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EForeword and newspaper extraction by Larry D. Christiansen
The initial two, long newspaper articles that follow give some essential
background information regarding the investment or speculation proposition that
focused on Trenton for over a decade, beginning about 1906. In addition they
provide an insight of this phase of the community's life from the viewpoint of
the promoters through the writers (neither of which were identified by name).
Both were caught up with what was happening to the point that what was written
was not always fact but a combination of hopes, dreams and claims. The impetus
for the movement was the completion of the West Cache Canal wherein a grand
design emerged to take advantage of the move from dry farming to irrigated
agriculture with a focus on apple orchards and home sites on easy appealing
terms and conditions. The latter included having the apple trees planted and
cared for until the new owners took charge. A second element was announced in
print that a manufacturing plant for cereal would be built and provide jobs for
hundreds. The parameters broadened to encourage others to join the migration to
the west Cache land of promise in whatever suited their fancy for the proposed
settlement could provide for upwards of ten thousand residents. Along the way
the primary boosters would progress from the Trenton Land and Investment Company
to United Development Association from Salt Lake City and, when things began to
sour, finally to West Cache Land Company and Inter-Mountain Realty Company. In
the end any realty company or individual who could advertise and sell could
engage in Trenton property.
The promoters, in over-selling their proposition' were long on promises that the
move to Trenton would be easy, profitable, an investment to a new way of life,
and the best way for home-seekers to achieve their goal. Among the key words was
'guarantee' used in the promotional articles, and fail safe to the extent that
owner of orchards could plant other crops such as sugar beets and potatoes
between the rows of apple trees until the orchard reached a productive stage.
With 14,750 apples trees planted and another 15,000 planned, the project was
cast as scientific with careful systematic planning. With this and a host of
other reasons, the boosters were sure the growth of Trenton would be immense and
rapid with the doubters being told to come and see for themselves. As a catch
all, the promoter cited the cereal factory 'alone guarantees the future of
Trenton.' Few, if any, factories received more notice that land had been
obtained, blueprints and drawings of the building made and included a visit from
the board of directors of the factory, ground-breaking, leveling and a
completion date without the words turning into bricks and mortar on the ground.
No easy explanation has been found for the cancellation of the factory at
Trenton, but possibly the food company saw an unraveling of the much touted
Trenton apple proposition before others did.
Many who bought into the concept came to believe it was a scheme to defraud the
gullible investors and sought legal proceedings in unsuccessful attempts to
regain their losses. Others believed the promoters possibly over-sold their
proposition and were ill-prepared to carry though their model orchard idea via
the easy payment plan as overhead expenses plus charges for land, trees,
equipment and personnel took away the hoped-for-profits because not enough
people bought into the plan fast enough. Whatever, the following Section I and
Section II materials will provide a journalistic glimpse of some of the
important features of this development idea or scheme.
* * * *
SECTION I :
The first article comes from the Deseret Evening News of May 30, 1908, in a full
page coverage that included three pictures (1. Officers and Directors of Trenton
Land and Investment Co.; 2. O.S.L.R.R. station at Trenton with a train; 3. A
picture of several fellows thinning sugar beets.). As a note of caution the
writer's manner of relating his account can be confusing, especially where
dialogue was used in the account, and worse, there were some composition
difficulties and misplacement in the long newspaper article.
The second article comes from The Inter-Mountain Republican (Salt Lake City) of
August 23, 1908, in a long article on 'Trenton.'
* * * *
"Trenton, the Eden of the West: Great Opportunities for Investors."
''The wilderness and the solitary places shall be glad for them; and the desert
rejoice and blossom as a rose. 'If the prophetic eye of Isaiah looked through
3,000 years of time and saw that part of the world which is not Utah, his vision
has come true. . . . 'From the time that Brigham Young entered the Salt Lake
valley and said 'this is the place' until today, the wisdom of his choice is
known to all who care to take the time to study, and it will take but little
time to prove that he was right. 'Wonderful indeed has been the transformation.
Even the last 25 years, which length of time is within the memory of the writer.
And more wonderful still will be the transformation within the next 25 years,
nay within the next 10 years. . . . "
"INTO THE GRANARY OF UTAH."
"As the traveler from Salt Lake City or Ogden goes north to Idaho, Montana. . .
. Passing along, he emerges into another valley, Cache valley, and a short time
later the conductor announces next stop Trenton. Before telling the story of
Trenton, let me digress long enough to say a few words about Cache valley, the
most productive valley not only in Utah but in all the intermountain country. .
. . In the early sixties, Brigham Young visited the valley . . . . During that
visit he said that there was no more beautiful valley in the world, that some
day it would grow wheat enough to feed more people than any other valley in the
then territory . . . . [and] he prophesied that all of the dry bench land of the
county would one day be brought under cultivation, and . . . irrigation. The
former prophecy has been fulfilled and the latter is fast becoming a
reality...."
"A FORMER TRIP RECALLED."
"Sixteen years ago the writer made a trip from Salt Lake City to Idaho and
return. . . . He also remembers that a few minutes after the train had left
Cache Junction a stop was made to let a passenger off at a point where there was
not even a platform, and that in answer to a question the conductor informed
some of us that that place was 'Trenton,' 'that place' was a byword with us
tired travelers for a few hours, every time the train stopped we remarked
'another Trenton.' For Trenton 16 years ago to a through traveler on a belated
train was not a very inviting spot. True here was plenty of land, and a few
farms in the neighborhood, but they looked dry and parched . . . . Well, the
only way that we could figure out the business of the man who left the train at
Trenton was that he was something of an agent with a new kind of graft that he
was about to work off on the people who might be found in that vicinity. But
Trenton was on the map of the Oregon Short Line with a small 'f ' in front of
the name which signified that trains stopped there only on signal. Two years
later, still with the memory of that stop, the writer passed through Trenton
again. There were a few more farms, more sagebrush had been cut from the land.
It looked a little better . . . . Five years later the writer met an old Cache
valley settler who had some land in the Trenton district and who insisted that
all the district needed to make the best and most productive section of Cache
county was water, and he remembers that to that old settler, who knew what he
was talking about, the writer said: 'Yes, h--l [sic Hell] might be a good place
if it had plenty of water and good society."
"AN OFFER THAT WAS REJECTED."
"Eight years ago the writer visited Lewiston, which is a few miles east of
Trenton, and an old friend, who owned land in the Trenton district offered to
sell him land at $10 per acre, and said the old man, who was an old settler,
'there is not better land in the world; it will only be a few years before there
will be water for all of it and it will be worth at least $500 per acre.['] Had
the writer's foresight have been as good as his hindsight at that time he would
not have been working for a salary at the present time, but would have been on
the highway to a fortune . . . . The offer of $10 per acre with easy payments
was turned down."
"A few days ago business called the writer north. His time to a certain extent
was his own and so when the conductor announced: 'Next stop Trenton.' Curiosity
got the better part of him and he decided to stop off one train at Trenton. . .
."
"The traveler alights from the train at a neat station, with an ample passenger
room, baggage and express room, a neat room for the operator and agent, with
side [here the text becomes mixed up as it continued with 'since that time I've
been putting every stray cent ...' but should have continued with] track for the
loading and unloading of freight."
"The way station of sixteen years ago is now a thriving settlement, nay it is
more. It is the very center of one of the richest agricultural districts in the
world. It has a flour mill with a capacity of 150 barrels which during the last
two years has turned out a grade of flour which has no superior in the west. It
has a good school and a new and larger school building promised within a year,
two mercantile houses, both of which are doing a big business. It has a post
office, with a daily mail service, a telephone system by which it is in
connection with the entire intermountain country and electric lights and power
for all who wish to use it. As the writer looked from the station he viewed
hundreds of acres of young fruit trees. 'What kind of trees are those?' he asked
the agent. 'Apples, Trenton apples. In five years from now Trenton apples will
be known in every part of the United States as the finest apples grown in the
world,' said the agent, and he looked me in the eye with a look that said, 'I
mean just what I say, and my job don't depend on what I am saying.' 'A lot of
trees out there and they all look like young trees,' I remarked to the agent.
'Yes, sir,' said he, 'there is a lot of young trees out there. There are a
little over 14,000 of them, all apple trees, all young trees, all planted within
the last two years, there are 300 of them.['] [']Got a place here?' I asked the
agent. 'Sure' came the slang answer. 'I'd be a fool if I hadn't.' 'Oh, I see,
you have got some land you want to sell?' I inquired thinking that the man was a
booster for revenue only. The next second I was sorry for what I had said. The
man looked me in the eye and said: 'No, stranger, I have no land for sale. I
came here about a year ago and ever [composition error and several paragraphs
after the "Thinning Beets at Trenton" picture and near the bottom of the page
the agent's conversation continues] since that time I've been putting every
stray cent that I could save, or borrow in the land around here. I'm not selling
any of mine, it looks too good to me. Why, in a few years I expect to quit work
and look on while somebody else does the work and I take in the money. Sell my
land here, well I guess not, not in the next 10 years at least and by that time
it will be worth 10 times what I am paying for it.'
'As I walked out of the station I met my old friend of eight years ago, the man
who had offered to sell me land in Trenton at $10 per acre. After a hearty hand
shake and an inquiry as to how his family and the writer's were, I asked him in
the most innocent way that I could command if he had any land about Trenton. The
old man looked at me for a second and then sat down on a railroad truck and
almost doubled up with laughter, when he straightened up, still with a grin on
his face he said: 'Oh, your [sic] are trying to buy land are ye? Wouldn't
believe me 'bout eight years ago when I said that this land was the best in the
valley, and that some day it would be worth $500 per acre, and darn you I
offered it you then at $10 per acre on easy payments. You thought that I didn't
know what I was talking about. Well, just let me tell you something. I have
still got some land here, not as much as I had eight years ago, but sill some,
now if you want any of it you will pay me $300 per acre and I don't care if I
don't sell it at that price for within five years it will be worth at least $500
per acre.[']
''Remember I told you that in a few years there would be plenty of water for
every foot of this land. Well there is, we've got a canal over there that will
irrigate all of this land and then some. See that orchard down there, well in
five years the apples from those trees will be commanding the best price of any
apples in the United States. Why? Because they will be the best apples that are
raised, at least they will to the equal of any raised in the world. What did I
do with the rest of my land here? Well, I sold it to the Trenton Land and
Investment company and I got a good 10 times more for it than I offered it to
you for eight years ago, and the company has made what land I still own worth 30
times what I offered it to you.[']
''Better see them if you want a good thing. I'm not selling my land.'
''Who is the Trenton Land and Investment company?' I inquired, 'have they an
agent here and what are they doing?'
'NO DECEPTION.
'The Trenton Land & Investment company owns 582 acres of the finest fruit land
in the world,' said Mr. Cutler. 'On those 582 acres we have planted 14,750 of
the finest apple trees that could be secured. You may laugh at me, but mark my
words; within five years the Trenton apple will find a place in every market
that is willing to pay the price for it, and that price will be above any now
paid in this section of the country and the supply will not equal the demand.
This is not all the land that we own, but this is what we have already put in
fruit trees. As to water, that magic touch of the west, we own 775 shares of the
capital stock of the West Cache Irrigation company, the largest canal in the
county, with will furnish water to irrigate 25,000 .[? An abrupt ending with
another problem in the article text which went on as "am going to take the story
away from him. . . " Picking up the writer's text it states] '. . . am going to
take the story away from him. I can tell you something about Trenton just as
well as he can and without some of the modesty that he might have to put in.
'It's about three years ago since Tom, (that's what all of us call Mr. Cutler)
came to Trenton. I have heard it said that he had been all over the west and
that he sold everything when he saw Trenton and said, 'This is the place for
me.' If he did, I think that he was right. Before he had been at Trenton a week
the old fellows here knew him. He got busy. He went out and told 'em that they
had the finest country in the world. They knew that, but they needed to be waked
up. He interested outside capital to assist in finishing the canal. He opened a
store here, and later another store was opened. Then came the big flour mill
which grinds a flour that has no superior in the state. Next they got a fine
passenger station here, where the through trains on the Short Line stop. Then
came a postoffice with daily mail. Next come electricity, to operate the flour
mill and light the home of the people. Then came a telephone connection by which
they could talk with anyone in the intermountain country just as well as they
can from Salt Lake City.
[Next part starts with no left side indentation and may entail a composition
error] '[']Answering your second question first I would say that the company has
started out to make Trenton the garden spot of the state. What their plans are
they can tell you better than I, but if they keep at it the next five years as
they have the last two years they will make Trenton one of the most desirable
places in the west to have a little home. Your first question, 'who is the
Trenton Land and Investment company has already been answered in part. The
officers of the company are Charles A. Smirthwaite, president, Thomas H. Cutler,
vice president, William F. Toller, secretary and treasurer, Alfred Smurthwaite
and Roy N. Rasmussen, directors and T. D. Johnson counsel. If you know any of
them you know that they will do what they say. By the way,' said the old man
'you will find Tom Cutler over there in the big store. We all call him Tom here,
for we all like him. He's done a whole lot for this part of the country in the
last three years,' with a parting good bye the old man climbed into his wagon
and said: 'Better get in on Trenton land now and not wait another eight years,
you won't have money enough then to buy one acre.' It was a mean shot but it was
merited and I had to stand for it.
