The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-08-27
The largest he Best and the Cheapest irrigation System the United States



The development of this great United States q
ours, 10 the utmost extent Of IT. Boundaries he's
been the achievement Of the great Of its cit
izenship, known a. the common people. The hardi-
hood with which they have wrested from the great
wilderness 81 America IN 800 years Of time the
strength and support Of the greatest nation under
the sun, and their Accomplishments IA the mighty
uplt Of all branches Of commercial activity acts ~
leayen to the entire world today, and nearly all
nations are partaking Of the spirit and energy
manifested By the American pioneer.
The accomplishments of the people. however are
seldom heard Of or talked about until the rays Of
their perfection shine out upon the world forcing
their recognition. II, st s4
our own fair state Of Idaho has been developed
BY the pioneer. His deeds and accomplishments
have begun to attract fortunes seeking Investment
and al result great portions of our state are be-
coming perfect beehiyes Of activity and develop
nent Other portions, blessed beyond measure BY
the fruits Of the pioneers toll have until recently
been practically unheard Of BY the great army Of
emigrants moving westward. and the thousands
whose eyes are turned this way seeking homes or
opportunities Of Investment. Every portion Of Ida
no offers 80 many advantages that the home seekers
can hardly decide just where to locate and they
rush to those portions most extensively advertised
and perhaps IN % doing pass by land Of golden
opportunities Tor them OF which they had never
heard.
The great farming area surrounding Rigby has
been peculiarly unfortunate In this respect being
located adjacent to Idaho Falls and on a line Of
travel over which the globe trotter seldom passes
except IN the night time his way to and from the
Yellowstone National Park.
The interests OF this vast area Of agricultural
land have been gradually centralizing themselves
about the little town Of Rigby, whose wealth, pros
perity and advantages reaching such proportions
as to force Its attention upon the public who are
amazed at the hitherto undiscovered advantages
and opportunities Of the country, made possible by
is great ideal system Of irrigation; built and per-
fected by the people who came as emigrants seek
ing homes, who have cleared the brush from their
lands and who have lived In their little dirt-roof
log cabins; but who now live upon prosperous and
well cultivated farms and in beautiful homes en-
joying the fruits Of their abors and the independ
ence such courage. energy and thrift always pro-
duces
The Country Adjacent to Rigby
The Snake river, after leaving Grand canyon
through the Teton mountains, flows IN d north
westerly direction across the valley for about 20
miles where It joins Its waters with the Henrys or
North Fork and then flows almost due south to the
city Of Idaho Falls. The immense tract of land,
lying within the great bend OF the river, Is vast
food plain built up by the overflow Of the mighty
river every spring, when the snow III the mountains
has melted, poured downi torrents and spread It's
rich detritus over the valley Al the river cut
deeper and deeper through the lava shelf which
crosses the valley from east to west near Idaho
Falls It confined itself more and more to Its press
ent channel and its foodngs gradually ceased leav-
ing the valley marked by several old channels which
are now used as canals In conveying the water out
over the plain. The land asa result il level and
90 fertile that crops have never failed to yield in
abundance when irrigation has been properly at
tended to,
The natural water courses 80 used have made
possible the best most extensive and cheapest sys-
tenn Of irrigation canals to be found.
The Snake river, until recently, occupied chan
mel which is now known as the DRY Bed. IN the
year 1894 1t began cutting Its way Into the chan
mel It now occupies. A portion OF the water had
been flowing into the channel for years. but the
main body Of water flowed through the Dry Bed
channel until the year above mentioned. / speak
Of this change Of channels here to add Intelligence
to the many references made. Of necessity to the
channel called the Dry Bed
Early History Of Canal Building.
About the year 1880 q few settlers established
themselves upon the barren plains Of the upper
Snake river at the place called Lewisville. The
first thing necessary to make their lands product
i've was water. canal route was chosen, and OF
the 22d day Of December, 1884. they incorporated
themselves under the title Of "The Parks and Lew
sville Irrigation Co.,. and proceeded to post due no
tice near the point Of diversion claiming 72,o0t
inches Of the waters Of Snake river In the Dry Bet
channel. They then proceeded to construct thei
main canal and laterals In the course Of time tn,
canal was finished to its capacity and the deser
along Its way began to blossom. Other home seek
ers were attracted to the valley and soon all til,
water the large canal could carry was needed to ir
rigate the many farms along Its course. The who'll
valley began to be filled with settlers and the great
est era Of canal building ever known In the Yves
was commenced.
NJ n.SY n.