Golden Jubilee Edition
SECTION G
Modern Transportation Far Cry from Methods Used During Early Days
Fifty years ago a few wagon trails, and a single ribbon of
steel...both rough and uneven, dotted the vast expanse of sage
brush that is now fertile Idaho. Travel over them was no pleasure.
It was prompted either by the necessity of reaching a new location
or through urge for adventure.
In 1934 the nation is on wheels. There is one privately owned
automobile for every four or five persons, and those cars roll over
a network of oiled and paved highways with as much ease and comfort
as the old arm chair afforded in 1884 when William E. Wheeler
unloaded his first print shop in Eagle Rock. Travel has become not
only a pleasure but a national pastime. It raises the working man
and his family to the same level as the millionaire. It affords
all a recreation never anticipated by those hardy men and women who
settled this city. It brings cities, hunting and fishing grounds,
national parks almost to the doorstep of the home.
The modern motor car has become something of a national
necessity. Electric refrigeration, radios, electric lamps, hot and
cold water....all are a part of today's home life. But none plays
a more important role in the happiness and convenience of the
average family than does the motor car.
It is the marvel of modern transportation. One of the greatest
of all the inventions man has made during the last fifty years.
In 1884 tiny, steam spitting engines of the old narrow guage
Utah Northern railway; rickety old stage coaches, rumbling old
freight wagons and springless "buckboards" were the only connection
Idaho Falls (then Eagle Rock) had with the outside world.
Today big transport planes, high speed passenger trains, bus
and truck lines and privately owned motor cars bring places that
were days distant from old Eagle Rock to within a few hours of the
present metropolis of eastern Idaho.
[See illustrations.]
WHITES SLAIN AT BIRCH CREEK
Massacre There in 1877 Nearest Engagement To Idaho Falls
The escape of Albert Lyons from Indian guns in the Birch Creek
massacre in 1877 is described by Mrs. Rebecca Mitchell, Idaho
Falls' first teacher and missionary, in her pamphlet, "Historical
Sketches." The Birch Creek tragedy was a forerunner of the Nez
Perce war, and was the nearest engagement to Idaho Falls between
the whites and the reds.
Albert Lyons, according to Mrs. Mitchell, was a volunteer in
General Conner's regiment at Fort Douglas. He took part in the Bear
River fight in January, 1863. He was with Connor when Camp Connor
was established at Beer Springs (Soda Springs).
The year 1887 found him with a freight outfit belonging to
Colonel Shoup and Colonel Phillips. The wagons were drawn by mule
teams and were heavily loaded with merchandise--mostly whiskey. At
Birch Creek a band of Nez Perces, under Chief Joseph, attacked and
captured the outfit. They assembled their victims and executed a
war dance around them, drinking and feasting from the whites'
supplies. One Chinese who tried to escape received a hatchet in his
head. Albert Lyons managed to creep into the underbrush, a dense
thicket of briars. He was expecting to be discovered and slain at
any moment. After a while, when the Indians were too drunk to watch
closely, Lyons crawled away on his hands and knees. He hid in the
brush for seven days while the Indians mutilated the bodies of his
companions. He was able to escape only by traveling for miles on
his hands and knees.
Why Chief Joseph, the humane, allowed himself to be a party to
this brutal killing, Lyons was unable to say, unless it was the
effects of the liquor.
Other stories:
CHEVROLET CAR ENDS LONG RUN
Results in 3000 MIle Non Stop Test Are Listed.
COALINGA, Calif.
advertisement:
BLAIRS
an institution that service built
DODGE PLYMOUTH
20 years in Idaho Falls
For 20 Years Dealers in Dodge Bros. Automobiles
1914-1934
WHEN, in 1914, the Preston A. Blair Co. assumed the dealership of
Dodge Brothers cars in Idaho Falls, it began an unbroken period of
twenty years of reliable automobile sales and service under one
management. Today it is the only firm in Eastern Idaho with a
reputation of handling the same make of car for twenty years. The
company has benefitted immeasurably from Dodge's sensational climb
to fourth place among ALL automobile sales.
WITH the thought of dependable service always foremost in mind, the
Preston A. Blair Co. has enjoyed a natural, healthy growth into an
organization employing some twenty-five persons and utilizing two
beautiful, modern and thoroughly equipped buildings.
FEW cities of less than 50,000 population boast of a more complete
motor service institution. There is practically no automobile
demand Blair's cannot meet. Every workman, every piece of
machinery, every method, every service measures up to a high
standard of quality attained through twenty years of sincere
service to the public.
Dodge and Plymouth Distributors for Southeastern Idaho
Preston A. Blair Co., Inc.
---
THE PICTURES
TOP - Salesrooms, offices, parts department, machine shop, body and
paint department, northeast corner Shoup Ave. and A St. Preston A
Blair Co. Used car yard immediately north of this building.
BELOW - Blair Super Service one-stop station southeast corner Shoup
Ave. and A St. Day and night gas, oil, greasing, washing, tire,
battery, brake adjustment and alignment, and storage service.
Complete, modern equipment and skilled, experienced labor for your
every car need.
---
Street Names Reveal Steps in City Growth
Fascinating History of Naming Thoroughfares Here Is Told.
Edgewater Heights! Capitol Hill! Homes of the elect and
residence districts of the plutocracy--chauffeured limousines and
private swimming pools--broad "a's" and stock exchanges--symbolic
of retired business executives and coming out parties.
Who would associate these names with Idaho Falls, named during
its frontier days and still on the city maps to designate certain
additions to the original townsite.
Research into the origin of these and other names reveals many
interesting and novel facts that reach far back into the history of
Idaho Falls street names in particular and have a fascinating life
history.
Broadway and Park avenue, main business thoroughfares of those
famous fashion and business avenues of Manhattan, but have a local
background. Park avenue, once connecting with the main road
northward, was so named because regular stages left on that street
for Yellowstone park. Broadway has a common origin, for when the
new town of Idaho Falls was laid out, the name Broadway naturally
fell to the street which led up to the newly completed fine steel
bridge that replaced Matt Taylor's old timber structure. Narrow as
we may think it today, it seemed a boulevard then, in contrast to
the crowded streets of old Eagle Rock.
Capitol Avenue
Running parallel with the famed Park avenue, to the west, is
Capital avenue, not named because of any governmental offices here,
but because many of the city's towers of finance made their homes
along it. East of Park avenue is Shoup avenue, named after the only
governor Idaho Falls gave to the state, George L. Shoup. The origin
of Cottage avenue is shrouded in mystery and the only explanation
of its name comes from the fact that a number of smaller, low type
of dwellings once bordered that street until [they] were razed to
make room for present day business houses.
Just east of the railroad tracks lay a street, or rather road,
but when a group of wide eyed easterners took up their abode there,
it promptly became Eastern avenue. Water avenue, next to it, got
its name from the tributary of Crow creek that once ran its length,
until confined in a culvert and the street graded over it.
Ridge Avenue
But just east of it was a greater problem for street builders,
for a high, sharp ridge crowned the rise that still exists. So this
street became Ridge avenue, calling to mind great cutting and of
the escarpment until it could be called a street. Placer avenue,
next on the way east, derives its name from sort of placer mining
that flourished for a time at the foot of the hill, now the south
end of the street where Crow creek once flowed unhindered.
And now comes the famed Crow's addition calling to mind one of
the greatest town booms and exploitations this section of the west
has seen.
A trio of real estate men, J. W. Holmes, D. W. Higbee and
Willis C. Emerson, emigrated into Idaho Falls about 1889 and then
and there instituted a promotion scheme to sell the lots they had
purchased. So when streets were laid off in this addition, after
nearly all the lots had been sold, those running north and south
were named Lee, Emerson, Higbee and Holmes respectively after these
men.