"The officers of the company as named by my old friend were familiar names to
me. I had known 'Charlie' Smurthwaite and his brother Alf for over 20 years. . .
. Years ago, Alf and the writer worked for the same company. . . . After a trip
through Cache county for the firm for which we worked, Alf said to the writer:
'Cache county is the finest county in Utah, and if I ever get money enough ahead
of my expenses I am going to put every cent of it in Cache valley lands.' For
the last 15 years 'Charlie' Smurthwaite has been one of the leading grain buyers
in the west.
'The writer needed no introduction to Mr. Rasmussen, Mr. Johnson or Mr. Toller.
He had met all of them, the first named is the horticultural inspector of Weber
county and in his official capacity has made a most enviable record. T.D.
Johnson is one of the best known members of the bar on the state. Mr. Toller is
secretary and treasurer of one of the largest produce companies in the west.
"But it was 'Tom' Cutler, 'the man on the ground,' that my old friend had
advised me to see. I had never had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with
Mr. Cutler. All of his friends call him 'Tom' and before I had been with him a
half hour I fell into the same familiarity. Before I left Salt Lake City for the
trip north an old friend said; 'If you stop off at Trenton see Tom Cutler.'
Since my visit to Trenton I have learned from a source other then Mr. Cutler
that he has traveled every part of the west and visited every valley in Utah and
finally decided to cast his lot at Trenton.
"The writer found Mr. Cutler as his store. He was busy waiting on a customer.
Coming from behind the counter the genial merchant said. 'Now sir, what can I do
for you?' The question stumped me for a moment. Really I hardly knew what he
could do for me. Finally I said; 'Just stopped off between trains. An old man
down at the station told me that you had some of the best land in the west here
and told me to see you about it.'
'And 'Tom,' bed [sic- beg] pardon, Mr. Cutler, told me about the Trenton Land
and Investment company project.
'I told Mr. Cutler at the outset that I might not buy a foot of land. 'Don't
care if you don't, but if you are looking for a good investment or for a place
where you can make your home and in a few years be independent you will do well
to hear what we have to offer.[']
['']It is the best shipping point for a large part of the richest district in
Cache county. Last year they shipped from Trenton 410 carloads of wheat along.
The Amalgamated Sugar company has established at Trenton the largest beet
dumping platform in the state and soon we will have a sugar factory over on this
side of the county. I know what I am talking about. The site for the factory has
been selected and while you may think that I am 'stringing' you I know that a
little over half of the capital stock for the factory has already been
subscribed, and why not? Last year the beet land of Trenton netted at high as
$85 per acre, and this year the Trenton district has planted 10 per cent of all
the best and in Cache county. The orchard that you have just visited will soon
be the finest in the state, and the Trenton apple will be widely known, because
very one of those trees are going to be carefully tended, and they are the best
trees that can be purchased. They are adapted to this soil, and climate, are
going to pay $500 per acres for every acre before seven years has passed and
after that they are going to pay more than that.'
''Now, sir,' said he, 'I want to prove to you that there is money in apples and
that the only reason that the people of this state have not made money in the
raising of apples is because they have not tended to the industry in the right
way.' Here is a clipping from a Salt Lake paper. It is headed 'Growers of Utah
Neglect an Opportunity. They allow other states to supply the market that should
be all their own.'
'It tells the story of thousand and thousands of boxes of apples being shipped
into Utah every year where there ought to be enough raised in this state not
only to supply the local demand, but to ship to other states. It quoted State
Fruit Tree Inspector John P. Sorenson, who said: 'Utah has as good climate as
any state in the Union for the raising of apples and the only reason that the
state is not sending apples to nearly every part of the Union is because the
people of the state have not paid the proper attention to the raising of
apples.'
''Now,' said the old man, 'the soil and climate at Trenton are particularly
adapted to the growing of apples. It is a deep, rich, sandy loam, without stone
or alkali and there is plenty of water for every acre of it. But it was of the
possibilities of Trenton as an apple raising district that I wanted to talk.
Here is a part of a report from Roy N. Rasmussen, horticultural inspector of
Weber county: 'I have examined the land at Trenton and find the soil second to
none for fruit growing, such as apples, pears, plums and small fruits. . . for
sugar beets, grain and alfalfa. I have examined the soil, conditions, and
location, and my confident judgment is that they are perfectly adapted to the
growing of the above mentioned fruits. I have examined the small orchards in the
vicinity and find them in a healthy, growing condition . . . recent frosts . .
.have done no damage. . . in Trenton.' [']Pretty strong testimony but not too
strong,' said my old friend. 'Now,' said he, 'I am going to show you some apple
figures which will prove to you that there is money in apples
. . . [Citing examples from the Northwest where apple growers received yields of
$775 to $880 per acre and the purchase prices of orchards as several time the
price on the Trenton orchards, plus a caution from the Governor of Utah
concerning investments in foreign lands.]
'After breakfast the writer and his friend left the farm house for Trenton. As
we drove past the orchard of the Trenton Land & Investment company, the writer
made up his mind that there was where he was going to put some of his wages for
an investment. 'Well, here we are,' said my host, as we drove to the front of
Mr. Cutler's store. [']Go in and talk to Tom, he might tell you something about
Trenton that I have forgotten,' said my old friend as he bid me good bye.
'JUDGE FOR YOURSELF.
'I found Mr. Cutler in his store, busy waiting on customers. It might appear
that the town can support two stores, but the people come for miles and miles to
trade her, to get their mail, to talk over the 'phone and to exchange ideas.
'When I got Mr. Cutler to myself, I said: 'Now, please tell me something about
Trenton and what if has to offered to the investor.['] [']You, sir, have been in
and around Trenton for nearly twenty-four years, and frankly I want to say to
you that if you have not seen enough in that time to convince you that it is one
of the best places in the west, it is because you have not had your eyes open. I
don't know what you have heard about this being the best fruit country in the
state, with a young orchard that has no equal. You left me yesterday afternoon
to go with an old friend of yours, who has a sort of fatherly interest in the
district. But briefly, this is what we have to offer to you or anyone else who
wants a good thing. 'The best land in the state, with plenty of water, 14,750
apple trees already planted, and over 15,000 more to be planted with the next
year. A little town, with two stores, a postoffice, electric lights and power, a
telephone reaching all parts of the intermountain country, a flour mill with a
150 barrel a day capacity, a good school, a fifty-acre town site, with a site
for a graded school building, a new $10,000 meeting house, and other church
buildings. In the county there is one of the best agricultural schools of the
country, where the children of the farmers can be educated almost without cost.
We believe, sir, that we have the first opportunity ever offered in the west for
the home seeker or the investor. All that we ask is for the prospective buyer to
come and see what we have to offer as we are confident that his judgment will do
the rest. The company which I represent can offer any man a chance of a life
time to make a home or an investment. I do not know what you think of Trenton,
the place which within the next ten years will be known as the home of the
Trenton apple, but I do know that if you have one one-hundredth part of the
faith in Trenton that I have, you would buy land here. And I do know that all we
ask is that people come and see for themselves what we have to offer. We do not
ask anyone to buy on our word, come and see for yourself. If you know a good
thing no agent need talk to you, if you want to ask questions, ask them. We have
a good thing, in Trenton the best in the west. We can prove it. All we ask is
for you to investigate.'
''But suppose I did not care for fruit land could I purchase anything else
here?' I asked. 'Yes, you can be furnished with any size farm that you want in
the district. With the new canal, it will be impossible for many of the farmers
to tend to the land which they formerly utilized as dry farming land. Much of
this land will be for sale and there will be opportunities for the raising of
beets, wheat, alfalfa, chickens and dozen other things. Briefly, we off the home
seeker and the investor one of the best, if not the best, offers ever made in
Utah or the west. All that we ask of the intended investor is to come and see
what we have got to offer. We have no fear as to his judgment.'
'Mr. Cutler and the writer left his store for the station, for it was now close
to train time. As we walked to the neat little station house, he asked me once
more what I thought of the orchard that the company had planted. This was my
answer: 'I understand that you are selling that land for $300 per acre, with a
guarantee that the trees will be cared for during the time of payment and that
the buyer has 72 months to make the payments.['] [']Yes sir, that is right.' I
looked into my pocket book; the largest part of the money that I had when I left
Salt Lake City was still there. 'Here, Mr. Cutler, is my first payment on five
acres of that orchard, send the papers to Salt Lake, and I will sign them.[']
That was what the writer thought of Trenton fruit land, after 24 hours of
investigation.
'Before closing this article the writer wants to say just a few words about
Thomas H. Cutler. He is a boomer and a booster of the real type; there is
nothing of the hot air and the 'we have it all' about Mr. Cutler. He is cool and
conservative. His chief argument appears to be, 'investigate for yourself.' When
he talks to you he looks you in the eye with a something that says, 'Now, Mr.
Doubter, tell me where I am wrong?' That was the way that he talked to me, and I
started out with the intention of making him wrong, and I left praising the
district he represented. My impression of the officers of the Trenton Land and
Investment company is that they know that they have one of the best propositions
ever offered in the state and they only want the investor to come and see what
they have got. If the home seeker or the investor will do that they will do what
the writer did, take a few acres of land in the finest fruit district in the
state.'
--Deseret Evening News, May 30, 1908.
<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>
From The Inter-Mountain Republican (Salt Lake City), Aug. 23, 1908, newspaper of
August 23, 1908, on page 10 a second long article entitled:
'TRENTON.'
'Story of the Making of Trenton, Utah.--How One Man's Work Started a City.'
'That Utah will have a wheat cereal factory with a daily output of 1,000 cases
of a pre-digested health food is now assured. It will be located at Trenton, the
grain shipping center of Cache valley, and incidentally will be the next step in
the growth of a town, little as yet in size, but great in opportunity. The
promoters of the cereal proposition visited Trenton last week, talked with the
Cache county people, took good, long looks at the great wheat fields with a view
of the shipping facilities presented and decided that Trenton was the place.
'To one man this decision was perhaps more welcome than to any other in the
state. He is Thomas H. Cutler, the founder and father of Trenton, formerly actor
and poet, but now, town builder and scientific farmer. It is of him, his town
and opportunity that it presents to the homeseeker that the following story will
tell. It was learned first hand by a party of Utah boosters who, as Mr. Cutler's
guests for two days, had ample time to acquire a little of his love for Trenton
and for Cache valley, the 'Granary of Utah.'
''Farm and orchard lands for sale here. Before buying a home see Trenton first.
T.H. Cutler.'
'Passengers on the Oregon Short Line at a point 57 miles north of Ogden see this
sign day after day. Some smile as they look at one flour mill, three stores, a
school house, blacksmith shop and perhaps 10 little homes.
'Others do not. They see a rich soil, beautiful valley, a big irrigation ditch,
vast expanses of wheat, beet and hay fields and around the town rows and rows of
apple trees, just planted this spring, but all growing strong and green.
'Those who smile at the sign would cease were they told of this town of Trenton
and of T. H. Cutler, the man who put up the sign.
'Born in Wales in 1864, he early came to Utah, working first as a clerk in the
Z.C.M.I. He had
dramatic temperament and it finally won him a place on the stage. He was with
the original Corianton company and played the principal parts along with the
stars of the stage then in the cast. While at Logan in 1904 with his wife and
six children, the determination to find a home, a place to live, enjoy life and
to bring up the children.
'With this in view, he journeyed over the state of Idaho first and had all but
picked out a spot to settle. He returned to Logan, but his wife, strong in her
love for Utah, objected to the move because it was out of the state. This was
his feeling too.
'And Discovered Trenton.
'He hired horses and with his wife drove out along the Cache valley. Nearing the
O.S.L. tracks 18 miles northwest they saw a railway sign board marked Ransom.
The location, the exact center of the western part of Cache valley, the big
irrigation ditch being dug by the farmers higher up to the west, the black soil
growing sage brush higher than the head, were all taken in. He stepped from the
carriage and looking at his wife, said:
''This is the spot where we will make our home.['] The next day, June 4, 1904,
his birthday, he set the first spade in the soil starting the cellar of a store.
'In this way was Trenton'the name of Ransom was changed'given its start by
Thomas H. Cutler.
