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I agree.Copy of the letter from the Stewart family demanding reparations for damages caused by the lack of water which should have been delivered to them by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
hln000526. Union Pacific Railroad Collection, 1828-1995. MS-00397. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada. http://n2t.net/ark:/62930/d1542n77x
English
C 0 PY Las Vegas, Nevada December 6, 1939 Mr. Leo McNamee Attorney for U.P.R.R. Co. Las Vegas, Nevada Dear Sir: This letter is in reference to our many conversations and damage. We have witnesses that five years ago, there were thirty-six fruit trees still in the orchard out of a total of forty-one planted. Now, we have only four trees standing, and these are in very bad shape. We have had a man from the United States Department of Agriculture pass on them, and his report is that lack of water during the six months of summer has caused them to dry out; that when fall comes, due to plenty of water and still warm weather, there is caused a false growth, choking the trees, and making it very easy for them to take any disease that may be around. He also stated that the bermuda grass in the pasture would stay dormant during the dry season, but that the fox-tails would still seed and grow. As you know, bermuda grass is good pasture nine months of the year, and foxtails are only good for about six weeks before they head, then they are dangerous to horses and cattle. There were also lots of roses that were completely destroyed. The average value of fruit trees in California is $100.00 per tree; seven months' loss of pasture would be figured on a basis of approximately $250.00 per year, and our bermuda pasture is ruined. We demand a settlement on this, and also something definite about the water question. Yours very truly, TIZA STEWART MINA STEWART EVALINE STEWART STAY