiK 1,000,000 ballots at : ho last election was only $ jl > 5i.3'J. ; ' There are twentyslx monarchies and twcn- -y-llvo republics In the civilized world , Six teen republics nro in South America. A line of R > for the bonollt of the pension fund of llromon Is Imposed on every house In Now York whore a chimney burns out. A Now Hnmpshiro saloonkeeper was re cently tried on 1,001) distinct charuos , and wns convicted on 715 The nggrogato of tils lilies wus J3.000. An Atchlson , Ivan. , woman got up In her .sleep , lit a lamp , and went to sowing. After working quite u while sbo run the needle iu her linger and awoke , Polly Ann Collins , twclvo years nnd three months old , married Jesse L. Donahuc.a widower ewer thirty-three years old , ut St. Unions , Ky. , with the full consent of her parents. The Board of Underwriters of Now York found that the boating apparatus of sixty- six churches in the city were defective and liable to cause dangerous llrcs at any time. Ono of the latest things In church fairs is a tiaznur held in Edinburgh , Scotland , for the purpose of raising funds to provide nccom- inuuutlons for ladies who faint during church services. Chief of Police Marsh , of Chicago estimates that there are between 4f > 00 and 5,000 mon Iu the city unable to obtain work , and fears that many of them will bo driven to crime through want. Adding the first figure to the second In 1891 gives us the third , nnd subtracting the fourth from the third gives us the second. And It wo add all the figures wo get tbo number of tbo century. Four educated Apache Indians have been arrested nt Solomonvlllo , Ariz. , for connect ion with the fotxlni : of Captain Bullls' nuiuo to a government chock for $125. The quartet is addicted to poker ulaylng. Sewnrd Clayton , born October 10 , 179fldled this morning at his homo near Savannah , Ga. Around tils death-bed stood five sons , each of whom was six foot three Inches In height. Mr. Clayton was a prosperous planter. Near Camilla , Ga. , there is n Justice of the nenco who uses the oath to witnesses as fol lows : "Tho evidence you shall give In this case shall bo the truth , the whole trutli nn.l nothing but the truth , and pay all costs , so help you Uod. " A beggars' Journal has boon started in Paris , and it Is snul , meets with success. The cost of a number Is 3 cents , and It con tains articles on tbo oo t methods of pursu ing the business nnd ndvcrtlsomouts of use to those soliciting charity. A burglar who stole two coats , an um brella nnd other articles from a St. Louis residence the other night , nto n. hearty luncheon before his dop.irtnro , and loft be hind this note : "Thankful for what 1 got , but wish you had more to give. " Emma Wilson of Now York , nine years old , was In the habit of drinking water from tbo copper faucet in her mother's kitchen. A few days ago she was taken sick and died , nnd the physician said the cause of her death was nrsenlto of copper poisoning , resulting from her habit of putting her mouth over tno faucet , Charles Dennis , a good looking whlto man and Victoria Dozier , a full blooded colored woman , were arrested in Opellkn , Ala. Den nis is a substantial fiirmor of Mariwothor county. Georgia , with n wife nud n family of flvo children. IIo bccmno enamored of Vic toria , who was liU wife's cook , nnd was eloping with her to Texas , William Munson , a hermit , was found dead in his hut , near Arnold's Station , Conn , ills body was removed by relatives , but the lat ter did not trouble themselves to examine the hut , supposing It contained nothing of value. Subsequently as phrty of young men vlsltod the shnuty. nnd after a short Investigation tuniod up bank books and bonds valued at $7,000. Mrs. Stuff , who was familiarly called Aunt Ivato.dled atGreoncastloPn.n , few days ago. She was almost ninoty-eUbt years of ago at the time of her death , and up to within a few days before the happening of that event had not drank or tasted water slnco she was a llttlo girl. Aunt ICato Insisted that "water wasn't healthy , " and drank tea nnd cofleo only. only.Maude Maude Dencau of Lockport , N. Y. , twenty- one years old nnd less than four feet high , was married to n tall , slender young man. named John Argue. Mrs. Argue is the smallest - est married woman In the stato. She is of French parentage nud very handsome , with dark hair and oyos. She was cast oft by her Barents because she gave up her religion , be ing a Catholic , to marry the man of tier choice. Dr. Tromblay of Windsor Mills , Quoboc. n few nights ago toolc a dose of poison In mis take for n preparation for asthma from which ho suffered. Ho tried every moans to coun teract the poison , but fnhod , after which ho went to a priest , made his confession , re ceived the sacrament , made his will , and then went homo ami aloct In great agony In the presence of his young wlfo nnd three children. The family of n man named Anderson , re siding nt i.yon Mountain , Clinton county , N. Y , , has been greatly aflllctod. Last week Anderson's wlfo dlou from typhoid fevor.nnd athlrtccn-yonr-old daughter also tiled from the snnio dlscaso. On the way to the funeral the ten-year-old son of Mr. Anderson was kicked by ahorse and the , lad's leg was broken. Another daughter died of fever Wednesday of thU week , and two remaining children , a boy nnd n girl , are elclc from the sumo malady , Tbo orlglu of the National Marino band at Washington Is most curious. Nearly ono hundred years ago a yaukoo captain kid napped n strolling troop of musicians on the .shores of the Bay of Naples and brought thorn to this country. From this handtul of Italians tbo band was developed. The ilo- sccndanti of those stolen Italians are now among the wealthiest people of Washington. Some of thorn nro prominent lawyers and others have tuolr names connected -with the kost known hotels and tha largest real estate ofllces Iu the capital city. Dr. IJU'iioy euros cixtnrrh , Bco uldg. At Plttsburg man has patented a bicycle to work by hand power. The advantages claimed over the rational typo are lightness , spued and concentrated power. Inter-Stato Gonforen6b for Ad option of Plans to Make Arid Lands Tertilo. . FORTUNES MADE ; , , FflOM IRRIGATION , Significant Oompnr/Hou / from Califor nia's Test Cfilorado'H Future UcpendH (111,0,11 , Artlllclal i Hupply. No other subject of equal Importance to tho. west with Irrigation Is likely to bo considered in the present session of congress or the Kan sas legislature , declares the Topokn Capital. Upon this problem of irrigation the future of the western portion of Kim BUS Is almost en tirely dependent , nnd the chance ? of Its solu tion In the near future are rendered favora ble by the general Interest , both scientific nnd .popular . , taken In the subject. Kansas can not afford to see her western ph\tns \ depopu lated because of drouth whllo it Is possible by irrigation to make Hint section a. marvel of productiveness. The Capital Is cordially In sympathy with the appiui'jhlug convention called to discuss this topic , and wo further * nioro believe that the time has arrived for thu calling of an interstate convention for the iiiiio purpose. The results of such a convention may bo appreciated by a glance at the deep harbor work now about to bogln at , Galvostoii , duo to the demands of western states set forth In 1889 nt the fopcka convention. The west has reached the position where nor demands are heard and heeded nt Washington. The milted petitions of ICnnsaa , Colorado , No- braskn , the Unkotaa , Wyoming , Texas , Oklahoma nud the Indian territory would sccuro prompt action lit the hands of con gress ; und Kunsas , by reason of her promi nence ns a leader in the now west nnd of her advanced position ns an advocate ofirrig.i- ' tlon , is the proper state to Issue the call for thu convention. la the Judgment nf the Capital , the time has come for the Issue of thu call. In endorsing these views the Lincoln Jour nal makes those observations ! Nebraska will necJ less Irrigation probably than any of the states to the south and west , but our people can afford to expend n , great deal of time nnd money to encourage the construc tion of comprehensive irrigation systems In Kansas , Colorado , Texns and New Mexico nnd the Indian territory.V hen the aridity of the southwestern plains is conquered ttio destructive hot winds will no longer harass the settlers la tbo western counties. Ne braska will heartily Join la the movement for nn Interstate Irrigation convention. From a bulletin Just Issued by the Los An geles chamber of commerce some vorysignill- cant comparisons nro drawn between the profits from farming where irrigation Is used and tho.so where nrtlllcal means for propaga tion of crops are not resorted to. Hero are some examples : From lb , > peach trees Mr. Lattin cleared SI , O.'ASO. Another man cleared $07-1. ( ' . " > front four nrjros of trees. Another man cleared &M3 from ! UK ) trees , six years old. Another man from ten acres cleared SSOO. Another man from two acres $4'JO..Tho ' lesser profits are froni trees not Irrigated. Mr. Dcivoy cleared $ J,7.t ) from six acres of prunes. Another man from eight acres not irrigated cleared S'JUO. ' Another man cleared" $511(10 ( from one-third , of un ncro. An other one cleared $150 ; from 100 trees. Jlr. Iloldon , from 2,000 trees planted In 18S9 , sold f 71 1 worth. Another man cleared $100 from eighty apricot trees.Prom ton acres on an other place 5)75 net was mado. Still another from thtco acres made a profit of 781. One man from four ncrus of land made a protlt of $ i")0 from tomatoes , F'rom three and a half acres of oranges Mr. Nixon nuido a ret profit of $ ! , ' ! > Gdorgo Hunnatold from five acres , hisornngcs on the tree at u profit of $90(1 ( ; In the same way pennutfc . yielded , a profit of $50 to $ JOO por-ncro. Another mall soul from one and n half acres fourteen tons' of alfalfa at a net profit of $72. Another man from half an ncro of strawberries cleared § 193.11. Another man made a prollt of iJ07 from an aero of walnuts , ClmnocHlii Nebraska. Numerous petitions to the legislature are being circulated in Chappell asking the state to do something for western Nebraska in the matter of irrigation. If the state would take bold of this enterprise it would give the people ple employment nnd there would bo no further need of shipping charity goods to this county , says a correspondent. Irrigation would bo the moans of adding several million of dollars worth of property to the stato. It would only bo n short tlmo before the state would got its money back In the way of In crease of tux , Douol county lias a solid traot of hnd 20x1)0 ) miles iu extent and comprises nearly four hundred thousand acres of the finest land and richest soil in Nebraska , Under irriga tion it is capable of the highest state of culti vation and immense crops of every variety could bo raised , nnd instead of the state getting - ting n tax on land assessed nt $3 per new It would receive a revenue from land valued at $10 or ? 50. Farmers hnvo trlod to farm there for the last five years nnd have worn away that many years of tholr life without realiz ing from their labors the stern necessities of life. All this could bo obviated by the state taking hold of the matter and causing ditches to bo taken from the North Platte river that would cause tbo water to bo spread over tbo farms. There Is nn abundance of water in the North I'lntto river and the onlythingnoedcd is capi tal to take hold nnd push the enterprise "to completion. It would be far hotter for the legislature to appropriate $100,000 for something of this kind than to spend half the nmount on a whim trying to keep from recognizing a duly elected governor. _ Moxicnu Hellenic. A party of civil engineers nnd surveyors of tholiloGrando irrigation and colonization company outfitted at Alouquerquo , N. M. , and left to establish the source of the big ditch and to locate a dam for nn Immense reservoir. They wcro Joined at Bcrnallllo by Mr. Anderson , a hydraulic engineer from Uonvcr , Colo. , and then sot out for the mouth or the Santa Ana rlvor. They will follow up the stream for about fifteen miles to a very high but narrow can yon. This will bo dammed and from horc the source of the ditch to irrigate millions of acres , now arid , will commence. Colonel I * . U. Smith of Now Yorlr , who has built several We ditches , is managing- the scheme , In which a number oL eastern capitalists are interested. . Big Colorado I'ipn There Is a tract of Innd , between eight and twelves miles from Canon City , Colo. , that ought to bo brought xfti'dbr ' cultivation , says the llocord. Surveys- have boon made of n canal also of a plno line nnd reservoir site. The surveys will bo a , mutter of record In the United States land jofilco a soon ns tbo United State survey of tbo Arkansas drainage - ago basin Is finished. , The land lies in ouc whole body and Is a jlccp red , sandy loam , There nro about two thmisnnd acres , mostly government land. Thft'rcsorrolr ' slto basaVi area of eighty acremwill average , when completed , about sixteen foot la depth forthi en tire area. The reservoir will bo thirty-fivi feet deep In deepest point. The pipe line pro nosed is 10,000 feet in length and has a fall of over sixty