'To build and improve the town was the next step. With the store completed'the
family lived in the back'the Bell telephone was installed at an expenditure of
$500. The railroad officials were seen and taken over the land. The great saving
to the ranchers in hauling their produce to Trenton instead of to Cache
Junction, cutting off many miles, was pointed out. They consented to put in a
station and to make a freight rate, now the lowest in Cache valley. With the
station completed and two trains each day stopping at the former sign of Ransom,
a postoffice was established at the store with T. H. Cutler, the postmaster,
handling two daily mails.
'Flour Mill Was Started.
'The postmaster then started a canvas of the ranchers around Trenton, at
Clarkston, four miles to the west, and at neighboring centers. As a result a
150-barrel capacity flour mill, the Trenton-Clarkston mill, was built at Trenton
in 1906 and every day since then is turning out flour ranking in quality with
any in the West, made exclusively from the dry farming wheat gathered from the
fields and benches of West Cache valley.
'A school house followed, another store and one or two more families. Then came
the great day'the completion of the West Cache canal by the West Cache
Irrigation company, an organization composed of the farmers of the district and
built by their own hands.
'The water of the canal comes from a primary right to the Bear river, the
largest stream in Utah, and is capable of irrigating 30,000 acres. It cost
$277,000, less than half of the cost of canals of similar size made in similar
districts, a tribute to the co-operative principle on which the farmers worked.
'Held Large Farms.
'It was this canal that made the district and is responsible for the great
opportunity now presented to the home-seeker and horticulturist. The farmers of
the district all had large holdings, needed in the days of dry farming. These
were worked in alternate patches as the dry farming system required, one patch
being given a rest one season and worked the next. With the water on the land
its productivity was quadrupled and all of the soil could be worked each season.
With the lack of help and the inability to get help, the farmers could not till
all of their land and today much lies idle, waiting for the husbandman.
'It was here that Thomas H. Cutler again came to the front. He formed the
Trenton Land and Investment company of which Charles A. Smurthwaite of Ogden is
the president and others of Ogden and Cache valley are interested. T. H. Cutler
is the vice president and general manager. The company has a big tract of land
at Trenton and also leases from the farmers of the district, so that 10,000
people may find homes and a rich and productive business.
'The company offers to the home-seeker land from orchard tracts already planted
at $300 per acres to farming land at $65 per acre. All have perpetual water
rights from the irrigation company and the assurances of the best experts in the
state that the soil will produce the most profitable crops of apples, sugar
beets, wheat grain and vegetables and fruits of all kind.
'With advent of the water it was seen that the land reach by it was being wasted
in raising grain and beets. It is now proposed to convert the irrigated lands
into orchards with the bench and higher ground left for the day land wheat, the
best in the world for flour and cereals. It was by the great dry land wheat
field surrounding Trenton that the cereal food factory was inspired and will
certainly follow.
'Value of Orchard Lands.
"It is in the orchard land that the great hop of Trenton is placed. Experiments
have shown that a small tract of an acre or two will profitably support a
family. In Weber county bare orchard land brings from $250 to $350 per acre with
water. After two years of growth it is worth $500 per acre and when the trees
are bearing $1,000 is the price.
'The same and more is expected of Trenton. Roy N. Rasmussen, horticultural
inspector of Weber county, has charge of the Trenton orchard. Planted in May
last, the trees have already shown a three-foot growth and at inspection last
week not one was found to be dying. Between the rows, beets and potatoes are
planted, the income derived from this source being sufficient to support the
owner until the orchards reach the productive stage.
'Divided in small sections with orchards and gardens growing, the town of
Trenton will be a garden spot. Such is the hope of Thomas H. Cutler, its
founder, and the company back of it.
'Cutler Wins Support.
'To meet, to hear Mr. Cutler talk, to have him show you over the land is enough.
One does not need to be shown experts' reports or statistics, though they are to
be had.
'The railroad men in Salt Lake say that not a day passes but that home-seekers
come from the east. They are looking for places to settle, but they are hard to
find without means. It is such places as Trenton that will build up the state
and for which all are glad to boost, not because of the people who are
interested, but because of the results to be had. And it is the Trenton kind of
propositions with the easy terms to home-seekers that will solve the problem. A
big railroad man in speaking of Trenton, said that he was glad to get in a boost
as it offered an avenue of escape from the well worn advice to home-seekers to
'go to Idaho.'
'Ready for the People.
'Of Trenton and its advantages mention is sufficient. The main line service of
the Oregon Short Line is at hand. The High Creek Power company furnishes the
cheapest electric power in the state. Light in home is sold at the rate of three
for 50 cents and may be used day and night at that cost. West of the townsite a
half-mile, are springs of the purest water. Mr. Cutler is now working on the
water gravity system, which will supply the town for all domestic uses. A map of
the townsite has been made with business and residence blocks laid out along the
streets, poplar trees planted and a city ready for the people started.
'Last year there were shipped from the Trenton station 487 carload of farm
produce, of which wheat and beets comprised the greater part. For this more than
$400,000 was paid out by the buyers at Trenton postoffice.
'What this sum will raise to, the future will tell, but those who have seen
Trenton are sure that the increase will be immense. With the orchards and
gardens growing and the advantage of the main line train service to Ogden, Salt
Lake and Pocatello and Butte, the garden produce may reach the cities daily.
'Say Apples Are the Best.
'Of the apples much is expected. The Trenton apple took the first prize at the
state fair two years ago and is pronounced to be the finest in the world, not
excepting the Wood River, Ida., variety.
'Of the cereal factory much is expected. Its idea originated with C. E. Rhodes
of the 'Force,' 'Malta Vita' and other factories. He was called from Battle
Creek, Mich., to install the College Kofflet factory at Logan. With his work
completed he started to look over the dry land wheat fields of Cache valley from
which the Battle Creek factories draw so eagerly. At Trenton he saw an ideal
site for a factory. He broached this project to several parties and finally
reached the M. and M. association of Salt Lake.
'Trenton Picked for Place.
'The idea at once appealed to the board of directors and Lon J. Haddock was
directed to push it. Mr. Haddock interested the United Development company,
promoters of the Elk Coal company and the Mexican farm lands project. The people
of Cache valley were also interested and Trenton, after a hard fight with Juab
county, was finally picked as the place. The district supplies enough wheat
annually to run three factories of the kind proposed and furnishes the best
possibly quality of the grain.
'It is proposed to interest every merchant in the state in the factory, not only
to boost a home industry, but to furnish the breakfast food at a lower cost. One
of the chief features that showed the feasibility of the project was the fact
that the cost of shipping the wheat from Trenton to Battle Creek and the
manufactured produce back was more than the cost of manufacturing the completed
product.
'Cost of Running Mill.
'Under the present tentative plans the factory will cost $75,000, with $75,000
needed to buy the wheat and advertise the food. It is estimated that 500 bushels
per day will be used the year round. More than 100 hands will be needed to run
the plant. The bringing of the plant to Trenton was largely due to the same
Thomas H. Cutler and his associates who made the town.
'Of the beauties of Trenton as a home, set as it is on the western slop of Cache
valley, the most
beautiful valley in the state, little need be said. The climate is superb with a
clear sky and air that cannot be excelled.
'Walking over the fields and infant orchards with an enthusiast like Thomas H.
Cutler, who has put his very life and native Welsh spirit in the work, one
cannot help but join him in his hopes and plans. There is a certain call of the
soil with its breath of future returns that makes one feel that after all the
city is not the place.
'Mr. Cutler, is speaking of the place, said: 'We have the land, we have the
water; we have everything in fact to make Trenton, but the people. They will
come in time, it is certain, and we will find them homes and livelihoods. I have
a list now of hundreds of farmers of this district who will give part of their
land to settlers in return for a few days' work each week on their land. This
course is open to the people who come here without means. To others we have
every kind of offer and can guarantee them success.[']
'Believes in the Town.
''Perhaps I talk too much on Trenton, but I am sure of myself and Trenton and
know that what I say is right. Since I dug the first spade of dirt here four
years ago I have never lost faith in the district. In fact, none could with its
growth and the ever increasing assurances that our hopes will be fulfilled.
''Those who come will be welcome and once here they will join with us in our
building, which cannot help but prove of mutual benefit to Utah, to Trenton and
to ourselves.'
'There are many others equally interested in Trenton, some from other counties
and man from Cache county and Logan. Going through the surrounding towns nothing
but good wishes and good prospects for Trenton are predicted. All seem willing
to boost and drop the rivalry and sectionalism that so hampers the progress of a
state. This year has seen lots in the townsite go and surrounding lands
purchased. The Trenton company has facts and figures that show great returns
from investments made in the district, which, with the water and orchard
propositions at hand will increase wonderfully. All who are acquainted with the
district say, 'Locate now at Trenton.'
'Always With One Purpose.
'A story in itself is the history of Thomas Cutler and his building of Trenton.
It contains much of the spirit of the pioneers that made Utah, and too much in
commendation cannot be said. It is the story of hard and earnest effort with an
unfailing purpose. With a smile in his eyes, he watches each turning the soil,
each new shoot of the trees in the orchard, each new arrival and each new
enterprise headed Trenton's way repeating his favorite quotation, 'Now is the
winter of our discontent made glorious summer.'
'An active campaign to boost Trenton is now under way. A branch office of the
company in charge of Brigham T. Pyper as the Salt Lake agent has been
established at 212 Judge building. In the effort to find homes for the
home-seekers, to provide investments and to aid in the bringing of the new
enterprises to Trenton, the company will be aided by the M. and M. association,
the Commercial club of Logan and Utah boosters as well.
''Success to Trenton' alone is heard.'
--The Inter-Mountain Republican (Salt Lake City), Aug. 23, 1908.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
SECTION II --TRENTON ' A few facts along with hopes and hype on Trenton apples,
cereal factory, homes and unfulfilled bonanza dreams as drawn from several
newspapers at the time with a couple of personal experiences by residents of the
area.
May 19, 1880 - p. 14 under "Census Enumerators."
"Cache County . . .Sixth District--John H. Barker. Newton, Clarkston, Trenton,
Richmond and Lewiston precincts."
-- Deseret News, May 19, 1880.
July 13, 1881 - p. 1 under "Local and Other Matters."
"Trenton Topics.--E. H. writes from Trenton, a new settlement in Cache Valley,
on the 5thinst:
Dry Farming is a success this year.
Grain will soon be ripe, and promises are fair for a good crop.
More settlers are wanted. Plenty of good land untaken, and an abundance of water
in Bear River.
An office has recently been opened there and Trenton will henceforth be heard
from occasionally."
--Deseret News, July 13, 1881.
Feb. 18, 1885 - p. 9 under "Local News."
"A New Ward.--A new ward was organized at Trenton, Cache Valley, on the 8th
inst. James B. Jardine, son of Bishop Jardine, of Clarkston, being chosen and
sustained at Bishop, and Andrew McCombs and Wm. J. Griffith as Counselors.
Andrew
Grey was also selected as clerk."
--Deserest News, Feb. 18, 1885.
March 26, 1896 - p. 3 under "Franklin Fragments."
"On Saturday night the Logan Dramatic company played in the Franklin meeting
house,
the beautiful drama entitled, 'The Noble Outcast.' They had a good house
considering the
wet weather, and the muddy roads. They all played well, especially Mr. T.
Cutler, and
they were applauded many times.
"It was a good entertainment and I hope they were well paid.
Yours, / OBSERVER. Franklin, Idaho, March 23, '96.
--The Journal, March 26, 1896.
April 14, 1898 - p. 7 under "West Cache Canal."
"Co-Operative Enterprise to Water Thirty Thousand Acres.
"Logan, April 13.--County Surveyor Hanson has returned from a surveying trip on
the west side
of the valley, where he had been engaged in surveying a new canal route upon
which work is to be
begun immediately. The canal will be taken out of Bear river, about three miles
below Battle
creek, and will be known as the Trenton and Bear River Canal company. Thirty
thousand acres
will be irrigated by this canal, which will be built under the old co-operative
plan by the farmer
directly interested, at an estimated cost of $30,000. This is regarded here as a
most important enterprise."
--The Salt Lake Tribune, April 14, 1898.
Feb. 14, 1901 - p. 7 under "Our Neighbors."
"Preston, Oneida Co., Idaho, Feb. 8.--
"FINE CANAL PROJECT.
"A large canal is being taken out of Bear river, five miles north of Preston,
which has been
pushed very rapidly since October 1st. It will irrigate a large tract of land,
known as Trenton,
Utah, and running as far south as Newton. This canal has furnished labor for a
great number of
people, and has distributed from $5,000 to $10,000 in cash per month among the
people."
--The Deseret Evening News, Feb. 14, 1901.
July 13, 1903 - p. 2 under "Trenton P. O. Discontinued."
"Washington, D. C., July 12.--Harley C. Lee, Scofield, Utah, has been appointed
railway mail
clerk. The postoffice at Trenton, Cache county, Utah, has been discontinued.
