USA > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth > History of Texas : Fort Worth and the Texas northwest edition, Volume II > Part 17
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December
. 1,860,000
3,565,000
Total
26,199,357
24,367,017
.
.
.
.
.
The year just passed brought about a large number of important developments in the North Central Texas fields. It brought to light many new producing areas, saw the decline of others and the gradual settling of production in still others. It saw Ranger decline from an average daily production in January of 41,500 barrels, to about 16,000 barrels daily in December. It also saw the sensational Desdemona field decline from a daily production of more than 23,000 barrels in January. to less than 10,000 at the end of the year.
Steph.
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FORT WORTH AND THE TEXAS NORTHWEST
It also saw the Burkburnett field drop off from more then 80,000 barrels in daily average to less than 61,000 at the close of the year, a drop of about 20,000 barrels daily.
Nineteen hundred and twenty brought the sensational rise in Stephens County, the big production at the town of Breckenridge and the opening of the new fields in the Eliasville-Ivan territory in the extreme northern part of Stephens County. It also brought the opening up of the South Bend district in Young County, which, yet in its infancy, gives every promise of being one of the real permanent producing districts of North Central Texas.
The year saw the bubble swell and burst at Pecos, when the shallow sand discovered there failed to come up to expectations. It saw the opening of the Hilborn district northwest of the town of Rising Star, which, although lacking in sensation, gives promise of considerable pro- duction. It brought a revival interest in the Corsicana field which has been producing for from fifteen to twenty years and brought the dis- covery of oil at Mexia, the worth of which is yet to be proven. It saw the opening of the K-M-A field southwest of the town of Iowa Park in Wichita County, the opening of the Texhoma shallow field south of the town of Burkburnett and a sensational flurry south of Vernon in Wilbager County. It saw the price of crude oil advance from $2.75 a barrel to $3.50, and then late in December the curtailing of runs by many of the larger pipe line companies to 50 per cent of the production they had formerly taken.
While at the beginning of the new year business in general is in an unsettled state, the oil fraternity as a whole is optimistic and sees a bright future for 1921. The last few days of December brought a noticeable strengthening of the market on refined oils which is very en- couraging to the refining interests. There is no immediate prospect of a material cut in the price of crude oil.
Producers say that it is certain there will be a reduction in the cost of producing oil in 1921. Operations have been curtailed in some sections and all the larger companies have made readjustments and thereby reduced expenses. With the present price of crude oil maintained during the new year, there is every promise that 1921 will be a more prosperous one for the oil producer than has been the past year.
CHAPTER XLI TIMBER AND LUMBER
It is not generally recognized that Texas is the largest producer of timber and lumber of any state in the Union. There are 43,000 square miles of forest lying along the eastern border of Texas, having an average width of about one hundred miles and extending from the Red River to the Gulf.
The forests of short-leaf pine extend from Red River southward to a point about one hundred miles north of the Gulf, and these will average about 5,000 feet of merchantable timber per acre. From a point about 150 miles north of the Gulf southward and extending across the Sabine River into Louisiana is the finest continuous area of long-leaf pine in
LOGGING SCENE
the United States. The average stand of merchantable timber in this area ranges from 6,000 to 35,000 feet per acre.
Texas lumber is distributed by rail to points in nearly every state in the Union, even as far as Washington, which is itself a great lumber producing state. Millions of feet are, annually, shipped to the Western and Central States, and during normal conditions the trade with old Mexico is enormous. The famous long-leaf pine is exported to all the Central and South American states, Cuba, Porto Rico and other West Indian islands and prior to the recent World war to Australia, New Zea- land, Russia, Roumania, England. Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Holland, France, Italy and Spain. It is peculiarly adapted to ship building, and most of the masts and gunwhales of ships built on the New England coasts are from Texas forests. During the recent World war millions of feet of this valuable timber were shipped from Beaumont and Port Arthur to the ship yards along the Atlantic Coast for the merchant vessels constructed by the Shipping Board.
