The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1905-10-20
OPENING OF
THE "STRIP."
Ten New Wells in the Desert
Bored by Vim. Raef.

We have spoken from time to time OF
the opening of the strip of land lying on
the west side of Snake River between
Blackfoot and American Falls, which is
being reclaimed by the American Fails
Canal and Power company who have
been operating there for nearly decade.
Their work grows into greater proper
tions as it advances, and they are adding
to their regular force Of men. Nearly q
hundred teams are now employed, and
they are also getting apparatus to in
crease the facilities for moving dirt.
Two Era Graders costing Sl700 each
left Chicago on October 18th, consigned
to this point, besides one Western-Aus-
tin Road Grader, eight dump wagons,
one dozen slusser scrapers and a lot Of
other apparatus.
They will build a steel hume 100 feet
long to carry the water across Spring
Creek, and the reservoirs in the desert
will be filed with water this winter for
use next August.
The Board of Engineers who have
charge of the construction of the Jack
sons Lake Reservoir met in Boise Mon
day to discuss the plans of the project,
and the engineers of this company were
present to represent their interest in 1T.
A commissary has been established at
Spring Creek where supplies will be
kept. They are buying all the hay and
oats obtainable near there, and teams
are loading on oats everyed day at the
warehouse of the c. w. Il NJ. company Of
this place. Forty thousand pounds
were purchased of them last week, and
100000 pounds total have engaged for
delivery at the commissary.
This enterprise promises much winter
employment for good men and good
teams, and the Third Opening" oflands
to entry which is promised soon is the
subject of many letters written by
Blackfoot men to friends in other states,
to let them know that something great
er and grander than an Indian reserva-
tion is about to be unfoided for the con-
sideration of homeseekers who want to
lay out new farms on virgin soil where a
weed never unfolded its petals and bugs
have never reared their buglets.
Lands for the right -of.way Of an cleo
tric road are being surveyed and with
drawn from entry, and the road will be
constructed so soon as the company can
take it up. The water that flows in the
canal for irrigation will be used to de-
velop light and power for use in this lit
tie empire overlooking Snake River, SO
that the boy in the barn can milk the
COW and feed the horses in the mellow
the granary runs the feed grinder.
Mother in the wash house turns the
switch to make the power from the
canal run the washer, the wringer, the
churn and the coffee mill, and sister
uses the electric tlatiron to "do up" her
shirt waists and brothers collars. Father
doesn't ask anyone to turn the grind
stone while he sharpens the AK and the
sickle, for the electric power has sawed
the wood and is always ready to run the
emery stone to put keen edge on the
sickle.
A lot Of German Lutherans from Illi-
nois have sharpened their pencils to
figure on the matter of selling out their
nice homes there and investing in this
new land, and when they get establish
ed you can take run out there to at
tend Sunday services at their church, or
visit them at their homes to hear sweet
music from the piano and see how the
Germans develop pretty homes.