Miles City Irrigating and Ditch Company

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(First years of operation)
(Tongue River Irrigating & Ditch)
 
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[[19 Oct 1882]] Stockholders meeting 4 pm at the [[First National Bank]], [[James S. Brisbin]], Pres.
 
[[19 Oct 1882]] Stockholders meeting 4 pm at the [[First National Bank]], [[James S. Brisbin]], Pres.
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[[19 Oct 1882]] The upper end of the ditch is completed.
  
 
Oct 1882: offices will be in the new bank building, 2nd floor.
 
Oct 1882: offices will be in the new bank building, 2nd floor.
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[[28 Sep 1886]]: [[Fritz]] and [[Leonard]] closed a contract to do surface work for the ditch. They began work on the same day and expect to work through the winter to meet a [[1 Apr 1887]] deadline. The large contract includes grading the big bluff near {Grimmit]]'s.
 
[[28 Sep 1886]]: [[Fritz]] and [[Leonard]] closed a contract to do surface work for the ditch. They began work on the same day and expect to work through the winter to meet a [[1 Apr 1887]] deadline. The large contract includes grading the big bluff near {Grimmit]]'s.
  
[[13 Oct 1886]] A suit is brought in the 4th Judicial District of the M.T. against [[James S. Brisbin]] by First National Bank for $2195 on unpaid stock in the Ditch company. $1315 on 23 Oct 1883 plus 105 interest and $880 on [[1 Apr 1884]] plus 10% interest and costs for a total of $2195. If not paid, real estate has been attached and will be sold to repay the debt. (NW1/4 of the SW1/4 and lots 4 & 5 of section13, T6N R40E; and lots 16 & 17 in block 45; and lots 1 & 2 in block 46 together with the buildings and any improvements. Strevell & Garlock are attorneys for the plaintiff, [[James McFarlane]], their clerk.
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[[13 Oct 1886]] A suit is brought in the 4th Judicial District of the M.T. against [[James S. Brisbin]] by First National Bank for $2195 on unpaid stock in the Ditch company. $1315 on 23 Oct 1883 plus 105 interest and $880 on [[1 Apr 1884]] plus 10% interest and costs for a total of $2195. If not paid, real estate has been attached and will be sold to repay the debt. (NW1/4 of the SW1/4 and lots 4 & 5 of section13, T6N R40E; and lots 16 & 17 in block 45; and lots 1 & 2 in block 46 together with the buildings and any improvements. [[Strevell & Garlock]] are attorneys for the plaintiff, [[James McFarlane]], their clerk.
  
 
By Dec 1886 $60,000 had been spent on the new ditch and dam.
 
By Dec 1886 $60,000 had been spent on the new ditch and dam.
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== First years of operation ==
 
== First years of operation ==
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[[File:FlumeExit.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Downstream view of the ditch as it exits the flume over Log Creek, about 8 miles south of Miles City.]]
 
[[7 Jun 1888]] 10am the town is invited to witness the opening of the headgates.
 
[[7 Jun 1888]] 10am the town is invited to witness the opening of the headgates.
  
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[[19 May 1893]] A suit begins in Distrit Court by the First National Bank against the predessor "Tongue River Irrigating and Ditch company" for balance due on a note and asking for a receiver to be appointed to adjust the defunct firm's affairs. The ditch is currently operating from Pumpkin Creek to Dixon Bluff.
 
[[19 May 1893]] A suit begins in Distrit Court by the First National Bank against the predessor "Tongue River Irrigating and Ditch company" for balance due on a note and asking for a receiver to be appointed to adjust the defunct firm's affairs. The ditch is currently operating from Pumpkin Creek to Dixon Bluff.
  
9 Sep 1893]] [[W. N. Haynes]] and [[Col. Sheetz]] left for Ainslie, with a eye towards extending the ditch to there.
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[[9 Sep 1893]] [[W. N. Haynes]] and [[Col. Sheetz]] left for Ainslie, with a eye towards extending the ditch to there.
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[[28 Sep 1893]] A meeting was held with almost 50 non-stockholders attending to discuss the situation of the limited capacity of the ditch and the fact that stockholders and owners of water rights, by law, would have first claim on what water could be delivered, but that there was no obligation to provide water to anyone else. It was agreed after much discussion that sales of water rights would be encouraged. It was pointed out that by widening a few of the worst constricted spots, the flow could be increased enough for those who currently have claims, but that it would take a lot more work to make enough flow to supply every acre in the affected area. Land which goes begging at $1.25/acre without irrigation can be sold for $15 - $50/acre with irrigation. The capacity would have to be increased by 4x to 5x to cover all acreage, and work would have to be done this fall or next season if a dredge is used, but money would have to be added to finance the improvements.
  
 
[[10 Oct 1893]] Water was scheduled to be shut off at the headgate. Wiley, Sec.
 
[[10 Oct 1893]] Water was scheduled to be shut off at the headgate. Wiley, Sec.
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[[8 Dec 1894]] Meeting held to change name to "Miles City Canal and Irrigating Company", to extend term of existance to 40 years from 1885?, to expand the defined business activities allowed.
 
[[8 Dec 1894]] Meeting held to change name to "Miles City Canal and Irrigating Company", to extend term of existance to 40 years from 1885?, to expand the defined business activities allowed.
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== Modern version ==
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Now called the T & Y Ditch, its diversion dam was recently altered to include a fish ladder, which now allows fish from the Tongue and Yellowstone Rivers below the dam to migrate upriver, for the first time in 125 years.

Latest revision as of 23:56, 11 February 2014

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