SECTION B

   Idaho Bristles With Activity as Harvest Gets in Full Swing

     It's harvest time in Idaho!
     Shocks of golden grain bow majestically to the warm sunshine.
Fields of new mown hay give off a delightful fragrance. Potatoes
are beginning to turn a brownish hue. Beet fields present a
luxurious appearance as the big, broad leaves spread a greenish
blanket over thousands of acres. The seed pea crop has been
harvested.
     Agriculture is at its peak season now. The harvest means
dollars and food for the growers and field laborers. It also means
a livelihood for the many hundreds of workers that find employment
in the scores of factories, mills and other industrial plants that
depend upon agriculture for their existence.
     There is activity in the seed pea houses. Girls and men are
busy sorting, packing and preparing the product for shipment.
Threshing outfits are moving here and there over the valley, their
shrill whistles calling men and teams to the daily task of
harvesting the small grains. Potato buyers are dusting offices,
closed during the summer months, and otherwise getting ready to
handle the big crop of tubers that will be grown this year. Around
the sugar beet factories mechanics are putting machinery in shape,
firemen are stoking their furnaces as the big mills are put in
shape to manufacture the output of Idaho farms into the finished
product.
     Harvest time is a time of hustle and bustle in Idaho. Today's
activity is in marked contrast to the picture as it was a half
century ago. Then there were few farms. Then there were no
industries. Where now are fertile fields nothing grew but
sagebrush. There were but few irrigation ditches as against the
hundreds of miles of canals that carry life giving water to the
rich soil that has since been reclaimed from a desert land, and
made to bloom.
     However in 1884 the foundation for all that we have today was
laid. Men with vision saw the possibilities for agriculture and its
allied industries. They took the initial steps to make this a
fertile valley. That they succeeded is plainly evidenced by the
bountiful crops grown each year.
     This is harvest time in Idaho, and every harvest time should
recall to the present generation the determination and courage that
spurred the early day settlers to battle hardships that seemed
insurmountable. They carved their own monument out of the soil.
     Their anniversary is harvest time.


art: large drawing of two men harvesting by hand. (1/2 page) 

          Rail and Motor Lines Converge at Idaho Falls
         Railroad Played Active Part in Valley's Growth
 Fan Like System of Lines Connect Idaho Falls With All Points in
Valley; Short Line Has Large Payroll, Employs 85.

          The Upper Snake River Valley might be compared to a giant
     wheel, of which Idaho Falls is the hub. Trade, commerce,
     education, recreation-all of the interests of valley people--
     are tied to Idaho Falls. The railroads, a fan-like system of
     which Idaho Falls is the center, might be called the spokes
     which connect the outermost rim of the great wheel to the
     town. The railroad ties which converge here carry millions of
     dollars' worth of agricultural products to markets. Besides
     being a freight terminal, the local railroads provide
     passenger service with eight main line passenger trains which
     stop here each day.

     The tiny Utah and Northern trains on the narrow gauge tracks
of 1884 bear as little resemblance to the high powered engines and
[?]0 pound steel rails of today as the shanty town of 50 years ago
bears to modern Idaho Falls. Indeed, the history of the town and
that of the railroad in the upper valley region run parallel. In
1882 when the railroad shops were established here the town boomed
to what the census taker called 1500 population. In 1884, when the
shops were moved to Pocatello, the population dwindled to a few
hundred. Later, when the Oregon Short Line acquired the Utah and
Northern lines and rebuilt a track of standard gauge, the country
was found to have expanded to justify the new and better
transportation system. The growing rail service has become the
means by which the valley crops found their way to the market
centers of the 46 states they did last year.
     Trains are made up here that go to Lima, Mont., Ashton, the
Teton Basin country, the east and west [?bound] lines touching the
smaller places in a wide circle around Idaho Falls, the Goshen-
Firth run, and the daily Idaho Falls local. An idea of the
magnitude of the business done in the local freight yards may be
gained from the fact that 126,162 cars were handled here during the
last year. This number, according to officials at the local freight
offices, is the lowest in years.
     The railroad has a payroll of around $12,000 a month for an
average of 85 employes as train and engine men, switchmen, freight
and passenger depot employes, track and bridge workers, and
laborers. The company's plant here includes a freight depot,
passenger depot, round house, yard offices, and scores of other
buildings as well as many miles of track. A plant of the Pacific
Fruit Express is lcoated here, to clean and install heaters in cars
sent in to handle the shipments of perishable products. Four
northbound and four southbound passenger trains stop here each day.
     Taxes which the railroad company paid to the county for the
year 1933 amounted to a total of $58,869, and included the
following apportionments:
     State .....................$ 7,012.29
     County general ............  8,186.10
     County charity ............  2,836.23
     County bonds ..............  1,344.19
     Roads, highways ...........    474.83
     All schools ............... 36,899.36
     Cities ....................  1,831.00
     Cemetery dist. ............    285.20
                                            
          Total ................$ 58,869.20

     The first railroad came into town over practically the same
route that is used today, except that it turned at a point nearly
opposite where the East Side Lumber yard now is located and came
across through old Eagle Rock. The passenger station stood about
where the Great Basin company now has its warehouse, and the trains
going to Butte went west across the Snake river before turning
north.
     In spite of the fact that in 1884 the Utah Northern railroad
officials loaded their two story red wood buildings on flatcars and
took them to Pocatello, where they became the foundation for the
present large shops and terminal, the Eagle Rock [ ] stood its
ground, braving a [?slump] with fortitude. A few years later, when
the faith of the few remaining inhabitants was justified, as proved
by the growing trade from the fertile farming territory surrounding
the town, railroad officials expanded their lines to include the
outlying districts. The present efficient plant of the Oregon Short
Line is the result of the expansion made possible through the
growth and development of the community.



       Truck, Bus Routes Make Idaho Falls Section Terminal
   Feeder and Branch Lines of Garrett, Union Pacific and Other
Companies Make City Headquarters for Spreading Service.

