The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1909-04-22

Herbert u. Mason OF the New
York Law Firm of Ivans, Mason
Wolff & Hoguet, which is counsel TO
J. G. White & Company, Inc, in it
affairs relative to the Idaho irriga
tion Company project, visited Rich
field last week. Mr.. Mason was il
Idaho some three months last sum
mer and fall when the White Com
pany was beginning work IN this
project. He then purchased land il
the Richfield segregation and while
in the business section of the village
He was greatly surprised at the pro-
gress made since his return to New
York, and in responce to the Record
er's representatives questions said:
1t is with feeling of much graf
ification and some surprise that l note
the extraordinary growth manifested
in Richfield, on my return from the
east last week, after several months
absence. | had expected a rapid
growth, but nothing like that which
l have found. When l left here last
fall, Richfield was largely a prospec-
tive town While it's few tar-paper
houses, it's single store, and its other
small beginnings were typical of the
early conditions of many of the pres
ent large towns and cities of this
and other Northwestern sections, l
had no idea that they were the begin
nings of such rapid growth and sub
stantial development as has follow
ed in the past six months. At that
time the White Company was just
beginning on the big dam, and con-
tracts had been given for the COM
pletion of canals and bitches. Re-
turning, I find an Incorporated vii
lage with population of over five
hundred; scores of new houses COM
pleted, and a great number under
construction or contracted for;
number of business houses carrying
large stocks of goods, covering al
most every need of the residents, and
enjoying a profitable trade; pub
whole village and surrounding terri
tory alive with that spirit of enter
prise and progress and development
which is characteristic Of these towns
in this irrigated section when they |
suddenly find themselves surrounded |
by the agricultural development |
which the irrigation of these South
ern Idaho lands always produces and I
insures.
Asked for his opinion as to the |
recent Incorporation of the village,
Mr.. Mason said, THAT was certainly
long step in the right direction.
The residents could scarcely have
done anything better calculated to
secure the full advantages OF the
present and future growth and de-
velopment of that community. BY
adopting the form of village gov
ernment they have at once set in
motion the machinery for adequate
fire and police protection; they have
made it possible to inaugurate street
and establish street
grades which, properly attended to
from this time forward, will assure
the town a system of street and
regularity of sidewalks and build
ing grades which will do much in ad-
vancing the progress of the village
and the comfort and conveniences of
It's people; and what is even more
they have made 1t pos
sible at once to provide an adequate
water supply for business and domes-
.ic purposes"
II understand that proposals are
already on foot looking to the grad
ing of Main street and the laying
If cement sidewalks its full length.
As to the water supply, understand
hat the machinery and other mater
ais for the new pumping station on
he Little Wood river are already
IN the ground. With the mains al
eady laid and the $4,000 gallon tank
llready erected, 1t is expected that
yater will be available inside OF thir-
y days. The large number OF ap-
,lications for water connections which
ave already been received Indicate
hat this feature Of the progress OF
he village is much appreciated.
mot only has building develop
nent been rapid, but it has been ex-
eptionalIy substantial. The new ho-
e1 now nearly completed. and to be
pened about the nrst OF May, would
Q a credit to city of twenty-five
thousand people anywhere IN the