Golden Jubilee Edition
SECTION F
All Idaho Falls says . . . WELCOME
GOLDEN JUBILEE DAYS
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday ... Sept. 12, 13, 14
WEDNESDAY
11:00 A. M.--Colorful Parade.
1:30 P. M.--Crowning of Jubilee Days Queen, Reno Park;
Rodeo, Reno Park.
5:00 P. M.--Street Carnival, Memorial Drive.
6:30 P. M.--Banquet, Hotel Bonneville, Governor Ross, speaker.
9:00 P. M.--"Days of '84" Street Dance.
THURSDAY
11:00 A. M.--Parade.
1:30 P. M.--Rodeo, Reno Park.
5:00 P. M.--Street Carnival Memorial Drive.
FRIDAY
1:30 P. M.--Whiskers Judging Contest; Boys' Pony Race;
Rodeo.
5:00 P. M.--Street Carnival. Memorial Drive.
9:00 P. M.--Street Dance.
Three spectacular days of fun and entertainment! Idaho Falls is
staging this its most brilliant celebration to commemorate Idaho
Falls' first newspaper . . . founded in 1884. An event you will
long remember. Don't miss these three big days!
Sponsored by Idaho Falls Chamber of Commerce and American Legion
Photo caption, next page:
THE PRIDE OF Idaho Falls was the Cornet band, shown above in a
picture taken in the early days. Among the members of the band is
Alma Marker, who still resides here. Many of those in the picture
have passed away, while others have moved to other cities. Reading
from left to right (top row) they are George A. Henderson, George
Martin, Judge C. E. Arney, Arthur Dalstrom, G. N. Nash, Mr.
Cavanaugh, F. H. Hostetter; (bottom row) A. A. Sauer, J. L. Hess,
Aaron Elliott, Charles Lawrenceson, Charles Wierman, Alma Marker
and Tom Conner.
PRIEST RECALLS 1900 POLITICS
Political Convention at Pocatello Described as Real "Hot Bed."
By JOEL L. PRIEST
General Agent, Union Pacific
Democratic, Populist, middle-of-the-road Populist, Silver
Republican. A four-ring circus. Hot days in Pocatello, hotter
politics. That is the maelstrom into which I was plunged as a
reporter for the Salt Lake Herald in July, 1900, nearly a third of
a century ago. On my way home to Salt Lake from covering the
Democratic national convention at Kansas City, I had received wire
orders to go to Pocatello. When I waked up there in the Pacific
hotel, I found that old frame building rocking with heated debate.
From every part of Idaho the party men had assembled. Fred T.
Dubois, whom I rank as perhaps the keenest politcal manipulator who
has ever battled in Idaho, was there. So were Frank Steuenburg,
James H. Hawley, "Orchard Farm" Jackson, Si Dennelly, Charley
Arney, Mark Bates of Parma, Henry Heitfeld, then United States
senator, "Billy" Watts of Hailey, Jules Bassett and dozens of other
partisans famous in their day and generation.
In the Democratic convention the main fight was as to whether
or not a candidate for United States senator should be nominated.
On the second day, as I recall, a resolution favoring such action
was defeated by a vote of 128 to 127. This was a definite rebuff
for the Dubois forces.
That night I wandered, in my reportorial capacity, into the
Dubois headquarters. Instead of gloom, I found an atmosphere of
hilarity. On inquiring as to the reason, Dubois said: "Tomorrow the
action of the convention will be reversed, and by the same vote.
You may make that prediction in your paper with entire confidence."
Dubois Nominated
Next day, the convention by a vote of 129 to 126 decided to
nominate a senatorial candidate, and before the day was over Dubois
had been nominated, to be elected by a Democratic legislature the
following winter. Dubois had been a Republican, then a silver
Republican and at this time announced his allegiance to the
Democrats.
Charles Heney (Orchard Farm) Jackson was a candidate against
Frank Hunt for the gubernatorial nomination. He was beaten by a
narrow margin. Jackson was one of the best dressed men I have ever
known. Always immaculate, he could, I believe, have climbed out of
a coal hole looking as if he had just stepped from the proverbial
band box. I asked him what in his judgment had prevented his
nomination. His eyes twinkled as he replied: "I guess the common
people just don't like the smell of the soap."
Those conventions in Pocatello went on for a full week with
hot news breaking every hour and this reporter wishing he could
multiply himself by at least four. It was during this time that
Charley Arney and Dubois, out for a walk one evening, saw a
delegate that Arney very cordially disliked. "Fred, what is that
such-and-such doing here?" said Arney. Dubois held up an
admonishing hand. "Hush, Charley," he whispered, "He's our such-
and-such now."
Recalls Borah Nomination
After that experience, I was sent frequently from Salt Lake to
Idaho to report the proceedings of the various political
gatherings. I very well recall the Republican convention of 1906,
also at Pocatello, where William E. Borah received his first
senatorial nomination. He made a wonderfully eloquent speech of
acceptance and hardened though the reporter gets through long
association with such scenes, I was thrilled by it. When I returned
to Salt Lake I wrote a four-column biography of the nominee in
which I predicted that he would achieve national and international
fame. Also, I described his personal appearance. His trousers had
not been pressed, his shirt was rumpled and his vest looked like a
topographical map. A week later the postman laid a box of cigars on
my desk. Inside was a card on which was written: "Trousers baggy,
vest wrinkled, shirt mussed. Looked like hell. Borah." But I am
rather proud of my prediction as to his advancement.
Other conventions followed in rapid order. One in 1908 I
remember with particular vividness. The Democrats assembled at Twin
Falls that year to nominate candidates for their electoral ticket.
There was much bitterness between the Dubois and anti-Dubois
factions. Dubois had control of the party organization and elected
his man, Glen McKinley, chairman. Revolt followed immediately. A
rump convention was organized on the floor of the convention hall
with James H. Hawley as chairman.
Amid scenes of the wildest disorder the two conventions
proceeded to business. At one time, McKinley called to the sheriff
of Twin Falls county, George Akin: "Arrest that man!" Akin moved
towards Hawley. When he reached a point about five feet from that
fearless warrior, Hawley said in a voice that sounded like cracking
icicles,"By the eternal, if you lay your hands on me I'll kill you
where you stand."
George Akin was never accused of lacking courage, but he used
good judgment that day when he backed away from Hawley. If he had
attemped an arrest, a dozen men, or more, might have been killed.
Yes, I'm telling you they took their politics seriously in those
days.
An incident in a light vein. It rained hard the day we left
Twin Falls, and by the time I reached the train and sat down beside
Governor Hawley, my feet were very wet. I mentioned the fact to him
and he suggested that I open his bag, get out a pair of dry socks
and put them on, which I promptly did.
For some miles the train proceeded without conversation
between us. Finally the governor looked at me and remarked: "Joel,
do you know what was the most remarkable feature about our
transaction?" When I gave my head a negative shake, he continued:
"The most remarkable feature was that two Democrats should have
three pairs of socks betwen them." Those were the days when the
Democrats were hopelessly out of power.
In July, 1908, the Oregon Short Line thought it needed an
industrial agent in Idaho and picked me for the job. The title has
been changed to general agent, but the work goes on about the same.
It has been an interesting experience, but at times I find myself
sighing for my old newspaper job. There was much hard work in it,
long hours, meager rewards, but plenty of satisfaction.
In the 26 years that have passed since I became a
resident of the state I have found for it a real affection. My
children were reared here, received their education in the public
schools and the state university. I know fine people in every
county and am happy to count some of them, at least, as my good
friends. When the time comes for me to lay down my burden and
approach the pearly gates, as even a railroad man may hope to do,
I shall march up to the register and, St. Peter permitting,
inscribe myself as "Joel L. Priest, Just Idaho."
My congratulations to The Post-Register on its Golden
Anniversary edition. I knew the Register when Colonel Wheeler was
its editor and owner and there wasn't a foot of paved streets in
Idaho Falls. I cannot, however, claim to be a pioneer. To those of
the older generation, who still tread this mortal sphere, I extend
my homage and good wishes. Brave men and braver women, "they
builded better than they knew."
V. I. S. Helped to Beautify City; Started in 1898
Organized Under Leadership of Mrs. Bowen Curley and Played
Important Role in Early Life of Idaho Falls.
The Village Improvement Society, founded in 1898 under the
leadership of Mrs. Bowen Curley, was perhaps the greatest single
factor in the beautification of Idaho Falls. Formed for the purpose
of uplifting and improving living conditions in the city the V. I.
S. functioned faithfully for almost twenty years. At the end of
that time the organization was dissolved, inasmuch as the officers
felt that the city council could take over the civic duties the
club had assumed.
Among the activities of the club were the planting of trees
and shrubs, the placing of rubbish boxes in the alleys, the annual
distribution of food and clothing, public receptions to teachers
and visitors, memorial day programs, public entertainments,
hospital showers, book showers for the public library, cleanup
days, and special educational days.
One of the first campaigns the club sponsored was a sanitation
drive. The members of the society purchased trash boxes and placed
them along the streets. More than that, they saw to it that they
were used. It has been told that youngsters used to caution each
other about throwing paper and trash on the street, using the
warning,"the V. I. S. ladies will get you."
Encouraged Tree Planting
The V. I. S. encouraged the planting of hardwood trees to take
the place of the few cottonwoods that the town boasted. The park
known as Kate Curley park on Tenth street was bought at a tax sale
and given the V. I. S. to beautify. The following year, 1908, Mrs.
A. L. Campbell and Mrs. G. S. Samsel, assisted by a "tramp" miner,
did the actual work of planting the park. The landscape plans were
paid for by Mr. Curley, who stipulated that only hardwood trees
should be planted. The committee adhered to these plans, even
though townspeople protested that it would be three generations
before there was any shade. Money for the trees and shrubs, which
amounted to several hundred dollars, was supplied by the
entertainment committee of which Mrs. Frank Churchill and Mrs. Don
Larabie were chairmen. All the ground of the two and two thirds
acre park was dynamited to break up the hard pan, as a result of
which very few of the seedlings failed to grow.
Island Purchased
A deed to the "island" which housed the city's most obnoxious
tenants, was obtained for the sum of $1. Although the society was
not able to complete the plans for landscaping the place for many
years, at least the island residents were rremoved. The island has
since been deeded the ciy, which converted it into a spot of
beauty.
In 1909 the C street parking was planted; this time the aid of
the city prisoners was enlisted. Letters have been received by the
city from travelers who admired the appearance of C street as seen
from the railroad station.
The society next turned its efforts to the cemetery, a barren
waste of sage and weeds. Mrs. Campbell and Mrs. A. J. Wipperman
acted as chairmen of the cemetery committee. The club appropriated
$627.40 from its own funds, and solicited $978.22 additional from
citizens and from the city council. Many dollars worth of labor
were also contributed for the grading, the laying out of streets,
the planting of trees and lilacs, the making of flower beds,
including 1200 tulips, the building of two bridges, and the
cleaning of the canal banks of willow brush.
Under the leadership of Mrs. Dwight Platt, the house numbering
in the residential districts was accomplished. This was one of the
requirements which had to be met before the free mail delivery
service could be established.
Helped on Library
The Village Improvement society was identified with the
earliest attempts to secure a Carnegie grant for a public library.
Together with the Round TAble club the V. I. S. maintained a public
library in the basement of the Baptist church, prior to the
erection of the Carnegie building. At that timne the V. I. S.
donated their books to form a nucleus for the new library.
