The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-03-20
How LOngmOnt Became Famous.

We are indebted to T. M. Callahan
of Longmont for an idea which he
said he borrowed from real estate
dealer at Payette, Idaho, for let
ting people know just what his com.
munity could produce. The plan as
worked over, to fit their use at Long
mont was something like this:
An association was formed for
spreading information about the re-
sources of the Longmont country,
and a large membership enrolled,
each member paying in a fixed fee
or assessment each month. Business
men, farmers, clerks, and everybody
who had any interest in the country
was asked to put in their monthly
dues, and the money was used to pay
the expenses of gathering and keep
ing up good exhibit of the products
of the locality.
A hall was rented and man
hired to take care of it and collect
the best samples of crops of every
kind. Farmers, gardeners, orchard
lists and all other producers of mer-
charitable goods or wares were ex-
pected to put samples in the club
rooms, with information attached as
to where and by whom produced, cost
of production If possible, market
price and whatever else he could that
would interest the homeseeker or
investor
If the man in charge heard of
something good in the country that
he had no samples of he was ex-
pected to go out and collect some, to-
gether with photographs if he deem
ed 1t best, These were put on ex-
hibit. Animals, poultry and the
like would be exhibited by photo
graph with cards of information at
tached, the producers in many cases
being anxious to get this free ad-
vertising, and supplying everything
for the exhibit.
Pocket cards or folders or both,
setting forth the main facts about
the things on exhibit were kept
printed and on hand for distribution
to people who came in, and nearly
everybody that came to town, had
some friend who would take him to
the club rooms if he could get
chance. Once inside the rooms, the
visitor would be come interested,
and would not only look things over
carefully, but would take cards and
folders to give or send to friends of
his who were wanting just such in
formation These cards would soon
be attracting people to Longmont,
and every man who went away on |
business or pleasure would take
some of the literature to hand to
people he met. On the trains he
would pass through the coaches and |
hand them out to passengers. In
hotels and depots where people were
waiting he would do little of this
work, and his wife would have lit
erature in her trunks and handbag,
and would boost for Longmont when
ever she had a chance.
The manager of exhibits would
busy himself answering letters and
mailing literature In answer to re-
quests for it, and when he needed
help to meet the trade" he would
This brought tourists, travellers
md sight seers from everywhere, and
money flowed freely in investments
If all kinds. 1t brought in good
lass of people, the same people
made markets better, and made en-
,loyment more plentiful at good
wages. 1t helped everybody from
he merchant down and from the ,
lod carrier up. Nobody who stud
ed the plan and noted its effects on
BUSINESS Of every kind, objected to ,
aging his dues because 1t put money
nto his pockets faster than 1t took 7
! out.
The plan worked 30 we'll that thew =