foot. Pipe can bo laid In a trench of snfllclont capacity running the year round to irrigate the land at a cost that makes the Investment for revenue a good ono. A com pany has boon organized and all rights are secured cured that are necessary to prosecute the work Profits In Utah. J. H. White told the Salt Lake Tribune that on his ranch of JiSu acres near ICaysf lllc they have cut as high as seven tons of nlfalf i hay In n season nnd sold It at $14 per tot making f'J3 per ncro. Ho further says tha1 so much of the farm as could ho irrigated has been tilled , and It has also been grazed by hi : stock. IIo estimates that the entire farm bai been paying 10 per cent on a basis off 200 poi aero. Among tno big crops raised was imiuoi that of last season , when oats averaget uliicty-six bushels per aero , and two year ; before the average was 110 bushels. Krgard- I ill , ' Irrigation , ono gentleman ald ho raised a blR crop of potatoes lnst season on two acres , irrigated bv an artesian well , with a two- inch casing. All Dopcmis on Water. In what was regarded as a portion of the great American desert , as the plains country was called on the mnpsof fifty years ngo , thcro nro now approximately 1,500,000 ncres under cultivation , producing last year n crop valued at $12,500,000 ; 10,000 inltoa of main Irrigating canals , nnd 1,500,000 , neros more land which these ultchos can water which yet awaits the laoor of the farmer , says the Denver News , Hut how about the country which Hos be yond the point wticro Irrigation with present facilities can ho carried ! What of the so- called rain belt of eastern Colorado ) I that section agriculture has been attempted with out Irrigation nnd the result has not been en- oournglug. Whllo it maybe possible In occasional seasons to ralso a crop , the experience of live or six years has shown that the average rainfall Is Insuf ficient for crop purposes. The difference between - tweon farming with irrigation and farming without It in Colorado Is shown by the differ ence In the two communities the former has produced over ? 10,000.000 and has an abund ance ; the latter Is suffering from widespread destitution nnd want. Kvidcntly some means must bo devised to supply water for the east ern portion of the stnto , nnd the work is on o which should ongaso the attention of tbo fed eral government which Has sold these arid lands to the sottlcrs. As the rains are not to bo depended on , artesian wells or the over flow of the streams mint bo resorted to , nnd thu state legislature should direct the atten tion of the national government to the fact. t'omnu'iits and Denver City Tribune ; The last Issue of Tun OMUI.V HUE contains maps and a lie- Rcription of the Irrigating ditches now In use In western Nebraska. Some of tholr ditches are long1.- ones and hnvo cost many thousand dollars. Private entoruriso , so fur , has been the only mover in the matter. Whcrcever tried success has followed mid the dry arid plain has been turn oil Into n garden. There is more available water in Heaver county than Iu any other territory of similar area In thu west nnd It will not bo long until It will bu utilized or we miss our guess. CulbcrUson Hun : The H ft. M. railroad com pany tire Inking an Interest In irrigation in ? southwestern Nebraska , nnd say that they will do all in their power tosecuro the same. Uocky Ford. Colo. , Enterprise : The plo- ncors who constructed the lioclcy Ford mid Cull in canals , thereby demonstrating Iho possibilities of this great and fortllo valley , deserve gro.it credit. Thousands of families will iiiako beautiful homes in the country these pioneers have shown to bo the garden spot of Colorado , Chimney Itock Transcript : Within sight of this ofllco there are six difforc'iit anil sei > - nrnto Irrigation companies at work as wo write , and wo bdlovo each company will have water running within the next year. liayard is thu very center of the best pros pective Irrltnitioii country in Nebraska. 