In 1906 the society took over the management of a hospital
which had been founded a few months before by a group of Idaho
Falls business men. Mrs. Frank Sheppard presided over the hospital
board, and the management was carried on successfully for several
years. Many donations of fruits, vegetables, and needed furnishings
were contributed by members of the society. Members of the board
were subject to call, day or night, to fill emergencies--night
nurse, cook, tray nurse, or baby tender. In 1910 the hospital was
closed out, with all debts paid and a balance in the bank.
Served During War
During the war members of the organization united to work in
the Red Cross. A few years lager, when members felt that they had
completed the work for which they had established the society, the
organization disbanded, although the members still contribute their
good will and support to city improvement movements. Leaders have
expressed their appreciation to the public for the support it has
always given, and to the press, whose generosity has kept the
society's movements alive. Presidents included Mrs. Bowen Curley,
Mrs. A. L. Campbell, Mrs. A. V. Scott, and Mrs. Eugene Wright.
Charter members of the club included Mrs. Bowen Curley, Mrs.
George Chapin, Mrs. A. H. Rosenberger, Mrs. A. V. Scott, Mrs. W. H.
Holden, Mrs. L. P. Johnson, Mrs. Rebecca Mitchell, Mrs. Nate Clark,
Mrs. G. R. Hitt, Mrs. Lon Hadley, Mrs. J. Ed Smith, Mrs. Franklin
LaRue, Mrs. William Lindsay, Mrs. W. H. B. Crowe.
To name the members would be impossible, inasmuch as the
registration once reached as high as 200. Among these however, were
a number who served on committees, and were considered the most
active members. This list includes; Mrs. A. L. Campbell, Mrs.
George Changnon, Mrs.F. H. Churchill, Mrs. Dan Clyne, Mrs. W. J.
Coltman, Mrs. B. R. Crandall, Mrs. A. H. Boomer, Mrs. George Brunt,
Mrs. J. W. Dill, Mrs. Ralph Edmunds, Mrs. A. Greenwald, Mrs. L. A.
Hailey, Mrs. H. J. Hasbrook, Mrs. H. F. Haskins, Mrs. Russell Hitt,
Mrs. Ed Holden, Mrs. J. A. Hurst, Mrs. Dymae Jones, Mrs. J. R.
Kerr, Mrs. Don Larabie, Mrs. Mattie Moseley, Mrs. H. K. Linger,
Mrs. J. W. McCarroll, Mrs. Otto McCutcheon, Mrs. J. C. McMullan,
Mrs. Bert P. Mill, Mrs. J. L. Milner, Mrs. N. D. Porter, Mrs. G. S.
Samsel, Mrs. A. V. Scott, Mrs. F. M. Sheppard, Mrs. H. M. Wilson,
Mrs. T. C. Willson, Mrs. Ed Winn, Mrs. A. J. Wipperman, Mrs. Eugene
Wright, Mrs. G. G. Wright, Mrs. M. B. Yeaman, Mrs. William
McConnell and many others.
Retail, Wholesale Concerns Serve Huge Area
125,000 Persons Use Idaho Falls As Trade Center
One of Most Modern Business Districts in West
Located Here; Many Wholesale Houses
Make City Distributing Point.
In an area where 50 years ago were a few weather beaten shacks
that served as the business center of Eagle Rock, today stands part
of the modern structures that go to make up the retail and
wholesale sections of Idaho Falls, the third largest city in Idaho
and one of the leading cities of the intermountain country. Where
in the Eagle Rock days a mere handful of tiny stores served the
needs of the few people living in this area of sagebrush land, in
1934 a business section that covers many modern city blocks is
required to take care of a trading territory populated by
approximately 125,000 persons.
The streets which are now Broadway, Shoup and Capital avenues
in Idaho Falls were nothing but sagebrush in those days. It was but
a few years later that the first building was erected on what is
now Broadway, the early business center being where Eagle Rock
street is now located. There were no paved streets in those days,
or long lines of parked automobiles--instead main street presented
a lazy scene during the hot afternoon, with a few saddle ponies and
a couple of teams hitched to posts in front of the few stores.
Idaho Falls' well lighted and neat business district presents
a far different picture today. Pavement and wide sidewalks take
care of the pedestrians and motor car travel; hundreds of electric
signs illuminate the streets at night and present an attractiave
scene to the shoppers. Large and beautifully decorated show windows
display the wares of various establishments along the sidewalks.
Clerks, who are well versed in the articles they are selling, wait
courteously upon those who enter the crowded stores.
Service was Slow
Back in the days when Alma Marker, known as the merchant who
has been continuously in business for the greatsest number of years
in Idaho, started up his little combination music and stationery
store, it took weeks and months to get orders of merchandise to
Eagle Rock from the distributing centers. Travel by train and stage
was slow, with many delays intervening in those days. Again,
jumping the 50 years from 1884 to 1934, we find that it is no trick
to get orders rushed through to Idaho Falls by fast [ air ] or
truck in a few hours to a couple of days. In this way, Idaho Falls
merchants constantly keep their stocks well filled with the latest
of merchandise.
Because of its georgraphic position in the Upper Snake River
Valley, Idaho Falls has become the retail business center of this
great territory. Its territory, extending into Montana and Wyoming,
is equivalent in size to 26 percent of the area of the state of
Idaho. An elaborate network of highways, spreading out over that
vast territory much in the manner of the spokes stretching out from
the hub of a wagon wheel, connects Idaho Falls with some 125,000
prospective buyers.
Hundred Miles Each Way
Business houses here, which are among the leaders in this
intermountain country, do business each day with residents of a
territory that extends more than a hundred miles in every direction
except south. On the north, it reaches into the tall pine country
beyond Ashton and across the continental divide into Montana.
Westward its boundaries are the mineral and agricultural Salmon and
Big and Little Lost river countries. To the east the territory
borders of the Idaho Falls trade radius lie beyond the famous
Jackson Hole country in Wyoming, while on the south, the border is
Blackfoot. There is some trade, however, that comes from south of
Blackfoot.
Turning back the pages of history again, we glance into the
little country store where the ranchers, cowhands and travelers
bought their beans, sugar, clothing, tobacco and what other
necessities of life available. These little stores occupied the
fornt part of the buildings in which the proprietor and his family
lived. A coal oil lantern served to illuminate the place at night,
while outside on the street the night was black, pierced only by
the dim light from some neighboring house or a broad path of light
streaming out as a door was opened. A long hitching rail bordered
the outside edge of the wooden sidewalk, if there was a sidewalk,
and saddled ponies or horses hitched to wagons stood there swishing
their tails.
Large Wooden Building
Coming back to 1934 we find that dozens of large modern brick
or stone structures have sprung up along the same streets or
nearby. In Idaho Falls today there are six large department stores
which offer to their customers everything that can be bought in the
larger cities and at prices as low and in many cases lower.
Furniture store, specialty stores, men's and women's furnishing
establishments, ready to wear institutions, grocery stores and many
other establishments make up the retail section of the modern city,
serve the needs of this section with surprising completeness. Here
the home can be furnished from cellar to garret; the man, the
woman, the girl, the boy--all can be outfitted in the latest modes
of fashion; the finest in staple, fancy groceries and in fruits and
vegetables are available; luxuries that meet the most fastidious
demands are for sale. Local merchants, proud of the reputation
established in long years of service, strive constantly to keep
their shelves stocked with only the latest of Dame Fashion's
decrees. Buyers make trips to fashion centers throughout the
country several times each year for the local stores. During the
year, also, each store is represented in New York City, Chicago,
San Francisco and other large centers by men and women who look to
their needs constantly, supplying the latest creations as they are
shown.
Long Jump from 1865
Idaho Falls' present retail and wholesale setup is a long jump
from the Anderson Bros. store, the first to be operated here. It
was in 1865 when this was known as Taylor Bridge, that the Anderson
brothers started their store on the banks of Snake river near
Taylor toll bridge. They won a real reputation by their fair
dealings that remained unsullied down through the years. When
Anderson brothers store ppassed into history, the reputation they
had helped give the city's retail stores lived on to inspire future
generations. Today the stores, part of which are independently
owned, the others connected with nation wide institutions, strive
to offer service, merchandise and prices that cannot be excelled in
any other city.
Although Anderson brothers' store passed out of the picture
many years ago as a retail institution, the name continued to live
almost up to today in connection with business of the city.
Anderson Bros. bank served the community for many years, and still
is in existence except that it now oeprates under the name of First
Security Bank of Idaho Falls, this change being made this spring.
Started 50 Years Ago
One old timer, who set himself up in business in a small store
here 50 years ago, is still oeprating a retail establishment here.
This is Alma Marker, mentioned earlier in the story. He is the only
retail merchant in Idaho who has been in business continuously for
50 years. He came here in 1882 and for two years he made his
livelihood by playing his violin at dances. Then he opened a
jewelry, music and notions store and has been selling ever since.
The chief business houses operating here when he arrived, Mr.
Marker recalls, were Jim Bush, Anderson brothers and Glen Wheeler
and company. Several smaller ones were here, also a number of
eating places and saloons. A rushing business was done in those
days, for it was then that large gangs of workmen were working out
of here, building the Utah-Northern railroad. Of the early day
saloon keeprs, two of them, Ed Wynn and jake Keefer, still live
here.
Wholelsale District
Along with the retail trade development here has come the
building up of a wholesale district that serves local dealers and
meets demands of retailers throughout eastern Idaho. Local houses
supply stocks to progressive business houses throughout the valley,
Teton basin, the Lost river, Salmon river valleys, Swan Valley and
neighboring Montana and Wyoming towns. Grocery houses lead in
numbers in this phase of commercial life here, but automobile
accessories concerns, tire and automobile distributors, music
dealers, farm implement dealers and electric supply companies, do
large volumes of business annually.
Records compiled by the Idaho Falls Chamber of commerce show
that the city has 251 wholesale and retail houses doing business
here today. These establishments do a combined business of over
$10,000,000 per year, the chamber reports while the payrolls of the
wholesale and retail houses total approximately $800,000 per year,
exclusive of proprietors. The business houses employ a combined
total of about 1129 each year.
48 Wholesale, 203 Retail
Records of the chamber show that there are 48 wholesale houses
operating here doing a business of $4,446,000 per year. They employ
166 full time and 53 part time men and women. The annual payroll is
about $235,000. Idaho Falls boasts 203 retail stores doing an
annual business of $5,634,000. Besides the 203 proprietors there
are 496 full time and 211 part time workers. This payroll,
exclusive of proprietors, averages $600,000 a year.
In aditon to this, in Bonneville county there is a crop return
of over $4,000,000 per year. Part of this is embodiesd in the
dairying industry, which is thriving at present. There are in the
neighborhood of 750 farmers actively engaged in dairying here. They
deliver milk and cream to five creameries here. A test of the milk
or cream is made, the check written and handed to them on the spot.
In the winter and slack seasons this represents much of the cash
income to a large majority of farmers in this area.
Photo captions:
IDAHO FALLS BUSINESS BLOCKS AMONG FINEST FOUND IN ENTIRE STATE
No. 1, THE SHANE building which houses the Sanitary Cash grocery,
Kunters Ready to Wear shop, Bonneville Floral, Auto Parts company
and other leading business houses. No. 2. The Lambrecht building
on A street in which are located Wade Bros, men's wear shop, and
Samsels store, which features women's wear as well as merchandise
for men. No. 3. Broadway once looked like this. Central school is
in the back ground. No. 4. The Earl building on Park avenue, home
of the Utah Power company and numerous other concerns and offices.
