The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1909-02-25
Crowd Lines Ditch.

4 CrOW0 Lines UitCns
The mammoth headgates, built of
concrete, are situated about two miles
up the stream from BarbertOn. At
this point, crowds assembled from
Boise. Caldwell, Weiser, Payette and
many other nearby cities. For more
than a mile along the great ditch to
watch the first rush of water as 1t
sped onward to the Deer Flat reser-
yoir, 26 miles away.
The ceremonies for this occasion, in
many ways SO auspicious, we're simple.
A few officials and interested citizens
performed the one functiOn-raising
the headgates.
No Speeches ut Dam.
There were no ~speecbes The roar
OF the big government dam beside
would have prevented their being
heard. Those present to participate
in the exercises were Consulting Engi-
neer w. H. Sanders Of the reclamation
service, Supervising Engineer Wey-
mouth, Engineer Edward Hedden, Wa
ter Master Edward Tealy, D. r. Hub
bard, president of the Water Users
association; Walter Griffith, vice pres
ident of the same organization and
Messrs. Lowell, Baldridge and Stalker,
it's directors. These took their places
on the huge concrete work above the
gates. At 1884 o'clock, exactly, the
signal was given, and the cranks of
the eight massive lifts began to turn.
Then everybody who could jam on the
same structure took hand, and be-
low, with deafening crash, the water
surged into the dry canal. Instantly
mighty cheer arose from the thrOng,
which found its echo repeated again
AJ,<, ~ r,<,d = koh
Water Is Held Back.
The flow was constrained by the Of
ficials in charge, eight inches being
the most that any of the headgates
were opened, although they can be rails
ed over FIVE feet. This was because
some of the gates lower down have
not been fully completed, owing to the
severity OF the weather, which has
rendered the hauling Of supplies diff
cult.
About 5000 persons were scattered
along the banks, and, as many as
could, grouped themselves In the mar
row canyon near the gates A large
.nEmber drove from Boise in buggfes
nd coaches over roads still muddy
fn1clg the recent rains. The larger
pb bpOrtiOn, however, made the trip on
IT, Oregon Short Line to Barberton
~ walked the rest of the way.
Weather Is Ideal.
The weather was ideal, and lent in
spiration to the birth of new era for
the farmers of this and surrounding
districts. A distinct contrast was pre-
sented by the rugged rocks which in
closed SO recent product of advanced
civilization, and its effect was to
create a certain awe for the projects
which have distinguished IdahOs pro-
gress
During the morning the delegates
from nearby cities began to arrive.
Perhaps Caldwell was most literally
represented. Her citizens paraded the
streets, carrying sage brush tackled to
poles, emblematic Of the past, and was
headed by the Caldwell band.
Two Train Loads.
Is Al soon as the two scheduled trainA
arrived ct the Barber mill, the people
In one crowd started directly for the
canal, the majority continuing up the
river until the government dam waa
reached, although several hundred
only viewed tho ditch across the river
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