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Texas timber is not confined to pine. As an evidence of this Texas took the highest award, a gold medal, for its exhibit of hardwood at the St. Louis Exposition. During the recent war large quantities of walnut were cut and shipped for use in the manufacture of gunstocks. Hardwood does not occupy any specific area, but is found intermixed with the pine and largely along the streams everywhere in the state. White oak trees, five or six feet in diameter and producing several thousand feet of board measure per tree, are not uncommon.
There are about 700 saw mills in the state, about 500 of which are utilized in cutting yellow-pine timber and the remainder in cutting long- leaf pine and the hardwoods.
During the era of active railroad construction these mills cut enor- mous quantities of lumber for use in the construction of railways, in-
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LOGS AT POND SIDE
cluding bridge timber, ties and cars. Owing to the cessation of railway construction, car building and the erection of houses during and since the war the lumber business in Texas has not been very profitable, but the owners of timber lands and saw mills are looking with confidence to a resumption of demand for these purposes and also for the export trade.
When the contract was let in France for the reconstruction of houses and factories it was specified in the contract that the lumber and timber should come from Texas, evidencing the fact that its superior qualities were well known to those having this work in charge.
The value of the timber and lumber production in Texas is second to none but that of agriculture. It is estimated that the "stumpage" in Texas of both hardwood and pine will aggregate eighty billion feet.
CHAPTER XLII IRRIGATION
The semi-arid conditions which prevail in the extreme western and southwestern part of Texas make the subject of irrigation one of vital interest, not only to the people of that section but to the entire state. The development and extensive cultivation of the valleys if supplied with an abundance of water would add materially to the quantity and value of the production of the soil.
Thomas U. Taylor, for several years in the employ of the Geological Survey by the general government, and at present Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Texas, and who has given much time and attention to the subject of irrigation, in a report to the directors of this division of the department of the interior says: "The practice of irrigation in Texas is of considerable antiquity, especally in the western end of the state, along the Rio Grande, where the early Spanish con- querors established settlement.
It is only in comparative recent years that any effort has been made to foster and encourage irrigation in Texas by the state government. Individuals who undertook to construct dams for the empounding of the flood waters were often hampered by the inhabitants, lower down the stream, who contended that their rights were infringed upon, and much litigation ensued.
It was not until 1913 that the Legislature undertook to enact a law conferring power and authority upon the owners of lands lying along the streams to organize irrigation districts and to impound the surplus water during the flood time. The law was found to be defective in that the provision for issuing bonds, from the proceeds of which dams and canals were to be constructed, did not authorize the levying of taxes to meet interest charges and provide a sinking fund for the retirement of the bonds at maturity. A constitutional amendment was found necessary to authorize this levy.
In 1917 the Thirty-fifth Legislature submitted to the people of the state an amendment to the constitution, conferring this authority, at an election held in August of that year. The amendment was adopted and the subsequent session of the Legislature inaugurated laws carrying it into effect. These laws are said to be very comphrehensive and adequate for the purpose, but the World war has prevented people from taking full advantage of these provisions. However, a number of projects have been inaugurated and are being put forward with the usual vigor of the enterprising people who are interested in the subject. In the meantime a large number of projects have been promoted, particularly in the south- eastern part of the state, where irrigation is essential for the production of rice, and along the Pecos River in the West, where fruits, vegetables and alfalfa are successfully grown. This has also been done in the lower Rio Grande, Nueces, and Guadalupe rivers, and large areas have been irrigated, producing immense quantities of cabbage, onions and other vegetables to the great profit of the people. There are at this time about
57
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FORT WORTH AND THE TEXAS NORTHWEST
two hundred thousand acres under irrigation, varying in quantity at different places from two hundred to around thirty thousand acres, the last being along the Pecos River. There are about forty projects of this character in the western part of the state, and possibly as many more in the extreme southwestern part of the state. Great volumes of water are obtainable in the northwestern portion of the state from the Elephant Butte dam reservoir, which was constructed by the general government, and from the Rio Grande. All of these projects have been uniformly successful and profitable to the promoters.
