USA > California > Imperial County > The history of Imperial County, California > Part 7
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Among the local bankers now is President F. B. Fuller, of the El Centro National Bank, who came into the Valley from Texas. He first bought a 160-acre ranch near El Centro, and also a residence site upon which he afterward built the first permanent residence in the Valley. He opened his bank in very modest quarters in 1907. Deposits came in rapidly, and the wisdom of his venture was apparent at once. The bank proved a great convenience. Two years later he began the erection of his new building on the site previously selected. This is now one of the most attractive structures on that street.
The subject of land titles and boundaries soon became of vital im- portance. There were many questions as to the validity of titles which arose in different sections, and there seemed to be no recognized author- ity in the matter. This annoying condition prevailed for six or seven years, and it occasioned much delay in development. People did not really know for a certainty what they were buying or where. At length, however, what became known as the Imperial County Abstract Com-
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pany was organized by the farmers. But this was soon absorbed by the Peoples' Abstract and Title Company of Riverside County. The bounds of every ranch is doubly marked, which was made necessary by the flood and the hasty survey of the government in 1856, when nobody dreamed of any reclamation of this barren Colorado Desert. The set- tlers obtained some relief, however, in this respect by an act of Con- gress in 1902 which provided in substance that no bona-fide claim of any actual occupant should be impaired, and eventually the record title should conform to the land actually occupied. A new survey was then made and patents were issued on that basis.
Of course in all this tangle of red tape the legal profession saw its opportunity, and were not slow to avail themselves of it. Many of these legal problems were handled in the office of the first district attorney, the late John M. Eshleman, afterward lieutenant-governor, and this officer being engaged elsewhere a portion of the time, this duty fell upon Phil S. Swing, his efficient deputy, and his successor, who did most effective service in this capacity. There being no precedents to guide him among the unique conditions then prevailing, he had to take the initiative in many cases. He came into the Valley in October, 1907, and has held many positions of trust since then.
Visitors here will note the cosmopolitan character of the residents in this Valley, and this has been an important factor in its rapid develop- ment. Many nations and callings are represented, including men from foreign lands who were skilled in horticulture, arboriculture, and fruit growing. Grape growing has received much attention and the conditions of the soil and climate are found well suited to vineyards. France seems to have contributed materially to the region in this way.
Mr. A. Caillard, an experienced fruit grower in semi-arid sections, has labored most successfully in grape culture here. After considerable study he finally located upon an 86-acre plot not far from Holtville, and planted grapes in an experimental way on a part of his ground, re- serving some of the land for barley and alfalfa, thus tiding over the season until his vineyard became fully productive, adding dairy fea- tures in the interim. But he soon found that the grape was fully at home here and even more productive than he expected, and now he has de- voted the entire plot to vineyard purposes.
Many more of these Valley pioneers who began business here at an
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early period of its development might well be mentioned were it not for the fact that the biographical part of this work will doubtless in- clude detailed accounts of their life and work.
Among those early in the mercantile line was W. D. Conser, of Im- perial, now of Colton, who came from Arizona in 1903, bringing with him a stock of goods worth perhaps $2500. A great believer in the use of printing ink and sound business principles with fair and honest dealing, he soon built up a large trade in the small quarters of his store.
Regarding the most successful vocations in this Valley it is natural to suppose that the experienced farmer coming from the East would be most successful here as a farmer. And yet such has not been the rule. The old standard methods that prevail in the East are not adapted to secure the best results here without considerable modification. This has been somewhat difficult for the Eastern farmer to understand. Because of this he has often failed while any other man who didn't know it all, and was willing to listen to advice, would succeed. In some cases, how- ever, theorists from agricultural colleges, with some practical training, have been quick to catch on in these Valley methods and succeeded.
It is a pleasure to record the success of Mr. E. H. Erickson in Braw- ley in fruit growing. Seeing no reason why all kinds of fruit should not thrive here, he planted in great variety with abundant faith. And al- ready his orchards prove even more productive than he had hoped, and they are visited by people with great interest. But in addition to being an experienced horticulturist he is also in love with the pursuit.
