The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-01-21
A Pioneer Woman Writes


esting observations that are differ
.ent from all the others.
Mr.. and Mrs. Foster came to the
tract, we think, in February, 1908,
with very little means. Their claim
Law Just north of the Root Hog ford,
As miles northwest of Blackfoot, 10
miles below Powell and 25 miles to
the southwark from Howe.
In July, 1910, when the editor OF
The Republican was out looking over
the project trying to determine what
was to be the outcome of the COM
pick situation that was developing,
he rode an old plug of saddle
horse up in front of the Foster home
and talked to the lady who stood In
the door. In our. issue of July ID,
of that year, describing conditions
on the tract, the following matters
were mentioned. 1t has the greater
interest because OF the light 1t
throws on the Fosters now and from
the fact that some of the others re-
lferred to are now living at Blackfoot.
A Statement of Long Ago
"At one place the writer stopped
in front of shack where woman
came to the door and responded
cheerfully. They have been there
1S months, had come on the promise
of steady employment in the con-
struction camps for they had no
money-just the team. The work
lasted seven days and was cut on.
They have no water except in the
cisterns. Grain sowed the first of
May dried up and the potatoes
promise partial crop The hus-
band had gone rs miles for load
of hay on Little. Lost river and ex-
pActed to get back that same night,
"But," she added, "if it were in any
other country he could not make
such a trip in day"
when asked If they were going
to stay she said, Well, we are going
to stay just as long as we can. We
came here poor and we are poor yet,
but we are here. We should prob
ably be just as poor II we had given
up and gone somewhere else. ! doubt
If any big project has been completed
without disappointments and delays,
and people who want to get good
homes must expect to face difficult
ties and hold on thru thick and thin.
We are going to rely upon the good
Lord and work right on. II we have
to leave the claim we will leave,
but we don't have to go yet
Some time ago preparations were
made to start saloon at Powell and
q petition was prepared and signed
by every adult on the territory en-
braced in the county on the tract
except, one, demanding that the IL
cense be denied, and the commits
sioners of Blaine county granted the
prayer Of the settlers.
Some of these families will have
to leave the tract to get employment
and do not want to go any farther
away than they are obliged to. They
talk of going to Blackfoot to lool
for work and a place to keep theil
thorobred stock and poultry. Tit
man would work with team ant
the lady in some cases would serv'
as house maid. What they want Il
to make living and keep what the!
have until the big dam Is completed
and the vast system of canals alread!
built are put into commission.
ANY one having room and en-
ployment on their farms for such
family should write In care Of Be
dell & Albertsen at Powell, and the.
will consult with settlers, most Q
whom they are in close touch with
The people on the tract are excep
! tionally high class settlers, industri
, Gus and frugal. and familiar wit
farm work in all its details"
Two weeks after this was publish
ed the Mackay dam was condemned
, the settlers began to scatter, and 4
!, few months ago, Ave years after tn
r crash, the last one of the settler
( moved away. The following lette
| is from Mrs. Foster. then on tn
: tract but now at Howe, having see
q all the ups and downs Of sticking
i to that unfortunate Of projects:
Mrs. Fosters Letter
fl "Since coming to Idaho, two yea
9 ago lived here by the bright visie
ell Of the opening Of the Powell ira
o under the Big Lost River projef
we have had ample time for stud
"a ing conditions and the great oppo