Miles City Irrigating and Ditch Company
From birchyHistory
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In addition to irrigation, it was speculated that, with a drop of 80 feet along the ditch, a suitable head of pressure could be tapped for firefighting in the future. In the 13 Sep 1887 issue of the Yellowstone Journal, the publisher devoted quite a bit of ink to a lengthy argument of the benefits of a municipal water supply. In addition to domestic and commercial uses, he points out that fire fighting is more successful and insurance rates are lower. | In addition to irrigation, it was speculated that, with a drop of 80 feet along the ditch, a suitable head of pressure could be tapped for firefighting in the future. In the 13 Sep 1887 issue of the Yellowstone Journal, the publisher devoted quite a bit of ink to a lengthy argument of the benefits of a municipal water supply. In addition to domestic and commercial uses, he points out that fire fighting is more successful and insurance rates are lower. | ||
| − | The irrigation ditch was first imagined in 1881 by [[Joseph Leighton]] and [[W. B. Jordan]] and was formed by them with assistance from some officers at [[Fort Keogh]] and a few other locals. In 1882, Capt. [[R. L. Edwards]], a civil engineer, determined the route and contracts were let and completed to dig the first version of the ditch. In 1883, preparations for a dam were made at the head of the ditch. At a cost of $9000, [[W. B. Gaw]], an engineer, put in the dam during the winter of '83-'84 using cottonwood timber and piles on so faulty a basis that when the ice broke in the spring of '84, it took the new construction downstream. It was also discovered that the ditch had been dug too narrow and deep to be of service. Having spent about $40,000 for a failed project, it languished until it was sold by the sheriff in the summer of 1885. [[W. B. Jordan]] purchased it and formed a new company under the name of "Miles City Irrigating and Ditch Company". Needless to say, some were reluctant to pour good money after bad, but optimism carried forward and the new stockholders included: Leighton and Jordan; Maj. [[Simeon Snyder]], Lt. [[C. B. Thompson]], Lt. [[W. H. Sage]], the wife of Capt. [[Mason Carter]], Capt. [[T. F. Forbes]], all of the fort; Dr. [[Ira L. Sanderson]], Gen. [[W. A. Rucker]], Dr. [[P. F. Harvey]] all of "U.S.A."; [[T. J. Bryan]], [[William Macqueen]], [[William Courtenay]], [[Konrad Schmid]], [[Louis Payette]] and [[J. McGurk]] all of Miles City; [[Maurice Auerbach]], [[R. E. Stower]], both of St. Paul; and Dr. [[G. W. Ellis]] of Philadelphia. It was determined that it was cost as much to dig a new ditch as it would to fix the old one. A 12 foot wide bottom was planned, sides at 45 degrees. | + | The irrigation ditch was first imagined in 1881 by [[Joseph Leighton]] and [[W. B. Jordan]] and was formed by them with assistance from some officers at [[Fort Keogh]] and a few other locals under the name "Tongue River Irrigating and Ditch company". In 1882, Capt. [[R. L. Edwards]], a civil engineer, determined the route and contracts were let and completed to dig the first version of the ditch. In 1883, preparations for a dam were made at the head of the ditch. At a cost of $9000, [[W. B. Gaw]], an engineer, put in the dam during the winter of '83-'84 using cottonwood timber and piles on so faulty a basis that when the ice broke in the spring of '84, it took the new construction downstream. It was also discovered that the ditch had been dug too narrow and deep to be of service. Having spent about $40,000 for a failed project, it languished until it was sold by the sheriff in the summer of 1885 (or 1884?). |
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| + | [[W. B. Jordan]] purchased it and formed a new company under the name of "Miles City Irrigating and Ditch Company". Needless to say, some were reluctant to pour good money after bad, but optimism carried forward and the new stockholders included: Leighton and Jordan; Maj. [[Simeon Snyder]], Lt. [[C. B. Thompson]], Lt. [[W. H. Sage]], the wife of Capt. [[Mason Carter]], Capt. [[T. F. Forbes]], all of the fort; Dr. [[Ira L. Sanderson]], Gen. [[W. A. Rucker]], Dr. [[P. F. Harvey]] all of "U.S.A."; [[T. J. Bryan]], [[William Macqueen]], [[William Courtenay]], [[Konrad Schmid]], [[Louis Payette]] and [[J. McGurk]] all of Miles City; [[Maurice Auerbach]], [[R. E. Stower]], both of St. Paul; and Dr. [[G. W. Ellis]] of Philadelphia. It was determined that it was cost as much to dig a new ditch as it would to fix the old one. A 12 foot wide bottom was planned, sides at 45 degrees. | ||
The original trustees were: | The original trustees were: | ||
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By [[ 17 July 1886]] all the lumber had been cut and was being floated down the river. | By [[ 17 July 1886]] all the lumber had been cut and was being floated down the river. | ||
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| + | [[7 Aug 1886]] The Miles City Irrigating and Ditch company appropriated 25,000 inches of water. | ||