Not every man who comes here, however, finds a smooth road to suc- cess in any calling. There are notable exceptions, and Mr. C. H. Wal- ton is one of these. Coming here in 1901 as a skilled farmer and hard worker, things seemed to go wrong with him from the first and he had a hard row to hoe for nine years. For a time he worked on the irri- gation ditches, and happened to select a poor piece of land in an un- favorable section. Then he changed his ranch and leased a site near El Centro. But he no sooner got things nicely started there when the mad old river drenched him out, and he was forced to sell out to save him- self. But his courage did not fail him even then. He bought more land adjoining his first ranch and resolved to begin anew. But the end of his troubles was not yet. Some designing men sought to attack his title to the land and a contest was filed. But despite all these things this man's
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courage proved indomitable. He held on and now has his place well stocked with hogs and many horses.
Among the practical modern stock-men is W. L. Manahan, who was a regular cow-puncher early in life, and is yet for that matter, riding with his men, branding, etc. He came from New Mexico in 1903. His place is now devoted to alfalfa and barley, and he has some 2000 hogs among his stock. Being experienced not only in breeding, he also knew the business end of buying and selling.
The growth of cotton is on the increase all through the Valley owing to the present high price of that staple. Mr. R. M. Fuller has 130 acres that produce large yields of cotton. This ranch is three miles from El Centro.
Nels Jacobson is among the very successful and prosperous stock- breeders in the Valley, owning a fine 720-acre ranch in the Mesquite Lake country. Horses and hogs are his specialties, although he came here from a 14-acre orange grove in the Highlands.
Francis Heiney of Brawley is one of the most skilled and practical fruit men in the Valley, having studied the matter in different countries. His ranch contains a great variety of choice fruits not found else- where, and all seem to thrive well under his careful management. He has served the county as agricultural commissioner and had a similar position in San Diego County. Scientific men from different sections visit the scene of his operations with peculiar interest.
The ranch of D. G. Whiting, near El Centro, is another very attrac- tive spot, with its fine trees and permanent character of the buildings. He brought here the first fine Jersey herd in the entire Valley, having spent much time and money in improving the strain. His dairy interests were also large and important under the improved methods introduced by him. He later turned his attention more particularly to other lines.
The healthful conditions prevailing in the Valley have already been referred to, and there are increasing evidences coming in frequently. Mr. Edwin Mead found it salutary and also regained his fortune along with his health. Coming in 1901 without any capital to speak of, he se- lected 320 acres five miles from Holtville and worked for the water company to pay for it. Some 200 hogs, a herd of beef cattle and a good stock of horses and poultry are now feeding upon his alfalfa pasturage. In the early days of Imperial, Mrs. Mead was a very popular hostess at
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the hotel, and she became known far and wide for her genial hospital- ity. They now own property amounting to $50,000.
A model ranch owned by a Los Angeles stock syndicate contains 1100 acres of highly cultivated ranch land and some 876,000 acres across the Mexican line. More stock is produced there than on any other ranch in Southern California. This Mexican land is found to be mar- velously productive. One single arid field of barley has 5000 acres, and another of like area is devoted to alfalfa. Walter Bowker is the man- ager of this vast tract.
The first artesian well in the Valley is credited to Henry Stroven. He found excellent water at 900 feet near Holtville and later, at a depth of 800 feet, where the flow was 100 gallons per minute. The cost was $1100, and considered cheap at that for the results obtained. Mr. Stroven is also an enthusiastic fruit man and has very productive or- chards.
Joseph Hanson is a prosperous rancher near Imperial, coming here from Alberta, Canada, in 1902, and securing about 320 acres of land, which is largely devoted to forage crops for hogs, of which he has about 500 head. With him came John Larsen, who settled upon 160 acres of land, upon which he raised barley and hay and was content to await developments.
