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 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?). | + | The irrigation ditch was first imagined at least as early as 1877 and preliminary plans were pushed forward 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". |
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| + | [[22 Aug 1882]] Articles of incorporation filed with the territorial secretary with Capital of $100,000, $54,200 paid in. | ||
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| + | 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?). | ||
[[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. | [[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. | ||