1'ueblo Chieftain : Lot no man who desires - sires to depend upon cull ivnting the soil f6r n livelihood In Colorado be fool enough to set tle upon land which Is not susceptible of ar tificial irrigation. With n good ditch and n plentiful supply of water. Iris crop will como if properly cultivated anil cared for with a certainty which Is unknown In countries which dupend on the natural rainfall , but without these necessities the farmer will find his lot anything but a happy ono and his chances for obtaining a livelihood from the soil poor indeed. Under the ditches In the Arkansas and San Luis valleys thcro nro thousands of acres of land wlilim can bu irri gated. Thcso are the localities in which farmers should settle , and tuo return for their labor will bo certain and abundant. Holyoke , Colo. , Ilcrakl : The Champion Valley water power and irrigation company has made a proposition to put in eighteen milus of Irrigation ditch iu Champion pro duct , ( Jhnso county , Nebraska , for $5,000 in precinct , bonds. The water is to bo taken from the Frenchman river , and It is claimed that the proposed ditch will Irrigate nt least 7,000 , ncres of land. If the people just over tuo state line in Nobroska bavo so much faith in tbo water supply of the Frenchman , It cer tainly would bo u wise inovo on tbo part of the citizens of Phillips county to make a thor ough Investigation us to the amount of water that coulu bo obtained from tbo rivers in this county. If the river furnishes water enough in Chase county to irrigate on the scnlo that is proposed , there is certainly no good reason why sulllcieut water cannot be obtained from the rivoiin this county to successfully irri gate on a more limited scalo. Why not iu- \vst gate this matter Ice I co in meats etc ( Jcrinu Courier : Scotts Bluff county would have been long before this time as complete a collapse as many of her neighbors , wuro it not , for the cannl enterprise , and the certainty of irrigation liopo being generally realized. Wo have been undergoing a course nf sprouts hi tbo way of hard times , it Is true , but un derneath It till lies the universal feeling of confidence which buoys up the sottlcr and causes him to clintr to his Interests In the f.ilr valley of tbo Platte with n stubbornness born only of the irrigation spirit. ProgrHH : and I'liins. TuoMinataro canal company of Box Butte county has purchased an Austin ditching machine which they expect to arrive at Alli ance within a few days. Ifls of the latest Improved pattern. Goring Courier : Tno survey party of the now farmers' cannl lire now down as far as Highland precinct , which makes about sixty miles of thu line. They expect to finish up sometime nuxt week. The construction and straightening out of the ditch matters have been completed. The construction company has decided to advance $10,000 and also to assume the expenses of tbo first survey. Concerning the carrying on of farming operations on n gigantic scale tbo San Luis valley will hold first place Iu Colorado this year as In 18110 , says the Saguacho Herald. The companies under the general manage ment of T. C. Henry will farm all told , under the San Luis and Empire canals , 45,000 acres , It Is possible this area may bo in creased by from dl)00 ) to 0,000 acres if the spring opens favorably. At this rate of im provement there soon will bo no raw land under thcso ditches , and this Is the great beneficial end to gain , The Whllo Sulphur Springs water and electric company , to supply the town of Whlto Sulpnur Springs , Mont. , with water for domestic and manufacturing purposes , and to Irrigate laud adjacent to the pipe line which will conduct tbo water into town , has been Incorporated. The Incorporators aroTliomas S. Ash , B. K. Sherman and Elmer J. Ander son ; capital , $100,000. Judge Emory of Lawrence has written to the Topokn Capital calling for united action In impressing through discussion the Import- nncaof irrigation. "Wo must wet western Kunsas , " ho says oplgrammaticaily , "or turn that section back to pastoral uses. " In an area of the equivalent of six sijuaro miles of the level lands of Salt Lake valley , Utah , west of the Jordan rlvor are more than sixty artesian wells. They have an average depth of L'OO feet and an average diameter of two Inches ana an average flow per tnlimto of fifteen gallons * of water. Ills reported In La Junta , Colo. , that the Otero canal will bo extended to the Purga- toi roth Is season. Star-route Uorsoy , who has a big ranch In Colfax county , Now Mexico , Is bullitlnga number of extensive reservoirs on his land and will demonstrate the feasibility of this system of supplying moisture for grass and crops , In Douglas county , Colorado , It is proposed to petition tbo county commissioners to call an election for the purpose of voting on the question of Issuing bonds to make an artesian well In each