Mail to Ransom."
--Deseret Evening News, July 13, 1903.
Dec. 9, 1904 - p. 7 under "Canal About Completed."
"Forty-Threes Miles Long and Will Irrigate 27,000 Acres of Land."
"Logan, Dec. 7.--The officials of the West Cache Canal company announced the
practical
completion of its canal, which was one of the biggest irrigation projects of the
state. Most of the
men employed on the big ditch have been paid off, and the last contract will
have been finished on
Saturday. What is more, satisfactory financial arrangements have been made, and
the company is
now upon a safe basis in the respect.
"The West Cache canal. . . waters the west side of Cache valley. It is
forty-three miles long,
eight and one-half feet wide on the bottom, and six feet deep. . . . The West
Cache canal is taken
out in Idaho, about five miles north of Preston, and runs down to Newton, Utah.
Its approximate
cost is $225,000, and it was built entirely by the farmers owning land under
it."
--Salt Lake Herald, Dec. 9, 1904.
Feb. 9, 1905 - p. 5 under "Increase Capital Stock."
"West Cache Canal to Be Pushed to Early Completion."
"Logan, Feb. 8.-- . . . On account of the competition of the big ditch a
building boom has set in
on the west side, and the prospects are that the west side will vie with the
eastern side of Cache
valley in beauty and productiveness with five years.
"The Utah commercial men, and, in fact, all the drummers making Utah, have
decided on June
9 and 10 as the time for their big celebration in this city, and have appointed
committees to work
in connection with those of the Commercial club in making arrangements for one
of the biggest
celebrations ever seen here."
--Salt Lake Herald, Feb. 9, 1905.
April 5, 1905 - p. 2 under "Business Notes."
"An amendment to the articles of incorporation of the West Cache Irrigation
company of
Trenton, Cache county, was filed in the secretary of state's office today
increasing the capital stock
of the company from $100,000 to $150,000."
--Deseret Evening News, April 5, 1905.
Dec. 7, 1905 - p. 1 under "Our Sure Crop."
". . . as soon as they finish up the depot now being built at Trenton."
--The Box Elder News (Brigham City, Ut.), Dec. 7, 1905.
July 2, 1907 - p. 10 under "Will Grow Apples."
"The Trenton Land & Investment company, which was incorporated last week, has
laid some
large plans for the development of Trenton, the town site of which is located in
the Cache valley,
on the Oregon Short Line, fifty-eight miles from Ogden. It is claimed that the
land is especially
adapted to apple culture. The company announces that it will have 14,400 trees
of a fine
variety of apples planted next fall, covering 300 of the 582 acres owned by the
company."
--The Salt Lake Herald, July 2, 1907.
July 2, 1907 '
'T. H. Cutler, who has forsaken Logan altogether and is now a permanent fixture
of Trenton,
was in Logan yesterday. Tom is out with the big boost for the west side
metropolis, and insists
that Trenton will get vie with Logan for County seat honors. Mr. Cutler is
booming a new
enterprise just launched at Trenton and in which he was the original mover. It
is the Central
Land and Investment Company which has just been formed at Trenton. . . . Nothing
helps a town
Like a few good boosters, and Trenton seems to have some of the real simon-pure
sort.'
--The Journal, July 2, 1907.
[NOTE: See item above from The Journal, March 26, 1896.]
March 13, 1908 - p. 7 under "Trenton is Coming to Front."
"Vice-President Cutler Now In Ogden."
"Section of Cache Valley to Become the Model Apple Orchard of America."
"Thomas H. Cutler, vice-president of the Trenton Land Investment company is in
Ogden exploiting
the advantages and opportunities of Trenton and the surrounding country, which
he claims to be
the most fertile section west of the Mississippi river.
"It was three years ago when Mr. Cutler went to Trenton district and picked out
a location for a
mercantile establishment. Nothing then was in sight but sagebrush and
opportunity, but by
convincing other people that the sagebrush could be replaced by rolling wheat
fields and rich
crops of other farm products hew as instrumental in building a town that today
boasts of more
accommodations than any other country town in the Cache valley country.
"In addition to his prominence in Trenton as a business man, Mr. Cutler is
postmaster and abstractor.
"The rapid growth of Trenton convinced the settlers that a station was an
absolute necessity so,
with characteristic energy, Mr. Cutler was delegated to influence the Oregon
Short Line in behalf
of his townsmen. As a result a station was built, which is a serviceable and a
valuable asset in the
development of the country tributary to Trenton. It is so favorably located that
half of the beet
crop from Preston is brought, each year, to Trenton and shipped to the Preston
sugar factory.
"It is the intention of the land company to bring under cultivation a tract of
table land west of
Cache valley and watered by the West Cache canal, which includes 25,000 acres
suitable for fruit raising, apples in particular.
"Mr. Cutler came to Ogden looking for capital, brain, and industry and he claims
that he will
succeed in making Trenton the model apple orchard of America."
--The Ogden Standard, March 13, 1908.
May 30, 1908 - p. 29 under "Trenton, the Eden of the West: Great Opportunities
For Investors."
{See under Section I}
July 12, 1908 - p. 23 under "All Eyes Are On Logan."
'Is Being Recognized as an Ideal Manufacturing Center."
"Logan, July 10.--Cache county bids fair to become a center of manufacture for
breakfast foods
and prepared cereals. One man has just started a factory and another company is
preparing to start
another, while today Ed South of Salt Lake is here looking over the ground with
a view to
building a third plant. He belongs to the United Development company, which,
with the Mormon
church and Z.C.M.I., has contributed $15,000, or $45,000 in all, which will be
used in erecting
the factory.
"Mr. South and his partners are undecided whether to locate in Trenton or at
Nephi. They
desire all dry farm grain for their use, and the Trenton section produces more
than a quarter of a
million bushels of such grain each year."
--The Salt Lake Herald, July 12, 1908.
July 15, 1908 - p. 2 under "Late Locals."
"Cutler Mercantile Co.--Articles of incorporation of the Cutler Mercantile
company, of Trenton,
Cache county, were filed today in the office of the secretary of state. The
company will engage in
a general merchandise business, wholesale an retail, and is capitalized for
$25,000, divided into
shares of the par value of $50 each. The directors are Thomas H. Cutler, S. J.
Major, William F.
Toller, Alexander Chatelain and William H. Rich."
--Deseret Evening News, July 15, 1908.
** [Also in Salt Lake Herald for July 16, 1908.]
Aug. 23, 1908 - p. 10 Under "TRENTON."
{See under Section I}
Aug. 23, 1908 - p. 4 under "Cache Project Proves Surprise.
"Salt Lake Newspaper Men Visit Trenton in Dry Farming Belt."
"Cereal Factory Scheme.
"Big Tract of Good Country Being Opened.
"Logan, Aug. 21.--A party of Salt Lake newspaper men and Secretary Lon Haddock
of the M.
& M. association, in charge of T. H. Cutler of the Trenton Land & Investment
company, which
has its office in the Judge building in Salt Lake, left here this morning for
Trenton, where they
spent part of the day in looking over and sizing up that section of country,
which is believed just
now to be on the verge of a boom such as no other place in northern Utah has
ever experienced.
For a great many years Trenton was the center of Cache county's dry belt--the
headquarters of the
dry farming district of this section--but the completion of the big West Cache
canal has opened up
wonderful possibilities for northwestern Cache in general and Trenton in
particular, and that
locality promises to become as productive as the east side of Cache, which is
famed as one of the
garden spots of the west. Big fruit orchards have been put out since the water
became available and
within ten years Cache county will be the principal fruit producing section of
Utah.
'CEREAL FACTORY PROJECT.
"But just as present Trenton, and, in fact, the whole county, is very much
interested in the
project of establishing a big cereal factory here, and it was with a view of
giving the newspaper
men some idea of the advantages that Trenton possesses over other localities for
establishing and
maintaining such an industry that they were taken over.
"It is putting it mildly to say that they were very much surprised at the
remarkable change that
has taken place and is taking place there; that is, those who were acquainted
with the place, and
the others were very much impressed with the great possibilities of that
section, particularly with
regard to the enterprise mentioned. They found a big country, one that is well
drained, and with
thousands of acres of the most fertile land lying outdoors. It is bisected by
the main line of the
Oregon Short Line, and speaking of the railroad calls to mind the evident fact
that the company is
quite confident as to the future of Trenton, for it has erected there one of the
most substantial and
commodious stations along its route--one not demanded by the conditions
prevailing at the time of
its erection.
'CENTRE OF DRY FARMING.
"Lying above and to the west of Trenton are the principal day land wheat fields
of Cache, which
annually yield between 300,000 and 400,000 bushels of grain. It is all hard
wheat and is in big
demand at the cereal factories, notably those of Battle Creek, Mich., scores of
carloads having
been sent out of Trenton to that city last year and for many years past in fact.
The proposition now
before the people here is that of establishing a factory to utilize a good
portion of this wheat, and
Trenton being centrally located, with first-class railroad accommodations, ample
power facilities,
plenty of help, plenty of water and an abundance of land, has naturally been
selected. Mr.
Haddock was very favorably impressed with Trenton's claims before going over,
but after
inspecting the place he did not hesitate to declare Trenton the finest location
in Utah for such an
industry. It certainly has advantages no other section of the county can
claim--that was the verdict of all.
"The proposed factory is to cost in the neighborhood of $200,000 and will employ
about 100
hands. It will have as its backers the M. & M. association, the businessmen of
Cache county and
the Trenton Land & Investment company, which latter is to assume a large part of
the burden of
providing a site for the factory and arranging the necessary preliminaries for
its installation.
"The thing which the visitors marveled at after viewing this fruitful section
was that every day
the trains carry through it many home-seekers going to Idaho, Oregon and
Washington, to districts
less fertile and with not one-tenth the advantages that Trenton possesses. They
pay nearly or quite
as much for their land as they could get the west side land for, too. Trenton's
greatest need is
advertising. It is the land of opportunity in so far as Utah is concerned. No
other section rivals it
in the advantages it offers to the home-seeker, the intensive farmer and the
capitalist. The fight
Mr. Cutler and his friends are making for the cereal factory is the first notice
the other parts of the
country have had that Trenton is on the map, but it is not the last, for there
is a crowd of boosters
in the thriving little town whose work will bring big results, for they have the
goods and know
how to display them. The visiting boosters returned to Salt Lake on the
afternoon train."
--The Salt Lake Herald, Aug. 23, 1908.
Aug. 30, 1908 - p.31 ad.
"FOR SALE--A poor man's chance to get a home. The Trenton Land & Investment
company is
offering to the public the choicest orchard and farm land to be found in the
country on easy terms.
We are selling town lots for $100.00 that will be worth double in less than
sixty days. It is worth
investigating. Call and see us. 212 Judge Bldg. Trenton Land & Investment co."
--The Salt Lake Herald, Aug. 30, 1908.
Sept. 4, 1908 - p. 7 under "Trenton Boosters Now in Salt Lake."
"Brigham T. Pyper and Thomas H. Cutler of Trenton, in Cache valley, were in the
city
Thursday in connection with the establishing of a new cereal food factory at
Trenton.
"Both men are enthusiastic in their descriptions of the possibilities of Trenton
and
are endeavoring to arrange some means whereby the guests of the Labor day
booster excursion to
Logan may have a chance to visit Trenton as well. Trenton is about 15 miles from
Logan on the
main line and it is not unlikely that the excursion will be made a two-day
affair, instead of one, as
originally planned, if it is the desire of the boosters to visit the new
townsite.
"According to present arrangements, the special train will leave Salt Lake at
7:30 Monday
morning, and will leave Logan at 8 o'clock in the evening of the same day. A
good program of
sports and amusements has been arranged at Logan in addition to the banquet at
the Agricultural
college, and the boosters' meeting at the Tabernacle."
**>>> p. 8 ads. same Sept. 4th, 1908 issue.
"WANTED --Young Men of Good address as agents for Farm and Orchard lands; can
make $15.00 per day. Call at once at 212-212 Judge building."
"WANTED --Someone to open livery stable. Where, at Trenton, Cache Valley."
"WANTED --Men and teams at good wages to haul beets. Where, at Trenton."
"WANTED --Single hands at once, good wages paid. Where, at Trenton."
"WANTED --Homeseekers to buy good farms on easy terms. Where, at Trenton."
"CALL 212-212 Judge Building."
--The Inter-Mountain Republican, Sept. 4, 1908.
Sept. 4, 1908 - p. 3 under "Trenton's New Industry.
"Effort to Arouse Interest in Proposed Cereal Plant.
"Several business men from Trenton were in Salt Lake yesterday on business
connected with the
proposed cereal plant at that place.
"Trenton will take part in the 'booster' excursion of the Manufacturers and
Merchants'
association to Logan next Monday. Labor day, when an effort will be
made to arouse interest in Trenton's new industry.