Picturesque Names
But it is in the old townsite that picturesque names abound,
first streets of the old Eagle Rock, each descriptive of the land
through which it ran. Cliff street, when excavated, was left with
high earth banks on each side, hence, its name. Basalt next to it,
stands in remembrance of the struggles of road workers with picks,
drill and dynamite to put the street through. The same difficulty
was encountered in the building of Lava street, also underlaid with
solid rock. Hill street, next to it, is self-descriptive. The two
east and west streets, excepting old Eagle Rocks street itself, the
first laid out, are Chamberlain and Oneida. Chamberlain gots its
name from the first mayor of Eagle Rock, D. W. Chamberlain. Oneida
was so called because a train of pioneers from Oneida, in the
southeastern part of the state, migrated here and settled on that
street. This was also the name of the county.
At the northwestern corner of Idaho Falls, in Brodbeck's
addition, are also a group of descriptive of the natural character
of the terrain when thoroughfares were laid out. Willow avenue,
furthest west, was named because of a creek bordered by willows
that ran nearby. Mound avenue indicates a bluff close to the river;
sage avenue might be the name applied to any street when first
surveyed. Canal street is reminiscent of a miniature irrigation
project that had to recede before the town's advance; and Idaho
avenue received its name after this state was admitted to the
union.
Named After Towns
Few Idaho Falls residents know of a street series, other than
the First to Twenty-fourth street group and the A to M street
contigent, that make up most cities' principal streets. But Idaho
Falls has a series differing from any other town in Idaho, the name
of towns and communities in Bonneville county in successive order,
starting just north of M street. These, running east and west are:
Elva, Iona, Shelley, Crowley, Higham, Presto, Fairview and Ammon.
Intersecting with these, and running north and south, are streets
named after the counties of Idaho: Shoshone, Owyhee, Nes Perce,
Lemhi, Latah, Fremont, Elmore, Canyon, Jefferson, Cassia, Boise,
Blaine, Bingham, Bear Lake and Bonneville. In accordance with the
popular president and poet series found in most cities, Idaho Falls
has Longfellow, Whittier and Garfield to offer.
On the outskirts of the town, mainly north and east, are
innumerable streets named for men once prominent here, but who have
since moved away and been forgotten, save by a few of the oldest
residents. Of the streets on which accurate data can be found the
following carry the names of men well known here for their
endeavors in building the city to its present size: C. P. Coltman,
"Hank" Keefer, B. J. Briggs, W. H. B. Crow, Robert Anderson, E.
Payne, and Chris Poulsen--all running from North to South in the
order named at the extreme north or the city. Of the multitude of
other streets which will one day be bordered by modern residences,
the names will serve little more than a means of identification,
while those named in the days of pioneers of Idaho will forever
stand as monuments to the struggles of building a city in the midst
of a once barren desert.
Automobile Industry Comes fo the Front Here
Present Day Car Is Far Cry From Open Buggy of '84
Automotive Industry Grows Rapidly in Recent Years;
Transactions of Garages, Accessory Men, Etc., Total
$2,000,000 Annually.
Since faithful Dobbin and the "one hoss open shay" faded from
the picture with the advent of modern transportation, the
automobile business has grown to enormous proportions and today is
one of the leading industries of Idaho Falls. It is a far cry from
the plodding horse and open buggy to the beautiful, smooth, high
powered streamlined cars of today and from the homely livery barn
to the modernly equipped salesroom and machine shop.
A check on sales transactions of leading automobile dealers,
garages, accessory men and oil companies shows that about
$2,000,000 a year circulates in the automotive business. This sum
is not only expended for cars but for repairs, salaries for
employes in repair shops, service stations, tire and accessory
houses, welders and other allied industries which the introduction
of the automobile made necessary.
It is estimated by automobile dealers in the city that
approximately $1,450,000 is spent by Idaho Falls and out of town
people for new and used cars a year. The majority of families in
Idaho Falls and surrounding towns have cars, and it is the sales
prices of these cars and the upkeep on the machines that raises the
industry to one of the largest in the valley. A great part of the
money received from car sales is used by the companies for
operating expenses. About $230,000 each year goes for salaries to
salesmen, mechanics and veriable expenses necessary in operating an
automobile agency. There are seven agencies in the city dealing
with popular makes of cars.
One of First
One of the earliest automobile agencies in the city and in
eastern Idaho was established by S. S. Blair and Park Blair, who
introduced the Dodge here in 1914. The agency was started in the
building now occupied by the Smith-Hart company. The present
building, thoroughly modern in every way with an attractive display
room, was completed in 1926. Twenty-five salesmen, mechanics and
other employes are connected with the firm. The company also has a
Dodge agency in Pocatello and is sole distributor of the Dodge
passenger cars and trucks for associated dealers in southeastern
Idaho. The company also carries Plymouth cars.
Another of the early automobile agencies established in the
city is the Smith-Hart company, distributors of Chevrolets and
Oldsmobiles. The Nittry brothers first established this business in
1920 and it was taken over by David Smith and operated in what is
now part of the lobby of the Idaho hotel in 1921. It is now a
corporation with Mr. Smith, Frank Reynolds, John W. Hart, CLarence
Hart and Harold J. Bishop as owners. Mr. Smith is general manager,
Waldmar Stosich is assistant manager and Mr. Reynolds is in charge
of the service shop. Mr. Bishop is managing a branch agency of the
company in Rigby. Twenty salesmen and mechanics are employed by the
company here and there are seven employed at the Rigby branch.
Ford Agency
The Ford agency, carried by the Bonneville Auto company, a
corporation of which Fred a Carleson of Salt Lake City is
president, was established in Idaho Falls by "Dad" Clay, who now
operates a service garage. L. O. Naylor took over the agency in
1916 and the cars were displayed in a small building on Eagle Rock
street. In 1917 Naylor sold out to L. A. Hartert and the business
was moved to what is now the Smith-Hart building. In May of 1919
Mr. Carleson came here from Rock Springs, Wyo., and bought the
agency. The building now occupied by the Bonneville Auto company
was completed in 1920 but was not taken over by the agency until
1923. In 1930 a building adjoining the original quarters of the
company was purchased and turned into a used car department. As the
business grew the Beneficial Finance corporation was organized to
handle all auto contracts instead of sending them out of the state.
Mr. Carleson was made president of the corporation. Mr. Carleson,
who left this year to open an agency in Salt Lake City, is still
president of the corporation. B. L. Harris is manager of the Idaho
Falls branch. There are 36 employes in the salesrooms and servicing
department.
E. A. Wackerli, owner and manager of the Gem State Auto
company on D street, erected the first building on the block
between Shoup and Cottage avenues when he built his modern garage,
show room and servicing department in 1927. He has been in the
automobile business for 10 years and at this time is distributor
for Plymouth, Hupmobile and DeSoto cars. His salesmen and mechanics
are steadily employed.
Browning Auto
The Browning Auto company was established in Idaho Falls 17
years ago by J. E. Browning, who hd been in the business in Ogden
before coming here. The company carries Buick passenger cars and
General Motors trucks. There are 15 men employed in the office,
salesroom and service department of the company. When first
establishing his business here, Mr. Browning was located on C
street, the present building being completed in 1917.
Several new agencies have been established in the city only
recently. Located in the Idaho garrage building, the home of
several agencies in the past, is the new Chrysler and Plymouth
agency owner and operated by Thomas Freeman. Mr. Freeman purchased
the business the latter part of August from Joseph L. Asbury, who
left two weeks ago to make his home in Los Angeles and go into the
newspaper business. There are nine employes at present in the
salesroom and servicing department which carries complete equipment
and parts for both Plymouths and Chryslers.
Studebaker Agency
The Fred G. Bassett company, with agencies for Studebaker in
Idaho Falls and Pocatello, was established here in February of this
year. The agency in Pocatello has been conducted for two years.