     A cloud of dust, kicked up by the hoofs of the horses and the
wheels of the wagon, rose lazily in the hot desert air as the
freight wagon passed along the trail toward Eagle Rock--that was
the picture in 1884. Today, 50 years later, huge motor trucks, with
trailers attached, speed over oiled and paved highways to and from
0Idaho Falls heavily loaded with freight. As Eagle Rock developed,
later becoming Idaho Falls, the method of transportation kept pace.
     Today the motor trucks and buses have replaced the old freight
wagons and the lumbering horse drawn stage coaches. Idaho Falls is
the truck and bus center of one of the richest areas in the
country. Truck and bus transportation, however, are comparatively
recent developments, but have played an important part in the
development of the Upper Snake River Valley. They follow the
highways to places that but a few years ago were inaccessible,
bringing the necessities of life, carrying out the produce as well
as personages of these outposts of civilization.
     Becomes Big Businesses
     Where the old time stage coaches and freighters once operated
on anything but schedule, trucks and buses, which have become big
businesses, operate with the precision of railroads, regulated by
the public utilities commission. They have feeder and branch lines
to main arterial routes and handle thousands of tons of freight and
thousands of passsengers each year. These lines now not only branch
out into the less populated sections, but in many instances
parallel the railroads. 
     Idaho Falls is one of the division points of one of the
largest trucking concerns in the intermountain west--the Garrett
Transfer and Storage Company, Inc.  Head offices of this concern
are located in Pocatello. From a one-truck outfit but a few years
ago, this organization has grown until today it has a network of
truck lines that extends from Salt Lake City on the south to West
Yellowstone, and Butte, Mont, on the north, and westward as far as
Buhl. Divisional points are at Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls,
Ogden and Salt Lake. Trucks carrying freight leave these points
once or more each day, making connections with transcontinental
lines as well as small connecting lines and intermediate points.
The Garrett trucks provide daily service over a 1000 mile route,
supplying more than 50 towns directly.
     The run from Idaho Falls to Butte, Mont., is the most recent
to be added to the daily schedule of the company. This run was
started in the spring of 1933.     
     Started in Pocatello
     Pocatello was the city where Garretts got its start, this
being in 1912, when O. W. and C. A. Garrett, brothers, and their
cousin, L. T. Garrett, established a one-truck transfer line. Two
of the men handled other jobs while one ran the truck and each week
they pooled and split their earnings. Then in 1919 the firm was
incorporated. In 1920 the two brothers, O. W. and C. A. Garrett
bought out the interests of their cousin. At this time there were
eight trucks operating under the company name doing mostly city
trucking around Pocatello. Automotive equipment has been added to
the holdings of the company each year until today the equipment
consists of 60 trucks and trailers worth around $200,000. The
company also has freight depots, garages and other real estate
property valued at more than $100,000. Included in this is
warehouse space of more than 40,000 square feet of floor space.
Where at the beginning three men handled the business of the firm,
today 60 men are employed the year around and during the busy
summer months as high as 75 men are given steady employment. Under
the NRA, under which the firm operates, the number of employes was
increased and the number of working hours decreased.
     Pocatello is the distributing point for the intermountain
territory and the business headquarters of the firm. C. A. Garrett,
president and general manager, has his offices there. O. W.
Garrett, vice president, resides in Idaho Falls and directs
business from this section. At Pocatello last year a garage was
constructed for the entire system. Equipment from over the entire
system is overhauled at this shop. Besides this service, inspectors
examine the equipment at all large stations each week to see that
it is in first class condition. Last year, also, addition to the
warehouse was constructed at Twin Falls. At Idaho Falls in April,
1932, the company moved into new headquarters in order to handle
the increased business. The company established itself in the
McClaskey building on Shoup avenue and D street, which location is
being used at present.
     U. P. Bus Service
     Union Pacific buses today give Idaho Falls connections with
transcontinental lines and with smaller communities throughout the
area. Operating out of here, big motor buses traveling in all
directions, north to West Yellowstone and into Montana, south to
Salt Lake City and southern Idaho points. Six buses leave Idaho
Falls each day. The present stage line through the valley was
started in 1925 by the Royal Coach Transit company, which later
sold to the Beehive Stage company. Later the Union Pacific took
over the Beehive holdings, adding them to its chain of stages that
runs throughout this territory and connects with other large lines.
The Union Pacific buses opened its new depot on A street here a
little over a year ago.
     Thousands of passengers on the buses today find traveling by
this modern method to be comfortable, affording many of the
luxuries of the train. On the transcontinental lines night and day
buses operate, the night buses being equipped with sleepers for
those who desire to travel by night. All have reclining chairs,
specially constructed for the comfort of passengers. Well
constructed buses, built with special springs and brakes insure
comfort and safety.
     Smaller Lines
     We find many smaller bus lines operating out of Great Falls,
connecting with Salmon City and other central Idaho points along
with other towns. Idaho Falls has developed during recent years
into a real bus and truck transportation center as well as for rail
transportation.
     Besides the Garrett Transfer and Storage company, Idaho Falls
is also served by several trucking lines that are somewhat smaller.
These include the Orange Truck Line, with headquarters at
Pocatlelo, the Clark Transfer with headquarters at Blackfoot and
the George Standen line, which operates between Idaho Falls and
Jackson and Moran, Wyo.
     The Orange Truck line, which began operations through Idaho
Falls a year and a half ago, has its headquarters at Pocatello. The
company operates 12 trucks and semi-trailers, going from Salt Lake
to Boise and Salt Lake to St. Anthony each day. About 30 men are
employed by the company. W. S. Fogg is the Idaho Falls agent for
the company.



Photo caption:
              UNION PACIFIC PASSENGER STATION HERE

           EAGLE ROCK -- THE DAY IT BECAME IDAHO FALLS
               Photo by George M. Scott and Sons.




        Mighty Snake River Provides Water for Irrigation
       Gives Life Blood To Over 1,000,000 Acres Rich Land
            Idaho's River of the Nile Makes Possible
              Raising of Millions of Dollars Worth
                     Farm Products Each Year

     To Idaho's River of the Nile--Snake River--goes the title role
of making this section, also most of southern Idaho, into one of
the richest agricultural areas of the country. Coursing its way
past Idaho Falls, just as it did in 1884 when the Taylor bridge
spanned the stream at a point just south of the Broadway bridge,
Snake river has contributed life giving water to the reclaimed
sagebrush acres, insuring crops each summer.
     This mighty stream, which is said to have gotten its name
because of its winding back and forth over southern Idaho, gives
life to rich soil on both sides for approximately 300 miles in
Snake river irrigation district No. 36. This mighty Snake, which
begins as a small mountain stream in the rugged territory north and
east of Idaho Falls, furnished irrigation water to what is known as
the largest single area in the world under the jurisdiction of one
watermaster. The official in charge of distribution of water in
district No. 36 is Lynn Crandall, whose offices are in Idaho Falls.
Nearly 1,000,000 acres of land are irrigated from the river and
much of this is in the Upper Snake River Valley.
     
     Dams Are Built
     Fifty years ago Snake river was allowed to flow unmolested on
its way through the Gem state and on to the Pacific ocean. In
recent years huge dams have been thrown across the stream, making
it possible to store water during the late fall, winter and early
spring months for use during the irrigation seasons. Storage
facilities today provide for a total of 108,022,000 acre-feet of
water. But this is not enough, as has been clearly demonstrated by
the dry season this past summer, and surveys were conducted this
summer on the north and south forks of the river to determine
suitable sites for two additional storage reservoirs. Four million
dollars have been appropriated to take care of building the
reservoir on the north fork.
     At present there are four major storage reservoirs along this
300 miles of Snake river in Idaho. At the extreme northern part, at
the upper end of Jackson Hole, Wyo., and a few miles south of
Yellowstone National Park, is the [Jackson Hole] reservoir with a
capacity of 847,000 acre-feet. Over on the north fork, up near the
head waters, is Henry's lake. This stream is sometimes known by the
name of Henry's fork. The capacity of this reservoir is 75,000
acre-feet. Down on to the main channel of the Snake, at American
Falls, is located the largest reservoir in the state. This is the
American Falls reservoir, and has a capacity of 1,700,000 acre-
feet. Lake Walcott, located above the Minidoka project and created
by the Minidoka diversion and power dam of the United States bureau
of reclamation, stores about 107,000 acre-feet.
     An exceptionally low snowfall during the past winter on the
watersheds that drain into Snake river and its tributaries
demonstrated more clearly the need for additional storage space on
the north and south forks in order to meet the needs of farmers
throughout this rich area. Irrigation leaders in the upper valley,
led by John W. Hart of Rigby, have been endeavoring for several
years to get the government to appropriate funds for the building
of necessary dams. It was not until a year or so ago that some
progress was made, when the federal reclamation department sent
engineers in here to start surveying in an effort to find suitable
sites. Survey crews worked on the north fork most of last summer
and returned this spring to continue. Several prospective sites
have been carefully studied and then abandoned because rock
formations were held as not satisfactory for the storing of water
and would permit water to leak through. Survey operations were
shifted to the south fork, in the Swan Valley section, this summer
and crews were working there most of the summer. Investigation was
also continued on the north [ ]. This past winter also the
government set aside $4,000,000 to be used for reservoir purposes
on the north fork. 
     Storage in Peak Years
     It is proposed through the building of these two reservoirs to
store sufficient water in peak seasons to carry the district over
in exceptionally dry years. Power plants would be installed at
these dams so that water could be released, creating necessary
power, and caught and held in the American Falls reservoir for use
in the irrigation season. This would take the place of the present
system of releasing water during storage months at American Falls
to generate power, this water being lost to irrigation.
     One of the outstanding features of the Snake river irrigation
district is its low unit storage cost. This exceptionally low
figure is possible largely because of the physical makeup of the
territory which permits gravity deliveries from the reservoirs,
located above the lands being served. The cheapest possible storage
was obtained at American Falls, with the cost being about $4.50 per
acre foot to the users. The cost at Jackson lake is less than half
that amount, it is reported. Unit costs in other sections for
irrigation water run as high as $50 per acre foot, it is reported.
In southern California the cost is often higher than that, water
officials say.
     Thought Unlimited Supply
     In the early days of Idaho Falls and the surrounding country,
settlers hit upon the idea of taking water from Snake river to
irrigate their small farms. At that time, with the mighty river
almost full every year, farmers who began diverting the water onto
their farms felt that there was an unlimited supply of water.
Little attention was paid to relative rights and priorities of
water rights existing at that time. Many pioneers who toiled long
and hard hours year in and year out, saw benefits they were
entitled to snatched out of their hands because they did not make
proper early filings. When the short runoff was experienced in
1905, the fact that many users had not filed on their rights was
brought to the attention of the section through many fights of
water. Proceedings were initiated to provide for the adjudication
of the natural flow rights in the Upper Snake River Valley drainage
area. Surveys were made and much evidence was presented before a
decree was issued December 16, 1910, fixing the amount and priority
date of each of these early rights.
     First Dam in 1906
     The idea of building dams to create storage first appeared in
1906, when a temporary crib dam was constructed  at the outlet of
Jackson lake. This reservoir provided storage for use on the
Minidoka project. In order to convey the water to the project it
was necessary to use the natural channel of the Snake. Thus, in
1908, when the first dam was completed, the equitable distribution
of Snake river water became complicated.
     Shortly after the beginning of the first dam at Jackson lake,
one was constructed on the upper Blackfoot river to provide storage
for irrigation of lands of the Fort Hall Indian reservation.
     Reconstruction work on the Jackson lake dam has been carried
out two times since 1908, each time providing for increased
storage. The outlet channel has been deepened and enlarged until at
present the available capacity amounts to about 847,000 acre-feet.
Of this total, 102,000 acre-feet of water was acquired by some 15
canals in the upper valley up to 1919 and a total of 419,000 acre-
feet was being used by two Twin Falls canals, diverting from the
main channel at Milner dam.
     Lake Walcott, during the first years after completion of the
original Jackson lake dam, was operated as a catch basin and
equalizing reservoir. Storage was transmitted on the river from
Jackson to this point in several flushes or heads at intervening
periods during which only natural flow was allowed to pass and at
the end of these periods canals in the Idaho Falls-Blackfoot
section were staked and locked to prevent improper diversion of
stored water.
     Changed in 1912
     The system of delivering stored water was changed in 1912,
when the continuous flow plan was adopted. Except for certain
modifications pertaining largely to transmission losses, this
system has been in use since. This plan involves daily
determination and frequent regulation of the flow in each canal
diverting from the river between Moran, Wyo., and the lowest point
of use at the Milner, more than 300 miles down stream.
     Only as far back as 1919, use of Snake river for irrigation
was not so extensive as compared with today. There were about 15
ditches in the upper valley then, while today there is a network of
canals carrying water to farms throughout the area. Approximately
30 canals operate at present, all having permanent storage rights.
About 225,000 acre-feet of water are used each growing season
Canals range in size from those with a capacity of only one or two
second-feet a thousand and even three thousand second-feet. The
maximum for the entire group amounts to some 30,000 second-feet
while the total diversions from May 1 to September 30 in a normal
water supply year equals about 6,000,000 acre-feet. Without
considering the small diversions in the upper reaches of the
streams, which are relatively isolated and where net comsumption of
water is usually small, water is diverted from the river and its
larger tributaries through about 120 principal canals, the
watermaster's office reports.
     Today Henry's lake reservoir storage is owned and utilized by
canals located in the vicinity of St. Anthony and Egin bench. Lake
Walcott storage belongs to the adjacent Minnidoka project. An
estimate is made that approximately 15 per cent of the combined
storage impounded in Jackson lake and American Falls reservoirs
belongs to canals serving the Idaho Falls section, 14 per cent
reserved for enterprises being developed, 2 per cent to the Idaho
Power company, and the balance of 31 per cent to the Twin Falls-
Jerome canals, which divert at Milner dam.Post Register Golden
Jubilee, Sep. 10, 1934

