NOW YOU KNOW
Courtesy Goree Foundation James Madison John, circa 1878, was the father of Mary John Goree in whose honor her brother William established the Goree Scholarship Foundation.
From the Goree Foundation
James Williams John’s most enduring contribution to Las Animas County was the development of irrigable land for farming and grazing. According to one author, Mr. John “built or was directly responsible for the building of nearly every irrigation project in Las Animas County…” In its obituary, the Chronicle-News noted that ”[Mr. John] daringly and with wise forethought invested his money in lands and in irrigation development when others hesitated… Hundreds of productive acres in the vicinity of Hoehne… are part of the work of his useful life.” Even today, there’s a New John Flood Ditch Company that bears his name.