The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931 Page: 86
359 p. : ill., maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
Southwestern Historical Quarterly
a quarter of a century elapsed before railroad transportation opened
up a ready market for produce and stimulated colonization by
farmers.
Fifteen years after the Frazier well was bored more definite
steps were taken to develop irrigation. J. S. Taylor was construct-
ing the dam on the Nueces at Bermuda, which still is in use, and
a tank for storing water was being erected on the Shaw ranch. The
editor of the Javelin glimpsed the possibilities: "The big Shaw
tank, three miles north of town, and the Taylor dam on the Nueces,
may be only forerunners of a gigantic irrigation movement in
Dimmit County."14 A week later he began an advertisement,
which the Javelin long carried, placing irrigation prospects on a
level with the dominant stock industry: "1. It is published in
the heart of the best stock country in Texas, where stockmen are
trading every day. 2. Irrigation enterprises are springing up,
and men with capital are investing, which means the organization
of a gigantic irrigation system in the near future." Along with
notices of rewards for capture of cattle thieves, notices not to take
wood or timber from ranches, and listings of various cattle brands,
there appeared in the files of the Javelin items announcing the bor-
ing of wells on the Hargus, Owen, Denman, L. L. Bell, and other
ranches. Yet as late as 1900 a government observer, Hill, in re-
porting some 25 flowing wells in the vicinity of Carrizo Springs,
stated that the water was "allowed to waste, practically no irriga-
tion being done."
But well-boring went on steadily, settlers began to move in, land
sales were made, and land values rose rapidly. Each new artesian
well was hailed with delight; it presaged the advent of the farmer.
When the McCaleb well "came in," the editor of the Javelin de-
scribed more extensively than usual the developments taking place
and the outlook for the future:
The peculiarities and extent of the artesian belt are not yet
fairly known and understood, but half a dozen drilling machines
are steadily at work, with seldom a failure to procure a good flow
of water, and the scope of their territory is being extended weekly.
Land sales are being made rapidly, most all of them for actual set-
tlers, who see and appreciate the splendid opportunities offered
them, and are taking advantage of the opportunity, as land is
rapidly appreciating, and those who can are taking advantage of
"February 4, 1899.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 34, July 1930 - April, 1931, periodical, 1931; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101091/m1/96/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.