GOOD ROADS
It would indeed be very difficult to find a more vital factor in the de- velopment and progress of any country anywhere on the face of the earth than good roads. And yet it is only within comparatively recent years that this great republic of ours gave any public recognition of this fact. We could talk and write glibly of the famous ancient Roman roads that were built in the most permanent and enduring manner, which challenged universal admiration the world over. But here in this new country, under this broader and more modern civilization, we were content to leave our public highways in the most deplorable condition, allowing Dame Nature to have full sway. This, of course, made the roads practically impassable at certain seasons of the year unless the track chanced to be over a rocky foundation and impervious to water. The matter of any systematic road improvement was utterly ignored.
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and such temporary repairs as were made at odd intervals when the farmers had nothing else to do were hopelessly ineffective because of the faulty methods employed and the slipshod manner in which they were carried out. Even when the matter began to receive some little attention, as the result of certain laws requiring some annual repairs on the public roads in certain States, the system used in complying with these provisions was of the most defective and pernicious character, often doing more harm than good. The history of road working in those days would now seem almost incredible and incomprehensive in the light of the present absorbing interest that is now shown in the con- struction and repair of all public highways throughout the country.
All this must be credited, first to the advent of the bicycle, and next to the auto cars. If these various inventions and devices had done nothing else for the people their value would have been inestimable. Here in this state of California and throughout the West, perhaps, modern road improvement began in advance of many of the older states in the East, that were slow to realize the importance of the mat- ter as affecting every economic interest which could be named, being loath to incur the needed expense. Here in this reclaimed valley some attention has been given to the public roads. And yet it is entirely safe to say, though without definite information on the subject however, that there is still much need of more permanent road construction and more effective repairs all through the Valley. The natural conditions in most sections of this new county are such that the maintenance of roads, if properly constructed, should be easy and comparatively inex- pensive, there being very slight rainfall and no frost. And yet it is a question whether it is not wise to build more permanently than trust to the ordinary dirt roadway, where the traffic is at all heavy. Some variety of concrete or bituminous materials seems in every way desir- able in such cases. And yet it is claimed here that eighty per cent of the taxable property of this new county is owned by non-residents, who really pay inadequate taxes, which leaves an unjust share of this cost of road improvement upon resident owners and tenants. But there must be some way to remedy this evil, and the county officials will doubtless find it. In any event there should be nothing in the way of better roads in this favored land, where the control of water is so completely in the hands of the people. For, after all, the vital point in all road repairs is
FIRST BALLE
KING COTTON-THE FIRST BALE
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to keep off the water. Having good drainage and a hard surface, the battle is won.
The completion of the new State concrete highway from El Centro to the mountain range which fringes the western edge of the Valley, last summer, was a most desirable improvement. This is a sixteen-foot pavement thirty-eight miles long, and includes a single span reinforced concrete bridge across Meyer's Cañon that cost $40,000. In order to complete this main roadway system it is now proposed to extend it from Niland to Calexico, and from El Centro to Holtville. For this purpose a bond issue of $225,000 is asked for. The Imperial County Supervisors have promised to raise $161,000 as their share of the expense in con- necting the Valley with Los Angeles by a paved highway, south of the Salton Sea, from Brawley to Coachella Valley and Banning. This will be a valuable link in the road system of Southern California, and afford easy access to the great market place of Los Angeles. It will thus appear that the new county proposes to keep abreast of the times in the work of road improvement.
COTTON PRODUCTION
It is pleasant to record the rapid increase of the white-blossoming acre- age of cotton during the last few years. Grown at first in an experi- mental way, it has now become one of the leading crops in the Valley. Statistics show that there were some 138,000 acres devoted to this im- portant staple last year. The yield is placed at 7000 bales of cotton and 42,000 tons of cotton seed, exclusive of production in Mexico. This brought an average of thirty cents a pound for the cotton in the mar- kets and $55 per ton for the seed. Thus the local growers in this largest irrigated area in the West received nearly $11,000,000 for their cotton crop alone last year. These enthusiastic cottonmen now propose to devote 150,000 acres to the growth of this great crop the coming year, and incidentally making this Valley the greatest cotton-producing re- gion in the world. This surely is a proud record for an industry that began here only about nine years ago.
