Rensselaer Republican, Volume 24, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1892 — To Drain Haddick's Mill Pond [ARTICLE]

To Drain Haddick's Mill Pond

That.biafcorical and primeval swamp.“Iladdiek’s Mill Pond,” is to become a thing of the past, and the land it covers to be made fertile farming laDd. Benj. Gifford, its new owner,, bss live, preliminary work for its well under-way. The sur* veys are made and, where necessary,, the right of way for his ditches has been secured. A Mg steam dredge will do ihe princitml' part of the work. This is even now, being set up on Stump’s Slough, wear Boston’s bridge, in Walker tp It wiU I*, a very large and pow, rhi msohme and will cut aeh monel fi-'iu i»> 60 feet wide, and from 6to-i0 feet deep, as the liecesaHkiS require. From its starting point above mentioned it will work south 4 miles, then west 2 miles; then up Copperas Creek about 4 miles, then north from about the center of section 1, in 30-6, two miles, and then cut various other lateral channels. The main channel into which all of these laterals will empty, will follow the Helvis ditch and open into the Iroquois river about a half mile north of Burk’s bridge. This main outlet channel will probably not be cut until next winter. It will be 60 feet wide and about 8 miles long. The entire length of the main ditch and laterals will not be less than 25 miles. The above is the outline of the plan that will be followed, if Mr. Gifford is left entirely to his own resources in this matter. He much prefers, however, lo_enlist the co-operation of the necessary property owners, and to extend The scope of the enterprise so as to include the drainage of the whole Itoquois and Pinkamink valleys, above Rensselaer, to that effect is now beings circulated. • ' 5> It comprehends the formation of three.drainage districts. One, called the “Outlet District” to include the Iroquois river from the ! rapids at Rensselaer to its division into the Iroquois and Pinkamink. The second will be called the “Pinkamink District” and die third the “Iroquois District. ” Among other features the plan comprehends the deepening of the bed of the Iroquois at Rensselaer about 5 feet- The proceedings will be under the circuit court law. This scheme, in its entirety is, by far, the largest drainage enterprise even inaugurated in Jasper county and one, that, if carried out, will be of inestimable benefit to the material interests of the county.