Love - The Odessa Record

Odessa Record subscriber Larry Fisher of Spokane continues his series of articles on the history of the Batum/Lauer area where his wife, the former Joyce Kiesz, grew up.

Hi, here I am again.

After two years, Cal Jr. realized help would not continue dryland farming. After paying the rent on the land, he didn't have enough left over to meet all his other farm expenses let alone to live on. The only answer for that area of Lincoln Co. was sprinklers and deeper wells.

Cal Graedel Jr. and Fred Kissler were the first in the area at that time (late 50s - early 60s) to drill deep for water. Cal's first well was for providing water to his cattle. It was 8"DIA., 165 ft deep. Water came up to +/- 40 ft., 1200 gpm. Later, it became 18"DIA., 2500 gpm.

Other wells followed for use in grain production. Eventually the Graedel land had 13 circles, 32 quarter mile lines, about 1800 acres being sprinklered.

There were times, when the grain averaged 70-85 or more bushels per acre. A high production combine capable of 20 ft cut, 600 bushels per hour was first used. There were times when the combine could hardly move because the yield was tremendous. Next, 2 combines were used at the same time. Each cost $38,000.

Besides the grain business, Cal had income from the cattle business. There were years when in the fall, he would go to Davenport, buy calves, bring them back to the farm, feed them during the winter and sell them in the spring after getting more weight on them.

Irwin Willard "Bill" Graedel graduated from Odessa High School in 1950. For a few years, he was engaged as an aeronautical engineer in missile and space programs around the United States including the missile site at Batum. Eventually he returned to the Odessa area and farmed with his brother Calvin Jr.

In 1977, Cal and Donna relocated to Spokane, Washington. Bill and Sandra continued in farming until 1992; Bill died in 2008.

In summary Rev. Gottfried Graedel purchased the original land, then added to it. Calvin H. Graedel Sr. continued on while at the same time adding to it. It was during Calvin Sr.'s time that a lot of families in the area including the Graedels ended up with financial problems. The Graedels eventually became free of the loan companies. Others in the area never did and had to sell out or give it up and walk away. Calvin Jr./Irwin Willard "Bill" Graedel were the last to own the land under the Graedel name.

Today, 2010, the Graedel's are not connected with the land. Until next time.

Your Relative,

Spokane