township. There should bo prosperity among the settlers tlors of the west end of Klown county , Colorado rado , this coming season , says tbo Leader. Private enterprises ana capital has under- tiiKcn the construction of several small dltchos to bo taken out of Adobe creek. The big Deb creek ditch will bo extended to o point a few miles north west of Arlington this year , and by another year much valuable land will bo brought under Irrigation , The settlers can get employment on these works and they will thus bo enabled to tide ovoi the hard times until the water runs In t nc ditches , which will Insure good crops In the future. _ _ The nswclated cycling clubs of Chlcagc have decided that the national meet of tin L. A. W. should bo held Iu the "windi city" In 1693. Gorniully &Joftory manufacturing com pa ny claims ttio honor of being the II rat Amerl can factory to Ut tha ordinary with cualuoi tires. ECHOES FROM THE ANTE ROOM Now Developments in the Uniform Hank , Knights of Pythias , A CONSOLIDATION OF DIVISIONS , Tlio Grand I.oiltro of the Troiio Hunil- Mnsunlu ( irnnd I/cnl o of New Mo.xluo News nnd Notes. A revolution will soon take place In Uni form rank affairs nmoni ? the divisions of this city , which will result in the Omaha reg iment being reduced to a b.ittnlloa , Ithns been painfully evident for the post two years that If something extraordinary wnsuotdono to prevent It , the divisions of the Omaha regiment , with the exception of Omaha division No. 12 , would dlsappsar en tirely. Several efforts were made to Induce the divisions to consolidate and form two or three good divisions from the nctlvo members of the rank , but these efforts were unsuccess ful. Matters went on this way , the divisions , with the notnblo exception of Omaha Xo , 12 , rapidly deteriorating but still retaining tholr charters. Some of the nctivo members oatno to the conclusion that heroic measures were neces sary nnd n mass meeting of the SlrKnliihU ) of the Omaha regiment was culled. Tlio meeting was held in the 1'ythlan hull in the 1'axton block , niul was attended by members of the various divisions In the city. The matter was thoroughly discussed , ana many of the members spolto favorably of the prop osition to consolidate the weaker divisions , but no action wns taken. Shortly nftownrds another meeting was held , at which It wns ngreod that Lily , Laun- celot , Myrtle nnd Douglas divisions wore to consolidate and form two divisions. In or.lor to decide which two of UIOMO should relin quish their charters four slips were placed in a hat , each containing a name of ono of Uicso divisions. These were drawn , and it foil to thu lot of Lily and Luuncolot to throw up the sponge. Subsequently tbo members of Lily division claimed Unit they wcro not represented at tbo meeting nt which those proceedings were had and they refused to lie down and dlo. Instead , they went to South Omaha and made a proposition to tbo lodge there to re ceive about thirty members of the lodge , who wcro desirous of forming a divisionund reor ganize Lily division , allowing South Omaha members to elect the ofllcers. This proposition was favorably received by the South Omaha Knights as It would rcllovu tin-in from thu payment of a charter fee. The matter was referred to a committee of tbo South Omaha Knights which reported favor- ibly on the proposal und was authorized to nvcstigato the cost of uniforms , etc. As the matter now stands there are six di- isions In the city , namely , Omaha Black 3nilo ; , Trojan , Myrtle , Douglas and Lily. All of the divisions will elect olllccrs during the coming month and a general revival of inter est Is looked for. Crescent lodge No. 38 of Holyoke , Col. , in stalled the following ofllcers at its lust mcot- ng : C. M. C. Woolmnn , P. 0. ; John Dye , C. C. ; U. 10. Webster , V. C. i A. M. Wood- 'ord , P. ; .1. F. Ifovbos , K. 11. & S ; E , 13. Jnmnon , M. at A. ; J. N. Andrews , M. of K. ; Thomas Vornoti , M , of l'.1. . Lewis. 