"It is expected that there will be a large crowd from Salt Lake aboard the
'booster' train to Logan."
--The Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 4, 1908.
Sept. 6, 1908 - p. 32 under "Invade Logan Tomorrow."
"Extensive Arrangements Made by Cache Valley Commercial Club for Entertainment
of Boosters.
. . .train to leave SLC at 7:50 a.m. with members of M. & Mo. Association to
Logan the
excursionist to visit the AC college. . . .
"Brigham T. Pyper, Thomas H. Cutler and other business men of Trenton, which is
twenty miles
from Logan, will make efforts to induce some of the 'boosters' to spend two days
in Cache valley,
so that Trenton can be visited."
--The Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 6, 1908.
Sept. 13, 1908 - p. 10 under ads [typical ads that saturated the Salt Lake
area.]
"Do You Want to Buy a Farm?"
"Don't go out of the state when you can buy the best land in the west, ready to
go to work, with
permanent water rights, at $75 per acre, in the heart of Cache valley. The land
is producing $85
per acre this year. Where can you beat it?
"TRENTON LAND & INVESTMENT COMPANY, 212-213 Judge Building.
* * *
"DO YOU WANT TO GET RICH?"
"If so buy apple orchard at Trenton, Cache valley, Utah. It will pay 200 per
cent yearly. Your
money back with 6 per cent interest at the end of the first year if you don't
like your investment.
"TRENTON LAND & INVESTMENT COMPANY, 212-213 Judge Building."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 13, 1908.
Sept. 20, 1908 - p. 25 under "Trenton Apple Orchards as an Investment.
"Better Than Mines, Better Than Insurance, Better Than Mortgage Loans,
for You Have Them All in One.
"The SECURITY is as good as anything you can get. The RETURNS are as large as
any mine in
the country for the amount investor, and you don't have to wait until you die to
get big returns, and
it still goes on producing after you are dead, getting better each year. Apple
trees will live for an
indefinite period, and the Trenton apple brings the highest price in the world.
"You can get 5 acres of our Orchard (trees almost a year old) for $300 per
acres--$60 down, $20
per month for 72 months; and at the end of first years, if you are dissatisfied
with your investment,
we will return your money, together with 6 per cent interest.
"Apple Orchard will pay (at 6 years) from $400 to $600 per acre yearly. We get
these figures
from Matured Orchards at the present time.
"We have first-class improved farms, with permanent water right, in the heart of
Cache valley,
we are selling for $75 to $85 per acre, on easy terms. We sold 500 acres last
week. Get in before
it is too late.
"TRENTON LAND & INVESTMENT COMPANY,
212-213 Judge Building.
--The Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 20, 1908.
* * *Repeated the next day...Sept. 21, 1908.
Sept. 27, 1908 - p. 50 under "Home-Builders Are Needed."
"Men, more men! Send us homeseekers. We have the land. We have the climate. We
have
the water. We have the resources. But we need men and families to settle up the
state, take up the
land, become citizens in this great state and aid the work of making this the
greatest common-wealth in the United States.
"Such is the cry of Utah.
"During the last year there has been the greatest influx of Eastern farmers and
business men into
Utah that has ever been known . . . . But there are thousands and thousands of
acres lying
absolutely idle throughout the state. During the last year thousands of acres of
what has been
known as arid land has been opened up by the state land board and private land
enterprises, and
most of them have been settled. But there are still great areas, which are being
opened as quickly
as possible.
"And what Utah needs is people to fill these farms. . . .
"One of the most recent steps showing the desire of the man who is opening up a
large area of
land to bring more people to the state, is seen at Trenton, Cache valley. Three
hundred acres have
been planted in apple trees, but the Trenton company refuses to sell more than
five acres to any
one purchaser.
"'We could sell the whole 300 acres to one company if we so desired,' says the
manager of the
company. 'But that isn't what we want. We want men, women and children. There is
great money
waiting for them. We want people. Every family which takes five acres there will
become
interested in that district in particular and in the state in general. And we
will have many families
of good citizens, brought mostly from the East. It will be the horticulturists
of the East who has
made money there but who wants to come to the West who will take up the orchard
land. They
are the people we want--the right kind of citizens and plenty of them!' . . . ."
--The Inter-Mountain Republican, Sept. 27, 1908.
Nov. 19, 1908 - p. 10 under "Local Briefs."
"THE CONSOLIDATED Wagon & Machine company brought suit yesterday against the
Trenton Land & Investment company to recover a balance of $2,425 on a promissory
note of
$4,925 given to secure payment for agricultural implements."
--Salt Lake Herald, Nov. 19, 1908.
Feb. 23, 1909 - p. 4 under "West Cache Canal."
". . . The greater part of the prime dry farm country under the canal will be
planted to beets this
year and from present indications there will be plenty of water which is
encouraging to the
farmers."
--Deseret Evening News, Feb. 23, 1909.
July 14, 1909 - p. 12 under "Breakfast Food Plant Planned For Cache."
"Should the plans of several business men of Cache county work out, there will
soon be on the
market breakfast food mad from Utah grains and prepared at a Utah plant. The
National Food
company, which will manufacture breakfast food and cereals from Utah grains, has
recently been
organized, and it is understood that the work on the erection of a $150,000
plant will be started at
once. The plant will be located at Trenton, Cache county.
"The company is capitalized for $400,000. E. R. South is president; W. P. Funk,
vice president;
E.A. Culbertson, treasurer; Elias S. Woodruff, secretary. These together with E.
R. Mills, J.T.
Corbridge and John L. Smith, will form the board of directors. All the men
connected with the
company are well known business men of Cache county."
--Salt Lake Herald, July 14, 1909.
July 31, 1909 - p. 7 under "Growth At Trenton."
"Trenton, Cache county, Utah peerless garden spot of the valley, is receiving
new impetus
every day. On every hand the spirit of growth is apparent. Everybody has the
spirit of booster,
and according to all reports the place deserves the boost it is receiving.
"Professor Robert S. Northrop, who for the past five years has been
horticulturist at the State
Agricultural college, is one of the many men who have great faith in Trenton. He
says: 'The
recent contemplated improvements at Trenton, including the lumber yard, wheat
elevators and the
breakfast cereal factory of the National Food Co. means that upward of a quarter
of the million
dollars will be spent at Trenton within the next year, and means also the
employment of many
men. What interests me most is the locality itself. The soil and climatic
conditions at Trenton are
simply ideal for apple growing: I never haven seen a better place. That is why I
am urging people
to buy a Trenton orchard and to buy it now while value are low.'
"The United Development association of this city, with offices in the Newhouse
building own a
splendid orchard, the planting of which I personally advised upon two years ago,
and I know
whereof I speak when I say it is a very choice piece of property which is being
sold for at least one
hundred dollars an acre less than it is really worth.'"
--Deseret Evening News, July 31, 1909.
August 9, 1909 - p. 8 under "G. A. R. MAN LIKES THE STATE."
"'I have frequently heard that Utah was not awake to its possibilities and that
its industries were
decadent,' said a G.A.R. visitor to the city yesterday. 'I expected to find
people indifferent to their
advantages but I am most agreeably surprised to find the modern spirit of hustle
and enterprise on
every hand. You have a wonderful state here; your mining camps are great wealth
producers, yet
your state is not alone a mining state. Your agricultural possibilities are
wonderful. I am a farmer
and fruit raised and I think I know what I am talking about when I say that your
soil is the finest
for apples I ever saw and Utah farmers will soon find out that apples will net
yearly $500 or more
per acre.
"'Cache valley is a beautiful spot and I was much impressed with what I saw of
it on a trip I just
made there. I visited Trenton to look at the apple orchards. It is my opinion
that Trenton will
quickly become a great fruit center. I never saw better natural conditions for
apple growing; in
fact the district is admirably adapted to all kinds of general farming. I
visited the place with W. P.
Funk of the National Food company, whose factory is to be erected there. He
informed me that
upwards of a quarter of a million dollars will be spent there next year for
buildings, including their
factory, one or two wheat elevators and other enterprises. The orchard I saw
consisted of two
hundred acres of apples, owned by the United Development Association, 510
Newhouse building,
this city. They are selling it on easy terms in five or ten-acre tracts.'"
--Salt Lake Telegram, Aug. 9, 1909.
Aug. 14, 1909 - p. 14 under "Another Manufactory at Trenton."
"The old proverb, 'To him who hath shall be given,' is exemplified at Trenton.
The growth at
Trenton has attracted another factory. Mr. William R. South of Ogden, has
installed and is now operating a cement Brick Plant.
"The bricks are made of concrete and present a very handsome appearance. The
first output
goes for the erection of a five room cottage for the United Development
Association, to be built on
a portion of their Trenton Orchard.
"This company has divided 20 [?200] acres of apple trees into five and ten acres
tracts and are
selling them on easy terms to newcomers. The company will care for the orchard
until paid for if
desired, turning it over at the agreed time with every tree in good condition.
This liberal plan is
attracting many investors who see a chance to invest their monthly savings,
secure an orchard,
bring it into full bearing before giving their incomes and then operate it for
themselves.
"When one considers that a first class apple orchard will produce $500,000 net
per acre per
year, it will be readily understood why this orchard is selling rapidly. About
half of the large
orchard is now sold to local people. Salt Lake people alone having purchased 45
acres.
"Prof. R. S. Northrop, formerly Horticulturalist of the State Agricultural
College, is associated
with this company, and the orchard is receiving the benefit of his experience
and is thriving.
"The United Developement [sic] Association has offices at 510 Newhouse Building
this city."
--Deseret Evening News, Aug. 14, 1909.
Aug. 15, 1909 - p. 30 under "Another Manufactory at Trenton."
"The old proverb, 'To him who hath shall be given,' is exemplified at Trenton.
The growth at
Trenton has attracted another factory. Mr. William R. South of Ogden has
installed and is now
operating a Cement Brick plant.
"The brick are made of concrete and present a very handsome appearance. The
first output goes
from the erection of a five-room cottage for the United Development Association,
to be built on a
portion of their Trenton Orchard.
"This company has divided 200 acres of apple trees into five and ten-acre tracts
and is selling
them on easy terms to newcomers. The company will care for the orchard until
paid for if desired,
turning it over at the agreed time with every tree in good condition.
"This liberal plan is attracting many investors, who see a chance to invest
their monthly savings,
secure an orchard, bring it into full bearing before giving their incomes, and
them operate it for
themselves.
"When one considers that a first class apply orchard will produce $500.00 net
per acre per year,
it will be readily understood why this orchard is selling rapidly. About half of
the large orchard is
now sold to local people. Salt Lake people alone have purchases forty-five
acres.
"Prof. R. S. Northrop, formerly horticulturist of the State Agricultural
college, is associated
with this company, and the orchard is receiving the benefit of his experience
and is thriving.
"The United Development association has offices at 510 Newhouse Building, this
city."
--Salt Lake Herald, Aug. 15, 1909.
Aug. 22, 1909 - p. 36 under "There Must be Merit in Trenton."
"Judged by the activity at Trenton, in Cache county, the future at that very
lively place is very
bright. Each week brings reports of new activity. The new cement works already
has more orders
for material than can be furnished for some time. There is a demand for labor
and every week sees
new faces seeking locations.
"There is a very good reason for this activity. The growth there is constant and
substantial. It is
based on the future of Trenton and is normal and healthy, because behind it are
natural conditions
which will compel a steady growth. Trenton is the only town in Cache valley
situation on the
main line of the Oregon Short Line and at the same time in a central location.
It is bound soon to
be the gateway to that most remarkable and wealthy valley. It will become the
objective point for
the traveling public because practically every Cache valley town can be reached
easily from
Trenton. There is an opening for a good livery stable there now and the man who
moves first
will get the business.
"The National Food company is making progress; the indications are they will
soon commence
breaking ground for a new factory. This will mean the expenditure of about
$150,000 and will
give permanent employment to several hundred hands. This alone guarantees the
future of
Trenton. This explains why so many are buying there now. The United Development
association's orchard tract is being rapidly taken. Buyers realize they are not
only buying orchard
land, but land that is in reality city lots, for the orchard is right in town,
being only two blocks
away from the center.
"The company has issued a folder giving information on many points regarding
Trenton. One
can be secured free by writing the United Development association, 510 Newhouse
building, this city."
--Salt Lake Herald, Aug. 22, 1909.
* * *[ Article repeated in Deseret Evening News of Aug. 25, 1909, p. 5.]
Aug. 29, 1909 -p. 33 under "Utah Apples Are Best."