Besides Studebaker passenger cars the company here is distributor
for International trucks. There are eight employes now connected
with the company here, including salesmen and mechanics as well as
office assistants.
Further proof that the automobile is deemed a necessity in
modern day life are figures kept on record at the county assessor's
[indicating] that there have been issued 4200 licenses to passenger
cars and trucks this year with an additional 450 licenses for
trailers.
On highways and byways the horse has yielded to the supremacy
of swift automobiles in the race against time.
MADISON REGION SETTLED IN 1883
History of County Interwoven With That of Upper Valley.
By M. D. BEAL
The history of Madison county is particularly interwoven with
that of the entire Upper Snake River Valley. Only a slender outline
of its salient points can be given in the space allotted.
In early times wild game abounded in this locality. Here were
found the buffalo, beaver, elk, deer, antelope, bear, fox,
wolverine, badger and martin. An admirable combination of
mountains, valleys, desert country and numerous streams made this
a choice habitat. Coyotes and jack rabbits were unknown in those
early times.
These conditions were also favorable for Indian habitation,
and they were fond of this region. The vicinity of the Menan buttes
was a favorite camping ground. Here the Shoshone and Blackfoot
tribes would come for their annual buffalo hunt, and slay hundreds
of bison with their bows and arrows.
Hunting Days Pass
Those great hunting days soon passed after the coming of white
men, the first of whom was Andrew Henry and about a dozen
companions, who trapped in this country during the winter of 1810
and 1811 for the Missouri Fur company. From that time on the valley
was visited by a succession of explorers, trappers and traders,
prominent among whom were John Hoback, Edward Robinson, Jacob
Rezner, Cass and Joseph Miller, who left the Wilson Price Hunt
expedition at Henry's Fort. Then there was Wyeth, Bonneville,
Father DeSmet and Jedediah Smith, David Jackson and William L.
Sublette. The latter three met "on the 5th of August, 1829, at the
Tetons, on Henry fork, the south branch of the Columbia."
For the next 20 years there were occasional trappers in the
valley, but no settlers until about 1860, when "Beaver" Dick
(Richard Lee) and his Indian wife, together with their children,
located on the Teton river near Newdale. Other settlers were Peter
Weaver, "Big Foot" Smith, the Pierce brothers, Peter Boqua, J. F.
Beery, and "Tex" Parker, a half-caste Indian for whom Texas Slough
was named. In 1862 Lot Smith and a company of Indian fighters came
through this valley, and when crossing the south fork, below Lyman
townsite, Donald McNichol was drowned.
Real Settlers Come
The late 70's and early 80's was a sort of twilight period
between the trappers and the real settlers. During this decade
stock rustling was a means of support for a certain element, among
whom was Robert Carter, "Red Roxy," Ed Harrington, Bob Nickson and
Jim Robinson.
The factor primarily responsible for the colonization of the
entire Snake river valley was the construction of the Utah Northern
railroad in 1879. Thomas E. Ricks of Logan, Utah, was one of the
contractors who built the roadbed. In this manner he became
acquainted with the country. In 1883, President John Taylor
instructed William B. Preston, president of Cache valley stake, and
Thomas E. Ricks to go into the Snake river valley and select a
suitable place for;
"The location of a central point for religious, educational
and commercial enterprises, and to prepare the way for the rapid
colonization of the country."
These men chose the present site of Rexburg on January 11,
1883, as the central place for the proposed development. Thomas E.
Ricks was chosen as bishop of the Bannock ward of the Cache Valley
stake. This ward embraced all of the territory north and west of
the mouth of the Portneuf canyon.
Leave in 1883
A company of settlers left Logan and Wellsville on January 25,
1883. Among them were four sons of Thomas E. Ricks, namely, Thomas
E., jr., Brigham, Heber and Willard. The others were Fred Smith,
Francis C. Gunnell, Lorenzo Thorpe, Daniel Walters and Leonard
Jones. William F. Rigby and James Cook joined the party at Eagle
Rock. These pioneers reached Lyman townsite on Frebruay 11, where
they worked in the timber for a month. On March 11, they began the
settlement of Rexburg. A canal was built and crops were raised that
year. John Taylor expected to call settlers to the Snake river
valley, but Bishop Ricks assured him that "they would come fast
enough." Little time was required to vindicate this statement, as
the desire to migrate ran rampant in Utah, and by Janaury of 1884
there were 815 souls in the Bannock ward, which included Rexburg,
Menan, Parker, Lewisville, Teton, Lyman and Wilford branches.
The people were young or middle aged and released much energy
in building the canals, grist mills, saw mills and churches, that
rapidly sprang up. The Bannock ward was changed to the Bannock
stake on February 4, 1884, with Thomas E. Ricks as president and
William F. Rigby and Francis C. Gunnell as counselors. These men
supervised the religious organization of the Mormon church in the
entire Snake river valley for the next score of years.
At present there are about 10 villages or wards in Madison
county besides the city of Rexburg. They are Thornton, Archer,
Lyman, Independence, Burton, Hibbard, Plano, Salem, Sugar City and
Herbert. Each has an interesting local history that deserves
special consideration, and each has constantly contributed to the
making of Madison county. The people are normally prosperous and
generally forward looking and public spirited. The principal
products are potatoes, sugar beets, grain, cattle and sheep
raising, and dairy products.
There are four high schools in the county, and one junior
college.
Service Stations Do Big Business Here
Approximately $310,800 Put Out Annually In Salaries
And Operating Costs.
Figuring prominently in the business life of the city and
surrounding territory are the service stations found scattered
through the city, representing eight leading oil companies.
Approximately $310,800 is put out by the companies for salaries and
operating expenses in the city each year.
Attractive stations, modernly equipped in every way for the
servicing of cars and convenience of motorists, are built all over
the town and on highways leading to and from Idaho Falls. About 40
machine shops prepared to sell the motorist gasoline, are built in
the city. Besides sending thousands of dollars into the hands
oflocal residents each year through salaries, the stations
represent a vast property value.
The Fletcher Oil company, represented in this section by J. J.
Verran, has seven stations in Idaho Falls representing a property
valuation at $70,000. The stations are leased out by the company.
Five by Texas Company
Five stations are run by the Texas company with J. W. Holmes
as manager here. The property value of the five stations is
estimated at about $100,000.
The Shell Oil company, with Joe Gesas distributing agent, in
this territory, has five service stations in the city.
O. D. Hendrickson is local manager for the Westcott Oil
company here with three stations under his management. The stations
are leased out by the company. The Continental Oil company has
three stations in Idaho Falls with Walter Felt agent for
Continental products. The Gem State Oil company distributes
gasoline to two stations in Idaho Falls. Lynn Schwendiman is the
distributing agent for the company here. The Covey Gas and Oil
company operates the one GaSav station.
There are five stations in the city carrying Standard Oil
products. A. M. Alexander is head agent for the Idaho Falls area.
Photo captions:
HERE ARE HOMES OF SOME OF LEADING AUTOMOBILE DEALERS HERE
NO. 1. THE SMITH-HART company garage where Chevrolet cars are
handled. It is at the corner of Park avenue and C street. No. 2.--
The Bonneville Auto company building at the corner of Capital
avenue and A street, known as the "Ford Corner." No. 4--Gem State
Auto Sales Inc., agents for the Plymouth and De Soto cars, located
at the corner of C street and Shoup avenue. No. 5-- Fred G.
Bassett company on B street between Park and Capital avenues.
Agents for Studebaker cars. No. 6--Browning Automobile company on
the corner of Park avenue and D street, agents for Buick and
Pontiac cars. No. 7--The Idaho Garage, located at the corner of
Elm and Eastern avenue. The Freeman Motor company, agents for
Chrysler and Plymouth cars, occupies part of this building. No. 8-
-Preston A. Blair company at the corner of Shoup avenue and A
street, agents for Dodge and Plymouth cars.--Photos 1 and 5 by Geo.