In its report of cotton production last year the government Depart- ment of Agriculture gave the palm to Imperial Valley as leading all other sections in the average yield per acre, it being somewhat over 400 pounds. This was due in part to the absence of all cotton insect pests,
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the irrigation system, continuous sunlight and deep, fertile soil. Nearly one-half of this Valley crop is now grown in Lower California, there being some 65,000 acres in cotton in that region. Not a single specimen of either the boll-weevil or pink boll-worm, which causes so much dam- age and loss in other cotton-growing sections, has yet been found in this Valley, where every precaution is being taken to prevent their entrance.
The superior quality of this Imperial cotton has attracted the atten- tion of experts all over the country because of its fine fiber and clean- liness. Three varieties are grown here-the short staple, the Durango medium long staple and the Egyptian cotton. The latter, known as the Pima Egyptian, is being tried during the present year upon 5000 acres of land, with good results, the fiber selling for seventy-two cents per pound last fall. Several special gins for this fine fiber are being erected at Imperial, Seeley and elsewhere; and the farmers expect a return from this variety of $150 an acre or more. The total cost of production is estimated at $100 per acre, the average yield being about one bale of 500 pounds, which is worth, at present prices, about $360 and the seed about $40. The cost of producing a bale of the short staple cotton being about $55, leaves a net return of $75 under favorable conditions. It is, therefore, apparent that the cotton mill will soon be one of the leading features in the Valley. There are three cottonseed-oil mills in operation in the Valley, where the seed is crushed and the oil extracted.
The "upland" cotton, grown so universally in the south Atlantic states, covers a large portion of this Valley acreage, and it has a longer fiber as grown here, bringing about twenty-four cents for the short staple.
There are now in this Valley 22 cotton gins, three oil mills and two compressors, representing an investment of over one million dollars. Calexico, the border city of the Valley, is the great cotton center, which really contains the whole story of the growth and prosperity of that city. It now has nine gins and two oil mills, and with its half- million acres of irrigable land close at hand in Mexico, it seems des- tined to rapid and marvelous expansion. Even now some enthusiastic cottonmen in this great cotton center are predicting that the crop of 1918 on the Mexican lands in this Valley will approximate sixty thou- sand bales.
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ALFALFA
This subject may not be worth an entire chapter, perhaps, but it will not be inappropriate to group other crops of a kindred nature with this record.
It has often been said that California's prosperity began with the "gold craze" of 1849, which is probably true in a general sense. But there was another important event in her early history that came a few years later without any blare of trumpets whatever, creating no stam- pedes or rushes, built no mushroom cities, nor made men rich in a single night. This was the introduction of the alfalfa plant into the State, which has made thousands of men rich, whole counties prosper- ous, and converted barren land into fertile acres, which are better and more enduring than gold mines. From its modest advent into the vast list of forage crops in the early fifties it has been steadily growing in favor until today, when it must be credited first place among them all. It is estimated that there are now some 750,000 acres devoted to alfalfa in the State of California alone. It has thus changed the map of that state not only, but also of other states and territories. Broad vistas of purplish green fields are everywhere seen waving amid cloudlet shad- ows in the sunlit breeze. Brown and worn-out fields of wheat and barley have been converted into these more productive acres, and thou- sands of men with modern machinery are busily engaged in gathering the crop several times each season. It has even been estimated that this alfalfa crop is valued as one-and-half times greater than the entire out- put of gold in California. The cured hay is shipped in bales all over the world, and it goes through the canal to the eastern states. Before the present war it was ground into meal and sent to every spot where there was a cow or horse to be fed. Our allies in foreign lands are now feeding their cavalry horses on a secret ration composed of alfalfa- meal bricks ground with other nutritious ingredients. Dairymen find that it makes rich milk, fine cream and butter, which in this era of high prices turns into a fortune with proper management. It is fed green to dairy cattle, or the stock is turned loose into the waving fields to browse at will. The plant seems to adapt itself to most any climate with mosture and deep soil, though not so well in a wet, clay soil. Irri- gation is not absolutely necessary, as it is grown successfully in this
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HISTORY OF IMPERIAL COUNTY
and other states in the east without it. The Turkestan species, especial- ly, is found to resist seasons of drouth. The plant grew in northern Africa and Asia Minor centuries ago. And even in the frozen soil of Russia its hardy roots penetrate to a considerable depth.
