The Business of Reclaiming the Desert
Mayor Nichols speaks on the promise and economic potential of the Northern Pacific, Yakima & Kittitas Irrigation Company.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
We noticed, with pleasure, Mayor Nichols, on the streets the past few days after his eight weeks’ illness. In the interests of the community, we interviewed Mr. Nichols as to the intentions of the Northern Pacific, Yakima & Kittitas Irrigation company, of which he is the attorney. He was very much surprised when informed of the rumors that have been floating about, as to the company’s change of policy. 'The best evidences of our good faith is the fact that we have signed contracts with the Konewock and Natchees ditch companies. The company is here for business—has already spent thousands of dollars in engineering, and nothing but some unforeseen or unavoidable calamity will deter it from proceeding with the work. These persons who have been spreading these disparaging reports will be heartily ashamed of themselves before many months, when it will be practically demonstrated to them that the operations of this company mean more to Yakima and Kittitas than anything as yet projected for the development of these counties.'
“The irrigation company is going right along, and there is no occasion, as far as my information extends, for any of these idle or foolish insinuations.”
The massive irrigation projects of the late 19th century permanently altered the ecology and economy of the Yakima Valley, mirroring modern ongoing debates over water rights, climate change, and corporate control of natural resources.
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