No. 5. The Salisbury-Earl building, home of the Emporium, the Frock
and Bonnet shop, Earl Evans, drugs, and the City Floral shop as
well as many professional offices. No. 6. The Kress store and Mode
o' Day shop. No. 7. The old Clark and Fanning store at Broadway
and Park avenue. Sewell's store is now located here. No. 8. The
home of the local store of Montgomery Ward and company. No. 9. The
location of the home of the J. N. McCracken stores.
TRAPPERS FIRST TO VIEW VALLEY
Inhabited Eastern Idaho Area More Than 100 Years Ago.
White men inhabited the Upper Snake River Valley more than a
hudnred years ago. Beginning around 1810, English and American
trappers made valley streams their haunt for a period of 30 years.
The little creeks which have been made into irrigation canals were
once abounding with beaver, for whose pelts the hardy frontiersmen
dared the Indians and the Idaho winters. Willow creek, sage creek,
Fall creek, Sand creek--all of these were ideal beaver streams.
Henry was First
In 1810, Andrew Henry, a young American who was exploring the
fur possibilities in the newly acquired Louisiana territory, was
compelled to spend a winter on the Snake river. He built a log
stronghold on the banks of the "Mad river" as the Snake was called,
and his men remained there until spring. This winter home, which is
supposedly the first building constructed by whites in what is now
called Idaho, was called Fort Henry. The town which grew up at that
spot many years later was called St. Anthony, from the resemblance
the falls in the river at that point bear to the St. Anthony falls
near Minneapolis.
The trappers met annually for a "rendezvous," where they
traded their furs for powder, lead, guns, knives, hatchets, fancy
cloth and whiskey. The rendezvous was the trapper's holiday, an
occasion to drink, fight, race, gamble, and generally enjoy those
institutions of civilization reserved for those who live socialy.
It was indeed a motley crowd that gathered each July in Pierre's
Hole (Teton Basin) or Green River. Scotch-Canadians, wearing their
plaid mackinaws, French, Americans, of the Kentucky type, Irish,
Bannocks, Snakes, Flatheads, Crows, Utes.
The life of the trapper was a dangerous one, and many of them
disappeared down the trails at the end of the rendezvous never to
be seen or heard of again. On one occasion a French trapper named
Portneuf was shot through the back with an arrow. An Indian admired
his gun, so Portneuf was slain, and the coveted article changed
hands. The river on which he met his death still bears his name.
Bonneville Came Early
Captain B. L. E. Bonneville, an officer in the United States
army, for whom Bonneville county as named, was in charge of a crew
of 60 men who trapped throughout the valley for three years (1832
to 1835). In 1834 Nathaniel Wyeth a Boston merchant, built Fort
Hall, and the rendezvous system was abandoned in favor of the
trading post idea. Two years later the British Hudson's Bay company
had forced Wyeth to give up his project, and were in complete
control of the rich northwest.
But the golden age of trapping was drawing to its close. From
London came the alarming news that beaver hats were going out of
fashion. Besides that, beaver were becoming scarce. Jo. Meek and
Bob Newell, two American trappers, characterized the decline of the
fur business when they packed their possessions, and taking their
Shoshone wives and dusky children, journeyed to the rich farming
land in Washington and Oregon. The trapping days were over, and the
first chapter in Idaho's history draws to a close.
Dairies Provide Big Income for Local Farmers
Nearly Million Dollars' Worth 'Fat Sold Yearly
Idaho Falls Headquarters for Upper Snake River Valley
Dairymen's Association;
Dairying Forms Big Industry Here.
Almost a million dollars' worth of butterfat is produced by
the farmers of the upper valley region annually. Dairying has
become, during the last few years, one of the chief inudstries of
local farmers.
Dairy farmers in the Upper Snake River Valley produced
approximately 4,000,000 pounds of butterfat during the past year,
according to statistics compiled by the state department of
agriculture. Calculated at the average price for butterfat for the
past year, 20 cents a pound, the butterfat produced amounts to a
value of $800,000. In spite of the deflated quotations on milk
products during the last four years, one-fourth of the average
American farmer's income has been derived from his dairy herd.
Local dairy farmers send their products to the six independent
cream stations located in Idaho Falls, or to the Co-operative
creamery, operated by the Upper Snake River Valley Dairymen's
association. A few ship their cream direct to other cities through
the express service. Because of the income derived from their herds
as well as the added fertility the keeping of a herd adds to the
soil, farmers in this locality are increasing the number of cows
they keep. Always considered a side industry, the income received
from milk products has become the source of weekly living expenses,
with the cash crops to take care of larger debts.
The invaluable aid the keeping of a dairy herd supplies,
through added soil fertility, can be readily seen in the case of a
local dairy farmer whose wheat, in the present season of drouth
yielded 70 bushels to the acre. Oats and barley yielded 80 bushels
to the acre.
Chief Manufacturing Unit
The co-operative creamery is the chief dairy manufacturing
unit in Idaho Falls, being owned by some 2000 valley farmers. The
association is a member of the Challenge Cream and Butter
corporation, with headquarters in Los Angeles. The Challenge
organization, which consists of 17 branch associations in
California, Washington, Oregon and Idaho, operates under the policy
of shipping the surplus milk products from rural communities to
cities on the coast where the demand is greater than the supply.
Some of the large units of the Challenge company produce 6,000,000
pounds of butter annually. In Idaho the branch associations receive
the same benefits of co-operative marketing as do the large
Challenge units in California.
Membership with the Los Angeles offices gives the local unit
three directors in the organization. These directors are J. T.
Fisher. St. Anthony, president; W. B. Holden, Rexburg, secretary,
and E. S. Trask, Idaho Falls. The directors meet quarterly,
directly representing the producers. Fifty-two to 72 per cent of
the butter consumed in greater Los Angeles is supplied by the
Challenge company.
Organized in 1930
The Upper Snake River Valley Dairymen's association was
organized in 1930 by 1500 farmers, under the leadership of several
of the present directors, and with the aid of the state and local
Grange organizations. Money for the building was loaned to the
group by the [sic.] to other stations.
In addition to the 1,578,198 pounds of butter manufactured at
the co-operative plant here last year, one-half million pounds of
casein was made as a by-product. Until recently the casein was
shipped to Muskegon, Mich., where it was made into buttons, combs
and buckles. At present a new grade of plastic casein is being made
and shipped to Chicago by the local plant, where it is used to make
cellophane. Dry milk is also made in limited quantities. Because of
market conditions, very little was made during the past year.
A monthly magazine is published by the co-operative
organization and sent to each of the members. This contains
national as well as federal farm board now known as the farm credit
administration. Co-operative marketing makes it possible for
members of the association to pay for the creamery building and at
the same time receive the same price for butterfat as they would if
they were to sell local dairying news [sic].
65 Persons Employed
Sixty-five persons, including 27 milk haulers, make up the
Rexburg and Idaho Falls staffs. Idaho Falls was selected for a
plant because of its location in the center of the irrigated farm
region and because of the abundance of inexpensive electricity.
Trucks cover a 100 mile territory each day to pick up cans of milk.
Because the farmers who keep small dairy herds have been found
to consistently come out ahead of their neighbors who do not keep
cows, dairying, as an industry, is increasing in volume in the
Upper valley region.
photo caption:
HERE IS THE WAY a portion of Park avenue looked one winter day a
few years ago. This picture shows the half block on the west side
of Park avenue between Broadway and A street. At the extreme left
is the State bank building, where the J.C. Penney store is now
located; across Broadway on the corner is a drug store, next is a
restaurant and then a jewelry store (where the awning is down);
next is the Montana saloon and then the Cutter Drug company. On the
alley at the right is S. Ed Johnson's harness and shoe shop, where
he still operates.
FIRST ORCHARD STILL STANDS
Planted on Willow Creek by Japa Silfver in 1879.
The first apple orchard in the valley began to bear fruit in
1884. It had been set out some five years before by Japa Silfver on
his homestead on Willow creek, four miles north of the present city
of Idaho Falls. A half acre of the old orchard still stands, the
gnarled, half-century old trees still bearing a few apples. One
huge old pear tree, which has long since ceased to bear fruit, has
assumed the proportions of a shade tree, towering above some of the
cottonwoods along the creek bank.
In 1879 Japa Silfver and his wife, Maria, came to Eagle Rock
from Stockholm, Sweden. Both Mr. and Mrs. Silfver filed a timber
claim on Willow creek. To hold a timber claim, it was necessary for
the claimant to plant a certain number of trees on the tract. Most
of the early settlers planted a few cottonwoods and now and then
Carolina Poplars. Japa Silfver sent to a nursery and purchased
seedlings of wealthy, Jonathan, red astrakan and Rome beauty apples
and plum, cherry and pear trees.
Maria Silfver had learned the weaver's trade in Sweden, and
when she came to America, she Mrs. Silfver's prized rhubarb [sic]
brought her loom. So far as can be learned, it was the first in the
valley. Mrs. Silfver made many beautiful carpets, bedspreads and
brocaded spreads which she sold to the women of Eagle Rock. She
clipped, washed, dyed, carded, spun and wove wool, and then made
clothing for her family. Mrs. W. I. Beale, the only surviving
member of the Silfver family, has a woolen blanket which has just
completed its fiftieth year of service and still remains without a
hole.
Mr. Silfver died in 1896, and his widow in 1890 [sic]. The
homestead has changed hands several times. The original buildings
have been destroyed by fire or moved away. But the old apple trees
continue to blossom and put forth fruit.
LAVA FLOW ONCE COVERED VALLEY
Geological Forces Worked Thousands of Years Ago
To Shape Valley.
Citizens of Idaho Falls today point with pride to the record
of progress that has been made during the last fifty years, the
evolution of a town from adobe shacks to compact business blocks of
stone and steel; of a country from sagebrush and sand to green
fields and gardens. Fifty years and the scene is changed so as to
be hardly recognizable. The geological and topographical forces
were at work hundreds of thousands of years to shape the surface of
the valley. Mother Nature worked eons to produce sagebrush; man's
ingenuity produced food in a small fraction of that time.
According to geologists, lava eruptions covered Idaho in
several successive layers. Between each lava flow there was a
growth of vegetation, which was compressed beneath the next flow of
hot lava. Many thousands of years brought about a cooling of the
scene. This change in temperature continued until the climate was
frigid.
Glaciers Formed
Successive snows formed the glaciers. Probably hundreds of
years elapsed before the earth's axis again tilted southward and
the climate began to moderate. Melting ice smoothed the mountain
peaks somewhat and left thousands of little lakes and gullies in
the tops of the mountains. The Pacific coast gradually began to
sink, lowering the entire mountain ranges.
Later centuries brought the erosion of the valleys by the
rivers. Canyons were widened into plains and sand blast by the wind
wore smooth the rocks.
Craters of the Moon
The latest geological period included the lava flows in
central Idaho, the Craters of the Moon National monument. Harold
Stearn, U. S. Geologist formerly stationed here, has stated that
this lava flow came from a fissure in the side of the mountains and
ran like rivers over the land. Indeed, rivers of hardened lava can
be discerned clearly, bearing the appearance of having hardened
instantly, while still flowing. Activity at Craters of the Moon is
thought to have ceased about 250 years ago.
The period in which we are now living might be called one of
repose, between series of activity. The eternal process of change
wrought by water and wind go on, so slowly that one lifetime cannot
measure any appreciable difference in the contour of the land.