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Statistics as to the acreage available for irrigation are not obtainable at this writing, but it is estimated by those who have made a study of the subject that there are many millions of acres, at present practically value- less, that could be made productive and of great value by the establishment of dams along the streams and impounding the flood waters, which are now going to waste.
The Rio Grande, Colorado, Pecos, San Saba, Conchos, Canadian, Arkansas, Wichita, Trinity, Neueces, Brazos and San Jacinto rivers all
IRRIGATION SCENES IN WEST TEXAS
have wide, fertile valleys on which these improvements could be made with success and profit.
Up to this time the general government has given but little attention and no encouragement to this development, but has confined its activities to the Northwest. The movement recently inaugurated will endeavor to secure a portion of the appropriation made for reclamation of the lands along Texas streams.
When it is considered that irrigation was practiced in Texas as early. if not earlier, than in any other section of the United States, it is evident that development of this class of intensive cultivation has not yet been given attention and encouragement commensurate with its importance in economic agriculture. It is true that when lands are first irrigated in Texas the territory now embraced within the boundaries of this common- wealth was not a part of the United States; yet the original Spanish owners set an example for Americans by which we have not until recently profited to the extent that ought to have been expected. To learn of the beginning of irrigation in Texas one is dependent upon tradition, the provisions of the original Spanish grants of land, and the
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physical conditions in these sections of what is now Texas, where the old ditches are still in evidence. In the territory around San Antonio five mission ditches were constructed by the Franciscan Fathers between the years of 1716 and 1744.
The existing statute that governs the Board of Water Engineers in its administration of the Water Resources of the state has a provision that invites individuals or an association of individuals to investigate large projects for the conservation of storm and flood waters. It pro- vides that any person, association, corporation or water improvement district desiring to investigate the feasibility of an engineering project, contemplating the construction of a reservoir for the impounding and storing of 5,000 acre-feet of water, or more, per annum, may file a dec- laration of such intention, satisfy the Board of Water Engineers that an adequate engineering force is available for the investigation and by the payment of a fee of $250, retain the priority right to such a project in the watershed designated, and at the point selected, for a period of twelve months from the date of filing. It is an invitation to men of means or those who can secure underwritten capital to go upon the rivers of this state and seek out the most available sites for dams and reservoirs, with a view to saving to the state great quantities of flood water that annually would pass beyond beneficial use.
The increased demand for fuel has caused a preliminary examination to be made of many available undeveloped waterpower sites, not only to relieve the present condition caused by the war but to compile certain, valuable data which will aid in developing the unused power now that the war is ended. It is a known fact that there are many undeveloped waterpower sites in Texas which should be developed as soon as con- ditions permit.
It has been recognized for many years that preliminary data were necessary for the study of power possibilities, but only recently has an organized effort been made to collect and compile these most valuable data. If an area is being searched for power sites, it is of great assistance to have at hand data which have been collected for the purpose of showing the location and size in a preliminary way of such possibilities. The data compiled is only intended to show the location and size of sites and simply paves the way for a more detailed examination of conditions.
This work has been carried on in connection with the regular stream- measurement work on account of its close relation thereto.
Texas is fortunate in having many sites along its water courses where the water has been harnessed and power developed. Although Gaudalupe River is undoubtedly the most important of Texas streams for water- power value, many additional developments have been made along other streams, the more important being Colorado, San Saba, Llano, San Marcos and San Antonio.
Data showing the developments at each point have been collected and compiled in a manner suitable for the use of the State and Federal Governments. These data have recently been especially valuable to the Fuel Administration in its study of fuel conservation.
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FORT WORTH AND THE TEXAS NORTHWEST
MANY THOUSAND ACRES UNDER IRRIGATION TODAY
Irrigation on a small scale is practiced in a large number of West Texas counties. While the preponderance of these projects are insig- nificant compared to the major enterprises now in the public eye, their aggregate is sufficient to warrant tabulating them by counties. The figures on acreage shown in this tabulation have been compiled from the latest available statistics, and if any changes have been made recently they favor an increase above the number shown.
