570 AGRICULTURAL REPORT. 
would have schools and churches near him, while the expense required 
to prepare for emigration presented a formidable obstacle. The only 
plan promising much success was to organize a colony of several hun- 
dred families, that a large body of:land might be acquired, and that the 
schools and churches might be built by a common fund. 
Hon. Horace Greeley, having been consulted, entertained the proposi- 
tion, and a call was made, December 7, through the columns of the New 
York Tribune. The plan of organization was substantially as set forth 
above, and the responses were numerous. December 23, a public meeting 
was held, and Mr. Greeley was appointed treasurer. A locating committee 
was sent outin February, 1870, various parts of the Territory were visited, 
and a selection was finally made, April 5, on the Oache a la Poudre, 
five miles above where it empties into the South Platte, twenty miles 
from the Rocky Mountains, and on the line of the Denver Pacific Railroad, 
midway between Denver and Cheyenne, fifty-five miles from each. 
About twelve thousand acres of land were bought of the railroad 
company, and two thousand from preémptors and squatters. The alter- 
nate sections, belonging to the Government, were to be homesteaded 
and preémpted. In addition, a contract was made with the railroad 
for fifty thousand acres more, running for three years. The Commis- 
sioner of the General Land Office, at Washington, had been visited for 
the purpose of obtaining the privilege of having the Government land 
kept out of market until the colonists could go on from the States, and 
application was made to several members of Congress, but nothing 
seemed likely to be done, and the attempt was abandoned. However, 
a remedy was found, which was not at first fully recognized. As soon 
as the location was definitely made, a charter was taken out, under the 
territorial law of Colorado, for a series of irrigating ditches, which prac- 
tically gave not only control of all the alternate Government sections 
adjoining those held in fee, but also of all the land, whether belonging 
to the railroad or Government, which the ditches might cover; for the 
company were empowered to charge such a sum per acre for the use of 
water as made them masters of the situation, and this has been made 
manifest by the fact that they are not troubled with squatters or specu- 
lators. Had the country been one where irrigation is not required, they 
would undoubtedly have met with great difficulties. The sum fixed 
upon for membership was $150, and $5 in addition for expenses. The 
number of members paying the full fee was about six hundred and > 
thirty, and the total receipts by the treasurer, about $100,000. The 
land purchased was divided as follows: A section of six hundred and 
forty acres, a mile square, was laid off for a town, and divided into lots 
ranging from 25 to 200 feet front. Adjoining the town came, first, lots 
of five, next ten, next twenty, and next forty acres, each of which was 
appraised as being worth $150, and members were to choose which they 
would take. A member could homestead a Government half-quarter 
section, the fees on which would be paid, and have the use of water for 
his share, or he could preémpt the same amount and have water. Thus 
far the smaller parcels have been considered preferable to the larger 
ones; but all are held in esteem, and plowing and improvements have 
progressed about equally over the whole domain. The lots within the 
town are sold to the members at $25 for inside, and $50 for corner lots, 
and the sums received are to be devoted to school purposes and general 
improvements. About one hundred lots are held in reserve, to be sold 
hereafter at an advanced price, for the use of schools. 
Arrangements had been made with railroad companies at New York, 
Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, and Chicago, for the transportation of the 
