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Show Resources of Great Inland E mpire Scarcely Touched Roosevelt's Ambition Is to Make Basin Leader; Results of Effort Shown Best Irrigated Section of Utah Remains in Experimental Ex-perimental Stage Through Want of Railroad Facilities; Transportation Will Make the Basin Utah's Most Valuable Area; Rare Hydrocarbons Found Here in Abundance Vernal, Althrough Far From Railroad, Is Most Modern Inland Town Paved Streets, Electric Lights and Conveniences of Modern City Astound the Tourist; Located in Fertile Ashley Valley; Is Large Trading1 Center; Will Develop Into Metropolis When Railroad Enters Large and Fertile Basin Roosevelt, like the famous Teddy, is quite different, and it is ambitious. Like Roosevelt, this town feels the force of power which position and wealth afford when a fair measure of success has been achieved. Of course this wealth is agricultural, essentially, no big factories not even a railroad, but nature's bounties are varied and abundant and insure vigorous growth for a long time. Nothing may stop this development because the surrounding sur-rounding country will produce more each year for a generation. Much new land is to be reclaimed, for which there is ample-water, and we have enough plowed and producing to support sup-port more than twice as many people as we have. Here is the best large area of cheap farm land left in the west, where climate, soil, timber, coal, drainage, and water are plentiful, convenient con-venient and proved to be true wealth. Some Good Backing Within a radius of twenty miles of Roosevelt there are 200,000 acres of land reclaimed and provided with water, wa-ter, most of the water free of debt and nearly all the land has been plowed and cropped. Water is better because be-cause it costs less to get it and the annual maintenance is much less than the average. Many mountain lakes assure storage water, (already partly part-ly used) for late irrigation in dry seasons. sea-sons. Natural drainage is almost ideal. Sheep and cattle, especially sheep, are producing and helping many a man. But the dairy cow is the general gen-eral asset and is producing $500,000. per annum cash. Alfalfa seed is furnishing furn-ishing from a half million to a million mil-lion dollars per year, and this seed is nearly all grown in the twenty-mile radius. It is practically all cleaned and marketed at Roosevelt and within ten miles of our town while here is the largest cleaning and marketing center. Hogs, poultry, and honey, produce pro-duce possibly as much cash as the cow. In this area we have cash products, prod-ucts, aside from Gilsonite, of over two million dollars per annum, and this is increasing as rapidly as additional home makers take hold. While over 10,000 people are making success and independence, and where resources are ample to the increase this to 40,000, is a warranty that others oth-ers will come. Two Gilsonite veins, seven miles east, are shipping this famous product and employing miners and trucks and making a payroll that is needed, and the business is rapidly increasing. But what land we have reclaimed is only a part of that which is needing only more people and organization There are 387,000 acres of reclaimed land in the two counties, and this is approximately half of that which is first class land and for which there is water. These projects which must nun Via finnnpArl will Cost leSS ter acre than any other reclamation in the intermountain district, in iaci omj . about half as much as the Provo-We-ber project or Snake river reclamation reclama-tion at American Falls, and much less than any Boulder Dam cost per acre. With this vast area of farm land there is timber, two-thirds of Utah's supply, on our mountains. Coal is abundant eighteen to twenty miles away. Water power is ample for all present and future purposes, and power pow-er close at hand. . That Are Real Assets Roosevelt is a thriving community of 1600 people, and it does as mucn business as the average Utah town, Quirxy rtt timed fVtA nonulation. be- cause it is the business center for such a large population and so much wpulfh. Altitude is 5050 on main street, and the town is on a mesa overlooking a beautiful vaiiey ana mirrnnnHini -famninir RTPfL. We have the only high school, standard four year work, in tnis twenty mue iouiua. We have added a new eight room mod- oi-n nroAa OfVir.nl hllilrlimT to Provide for the large school attendance which is increased by truck service ana uy many people moving here for the Eighteen teachers for common school work are employed. Our wa- l iir.m ! fmm arioainn wells, and this may be increased when needed by using water from mountain streams on the mesa north of town. Our climate cli-mate is just right for homes, for a