H.M. McCartney to J.Ross Clark, January 16, 1902, p1

SAN PEDRO, LOS ANGELES & SALT LAKE RAILROAD CO.ENGINEER DEPARTMENTSubject: Las Vegas Ranch,-Nevada.Salt Lake, Utah, 1/16/02.Mr. J. Ross Clark,Second Vice-President, S.P.L.A.& S.LR.R.,Salt Lake City, Utah.Dear Sir,-In reference to the Stewart Ranch at Las Vegas, Nevada, the following is a copy of a portion of the letter which Mrs. Stewart wrote me, August 7th, 1901,-"I have no objection to telling you of the deal with the O.S.L. men, which has fallen through. We gave them an option on the property for sixty days. They paid down $500.00, the 29th day of May and were to pay $5000.00 on or before the 15th day of June 1901 and $59500.00 on or before the 29th day of July, 1901, to be deposited in the Crocker Wentworth National Bank, San Francisco, California, by W. H. Bancroft. We was to have sold them the LAS VEGAS RANCH and WATER RIGHTS containing 1840 acres and about 440 inches of water; there might be more, as there are several smaller springs lower down the main stream from the Springs. The water has a fall of 182-1/2 ft. in three miles which might be of much use as power. Out of this, we reserved the burying ground, with water for same. Besides this tract of land, there were 320 acres more in various amounts from 40 to 120 acres well watered by springs in this valley within two, three and six miles from the main ranch. Also 320 acres on the Muddy River a mile above the Reservation, with the Muddy River running through same. Also 320 head of cattle "more or less". It would have been "more" as they would have bought the brand. There would be about 100 head of horses. The total amount of land on which they had an option was 2440 acres. The O.S.L. have completed the purchase of the Kiel Ranch, 1-1/2 miles north of here July 27th for the sum of $6500.00."This ranch is probably the best land in the Las Vegas basin. It controls the only big spring in the valley which affords water enough for at least 1000 acres. I do not see that the railroad need buy any property in the valley, however, solely on account of the surface water. The Charleston Range which forms the western boundary of the basin rises to a height of 8000 feet above the Stewart Ranch and there is a heavy snow-fall