The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1914-07-09
LEWIS AN EXTENSIVE
FARMER
Is Tilling 655 Acres on the
Bench Growing Mostly AL
falfa, Corn and Grain

One of the men who have been i'm
portant factors in the splendid de-
Felopment of the Emmett bench is
Benator NJ. E. Lewis of Moscow-per
haps the words "and Emmett" should
lso be added to his address for while
MIR. Lewis's home is in Moscow, his
property interests in the Emmett
country are so extensive and so much
pf his personal attention is given to
them that he may almost be counted
as an Emmett resident. His land
holdings here which he is cultivating
comprise of 655 acres, divided into five
farms, and all of them are being farm
ed in thorough manner.
Mr.. Lewis became an investor in
Emmett property when the Carey Act
lands under the Canyon canal We're
sold. During all the troublous times
through which the Canyon canal pass
ed he never lost faith in the future of
the Emmett country. But the hard
knocks and privations which the set
tier on Carey act lands has ever ex-
perienced were brought forcibly to his
attention and the weaknesses of the
law impressed upon his mind. His
actual experience of the trials and tri-
bulations of the Carey act settler,
however, stands him in good stead in
his candidacy for governor, and in his
platform, enunciated when he an
nounced his entrance into the race, he
was able to clearly state the changes
in the law which he believes are de-
sirable. That section of his platform
says:
''The settlers on our Carey Act pro-
jects need the States aid in tiding
them over their difficulties. The State
Land Board should represent the set
tiers interests in all these matters.
This board should make an effort to
have the payments on water contracts
on these projects extended for a per-
iod of 10 years at least, with no pay
ments for interest to make. Any set
tier on new lands will need all his
earnings for that period to keep up
taxes and interest, and build up and
stock his place to its best producing
capacity. This should apply to set
tiers only, and the improvements
placed on the farms will make the
holder of the contracts amply secure.
The Land Board should use its utmost
efforts to get the Government to pass
the lands in these projects to patent,
as soon as possible, so the settler may
have a mortgageable or transferable
title"
The Index digresses from the story
to mention this because statements
are being made that Mr.. Lewis is a /
northern man and therefore knows
nothing in common with southern Ida
10 and particularly has no reason to
Je interested in Carey Act projects
md irrigation in general. Such state
nents are false and unjust. His
interests in southern Idaho
ire probably larger than those in the
lorth, and all his lands are in Carey
Act projects and his crops depend up
N irrigation for their water supply.
His largest farm consists of 175
lcres and is in charge of Wayne
E. ]. Teerink is part :
wner and superintendent of 120 acres.
Ir. Bisbee is looking after another
20. His son Carl is getting into crop
his year 120 acres, and he has an 80
nd 40 in addition.
He also owns, we are told, farm
n the Twin Falls tract.
Mr.. Lewis is public spirited and is
eld in high esteem by his fellow
armers on the bench. When the U.
/. club, social organization COM
osed of farmers wives and daughters
n the bench, started a movement to
uild club house, Mr.. Lewis donated
We acres of his land in a choice To-
alton to the ladies. The land has
cen improved with shade trees, the
oundation for the club house has been
uilt, and when the building is COM
leted will be the social center of the
ench district. 1t will be known as
ewis Hall.