                 FARMING PLAYED SMALL PART 1884

     Agricultural Outlook Reverses Itself in Past 50 Years.
                        By W. L. Shattuck

     In 1884, just 50 years ago, the sturdy pioneer who came to
Eagle Rock found but little, from the agricultural standpoint, to
encourage him unless he had great foresight and ambition.
     On January 1, 1884, the development of the agricultural
resources in this vicinity was so slight that but 31,726 inches of
water had been filed on in Snake river, and only a very small
portion of this had been utilized. In those days the famous Idaho
potato was unheard of; the sugar beet industry had not been thought
of and the seed pea industry was unknown in the west. The market
for the limited amount of grain produced was equally limited.
Livestock was the only industry that had attained sufficient
proportions to be at all recognized.
     Settlers who possibly had a vision of vast acres of land under
irrigation and producing bountiful crops began moving in. They
started clearing the land of the sagebrush. After this laborious
task was completed, it was still a greater job to level the land
for proper irrigation, as there was no machinery available for
leveling land except for the small slip scraper, and that proved to
be a very slow method.
     Think of the task of digging the great Idaho canal with a team
of small mules and a slip scraper that had a hole in the bottom.
(That was the equipment that was used in starting this canal.) One
of the modern drag lines will move more dirt in 15 minutes than the
outfit used by the pioneers would move in a day. This is especially
true when working in the bottom of the canal, where the scraper
bumped over the cobble rocks and lost much of its dirt load before
reaching the top of the bank.
     No Conveniences
     Not only was there a lack of markets, but a much greater lack
of conveniences, such as telephones, daily mail delivery, schools,
etc. The electric light, electric stove and electric refrigeration
were luxuries not even dreamed of out in this western settlement in
those days, and for one to have mentioned such a thing as radio
would have classed him with the incurables in a mental hospital.
     Through the great foresight of the sturdy pioneers who
reclaimed the millions of acres of land in what is known as the
Upper Snake River Valley came the foundation for future prosperity
and conveniences that but few sections of the globe can surpass
today. One hundred different canal systems now thread through this
valley to furnish the life giving water for this million acres of
land, provided at the lowest cost of any irrigation district in the
world.
     Would Be 8500 Miles Long
     That we may get some idea of the magnitude of this picture,
let us remember that the combined length of the different canal
systems and their main laterals is more than 8500 miles long. That
this might be more clearly understood, imagine a canal 60 feet wide
at the bottom and four feet in depth being started in New York
City, extended across the American continent to San Francisco,
returning to New York and then back westward as far as Chicago
before it finally tapers out to a small ditch--then we have a
picture of the greatest amount of labor and expense in constructing
the canal system of this valley.
     These canals, built without government aid and with but little
borrowed capital, stand as an ever living monument to the courage,
determination and vision of those who during the past 50 years made
it possible for the present generation to enjoy the greatest
comforts to be found in any agricultural district in the United
States.   
     The past 12 months have been the driest during the 50 years of
progress in this country. Most of the agricultural area of the
United States has likewise suffered from this devastating drouth
and the crops in many sections are total failures. In this great
Upper Snake River Valley, however, there are abundant crops with
some to spare. In addition to all that can be consumed locally
there will be more than 25,000 carloads of farm produce shipped
from this valley this year. This could be estimated as being worth
about $1000 per car, making a total of $25,000,000 being paid into
the pockets of farmers and livestock men for their efforts this
year.
     Not One Complete Failure
     These products will consist largely of livestock, sugar, peas,
wheat, oats, hay, barley, potatoes and some fruits. Here all the
necessities of life are produced in abundance and in the past 50
years not one complete crop failure has been recorded in this
valley on land that is under irrigation.
     As we read of temperatures of 114 degrees in some of the
drouth stricken districts of the middle west the past summer, we
turn to our thermometers and learn that temperatures seldom get as
high as 95. Nights are always cool and comfortable in this section,
while in the middle west and other areas it is usually too hot to
sleep.
     The 50 years of intense cultivation on some of the farms in
the valley have had a tendency to deplete the soil for some crops.
This, however, is due to improper rotation of crops rather than to
the working out of the productive value of the soil, and can be
overcome with proper diversification.
     Wonder as to Future
     As we think of the conditions that existed 50 years ago
compared with the wonderful progress that has been made along all
lines of industry in this section, as well as along agricultural
lines, we try to visualize the next 50 years. It is very probable
that the march of progress will be more marked in the next 50 years
than since 1884. The constantly increasing population will not find
constantly increasing area to be inhabited as in the past half
century, and it will therefore be necessary to subdivide the areas
of highly productive land, such as this, into smaller tracts for
the subsistence of those who will follow agricultural pursuits.
     This great Upper Snake River Valley can produce enough food to
supply two million people. With intense cultivation, such as this
land is susceptible to, its production will continue to increase.
     To Utilize Waste Spaces
     The waste places along the road sides and in the fields will
all be utilized and all homes will have the most modern
conveniences. Roadsides will be lined with trees and flowers and
local markets will consume most of our products. The airplane will
be as common as the automobile and they will supplant the express
train and fast freight train for transportation of valuable and
perishable products to market. The modern citizen of today will be
as much out of date as our grandfathers would be today if they were
here amongst us.
     We live in a wonderful country at a wonderful age--more
history is being written today and more progress in the next half
century than in the last 100 years. The Upper Snake River Valley
will stand out ahead for health, happiness and prosperity, and the
foundation of it will be the rich agricultural lands that will be
productive a thousand years from now.   


