Memories of Early Aberdeen - BY E. L. Davis
Chapter 6

When the Commercial Club was organized March 15, 1910, the members, like any other club of that nature, met from time to time for the purpose of furthering community interests as circumstances dictated. In other words, it was intended to be, was, and still is, a service club. These small clubs have a definite place in newly formed communities, especially, and act sometimes as a Village Board or even a county commissioner, in the absence of these, or until such time as they have been formed legally, not with authority, to be sure, but in an advisory capacity, and many things were planned and accomplished in our early history that could not have been done individually.

We were busy with road improvement, rabbit drives, snow removal, school work, help to the needy, and what not. Willing hands will find plenty of jobs to be attacked and finished.

It was just such an opportunity that came to our small Commercial Club in March 1911. I sometimes think that Commercial Club is a better name for organization of a few men who are willing to try anything, even though the task seems insurmountable, than the larger name Chamber of Commerce, which name was adopted on January 31, 1929. And we had, I think, really earned our new name. Be that as it may, the Aberdeen Times, with Jap Toner, the able publisher, never hesitating to urge action, had received the information that Aberdeen had a chance to get an Experiment Station, provided a certain piece of land could be obtained, and a certain cash sum pledged. Jap Toner kept calling, through his paper, "We can do, we can do," until some of the men began to think perhaps we could, but we had to have outside help, as a matter of course. I think, maybe, that some of us did not really know just what kind of an animal an Experiment Station was, but we knew that it had something to do with agriculture. Also, most of us had met Dean Iddings and some of the others. So we met and worked at night on the problem, meeting often in the barber shop, through the months of June, July and August, talking, telephoning, telegraphing etc., with P.A. `Ffigate as our "Mr., Big" and Mr. F.A. Sweet as the big fellow on the other end of the line.

Parenthetically, Mr. Sweet was a dynamic fellow, full of belief in himself and the Aberdeen tract, never .giving-up sort of man, as Aberdeen found out on more than one occasion. In a way he was a sort of plunger, rich at times, at others, needing money badly, but always talking and dealing in hundreds of thousands of dollars. After our canal was taken over by the settlers, he went back to Salt Lake and Big Business. He first was a large stockholder in the Independent Coal Co., "Aberdeen Coal", which we handled. Then he changed to Hiawatha Coal, which mine he also developed, also he convinced me was better, so we handled Hiawatha. Then finally he organized the Standard Coal Co. and owned a majority share of the stock, and again we changed, this time to Standard. Nearly all of the many CM & E Co. systems now advertise Standard Coal Co. That's the kind. of man Mr. Sweet was, as  I knew him. Once during the first coal famine in Idaho, when we were under State supervision, and dishing out coal 500 lbs. to a customer, we were out of coal for a long period; so I called Mr. Sweet and explained our situation. He said, "Ed, I'll have you a car of coal tomorrow." I told him he couldn't do that, but to hurry it up. He had a typical Sweet answer, "Wait and see." We got the coal the next day.

So, with such a fellow helping us out, we were encouraged greatly. However, just at this time. rumor had it that a certain town east of here was willing and anxious to meet the stipulations laid down by the state. About the last of September, Mr. Sweet and his partners, Bothwell and McConaughy sent word that the desired acreage was available. We held a jollification, but there was a small matter of six thousand dollars, cash to raise. Where do you suppose much of this came from? Correct-from and through the efforts of Mr. Fred A. Sweet. He named and liked Aberdeen and Aberdeen had much reason to admire him. We were waiting for confirmation of acceptance from the State, and through them, the Federal Government-as it was, and is, a Federal State project.

In the meantime, pledges of cash and labor had been attained, and on September 1, 1911, Dr. MacKinnon, who was president of the C of C, received notice of acceptance, and Editor Toner surely had a right to say, "I told you so."
Committees were organized, and the writer had the honor of being chairman of the building committee. On bids, Mr. Jake Matthies, a local contractor was awarded the carpenter work. Most of the fellows were out there working on the fences, digging post holes and putting up the posts and stretching wire,all for free too.