"Past experience had proven conclusively to fruit buyers and shippers that Utah
apples bring the
highest possible price in the markets of the United States in competition with
the best produced
elsewhere. There is a good reason for this. Every one likes apples, we like to
sit on a winter's
evening before the fire and in the dark, or near dark, eat several before going
to bed. But in the
past we have been afraid to do so because of worms and various other blemishes
which are so
abundant on apples produced in a humid climate. This explains why the high and
fertile valley
of Cache produces fruit of such fine quality. Why so many are getting into the
orchard business
there. And why not? At the present price of orchard land at Trenton one can see
opportunity to
make an investment which will bring good returns, even if the land is sold again
when bearing
commences. No other form of investment offers such large returns with perfect
safety. Trenton
orchards in bearing are worth from $750 to $1,000 per acre. They now well for
one-third that
amount, and on terms so easy that small monthly payments will secure one. The
United
Development association will sell a five-acre orchard now two years old; will
care for it three
more years; guarantee every tree in good condition at that time, and accept
payments by the
month.
"Such an investment beats spending one's money in extravagance and means the
accumulation
of a modest fortune if followed to its conclusion.
"A care addressed to United Development Association, 510 Newhouse building, will
bring a
folder telling all about it."
--Salt Lake Herald, Aug. 29, 1909.
Sept. 5, 1909 - p. 6 under "Incorporations."
"Articles of incorporation of James L. Briggs & Co. were filed with the
secretary of state
yesterday. The capital stock is $25,000 at $10 a share, of which $4,080 has been
subscribed and
the balance remains in the treasury. The company will conduct a general
merchandise store at
Trenton, Cache county. Officers are Charles G. Wood, president; Frank Bair, vice
president;
Charles A. Brown, secretary and treasurer; James L. Briggs, manager. These, with
B. H. Wood,
comprise the board of directors."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 5, 1909.
Sept. 12, 1909 - p. 32 under "Utah Apples Bring High Prices."
"Nearly everyone east, who has been fortunate enough to secure apples grown in
some of the
favored western localities, has notices a difference between them and apples
grown in the middle
west. They see at a glance that western apples take on a much brighter color,
and if they know the
true difference, they realize that the sugar content also increases. They note
the texture and see that
the flesh is firmer than usual, that the fruit has in consequence more carrying
capacity and,
summing all these points before them at once, realizes that such apples are
worth many times as
much per box as those to which they have been accustomed, and are more willing
to purchase
them.
"The Trenton Cache valley orchards are ideally located for fine quality
production. The product
from them will yield a handsome yearly return. The United Development
association, 515
Newhouse building, will send free full information about apple growing in this
great district."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 12, 1909.
Sept. 21, 1909 - p. 2 under "Big Modern Factory Will Be Built at Once at Trenton
to Make Cereal Foods."
"Ground will soon be broken at Trenton, Cache valley, for the first cereal food
factory in Utah,
which will mark an entirely new departure in the manufacturing field. Plans for
this great plant
are now being completed by E. Maeser, a Salt Lake architect. The accompanying
picture is a
faithful representation of what the structure will look like when finished. The
estimated cost of
the plant is between $80,000 and $100,000. The company back of this big project
is the United
Development company, made up of local and eastern capital, with offices in the
Newhouse
building.
"The plant will be 65x100 feet and four stories high, with a commodious
basement. The
dimensions are exclusive of the boiler house, which is considered separately
from the main
building.
"The framework of the building will be of heavy steel. Reinforced concrete and
cement brick
will be the principal other building materials used. The building throughout
will be constructed
with a view of furnishing the greatest possible resistance to the incessant jar
of machinery.
"Promoters are now in the east arranging for shipment of the steel and
machinery. The plant,
designed by experts, will be thoroughly up to date in very particular.
"A feature of the plant which is in keeping with the plans of many big factories
in the east is the
establishment of rest rooms for the hundreds of employees, many of whom will be
girls.
"Plans are also being drawn up for cozy cottages for the superintendent and
other officials. The
grounds, especially in front, will be beautified by lawns, flowers, shrubs and
trees.
"The plant will be erected on ground near the Oregon Short Line station at
Trenton. The
foundation for the building will be in before the heavy frosts come, and it is
expected to have the
plant in running order before the middle of next summer."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 21, 1909.
Sept. 24, 1909 - p.1 under "The Utah Budget."
"Between August 1908 and June 1909 the Trenton station on the Oregon Short Line
shipped 331 cars of grain and flour and 125 cars of beets."
--The Eureka Reporter (Eureka, Ut.), Sept. 24, 1909.
Oct. 2, 1909 - p. 2 under "Trenton People Buy Orchards."
"No more evidence of real value can be given respecting the worth of Trenton,
Cache county,
orchards than the fact that Trenton people themselves are buying them, the
latest sale being made
to Mr. Charles Brown of Trenton. Mr. Brown is the owner of other property at
Trenton, and
enjoys the distinction of being the owner of a gas well on his home place near
Trenton, from
which he lights his house and cooks his meals. The last feature is another
reason why values are
increasing at Trenton. Mr. Brown secured his well while driving for water. He
has a good flow of
natural gas, indicating that others may find this valuable flow if they but
drive for it.
"The United Development association, rooms 510-515 Newhouse building will mail
free to
anyone who requests it, booklets giving information regarding this splendid
locality."
--Deseret Evening News, Oct. 2, 1909.
* * * [Article repeated in the Salt Lake Herald, Oct. 3, 1909, p. 36.]
Dec. 18, 1909 - p. 31 under "Openings for Utah Factories."
". . . A Cereal plant is one of the state's latest acquisitions, and next summer
will see a big one in
full blast at Trenton, Cache county."
--Deseret Evening News, Dec. 18, 1909.
March 29, 1910 - p. 8 under "Petition in Bankruptcy."
"A petition in involuntary bankruptcy has been filed in the United States
district court against
the Cutler Mercantile company of Trenton, Cache county, by the Salt Lake
Hardware company,
the Ogden Wholesale Grocery company and the Folger Seed and Produce company."
--Salt Lake Telegram, March 29, 1910.
April 19, 1910 - p. 12 advertisements...
"ACREAGE. . .
"Near Cornish, Utah, 160 acres at $65 per acre, 150 acres cultivated, 10 acres
pasturage. Good water right under West Cache Canal.
"GEO. B. STANDING
Real Estate Broker.
Phones 4391 78 Main St. [Salt Lake City, Utah]
--Deseret Evening News, April 19, 1910.
April 25, 1910 - p.2 under "New Incorporations."
"Articles of incorporation of the West Cache Land company, Salt Lake, were filed
with the
county clerk Saturday. The company is capitalized for $30,000, divided into
shares of $1 each.
The officers of the company are W. P. Funk, president; E. E. South, vice
president; S. L. Richards,
secretary and treasure. These officers with Heber J. Grant and Claude Richards
form the
directorate. The company owns a tract of land near Trenton, Cache county."
--Deseret Evening News, April 25, 1910.
May 20, 1910 - p. 11 under "Reports On Liabilities."
"The Cutler Mercantile company of Trenton, Cache county, yesterday filed in the
office of the
United States district court, a schedule of its liabilities and assets. The
liabilities are placed at
$3,203.19, and the assets, consisting principally of open accounts, $3,124.73. A
petition to have
the firm declared an involuntary bankrupt was filed last week by the Salt Lake
Hardware
company, the Ogden Wholesale Grocery company and the Vogeler Seed & Produce
company, the
principal creditors.'
--Salt Lake Herald, May 20, 1910.
June 6, 1910 - p. 6 under "New Incorporations."
"Articles of incorporation of the National Food company of this city were filed
with the county
clerk on Saturday, the capital being placed at $400,000 in shares of the par
value of $1 each. The
site for the big plan is on the O.S.L. railway at Trenton, where one of the
largest cereal plants in
the world will be constructed. The officers are: E. R. South, president; B. Y.
Benson, vice
president; S. L. Richards, secretary; W.P. Funk, treasurer; A. L. Hyer and E.
Bergeson are
additional directors."
--Deseret Evening News, June 6, 1910.
June 8, 1910 - p. 8 under "Work On New Cereal Factory Has Started."
"Logan, June 7.--Work has begun today on the new cereal factory at Trenton. This
enterprise is
being financed by local, Ogden and Salt Lake capital. E. R. South is president
of the company.
The plant being put in will have a daily capacity of 500 cases, and will cost
about $100,000. Sites
for the erection of elevators at Trenton and Weston are being selected by
engineers representing
J. I. Mullin of Denver, and Ogden capitalists."
--Salt Lake Herald, June 8, 1910.
June 19, 1910 - p. 41 -a full page advertisement in the Sunday paper in two
parts.
"Your greatest investment opportunity NOW!"
[Followed by six pictures with captions as:
1). "S. F. Raines - Mr. Raines is a member of the Chicago firm which has
contracted
for a minimum of 1,000 cases of factory's output per day for 5 years from the
date of starting factory. Mr. Raines expresses deepest expresses deepest
conviction that this will be a wonderful enterprise."
2). "Freight train passing through National Food Co.'s property--snapped from
factory site.
3). [Picture showing ten men in field] "Board of Directors locating site for
factory building."
4). [Several team of horses] "Teams ready to being excavation for factory."
5). [Man with team and plow] "The first furrow--the work of breaking ground for
the new factory begins."
6). "E. R. South. Mr. E. R. South, president of the National Food Co., whose
push and
energy have made this magnificent enterprise possible. Mr. South has best shown
his confidence in the future of this proposition in the amount of time and money
he is putting into it."]
"Something Doing At Trenton
"National Food Company Breaks Ground for Big Factory.
"Officers of Company Decide on Location for Factory.
"The entire personnel of the National Food Co., including all officers and the
board
of directors, journeyed to Trenton Thursday and decided definitely on the
location for
the factory buildings.
"A spot was chosen on their property lying just next to the R.Rl right of way
and less
than 200 yards from the Trenton postoffice. To the north, and less then one
hundred yards
distant, is situated the great Trenton Milling and Elevator Co.'s buildings. On
the east
lies the town of Trenton, and on the south and west for miles and miles stretch
fields of
waving grain--ready for the great factory's use. Truly an ideal location for
such a purpose.
"Officers of Company Decide on Location for Factory
"Directly after the location had been decided the plans were opened up, ground
staked
off, and the ploughs and scrapers, which were waiting for word, immediately
began the
excavations. System prevailed throughout; all was in readiness, and the great
undertaking
began its consummation under the most auspicious conditions. That the project
will go
through as smoothly and as speedily as it has began is guaranteed by the careful
and
systematic manner in which every detail has been planned. The best brains in the
country
on the question of growing grains, manufacturing and shipping the product have
been brought
to play upon this enterprise, and there is nothing but the greatest measure of
success in
sight for all.
"Building Will Be Rushed With All Speed.
"There will be no time lost from now on until the mills and roasters are turning
out
the finest breakfast foods and cereal beverages in the land. Mr. Rhoades, the
expert
pre-digested food manufacturer from Battle Creek, who has been engaged by this
company
to superintend the plant for two years, is even now in the east, purchasing
machinery
for equipping the factory. Binding contracts are being signed to insure the
Company
that the machinery and supplies will be shipped to Trenton as speedily as
freight
trains can come; A four-story factory building will be in readiness to receive
them.
Buildings will be brick, concrete and stone.
"Bonds Are Being Rapidly Disposed Of
"The bond issue of $250,000 is being rapidly taken up and will undoubtedly be
entirely engaged by the first of July; lowest denomination will be $500; and a
premium of $62.50 in preferred stock will be issued to each purchaser of $500 in
bond.
"The officers and board of directors are all well known business men, and the
character and reliability of the Company is vouchsafe for by bank references,
which will gladly be shown to any interested parties.
"Offices of the Company are at 501 Newhouse building, Salt Lake City. Bell phone
2297.
"Full particulars and information gladly supplied. Write for free booklet."
_______________________________________________________________________________
"New Trenton Addition -- Greatest in Utah
"1000 Acres of Choicest Wheat, Apple, Fruit and Beet Land in the state offered
while
prices are minimum.
Apple Orchards
"160 acres of three-year old apple trees--Ganos, Jonathans and Mammoth Black
Trig--Best Varieties
in the world--Best orchard property in the state. Right on the trunk line of the
O.S.L. More money in apples than oranges--buy at bedrock prices. $300 an Acre
$500,000 in Wheat Shipped From Trenton Last Year. Never a Crop Failure."
[Picture of house under Construction]
"Building on our property now in course of construction. An ideal city for
homes.
Farming Lands
"900 acres of choicest farming lands in Cache Valley--Never a crop failure. This
great factory will enhance valuation of property 200 per cent. Secure a 10 or 20
acres farm now --a lifetime income thereby guaranteed. Prices quoted now--$100
to $125 Acre.
Flour Mills/Canneries/Condensed Milk Factories/ Elevators All in Locality.'
"Great Cereal Food Factory will mean the building of a large city at Trenton.