                  BUCK FIRST TO SOW WHEAT HERE

    Proved to Eagle Rock Residents That Grain Could Be Grown

          "You can't raise grain in this country," residents of
     Eagle Rock told Orville Buck when he came through here with
     his family in 1873 and announced his intentions of operating
     a farm, of which wheat was to be the chief crop. During last
     year thousands of dollars' worth of wheat was produced in this
     area. Orville Buck is remembered as the man who proved wheat
     would grow here. He was also the first man to plant alfalfa in
     the valley.

     Coming from Haddam, Conn., in 1873, Mr. Buck homesteaded on
the "island," which is known today as Menan. Here he planted a
garden, as well as the wheat he was endeavoring to raise. He soon
discovered that the island was better suited to cattle raising than
farming, and acquired a small herd of beef cattle. In 1876 he moved
to Willow creek, where he operated a farm, continuing to run cattle
on the "island." Today the name Buck is synonymous with the word
cattle-man, the tradition having been carried on by Mr. Buck's son,
Jim.
     At the homestead at Willow Creek, which is now included in the
Shelton locality, the Bucks hired Miss Jennie Beam to act as a
tutor to their children. Miss Beam was followed by Robert Sermon,
who conducted a school for the Buck children and the children of
George and John Heath in one room of the Buck home. Later Mr.
Sermon moved his school to the John Heath home. In 1866 the three
families united their efforts and built a log school building, the
first rural school in the valley. The district is still called
Buck, and is district No. 1 in Bonneville county.
     The Buck's planted and harvested their wheat, as did their
neighbors who filled in the country a few years later. Wheat has
become one of the valley's leading crops, in spite of the warning,
"You can't raise grain in this country."


                  OLEY WAS FIRST POLICEMAN HERE
Former Sheriff, Resident Here 57 Years, Recalls Early Activities.

          Moving pictures always show frontier sheriffs with heavy,
     square jaws and piercing eyes. Robert Oley, Idaho Falls' first
     policeman answers this description. Not only does he look like
     a movie sheriff, but like the bravest officer of the law in a
     true wild west cinema, he has been the target for many "bad"
     men's bullets.

     Mr. Oley, who has been in Idaho 67 years, and in Idaho Falls
for 57, recalls many incidents in which he, first as policeman in
Idaho Falls, as deputy sheriff of Bingham county, and later as
sheriff of Bonneville county, has stood between a desperado and
escape.
     Once, while trying to arrest an Indian, Mr. Oley had drawn his
gun. The Indian fired, wounding Mr. Oley's hand. The gun dropped to
the ground. The Indian continued to fire, luckily missing Mr. Oley,
while Oley scooped up the gun from the ground in his left hand, and
brought the red to terms.
     Another time, a certain prominent citizen of Idaho Falls shot
four holes in Mr. Oley's clothing; Oley remained unhurt. Friends
persuaded the outraged sheriff not to prosecute, in view of the
attacker's position in town.
     Trailed Horse Thief
     When Mr. Oley first took office as policeman, there were many
"tough" characters in town. These men had never been compelled to
abide by law, and provided excitement for the city officials. On
one occasion, Mr. Oley trailed a horse thief to this camp in the
hills. Oley was under no illusions as to his position. He knew that
the thief would not be taken alive--and that he would shoot as soon
as he saw Oley. Arriving at the camp, he found everything soaked by
rain--and the thief's gun lying beside the hot coals. Oley took
possession of the gun, and soon found the fugitive in a
sheepherder's camp, where he had sought shelter from the downpour.
     Asked about the reported lynchings of all horse thieves that
were caught, Mr. Oley stated there were no hangings near here.
Outrages of that sort were kept quiet, when they were perpetrated.
On one occasion Mr. Oley said two ranchers trailed a man who had
stolen a team and wagon. In a week, the pursuers returned with the
outfit. They reported that the thief had fled, leaving the wagon
and team. Some of the less gullible of their listeners nodded and
smiled ironically.
     The early days in Eagle Rock were not all grim. Mr. Oley
reports the dances to have been real celebrations. He recalls that
the first dance he attended in this section, held at Willow Creek
(Ucon), lasted two nights and a day.
     "We would dance all night and sleep all day," he explained.
     Mr. Oley participated in the hunt for the notorious "Whitney
boys." In 1913 he trailed and captured the accomplice in the murder
of Breckenridge. He reports that his hardest job of all was when he
served on the draft board during the war.

photo caption:
                        Hunted `Bad Men'
BOB OLEY, Idaho Falls' first policeman, had many experiences in the
early days chasing "bad men." Mr. Oley, who had lived here 57
years, recalls many incidents during his career as a peace officer.
The picture was taken during his early days here. 
---

      Idaho Falls Industry Closely Linked With Agriculture

        Warehouses, Mills Operate Here to Handle Products
  Farmers Deliver Millions Dollars Worth Potatoes, Sugar Beets,
Peas, Poultry Products Etc., Here Each Year.