1. O. ; 3. Uustasen , O. G. Tbo iiistallutlon surv- cos were conducted by Jerome Lewis , D. D. G. C. , nnd George Weir , G. M. nt A. After ho ceremony the members adjourned to Iho janquot room wticro a toothsome repast nras served. Troiio Itniiil. The grand ledge of Nebraska nnd Iowa of the U. O. T. 11. hold Its annual session in this city last week. The report of the secretary was ns follows : On January 1 , 1800 , there were in this grand Jurisdiction six subordinate lodges with n membership of " 05. On January 1 , 1891 , thcro were seven subordinate lodges with u total membership of ! ol7 ! , a not gain of 10J members , There was organized during the year one subordinate ledge ut Sioux City , known as Lincoln lodge No. 75 , with a mem bership of U. ! . Amount of capital on hand January 1 , 1600 , including all property , $ J,0i.48 ; ) ; nmount on hand January 1 , 1601 , $ ; , Hi.H ( ( , a net gain of § : ! S1.14. During the year the following amounts were paid out for relief : Sick ben- ellls. $ d$5 ; bonolits to three members for wife's death , fODO ; benefits to wives of deceased - ceased members , $ ' . ' ,000. The following ofllcers wcro elected for the ensuing year : August Sohrocdcrof Omaha , T. M.J. ; II. Thorns. I'lattsmouth , D. M. ; August Sbirbncli , Oman , secretary ; Itud Hartz , South Omaha , trc.wuror ; J. M , Lonilco , Council Muffs , G. M. ; Fivd Mitt- nacbt. Omaha , G. W. ; Carl Froobi Wil liam Smith and F. J. Frultag , Onialia , trus tees , The Masonio grand ledge of Now Mexico mot in thirteenth annual session at Albu querque last Monday. In J877 the first grand ledge 'was formed In Santa Fo , nnd at a tlmo when there were only four lodges In the tor ritory. Now there uro twenty lodges with n membership of over ono thousand. The first grand master was W. W. Grilllu ( now de ceased ) of Santa Fc. Temple ledge of Albu- quoruuo entertained the visitors la royal style at n banquet at the San Fcllpo and a hop Tuesday night at the opera house. It was decided to erect n J50.000 Masonio torn- plo In Albuquerque for the grnnd ledge of the future , The following ofllcers were elected mid Installed : C. H. Dane of Doming , grand master ; Klehard English of San Marclnl , deputy gcynd master ; Joseph II , Kuhns of Albuquerque , grand senior warden ; Charles A , Sporllnger of Lns Vegas , grand Junior warden : A.C. Fox of Hater , grnnd ruusuror ; H. A. Keen of Albuquerque , grand s'ecretary. G.V. . Llpo of Council Bluffs is ono of the members of Nathan Whitney chapter , No. liill of Franklin Grove , 111 , which met on the 2-'d ult. to cclobrato tbo 100th birthday anni versary of Nathan Whitney , the oldest living Mason iu the world , both in years ami in membership. Mr , Lipo was unable to attend the gathering , but from him are learned some very interesting facts concerning the cen tenarian. Nathan Whitney was made a member when ho was twenty-two years of nto , so that ho has worn the apron for sovonty-elght years. Ho wns ono of the char ter members of the chapter which boars his name. Ono of tbo very strange coincidences Is that tins chapter has always held ltd regu lar convocations on the Thursday of each month on or before the full moon , and this last week foil , queerly enough , upon ho 100th birthday anniversary of Mr. Whitney. Another Interesting coincidence l.i that the present high prioit , who ofllclntod on tills anniversary , is of like nuino , Nathan \Vliil- nuy , ho being a grandson of the veteran thus honored. Order iOnsluni Star . Vesta chapter , No. 0 , will hoi d Its seven tcenth annual social at Freemason's hall , Six teenth and Capitol avenue , next Tli ursduj evening. These annual ont&rtalnmcnts ol Vesta chapter have galned'a wide celebrity among Omaha people , and It is safe to say that tha seventeenth annual will ba no oxcop tlon to the rule. Master Masons , tholr fam < lllos and friends have a standing Invitation tc attend those affairs , and special efforts have boon nmdo to provide n pleasant entertain munt. No Individual Invitations have beer Issuod. _ J. O. O. If , The members of Ivy Kobekah dcgrco led ( were entertained at the resilience of JJ. L , Armstrong , 1)70 ) North Twonty-llfth avcnno Wednesday evening. I'rogrossivo high ilyi hold the boards and a most enjoyable evening was passed. The Daughters of Hcbokuh ledge of Hoy- nolils Installed officers for the ensuing ycui as follows : Mrs. A. H. Both well , N. O. Mas. U. D. Moore , V. G. ; Mrs. Henry St Martin , secretary ; Mrs.