On March 20,1912, the job was called completed, approximately six thousand dollars arranged for, and all were happy. But, of course, only a beginning had been made. Now it was up to the State and Federal authorities to go on from there. But, before entering that phase, it probably would be proper to discuss the personnel of our club and its officers.
As previously noted, Dallas Fugate was the first president, and E.W. Harold the first secretary. Dr. MacKinnon was an early president, if not the second. In fact, our membership was small enough that the office of president could be passed around to nearly every member especially as the general rule was, a change every year for president and vice-president. But, as I well know, that did not apply to the office of secretary. A few absolutely refused to accept the responsibility of the presidency, but in its forty years of existence most of the old timers were "boss" at one time or another. The one year tenure of office called to a halt, however, at the end of the first term of Sam Nealey-Sam was too good to be released on a single term. He was, and is, a tireless worker, good manager, and put an unlimited amount of time and thought, and ability into the work of the office. So, he i ust had to accept a second term. Also, while it had nothing to do with the work of the office, Mr. Nealey kept the luncheon table well supplied with honey, which, in itself, was a sweet thing to do. At the present time Alfred Wedel is president and Bob Snapp is secretary, and are proving to be able and efficient officers.
As is the case with all service clubs, I presume, all the accomplishments of the members of our club are obtained, not for
personal reasons, but for the benefit of our community. Every member gives of his time, money and talents for the furtherance and advancement of our city and surrounding country. Many, many night meetings have been held, by our board of governors, over the years, on important happenings which may have occurred between regular biweekly meetings, or some subject that may have been referred to the Board at the regular meetings, such as, at the present time. For instance, the telephone situation on which a special committee is now working.

The work of the Chamber also has been lightened at times, by the labor of our neighbors who have always seemed willing to help when needed. In the early days such men as our Springfield friends, to name only a few, A.J. Snyder, H.K. Wiley, Ralph Davis, George A. Line, Bruce Parmelee, Joe Maxwell, Bob Hoagland, and others. This writer had the honor of sitting with Mr. and Mrs. A.J. Snyder at the late C of C banquet, and we talked of many things that happened in days gone by. You know, somehow, I received the impression that my friend Snyder is leaning toward the Republican party-and how! He knows his subject too, definitely. We here want to thank our neighbors for all they have done, as we feel that we need them, and they need us, if best results are to be obtained. So much for the very much alive Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce.

Now for the great work done at the Experiment Station for our , farmers, and, indeed, for all farmers in this part of Idaho. The first Supt. at the station was Mr. L.C. Aicher, a newly married young man who came from Kansas, and boarded for a short time at our home in the Nora Jones (Lowe) house. Mrs. Aicher came out soon and they both ate at our table for a while until they got settled. Mr. Aicher showed himself to be well prepared for his assignment here-was full of pep, and a fine community man, having served on the School Board and was an active member of the Commercial Club. He rendered good service, and in time was transferred to Hays, Kansas, where he manages a much larger project. Mrs. Aicher was also a great asset to our town and surrounding country and, I am sure, is also in their new station.

Next came Mr. A.E. McClymonds. Mack made good on the job and he and Mrs. McClymonds were well received here. Mack also was very much of a civic minded gentleman-working with the Chamber with much talent. He was also a valued member of the school board during some strenuous times. Mr. McClymonds accepted a bigger government position at Lincoln, Nebraska, with the Soil Conservation, and at last report was doing very nicely. I haven't heard about him for some time however. They have visited Aberdeen a few times and were welcomed by their many friends.

Next came our local boy, John L. Toevs. All Aberdeen wanted John L. for the new Supt., I think. I remember Dean Iddings came over to my office, as I suppose he did to others, and asked me whom I thought should be appointed. I told him we did not think, we knew, we wanted Mr. Toevs, as we were sure of his qualifications. Mr. Iddings smiled and said he fully agreed, and later, John L. became our next Supt. and, I suppose, there is no doubt, anywhere, that he made good. He was all for everything that would help our country, naturally. A member of the school board, past president of Commercial Club, president of Aberdeen Livestock Marketing Assn., and a church worker, and Lois matched him perfectly, or maybe a little better at times. The Toevs family was, and still is, missed here, but the Toevs family and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Neal are helping out now, to try to bring Washington up to Idaho. We sincerely hope, and believe, that both families will come back home. They are too well known in Aberdeen for further comment from me. 

Last, but not least, comes our friend. Ralph Knight and Mrs. Knight and son, Larry. They are a very welcome addition to Aberdeen and its environs. Mr. Knight has been a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce-serving on its various committees, and aiding in all worthwhile projects undertaken. As Supt. of the station, all reports indicate that he is second to none, and his assistance to farmers in southern Idaho has been, and will be greater, as time goes on; but our farmers here should, it seems to me, take advantage of his knowledge and the proof that can be shown to persons who will go to the station and inspect for themselves. If it is worthwhile for farmers to travel hundreds of miles, surely we can ride, or walk, a few miles and receive benefits.

These four men have all been men of superior ability, and farming knowledge, and Aberdeen is, and should be, proud of having had the benefit of their presence here.

The men who are now alive, who met so often in 1911, are justly proud of their many accomplishments, and especiallv. of their having had some part, even though small, in the location of the Experiment Station at Aberdeen, Idaho. It has surpassed, in usefulness,. even the things that we had hoped for, and greater things will follow, as science continues to advance.

Next chapter hope to tell about the floods of 1911; the rabbit drives of 1912, and our many trials about roads or no roads.