     Over the comparatively short period of half a century, hard
and continuous work on the part of pioneers and more recent
residents has resulted in the once arid land in the vicinity of
Idaho Falls to blossom and bring forth millions of dollars' worth
of agricultural products each year. Hardy settlers, 50 years ago,
started the first canal project and two of those men, "Hank" Kiefer
and Frank Beam, are here today to see the benefits of their labors.
This great wealth that comes annually from agriculture is
responsible for industrial Idaho Falls. Industry cannot be talked
about at Idaho Falls without tracing its roots directly back into
the fertile soil of this rich Upper Snake River Valley.
     Each season farmers throughout this area deliver millions of
dollars' worth of potatoes, seed peas, sugar beets, wheat, dairy
products and many others to Idaho Falls mills and warehouses. Among
these other products of the farm that play a vital part in the
industrial life of Idaho Falls are hay, livestock, honey, poultry,
cream, etc.
     Probably the outstanding individual unit in the industrial
life of this community and all others in eastern Idaho is the Utah-
Idaho Sugar company. This concern has an investment of $6,000,000
in sugar factories, loading dumps, farms and equipment through this
valley. It has five factories in the valley, including Blackfoot,
Shelley, Lincoln, Rigby and Sugar City. In 1929, the peak year,
these factories handled a total of 290,000 tons of beets from the
farms of this great area. They produced somewhere in the
neighborhood of 890,000 100 pound bags of sugar.
     Agriculture as we know it today does not date back as far as
50 years ago for the Idaho Falls area. In 1884 there was nothing
but wide expanses of sagebrush land here, the major activity along
agricultural lines being in stock raising. Anderson brothers had a
little ditch by which they took a small amount of water out of
Snake river each year, but that was the extent of irrigation.
Gradually, as the settlement grew and more homesteads were taken
up, more ditches were dug and more water taken out for irrigation.
It was found that the application of a little water on this fertile
land worked wonders when it came to raising crops.
     Started in 1903
     The sugar beet industry dates back only to 1903 in this
section. At that time the sugar company officials opened their
first factory in the valley, this being the Lincoln, just east of
here. The next year the factory at Sugar City was built. That same
year, 1904, a group of farmers and others opened the factory at
Blackfoot under the name of the Snake River Valley Sugar company.
This plant became a part of the Utah-Idaho company's system in
1906. These three plants met the needs of the beet producers of the
valley until 1917, when the company felt the business in the
Shelley district justified a plant, and one was built there. In
1918 the Beet Growers Sugar company was formed in Jefferson county
and a plant built at Rigby. This factory operated until 1923, when
it was bought by the Utah-Idaho company and became the fifth link
in its chain of Idaho factories. 
     Tracing the growth of the industry we note that in 1906 the 
factories of the concern handled 192,000 tons of beets for which
they paid $4.60 per ton. In 1915 the tonnage had increased to
287,000 tons which were bought at $5 per ton. The price paid for
the 290,000 tons produced in 1929 was $7.50 per ton, plus bonuses.
The sugar company has conducted experiments and educational
programs each year for some time endeavoring to teach farmers how
to increase the tonnage per acre. Since 1929 the tonnage has held
up in good shape, with the growers reaping substantially the same
total tonnage on less ground than in previous years. Somewhat lower
prices have prevailed in recent years, but in spite of this fact
the growers have received a steady and fair income for their
product.
     Big Payroll
     The sugar company has a large payroll each year, employing
approximately 2000 persons during the harvesting and sugar making
campaigns. Besides this number the industry provides labor for
hundreds of men and women in the fields throughout the growing and
harvesting seasons. The company's main office for this section is
located at the Lincoln factory, employing a force of men and women
the year around.
     Spud Industry
     Growing of the famous Idaho Russet potatoes is one of the
chief industries of this upper valley. Although there are no large
factories set up to handle this product, large numbers are employed
each year in the many warehouses and potato cellars in the shipping
of the spuds to market. This industry brings in large sums of money
to growers throughout this area. It is probably the largest crop in
the valley and the foundation of Spud alley, or dealers' row, in
Idaho Falls. Spuds bring in in the neighborhood of $5,000,000 in
normal years, it is estimated. An idea of the magnitude of this
industry in this section can be gained when one realizes that 25
per cent of all potatoes grown in Idaho originate in Bonneville
county alone and that 40 per cent of Idaho potatoes are produced
within 27 miles of Idaho Falls.
     One industry, which has grown up out of potato production, is
the potato flour mill which is located here. It is one of a very
few of its kind in the United States. Annually it uses around 10
million pounds of cull potatoes, which otherwise would be wasted or
used for swine food. This plant has produced as high as two and a
half million pounds of flour in a season, the product being shipped
to all parts of the United States and to many foreign countries.
The mill is a unit of the Rogers Brothers Seed company and was
acquired from the Falk-American company in 1926. 
     Manufacturing Plant
     Growing of potatoes has also been a big factor in the
development of the McClaskey Manufacturing company, makers of farm
machinery, deep soil cultivators, potato cultivators, and diggers,
sheep wagons and general wood and iron work. The company was
organized in 1926 and today is located in a $50,000 plant, sharing
its building with the Garrett Transfer and Storage company at the
corner of Shoup and D street. The concern uses several carloads of
steel each year and has an annual output of hundreds of pieces of
agricultural machinery. The plant manufactures auto springs and
potato sorters as well as making chains for potato diggers.
     Another industry which ranks well up with the sugar beet and
potato activities, is that of the seed pea production. While the
sugar beet industry is handled by one concern in this valley and
the potato crop by thousands of farmers and dealers, the pea
business is taken care of very largely by big companies. A number
of smaller concerns also contract seed peas for special uses. The
normal acreage sowed to seed peas in the valley a year is around
50,000. From this industry, seed pea company officials estimate
that farmers receive in the neighborhood of four million dollars in
the normal year. The crops average around 25 bushels per acre and
the growers are paid prices ranging from $2.85 to $3.50 per hundred
pounds. This year, seed company officials report that some of the
best yields ever produced in this section have been grown despite
the fact that water was none too plentiful.
     Employs Many
     This industry gives employment to approximately fifteen
hundred persons during about nine months of the campaign season,
while some 400 of that number are employed the year around. The
grade of peas grown here is extra good and the seed produced is
shipped to other sections of the country where it is planted and
the crops used for canning purposes. Some companies raise seed here
for sale in small packages throughout the country. This valley is
known throughout the United States for its seed pea production. The
industry was introduced in the valley 23 years ago by Rogers
Brothers. It was at first nothing but an experimental proposition,
but the adaptability of the land for the growing of seed was soon
discovered and the industry grew rapidly.
     Among the larger operators are Rogers Brothers, the California
Packing company, Alfred J. Brown Seed company, Associated Seed
Growers, Gallatin Valley Seed company, Sioux City Seed company and
the F. A. Woodruff company, the last three operating largely in the
north end of the valley.
     Another pea industry which is growing up rapidly is that of
raising green peas in the area north of here. The San Diego Fruit
and Produce company has been growing green peas for some time in
the Teton basin section and Ashton area, shipping the peas out to
leading markets.
     Honey Industry
     Production of honey is an industry that has grown to large
proportions here in recent years. Idaho Falls is the center of the
industry for the valley, large shipments going out from here each
season. The industry is one that represents thousands of dollars a
year to the farmers of the state. Idaho is listed as one of the
leading honey producing states in the union, being outranked only
by California, Texas and New York. The annual production averages
about 200 carloads of 35,000 pounds each. Most of Idaho's honey
goes to outside markets, not more than 10 per cent being consumed
within her borders. It is shipped into every state in the union and
is also exported to many foreign countries, principally Germany and
England. Superior Honey company, located here, ships honey from
various parts of the valley to distributing houses in England.
     An industry that has grown up by leaps and bounds in recent
years is that of dairying in this valley. The climatic and farming
conditions are ideal for dairying and farmers are taking advantage
of them. Some four years ago farmers in the vicinity of Idaho Falls
organized the Upper Snake River Valley Dairymen's association, a
co-operative, and constructed a large plant here and another one at
Rexburg. The membership of the association has been increasing
gradually each year until now the co-operative turns out and
markets large amounts of butter, cheese, casine, powdered milk and
other byproducts. E. S. Trask of Idaho Falls is the present manager
of the co-operative organization.
     Coming into existence about a year ago is the Idaho Falls
Foundry, which is located in a plant at the corner of Lava street
and the Yellowstone highway. C. J. Slifer of Idaho Falls organized
the company. It is probably the only foundry throughout this
section that makes its own castings, and has developed a good
business among the farmers of the valley. The company turns out
repair jobs for farmers to such an extent that they do not lose any
time in sending for repair.
     Idaho Falls is also the center for the delivery of grain for
this immediate vicinity. Large grain elevators have been erected
here to handle this important agricultural product, thousands of
bushels being sold out of here each year. The Midland Elevators,
which has branches over this section, also the Great Basin Grain
company, operate extensively here.


  C. W. & M. Co. aided Early Day Settlers; Advanced $1,000,000

 Hundreds of farmers were given start because of company's broad
policy; Many immigrants attracted

             HISTORY OF LARGE IMPLEMENT COMPANY TOLD

     "More than $1,000,000 was extended the early settlers for the
purchase of farm machinery to help populate this rich new territory
during the first years of the Consolidated Wagon and Machine
company's operation in Idaho and Utah," states Mr. G. W.
Charlesworth, local manager.
     "This certainly was a tremendously big undertaking, and the
company is indeed glad to have helped so much in the growth and
development of the entire Upper Snake River Valley," he adds. "And
those early settlers made good, too, for practically every cent of
that large sum was repaid."
     It is a fact that many of those farmers attribute their
success to the credit given them when they immigrated here. Many of
them are now wealthy and retired.
     The history of this largest intermountain implement concern
dates back to 1889, five years after Idaho Falls' first newspaper
was founded. In that year there were two implement firms in the
town then known as Eagle Rock. One, the Co-operative Wagon and
Machine company, was managed by the late Mr. G. G. Wright; the
other, the Consolidated Implement company, under the management of
the late James E. Steele.
     It was in 1902 they were brought together under the present
name. The late Mr. Wright assumed the managership of the new firm
in 1912 and was promoted to district manager about 1915 and still
later was made general manager. The company is now managed by Mr.
Kent R. Burt of Salt Lake City.
     The local "C. W. & M." store, the name commonly used to
indicate this old Idaho institution, is located at the corner of
Broadway and Capitol avenues, in a two-story brick building
covering approximately one-fourth of a city block. In addition, an
impelement building and repair storehouse is operated on West
Broadway on the west side of the Snake river.
     Approximately 20 people are employed in the various
departments at the present time.  J. A. Kerr, who has been with the
firm since 1889 is now managing the sales floor. In 1890 Albert
Greenwell became an employe and left in 1931. 
     Mr. Charlesworth joined the company in October, 1910, as
manager of the invoice department, later becoming sales-manager for
the Idaho district. After the recent changes of managerships he was
made manager of the local store.
     The large stock in the local store includes John Deere
Implements, Myers Domestic Pumps, Pomona Irrigation Pumps and
Turbines, Stover Feed Grinders and Mills and many other implement
lines. In addition, a complete line of hardware and household items
is carried.
     There are now 29 stores in operation in Idaho, Utah and
Wyoming, those in Idaho being located at Idaho Falls, Driggs,
Ashton, St. Anthony, Downey, Rexburg, Rigby, Blackfoot, Montpelier,
Rupert, Buhl, Jerome, Twin Falls, Burley and agencies at Salmon,
Mackay, Aberdeen, Soda Springs, Bancroft, American Falls.
     "The company has alwyas maintained a policy of fairness in
every business transaction and has made every effort to be as
lenient as possible with credit customers in years of economic
stress," says Mr. Charlesworth, "and the company is very proud to
have been able to perform an honest service to the many farmers in
this region these many years. We want to thank the many friends and
customers of the `C. W. & M. Co.' who have made possible the
remarkable record of its growth."