M. Scott and Sons.
C. E. Arney Recalls Early Days in Idaho Falls
Arrived in Old Eagle Rock Fall 1887 from Iowa
Tells of Pioneers, Businesses and Residents
Here at That Time;
Served as Principal of Schools.
BY C. E. ARNEY
It was at 9 p. m. on the evening of August 19, 1887--47 years
ago, that I left the Utah and Northern train at Eagle Rock, headed
for Butte, and adopted Idaho as my abode. I had been two days and
nights on the train from my Iowa home. It was my native state and
I always longed to follow the wake of my forbears from Ohio and
Indiana and "go west and grow up with the country." One of my
first interrogatories was "Why Eagle Rock?" It was explained to me
that for years in the earlier days, a large bald eagle had made her
nest and hatched her young on the apex of a large rock some four
miles up the turbulent Snake, the island rock being well high above
the highest water of the springtime, when the stream was certainly
a roaring torrent.
The very early trappers called the place "Eagle's Nest."
Later, prospectors called it "Taylor's Bridge." Some, later, called
it "Anderson's Ferry" and then it settled down to the (to me)
attractive old name of "Eagle Rock." It was in 1891--to be exact,
January 1, that the so called "Boomers," Jim and Ira Holmes,
McCaffrey, Willis Emerson, Morrison, Higby and a lot of camp
followers who had come in from Garden City, Kansas, proposed and
did bring about the change of the name of the place to "Idaho
Falls."
Churches
The Mormon church was located near the banks of the river some
two blocks north of the present court house. Bishop was James
Thomas, a most estimable gentleman, father of Lorenzo Thomas, who
then was on a mission. The pastor of the Baptist church was T. M.
Stewart, one of the very poorest sermonizers I ever heard but later
a partner of Judge Dietrich and one of the best lawyers in all
southeast Idaho. I succeeded him as principal of the Eagle Rock
schools. This Baptist society was a missionary set-up and really
dear old Rebecca Mitchell was the pillar of the church.
Businesses
Business houses of that early day included:
General merchandise--Anderson Brothers; J. C. and Robert,
proprietors; J. C. the postmaster; Charley Ramsey, deputy
postmaster and clerk in the store.
Glen-Wheeler and Company--They also ran a small bank, and
their store was in the large stone building near the river on Front
street, and the second floor was made into a dance hall when the
town was the shopping center, and in the later 80s it was the "bon-
ton" place for the real "swells" from Pocatello, Blackfoot and
"Eagle Rock" to come to dress parties. The grand march usually
started about 11 p. m. Alma Marker was the manipulator of the bow
and fiddle, and the gray dawn usually marked the strains of "Home,
Sweet Home."
It was the correct boast of C. B. Wheeler that they carried
everything "from a knitting nedle to a threshing machine."
Hotels--The Chamberlain, Capt. "Dick" F. Chamberlain,
proprietor. Later the Burgess House, C. W. Burgess, proprietor;
Jim Bush, clerk, and then Ben Jenney took over the old Brooks or
Burgess House.
Tailors--James William and Tom Thomas.
Editors and Proprietors--William E. Wheeler, The Idaho
Register. Later, R. C. Bonney and Sam Dennis, The Idaho Falls
Times, succeeded by Chapin and Lamareaux.
Attorneys--Sam C. Winters, J. Ed Smith and later H. K. Linger
and T. M. Smith; H. J. Hasbrouck.
Restaurants--Tom Ingersoll.
Drugs--Dr. J. H. Bean, F. B. Schermerhorn and John Priestly,
clerks. Later, W. S. Jackson with Ben Furnish, clerk.
Liveries--Sam F. Taylor, Cal Pelot, manager.
Blacksmithing--Tom Brinson.
Section foreman--Tom Rowe.
Road master, Utah and Northern--Ed Fanning; water master, Hank
Trowbridge.
Agents, Utah and Northern--Colonel Davis, John Baker, E. P.
Coltman.
Draymen--David Bybee, John Henry.
Groceries--L. P. Johnson and Chris Polsen, Rogstadt and
Wright, O. F. Eastman.
Butcher shops--Ed Henry, Harry Wright and Chris Polsen.
Saloons--Jake Keefer, Louis Elg, High Storer, Ed F. Winn, Dick
Chamberlain and later Dick Berry.
Jewelry, etc.--C. Bunting, sr. (father of the banker and state
treasurer, C. Bunting of Blackfoot, who owned the Glen Wheeler
store and was the financial genius of Idaho).
Physicians and surgeons--Dr. James H. Bean, Dr. C. W.
Pendleton and later Dr. Lester T. Mitchell.
Dressmaker--Mrs. Winn Buck.
Music teacher--Mrs. Sarah Crow.
Water works owner--W. H. B. Crow.
Painter and paper hanger--H. K. Morrison.
School principal--E. Arney; assistant, Jennie Taylor, Ida B.
Hurd (Linger), Mayme Smith (Jackson).
School board-C. B. Wheeler, Sam C. Winters, Joseph A. Clark.
Lodges--Masons, Odd Fellows.
The first ball team--Neil McMillan, Bert Greenwall, Jack
Taylor, C. E. Arney, Dan Martin, Sam Dennis, H. K. Morrison, J. Ed
Smith, H. J. Hasbrook.
Miller--Idleman.
Band Organized
In the spring of 1891, Mrs. Arney took our first two boys, J.
Ward and C. E. jr. (the latter born in early January and the first
child to be born in Idaho Falls) to Spokane for the summer, where
her parents had a cool summer home on the Big Spokane near Tum Tum.
I was alone in my home a block off Capital avenue to the east, just
next east of the "Hank" Trowbridge home. On a visit to Pocatello I
met and heard play a very fine clarinetist, Charles Laurenson, an
English boy, just roaming about the west as so many were doing in
those days. I had played in a band in Iowa--a clarinet--but as a
finished musician I was a good blacksmith. But I talked to
Laurenson about coming to Idaho Falls and he was receptive, but
wanted a job. I returned to the Falls, interested Idleman, the
miller, in the lad, and sent for him to come up. He did, and we
organized the first band in Idaho Falls, with him as a wonderful
leader.
Other business men of that day as I remember them were:
Plumber--Joseph Streibich.
Investment, insurance and real estate--T. J. Smith, Chawawa
Taylor, A. V. Scott.
Prominent ranchers nearby--J. H. Paine, Kid Owen, Henry
Keifer, J. H. Rassicott (owner of Keyuse Mollie, the fast quarter
horse), Casper Sauer, B. J. Brigs, J. H. Jarnigan, Tom Connor, the
Smith brothers at the head of the valley, John Hart on Menan
Island, the Kinghorns and the Calls in the Rigby district, T.M. and
Hi Edwards, Pete Mellon, the Mullen boys, Newt Casper, Fred Hanson,
and C. C. Tautphaus.
Surveyors--Joseph A. Clark, "Jack" Taylor and Dan Martin.
Ministers (later)--A. H. Lyons and Rev. Warrell, both
Baptists.
During the summer of 1890 Sam Winters had me appointed, by
Major A. J. Pinkham as census enumerator. I listed the men, women
and children from the base line near Basalt, north to Conant valley
and Market Lake, and to the south fork of the Snake, including
Menan island, and as memory serves me now, there were some 2300
people in that area. In Eagle Rock, I am very sure, there were just
593.
Prominent Citizens
Among the more active men in the community were Sam F. Taylor,
Hi Storer, William E. Wheeler, D. F. Chamberlain, Jake and Will
Keefer, Polet and J. C. Anderson, James Thomas, Dr. Bean, Joseph A.
Clark, Sam Winters, J. Ed Smith, Ed and Bob Winn, M. C. Senter,
James A. Steel, Gilbert G. Wright, John Baylis, Ed Henry, C. C.