homeland. Here we seldom nave snow in winter that gives us a sleigh ride. Winds come irregularly during spring -id Threshing Alfalfa . and summer months, but during the cold weather, from November until March, we scarcely have a good breeze, utahs highest ranee, the Uintah mountains, act as a wall to keep out cold winds known in Wyo ming, and the Wasatch range on the west completes the enclosure that protects pro-tects us from wintry blasts. From Roosevelt in all directions roads lead into this farming district to about twenty thriving communities that have postoffices, schools, and churches, while many have from one to several stores, and for this area and population Roosevelt is the business busi-ness and educational center. Justified Ambition Roosevelt should soon be the coun ty seat for a new county. We are virtually on the county line, and as we are equi-distant from two county seats, thirty three miles, we have right to this ambition. Business, saving of time, demand a new county, and Roosevelt is the natural and logical county seat. Roosevelt has ample wealth sur rounding it and within its city limits to make a city of 5,000 people, wheth er railroad or no railroad. The Victory Vic-tory highway passes through our town. Westerly from Roosevelt we have 22 miles of federal highway completed, and eastward towards Ver nal about the same distance is pro vided with first class highway. Roose velt is the natural center of a vast area, and advantages are more and more indicating that Roosevelt is the future hub for development and prosperity. pros-perity. Wonderland Near at Hand In the Uintah mountains are Utah's hierhest peaks, nearly 14,000 ft. eleva tion. The average ridge for more than 100 miles is 12,000 ft. Among these nountains are hundreds of lakes, great forests which man has never touched and glaciers which never all melt. In this range is Utah's summer play ground, unequaled by any other natural nat-ural wonders in our state. Primeval grandeur is here a wonderful display. Fishing, hunting, scenery and inspir-richer, inspir-richer, bigger and better than may be found in any other part of Utah. These advantages are aside from min iature Grand canyons a little farther away, cutting the northern and south ern rims, and Dinosaur quarry and other attractions. Evidence of Prosperity Roosevelt has the following business as proof of growth and development, viz: Two large implement stores, four hardware stores, two grocenes and meat markets, four general stores, one good drug store. lumber yard and planing mill, several auto shops and garages, one good creamery and two or three cream stations, the only bank in the radius noted, two hotels and a new modern hotel now to be built, ice cream and soda water plant, a eood flour mill, a cold storage and commission company, the largest seed plant in eastern Utah, a $50,000 high school, two churches, the Dest commercial com-mercial club in Utah and free of debt and owning its own building and equipment, office and storage for east ern Utah Transportation company, two good blacksmith and machine shops, a leather and harness shop, sev eral first class gas stations, two Dar- ber shops, two dentists, a hospital two to three doctors, two lawyers, a first class picture house, office for the Light and Power company that furnishes furn-ishes light and power to five towns, one eood confectionery store, a bale ery and two real estate companies, etc. Residences are rapidly increasing and of better style and finish. Ihis vear the total new homes built should be not less than fifty, according to present indications. Shortage of nous es to rent for the school term is quite acute, showing a big demand, and this has been constant for five years, can deposits are growing. More acreage each year is producing cash crops, Every year more farmers decide to make Roosevelt home for advantages thev need. Our growth and development has been sound secure, permanent, and present outlook is for a continuation of thiB. We don't want any boom, but we want more homes here to care for the growing population, and we need more farmers to make our wealth increase. The Victory highway is well marked through our town. City gov eminent is efficient. A good news- Seed Near Roosevelt. rt , , i , . " , ) N ' " - ' , f i ,,T - f x t .' - , . A '. I 4 - ' . . .t 1 A .... : . . . -."., .,." ''.,- .it 3 s ,v Vf L' '. --e r j 1 'A. ifl KhW-' 1 Sit f f 1 V -Ji - V.' One of the Many Lakes in Li ? i... ,r; i' ? i . -. , v 'tarttiSitjrriihft - rr-f i )inm unm-" --r rffi iii:ffifiii:iftifiif "y, " --...