Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1896-01-02
IN BINGHAM STAKE.
BLAoKF.or. Dec. 30, 1895.

To the Editors
In September, 1894, a few Of our
brethren conceived tue project OF tax
ing out q canul on the west aide oil
Snake river, opposite the town Of
Blackioot, and on the 2Olh OF Sepl,m'
Der tho idea took tangible shape. Tho
work moved but slowly for the frt,
tlx months, for want Of numsrical
strength and means to overc1ms DIM
culties; but by patient and united
effort all obstacles were mastered AMI
the Peoples canal became an assured
fact. II 10 go feet Wide on the bottom
aud will carry four feet OF water. The
FIRST two miles Of canal has fell VI
nine feet aud tho balance m average
Oi about two aud q half feet TO the
mile.
The canal follows close 10 the lava
bed that stretches back for milrB 70 tbb
north and weel, leaving broad strlp
OF land between II anu the river. This
land IL mostly n sandy ltam, thiCkly
covered with sagebfush coll that will
be very prolific when brought under
cultivation. There are Thousands Of
acres OF ground that this canal project
will bring the water on. The canal ~
awnod by the people who have taken
land, and there IL yet excellent oppof-
tunity for the right kind Of people ~
get good homes with excellent water
privilege. 10 IL expected that the
water will be In the first twenty miles
OF this canal by April, In time to begin
irrigation.
The work has been progressing
fAvOrably for some time, and 10 en-.
courage this wOfkers-h least and en-.
tettaiDment was got up for thom on
the afternoon and evening of the 28lh
OF December. In the afternoon an Ia.
tefesting program was rendered. con.
sisting OF encouraging spssohss, reports
OF those In charge u cOntttucti0n,
songs aud fecltationS; after which over
200 pnrtook OF The feast OF good things
that had been prepared. Tbs evening
was spent In the social dance. IL was
time Of rejoicing and ono 10 be long
remembered by all who DaTtioip atsd.
Tho Saints OF this region r,-
ioice NJ the inoteato In their
members. On the lowniits that
has been laid out-there has been
erected about sixteen houses and they
have Just completed the erection OF
neat log meeting house, where The
feAuung ami dancing was conducted.
IL u only a few years since the int
LatteT-day Baint settled In this rsgloi
and that under great difficulties. Bui
by their energy and perseverance, thy
have changed the sagebruah plAiLs
10 fruitful nelis, and Tor nearly forty
miles southwest OF Blackfoot can be-
found the hardy ploBeet's cabin anu
land claims.
This Peoples Canal II protected tn
extend about forty miles-twonty mil 0
OF which II now nearly completed, anu
tho other extension will DO pushed ~
the early spring. This " n splen-
did chance for VnOi, indnt,f,lia
frugal Latlef-day SAinta who have no
homes OF their own, to obtain IOnit-
aud undergraduates. But they must I
como out TO this country experliDg 10
IND cultivated farms awaiting Ia, m,
On the contrary they must 10 pre-
pared 10 squat down on q sage brush
plain, grub the brush, dig the ditchef,
mako tho lovees, construct canals, IoyeI
tho land-build from the ground up.
This requires nerve, frugsllty, indus.
try AMI no little seli.dcninl. Yet the |
practice OF these virtues brings q great
reward aud insures independence.
The climate on this part OF the Snake |
river 10 much milder than farther
north, ana all tho more hardy fruits |
Will prosper. There Ia no ward orga Mia
Zion at the present In RiysT,ide, ~ |
this district IL called, but n ~
expected that an organization will I Q
Perfected In the near future W the III. |
polntment OF q Bishop. There arc n |
number Of eKoellent people living IN |
the region, and the next year will see
great change. A poslyfilce will be-
established alter the Let OF JaruaTy at |
eie townsite, which Ia called MofelAnt; !
and rs the stage phhses there daily tho |
people Will have a daily mail.
There Ia great change In the town |
OF Blaokioot, which was once radical
nhti.Mormon town, whero no mercy |
was shown = Mormon, but whore they |
nre now welcome and acceptable |
neighbors, the old-timerS realizing this. ,
This Industrious class btings prosperity. |
1L-TELER.