Photo captions:
PICTURED HERE are a few of the buildings that house Idaho Falls'
industrial plants. No. 1 is a view of the building occupied by the
McClaskey Manufacturing company. Part of this building, the corner
of Shoup avenue and D street, is the headquarters of the Garrett
Transfer and Storage company. No. 2 Midland elevators, typical of
the large grain elevators found in the upper valley. No. 3 Superior
Honey company, one of the largest houses of its kind in the west.
No. 4. Here is the potato flour mill, operated by Rogers Bros. Seed
company. Cull potatoes are converted into flour at this plant.  No.
5. Rogers Bros. Seed Pea house plant. The seed pea industry was
started by this company in the valley in 1919.  No. 6. Another seed
pea company plant, that of the California Packing company, whose
products for Del Monte, nationally advertized brand of peas, are
handled. Photos 2, 4, and 5 by George M. Scott and Sons. Post
Register Golden Jubilee edition, Sep. 10, 1934


        Bonneville County Leading Farming County in State

           Seat of County Government Is At Idaho Falls
   Great Progress Shown Since County Unit Set Up 23 Years Ago;
                   Was Part of Bingham County.
     Once an arid waste, growing nothing but sagebrush and
jackrabbits, the 1,238,000 acres of land that now make up
Bonneville county today go to make up one of the richest in the
state agriculturally. Back in the territorial days, 50 years ago,
county division and business connected with county government did
not occupy much of a place in the everyday life of those early day
settlers. Today business of Bonneville county is transacted in
Idaho Falls, the county seat, in a modern $250,000 building.
     During its 23 years of existence as a unit in the state
government, Bonneville county has grown by leaps and bounds. Idaho
Falls is the largest city of the county, while the county itself is
one of the largest units that goes to make up the state of Idaho.
This territory is rich in agricultural production, about a quarter
of all the potatoes grown in the Gem state being produced here. The
land of this county also produces each year large amounts of wheat,
sugar beets, seed peas and other agricultural products.
     Created in 1911
     Although settlement of this section dates back in territorial
days of the state, Idaho being made a territory in 1863 and a state
in 1890, Bonneville county itself is less than a quarter of a
century old. In 1911 the state legislature created the county that
is now Bonneville by carving it off from what was then Bingham
county. Rapid growth of this rich section, coupled with the
increased population made it necessary to set up an individual
county unit to handle the business. It was too far for citizens of
this territory to travel to Blackfoot, especially since the horse
and buggy, horseback or train furnished about the speediest
conveyance.
     Looking back at this territory in 1884, it is found that the
entire area from the Utah line north to the Montana boundary was
but one county, known as Oneida. Malad served as the county seat.
Then came the division of the large area into smaller units, with
finally this section being part of Bingham county with the county
seat at Blackfoot. North of here, then, was the big county of
Fremont. 
     When this county was set up, the leaders turned to the pages
of history for the name, designating it as Bonneville county in
honor of Captain Bonneville, who visited this section years before
while exploring the far west. At the present site of Idaho Falls,
according to history, Captain Bonneville had trouble in getting his
boats over the rapids in the river and it was necessary to use
ropes to accomplish this feat.
     First Commissioners
     Controlling the affairs of the new county, after it was
created in 1911, were John Empey, W. D. "Mont" Huffaker and R. L.
Bybee. Two of these men, Mr. Empey and Mr. Huffaker, still play
leading roles in the activities of the county. Mr. Huffaker is at
present serving as probate judge, while Mr. Empey operates his farm
out in the country. When the county was created, both Mr. Huffaker
and Mr. Empey were serving their second terms as Bingham county
commissioners. They automatically assumed this position in the new
county, while Mr. Bybee was appointed to the office by the late
Gov. James H. Hawley. Frank Jordan served as the first county
clerk.
     With the organization of Bonneville county, the old city hall
building, located at the corner of Capital avenue and Broadway, was
used as the court house. This building served for that purpose for
five or six years. About that time the county voted a $250,000 bond
issue to be used in erecting the present court house building. With
the equipment, furnishings, etc. the building is valued at
approximately $280,000.
     Five sheriffs have served Bonneville county during its 23
years of existence. Some of these peace officers held office as
long as three terms. Harry Meppen, present sheriff, is finishing
his third term at present. The first sheriff of the county was
Harry Bucklin, who took over the duties in 1911 and served a term
of two years. Following him was Bob Oley, who continued in office
for two terms at that time. John W. Norton took office and held it
for a term and then Bob Oley was elected for another two years. C.
E. Criddle served the county for three terms, or six years, before
giving up the office to Harry Meppen.
     Snake river, which is the life blood of Bonneville county,
courses its way through the county, the south fork forming the
northern boundary for some distance. Water from this stream,
utilized for irrigation purposes, makes Bonneville county one of
the foremost agricultural counties of the Gem state. The county
takes in a total of 1,238,000 acres of land and this is divided
into nearly 90,000 acres of irrigated or agricultural land, over
175,000 acres of dry farm land and over 15,000 acres of natural
meadow and pasture land. About 475,000 acres are in forest reserves
and the remainder in desert land, most of which is used for grazing
purposes.
     Snake river is the seventh largest stream in the United
States, but second in the world from the viewpoint of irrigation.
Water from this stream brings from the soil of this county each
year millions of dollars worth of crops. Pages of history of this
Upper Snake River Valley are marked by the numerous fights over
water rights, but at present distribution of irrigation water is
handled from the headquarters of district No. 36 at Idaho Falls by
Lynn Crandall, watermaster. Waters from the Snake have made
possible production of large amounts of potatoes, sugar beets,
wheat and other grains, seed peas, forming the staple crops of the
county and valley.
     Had Head Start
     Other large cities of the state were well established and had
a real head start on Idaho Falls and Bonneville county when it was
set up. Valuations listed on the early record books at the court
house are those for the fiscal year ending in January, 1919. From
the fiscal year of 1918 the total assessed valuation has increased
considerably. The peak year, that of 1929, showed the assessed
valuation of $17,354,673.34. Some decline has been shown in the
past two or three years because of the world wide depression,
although this was not felt here as it was in many other sections.
Property belonging to the county in 1918, including buildings, jail
and equipment, lands, etc., was valued at $242,834.15, the records
reveal. In the peak year of 1929, property belonging to the county,
which was greatly increased, was valued at a total of
$1,258,244.15, and of this amount, $127,370.08 was added during the
fiscal year of 1928.
     One of the features of Bonneville county is that today it
boasts some of the best highways in the state, leading out from
Idaho Falls in all directions. These paved and oiled roads cut
straight across the country in many instances to accommodate the
thousands of tourists that pass through the county each year
enroute to or from Yellowstone National park. No figures were
available in 1918 on the roads, but at the close of the fiscal year
of 1929, permanent roads in the county were valued at $727,522.93.
Much of the highway construction was done in 1928, the records
show, when a total of $114,343.44 was spent on the permanent
highway system. Improvements have been made each year up to the
present. The county has concentrated recently on farm-to-market
highways. But last year the Swan Valley or Roosevelt highway was
completed, with oiling operations being finished this summer. This
gives Idaho Falls a direct connection with the rich Star Valley
section. The Ammon and Lincoln roads were also oiled last year.
     Car Sales Increase
     Sales of automobiles in the county has in the past been a good
barometer as to the prosperity of the residents of the area. A
steady increase in the number of motor vehicle license plates has
been shown on down through the years. In 1927 the total amount
collected from this source by the county assessor's office was
$66,425.46. This jumped to $71,207.66 in 1928. In 1929 the
collection passed the three quarters of a million mark, totaling
$75,894.86. Some decline has been noted in the last few years, but
sales so far in 1934 indicate that the old time peak will soon be
left behind.
     The three county commissioners who direct the affairs of the
county at present are S. H. Price, chairman, N. E. George and J. L.
MIlner. They were elected two years ago. W. L. Brewrink is serving
as county clerk and auditor while H. L. Hansen is county assessor.
Mrs. Estella S. Mulliner is county treasurer. At the head of the
county school system is Anton Pedersen.