-. .,z.l,.,.41 Four Tribes of Indians People U. S. Reservation; Are Industrious Citizens Indian Competition With That the Red Men Are Agriculturists of Ability; Abil-ity; Have Helped Develop Basin and Are Looked Upon as Real Assets in Basin Towns; Many Annual .Tribal Festivities Observed There are 1141 Indians on the Ouray Indian Reservation. They are divided nto three tribes, namely, Umtahs, Un- compaheres and White Rivers, and lend a colorful and picturesque spirit to the heart of the Uintah Basin. About half of these Indians live on their farms during the cropping sea son. They have made great advance ment in the last five years. Many of them farm like white men, run dairies, dair-ies, sell eggs, raise hogs and turkeys, and do well in many lines of agricultural agricul-tural achievement. Many have herds of cattle on the Indian grazing reserve. re-serve. Some have extensive herds of sheep and goats. They send their children to the public schools, twelve districts participating in the educa tion of the Indian. Some students find their way to schools of national repute. re-pute. The Indian, as a rule, takes a great interest in all public celebrations. celebra-tions. They generally are a great attraction at-traction at fairs. They have factions among them. Some are eager for the Sun Dance." others are not interested. Many never attend the spring festi val called the "Bear Dance," yet this occasion calls for good crowds. Many paper is indicative, a monitor of our progress. Roosevelt is a town that must grow. Wealth surrounding it assures prog ress for many years. Advantages are too numerous and vital to be longer neglected, and a vigorous growth is imperative. Roosevelt has just grow ed" until today it demands attention. Even our best boosters are astonished when they check up on the progress of one year. There has been little noise about it just a quiet develop ment, all the better because it was on firm ground and never over-doing anything. Our city government is et-ficient. et-ficient. Roosevelt has a good water system, a fire department and equipment. equip-ment. Come to Roosevelt Roosevelt needs more hustlers. We need a few more live citizens to take advantage of profits and independence which are here for the wide-awake ... ... f j man. new citizens witn new laeas ana energy will be welcomed. Roosevelt does not want a boom, but a continuation continu-ation of the vigorous growth which the last four years has produced. W e know there is ample wealth for o.ouu people peo-ple when we now have less than 2,000. Because surrounding us is tne large nrrenp-e of excellent farm land that is just beginning to take on new life and prove its real value. Kooseveu is nere to serve this growing population iaeai-1v iaeai-1v located and firmly established. Towns like this may not be moved by any commercial forces; but they continue con-tinue to stow until all the wealth nrnnnrf thpm is developed. Roosevelt knows it will grow, because be-cause it is erowine; now, and the for ces that impell this growth are grow ing too. Our big irrigation company (only one of many) has more than 50,000 acres of water rights spread r.nt over the land. This is only one of many measures of utilization of nat ural resources, but it is a reiiaDie gauge. On such stability Roosevelt feels justified in telling others about the wealth ar.d prosperity here. Come to Roosevelt for a home, for progress and fot success. 4b f the Uintah Reservation. White Farmers Proves of the Indians are affiliated with dif ferent churches of the Basin and attend at-tend and participate in the various devotional and social activities there of. The towns and villages, such as Radlett, Lapoint, Whiterocks, Leeton, Bennett, Hayden, Neola, Cedarview, Myton, Roosevelt, Tabiona, Altonah, Mt. Emmons, Fort Duchesne, and Ouray, all are surrounded by allotments, allot-ments, and the Indians thereon are in close touch with progress, and cannot remain long in a backward state. In fact, the reservation is no longer a reservation, but is part of two popu lated counties, and the various neigh borhoods are the civilizers. Good farms can be bought from Indians who have patents. The government holds from one to two land Bales per year, land selling from five to fifty dollars per acre, bales may be made on deferred payments, one-fourth cash, balance in three equal annual install ments of twenty-five per cent per an num. Many thousand acres of improved im-proved Indian lands are leased to whites at very reasonable rentals, the amount of these rentals depending upon the locations and condition of the land in question: but usually aver aging from $1.00 to $5.00 per acre per year. The Indians of the Uintah reserva tion generally are industrious and the government has found ample reward in the expenditure of hundreds of thousands of dollars in giving them fine irrigation systems. The Indian lands are scattered among homesteads. School and church' es are handy, good roads run every where. Electric lines permeate