Human beings can scratch the surface of the earth and bring forth
products that make a civilization. Yet an average lifetime is much
too short to be measured, even in fractions, geologically!Golden
Jubilee Edition, Post-Register, 10 Sep. 1934
Churches Play Large Part in Community Life
First Church in City Built Just Fifty Years Ago
Religious Growth Has Kept Pace With Development of Idaho Falls;
14 Denominations Now Have Places of Worship Here.
From the very beginning of Eagle Rock, religion played a
prominent part in the life of the community. It was for the cause
of religion that the first settlers, the Mormons, crossed the
Indian menaced plains in covered wagons, enduring untold hardships
along untraveled trails fraught with danger, to settle in Utah and
Idaho. The greater part of the population in Idaho Falls has church
affiliations, and through the period of years 14 denominations have
set up places of worship.
While a mere settlement there were several religious
denominations represented. There were no church buildings erected
for several years, but small groups met at private homes for
worship. The first sermon preached west of the Rocky mountains was
delivered by Jason Lee, Methodist missionary, on his travels from
Boston to Salem, Ore., where he preached on the banks of Snake
river in 1834, 100 years ago, long before there was any settlement
here.
The first Sunday school, organized in 1882 by Mrs. Rebecca
Mitchell, Baptist missionary who came here from Illinois, was the
start of the present extensive religious organization. Mrs.
Mitchell taught her first Sunday school on June 11, 1882, in an old
frame building with boxes used for desks and seats. A great deal of
interest was evinced in the class and new members were enrolled
rapidly. Her intentions originally were to organize among the
Baptists, but people of all denominations met for the Sunday
school. Mrs. Mitchell corresponded with influential people in the
east and secured financial support for a church building. It was in
August of 1884, little more than 50 years ago, that the first
church building in Idaho Falls was begun. It was completed three
months later. With the exception of recent improvements and
additions, the building is the same that is being used for the
First Baptist church on Eastern avenue. The building was the first
to be erected for religious purposes between Ogden and Butte, and
was the first church in eastern Idaho. It was dedicated in November
of 1884, and on that day three persons were baptized in Snake
river.
The Rev. M. T. Lamb was the first pastor of the church and the
Rev. Dwight W. Spencer assisted as general missionary. The first
shovel of dirt toward the new foundation was spaded by Mrs.
Mitchell. When the organization of the church was perfected in 1884
there were eight members.
First Church Bell
Sunday, June 18, 1885, was a memorable day in religious
history in Eagle Rock, for it was then that the church bell pealed
its resonant tones through the little town, calling the faithful to
services. The bell weighed 400 pounds and was an expense of $100 to
the congregation. Following the dedication of the church, the Rev.
Mr. Lamb left and the Rev. Mr. Barley took his place. Other
ministers included the Rev. Mr. Lyon, the Rev. Mr. Stewart, who
later taught in the public schools, the Rev. Henry Van England, the
Rev. Mr. Sawyer, the Rev. Mr. Bowler, and in 1898 the Rev. Mr.
Kyle.
There were periods when the church was without a pastor, and
during those intervals Mrs. Mitchell filled the pulpit. She also
directed the choir and was particularly active in young people's
work. Mrs. Sarah B. Crow was the first organist, playing the old
hymns on an organ brought by Mrs. Mitchell from her home in
Illinois. Mrs. Crow remained with the church until her own
denomination, the Methodist, was organized in 1883.
In 1895 a parsonage was built, and in 1901 a south wing was
added to the church. The building was used by several of the many
community organizations, some of the churches being organized and
holding meetings there. For several years after 1901 the building
was used as a school room and the first library was quartered in
the basement.
Over 200 Resident Members
From the charter group of eight members the congregation has
increased to more than 200 resident members. The Rev. W. L.
Goodspeed of Oakland, Calif., recently took over the pastorate of
the church. The church was enlarged and improved in many ways the
past year and was dedicated before hundreds of city residents
January 28, 1934, at a special ceremony held at the church.
The church sponsors several organizations, including the
Baptist Young People's Union, the Amoma class and the Baptist
Women's Union.
The Mormons, who figure prominently in the early history of
Utah and Idaho, organized one of the early churches in Eagle Rock.
A small group of the Latter Day Saints faith were attracted here
when the railroad shops were built in 1880. For three years they
attended the Baptist Sunday school. In 1883, however, a small frame
building was constructed on the banks of Snake river, where the
modern day Shane apartment house now stands. James Thomas was made
the first bishop of the L. D. S. church in Idaho Falls. Bishop
Thomas, now more than 80 years old, makes his home in California,
but has returned to Idaho Falls several times, visiting old friends
and his son at Blackfoot.
Membership Increased
Membership in the church, now the largest in the city,
increased rapidly and an addition was built to enlarge the meeting
house, this serving the purpose until the latter part of the
nineteenth century. For $300 James E. Steele, first president of
the Idaho Fals stake, purchased the lots where the stake tabernacle
and the First ward chapel now stand, and building of the new church
replacing the first chapel began.
In 1886, after three years of rapid growth, Eagle Rock was
formally organized into a ward, with James Thomas as the first
bishop; William Thomas, first counsellor; John D. Evans, second
counsellor; Joseph Hawkley, superintendent of the Sunday school;
Mary Jane Hawkley, president of the first relief society, with
Margaret Shippen as the first counsellor, Regina Pond as second
counsellor and Lucy Nixon as secretary.
Chapel Constructed
The building now known as the First ward chapel was
constructed during Bishop Thomas' administration. The first
division of the ward came in 1919, with C. S. Crabtree made bishop
of the First ward and David Smith bishop of the Second ward. At
this time the church noted a tremendous increase in members, and
the two wards were divided again during the November church
conference in 1927. Four bishops were named at this time to aid in
buiding the destinies of the church. G. H. Johnson was named bishop
of the First ward, Jesse H. Nielson the Second ward, A. O. Andelin
the Third ward and James Laird bishop of the Fourth ward. This new
organization became effective January 1, 1928.
Prior to the organization of the four city wards the church
found new buildings were necessary to house followers of the L. D.
S. faith. The stake tabernacle was built in 1914 and the Second
ward chapel on Boulevard was completed in 1929. For some time the
Second and Third wards met at the Second ward chapel while the
Third ward church was under construction.
The new church, built at a cost of about $150,000, is one of
the beautiful public buildings in the city and is equipped with a
gymnasium, a stage for plays, and other recreational devices.
Property Value
Th L. D. S. church today has a total property value estimated
at between $450,000 and $500,000, including buildings and
equipment, in the Idaho Falls stake. There are 12 wards, including
the four Idaho Falls wards, and Ammon, Coltman, Iona, Lincoln,
Milo, Osgood, Shelton and Ucon, and branches conducted at Dubois
and Terreton.
Leonard G. Ball of Ammon is president of the stake; John W.
Telford of Lincoln is first counselor, David Smith of Idaho falls
is second counselor; Stanley Crowley of Idaho Falls, stake clerk
for nine years, is still serving in that capacity; Charles W.
Hansen of Iona is president of the high priests quorum; Mrs. Martha
R. Telford of Lincoln, president of the stake relief society;
Harmon M. Groesbeck of Idaho Falls, stake superintendent of the
Sunday school; M. A. Harrison, superintendent of the Y. M. M. I.
A.; Miss Ivaloo Jeppson, president of the Y. L. M. I. A.; Deon
Seedall, superintenedent of the primary association; Lucius Clark,
superintendent of the junior seminary; Thomas A. Nixon of Iona,
chairman of the stake general committee; Clarence F. Johnson,
chairman of the Aaronic priesthood committee. Sylvan Olson, Jesse
H. Nielsen, John M. Homer and Louis F. Nuffer are bishops of the
First, Second, Third and Fourth wards, respectively. The stake
church roll includes about 10,000 names today. Many activities in
the city are sponsored by the L. D. S. church, with plays,
musicals, contests, dances and competitive sports part of the vast
recreational program stressed by the church for young people and
adults. The Relief societies do much along charity lines and co-
operate with other charitable organizations in caring for the
city's needy in addition to aiding their own people.
Methodist Church
Threads of Trinity Methodist church, first picked up about
1883, are closely entwined in the annals of religion in Idaho
Falls. The first official church sermon was preached here in 1882
by the Rev. F. A. Riggins, superintendent of the Montana mission,
of which this territory was then a part. The church was organized
here in the fall of 1883 by the Rev. E. B. Elder, who acted as the
first pastor, and the list of charter members includes Mrs. Anna
Davis Elder, Mrs. Susan Watts, Miss Sallie Austin, Mr. and Mrs.
Jesse Long, Mrs. W. B. Green and Mrs. Sarah B. Crow. Services at
first were held in an old frame school building located on the
street east of Water avenue. In 1886 the church was incorporated by
a goup of Eagle Rock residents headed by the Rev. J. P. Morris of
Blackfoot, who purchased the present site of the church for $285.
He preached a sermon here every other Sunday.
Was Reorganized
For several years the church was without a pastor, and in 1889
the church was reorganized by the Rev. J. M. Wilde of Blackfoot
with H. L. Cook, Peter von Blaricon, Mrs. Mary McGee and Mrs. Sarah
B. Crow constituting the entire membership. In 1892 the territory
was transferred from the Montana to the Idaho conference. The first
missionary society of the church was organized with nine members in
1894, and other departments, such as the Epworth League and weekly
prayer meetings, were started. Harry Holden, now with the Idaho
state public utilities commission at Boise, was the first president
of the Epworth League, young people's organization.
The corner stone of the first Methodist church building was
laid September 9, 1895, during the administration of the Rev. R. M.
Hardma, and it was in 1904, when the Rev. G. W. Barnes was
minister, that the church debt was paid in full.
Begun in 1916
The present church building, located on the corner of Elm
street and Water avenue, was begun in 1916. The Rev. C. M.
Donaldson has had the pastorate for three years.
Active in church affairs are two missionary societies, the
Women's Home and the Women's Foreign Missionary societies, the
Methodist Ladies' Aid society and the Epworth League. Mrs. W. F.
Kunter is superintendent of the Sunday school and Mrs. B. W. Clark
is organist. The church which struggled along for several years
with less than a dozen members now has a congregation of more than
420.
The Rev. S. W. Wishard, with eight followers, organized the
First Presbyterian church in this city in 1891. The first church
building of this denomination was erected the following year on the
corner of A street and Shoup avenue. The first meeting of the
church was called by the Rev. M. Wishard in 1891, when eight
members gathered at the church building to organize. In that small
group were Mrs. Emma Clark, Mrs. John Dill, J. R. Mason, Mrs.
Margaret Balster, Mrs. Frank Hitt, Mrs. A. G. Changnon, Mrs.
Adrianna Heard and Mrs. Idabel Linger.
Church Completed
The Rev. David E. Von Gieson was the first minister, taking
the church over in 1892 upon the completion of the new building.
The Rev. Hugh W. Jones, an uncle of Mrs. D. F. Richards of this
city, now doctor of theology at the National Bible institute in New
York City, was one of the 13 ministers of the church in the 42
years since its organization.
The Rev. Arthur E. Richards was minister of the church at the
time the new building was completed at a cost of $90,000, and
dedicated on April 11, 1920. The manse, valued at $12,000, was a
partial donation made by Mrs. Idabel Linger upon the death of her
husband, Harrison K. Linger, who was an elder in the church.