Photo caption: CITY'S TWO LAUNDRIES EMPLOY LARGE NUMBER.
Approximately 60 men and women are given employment in the two
laundry establishments, both of which have large investments in
modern machinery. The top picture shows the home of the White Star
laundry at A street and Capital avenue. The lower picture is the
Home Service laundry plant on C street--Photos by George M. Scott 
and Sons.
Photo caption: BONNEVILLE COUNTY'S $250,900 COURT HOUSE

          Postal Receipts Reflect Growth of Idaho Falls

         Railroad, Plane Replace Ancient Delivery Method
"Hit and Miss" Plan of Getting Letters to City Replaced by Fast,
 Modern Transportation; $100,000 Building Houses Federal Forces.

     Fifty years ago arrival of the mail at Eagle Rock, now Idaho
Falls, was an occasion! Sacks of U. S. mail, hauled here by stage
coach from the railroad, were tossed off in front of Anderson's
general store, one corner of which served as the first postoffice
with Robert Anderson as the postmaster. Up through the years from
1884 to 1934 United States postal service here has kept pace with
the growth of the city and valley. Occupying first a corner in a
general store at that time, this vital part of our everyday
existence now occupies a $100,000 building at the corner of Park
avenue and C street.
     Turning back into the days of history making in this western
land we find that various stages of growth of the postal service
are in reality milestones marking the advancement of Eagle Rock--on
through the years of the city now known as Idaho Falls. Kicked
about, first from one corner of a business establishment to
another, it was some few years before the postal service came into
its own. As the city's business increased, so did that of the
postoffice.
     Came in on Stage Coaches
     At one time, back when Robert Anderson was serving as
postmaster, letters and other mail did not arrive here every day.
Outgoing mail was thrown on the stage coach and hauled to the
railroad. Later, when this rich upper valley was tapped by the iron
giant, postal service took over a much more important position. As
one looks back at the "speed" which early day citizens noted in the
delivery of letters here "from way back east," it was but a snail's
pace compared to the way the 1934 business man views it. The
fastest railroads do not carry his mail fast enough--he turns to
the air. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of mail comes into
and leaves Idaho Falls each year now via the airmail, planes that
have contracts with the federal government for flying the mail.
Just west of here, a spot of ground that 50 years ago would hardly
be found fit to run sheep on, the city of Idaho Falls has built a
class A airport, on which it is expected air mail planes on the
Salt Lake City, Great Falls, Mont., run will soon set down
regularly, was completed this summer. Mail planes stop here now on
certain occasions.
     All Wanted Be Postmaster
     [ ] the step by step progress in the poSECTION B

   Idaho B
has become somewhat obscured in the yellowed pages of history.
However, early day pioneers tell us of the postoffice being
something that business houses were always fighting over. It must
have been a drawing card, for they all wanted to be postmaster. It
was under the direction of Ruel Rounds, known throughout the valley
as "Rocky" Rounds, that the postal service began to claim a niche
in the world of business here. The postoffice then occupied the
building immediately east of the New Porter hotel on Broadway,
between the hotel and where the American National bank now stands.
Store owners and merchants of the city, desiring to have the
postoffice being something that business houses here were always
[?] and the lowest bidder was awarded the contract for so many
years. Thus it was that the next move took it to the Hasbrouck
building on Park avenue, now occupied by the Fair store.
     At the corner of Capital and Broadway stands the building
which was originally constructed to serve as the federal building.
In later years this structure was used as the city building. In
fact, up to the time the present magnificent city building was
constructed. From the Hasbrouck building the postoffice went to
this new structure at Capital and Broadway, but after several years
here it was again moved, this time to the present location of
Johnston's on B street. Here there was plenty of room for the
postoffice.
     Present Structure Built
     As we come on down through the years, a concerted effort to
obtain for Idaho Falls a permanent location [for] a federal
building is noted. So in 1913 congress appropriated nearly $100,000
for a federal building here. Work went ahead rapidly and in 1914
the present home of the postoffice was completed. William Gibbs
McAdoo was serving under President Wilson at that time as secretary
of the treasury. Oscar Wenderoth was the architect for the
building.
     The postoffice was not always in the heart of the city, as we
find it today, for even back the few years to 1913 and 1914 we find
that merchants kicked at the location, declaring that the
postoffice was being built "out in the sticks." Today, the wisdom
of placing this all important structure in business life of the
city where it is is clearly seen.
     Several of the early day postmasters of this city are still
making their homes in Idaho Falls and playing important parts in a
civic life. Following "Rocky" Rounds as postmaster, we find that Ed
F. Winn, who still resides here, was named. Mr. Winn was also one
of the first sheriffs of this western community. He was prominent
in business and one of the leading politicians of the day. After
Mr. Winn came A. T. Shane, who now owns and operates the Shane
apartments here.  W. J. Coltman was named to succeed him, taking
office in 1914. He served until February 1, 1922, when Joseph
Morley took over the office. Mr. Morley is serving today as
postmaster, pending the appointment of his successor by President
Roosevelt.
     It took the postoffice here approximately 40 years to reach
the first class postoffice rating. To be given this rating at
Washington, D. C., a postoffice must pass the $50,000 mark in
volume of sales during each year. During the last 25 years the
local office has shown the greatest gain in business. The fiscal
year of 1930-1931 saw the peak when approximately $75,000 was the
total volume of business. Then came the slump, which was felt here
much less than in other parts of the country, but the volume of
business dropped off. Business is on the uptrend now, a marked
increase shown during the last fiscal year over the period the year
before.
     The books for the fiscal year of 1919-20, which ended June 31,
1920, showed the volume to be $45,000. For the fiscal year of 1920-
21 the total business done amounted to $52,700. A slight drop in
the volume of business was noted during the next year when the
total showed $52,400. For the year of 1922-23 the total receipts
fell off even more and the office barely kept its first class
rating, for the volume of business was $50,700.
     Gradually business climbed back up the ladder and at the end
of the fiscal year of 1925-26 the records show the volume of
business to be $80,750. This jumped to $65,000 for the fiscal year
of 1926-27, and to $66,000 for the following year. The year of
1928-1929 showed total receipts at $70,000. Then in 1929-30 the
total business was $74,815. The fiscal year of 1930-31 saw the peak
of $75,000, followed the next year with a drop to $63,000. The
decline continued during the fiscal year of 1932-33, when the
volume of business amounted to $60,000. During the fiscal year that
ended on June 30 of this year there was a slight gain, the total
being $63,000.


     "FIRST LADY"
Caption: [Eunice] Clark might be called Idaho Falls' "first lady,"
her husband, Joseph A. Clark having served as the city's first
mayor. Mrs. Clark now lives with her son, Mayor Barzilla W. Clark.

                 [EUNICE] CLARK IS PIONEER WOMAN
     Was Wife of First Mayor Of City; Son Now Holds Office.

     [Eunice] Clark might be called the "first lady" of Idaho
Falls. Her husband, Joseph A. Clark, was the first mayor of this
city, and her son, Barzilla, has served five terms in the same
office. Her grandson, D. Worth Clark, was recently nominated
Democratic candidate for congressman from the second district. Her
son, Chase, is state senator from Bonneville county and a well
known lawyer, as were her sons, Nathan and Worth, who passed away
several years ago.
     Mrs. Clark came to Idaho Falls, then Eagle Rock, with her
husband in 1885, 49 years ago. Mr. Clark was a civil engineer. He
was the first to dream of a municially owned water system in Idaho
Falls. Mrs. Clark was a member of the W. C. T. U. and contributed
her time and effort to all the village improvement movements. She
was a gifted elocutionist, which might or might not account for her
sons' talents in that line. She describes Barzilla, when a
youngster, as a "tease."
     Mrs. Clark recalls that in the early days here there were no
class distinctions--the members of the three churches, Catholic,
Baptist, and L.D.S., were the best of friends, and frequently held
their socials together. Neighbors made a practice of calling on one
another, and strangers were given a hospitable welcome.
     At 84, [Eunice] Clark typifies the spirit of Christianity.
Sympathetic and broadminded, she declares herself a non-sectarian,
her quiet dignity crowning the richness of experience her life has
given her.

                  MRS. SCOTT WAS PEACE OFFICIAL
       Earned Honor Being Second Justice of Peace In U. S.

