Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1877.djvu/50

XLVIII measured, and has been accepted as the “Hot Spring Mountain reservation.”

4. All claims upon the entire reservation, which had any improvements upon them, have been surveyed to the number of 813, and areas computed of same.

5. Some five miles of base-lines have been run through the principal streets.

6. The topography, upon plan of 10-foot contours, with primes over valuable ground, has been carried over three-fifths of the reservation, and is being finished over the remainder of the territory.

There remains yet to be done, completion of the topography, platting of the same, and study thereof and determination of plan for streets, avenues, &amp;c., and consequent thereon, a proper division into lots, blocks, &amp;c., and thereafter the practical laying down of this plan upon the ground.

The commissioners report that the number of claims for the right to purchase land and for the value of condemned property will exceed one thousand. Much of the testimony relating to this branch of the work has been taken. The labor of preparing these cases for final examination will, in some cases, be very great, as every conflicting interest must be examined and passed upon. It is estimated that the expense of this work will exceed the original appropriation by at least $20,000.

On the 8th September, 1877, General B. F. Kelly, of West Virginia, was appointed superintendent of the reservation, and soon after receiving full instructions entered upon his duties. No report has yet been received from him on which to base an estimate of the expenses of his office and the probable revenues to meet them.

In view of the action by Congress vesting in the United States the title to and control of the Hot Springs in Arkansas, and believing that medicinal springs should, wherever possible, be placed beyond the cupidity of speculators so that rich and poor can alike share their benefits, I had the honor to recommend in May last the reservation of one mile square of land having the Pagosa Springs as its center. An executive order was issued to that effect.

These springs are situate near the banks of the San Juan River in Colorado, about twenty miles from its southern boundary, and near the one hundred and seventh meridian of longitude west from Greenwich.

One hundred and seven pupils have been under instruction since July 1, 1876. Uninterrupted good health has prevailed in the institution, the only death occurring being a case of accidental drowning.

Two students graduating from the collegiate department received the degree of bachelor of arts, and one the degree of bachelor of philosophy.