the reservation, and the irrigation ditches are beautiful to see running down the long benches, or crisscrossing them, Blue grass is in evidence everywhere. Many other grasses and clovers are unit of which has been completed some eighteen months, fhree trucks are employed to transport children trib utary to Duchesne. One of these comes fourteen miles and delivers load of fifty-five pupils. The present school population, which has a steady growth, will soon command an addi tional eleventh and then a twelfth grade. The courses offered are those prescribed by the state board of ed ucation. Utah is recognized as hav ing one of the most pretentious school working into the pastures. Coal is abundant. The Indians have spent their money generously m developing the reservation. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been spent by them to make the desert a garden. The Indians have helped to build bridges over the rivers. They erected a splendid school plant of the latest model at Whiterocks at the cost of many thousands of dollars. The In dians have purchased several new threshing outfits. They have trac tors for road building, together with excellent graders. A high state of civilization is everywhere in the Ea sin. Where one least expects it, he finds well tilled Indian farms. Indians sell their strawberries side by side with the white farmer, and receive their weekly milk and cream check with the white dairyman. The annual farm exhibit of Indians at the State Fair and the U. B. L C. (Continued on Page Four.) Vernal, the county seat of Uintah county, located on the Victory highway, high-way, the main street of America, lays its claim to distinction not because of its unique setting in the productive Ashley valley, but rather to being the most modern, and up-to-date inland city in the United States. Vernal is known from coast to coast, wherever tourists, travelers and men of business busi-ness gather. With an approximate population of 1400, Vernal's peculiar location makes it serve a population of fully la.uuu, an analysis of the volume of business transacted showing this to be a fact. Within the Ashley valley, surround ing Vernal, there are 10 public schools with 60 teachers and over 1600 pupils. This includes the $ 115,000 new Senior Uintah and the S50.000 Junior Uintah high schools located on the same campus. cam-pus. The capacity of these two schools is over 00 pupils, the vernal antral grade school housing over 500 pupils. The remainder of the schools have two to eight rooms each. The L. D. S. church also maintains a seminary. In Vernal there are Episcopal, Cath' olic and ConsrreKational church build' inss, with two U V. a. churches and a large L. D. S. tabernacle with a seatine capacity of 2500. also a large Conereeational community bouse. There are several fraternal orders, clubs and societies, with a strong Lions club organization. Added to Vernal s substantial bus iness blocks, two ol which are oi pressed brick shipped in by parcel post, there have been added three mod ern sraraee buildings, costing from $12,000 to $30,000, the new Senior high school, and the new Federal building, site and building costing $50,000, and two store and office buildings under contract. At least 20 modern bungalows, costing from $2000 to $6000 each, have been com pleted. The commodious Commercial hotel was opened last fall to the pub lic and is modern In every respect. The Gibson hotel has undergone many changes this summer. The Victory highway from the cen ter of town west is paved with native asphaltum, and it is expected the entire en-tire business section will be paved within the next year. Nearly alf of the business blocks, court house schools and many dwellings are of brick. The native gypsum plaster is nearly as hard as cement and finishes a beautiful gray cream color. Coal in abundance is mined in the nearby mountains. For some fifteen years Vernal bore the distinction of being a city without taxation. Yet blocks of asphaltum sidewalks and street paving were ac complished. Today its streets are well graded and maintained, sprinkled and lighted with 100 electric lights. The climate of the Ashley valley makes this a most desirable place to live. There is practically no wind ex cept in the spring. The change of seasons is gradual, not being subject to sudden changes of heat and cold Nights are cool and refreshing. The altitude of the valley , varies from 4,725 to 5,500 feet The water supply is owned by the city, and is from the high mountains and is sparkling clear and cold on the hottest summer day. Vernal has been chosen by the Den ver and Rio Grande Western as the terminus of the 131.8-mlie branch from Soldier Summit and also will be the terminus of the 55-mile extension of the Uintah railway when built from