Tautphaus, W. H. B. Crow, C. W. Ransay and his brother, Walter, A.
V. Scott, J. H. Morrison, Bernard MacCaffrey, H. J. Hasbrouck,
Judge Rogers. They were the outstanding men I recall that did
things for the town and surrounding country.
J. E. Symons succeeded me as principal of the schools and he
was followed by Lydian Hadley. Then came H. H. Barton, now living
in Coeur d'Alene. I belonged to the first volunteer fire
department in Eagle Rock, but cannot remember the members. The
fire fighting equipment was housed just west of the Glen-Wheeler
store, near the section house occupied by the Rowe family.
In the winter of 1888 Rebecca Mitchell matriculated as a
student in my school. I think she was then 54 years of age. She
equipped herself for a teacher and later wrote successfully for a
certificate in an examination I conducted for the then county
superintendent, George F. Gagon, and taught for some time on the
Egin bench. Later she became the head of the W. C. T. U. in Idaho
and, it was my good fortune, when secretary of the state land board
in the Steunenberg administration, to aid the dear old soul to
become the first woman chaplain of a legislative body in this
country.
On Monday morning, August 21, 1887, after my arrival on
Saturday night, I was awakened by the loud sounding blasts of
gunpowder. Ed Winn, Louie Elge, Sam Genoways, Harry Wright, Dick
Chamberlain and a score of other enthusiasts were celebrating the
beginning of the dismantling of the old Eagle Rock shops. The
headquarters had been moved in the spring of 1887 to Pocatello and
the "wrecking" began that day with the moving of the shop and house
buildings, then located where is now the principal business
district, from the Porter hotel and the Clark-Fanning building,
north to the big stone building later used by us all as an armory,
I think is now an apartment house, just above the new hotel. Some
superintendent of the Utah and Northern--I think Blickenderfer--had
become miffed at the "Eaglerockers," and declared himself that he
would see to it that those who remained as citizens of the place
would see the time when "Jackrabbits would run through the
streets." He spoke with venom, but probably better than he knew. I
was standing one day, in front of C. Bunting's store on Front
street, when a wiry jackrabbit ran to the west of the station just
in front of the Chamberlain hotel, and down the street east to the
sage brush near the John Watts farm.
Then it was that we all turned attention to the development of
the desert areas about the village. They had a county fair on
grounds a half mile south, across from the old Tautphaus home. Sam
Taylor was the president, Ed Winn secretary, and I assisted Winn in
the ticket office and made the entries. John Heath went through the
valley and brought in the products of the soil. They so attracted
the officers of the O. S. and L. that E. E. Calvin, H. E. Van
Housen and S. S. Morris, superintendents, sent a car load of the
prize winners to Omaha and Kansas City, and that was the beginning
of the great development of the Snake river valley around Idaho
Falls.
In closing this screed, I want to pay my highest respects and
veneration for the founder of The Idaho Register, William E.
Wheeler. He was a peculiar man but honorable and patriotic and
highly public minded. I think he and his estimable wife were the
most lovely couple I knew. He started me in my newspaper career.
His tragic ending was a distinct shock to Mrs. Arney and me. He had
a good vein of humor. For instance, he told Mrs. Arney and I, when
at dinner with them, how he happened to marry his wife. He said he
had met her in Denver and she asked him to write her a description
of the western country about Evanston, Wyoming, where he was
running a paper. He was a miserable scribe. Hard to decipher what
he penned. As he told it, she took the letter to be a proposal of
marriage, and accepted. He got a great kick out of "kidding" Mrs.
Wheeler, and with her perfectly modest dignity, she smiled sweetly
at his joke.
ED WINN FOUGHT LAWLESS ELEMENT
Work in Ridding Country Of Rustlers Won Him Federal Post.
Stories of Idaho Falls as it was 50 years ago would not be
complete without the story of Ed F. Winn, for many years deputy
sheriff and deputy United states marshal here. Due to illness, Mr.
Winn could not be interviewed when this edition was being prepared.
Mr. Winn was born October 29, 1857, at Brownsville, Pa., the
son of an Enlish civil engineer. Mr. Winn learned carpentry while
a boy in his Pennsylvania home. In 1875 he moved to Iowa and then
to Nebraska. While in Omaha the adventuring youth secured a job
with the Union Pacific railroad. He was sent out on a line of
construction, which took him to Helena, Mont. From Helena he went
to Dillon and then to Eagle Rock, where he worked in the railroad
shops. Later he operated a saloon. He was the first deputy sheriff
to reside here. At that time the Oneida county comprised most of
eastern Idaho. Malad was the county seat. He was appointed by
Sheriff Homer.
Rid Area of Desperadoes
Mr. Winn's work as deputy in ridding this region of cattle
thieves and tough characters impressed United States Marshal Fred
T. Dubois as being so effective and so aggressive that he appointed
him deputy marshal.
Ed Winn was known to his associates as fearless. He took part
in many gun fights and in many hand to hand scrimmages in pursuit
of his duties as an officer. He operated a cattle ranch for several
years. In 1885 he was married to Katie Freeman, of Cheyenne, Wyo.
He homesteaded 22 acres of land adjoining the townsite, that later
became Winn's addition to the city. In 1888 he opened a grocery
store here.
Mr. Winn is one of the few citizens of the town who have
wtched its growth from jerkwater station to a commercial center.
Photo caption:
PIONEER OFFICER
ED WINN, deputy sheriff and deputy United States marshal who played
a big part in ridding this section of early day desperadoes. Mr.
Winn at the present time is ill at his home here, and could not be
interviewed for this edition.
(See also ad for Smith-Hart Co., Chevrolet, celebrating our 13th
brithday with chevrolet. ". . . .Bishop David Smith ...believed in
the city's future. . . ."
Idaho Falls Is in Heart of Sportsmen's Paradise
Many Recreation Spots Are to Be Found Near City
Excellent Big Game Hunting and 2500 MIles Good Fishing Streams
Within 125 Miles of Here; Yellowstone Park Is Attraction
A sportsmen's paradise--that is the name that hunters and
fishermen from over the country have given the territory
immediately adjacent to Idaho Falls. Fifty years ago wild game,
including deer, elk and antelope, and fish in various mountain
streams were in such abundance that no one even thought of such a
thing as restricted hunting and fishing--but largely through this
method of protection sportsmen can come to this vast area today and
have little trouble in bagging their limits of upland or migratory
birds and big game or in hooking their limits of trout in the
streams. As an outdoor recreational center, Idaho Falls is located
in probably the outstanding area in the United States. For
fishing, as an example, there are approximately 2500 miles of
excellent streams within a radius of 125 miles of the city.
It was probably 30 years ago that the state began taking a
hand in the protection of wild game and fish in Idaho. Up to that
time, old timers say, hunters and anglers could take all they could
get. About 1904 the game department put on a limit of 24 ducks per
day per person. But it was no trouble for sportsmen to bring down
that many birds in a day's shooting. Frank Bybee, Ralph Edmunds,
Peder Pedersen and several of the other sportsmen who used to hunt
around here in those days, tell of going to Mud Lake, known then as
"old deadline" because of the "dead shots" who went there, and
bring back 24 large size ducks in two days over the week ends.
The Mud Lake area used to be the favorite spot for sportsmen
throughout southern Idaho and as far south as Salt Lake City. On
week ends special trains would bring sportsmen from Utah points to
this section, the final few miles being made by wagon and in a few
cases in cars, for fishing and duck shooting. Large trout, weighing
eight to nine pounds, were caught by fishermen trolling in the
lake.
Big Game Plentiful
Big game was exceptionally plentiful in those early days.
Antelope used to range within what is now the city limits of Idaho
Falls. There were large herds of deer on Willow creek and what is
now the Caribou forest. Hunters in those days slaughtered deer and
antelope almost at will, it is reported, killing animals in many
cases and leaving them in the hills. The slaughter continued to the
point that at one time it was estimated that there was but one herd
of deer left in the Caribou forest and this herd was made up of
nine animals.