At present the membership numbers more than 400. The Rev. J.
L. Gulick is pastor, having returned this year after a leave of
absence to study at the George Washington university in Washington,
D. C. for a year. During that time the Rev. G. L. Clark, now in
Twin Falls, occupied the pulpit. Mrs. G. A. Aupperle has been choir
director and organist since the completion of the new building 14
years ago. Mrs. J. A. Coy acted as superintendent of the Sunday
school for 10 years and was followed three years ago by Mrs. F. W.
Tolles, who presided for two years. Paul T. Peterson is
superintendent at present. Besides the country and town divisions
of the women's auxiliary, there is a missionary society and a men's
club of which J. A. Coy is president.
One year before the Presbyterian church was organized, the
first service for followers of the Catholic faith was conducted
here by the Rev. Father Cyril Van Der Doncht, who came here every
two months for services. Meetings were held at the homes of Mrs. Ed
Fanning and Mrs. A. V. Scott. At that time there were five families
attending mass--the Tautphaus, Coltman, Fanning, Scott and
Streibich families.
Catholic Church Started
Life and death entered the records of the church in 1892, with
the baptism of Vincent Coltman, son of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Coltman,
and Kate and May Fanning, twin daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Edward
Fanning, who were the first to be baptized after the organization
of the church, and the death of Mrs. Fanning, at the birth of her
twin daughters.
Plans for a church building were started in 1897, and lots on
Eastern avenue were donated by the Anderson Brothers bank for the
building. The foundation was laid by Julian DeCosta, a Belgian
count who lived in this city until several years ago, and the
church was completed in 1900. Mass was said for the first time by
the Rev. Father Thomas Mooney in September of that year. The
congregation at this time included 18 families. Missions attached
to Idaho Falls were attended by the Rev. Father Mooney at Roberts,
Blackfoot, Rexburg, St. Anthony and Salmon City. He was transferred
to Moscow in 1904 and was succeded by the Rev. Father J. Nolan, who
remained for one year before being transferred to the northern part
of the state. In 1906 the Rev. Father N. Fox took charge of the
church and remained until December of 1918. In 1915 and 1916 two
rooms were added to the church for living quarters, and in 1918 a
rectory was built adjacent to the church.
The Rev. Father Thomas Purcell succeeded the Rev. Father Fox
on January 1, 1919, and he purchased the property on Ninth street
and Lee avenue where the present Holy Rosary Catholic church and
school is located. The rectory was built on Eighth street in 1920.
Two years later the Rev. Father Purcell left and the Rev. Father A.
J. Markham arrived from Spokane and took over the pastorate here
until October of 1923, followed by the Rev. Father L. Buchler, who
stayed until December of the same year.
Present Pastor
The Rev. Father Francis L. Lobell, present pastor of the
church, came here January 1, 1924. The old church and rectory were
sold in 1927 to Thomas McWade. An apartment house on Ninth street
was purchased by the church and remodeled into a convent for the
sisters in April of 1926.
Dreams of a parish hall suitable to the social needs of the
various organizations in the church were realized when the building
formerly occupied by the telephone company was donated by Mrs.
Maria Faber for that purpose. The place was remodeled and
redecorated in 1931 into an attractive and modern club home that is
now the center of social life in the church.
St. John's Episcopal church had an early beginning in this
city, its founding dating back earlier than 1890, the definite date
not being learned. The Right Rev. Ethelbert Talbot, bishop of Idaho
and Wyoming, established the church here and the first group met in
the frame school house near Water avenue where the Central school
building now is. The Rev. John Dawson, a native of Ireland, was the
first pastor. He had charge of the churches at Blackfoot and Idaho
Falls and visited the local parish every other Sunday. The Rev. Mr.
Dawson, who is ow in Portland, visited with friends here several
years ago and stopped at the T. C. Willson home. Bishop Funston,
who came here from Norfolk, Va., headed the diocese at that time.
In 1895 a new church building was completed on the corner of Park
avenue and A street, where the Emporium now stands. This building
was later sold and the present church erected on Placer avenue.
No Surviving Charter Members
There are no surviving charter members of the church now in
Idaho Falls. The Rev. E. A. Allman, who has charge of the Episcopal
churches at Pocatello, Blackfoot and here, has had charge of church
services in the past. The church has been inactive this summer, but
the work is expected to be continued this fall and winter. The
membership is not large in number, but the church itself is an
important factor in the history of religion in this area.
At a meeting attended by a small group of followers of the
Lutheran faith held April 25, 1898, organization of the First
Lutheran church in Idaho Falls was effected. The Rev. A. Gunbert
presided as chairman at the meeting, and Rasmus Roff was secretary.
This small group met for regular services in the Episcopal church
building for a few years until their own church was completed, and
the first service in the new church was held on Christmas day. The
building is the same that is being used now. The lot for the church
was donated by a Mr. Holmes, a member of the Church in Chicago. The
parsonage, reputed to be the oldest house on the east side of the
tracks, was built in 1901. The church members, though few in
number, are active in the community and sponsor a Ladies' Aid
society and the Luther League for young people. The Rev. R. E.
Carlson is minister to the church and also has charge of the Bethel
Lutheran church at Firth, where he lives with his family.
Swedish Church
In the same year the Lutheran church was organized, a group of
six families formed the Swedish Evangelical Mission church. Gust
Safstrom, the Pete Safstrom family, the Ed Safstrom family, the
Andrew Anderson family, the Albert Erickson family and the John
Pearson family were charter members. Shortly after organizing,
members purchased the old L. D. S. church and moved the building to
Western avenue across from the old O. S. L. railroad station. The
Rev. Joel Olen of Minneapolis was the first minister.
In 1906 the old church was sold and the building on Sixth
street and Boulevard was erected. Several organizations, including
a Ladies' Aid society and a young people's league, are part of the
church life. The Rev. Arvid N. Johnson is pastor of the church at
present.
The foregoing churches were all organized in the nineteenth
century when the town in its formulative stage was called Eagle
Rock. They played an important part in the development of the
western settlement and laid the foundations for the present strong
religious structure of the city.
First Christian Church
Early in the twentieth century, after the town discarded
the name of Eagle Rock for Idaho Falls, the seed of the First
Christian church was planted. Frank E. Jones, corresponding
secretary of the Southern Idaho Christian Missionary society,
effected the first organization of the church. After a few meetings
the group disbanded for lack of a pastor. In 1915, through the
efforts of the Ladies' Aid society of the church, B. D. Titus,
evangelist, reorganized the church and meetings were held in the
New Sweden district. Still without a church building of their own,
members met in the Star theatre and the Gem State Business college
in town. As the need for a church became pressing, an intensive
campaign was waged for funds with which to build. The present
church building on the corner of Birch street and Boulevard was
completed February 20, 1916 at a cost of $200.
At the dedication service, $3900 was raised from a silver
offering, and this money was used to furnish the basement and buy
a piano. There were 91 charter members who remained faithfully with
the church from the time of organization to the dedication of the
new building. There are now about 200 active members. The Rev. W.
F. Pool is pastor of the church at present and since his
administration, which began about six months ago, the Sunday school
attendance has increased about 300 per cent. A Ladies' Aid society
and the Christian Endeavor Society for young people are active in
church work.
St. John's Lutheran
Early records of St. John's Lutheran church show that the
first mission work by the German Lutherans in Idaho Falls was that
of a student missionary, F. A. C. Meyer, in 1904. The student Meyer
organized the Lutherans at Squirrel in 1903, and at Twin Falls the
same year. He preached an occasional sermon to German Lutherans in
this vicinity and kept in contact with persons of the Lutheran
faith who came here from Europe and the eastern states. The
Lutherans were served this way until 1909, when the mission station
at Idaho Falls was served by various vacancy pastors, including the
Rev. E. P. Beyer from 1910 to 1911; the Rev. E. Peonjes, 1911 to
1912, and the Rev. J. Schlichting from 1912 to 1913.
The first permanent pastor was the Rev. William Jaeger, and
the organization was effected with the congregation chosen at this
time and a church constitution adopted. He later accepted a call to
Iowa and the congregation called the Rev. H. C. Westendorf, at
Eden, Idaho, who served from 1915 to 1921. During the year of his
ministry the parsonage on Seventh street and Emerson avenue was
built. Since the congregation was still small, meetings were held
on the upper floor of the parsonage. After the departure of the
Rev. Mr. Westendorf, the Rev. F. C. Braun of Squirrel took over the
pastorate here in 1921. The present church building on Seventh
street and Emerson avenue was constructed during his stay, and the
congregation became self supporting. After laboring here for eight
years, the Rev. Mr. Braun accepted a call to Snohomish, Wash., in
1930, where he is now located. He visited with friends in Idaho
Falls this summer.
Present Pastor
The present pastor, the Rev. H. A. Kriefall, has served since
that time. The local church became a member of the Evangelical
Lutheran synod of Missouri, Ohio and other states with a membership
of 3752 pastors, 1,210,206 baptized members, 1377 parochial
schools, 19 colleges and seminaries, 35 charitable institutions and
a property value of $116,000,000.
The church has enjoyed a healthy growth, with mission work at
Blackfoot and Swan Valley and occasionally at Sugar City. There are
about 300 members under the pastorate in Idaho Falls.
Organized More Recently
Two churches in the city were organized in recent years. The
Glad Tidings Assembly was first organized about five years ago as
a smalECTION F
All Idaho Falls says . . . WELCOME
under the Bible standard. The group was later joined with the
general council of the Assemblies of God, an organization well
known on the coast, with headquarters at Springfield, Mo. The Rev.
A. Ragsdale was minister at the church here until about 10 months
ago, when the Rev. H. Gomes took over the pastorate.
For several years church services and activities were
conducted on the second floor of a building on Shoup avenue, but in
December a building was purchased by the congregation and moved to
the corner of Fifteenth street and Lee avenue. Plans are now under
consideration to build a new church in the near future.
Also a recent addition to the religious group in the city is
the Church of the Nazarene, located on South Boulevard and Third
street. The church was organized about five years ago with the Rev.
Harry Rogers as the first pastor. For several years the Rev. Walter
Nichols served as minister, and a few months ago the Rev. Glen Fred
took charge.
A women's missionary society and a young people's organization
are active departments in the church.
Christian Science
It was in 1900 that a few people interested in the study of
Christian Science met regularly each Sunday at the home of one of
the group, and thus was begun what is now one of the active members
of the religious group in the city. When increasing interest made
necessary a suitable meeting place, the Masonic temple on Broadway
was used for several years.
A Christian Science society, a branch of the mother church,
the First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Mass., was
organized in September 12, 1912. A Sunday school was established
immediately and a reading room opened in a down town office
building on November 8, 1917. This reading room is still maintained
in the present church building, where Christian Science literature
may be read, borrowed or purchased.
The goup grew in members and finaly a committee was apointed
to find a permanent church home. The present building at 234 C
street was selected, purchased, remodeled and occupied as a church
edifice in December of 1925. Shortly afterward the full
requirements for a church organization were fulfilled and the
society was merged into the First Church of Christ, Sicentist, of
Idaho Falls, on October 17, 1930. In August of 1933 the church was
incorporated as a religious organization and obtained a charter
from the state of Idaho. The building was dedicated as a church on
Sunday, December 10, 1933, after the full debt incurred by the
purchase of the church had been paid.
