Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-09-01
A GRAND UPPER VALLEY,


cultivation OF the soil. Places once
deemed nj only for summer ranges and
then but for a very brief season, aftel
settlement and tilling become capable
OF raising vegetables aud grain and NJ
for pleasant habitation one Of tn
most striking examples Of this kind Is
furnished by the Teton Basin. II is
about 30 miles long and from eight to
10 miles wide. and It's altitude is slight
ly over 5000 feet above sen level
This beautiful valley Is almost sur
rounded by mountains and is plentI-
fully watered. The chief stream being
the Teton river flowing from the Teton
canyon. Conspicuous above the great
heights on the east are the Three
Tetons. the loftiest Of which is over
1900 feet and usually covers its head
with a mantle OF clouds. but when the
sky is clear the sun shines upon those
remarkable peaks disclosing the great
ness Of their striking majesty Every
canal and ditch conveys water for ir-
rigation that is clear and cool, and trout
abound In the river and It's tributaries
Just now the Basin" Is verdant with
grass and golden with ripened grain.
and dotted with farmhouses and clus-
tiers Of village homes. It is 50 differ
ent to that which has been reported Of
IL and to its appearance decade ago,
as 10 be startling to the gaze Of visit
tore.
Less than 20 years ago there was not
human habitation to be seen where
now there are II wards Of a stake OF
Zion. briggs Il the headquarters and
is named after Don {. briggs, now the
stake president. and one Of the Lead
Ing business men and farmers. who
went there about IS years ago and has
struggled on until now he and his
happy and sturdy family are in com.
paratiye comfort and independence.
John d. Kilpack Jr.. and George s.
Young. his oounselors and a number Of
other prominent active and faithful
men are also rejoicing In deserved
prospent. There are 500 members Of
the Church there and the children 10
be seen-and heard-ate almost un-
coun,able, Drggs has number OF
handsome dwellings several stores. a
bank in process OF erection, a splendid
amusement hall suitable for public
gatherings OF AL kinds, a fine school,
house, neat stake and tithing Offices,
magnificent stone tabernacle commence
cd. the foundation being all in, and
evidences OF progress and permanent
stability TO be seen around
During the year 1905 the Teton VAL
ley--it should not be called basin for
its acreage is about the same as Cache
valley--produoed at very low esti-
mate 100000 bushels OF grain. 10000
tons OF hay and 100000 pounds OF the
best timothy seed placed IN competi-
ton with seed from other settlements.
also very large yield OF vegetables.
These figures are considered by many
farmers there as away down below the
reality. This years crop Of grain Is
estimated from present appearances at
100000 bushels. AZ recent visit we
saw on the eastern bench. gardens
teeming with choice vegetables Of great
size, raspberries 81 excellent favor, the
bushes taller than most men. apples in
profusion on thrifty trees. cucumbers
ready for USE. small fruits IN rich
plenty. flowers In startling bright col
ors and shade trees Of various kinds
The cows and calves we're fat aad nne
and the pure bfasing air seemed charg-
ed with life and force
We passed over large stretches ~
level land unoocupied aud untitled some
OF n unfenced. and learned that Il was
owned by Salt Lake parties who neither
turned It to use or threw 70 upon the
market. They arc waiting for lts value
10 rise 80 that thoy can turn 10 20 BIG
profit. We think HEY are standing u
their own lisht while they aro hinder
ing the growth ot that region and the
further beneficial changes that vlU
come with tho biz ana needed Increase
Of population II they want TO re-.
serve small divisions for future use or
speculation, that would probably be
well enough. But they would hasten
the likelihood OF good returns hy SELL
ing most Of Il At prices thar could De
met by settlers of small means and on
reasonable terms Tor payment The
remainder would thereby bs raised lu
value and the whole region be rendered
better Tor habltatou
Teton valley Is Admiralty adopted fog
beet-raising There o. probability ~ a /
branch Of the oregon Short Line De- I
ing constructed from Sugar cuy OR T
from Mafysville. into the "basIH." rune .
ming southwark to Victor That would .
furnish market Tor beets and holr .
70 transform the valley u would rise .
rapidly into a rich region and sugar
factory would certainly be one OF 30, .
speedy necessities suuiry manufsc.
lures would be- starttd.peopIe would bee .
eupy the now empty spaces. business
would flourish and the railroad would
pay. Without a doubt II ka lovely
vale 4 ,san.ntr,, but there ID plenty o.
snow ana sharp frost in winter The
old residen,s declare thst'thty io not
feel the cold as they DO when DO the
lower valleys. ana soms OF them wear
no overcoats when ihe thermometer
takes Us lowest dip. H6seyer. il is
evidently spot where wintefmust he
prepared for, and there are food and
fuel In plenty FOR that purpose. coal
and wood are near A. hand
There Il now q daily mail and stage
for passenger to Teton Basin. isay.
Ing ~. Anthony soon after the arrival
Of thu, roruing truir from salt Lake