The Island park country, which in those days of slow
transportation was much further away that with present day
conveniences, offered the opportunity of pack trips into the nearby
mountains on big game hunting jaunts. The same was true of the
mountains west of here. Sportsmen would journey to Island park by
wagon or horseback and pack out on long trips. Swan Valley, which
was also hardly accessible to travel at that time, was another
excellent hunting ground.
Release Little Ones
A tale which is told, that illustrates the quantity and size
of trout caught in early days on the north fork of Snake river, is
that fishermen carried a large net with them, keeping it in the
stream at their sides. As they caught fish they put them in the net
alive. Each time they caught a larger trout they would release the
smaller ones so that they could grow to good size.
Some years before sportsmen began to band themselves together
in organizations, state game department officials saw the need for
protection for wild life of Idaho in order to keep the deer, elk,
antelope, etc., from being killed off entirely and the streams
fished out. Restrictions had already been put into effect to a
large measure by the time the first sportsmen's association came
into being in this territory.
Some 14 years ago L. M. Miller, who is now living in
California, conceived the idea for the formation of an association
here. He and George M. Scott, Peder Pedersen, Dr. B. M. Brookfield,
Gil Telford, Earl Mains, Lawrence Balster and Bert Harrington got
together and formed what is now the Bonneville Sportsmen's
association. Mr. Miller was the first president. Pedersen is
serving his second term now as president. These sportsmen, and
others who quickly became interested, saw that the game was going
fast and that there was need for immediate restriction. Through
this and like organizations throughout eastern Idaho and the rest
of the state, legislative measures were put through to bring about
protection of game and fish.
Big Game Refuge
The first major project which the Bonneville association
sponsored and saw put through to completion was the creation of the
big game refuge in eastern Bonneville county (in the Targhee and
Caribou National forests). This was done seven years ago during the
administration of J. H. Patten.
From the time the association was launched to the present, the
organization co-operated with the state game department in the
program of restocking streams in this territory with trout. Today
the association rears most of its own fish in its own rearing
ponds, the trout being distributed in the state fish truck.
The second major project was the creation of the bird refuge
for sagehens in the Osgood section northwest of the city. This area
has been marked off and provides protection for sagehens. Hunters
are not permitted in the restricted area at any time.
The same year the association undertook the task of
constructing three large concrete fish rearing ponds on the island
park just south of the Broadway bridge here. Most of this work was
done by members who donated their labor. Each of the ponds will
hold a capacity of 40,000 fish. Two more rearings ponds were
completed this year, giving the association ponds for a total of
200,000 fish. These fish are planted in streams in all parts of
eastern Idaho, serving not only local fishermen but all those who
fish in this territory.
Another big project was completed last year when the
association constructed a holding pen for the rearing of pheasants.
The land was donated and is located just north of Highland park.
The pen has a capacity for 1000 chicks. At present there are 500
pheasant chicks at the farm. Three hundred were fed at the pen last
summer and winter and released this spring throughout this area for
breeding purposes. The sportsmen's cabin was also built last yar
and dedicated this spring. This cabin, which was constructed by
members who donated their time and efforts, is worth approximately
$1200 in actual cash. A caretaker lives at the cabin and feeds the
birds and looks after the farm. The cabin is open to members and
others at all times.
Seven years ago the association undertook to build rearing
ponds on Willow and Rainey creeks, but both proved to be
unsuccessful due to the inability, through lack of transportation
facilities, to get feed to the fish. This food had to be taken from
Idaho Falls and often, during hot weather, it would spoil before
reaching the ponds.
Beautifies Island
In connection with the construction of the rearing ponds for
fish on the island park, the sportsmen have made this island into
a real beauty spot. Cages in which beautifully colored pheasants
and other game birds are kept, also badgers, an eagle and a bear,
have been erected. A large nature pool was built in the rocks where
large trout are displayed. Hundreds of persons visit the island
each day during the summer months.
A project which the association has under consideration at
present is the designation of the Market lakes, located just north
of Roberts, as a federal migratory bird refuge. These sloughs are
natural breeding grounds for ducks and other migratory birds, and
it is hoped that they may be set aside as a refuge, Mr.Pedersen
said.
The results of the work of the sportsmen of Idaho Falls, along
with that of sportsmen in associations throughout eastern Idaho and
the state game department, can readily be seen by those who are out
hunting or fishing. Today it is no effort at all for anglers to get
their limits in practically every stream in this vast territory.
Distribution of pheasants reared at the farm here, and the
establishment of the sagehen refuge, have added materially in this
sport. In the Caribou and Targhee forests in the eastern part of
the county, which were almost depleted of big game at one time,
there now are large herds of deer and elk. Antelope are plentiful
throughout this area, so much so in fact, that for the first time
in many years hunters will be allowed to shoot antelope this fall.
A restrict season is planned with 125 antelope to be killed.
Special permits will be issued to many hunters by the state game
department for shooting in Clark, Lemhi, Butte, Custer and
Jefferson counties. The hunting will be conducted September 10 to
20.
Present Officers
Present officers of the Bonneville Sportsmen's association are
Pedersen, president; Bert Harrington, vice president, and Harry
Mooney, secretary-treasurer. Directors are Charles Gray, Bert
Musselman, T. C. Buckland of Irwin and Arthur Lundblade. Two other
sportsmen's associations are organized in eastern Idaho, including
the Eastern Idaho Game Protective association and the Upper Snake
River Valley Game Protective association. The latter was started
this spring.
From the recreational standpoint, such as places to go for
short trips out of Idaho Falls, there are Mack's Inn and Pond's in
the Island park country, Yellowstone National park, Teton basin,
Jackson Hole, Wyo., and Swan Valley, which is a resort because of
the south fork of the Snake river. To the west and north are many
excellent fishing streams. Clark county, located northwest of here,
is said to have more streams without its boundaries than any other
county in the state of Idaho.
During the middle of July of this year, a group of sportsmen
made a pack trip into the Caribou and Targhee forests of eaastern
Bonneville county. L. L. Richwine, forest ranger at Irwin, headed
the party. The trip was made over the big game range along the
Idaho-Wyoming state line in the Swan Valley district. The party
making the inspection included Amos H. Eckert, Idaho state game
warden; Harlan H. Gubser, assistant leader in the United States
biological survey; Robert Cantwell, United States biological
survey, hunter and trapper; John Rees, T. A. Prestgard and son,
members of the Bonneville Sportsmen's association; Jim Killian,
1933 and 1934 patrolman, and Ranger Richwine.
To Study Conditions
The object of the trip was to get an idea as to the lay of the
country along the state line, to look over migratory routes used by
the elk in the fall and spring and to observe general feed
conditions and study possible needs for a game preserve along the
state line. Mr. Richwine reports. Rugged mountain country was
visited during the trip. At the end of the journey, as well as
during the trip, various points of game management were discusesed.
Following were some of the conclusions reached: "There is no
conflict between big game and domestic livestock on the summer
range; that a balance remains in favor of game as far as summer
feed is concerned; that it would be unwise to open any of this
territory under any plan other than throuugh a limited license and
udner strict supervision; that the drift of elk across the
interstate boundary should be protected, but that further study is
necessary to determine the best method of affording the needed
protection; and that salting places should be established to
provide salt during the summer. Predatory animal control was
discussed with the sentiment of the party being against the use of
poison except by experienced men and under strict supervision.
Establishment of permanent summer poison stations was thoroughly
discussed and approved. Mr. Gubser, who originated the plan, said
that they would be in operation 100 per cent next summer, Mr.
Richwine reports.
During the trip about 200 elk, two moose and two deer were
seen. Game signs were evenly distributed throughout the area
covered. The trip into the mountain sheep country revealed the
presence of quite a sizeable band of mountain sheep. Mr. Eckert was
well pleased with range conditions as he found them, he said.