Watson. Both lines have ap plied to the Interstate Commerce com mission for a certificate of conven ience and necessity. The Denver and Salt Lake survey through the Uintah basin from bpnngville, Utah, to Craig, Colo., connecting with the Moffat road, is also near Vernal. The resources of the Ashley valley are so varied and extensive it is difficult matter to tell of any one and its future possibilities without mak ing it seem as though one, in the telling, tell-ing, was over-stepping the bounds of truthfulness. Because of the great deposits of al most pure phosphate in the surround ing hills and the deep soil, the ground is one of the most productive in the entire west, raising any crop to per fection that can be grown in a tern it - " f r' f Colony of Bees perate climate and where intensive and careful cultivation has been prac ticed making aimost mcreaiDie yieias. Because of inadequate transportation facilities, no great development ha been made in the crops which brin the richest returns from the soil an; only sufficient is raised to meet th local consumption. Rich alfalfa fields make returns i hay for the livestock industry whica has been the principal one and very lucrative, too. The sheep industry brings over one-quarter of a million dollars annually in this valley alone. Cattle is second only in importance. With the Uintah basin coming for ward as an alfalfa seed producing section, second to none in the United States, the Ashley valley is making long Btrides in this field so much so it was necessary for the J. G. Peppard beed company to build a large seed cleaning plant to handle their contracted con-tracted acreage. There is also a smaller small-er seed cleaning plant owned by the Vernal Milling and Light company. Some of the greatest alfalfa seed J'ielda recorded have been in the Ash-ey Ash-ey valley. The new industry, one of easy and cheap transportation, ranks now with the sheep industry and bids fair to surpass it. As soon as rail transportation is assured, a sugar refinery will be built in the valley, the Amalgamated Sugar company is having a test made ef the sugar beets this year. Adequate water wa-ter for irrigation will bring this and other intensive agricultural crops to high perfection as soon the the rail road is built. Bees do remarkably well here, the alfalfa bloom for seed creating a tre mendous flow. The excellence of Vernal Ver-nal honey is known all over the United States and has been shipped to Europe because of its especially pleasing fla vor. Within the last few years the rais ing of turkeys and capons has come to the front and Uintah basin turkey for Thanksgiving and Christmas tips the Mew York market with several car loads. The same with the Los Angeles market. Dairy farming has become the al year 'round industry, bringing in several sev-eral thousands of dollars each month to the industrious farmer. A concer ted effort is being made to bring the various dairy herds to the highest perfection, . by the importations of pure-bred sires and dairy calves. Sweet cream iias been shipped as far as Denver. Oil is a possibility in the valley and preparations are being made for development de-velopment along this line at several fields. The Utah Oil and Refining company, early in 1925, struck a tremendous tre-mendous flow of gas, estimated at 40,000,000 cubic feet per day at their oil well 11 miles from Vernal; Application Ap-plication has been made to supply Vernal City and Salt Lake City with natural gas from this well. Among the natural resources are the ranges of the Ashley National forest for-est and the immense timber supply, the greatest in Utah, the high water sheds keep a supply of irrigation water wa-ter throughout the year. The recrea tional value in some of the most sub lime scenery to be found in Amelia with its myriad of lakes and stream stocked with the speckled trout; th large game preserve for the protec tion of the deer and game fowl. The immense deposits of phosphate which will provide immediate tonnage for the railroad. Wonderful sites for electric elec-tric power and many other resources the value yet undetermined and scarcely dreamed about, go to make the Ashley valley one of the places where a living is easily made and where one can live in as modern homes as any place in the land with the best of schools for their children and entertainment en-tertainment of the highest order at all times. The Imperial Dansante and amusement amuse-ment hall, with its hardwood spring balanced floor, would be a matter of pride to a city many times larger. The Vogue theatre and motion picture house is modern in every way and cost $40,000, contributed by local capital. cap-ital. The Vernal Light and Telephone companies, which give such splendid (Continued on Page Four.) Near Vernal. j |