Irrigation in these counties is shown as follows :
Andrews: About fifty acres. Inexhaustable supplies of water at thirty feet in certain belts favor irrigation in the future.
Bailey County : While little irrigation now present, immense shallow water insures great development in that line.
Brewster County : Along the Rio Grande and small creeks miniature projects are under way. Some shallow wells furnish abundant supply for small truck farms.
IRRIGATED FIELDS
Brown County : Approximately 3.500 acres under irrigation by waters from streams.
Castro County : Small farms and orchards have been put under irri- gation from wells.
Cochran County : Abundance of water at from 30 to 200 feet furnish means for irrigation of truck farms.
Coke County : Small truck farms are getting water from the Colorado. This stream offers some rare opportunities for large projects.
Coleman County : Approximately 1,500 acres are irrigated from wells and small streams. Many opportunities for large projects are found here. Concho County : 700 acres irrigated from the Colorado. Many more acres might be with the development of streams.
Crane County : Preparations being made to irrigate 7,500 acres.
Culberson County : Some little irrigation done. Engineers pro- nounced several sites feasible for damming to impound storage water for many thousand acres.
Deaf Smith County: Approximately 5,000 acres are irrigated from wells and the Tierra Blanca. Many good opportunities in this county.
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Donley County : Wonderful opportunity for irrigation of numerous acres from waters of Lelia Lake, fed by 1,000 springs, is now present. Only a few acres so far have been put under irrigation. Approx- imately 65,000 acres are under irrigation or have been contracted for. Great volumes of water are obtainable from the Elephant Butte dan) reservoir and from the Rio Grande.
Gaines County : More than 200 acres receive moisture from the shallow water sheets under them. Small irrigation projects will be numerous with the development of the country.
Garza County : 2,500 acres of subirrigated lands lie along the Yellow House canyon and the tributaries of the Brazos.
Hale County : Approximately 6,000 acres have been put under irri- gation from the waters of shallow wells. It is estimated that ninety-eight per cent of the county may be irrigated from these wells.
Hansford County : 1,500 acres irrigated and much subirrigated lands available.
Hamphill County : Inexhaustible supplies of shallow water make for many irrigation projects in the future.
Jack County : Artesian water at a depth of 600 to 700 feet insure, future irrigation. Approrimately 200 acres now being irrigated.
Jeff Davis County : Approximately 3,000 acres are irrigated. Many ideal reservoir sites are to be found in the county.
Kimble County : Approximately 4,500 acres now under irrigation. Unusual facilities for irrigation are present here.
Loving County : Approximately 1,500 acres irrigated from Pecos River waters.
Lubbock County : While no figures are available on acreage under irrigation in this county, possibilities from the shallow wells are many.
Menard County : Ten thousand acres get water from the San Saba River. Many thousand acres can be irrigated with small outlay of funds.
Pecos County : The leading irrigated county in the West, has approx- imately 33,000 acres under ditch, much of which gets its supply from the 50,000,000 gallon daily flow of Springs at Fort Stockton. Other acreages gets water from the Pecos River.
Presidio County : 13,000 acres ready for irrigation as result of build- ing of dam in Alameta Creek near Marfa.
Reeves County : Some development from the artesian wells about Toyah. 25,000 acres irrigated.
Runnels County : 3,000 acres irrigated from the Colorado. Many more acres in proximity to the Colorado could be irrigated.
San Saba County : 4,000 acres from the San Saba and Colorado Rivers. About 200,000 acres to be put under ditch.
Schleicher County : 1,000 acres irrigated from the San Saba and Conchos.
Stephens County : 1,000 acres from wells, creeks and storage tanks.
Sterling County : 300 acres from the North Concho. Many natural basins susceptible to damming for impounding water for irrigation pur- poses.
Taylor County : 20,000 acres to be irrigated upon completion of Lake Abilene in Buffalo Gap Mountains. Minor projects in the sandy belt.
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Tom Greene County: 5,000 acres irrigated from water from the Conchos. Many other projects contemplated.
Uvalde County : 4,000 acres irrigated from waters from streams Many irrigation opportunities will be accepted with better transportation facilities.