PHoto caption:
TYPICAL CATCH NEAR IDAHO FALL
TOWNS RECEIVE CARRIER SERVICE
26 Boys Deliver Post-Register to Subscribers
in Valley Communities.
Just as The Post-Register's news service spreads out over
eastern Idaho like a fan, so does its carrier boy deliver service.
Twenty-six carrier boys in adjacent towns meet trains and
buses every night, get their consignment of papers and make
deliveries to the town homes. The carrier boy service extends from
Blackfoot on the south to Marysville on the north, and includes, in
addition, Spencer, Dubois, Roberts, Newdale, Victor, Driggs,
Tetonia, Teton and communities in the Teton Basin, as well as
Afton, Wyo.
The boys who deliver the papers in these town are:
Blackfoot
Leland Anderson.
Wayne Bellamy.
Firth
Hans Bolstad.
Shelley
Robert Miller.
Grant Hanks.
Roberts
Woodrow Welling.
Dubois
Blaine Mains.
Spencer
Max Seipert.
Menan
Walter Hay.
Lewisville
Richard Lindstrom.
Ririe
Edward Wallin.
Rigby
Carlyle Jones.
Rexburg
Harold Moreton.
Fred Moreton.
Sugar City
Ronald Blake.
Teton City
Rex Welker.
Newdale
Erroll Griggs.
St. Anthony
Allen Browning.
Robert Mason.
Parker
Jack Remington.
Ashton
Lovere De Stolinski.
Marysville
Darwin Glover.
Tetonia
Glade Lyon.
Driggs
Roy Sant.
Victor
Grant Stephens.
Afton
Berl Taysom.
Photo captions:
MOTORING -- IN THE EARLY DAYS OF IDAHO FALLS
ABOVE IS A PICTURE of one of the early day automobiles. This
picture was taken in Idaho Falls in front of the old Porter hotel.
To the right is seen one of the first store buildings occupied by
Alma Marker. On the corner is the building occupied by the American
National bank at that time.
BROADWAY, IN THE DAYS BEFORE AUTOMOBILES
Other stories on page: Chrysler Sets 72 new marks
Records for Stock Car Made by Airflow Imperial Coupe.
AMMON FIRST TO HAVE POWER
Had Electricity Before Other Rural Communities;
Settled in 1885.
The first rural community to have electricity and the first
rural high school in the county was Ammon. The modern, well
equipped homes are a far cry from the one room log cabin John Empey
and Albert Owen built in 1885 when they first settled there. Today,
according to Leonard Ball, resident of Ammon, 90 per cent of the
farmers there own their own homes.
Ammon was first connected with Iona. In 1889 the place had
assumed larger proportions than its neighbor. An L. D. S. ward was
organized, A. H. Rawson serving as the first bishop. The ward was
named for the Apostle Ammon, a character in the book of Mormon.
Ditches, roads, a school house--these were the first
considerations of the pioneers. Henry Owen dug the first well. Most
of the sagebrush was burned off to make way for the plows. Bishop
Rawson raised the first crop of grain. Rosa Heath, daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. George Heath, was the first white child born in that
vicinity.
J. A. Owen, resident of Ammon, came to that vicinity in 1885,
and has been engaged in farming and stock raising since that time.
Mr. Owen helped to clear the land of sagebrush, and assisted in
building the first canals. He raised a crop of grain and potatoes
on his homestead in 1886. When the ward was organized in 1889, Mr.
Owen was made first Sunday school superintendent. He was married to
Rosa Ellingford, a native of London, in Logan, in 1889. They have
12 children, all living.
Electric Line in 1912
About 1912, an electric line was run from the power house
below Idaho Falls to Ammon, furnishing light and power to the homes
along the line, as well as in the village. Although some of the
homes already boasted hot and cold water, the coming of the
electricity provided a means for many more homes to have plumbing
facilities.
Rural high schools were a comparatively new idea to valley
citizens in 1920, when parents and teachers in Ammon began to
agitate the possibility of a community high school.
Secondary Work
Persisitent work on the part of the trustees resulted in the
establishing of one year of secondary work, in connection with the
grade schools. At the end of that year another year's work was made
available. In 1923 it became a three year high school and the
following year it was made a four year accredited high school. Six
girls composed the first graduating class. Increasing enrollment
each year, added courses of study, and a growing faculty have
combined to build up the institution which was ranked as one of the
five best high schools north of Blackfoot by the Northwest
Association of Secondary and Higher Learning Institutions last
year.
Incomplete enrollment figures listed the student body at 180
this year. In addition to the regular college preparatory and
business courses, work is offered in Smith-Highes agriculture, home
economics, dramatics, music and seminary. An interesting project
carried out last year under the leadership of Mrs. Sara Nicholsen
was a child development course, in which a group of pre-school age
children were observed. This course was the only one of its kind in
the county and the second of its kind in the state.
Barrus Superintendent
B. H. Barrus acts as superintendent of schools. A staff of 13
teachers is maintained. In 1927 an administration building was
erected and in 1930 another high school building. A modern shop
occupies the basement of this building, in connection with the
agricultural department. Six buses transport the students from
Osgood, St. Leon, Milo, Lincoln and Ammon vicinities.
Expressed by one of Ammon's pioneers, John Empey, the vital
force which kept alive ambition and spirit in the earlier days was
the "hope of the future." It was this inestinguishable faith in the
soil and in their own efforts that supplied the incentive to those
pioneer families--the Empeys, the Balls, the Nielsens, Molens,
Dennings, Days, Andersons, Blatters, Gianzmans, Owens, Heaths,
Ellingfords and Southwicks.
Dad Clay One of First to Operate Garage in Idaho
His Black and Yellow Signs Guided Motorists Decade Ago.
Dad Clay, whose friendly smile is as familiar to
residents of Idaho Falls today as his black and yellow signs
along Idaho highways were to the motorists a decade ago, was
the pioneer garageman of the state. In 1909 he ran a small
auto shop on the south side, and in 1910, he built the
building in which his garage is still located. It was the
first building erected in the state for garage purposes. Mr.
Clay had the agency for the Buick at that time, and a few
years later, he introduced the Hupmobile into Idaho.
In 1914 Mr. Clay published Idaho's first road log, which
described 5500 miles of road. At about the same time he began his
system of road signs. These were small orange signs with black
letters which read "...miles to Dad clay's Garage, Idaho Falls,
Idaho." These signs were placed at intervals of a mile apart for
the first hundred miles in all directions from Idaho Falls, at
intervals of two miles for the next hundred miles, and every three
and four miles for the next four hundred miles. The signs reached
from Boise to Rock Springs, from southern Utah into Montana, and
included not only the main highways, but many side routes. Some ten
years ago the highway department removed most of Dad's signs,
although many of them remain on the desert and on little-used
trails. Lost deer hunters have been known to scrape the snow off
one of Dad's signs, read it, and then bless the impulse that
prompted him to put a sign at that spot.
He remembers that when he first began to put up signs along
the highways he sent one of his salesmen to Lemhi county with fifty
signs to distribute along the way. The salesman returned and
reported that he had tacked up signs as directed. Two weeks later,
when Mr. Clay went to visit a friend who had a ranch near Salmon
City, he failed to discover a single sign along the way. When he
arrived at "Uncle Ned's" he was informed that his fifty signs were
neatly stacked in the barn, where the salesman had left them.
Each year for several years, Mr. Clay motored over the routes
marked by his signs, and repaired them. He is known as one of Idaho
Falls' best and most indefatigable fishermen. His fish stories are
verified by the snapshots he has of big ones. The biggest fish he
ever caught, he reports, was one in Yankee Fork, which joins the
Salmon river at Sunbeam Dam. It was a rainbow trout which measured
35 inches from stem to stern and weighed 14 pounds. It took Dad two
hours to land that one. At another time, with Miss Lucy Balster and
two other companions, he caught 27 trout below Mack's Inn which
totaled 87 pounds.
