Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1912-04-13
The Lure of the Desert
Mrs. w. r. Edwards.

Lets take the remainder of our
savings and return to Wisconsin, be-
foIe We become a burden to our
Children" suggested grandfather that
evening to grandmother.
Il only wish We hadn't left the
land watered by the dews of heaven, y
she replied.
"Longin' for the 'leeks and melons
of Egypt are you mother?" asked
grandfather jovially.
1--WE were doing well enough where
We were, and we can do no good for
the children here answered grand
ma. 81 doubt ii it is wise for us to
remain longer on this desert waste
nc thing can lie grown; not even
grass for our horses The water lies
too deep in mother earth for our linn
tied means to bring to the surface
They had waited, waited, waited, in
anxious hopefulness, yet fearing with
the awful eyer-present possibility
that their waiing We're in vain.
The last evening after preparations
had been made for their return trip,
Billy Nho had just come from town
with water, and drawing paper from
his pocket, handed it to grandr ether.
she ulfolGed it, read few lines,
and with much agitation took off her
glasses, and read justing them, read
again; could this be possible? Sure
enough, just listen.
ample appropriation made by Ex-
Governor Brady for irrigation of the
Great Snake River Valley"
"The Lord be praised!" shouted
grandfather. Our God has reward
ed the faithful at last! Well not
go back now, we must see this thing
through"
With the building of the great dam
and bitches, William and Billy found
work which amply provided for the
needs of the family. With the influx
of settlers into the valley, the HaTri-
stas were able to sell portion of
their lands which enabled them to
buy water rights for the remainder.
In the year OF Billys majority, the
Harrison family was considered a.
mcng the foremost in the valley,
owning ranch of eight hundred
acres of irrigated land with flocks
and herds. Billy had graduated at
western university.
1t was a memorable, history-making
day when the head gates of the
81 eat canal were lifted, and the |
sparkling water poured through the
desert declaring the valley open for
settlement.
The Event" will be chronicled in
the archives CT the Great West"
aud loets will glorify the courage
and fCrtitude of the early pioneers.
Considering the Importance of the |
1ccasicn it was not remarkable that
settlers, and people from the towns,
-culd lie seen gathering singly and
II &deat crowds along the cement
ined canal
Many had gone far up the canal to
.et tie first glimpse OF this great
orce in nature which was coming as
| belated bridegroom to wed with
he fertile soil, transforming the des-
rt into a floral garden smiling in
blooming profusion.
Who can describe the enthusiasm,
upon unreason as the white
beet of sparkling water, crept, as if
nce1tain of reception after centu-
les of delay from one side of the ca
al to the other, feeling its way like
bashful beau.
The irridescent sparkling bubbles
uivered i'm brilliancy as they APP
reached
The feathery foam flecked with
clos lent by the sunset; blue and
liver, red and green, rivaled the
ght of the sky.
Deafening applause broke forth as
ats and handkerchiefs were flung
the air when the sprays leaping
ne bank kissed the sun-baked earth.
Nowhere can the scene be parall-
led. People prolonged their stay far
ITO the might seeming never to tire I
the sight which was to bring a
3alization of their hopes, expecta-
ems and fondest dreams. J
The stars and soft moonlight ON the
-ntly flowing water played sweet [
ocompanim4ent to the low spoken $
crds just for two. '
After enjoying to their satisfaction,
le progress of the country under the i,
stem OF irrigation, grandfather and