Imperial County CA Archives History - Books .....Financial 1918
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Book Title: History Of Imperial County California

FINANCIAL

   As has been already learned by the reader of this volume, the financial end
of the great project in this Valley has overshadowed every other feature from
its very inception. This perhaps is the history of every important enterprise
the world over. But in no case has it formed so vital a factor in the conduct
and development of any scheme as presents itself in the reclamation of this
desert. And perhaps in few other instances has there been so much trouble and
delay in procuring the needed money to prosecute the work as here. And it may
also be said that but for the most successful diplomacy on the part of energetic
men at different crucial periods of the work the entire project must have been a
failure. Contributing in a large measure to this situation the persistent
antagonism of the national government, from whatever cause it may have arisen,
must share the blame. At times when the prospect of success seemed brightest
this spectre of opposition cast its shadow over the scheme, discouraging the
operators not only, but the heroic and faithful settlers themselves, who began
to doubt, distrust and even despair of the whole project. But here were men
engaged in this vast enterprise who were fearless and undaunted, ready to
overcome any obstacle that might confront them. Their unbounded faith in the
plan was not merely of a mercenary character. They wanted to succeed at any cost
and were content to receive their laurels when the triumph was over. Whether or
not they ever did receive their full measure of praise and glory is, however, a
question. But the beneficent results of their labors live after them, and will
continue to live through future ages wrhen their names have been forgotten.

   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 importance.
There were many questions as to the validity of titles which arose in different
sections, and there seemed to be no recognized authority 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 Company 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 settlers obtained some relief, however, in this
respect by an act of Congress 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 development. 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, reserving some of the land for
barley and alfalfa, thus tiding over the season until his vineyard became fully
productive, adding dairy features 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 devoted the entire plot to vineyard purposes.

   Many more of these Valley pioneers who began business here at an early period
of its development might well be mentioned were it not for the fact that the
biographical part of this work will doubtless include detailed accounts of their
life and work.

   Among those early in the mercantile line was W. D. Conser, of Imperial, 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, however, 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 Brawley in
fruit growing. Seeing no reason why all kinds of fruit should not thrive here,
he planted in great variety with abundant faith. And already 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 success in any
calling. There are notable exceptions, and Mr. C. H. Walton 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 irrigation ditches, and happened to select a poor piece of
land in an unfavorable section. Then he changed his ranch and leased a site near
El Centre 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 himself. 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 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 stockbreeders 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 elsewhere, 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 attractive 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 selected 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 the hotel, and she became known far and wide for her genial
hospitality. 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 marvelously productive. One single arid field
of barley has 5000 acres, and another of like area is devoted to alfalfa. Walter
Bowker is the manager 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 orchards.

   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.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

THE HISTORY
OF
IMPERIAL COUNTY
CALIFORNIA
EDITED BY
F. C. FARR

IN ONE VOLUME
ILLUSTRATED
Published by ELMS AND FRANKS
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA 1918


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