Salvation Army
For years a Salvation Army post has been located in Idaho
Falls. Known for its charities, the local post has had ample
opportunity to help the poor and indigent of the community as well
as transients who, during the past few years have stopped here in
search for employment and have gone by the hundreds to the
Salvation Army for aid. During the past winter the post served
meals to hundreds each month, the number of meals served often
approaching the 1000 mark.
In addition to such work among the unfortunates, the post
sponsors regular church services, often conducted out of doors and
at other times at the army building on the corner of Capital avenue
and C street. Capt. Carl Dueill and Mrs. Dueill have charge here
and are entering their third year of service in Idaho Falls. Mrs.
Dueill heads a Ladies' Home league which boasts 72 members. There
is a young people's group with 100 members and there are 55
enrolled in the Sunday school.
For several years the post had headquarters in an old frame
building on the corner of Capital avenue and B street, where the
foundation for a new Salvation Army home has been constructed.
Capt. H. J. Gallahue had charge of the local post prior to Captain
Dueill's administration.
Serving as a bond of fellowship and an opportunity of solving
mutual church problems is the Idaho Falls Ministerial Association,
formed of pastors from all the Protestant churches in the city. The
Rev. C. M. Donaldson of Trinity Methodist church is president of
the association; the Rev. Joseph I. Gulick is vice president, and
Captain Dueill of the Salvation Army is secretary and treasurer.
Meetings are held once a month and the group expects to elect new
officers sometime in September.
RESENTED CHANGE
The day in 1890 when the name of Eagle Rock was changed to
Idaho Falls may have been an occasion of rejoicing for many of the
citizens, but to old "Jo-he," who seems not to be known by any
other name, it was only a pain in the neck. Jo-he represented the
conservative element of the town, which deemed the new-fangled name
an outrage to the traditions of the community. Accordingly Jo-he
carried the anvil from his blacksmith shop to a nearby street
corner and beat upon it with his hammer. He was arrested and fined
for celebrating in so deafening a manner.
Outraged, he explained that he was not celebrating, but merely
exhibiting his disgust at the way the members of the new generation
were going to the dogs
Photo captions:
HERE IS A GROUP OF SOME OF CHURCHES IN IDAHO FALLS
NO. 1. TRINITY METHODIST church. No. 2. Picture of an early day
Methodist church which was located near where the library now
stands. No. 3. The Episcopal church. No. 4. The Idaho Falls stake
L. D. S. tabernacle. No. 5. The Presbyterian church. No. 6. First
Ward L. D. S. church. This group was selected because of the
different types of architecture represented.
THE BURGESS HOUSE, EARLY DAY HOSTELRY.
---
Grange Plays Big Part in Life of Farm Community
Organized in Bonneville County in Recent Years;
Social Life on Farm Centers Around Organization.
By MRS. H. A. PHILLIPS
While the patrons of husbandry--the Grange--has been a going
concern in the southwestern part of the state of Idaho for over 40
years, to the farmers of the Upper Snake River Valley the Grange as
a spokesman for agriculture had little or no meaning until about
seven years ago, when Mrs. C. J. Buckland, deputy state master,
organized a subordinate Grange at York some weeks prior to the
charter date, May 17, 1928. H. J. Wartchow was the first master of
the York Grange, with Mrs. John Woods, lecturer, and Mrs. E. S.
Trask as secretary.
Old memories of pleasant Granges in other states were revivied
and the Grange idea spread rapidly throughout the county. On March
22, 1928, Mrs. Buckland organized the Riverdale Grange with Charles
C. Sparks, master, Mrs. T. B. St. John, lecturer, and Mrs. H. A.
Phillips, secretary.
The Coltman Grange was organized September 1, 1928, by Mrs. C.
J. Buckland, the first meeting being held in the Coltman church.
The following officers were elected: Orson Hudman, sr., master;
Mrs. John G. Gneiting, lecturer, and Mrs. J. S. Fowler, secretary.
Several months later this Grange united with the Fairview community
to make a stronger organization. The name was changed to the
Coltman-Fairview Grange No. 259 with meetings held at the Fairview
school building. The officers elected were Orson Hudman, master;
Mrs. Charles Sparr, lecturer, and Mrs. Harry Cook, secretary.
Charter members at the time of organization numbered 46.
New Sweden Follows
New Sweden followed in the summer with Guy Harris, master;
Arthur Lundblade, secretary, and Mrs. E. G. Rowland, secretary.
St. Leon was organized May 5, 1931, headed by Henry Payne in
the master's chair. Miss Cora Lingenfelter was secretary and Mrs.
Henry Payne, lecturer.
Swan Valley came into the Pomona much later. However we have
been unable to receive data relative to their organization.
The organization of the Bonneville County Pomona followed
rapidly that of the requisite number of subordinates at an evening
meeting at the New Sweden school house.
Shortly afterward at an all day meeting at the Presbyterian
church in Idaho Falls, W. W. Deal, Idaho state Grange master,
installed the new officers, E. S. Trask being the first Pomona
master, Mrs. E. G. Rowland, secretary and Mrs. James Krave,
lecturer. Their charter [began] September 4, 1928.
In January, 1932, Idaho Falls was host to the Idaho state
Grange. James Farmer, lecturer, represented the national at that
time.
"Why the Grange?"
Frequently it has been asked, "why the Grange? Of what good is
it?" The question produces that feeling, half irritation, half
embarrassment that the child feels when stupid people ask, "well,
Buddy, what did you learn in school today?" (When the Grange has
learned?--as much as the lad who retorted, "I learned the other
kids at school not to call me mother's little pet," the Grange will
have learned a most important lesson.) Patrons and laymen, too,
sometimes expect too much of the subordinate units, not being
familiar with the achievements of the national organization which
are the results of subordinate deliberations.
The Grange did not spring full panoplied, a fountainhead of
wisdom and power, like Minerva from the brow of Jove, and it works
no miracles. Rather the Grange way is an unfolding, a blossoming
akin to the knowledge of the love of God, the consciousness of
graciousness in living and plays no inconsiderable part in both in
the life of a patron. "First the blade, then the ear, after that
the full corn in the ear."
Supports Co-op
Concretely, however, the York Grange has ever been a power in
support of the Idaho Falls cooperative creamery and at a time when
the Grange obligation to them was not clearly understood,
befriended the Future Farmers and the 4-H organizations.
Each Grange has undertaken and carried through some project
peculiar to its locality. The tide of influence of the various
units rises and falls as the needs of their jurisdiction are met
and adjusted.
Space prohibits the enumeration of the objectives of the
Granges in the county. However one of the greatest benefits it may
offer a community is an abstract one, meaning that an organized
group or the head of an organized group, may be justifably called
upon to lead in the affairs of that community; whereas, a great
many worthwhile projects may be left undone, not because of a lack
of energy or brain to execute them, but because of the lack of
organized leadership. Again this very fast of controlled leadership
has cemented groups and perfected an effective channel through
which a more adequate understanding of other and varied groups may
be sustained.
It does not much matter if the lecturers do not always
maintain the strict letters of the precepts laid down by the order
relative to cultural programs, each Grange must work out its own
salvation in that regard, but all sustain the National Grange, that
great parent who in constant touch with its children, wisely and
effectively works out their problems to their best possible
solution. In essentials there is no deviation.
GOLD BROUGHT MANY TO IDAHO
"Gold Fever" Caused Many of Valley Settlers Come West.
Perhaps there is no malady in the world as contagious as the
mental twist known as "gold fever." A Glimpse of the yellow metal
in the hands of a prospector who claims to have made a "strike,"
and all other pursuits are forgotten. This was particularly true
during the last half of the previous century when occasional rich
strikes were really found. A tattered westerner had only to make
his appearnace in an eastern town, describe the ore to be had for
the taking, and the next morning would find the butcher, the baker,
and the meter reader assembling a grub stake.
Idaho's "golden age" in the sixties made millionaries of a few
and derelicts of many. By 1870 there were still many thousands of
prospectors wandering from hill to hill, from stream to stream.
One gully looks as likely as another, and Idaho has millions of
gullies--is it any wonder that prospectors were all said to be a
little mad?
In 1870 there was a stampede to the Caribou hills--from which,
incidentally, gold is still being taken. The germ, like that of
the plague of the middle ages, spread over an unbelievably wide
territory. In a few months there were more than 2000 placer miners
along the banks of the Snake river, between Swan Valley and
Shoshone.
City Interested
The city "dads" of Eagle Rock had no intention of being left
out of this easy money. W. H. B. Crow recalls that he and Dick
(DeForrest) Chamberlain, with several others, planned a project
north of town. Six men were employed for three months, a canal and
headgates were constructed--and $35 in gold taken out in the
cleanup. The canal and headgates still stand alongside the dam
about three miles north of Idaho Falls.
George S. Jennings of Winfield, Kas., had better luck. Mr.
Jennings returned here a few years ago, after having been away for
over 50 years. He was one of the many in the middle west who was
lured to the Oregon country by the tales of gold, which, he was
told, could be washed from the sand and gravel of Snake river and
its small tributaries. He came west in 1878, and returned three
years later with $8000 in gold.
His story begins in Ohio, where, as a youth, he first heard
tales of the gold in the western hills. He traveled to Kansas,
where he listened to fresh stories of the new gold country, Idaho
and Montana. He traveled to Cheyenne where he was put in charge of
shipment of merchandise destined for the Utah and Northern railroad
terminus, which was then close to the Utah-Idaho border. His
shipment delivered, he journeyed on to Blackfoot, where he worked
for his board and room during the winter. In the spring he came to
Taylor's Bridge, and worked with the miners along the river until
he had enough money to buy an outfit of his own. He worked the
small streams, coming into town every few months to deposit his
gold dust with Uncle Bob Anderson.
Two years later, Mr. Jennings set out for home. He wore his
earnings, which amounted to $8000, in a belt around his waist under
his clothing. He was afraid to take off his clothes during the trip
home, lest he be robbed. He remarked that the gold dust seemed to
weigh as much as an ox before he reached Kansas.
Placer mining in Snake river valley was gradually given up.
Gold there was, indeed, but in a powdery form which defied washing.
Photo captions:
Business and Professional Leaders of Idaho Falls Caught by the
Camera
RALPH EDMUNDS recently elected national vice commander-in-chief of
the United Spanish war veterans. Mr. Edmunds recently was apointed
an aid-de-camp on Gov. C. Ben Ross military staff.
EARL NELSON manager of the Home Service laundry. After wash day
your wife never looks the same even though she only supervises the
washing.
DR. B. J. ALLEN chiropractor located in the Austin building,
candidate for county coroner, Republican ticket.Your vote
appreciated.
FRED G. BASSETT manager of the automobile firms of the same name in
Idaho Falls and Pocatello operating garages and automobile agencies
for Studebaker cars and International trucks.
DR. GEORGE A. AUPPERLE osteopathic physician located in the Rogers
building on Shoup Ave. Dr. Aupperle has been practising osteopathy
in Idaho Falls for 15 years and is now carrying on a general
practise.
GEORGE W. HERROD manager of the Emporiuim Department store. Mr.
Herrod came herefrom Ogden, Utah, where he was manager of the
College Boot Shpe for five years.
HENRY S. MARTIN, born, reared and educated in Idaho, with the
exception of a L.L.B. degree at the George Washington University.
Mr. Martin is a member of one of Idaho Falls' Pioneer families. Law
office in the Earl building and he is the Democratic candidate in
the November elections for the office of prosecuting attorney.
J. L. ASBURY former owner and manager of the Asbury Motor company
of Plymouth and Chrysler sales, located in the Idaho garage. Mr.