There are now many varieties of this alfalfa plant, of which a western experiment station is trying a list of 100. As to its precise origin and the date little seems to be definitely known. It is believed to be the deepest-rooted plant in the vegetable kingdom, which accounts for its extreme hardiness and great vigor. These roots often extend many feet below the surface of the soil, thus bringing up valuable plant food, and hence it is that from four to six crops are gathered in a single season.
A peculiar feature of this plant is that attached to its roots are vast masses of nodules, formed by the working of a certain friendly nitro- gen-producing microbe, without which it cannot grow, as the plant will not thrive in a virgin field. Either the seed or the soil must be in- oculated. Despite its vigor of growth, however, it must be handled with more care than the coarser forage plants or much of its food value is lost. In curing for hay it must be cut at the right time and handled very little in order to secure bright green hay.
The Soudan grass is a new forage plant which is found well adapted for silage purposes, that was introduced last year. It is a native of Africa and yields from ten to fifteen tons per acre, being an annual plant which can be cut from three to four times each season. It is usually planted late in August upon old barley land or after the canta- loupe crop has been gathered. The yield is similar to that of alfalfa, producing a vast amount of forage in a short time where another crop must be seeded the same year.
Milo maize is among the chief grain crops in the Valley, and it showed an increased yield per acre last year. It is fed to hogs, cattle, sheep and poultry, and the price for this grain was much greater last year than ever before. In response to the call of the nation for greater production, the irrigation area of Imperial County in 1917 produced fodder, fiber and foodstuffs to the value of $32,000,000, which entitles it to second place among the counties of the United States in agricul- tural endeavor. More than 45,000 acres of new land were prepared and seeded last year, increasing the irrigated acreage on both sides of the line to 408,000. Of this some 80,000 acres are devoted to milo maize
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and 60,000 to barley. Most of these products are used at home, the farmers being convinced that a pound of forage put into cattle on the ranch is worth almost as much as two pounds shipped away. The acre- age of wheat will be materially increased this year by the planting of 5000 acres, as it has been found that wheat will bear as well as barley and bring better prices in the market, especially under the present war conditions and the great scarcity of this valuable grain for human consumption.
The increase of silos of late throughout this region, which are now said to number over forty, has led to a much larger production of for- age crops adapted to this purpose, such as sweet sorghum, which often yields 38 tons of silage per acre. This silage is a desirable feed in the production of all dairy products.
FRUITS ADAPTED TO THE VALLEY
Sixteen years of experimentation by individuals have taught many lessons, positive and negative, regarding horticultural possibilities. E. F. Howe, who has been writing of the Valley from its beginning long ago, said that the Mediterranean Sea lies between the Valley and the coastal plain. This is Egypt and that is Italy, he declared, and develop- ments seem to have justified his prediction. The orange and lemon trees do not thrive and do not produce satisfactorily. The grapefruit trees do a little better, but are short-lived, though their product is superb. This is the only citrus fruit that thrives.
In the adeciduous class of fruits the olive has made a splendid show- ing, though plantings are light.
In deciduous fruits figs and pears have shown ability to resist cli- matic and soil conditions and to bear finely. The apricot is a good pro- ducer of very early fruit, but the trees are sensitive to the effects of irrigation and must be guardedly handled, many trees being lost.
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