Our property
begins within a hundred yards of Trenton's main street. Factory will employ 200
people--
which means a city of over 1,000 directly in connection with factory. Factory is
in center
of our property. City lots will be sold immediately adjacent to factory, and
orchards and
farms will surround them. An ideal prospect for an ideal community. Wise
investors and
home-seekers will see the wisdom of securing first pick before the factory
begins operations--
It will mean thousands of dollars to the early buyers. Investigate now--get in
on the
ground floor--your opportunity to succeed."
WEST CACHE LAND COMPANY
W. P. Funk, President and Manager Address 501 Newhouse building, Salt Lake; or
Trenton, Utah
--Salt Lake Herald, June 19, 1910.
Aug. 27, 1910 - p. 3 advertisement...
Before Buying an Apple Orchard
See the Trenton Tracts.
Best in the state.
Sold on easy terms.
Price from $250 to $400 per acre.
Trees from two to four years old.
We scientifically prune, spray and care for your orchard for you for three
years. No expense to
you. You get a bearing orchard. We also have farm lands in tracts of 5 to 160
acres.
Save money by buying direct from the owners. / Call, write or phone
501 Newhouse Bldg., / Bell Phone 2297.
--The Salt Lake Herald, Aug. 27, 1910.
Sept. 1, 1910 - p. 10 ad.
"Before Buying an Apple Orchard
See the Trenton Tracts
Best in the state.
Sold on easy terms.
Price from $250 to $400 per acre.
Trees from two to four years old.
"We scientifically prune, spray and care for your orchard for you for three
years.
No expense to you. You get a bearing orchard. We also have farm lands in tracts
of
5 to 160 acres.
"Save money by buying direct from the owners.
Call, write or phone
501 Newhouse Bldg., Bell Phone 2297."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 1, 1910.
Sept. 10, 1910 - p. 6 under "Elevator Contracts Let."
"Ogden, Sept. 9.--Contracts for the erection of three additional steel elevators
have been let to
the Minneapolis Steel & Machinery company by the W. O. Kay company of Ogden.
Work on the
three grain stores had already commenced. They will be located at Weston and
Trenton, in
northern Utah, and at Malad in southern Idaho."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 10, 1910.
Sept. 18, 1910 - p.9 under "Sales of Land Big in Trenton District."
"Orchard Lands to the Value of $17,500 Reported Sold During the Past Week."
"The West Cache Land company, 501 Newhouse building, which is selling orchards
and
orchard lands at Trenton, Utah, report sales amounting to $17,500 for the past
week.
"Owing to this property being situated so close to Trenton and the many
conveniences, such as
abundance of good water, gas for light and fuel and good shipping facilities.
The National Food
company's plant for the manufacture of a pre-digested breakfast food, with a
capacity of 1,000
cases of finished product per day, is expected to be in operation by January 1.
"This plant alone will bring 500 new families to Trenton. Two new steel grain
elevators are
nearing completion, together with several new residences and store buildings.
All indications
point to a continuation of activity in the sales of orchards and orchard lands
and to the steady and
continuous growth of Trenton."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 18, 1910.
Sept. 18, 1910 - p. 21 & p. 29 ads.
"Trenton Orchards now selling $250 and $400 per acre. Long terms. West Cache
Land Co.,
501 Newhouse Building."
--Salt Lake Herald, Sept. 18, 1910.
Sept. 24, 1910 - p. 11 under "Real Estate and Building."
"At Trenton, the National Food company's new plant is expected to be in
operation by the first
of January; it will have a capacity of 1,000 cases of finished product a day and
will bring at least
500 families to Trenton. For this reason real estate values have materially
increased in the neighborhood."
-- Deseret Evening News, Sept. 24, 1910.
Oct. 5, 1910 - p. 6 under "Logan News Notes."
"Edward R. South has succeeded in getting a number of families in Randolph to
come into
Cache county to locate at Trenton, where a cereal factory is soon to be
constructed. A number of
homes will be erected at that place this fall."
-- The Salt Lake Herald,, Oct. 5, 1910.
Dec. 21, 1910 - p. 13 under "Trenton. Pleasing Entertainment; School Funds
Short."
"Trenton, Dec. 18.--Last evening there was a pleasing and entertaining program
rendered, under
the title of 'Ferrie Festival,' about 75 children in different characters and
costumes being in a grand
march at the close. There were 200 in the audience. Credit is due the managers,
the president of
the Primary association and others.
"The district school is in a lamentable condition, viz., one school teachers
trying to handle 50
pupils from beginners to fourth grade in a house with seating capacity for about
30 pupils. There
is also a rented building 18x20 feet for 35 pupils and one teacher, to handle
four grades from
fourth to eighth. This makes 85 enrolled and probably 15 or 20 not enrolled,
with the proposition
confronting us that there is little hope of relief, as the board under the
consolidation system is
without sufficient funds to build except the people in the district votes to
bond, which has been
voted down, principally by settlements which have schoolhouses large and well
equipped for
required facilities.
"The people of this place sincerely hope that the system will either revert back
to the old style,
and let them handle their own affairs or that the people who are in better
circumstances will see
the situation and vote to bond the district in order that we may have a suitable
house erected for
the education of our children.
"There are several buildings in course of erection, and some people living in
tents, with others
who have bought land, who are preparing to build. Trenton has the facilities for
a large town; it
has the soil, the climate and the water, and is situated on the mail line of the
O.S.L."
--Deseret Evening News, Dec. 21, 1910.
July 6, 1911 - p. 4 under "The West Side Times."
"Another newspaper has entered the field of journalism in the state of Utah. It
is The West Side
Times, published and owned by Mr. B. F. Cummings, one of the pioneer newspaper
men of this
state. The first number came out last Thursday. The paper is six column eight
page publication,
filled with interesting reading which breathes the spirit of boost for the west
side of Cache Valley,
which it is to represent. Trenton is given as the home of the publication, and
it is run off the Box
Elder Journal press.
"Welcome, and all kinds of success to you."
--Box Elder Journal, July 6, 1911.
Feb. 16, 1911 - p. 5 under "Misrepresentation Claimed in Deal."
"Suit was brought yesterday in the district court by Walter M. Douglas to
recover
$1350 alleged to have been paid for a plot of ground near Trenton station in
Cache
county, which was misrepresented to him, he says by W. P. Funk, a salesman of
the United
Development company. The land, it is said, was purchased by Douglas on the word
of Funk
because Funk was a member of the Mormon church and he had implicit faith in him.
He says
that examination of the ground revealed the fact that the deal was not
legitimate."
--Salt Lake Telegram, Feb. 16, 1911.
Feb. 17, 1911 - p. 5 under "Claims Misrepresentation."
"Alleging that W. P. Funk, as one of the officials of the United Development
association,
misrepresented a tract of land near Trenton, in Cache county, Walter M. Douglas
had brought
suit in Third district court to recover $1,350 which he paid for the land,
taking Funk's
word in regard to the value of the property because of past associations.
"Douglas's complaint declares that Funk promised in the event of any
dissatisfaction with
the land, the association would take back the land and refund the purchase
price. This he
further states, the association refused to do. The charge is also made that the
properties
taken over by the United Development company, namely, the Cache Land company,
were taken
over for the express purpose of defrauding Douglas and other creditor.
--Deseret News.
--Davis County Clipper, Feb. 17, 1911.
July 6, 1911 - p. 4 under "The West Side Times."
"Another newspaper has entered the field of journalism in the state of Utah. It
is The West Side Times,
published and owned by Mr. B. F. Cummings, on of the pioneers newspaper men of
this state.
The first number came out last Thursday. The paper is a six column eight page
publication, filled
with interesting reading which breathes the spirit of boost for the west side of
Cache Valley, which it is to represent.
Trenton is given as the home of the publication, and it is run off the Box Elder
Journal press.
"Welcome, and all kinds of success to you.'
--The Box Elder News, July 6, 1911.
Dec. 11, 1911 - p. 10 under "Foreclose $13,000 Mortgage."
"The Union Central Insurance company of Cincinnati. O., has filed suit in
federal court against
the United Development association, the Western Land company, the Trenton Land
and Invest-
ment company and others to close a mortgage for $13,000 for_?_ alleged to have
been lent on land
in Trenton, Cache county."
--Salt Lake Telegram, Dec. 11, 1911.
[NOTE: Trenton lands were heavily promoted in the mining areas of Utah.]
May 30, 1913 - p. 2 ad
"Send for 5 acres and liberty; its Free [including picture of pamphlet].'
"Acres and Liberty await you at Trenton, Utah on the main line of the Oregon
Short Line only
fifty seven miles north of Ogden in the hear of the famous Bear River Valley
apple district. Five
acre of bearing orchard with truel [sic] cows poultry and bees will make you
absolutely
independent in a few years. The book 5 Acres and Liberty shows
the one way out
the right road to success and true happiness. Provide for the future now by
securing five acres of
orchard at Trenton. Every condition favorable to success--best soil'ample and
absolute water
rights--five years FREE maintenance prices moderate and ten years easy terms
close to good town
and good markets liberal assistance to actual settlers and in fact every feature
that you could
desire.
'Send for the book to day--this very minute. It may be the turning point in your
whole life.
INTER-MOUNTAIN REALTY COMPANY / 205 K Templeton Building, Salt Lake City, Ut
--The Eureka Reporter (Eureka, Juab Co., Ut.), May 30, 1913.
>>> [Same ad in issues for June 6, 13, 20, 27,1913.]
*** May 21, 1913 - p. 5 ad --same 5 acres and liberty ad...
--The Richfield Reaper ( Richfield, Ut.), May 21, 1913.
May 31,1913 - p. 2 same "Send for 5 Acres and Liberty" ad.
--The Park Record (Park City, Ut.), May 31, 1913.
June 12, 1913 - same "Send for 5 acres and Liberty" AD...
--Manti Messenger (Manti, Ut.) June 12, 1913.
Sept. 13, 1913 - p. 6 under "Purely Personal"
"R. J. Alder and J. E. Moss representing the Inter-Mountain Reality company of
Salt Lake, are
in the city trying to interest our citizens in the farming and fruit ands in the
vicinity of Trenton,
Cache county, this state."
--The Park Record, Sept. 13, 1913.
Nov. 6, 1913 ' 'Trenton is rapidly becoming a community of fine residences. In
the past few day Mr.
and Mrs. C. G. Wood and family have moved into their splendid new home in the
eastern part
of town. . . . At least twenty-four homes of the better quality and style have
been constructed in
Trenton within the past four years. All honest citizens and good home-builders
are welcomed.'
--The Journal, Nov. 6, 1913.
Jan. 9, 1914 - p. 5 under "Local and Personal."
"The Trenton Post, published at Trenton, Cache county, is the latest newspaper
venture in Utah.
It will be published twice a month."
--The Grand Valley Times (Moab, Ut.), Jan. 9, 1914.
Jan. 29, 1914 - p. 4 under "Utah State News."
"Fire which destroyed buildings occupied by the J. I. Briggs Merchandise company
and the
H. J. Hauser Furniture company of Trenton, Cache county, resulted in a loss
exceeding $15,000."
--The Carbon County News, Jan. 29, 1914.
Jan. 30, 1914 - p. 3 under "Utah State News."
"Fire which destroyed buildings occupied by the J. I. Briggs Mechandise company
and the H. J.
Hauser Furniture company of Trenton, Cache county, resulted in a loss exceeding
$15,000."
--The Grand Valley Times, Jan. 30, 1914.
March 5, 1914 - p. 4 under "Our Opportunity."
"Some time ago a big corporation was organized to manufacture cereals for
breakfast foods.
The company has not yet decided as to where it will place its factory and we
take it that it is
anybody's plum as yet. The press notices advised the other day, that Trenton, a
little community
on the west side of Cache Valley north of Cache Junction and the center of a big
grain area, had
made a strong bid for this factory thru its Commercial Club. Other towns and
cities have done the
same. Why should not Brigham City get in with a strong argument and show the
advantages of
this location for their factory.
"There is no better served city in the state for railroad facilities and located
as we are at the hub
of the tremendous grain grain [sic] producing area which is reached from this
point by at least
three railroads, this city is in a position to offer the cereal company
something very flattering.
Such a factory would mean much to this city. It is worth asking for. But our bid
must be made at
once if it is to be considered."
--The Box Elder News, March 5, 1914.
Oct. 9, 1914 - p. 4 under "Kaysville Kinks."
"F. I. Mortensen of Salt Lake but formerly of this place has purchased a
newspaper at
Trenton, Cache Valley. He got out his first issue last week."
--Davis County Clipper, Oct. 9, 1914.
Oct. 9, 1914 - p. 4 under "Mammoth. . . ."
"Peter Anderson and wife motored to Salt Lake during the early part of the week.