     To Mrs. A. V. Scott goes the honor of having been the second
woman justice of the peace in the United States. At the time Mrs.
Scott served in that capacity, there is record of only one other
woman justice of the peace--that was in Wyoming. Mrs. Scott, whose
kindly spirit, willingness and ability made her a leader in the
building of Idaho Falls'educational and cultural institutions, did
not solicit her office. She was elected and then informed of the
fact.
     Idaho Falls policemen used to amuse themselves by telling the
miscreants that the "judge" was a tough number. The culprit was
usually so amazed to find himself confronted by a sympathetic
looking woman that he confessed, fully and contritely. The
diplomacy and patience with which Mrs. Scott filled her position
resulted in her being appointed police magistrate by A. T. Shane,
who was mayor at that time.
     Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Scott came to Idaho Falls in 1890. The
following year they built the Scott hotel, on Chamberlain avenue.
Unfortunately the building burned within a year. Mr. Scott began
his business in the real estate and insurance business at that
time, and continued until the time of his death five years ago. He
will be remembered as one of the builders of the town.
     Mrs. Scott was an active member of the Village Improvement
association, of which she was president during the year of 1897
following the death of Mrs. S. K. Curley. In 1900 Mrs. Scott took
the census in three precincts. The population of Idaho Falls at
that time was 1265. She served on the school board for nine years
and on the library board five years in the capacity of secretary.
In 1905 Governor Gooding appointed Mrs. Scott to act as official
hostess in the Idaho building at the world's fair at Portland, Ore.
     Mrs. Scott has served as county treasurer, being the second
woman county treasurer in the state.
     During the war Mrs. Scott was active as chairman of the
Associated Charities, chairman of the American Red Cross, chairman
of the Women's Council of Defense.
     Later she was chairman of the women's auxiliary of the
Bonneville county Republican central committee.   


        Telephone Lines Keep Tourists in Touch With Home
   Messages of Cheer and Vacation Accounts Carried Over Miles
              of Copper Wire To All Parts Country.

     Telephone facilities in tourist and resort centers are
continally being improved and made more convenient, according to H.
J. Morgan, manager for the Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph
company, because the company believes that being in constant touch
by telephone is one of the most important accommodations to the
visitor in this area.
     Almost constantly the copper threads of speech that are borne
on pole lines through virgin forests and over rocky hillsides up
and over wind-swept passes, are carrying messages of cheer and
accounts of vacation pleasures to those at home. Or possibly a
business man out on a fishing trip may be talking with his office
from the ranch at night.
     When riding through the mountains, or on the plains, and
watching the telephone lines, striding as if with seven-league
boots over hills and valleys to disappear in the shimmering
distance, it is interesting to speculate on what precious messages
those wires may bear. A cargo more valuable than gold or silver--
the human voice, and those things of the mind and heart that are
beyond price.
     Adds to Peace of Mind
     Undoubtedly telephone communication, the possibility of
removing the receiver and being connected quickly with almost
anyone anywhere, adds immeasurably to the peace of mind and
enjoyment of visitors in our area, many of them from distant cities
and states.
     Mr. Morgan believes that the telephone has added tremendously
to our personal freedom in liberating us from the bonds of time and
distance. Surely it makes possible many vacation trips that
otherwise could not be undertaken because of impending matters that
might require attention in business--something on which an
immediate answer or decision must be made, not necessarily
requiring a personal appearance. No matter what may happen you're
always in touch by telephone.
     The telephone allows us to do two apparently paradoxical
things. It permits us to be close together or widely separated, as
we please. It is of course rather obvious that we are able to live
or travel in sparsely settled areas, if we wish, and still have
friends and neighbors as close as the telephone, to have the
advantages of the city at our beck and call by telephone.        
     Keeps People Close Together
     What is much less obvious to the casual observer is the fact
that it is the telephone which makes it possible for us to be
gathered closely together, to conduct our business in crowded
metropolitan centers. Without the telephone, the corridors,
stairways and elevators of an ordinary office building, much less
a skyscraper, would be so crowded with people running on little
errands of communication that getting through them would be a major
accomplishment. The streets and sidewalks would be a seething mass
of humanity trying to beat the sun in its race across the sky from
morning to night. Yet in all this crowd the telephone enables us to
reach the ear of the one person we want to talk with and excludes
everyone else!
     The telephone organization has been going along quietly from
year to year, Mr. Morgan pointed out, making its local and long
distance facilities and methods better and more satisfactory with
each year until they have become among the most indispensable
services of everyday life. All this has been done so unobtrusively
that the telephone subscriber uses his service almost as
unconsciously as he uses his right hand.
     Used Naturally
     "That is really a tribute," Mr. Morgan said. "We don't want
the housewife to be thinking consciously of the marvel of our
service when she is shopping by telephone, talking with a son or
daughter away at school, any more than we want her husband to be
thinking of it while he is in a discussion with a business
associate in another city, or when calling the fire department!  We
want the telephone to be used as naturally as the human voice, for
that brings the greatest satisfaction to the user."
     Admittedly telephone service is better and more widely used in
this country than in any other country in the world. Whether it is
good because so many people use it, or so many people use it
because it is good, Mr. Morgan would not attempt to answer. At any
rate, the service is more valuable to the individual here because
it is more comprehensive.
     Of the 32,941,570 telephones in the entire world on January 1,
1933, more than half or 53 per cent were in the United States; 33.6
per cent or one-third were in Europe, and 3.8 per cent were in
Canada. The remaining 10 per cent were distributed throughout the
rest of the world. These statistics of the world's telephones are
taken from a compilation just completed by the American Telephone
and Telegraph company. With more than one-half of the world's
telephones located in the United States, this country surpasses all
others in number of telephones relative to population, reflecting
the comparatively low cost of the service to subscribers. The
United States has about 14 telephones for each 100 people, or
nearly seven times the corresponding telephone development of
Europe. Canada, with approximately 12 telephones per 100
population, was the only country whose telephone density approached
that of the United STates. New Zealand came next with 10.1,
followed by Denmark with 9.8, Sweden with 9.3 and Switzerland with
8.4 telephones per 100 population. Nearly all telephones in both
Canada and Denmark are operated by private companies.
     Germany and Great Britain, although ranking next to the United
states in absolute number of telephones, had only about 4.5
telephones per 100 population. Of the two countries, Germany had a
greater number of telephones, but Great Britain had a slightly
higher telephone density. France had barely more than three
telephones per 100 population. From the standpoint of telephone
[receivers] Argentina was the best developed country in South
America, with 2.7 telephones per 100 population, a telephone
density exceeding the average European development at the present
time. Japan and the Union of South Africa, each with only 1.4
telephones per 100 population, led in telephone development on
their respective continents.
     Telephones in foreign countries are concentrated to a great
extent in large urban centers, but in America the small towns and
rural areas are also unusually well provided with telephone
facilities. Communities of less than 50,000 population in this
country averaged about 10.2 telephones for each 100 people. No
other country except Canada had a total telephone density as great
as this, and even the majority of large European cities were
sparingly equipped. The superiority of American cities over those
abroad in extent of telephone service is remarkable. The 53 cities
in this country with more than 200,000 population had an average of
one telephone for every five people. This development exceeded that
of any large city outside of this country, with a few exceptions in
Canada and one in Europe. San Francisco led the larger cities of
the world in telephone development, with 36.5 telephones for each
100 inhabitants, and Washington took second place, with 33.3
telephones per 100 population, or one telephone for every three
inhabitants. 
     Telephone for Every 7 Persons
     With one telephone for every seven persons in the United
States and seven miles of telephone wire for every 10 people, it is
interesting to note how frequently Americans employ the telephone
facilities which they have at their disposal. On the average, every
person in this country made four telephone calls a week, whereas
the average per capita use of the telephone in the rest of the
world was slightly less than one call a month. On a per capita
basis, Americans used their telephone system nearly 10 times as
much as the French and more than six times as much as the Germans
or the British.
     Telephone service connects the United States with more than 50
foreign countries and their possessions, located on every continent
and many of the islands of the world. In addition, 19 ocean liners
are equipped for ship-to-shore service and may be reached by
telephone at any point of their voyages. The 8700 mile direct radio
telephone circuit recently opened between San francisco and Java
illustrates the tremendous distances which have been overcome in
order to extend the scope and value of telephone service. Today
more than nine-tenths of all telephones throughout the world can
quickly be reached from telephones in any part of the United
States.

Photo captions:
     LINES OF WIRE TO carry conversations into the most out of the
way places are all a part of the day's work for the line crew.

     HERE ARE many reels of wire ready to be strung out on newly
erected poles in desert country.

     THESE TWO LINEMEN ARE STRINGING WIRES on the top of a pole
that nestles close to the side of a rugged mountain. Winter or
summer, warm weather or cold, rain or shine, these men "carry on."