[[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. | ||
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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| + | [[18 Mar 18898]]: Annual meeting at the [[First National Bank]] Monday afternoon. H. B. Wiley was secretary. | ||
| + | Elected were: | ||
| + | * [[W. B. Jordan]], Pres. | ||
| + | * [[William Courtenay]], VP | ||
| + | * [[E. B. Weirick]], Treas. | ||
| + | * [[H. B. Wiley]], Sec. | ||
| + | Trustees: | ||
| + | * [[T. J. Bryan]] | ||
| + | * [[W. N. Haynes]] | ||
| + | * [[W. B. Jordan]] | ||
| + | Committees were appointed and charged with: inspecting the ditch, advise what to do this year, audit the finances and report to stockholders; survey town residents and estimate how many would pay for water if a trunk were to be dug from the vicinity of Flanaghan's run from the ditch at the rate allowed by the county comissioners of $5/yr per 50 feet, if the city would buy a water supply on the streets and if they would build the culverts. It was discussed to replace the bulkheads with a solid bank and to take water out of the reservoir from an opening to be made on the east side of the reservoir, allowing the reservoir to fill to greater height. | ||
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| + | [[9 Sep 1891]]: report of condition... | ||
| + | {| | ||
| + | |Capital||$100,000 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Capital paid in||$43,174 | ||
| + | |- | ||
| + | |Indebtedness||$91,063 | ||
| + | |} | ||
| + | Jordan, Pres; Wiley, Sec; Haynes and Kircher, Trustees | ||
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| + | [[16 Feb 1893]] The Miles City Irrigation and Ditch company filed with the county recorder a claim for 25,000 inches of water, in addition to the 25,000 appropriated under their notice of [[7 Aug 1886]], making a total of 50,000 inches. | ||
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| + | The case of Louis King vs. the Miles City Ditch and Irrigation company has been set for trial on the 8th inst., having been postponed from the 6th on account of other business which has not been reached. | ||
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| + | [[8 Mar 1893]] District court: Miles City Irrigating and Ditch company vs. Northern Pacific Railroad company; cause striken from the calendar with leave to reinstate at any time. Louis King vs. Miles City Irrigating and Ditch company jury secured and case still on time. | ||
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| + | [[10 Mar 1893]] District court: testimony consumed the entire day. | ||
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| + | [[17 Apr 1893]] Louis King case: stay of proceedings extended to [[1 Jun 1893]], by consent, including time to prepare papers on motion for a new trial. | ||
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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. | ||
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| + | [[10 Oct 1893]] Water was scheduled to be shut off at the headgate. Wiley, Sec. | ||
On [[6 Feb 1894]] they announced that the ditch was almost completed and warned potential subscribers that they should secure their subscriptions before they are gone and have to buy them from scalpers. | On [[6 Feb 1894]] they announced that the ditch was almost completed and warned potential subscribers that they should secure their subscriptions before they are gone and have to buy them from scalpers. | ||
[[17 Jun 1894]]: "The monster steam dredge recently bought by the Miles City Irrigating & Ditch Co. is being slowly taken out to the scene of its labors. The machine weighs 60,000 lbs, and is propelled by a traction engine, but it is so heavy that it cuts down in the solid road, which renders it necessary to use plank upon which to move it. However, it will be taken about 10 miles up the ditch and there commence operations. Large boats are being built in the canal, and from its position in there the big excavator is expected to take out 2 1/2 cu yds of dirt per minute. In this way, the capacity of the ditch, which is now thoroughly taxed, will be trebled, and there will be ample water for all the ranches under it." | [[17 Jun 1894]]: "The monster steam dredge recently bought by the Miles City Irrigating & Ditch Co. is being slowly taken out to the scene of its labors. The machine weighs 60,000 lbs, and is propelled by a traction engine, but it is so heavy that it cuts down in the solid road, which renders it necessary to use plank upon which to move it. However, it will be taken about 10 miles up the ditch and there commence operations. Large boats are being built in the canal, and from its position in there the big excavator is expected to take out 2 1/2 cu yds of dirt per minute. In this way, the capacity of the ditch, which is now thoroughly taxed, will be trebled, and there will be ample water for all the ranches under it." | ||
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| + | [[11 Sep 1894]] The Board of [[County Commissioners]] for Custer County voted to abate the increase of assessment ($4,650). | ||