Valverde County : 10,000 acres irrigated. Springs at Del Rio furnish sufficient water to irrigate 17,000 acres. By damming Devil's River water to irrigate 60,000 acres would be afforded. The project has been pro- nounced practicable.
Wichita County : 3,500 acres now under cultivation. By damming Big Wichita River water for 200,000 additional acres will be available.
Young County : 3,000 acres irrigated from streams in county.
CHAPTER XLIII THE SOUTH PLAINS OF THE TEXAS PANHANDLE
The 'Llano Estacado or the Great Staked Plains of Texas are com- posed of very fertile region of elevated plains lying north of 32 Lati- tude and west of the 100 West Meridian. According to the old geo- graphies this section was the great American desert, but the agri- cultural development and prosperous growth of this entire section is making it the leading agricultural empire of the Southwest.
State experiment farms, improved methods of cultivation and the
1
BUFFALO ON THE GREAT PLAINS
development of crops adapted to this section have increased the pro- duction of this area several hundred per cent on the individual acre and has made it the center of the greatest migration move since the great western migration recorded twenty-five years ago.
This section, becoming known as the South Plains of the Pan- handle of Texas, consists of fifteen counties underlain by an inex- haustible supply of shallow water of the purest test. They are similar in soil composition, climatic conditions, rate of agricultural and industrial development and have as the common market point and industrial center the City of Lubbock.
The area embraces more than ten million acres of land, 95 per cent of which is suitable for cultivation. Less than 20 per cent is now under cultivation. The population, according to the 1920 census, is 57,016 or a gain of 91 per cent for the past ten years. One trunk line and five branch lines of the Santa Fe Railroad, together with four designated and market state highways, serve the section and provide outlets for the increasing production of the area.
VOL. 11- 10
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The State Experiment Farm No. 8, located two miles from Lub- bock, in the heart of this area, serves the section as the advance agent in improved methods of farming and has been of remarkable value in the growth and development of the agricultural industry of this section. The crops profitably grown include all of the small grains, grain sorghums, alfalfa, clover and cultivated hays, leading the world in the production of sudan grass for wholesale seed trade, cotton, fruits, vegetables, melons and other diversified crops being profitably grown in the Southwest.
Abundant water is available at moderate expense for irrigation, but the method is little used, due to the economically profitable pro- duction of all crops through the improved methods of cultivation with the normal rainfall of 20.8 inches, seventy-five per cent of which
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TYPE OF RURAL SCHOOLS IN LUBBOCK COUNTY, Where Boys and Girls Clubwork Flourishes. (Out of twenty-one rural schools eleven are brick buildings.)
falls during the five growing months of the season. The dairy, hog and diversified stock farming industry is rapidly growing in interest and profit in this section, replacing the one crop production of either cotton or the small grains, with the result that the farms are growing smaller, returning more profit on the investment and providing better homes and more modern rural schools over the entire section.
Lubbock County, with a population of 11,069 or an increase of 206 per cent in the past ten years, reflects the rapid development of the entire section to be expected for the next ten years. It is the largest county in point of population, and further advanced agricul- turally, has the largest and most important city in the section, due to its superior location both from a geographical and transportation standpoint, but is representative of the growth and development of the entire section and is the leader.
Hale County, with the county seat of Plainview, is next in point
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FORT WORTH AND THE TEXAS NORTHWEST
of size and importance industrially. Other towns of this section are Slaton, the Santa Fe shop center; Tahoka, the county seat of Lynn County ; Lamesa, county seat of Dawson County; Seagraves, the end of the Santa Fe branch line into Gaines County ; Brownfield, county seat of Terry County ; Ralls and Crosbyton of Crosby County ; Lockney and Floydada of Floyd County ; Post City of Garza County ; Olton and Littlefield of Lamb County, and a number of smaller villages that are rapidly developing into promising towns.
The following article by Paul T. Vickers, Associate Editor, Amarillo Daily Tribune, Amarillo, Texas, was written for the Pan- handle Plains Chamber of Commerce :
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