-U. W. Hooh , trcas urer. A Hchoknh degree ledge was Instituted ni Holdrugo last Tuesday with about twenty llvo charter members. About thirty Ho hokahs were proicnt trom Juniata and Hast Ings , After the ceremony a banquet wa' ' served , Next Friday evening , the Cth Inst. . Omahi lodge No. 2 will celebrate Us thirty-Uf tu an niversary lit Its hall on Fourteenth nud Dodge streets. A pleasant entertainment will bo provided , consisting of nn nddrtws by ( Irnnd Master Kvuus on the history and work of the ledge , nnd addresses by several other members. These will bo pleasantly Interspersed with muslcnl umnbom nnd fol lowed by rcfrcshmciiU. The evening will bo closed by dancing. Council HhilTs Rebeknh degree ledge paid n very plcaiuut visit to Hutu ledge last Sat urday evening. Aleut llfty momticM rnmo over from the IlluIts to witness the exem plification of the degree work by the tram of Kiith ledge , This team is the ono which ro- celvcd a prUo nt the Chicago meeting for Its c.xcollcnt work , and the manner in which the work was put on the lloorfortho visitors from the HlufTs elicited loud pndso. The team Is provided with full paraphernalia for the work , the out IK being the lluost which could bo procured , and ouch member of tbo team takes c > s | > oclnl prulo In renilorlng her part In n perfect manner. (1. A. It. C'ustf r poit No. 7 nnd Crook post No. StVJ , together with Glister's Women Hollcf Corpi No. S3 anil.Shoridnn-ltcllcf Corps No , 88 , will hold n fair and n scries of entertainments at the Coliseum March 4 , 5 nnd 0. The services of Colonel Low ( linger have been scoured to manage the enterprise , and the well known ability of Comrade tJluger Is a guarantee of suocess. The proceeds of the cnt"ri > rlio are Io bo turned into the relief fund , which will be used to help needy soldier * In this stato. In- addition to thu entertainment a Una museum of wnr relics will bo on exhibition , the material for which is being iratherod from all over the country. Contractors'Supplies , Wheel Harrows , Shovels Scoops , Bars , Hoes , Hose , Picks Wire and Manilla Rope , Tackle Blocks , All Kinds Twines Butchers' Tools , Carpenters' Tools , , Coopers' Tools , Machinists , Tools , Moulders' Tools , Builders' Hard ware. AGENTS FOR. Yale & Townc Fine Bronze Goods , "Win. T , "Wood & Go's. Ice Tools , 1511 DodciB Street , Toloshono , ' 137. DR. J. E. McG-KEW , THE SPECIALIST. Mora Than FUtoon Yonra Expanonco In tlia Treatment of PRIVATE DISEASES out Iho loss of An hour's tltuci. PTDIPTIIDC I'l'rnmiu'ntljr en roil wltliout A I M I ll I 11II P I' " ' " or lintrmiioiltsi no cut- U I II I U I Ulll. , | n < ; dunlin , , The most oninrknlilorumoily known to modern acluncu , OVDUII 1C Cured In 'M to M ) ( lays. Dr. Me- O I I nlLIn Urcw'itruiiliiioiit for tbU terrlbtti w i i .IIK.W ipjooci i.toi | | : o lins bojn iirtinoiincuil tin ) must powerful run ! nucroisfnl rcmuilvvur i t-otorud lor tlinnbtolulo euro of thli illscilso , Hit with tills illMno ! ! : lint Hover buun Oiinllod. | A comutetoeuroHUAHANTEEii. nud U vmknosj of LOST MANHOOD thuHoxuul oivatK.norv - OIIHIIUIS , mill nil un * ntural illnclmnrri , nro nbiolutoly curutl , llullof u minoitlntoanil i cnmiilotn. Klioumntlf m and nil illn SKIN DISEASES oisoj : of the blood , llvor , klJnt'rs nnd bluUclvr per manently cured. liar r an nois anil FEMALE DISEASES illsi'niMi nf thi > ntoinncli or blaildor enrol. Tlio Doctor's Homo Truntimmt for l.tidlot li truly a cmuplnto , ronvonlunt niul wundurtlul ri'iuody. I.AIIIKM from y tu 4 oxr.r. Hook free , Office , 14th and Farnam Sts. , Oninlia , Nob. Kntrnnco on cllliur ( trunk REMOVAL OF JNO. H. . CORNES Letter Files , INDEXES. TRANSFER CASES , IMPRESSION BOOKS Burr's Standard Indexes , Mimeographs and Supplies , To 318 South 15th St. Tel. 630. Omaha. NERVE AND BRAIN TREATMENT , Bradflo for > lTitcrlaPlJ inesintiKwar ! ( jla.Vntt6 fulnm , Mentnl lH-prtnion , heft ntntfnC ttio liraln.ro- fUltlntf In inianlty AJJ J wading to mUery deny an4 doith. Fr mature Old A * , Hai rennets. ! < os of Power In either tex , Inrolunt&rLonet.onfl HpvrinotofTticfin cauieU t > r ov r xttiUo : % of Iho drain , ! rt t > uia or Qrer-lnduigvnc * . tach box con taint on jmontb'g ironu rnent. | l a hot. or * U for 8) . * unt by mrJIitr [ > altl. VTIth enrti order for ilx hoiwu. will t > * n < l purchaaor innratiUo to refund ncnvr IT tno truntraent f tum. UuarcuiUw * UiutHl ( ui'ltfunumu lolilotUyt GOODMAN DRUG CO. , 1110 1'urnuni Btroot , Oiimlm. Noli. | EufTorlng from B V WS L.CHKX 11 H-IXJ jouthruUrron farly decay , wonting wcakni'tu , loot niaulifxnl , etc. I vrllltniul a valuable ) troiuKo ( Hcnli-il ) contaliUm full particular * for homo euro , I'ltlil ! < > ' rlmriru A. > llcn < lia modlcalworki tlumlJ l i nwi l > yuvvr | mail who li iirvoui and UcMllltiti'tl. I'rof. I' . 0,1'OW&Iilt , Mo oil 110 ,