Asbury is now in California for an indefinite time.
CHARLES S. ODEN president and manager of Oden Motor Supply Co.,,
operating a garage, machine shop and parts department. Mr. Oden was
Exalted Ruler of the Elks lodge in 1933 and is now a member of
Idaho Falls school board and the American Legion Post 56 since its
organization.
VERNON JOHNSON manager of the local branch of Swift and company
located on the corner of Shoup Ave., and C streets dealers in
cream, poultry and eggs. Mr. Johnson was formerly associated with
the Western Creamery here.
A. A. MERRILL, nominated for prosecuting attorney at the Republican
primaries. He was prosecuting attorney in 1931 and 1932, coming to
Idaho Falls [] years ago. He finished his college work in 1920,
and in 1927 received two degrees in law, his bachelor of law and
master of law at the National university law school.
FRED PORTER county coroner, and a candidate for re-election to that
office at the general election in November. Mr. Porter is
associated with Porters Hygie[nic Baths]. He will be head of the
new Porter Sanitarium in Idaho Falls.
FRANK LARSEN manager of the Paramount theatre in Idaho Falls for
two years. Mr. Larsen came here from Boise, where he was manager of
the Fox theatre for 6 years.
A. H. WILKIE a prominent attorney of Idaho Falls; a member of the
present city council, and candidate for the office of district
judge at the November election.
JACOB H. TRAYNER superintendent of the L. D. S. hospital since its
opening in 1923, it being one of the most modern and up-to-date
hospitals in Idaho.
AXEL HEDLUND manager of the Hedlund Hardware of Idaho Falls and
Shelley. Mr. Hedlund opened the Idaho Falls store located on Park
avenue two years ago.
W. T. WADE since 1909 has operated a men's furnishing store in
Idaho Falls. His sons Churchill and Preston P. are now associated
with him in the business. Mr. Wade is one of the oldest business
men in Idaho Falls.
B. L. HARRIS manager of the Bonneville Auto and Beneficial Finance
corporation and is a Past President of the Idaho Falls Lion's club.
IRENE FULLER president of the Business and Professional Women's
club. Miss Fuller is in charge of the children's dept. of the
public library a work in which she has made wonderful progress.
ANTON PEDERSEN, 36 years a resident of Idaho Falls teaching school
in many parts of the state, principal of the Iowa school, 6 years,
Mr. Pedersen is a candidate for re-election to office of county
superintendent of schools at the November election.
H. B. CRAGGS former manager of Schramn Johnson Drug store in this
city, now operating his new store,"Craggs Drugs" on the corner of
Shoup and B. street.
JOE GEORGE owner and manager of the Rio theatre. Mr. George opened
one of the first theatres in Idaho Falls in 1907 known as the
"Dime". In 1914 he built the American theatre and in 1929 built the
Rio which was then known as the Broadway.
MRS. MARIE STEYER secretary to the manager of the relief council
and who is also executive in charge of the women's relief work
activities.
RAY M. BERRY newly elected principal of the Idaho Falls high school
Mr. Berry has been principal of the Blackfoot high school for ten
years.
Majority of Photos on this page by George M. Scott and Sons.
Alma Marker of Idaho Falls Is Dean of Idaho Merchants
Operates Store Here for Over Half a Century
Came Here in 1882 from Manti, Utah;
Played Fiddle at Dances First Two Years;
Opened First Music Store Here.
By ANDREW R. MARKER
Fifty-two years ago, a young man, living at Manti, Utah,
received a letter from a sister who was living at a frontier town
in Idaho called Eagle Rock. She was the wife of George Heath, who
was running an eating and lodging house at that place. She wrote
that the bullwhackers, cattle men, plainsmen and railroaders out
there were frolicsome folks and loved to dance; she thought he
could make a good living fiddling for dances in Eagle Rock. She
added a casual postscript that trout fishing in Snake river was
good. Fishing and fiddling! This Manti boy had a positive genius
for both. And so, with a couple of trout flies stuck in the band
of his hat, and his precious violin snuggled under his arm, he
bought a railroad ticket for that little sage-brush settlement in
Idaho, where a fiddler was wanted and the fishing was fine.
From Salt Lake, his ticket carried him over a narrow-gauge,
cheap and crooked contraption, called the Utah Northern. The train
on which the young man traveled consisted of a string of box cars,
with a dilapidated chair car at the tail end for passengers. Some
wag, mildly inebriated with "Old Crow" whiskey, flapped the wings
of his imagination had christened it the "Frontier Flyer." After
groping its way for interminable hours through somber, sage-brush
solitudes, shying around sand dunes, skirting lava beds, and
surfeiting the traveler with scenes of dun-colored desolation, the
tired and thirsty engine whistled for brakes, and stopped at a
water tank to take a drink. The passenger from Manti was informed
that he had reached his destination.
The size of Eagle Rock, at that time, is indicated by the fact
that when the engine stopped at the water tank, in the center of
the town, the chair car, at the tail-end of the train, was out in
the sage-brush, quite a walk beyond the "city limits."
While the passenger from Manti was picking his way through the
intervening sage-brush along the north side of the track, the train
moved out, and the visitor got his first eye-full of Eagle Rock, as
it appeared on a certain November day in 1882--nine years before
Idaho became a state.
Broken Down Box Cars
Near the water tank was another structure, which bore a
striking resemblance to a couple of broken down box cars,
rejuvenated, and joined together in senile wedlock. This structure
served as the combined ticket, telegraph, express, freight and
passenger office of the Utah Northern in Eagle Rock, 52 years ago.
To symbolize the fact that it was the "heart" of the town, it was
painted red. In vivid contrast to the prevailing sage-colored
desolation of its environment, it fascinated the eye, like an
inflamed pimple on a blushing maiden's nose.
In quest of the Heath house, the newcomer presently found
himself on Eagle Rock street. This "throbbing thoroughfare" was the
most important street in town; in fact, it was the only street in
the town. It consisted of a single row of shacks, about a block
long, fronting on the railroad track, and so near to it that their
once white\washed fronts were fouled with the smoke and soot and
cinders from passing locomotives.
At the lower end of this street was a frame structure that
reared itself above its humbler companions to the haughty altitude
of two stories. Its once-painted but not tarnished, front bore a
"sign," informing the stranger that it was the Chamberlain hotel,
D. Forest Chamberlain, Prop. D. Forest Chamberlain, to old timers,
was none other than "Uncle Dick," the picturesque plainsman, and
dead-shot Indian fighter, who had settled in Eagle Rock in 1879,
and built his hotel when the town was the terminus of the Butte-
bound Utah Northern.
Other Drinking Places
On his way up the street, the newcomer from Manti noticed that
the inhabitants of the town patronized other drinking
establishments than W. H. B. Crow's city pumping plant. Among the
popular resorts of the time, where the public was invited to wet
its parched whistle with a glass of beer, or vintage of still
higher voltage, were those conducted by those conegenial good
fellows, "Jake" Keefer, Ed. Winn, "Louie" Elg, and others.
Charley Bunting, who was to become the merchant prince of
later times, conducted a little bacon and beans grocery store; and
while J. D. Boyce was honing his cleaver, or shaving a steak, in a
little dusty-windowed meat shop, Joe Hurst, the barber, was
trimming a customer in a hole in the wall he called a tonsorial
parlor. James Thomas, who, in 1885, was made a bishop in the newly
organized local branch of the L. D. S. church, had just opened a
tailor shop, and was already taking the measurements of local
dandies who liked to put on "a bit of dog" at the dances.
Finds Boarding House
At the upper end of the street, the newcomer found what he had
been seeking--the Heath boarding and lodging house, conducted by
George Heath and wife. And there, this young man with the fly
hooks in his hat band and a fiddle under his arm, signed the
register with a flowing, beautifully-shaded flourish, that was the
admiration and despair of the calloused-fingered frontiersmen of
that day. That old, adobe Heath house was subsequently sold,
becoming successively the Burgess, and then the Brooks hotel. Its
register, relegated long since to "the tongueless silence of
dreamless dust," carried the signatures of many old-timers, who
came to the town to stay, and become constructive factors in
developing it, from a little jerk-water, narrow-guage railroad
town, into the queenly metropolis of today--a city of lovely modern
homes, embowered in vernal beauty, and the proud commercial capital
of the state. But no guest of that old Heath house ever wrote his
name so continuously and with such a familiar flourish, into the
history of the town, as this young man from Manti. And the name he
wrote in that long-forgotten register, on that November day, in
1882, was Alma Marker.
Scarcely had he set foot in the town before he demonstrated
his faith in its future: He sunk the first of his hard-earned
savings in a plot of ground directly behind the old Z. C. M. I.
building; there he built a home, and sent for his wife, who had
remained in Manti; and there in that self-same home, "without
variableness or shadow of turning," he has resided continuously for
half a century, in happy "domestic tranquility," on terms of
friendly good will with all the world, loved by his neighbors, and
bearing a reputation for old-fashioned integrity which the acid
test of years has never tarnished.
Always Good Natured
The world, it has been aptly said, is always good natured
toward the good-natured man; and good-nature was second-nature to
Alma Marker. It isn't a man's position that makes him happy--it's
his disposition. This young man from Manti had a heart as mellow as
his precious violin; good-hearted, genial and friendly, he soon
ceased to be a stranger. He was soon on terms of familiar and
cordial friendship with everybody in town.
It was soon evident that the fly hooks he had brought in his
hat had not been put there for purely decorative purposes. It was
soon noticed that every time Alma Marker went fishing, the waters
in the flood-gorged river dropped an inch or two beneath their
accustomed level; and this was accounted for by the tradition that
he took so many big fish out of the stream that the holes left by
the fish left more room for the water. Alma loved to fish, and the
fish seemed to think it an honor to be hooked by him.
Became Popular
That mellow-toned violin, he had brought with him from Manti,
likewise served to give his popularity more than "a local
habitation and a name." His native genius, and self-taught skill,
for evoking perfect dance music from this instrument, endeared him
to the dance-loving folks of that frontier day.
Near the Heath house was a two-story, lava-built landmark,
which was later known as the Z. C. M. I. building. Its lower
floor, at that time, however, was occupied by the firm of Glenn &
Wheeler, with a stock of general merchandise. From the top floor
of this building often emanated those "sounds of revelry by night"
that indicated the Saturday evening dance was in progress there.
It was in this arena of old-time recreation that two early
favorites of the town won the laurel crowns of public popularity.
One of these was J. Ed Smith, at that time, a humble wage-slave in
the Utah Northern railroad shops, then located here. At these
dusk-to-sunup dances, J. Ed., as he was invariably known, was
destined for later fame as Eagle Rock's most eloquent lawyer. In
those primal times of 1882, he was developing his vocal powers by
"calling" for the old-fashioned lancers and quadrilles; already he
was known as the best "square dance" caller this side of Salt Lake.
First Violinist
The other local celebrity was none other than the magic
fiddler from Manti. As first violinist at a dance, he was like
Artemus Ward's trained kangaroo--"never surpassed, and seldom
ekeled." On the magic wings of soul-stirring melody, he wafted his
fame abroad until he was known, far and wide, as "the Ole Bull of
the sage=brush west." A dance was a tepid and tame affair without
Alma Marker.
Scarcely had he got the shingles on his Cliff street home,
until he stocked the front room with musical instruments, sheet
music, strings and trimmings; stationery, candies, tobacco, and
sundries. He also carried a side-line of jewelry and rubber stamps.
