The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1914-01-30
Mass Meeting
On Little Lost
(Contrbiuted)

On three or four hours uoIlCe lAe
settlers of Lost river gathered en- mas
Sc at the King school house, last night
the occasion being a visit from their
attorney, Ira E. Barber, of Boise, who
is here for the purpose Of going more
thoroughly into matters relative to
the differences between the settlers
and the Blaine County Irringation
Co.
The settlers began to come in be-
fore seven o'clock, and by eight o.
clock every available foot OF space
was taken. The house was literally
packed full of men, women and chill
dren. Notwithstanding, the crowd
seemed disposed to be good natured
and make the best of the situation.
This meeting is the result of a long
standing grievance on the part of the
settlers, towards the company, but,
forced to crisis by the recent de-
mands of the irrigation company
that all back payments be made, with
interest, to date, or foreclosure pro-
ceedings would be instituted to col
lect same.
Carey Act projects, seem to be
''born to trouble, as the sparks. to
fly upward" and the Little Lost pro
ject is no exception to the rule. Each
differs from the other in degree only.
being either bad, worse, or worst.
We shall not assume that this one is
the worst in the state, but all will ad-
NIT that it's bad.
A brief outline of the project might
not be amiss ut this time.
The Blaine County Irrigation Co.,
was organized some seven or eight
years ago, by G. M. Wickham, a man
of no mean ability, although bemean-
ed by everyone who knows him. Mr..
Wickham was man of great imagi-
native powers. He could look out
over the desert barren, dry and dusty
then turn his eyes to the snow COW
cred mountains, and 10, the marvellous
possibilities that presented them
selves. So many thousand acres of
snow, would melt into so many thou
sand inches of water, which would
water so many thousand acres of this
beautiful valley; and, in less time
than it takes to tell it, he would have
those food waters pouring out over
the valley in such volume that II
would soon be covered two or three
feet deep.
Some of the prospective settlers
were so impressed by Mr.. Wickham's
description of the vast torrents OF
water that would come rushing down
from those melting SHOWS, that they
instinctively wished for life pre-
server, when venturing out over the
valley on tour of inspection.
In 1908, the land was sold, or wa
ter rights, rather, at $500 per acre,
or share; share being equivalent to
five Fights of an inch of water, contin-
uously, throughout the irrigation sea-
son. Initial payment was $500 per
acre; all, or most all of this went to
those who sold the land; there being
ten or twelve thousand acres sold,
that would mean $4,000 to $50, 900
charged up to the project, without its
receiving any permanent benefit.
1909, settlers came in; no water
in reservoir; injunction secured
against old settlers forced them to d.
vide their water for short time; very
small crop grown. Wickham trans
fers the project to M. H. Woods, of
Kansas City, he takes in John s.
Parks as partner.
1910, settlers induced to come I'M
der Carey Act; desert and home
stead filings relinquished by the most
VI thCh' "OlS 6cIIlcIS duQ lc6S Wa
ter than the previous year. Damage
suit filed by number of settlers.
Some settlers moved away, others
could not get away.
1911, about 1000 acres, or one
seventh of the project under cult
walton; no water in reservoir; sea-
son favorable; some crops grown.
1912, more land In cultivation; the
usual promises of water but no more
available than the year before. Pipe
line on Dry Creek built at cost of $40
900. Some crops raised; settlers dis
eliminated against; delegate sent to
Boise; Land board ordered water
turned to complaining settlers. Raise
of $500 per acre, asked for; Mass
meeting called by the company to dis
cuss the proposed raise; Public ad-
mission of fraud and discrimination
on part of company and some settlers.
$500 raise secured; most of the
settlers signing for same; the money
IN ho ucod in hrildinp now raeervoi r