Dad Clay's signs have been torn down by the highway officials-
-but Dad's smile still remains as a landmark along the motor trails
through Idaho Falls.
Photo captions:
DAD CLAY PIONEERED GARAGE BUSINESS IN IDAHO
DAD CLAY'S GARAGE has been a familiar sight in Idaho Falls for over
a decade, the Idaho Falls man being a pioneer garage man in Idaho.
He started a small auto shop on the south side in 1909. In 1910 he
built the building shown above, in which his garage is still
located. The corner on Cottage avenue and A streetECTION G
remodeled into a service station. At the left is a recent picture
of Dad Clay.--Photo of Mr. Clay by Geo. M. Scott and Sons.
CLYNE'S BARN OLD LANDMARK
Operated Feed Barn and Livery Stable Until Autos Came.
Dan Clyne's feed barn and livery stable was one of the city
institutions from the time it was established in 1890 until
gasoline vehicles replaced the old familiar horse drawn carriages.
Farmers driving in to Idaho Falls in their wagons and buggies from
as far as 100 miles away camped at the feed barn, which was located
in the block where the Bonneville Auto company is situated. In
those days the whole family came to town three or four times during
the summer and each time spent several days or a week before
returning to the farm. A cook house was built for the convenience
of these visitors whose number varied with the season, but
sometimes reached as high as 100 families, according to Mr. Clyne.
Clyne came to Eagle Rock in 1887. For a year he operated a
transfer wagon. After working on the canals for two years, he
established his livery barn, a frame structure back of the present
site of the Bonnneville Auto Company. Here he ran his feed barn and
later built the cook house. He constructed a double barn at the
site now occupied by the Earl building. Here he kept 40 head of
horses, oat and timothy fed, which were rented to drummers and
tourists. Many groups of sightseers secured conveniences here with
which to drive through Yellowstone park.
Gone for Weeks
Many times wagons and teams were driven away by travelers and
were not seen again by the owner for six or eight weeks. On one
occasion a salesman drove a buggy to Jackson Hole, and then
abandoned it. A driver had to be sent to return the conveyance when
it was located.
Mr. Clyne was Idaho Falls' first town marshal. He also served
as town pound master when he first came here. After serving as a
city officer for 13 years, he was elected sheriff of the county,
which was then Bingham with the county seat located in Blackfoot.
He moved to Blackfoot during the two years he was sheriff (1898-
1900). Mr. Clyne also served on the city council for 10 years.
Fire destroyed the livery barn on the corner of capital and A
street in 1917. Mr. Clyne built the structure in which the
Bonneville Auto company is housed at present. The livery stable
days were over. Automobile manufacturers were beginning to sell
their products at a price which enabled every family to own one.
Horse-drawn carriages were fast being junked. Mr. Clyne capitulated
on the situation--and disposed of the new building to an automobile
company for a garage.
Also on this page:
PONTIAC USES SPECIAL PATENT
Process of Manufacturing Connecting Rods Gives Uniform Balance.
Photo captions:
A GROUP OF IDAHO FALLS BUSINESS LEADERS AND OFFICIALS
CHAS. J. UPHAM, ROGERS Bldg., "The Insurance Man." If you haven't
met him you are losing money, on your Fire and Auto insurance.
GENERAL AMERICA COMPANIES.
E. H. THORNTON, MANAGER of the C. W. Mulhall ocompany, who was
recently made chairman of the chamber of commerce better housing
committee. He will direct the local building program in
conjunction with the "National" Housing act.
J. E. Browning, Manager of the Browning Garage located on Park
avenue and C street. Mr. Browning is the dealer for Buick and
Pontiac cars and G. M. C. trucks.
ESTELLA S. MULLINER HAS served Bonneville county for a number of
years as county treasurer, and is a candidate for re-election to
that office at the general election in November.
W. D. HUFFAKER, PROBATE judge of Bonneville County. Mr. Huffaker is
a Republican candidate for re-election to that office at the
general election in November.
HARRY MEPPEN, SHERIFF OF Bonneville County. Mr. Meppen is a
candidate for re-election to that office at the November election.
MONTE CARLSON, PROMINENT New Sweden farmer. Mr. Carlson is Exalted
Ruler of the Elks Lodge No. 1087, and is a son of C. J. Carlson, a
resident of New Sweden for 40 years.
RUSSELL A. FREEMAN, for 18 years state manager for The Columbian
National Life Insurance Co. Chairman Bonneville county flower
shows; director of and chairman membership committee Sportsmen's
association. Has a degree in forestry. Hobby, landscaping.
W. L. BREWRINK, COUNTY clerk 4 years of Bonneville county is a
candidate for re-election on the Republican ticket at the general
election in November.
LUCILLE GROOM, FOR A NUMBER of years associated in beauty work in
idaho Falls, just recently opened her own modern up-to-date shop in
the Rogers Bldg., known as "Groom Beauty Service."
SUSIE LAWSON FIRST TEACHER
Resident of Menan Today Opened School in 1881.
Susie Poole Lawson, who is still a resident of Menan,
conducted the first school in the valley. Miss Poole opened her
school in August of 1881 in a little log cabin, the furnishings of
which consisted of a desk and wooden benches around the walls. Only
a few children attended at first, including nine of her brothers
and sisters. By spring the enrollment had reached 22.
Mrs. Lawson first came to this vicinity in 1879, with her
father, John R. Poole, who had contracted to do some grading for
the railroad company. Miss Poole, as she was then, served as cook
for the grading gang. In the fall, when the ground became frozen
and prevented further grading work, Miss Poole went back to Ogden,
her home, and Mr. Poole went on a hunting trip. He crossed the
Snake river on the ice and tramped about the rich bottom land known
for many years as the island. At this time the island was used for
cattle grazing. Mr. Poole was so impressed by the quality of the
soil that he hurried back to Ogden and the following spring brought
his family to homestead there. While in Utah he gave speeches in
the L. D. S. tabernacles in Ogden and Salt Lake, and described the
new home he had found. As a result, several families moved to the
island during the next summer.
Attended School
Miss Poole attended school in Ogden during the winter of 1880-
1881, returning to her new home in Snake river valley early in the
summer. The island at this time was only accessible by boat. Wagons
had to be dismantled and floated across. The river was higher
usually, because no water was taken out by canals at that time.
Horseback riders led their mounts behind the boats.
Miss Poole taught school for four years. The island was
variously called "Poole's island", the island, and later "Menan",
which Mrs. Lawson says is the Indian word for island. In 1885 Miss
Poole was married to B. G. Lawson of Ogden. The couple moved to
Menan, where they have since resided.
Canal Completed
The island canal was completed in 1880, and has been used for
irrigation purposes since that time. In 1883, through the influence
of Mr. Poole, who at that time was a presiding elder for the L. D.
S. church, a ward was created at Menan and R. L. Bybee was
installed as bishop. Mrs. Lawson was named president of the M. I.
A. work. Mrs. Lawson organized groups in Eagle Rock, Egin, Rexburg,
Rigby, St. Anthony, Shelley and many other newly-formed wards.
In 1892 a bridge was built to the mainland, making it easier
to travel from the island. In 1896 the first Menan rock was
quarried at the big butte and used for the church being erected.
Since that time many beautiful structures have been built of Menan
rock, a black, durable stone.
Fifty four years have passed since the first furrow was turned
at Menan. Today the dense growth of trees and grass are as pleasing
to the eye of the passing motorist as it must have been to the
first itinerant Indian who passed on his way to better hunting
grounds. For Menan is perennially green. Every year the four by 25
mile island has alwys plenty of moisture from the river that washes
its borders.
Section F
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