His stock of musical instruments ran the whole gamut of musical
taste; he carried everything from accordions to tin flutes; there
was a varied assortment of guitars, banjos, "mouth organs" and jews
harps. If the customer was coy about embarking on a musical career-
well, how about some fishing tackle, or a sled for his kid?
Outgrew House
The business soon outgrew the modest, front-room dimensions of
the old home-store on Cliff street. "Dick" Boomer, the drayman, had
a busy week moving the miscellaneous stock-in-trade into a more
commodious establishment, hard by on South Capitol avenue, where it
continued to thrive until 1895. By that time the ebb-tide of
prosperity on old Eagle Rock street had set in, and its old-time
glory went into eclipse. THe current of progress had leaped the
tracks; business was booming on the north side. Alma hitched his
wagon to the chariot of progress, and moved his store once more;
this time to the new Scott building, which was located on Broadway,
between the Porter hotel and Bowen Curly's bank. Here he remained
and prospered, in practically the same line of goods, for 32 years,
his expanding stock, not only crowding the long corridors of the
ground-floor display rooms, but filling an equally commodious
basement underneath. In 1917, the Scott building was sold, and the
old landmark music store had to find still another home, moving at
last to its present location on Broadway. And there today, Alma
Marker, with the snow flakes of many winters showing in his hair,
but jovial and warm-hearted and smiling as of old, is still waiting
on his customers, greeting old friends with gladness, and making
friends of the new. Today, looking back over 52 years of
continuous business in the same old town, he is the dean and
ranking business man of Idaho Falls, and perhaps of the state, in
point of constant commercial seniority.
Ability to Forget
"The greatest intellectual gift," a writer has said, "is the
ability to forget." Many of those who flocked here in later years
to enjoy the bounties and blessings of this fruitful and teeming
agricultural empire, have forgotten the debt of gratitude they owe
to the pioneers, who redeemed it from the desolate desert and laid
the foundations of its present cultivated prosperity. Let us pause
for a moment and stand at salute to Alma Marker, the ranking dean
of our deserving, old-time survivors. And while we pay a passing
tribute of homage to him, let us include a wreath of red roses for
his wife, the mother of his five children, the first-born of whom
has been sleeping in the old Eagle Rock cemetery for more than 40
years. Through the 52 years, whose alternative sunshine and
shadows, sorrows and joys, have hallowed the walls of that old home
that Alma built on Cliff street, in the days of long ago, she has
been an angel of mercy to neighbors in sorrow; a devoted and
gracious wife, "steel true and blade straight"; an old-fashioned,
God-fearing mother, crowned with all the tender, self-sacrificing
virtues that glorify that hallowed word. "Lizzie" Marker, as her
neighbors know her, has lived a life that truly merits the tribute
which one of them recently paid her--"None know her but to love
her, nor name her but to praise."
Turning the pages of an old-fashioned album, filled with the
tin-types of pioneer days, we came upon a yellowed newspaper
clipping, which Alma says expresses his sentiment toward the town
in which he cast his lot 52 years ago:
Millionaires grow in Chicago,
In mansions of marble and pride;
Homes grew in old Eagle Rock,
And friendships, true and tried.
Plutocracy thrives in proud New York,
Though poverty dogs its heel;
Real brotherhood grew in Eagle Rock,
Where hearts had time to feel.
It's pleasant to play in Paris,
Where gayety gains renown;
But, oh! when it comes to living,
Give me that dear old Idaho town!
ALMA MARKER AND HIS HOME
FOR FIFTY consecutive years Alma Marker has been in business in
Idaho Falls, being the only merchant in Idaho to have such a
record. He is shown above in a recent photograph. Also shown above
is the home at 430 Cliff street in which he has lived 50 years. It
was in this building that he opened his first store back in 1884.
Photos by George M. Scott and Sons.
Ad:
Here's to the Heroes who have been in "Hot water" for the last
fifty years.
Here's to the fellow who gets things started in a civic way
and is blamed if the parade is small and is promptly forgotten if
the celebration is a big success. To his wife who bolsters his
courage. Keeps him trying to arouse public enthusiasm and never
lets him know how her heart sinks in fear, gives wise counsel and
never says "I told you so" when things go wrong.
To the mother who burns the midnight oil of her waning
strength in making the "fixings" for windows and floats; who bites
her tongue and conceals her wrath when young folks laugh at, or
carelessly misuse the dresses or keepsakes that she has held onto
for fifty years or more.
To the newspaper man who can't sleep nights because he is
wondering which of the pioneers he failed to mention in the old
times column. To the man who neglects his own business in order to
pep up his fellow townsmen and get back of a civic plan.
To the policeman who makes allowances for holiday spirit and
winks at "miss"-demeanors as well as mean misses and can hold back
the crowd with a smile.
To the girl who hoped to be queen of the beauties, but instead
worked like a slave for the chosen queen.
To the local historians and literarians who give of their best
and too often are rewarded by being alluded to as "nuts."
To the mayors and other public speakers who labor for hours on
a speech that is criticised and forgotten in a few minutes.
To the family with neglected feet who have never known the
comfort of being properly fitted with good shoes at Terrell's
Terrell Shoe Co.
Our One Thought: "Shoes"
---
FIRST LIBRARY SET UP IN 1883
Bibles, Magazines Shipped In;
City Now Has Modern Institution.
Idaho Falls has a modern 15,414 volume Carnegie library,
from which the 6061 card holders draw more than 80,000 volumes
annually, but not many library users are familiar with the long,
discouraging struggle book lovers here had before the present
institution was established. History of a library in this
community includes five different attempts to provide a public
library before the combined efforts of the Round Table club and the
Village Improvement society could influence the city to take
advantage of the Carnegie grant of $10,000.
In 1883 Bessie Mitchell, who is now Mrs. Fortinis of Berkeley,
Calif., went to the residents of the town and collected enough
money to pay the freight charges on a shipment of Bibles and
magazines her mother's friends had sent. Mrs. Rebecca Mitchell,
the mother, and Eagle Rock's first teacher and missionary, opened
a room in the basement of the Baptist church, and fitted it with
some of her own furniture for a reading room. The first shipment
was supplemented by donations from eastern church groups, and
through Mrs. Mitchell's solicitations to her eastern friends. The
railroad shop workers found Mrs. Mitchell's library a pleasant
place to spend winter evenings. When the shops were moved to
Pocatello, Mrs. Mitchell took the books to her home, where they
were still open to public use.
Rented Hall in 1885
In 1885 the W. C. T. U. used the remaining volumes as a
nucleus around which to build their library. This group rented a
hall on Eagle Rock street, where they kept a reading room for six
or eight years. They had about 400 volumes at that time. There
was no money with which to buy new books; many of the old ones were
lost or worn out, and at length the project was abandoned.
Again in a few years another attempt was made to provide a
library. Subscriptions to the Parmelee Library company were sold,
which entitled the holder to order two books from the company.
These were kept at Alma Marker's stationery store, and subscribers
of the group could borrow them for a period of two weeks. This
plan failed, too, because of the lack of funds. Two of the books
which were in this library are on the closed shelf at the present
library. "Undine," by LaMott-Fouque, and "Advance of Science," by
Thomas Huxley, are the only volumes which remain.
Library at New Sweden
As early as 1890 the residents of New Sweden built a
recreation hall and established a library. Books were contributed
by the various pioneer families. This library was kept open to the
public for many years.
After the Parmelee library plan had failed, a young women's
club in Idaho Falls kept a library for one winter on Shoup avenue.
The present library dates back to 1905, when members of the
Round Table club raised $90 for a library fund. They continued
their contributions each year, and by 1908 had collected two or
three hundred books, as well as some cash contributions. These
books were put on the shelves in the basement of the Baptist
church. The Village Improvement society sponsored a book shower
and increased the number of books to 590.
In 1909 correspondence was begun with the Carnegie board.
Mrs. W. H. B. Crow had written to them some 20 years before, but
had failed to interest the board. The board promised $15,000 for
the construction of a library here. In September, 1914, the
cornerstone was laid, and in 1915 the buildilng was completed. At
the formal opening there were 2000 volumes on the shelves, 60
magazines and eight newspapers.
The library staff at present consists of three full time
librarians, besides Miss Marian Orr, head librarian. One hundred
twenty-three magazines and 15 newspapers are on the racks. The
library board includes W. A. Baker, president; Mrs. Ada St. Clair,
vice-president; Mrs. G. P. Bryan, secretary; F. E. McClure, and E.
A. Owen.
JOHN WRIGHT RECALLS EVENTS
Man Born Here in 1874 Writes of Early Day Incidents.
John Wright, said to be the first white child born in Idaho
Falls, first known as Taylor Bridge and subsequently as Eagle Rock,
reviews for The Post-Register some of the earliest history of the
town. Mr. Wright was a resident of Idaho Falls for many years, and
remembers first hand the incidents for which most of us must depend
on history.
In response to a request from The Post-Register, Mr. Wright
has written some of the more important events in the early history
of the community. The letter follows:
"In answer to your letter of July 17, I will give you the
information you ask as best I can. I was born September 7, 1874, at
what was known in those days as Taylor's Bridge. Eagle Rock
station was nine miles up the river, half way between the bridge
and Market Lake. When the Utah and Northern railroad laid the steel
through in 1879, the stage station was abandoned and the bridge was
called Eagle Rock. For years, the old timers speaking of the town
would call it the "Bridge." The only buildings there then were the
Anderson Brothers residence, store, and the toll bridge, and the
Gilmore and Salisbury stage barn. I was born in the Anderson
residence, which was the last of the old buildings to be torn down,
which was only a few years ago.
"The old adobe store was replaced with the brick building. The
bridge was replaced with steel--I can't remember just when--but
sometime in the ninety's.
Ran Livery Stable
"S. F. Taylor purchased the stage barn and ran a livery stable
as late as 1900. C. G. Martin and S. F. Taylor ran the first meat
market (1870) in a little log cabin. As near as I can judge it
would be the middle of the street in front of the brick store. Mr.
Martin bought Taylor out and set up business on old Eagle Rock
street, about in the middle of the block.
"Dick Chamberlain built the first hotel, in 1880. Glen and
Wheeler built the rock store in 1883, where they handled general
merchandise and also had a bank. M. C. Center was cashier.
"George Heath built the adobe hotel in 1882. About that time
Jake Kiefer and Ed Winn started in the saloon business. The
business part of Idaho Falls was before the Utah and Northern shops
side tracks and switch yards. There was a long string of company
boarding houses about where the Yellowstone branch track is now.
That period was from 1879 until the winter of 1886-1887 when the
company moved the shops to Pocatello. There were about 4000 people
there at that time. Then peple started to move away. In 1894 there
were only 700 people there.
"At that time the Great Western Canal company started work on
their canal on the west side. It was then that the name was changed
from Eagle Rock to Idaho Falls."
Photo captions:
GROUP OF THREE CITY BUSINESS HOUSES
THREE OF IDAHO FALLS' business houses are pictured above, two of
which were recently completed. At the top is the Jennie E. Rogers
building, at the corner of Shoup avenue and B street, home of the
C. C. Anderson company store and professional offices. This
building was completed this spring. Center is the J. C. Penney
building at the corner of Park avenue and Broadway. Bottom is the
Rogers building on Shoup avenue between A and B streets, home of
the Petersen Furniture company. This building was completed last
winter.
Photos by George M. Scott and Sons.
Section E
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Section G
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