Miles City Irrigating and Ditch Company

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". The dream was to be fraught with misfortune though and it about 6 years for it to finally started delivering water. During this period, several engineers had their hands on the project.

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". The dream was to be fraught with misfortune though and it about 6 years for it to finally started delivering water. During this period, several engineers had their hands on the project.

[[22 Aug 1882]] Articles of incorporation filed with the territorial secretary with Capital of $100,000, $54,200 paid in. Principal names include [[Gen. Brisbin]], [[J. W. Strevell]] plus others. Plans were for a ditch of 16 miles, with 2 miles being iron pipe, fed by a 6,000,000 gallon reservoir with a 45 foot head, feeding Miles City and 30,000 acres of farmland at a cost of $40,000.

[[22 Aug 1882]] Articles of incorporation filed with the territorial secretary with Capital of $100,000, $54,200 paid in. Principal names include [[Gen. Brisbin]], [[J. W. Strevell]] plus others. Plans were for a ditch of 16 miles, with 2 miles being iron pipe, fed by a 6,000,000 gallon reservoir with a 45 foot head, feeding Miles City and 30,000 acres of farmland at a cost of $40,000.

Having spent about $40,000 for a failed project, it languished until it was sold by the sheriff [[19 Oct 1885]] for $15 on a bid by [[Harry F. Batchelor]] on behalf of W. B. Jordan. [[Eph. Cowles]] had bid $13 but would not go higher. Yet, on [[16 Nov 1885]] another auction was held with the same winning bidder and representative, but this time Jordan's bid was $1000. This was "pursuant to an execution issued in favor of [[E. Sumwalt]]. The sheriff is [[Charles W. Savage]].

Having spent about $40,000 for a failed project, it languished until it was sold by the sheriff [[19 Oct 1885]] for $15 on a bid by [[Harry F. Batchelor]] on behalf of W. B. Jordan. [[Eph. Cowles]] had bid $13 but would not go higher. Yet, on [[16 Nov 1885]] another auction was held with the same winning bidder and representative, but this time Jordan's bid was $1000. This was "pursuant to an execution issued in favor of [[E. Sumwalt]]. The sheriff is [[Charles W. Savage]].

[[File:MilesCityArea_c1884.jpg|thumb|right|538px|Miles City area, circa 1884. Map produced by W. B. Gaw, the first engineer on the project. The dam and headgates are just below Squaw Creek (the solid dark line that runs through the "H" in "ATCHISON'S" is Pumpkin Creek.]]  

[[File:MilesCityArea_c1884.jpg|thumb|right|538px|Miles City area, circa 1884. Map produced by W. B. Gaw, the first engineer on the project. The dam and headgates are just below Squaw Creek (the solid dark line that runs through the "H" in "ATCHISON'S" is Pumpkin Creek.]]  

[[W. B. Jordan]] had purchased the old company 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]] had purchased the old company 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.

[[25 May 1888]] From headgates, across Pumpkin Creek, down to Squaw Creek, about 3 miles. 10 feet wide at the bottom, 15 feet at the top, 4 feet deep. A flume is built across Squaw Creek. Past Mill Creek to King's bluff with extensive riprapping using 1500 logs averaging 16' in length and tons of rock to for a crib and riprap protection, above which the flume will divert the water around the bluff. Mr. Estabrook is supervising. Then on to the reservoir at the Leighton farm. Should be filled with water in 20 days, to Mill Creek in 7 to 10 days. This should server 5000 acres.

[[25 May 1888]] From headgates, across Pumpkin Creek, down to Squaw Creek, about 3 miles. 10 feet wide at the bottom, 15 feet at the top, 4 feet deep. A flume is built across Squaw Creek. Past Mill Creek to King's bluff with extensive riprapping using 1500 logs averaging 16' in length and tons of rock to for a crib and riprap protection, above which the flume will divert the water around the bluff. Mr. Estabrook is supervising. Then on to the reservoir at the Leighton farm. Should be filled with water in 20 days, to Mill Creek in 7 to 10 days. This should server 5000 acres.

[[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.