Mr. Anderson
was present at the Trenton Land Co.'s drawing." --Eureka Reporter, Oct. 9, 1914.
Oct. 24, 1913 - p. 4 under "Mammoth and Robinson News."
"J. W. Musser, president of the Trenton Fruit Lands Co. of Trenton, Utah is here
exhibiting prize
vegetables grown on the land which is owned by this company and in which some of
the local people are interested."
--Eureka Reporter, Oct. 24, 1913.
January 1, 1914 '
'There are few farming communities in the west that can boast of such stupendous
advantages upon which the growth of large centers depend, as Trenton.
'It has an electric flour mill with an elevator capacity of about 60,000
bushels. This
mill, known as the Trenton-Clarkston Mill & Elevator Company, has a daily
capacity of
240 barrels, which with a small expenditure can be increased to 300 barrels.
Some of
the finest flour in the world is produced at this mill.
'From the famous 'Turkey Red' wheat is produce a special brand that never fails
to
give satisfaction.
'Besides this mill are two steel elevators owned by the Farmer's Grain and
Milling
company with a capacity of 50,000 bushels, and the Kay Elevator company owns the
other
with a capacity of about 65,000 bushels.
'Trenton has four general mercantile stores handling groceries, dry-goods,
furniture,
hardware, gents furnishings, etc., hotel and livery stables, coal, lumber yard,
a blacksmith
shop, a barber shop, photographer, dressmaker, a cleaning and pressing
establishment, etc.
Also a parcel post depot from which is furnished all kinds of meat, poultry,
etc.
'Trenton had a splendid church building and an up-to-date school. This is a
brick
structure, costing $15,000. The eight grades are taught here. The arrangement
with reference
to light and ventilation compares with the best. Splendid school teachers are
employed.
'Trenton has tributary to it about 60,000 acres of highly productive lands. This
feature
alone is sufficient to insure a large future city.'
--Trenton Post (Trenton, Ut.), Jan. 1, 1914.
June 11, 1914 - under "New Quarters for the Trenton Club."
"The Trenton Commercial club has secured the top floor of the new furniture
store
recently completed by Mr. H. J. Hauser, and will use the rooms for club
purposes. . .
"A new butcher shop which has been opened under the able management of Anderson
and Ames, is indeed a credit to any town, and we sincerely hope that they
succeed.
"Mr. Ira Johnson, from Goldfield, Nevada, has rented the corner building from
Brown and Butler, which is located in the most prominent part of town and will
open
an up to date garage . . . will keep two automobiles for public service. . .
"Mr. T. H. Cutler and family have sold out all their interests in Trenton and
hereafter will make Logan their future residence.'
--The Logan Republican, June 11, 1914.
[NOTE: The earliest and biggest booster for Trenton's growth, Mr. Culter left
town.]
Oct. 16, 1914 - p. 4 under "Mammoth Personals."
"George Forsey and Arnold Forther __?__ each drew a five acre tract of land in
the Trenton
Land Co.'s drawing which was held at Salt Lake last week. Hyrum Madsen also held
the lucky
number to a two and a half acre tract which is set to three year old apple
trees."
--Eureka Reporter, Oct. 16, 1914.
Oct. 30, 1914 - p. 4 under "Episcopal Church Services."
"A. N. Wallace of Eureka and B. M. Cornish of Robinson were among the Tintic
people who
were fortunate in the land drawing at Trenton, Utah. They each drew city lots of
considerable
value."
p. 4 under "Mammoth Personals."
"B. M. Cornish . . . . will be busy during the balance of the year, with his
land investments in
Trenton, Utah." --Eureka Reporter, Oct. 30, 1914.
Nov. 13, 1914 - p. 4 under "Mammouth. . . ."
"Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Starkey left this week for Trenton, Utah going there to look
over some city
lots which they drew at the recent land drawing."
"A. A. Larcher representing the Trenton Land Co. was in Tintic during the past
week."
--Eureka Reporter, Nov. 13, 1914.
March 20, 1915 - p. 7 under "Too Late To Classify" ads.
"FARM LANDS
"SNAP ON CACHE VALLEY FARM.
"45 acres, Trenton, Utah, small cash payment; balance terms or trade for S.L.
property.
W.P.S., 1178 Windson. H. 537-W."
--Salt Lake Telegram, Mar. 20, 1915.
Jan. 5, 1916 - p. 2 under "In the Fourth District Court of the State Of Utah In
and For Wasatch County"
Bank of Heber City, a Corporation, Plaintiff
vs.
J. W. Musser and Rose B. Musser and Barr W. Musser and Leah Musser, Defendants.
Trenton Fruit Land company, a corporation, Intervenor.
--The Duchesne Record (Dushesne, Ut.), Jan. 5, 1916.
July 27, 1917 - p. 4 under "Locals."
"Mr. Will Lee motored over to Trenton Wednesday with a load of bank fixtures
which
formerly did service in the State Bank in this city and which will be installed
in a bank to be
organized at that place." --The Box Elder News, July 27, 1917.
Aug. 10, 1917 - p. 1 under "John L. Edwards Writes of Trip."
"Recently I made a trip up to Clifton, Idaho, to visit my daughter . . . .I
boarded the Oregon
Short Line train at Willard . . . .
"At Cache Junction the road forks, the main line going off to the north which
was my route. I
stopped at Trenton to pay a visit to our grist mill. I say 'our mill' as a
number of Willard people
have stock in the institution. A little history of the mill might be interesting
so I will tell you that
in early days I used to travel back and forth from Willard to Battle Creek with
my stock and used
to stop at the home of my good friend B. Y. Benson. A short time ago he was
telling me that he a
and a number of his friends were trying to raise enough money to build a griss
[sic grist] mill at
Trenton and I told him to come down to Willard and I thought I could secure him
some
stockholders. When I went home I talked with a few of my neighbors and we had a
little meeting
at which Brother Benson was present. We subscribed for a third of the entire
stock and B. Y.
Benson was made president with H. T. Petersen as secretary and manager and P. A.
Nebeker
as our representative on the board of directors. . . . "
--The Box Elder News, Aug. 10, 1917.
Nov. 23, 1917 - p. 3 under "Weekly Industrial Review."
"Trenton--Oregon Short Line has built 850 feet of industrial siding near here."
--The Eureka Reporter, Nov. 23, 1917.
Dec. 18, 1917 -Section Two p. 3 ads
Andreasen Grocery
B. Y. Benson & Sons Co. general merchants
Smith and Mortensen grocery
West Side Furniture Co. '
-- The Logan Republican (Logan, Ut.), Dec. 18, 1917.
Personal Experiences:
Observations by Marybelle Pike, a resident of western Cache Valley, first given
as a talk to the Cache
Valley Historical Society on March 23, 1955 entitled 'Cache Valley's West Side'
reflecting some of her
research and personal experiences. Subsequently a typescript copy of the speech
was made and kept
in the society files. Later a copy was deposited in the Special Collections at
Utah State University. (Page number is to the typescript copy).
Page 37-38 ' 'McCombs family considered the first to homestead in Trenton in
1869; three years later
James Hill, Joseph Wood, Steve Malan, the Harmisons, Noah Lindsay, and the
Bensons.
The last settlers in 1871 settled along the freight road wherever there was a
little spring
or wild grass hay to cut.'
'There were two ventures at Trenton that set it somewhat apart from the other
towns in
the valley. The first was the establishment of a Free West School there in 1883
. . . . The other
item in the history of Trenton was the colonization effort through speculation.'
p. 349 ' 'The first time I heard of Trenton was when I was living in Eureka,
Utah, back in 1916, when a
little Irish Maiden lady school teacher sought the aid of my attorney
father-in-law, Judge Pike, to
see what she could do about losing considerable money in the purpose of apple
orchards in the
Trenton area, which she bought as an investment against old age. The orchard was
there and so
were the acres, but there were no apples for the trees were barren and
shriveling. This project lured
people from all over the country. There was even a couple from Florida who gave
up their oranges for
Trenton apples. As one settler said, 'What can you do with a Black Ben Davis? It
won't even make good hard
cider.' At any rate, the project misfired, but quite an enterprising beginning
was made.
'I understand that the idea was something like this. One would pay $50.00 that
would entitle
him to draw for, say, a twenty-acre orchard as well as a lot in town, which they
could then buy as
an added inducement. Some lots had houses on them. Salesmen found easy sales to
people with
a yearning to own a little land for security. People in mining towns as Bingham,
Eureka and Park City,
grabbed them up in no time. The population zoomed to 2,500 by 1913. For some
distance from
the center of town in all directions city lots were peopled with settlers in
framed tent houses.
But the apple business declined into bitter applesauce and now just a few twists
of gnarled apple trees remain.'
p. 40 - 'We lived in Trenton for a short time. As I remember, it was 1919 when
we came to Cache
Valley. Benson's General Store was a fine place to trade. There was Houser's
Furniture Store, a
newspaper printed by Francis Mortensen, garages, meat market, confectionary,
blacksmith shop, a
number of well-built homes, Anderson Lumber Yard, a coal yard, elevators, a
hotel, a bank, a fine
flour mill and a sugar plant at Amalga. . . . One by one these industries and
facilities folded up.'
* * * * *
Brooks Roundy of Cache Junction:
Roundy and Heaps, Cache Junction: Cache Valley's Only Railroad Town
p. 20 ' 'Five years after completion of the West Cache Canal, in 1910, Trenton
became the mad scene of a
runaway land speculation scheme. The population zoomed to 2,500 (1913) after a
catalog
advertised the sale of land containing acres of rich-producing apple orchards.
Of course, when
the buyers found this to be nothing but big fraud; the town soon diminished in
size. . . . The city
over 4,928 acres of land and was incorporated in 1919.'
* * * * *
According to census figures the population of Trenton went as follows: 1890, 246
persons; 1900, 227; 1910, 249 (less than one-half the number in Clarkston or
Newton). The 1913 figures were probably an estimated 2,500 people but never
approached the 10,000 target number set by the Trenton boosters. When the much
heralded 'Trenton apples' turned to 'bitter applesauce,' a sharp decline in
population resulted: 1920 down to 551, 1930 to 531 and continued to fall to a
low of 390 in 1970. It was a steeper decline than Corinne's drop from 1,500
people in the early 1870s and falling to about 300 in 1878.
While the land boom didn't materialize as hoped, still Trenton did get a
significant boost with the West Cache State Bank organized in April of 1915 and
opened its door on August 13, 1917. The Trenton-Clarkston Mill & Elevator
Company became well established. Trenton had a furniture store, lumber yard
along with a shoe and harness repair shop, several grocery stores, a meat
market, a confectionary, a barber shop, a millinery shop, two garages, a machine
shop, a small hotel and a newspaper. In addition it had the West Cache Canal
that sparked the speculation craze but still brought water for the farmers to
raise sugar beets, grains and hay. However, in the end Trenton experienced more
turn-over than large scale growth with many of the businesses created lasting a
short time and the population melted away, leaving a small farming community.
A general assessment from the hind-sight of a century can be tricky. The first
boom promoters over promised and guaranteed and were not fully aware of their
miscalculations. While constantly repeating they knew what they were talking
about and had professional assistance in their apple orchards, nevertheless they
planted mostly the type trees which grew to the harvesting phase the fastest,
but was fast losing in the taste field. An even bigger mistake was that the
majority of the company's apple orchards were in the semi-swampy, alkali-laden
clay land west of the railroad tracks that irrigation couldn't turn into an
Eden. Possibly the early boosters were na've to the point of believing that once
the people had been lured into easy-payment home and orchard owners, anyone
could make a living with the apple trees already planted. A horticulturist
wasn't needed to care for the trees and apples since the company had performed
the most difficult part, but the rude awakening came with the actual needs and
work ranging from pruning to marketing with much other work to be done. When the
dramatic pitchman Mr. Cutler and his initial team turned to larger companies and
speculators, the promotion of Trenton as opportunity land ratcheted upward with
promises of quick returns and high rewards but for whom, the home seeker or the
financial promoters? Perhaps in the several changes of companies promoting the
apple boom and land speculation some huge profits were made but the
profit-taking soon stopped and when the bubble burst more were hurt than
benefited. The local residents did not participate in any sense other than as
spectators or minor speculators. Many of the people who bought apple orchards
soon found themselves squeezed between two companies, first the company who sold
them the orchard and a mortgage company who loaned the money to pay for the
land, but behind the scene both companies were largely owned by the same people.
By 1917 the profit making by the large speculators came to an abrupt end with
the last company stuck with the dying dream to the point they tried a lottery
system to get rid of their bad apple investment. The farm collapse of 1921 was
the coup de grace to Trenton apple boom.
* * * * *
QUEST: There remains much more to learn about this phase of Trenton's existence
and if any reader has additional information, family stories and the like to
flesh out the story, please contact this site and perhaps your material can be
added to this account.