After share-cropping for ten years on the Hayes Project south of Idaho Falls, Wesley Hurst realized he had to do something. The ground he’d farmed for 10 years was owned by the Sugar Company. There was obviously no future there. His growing family now numbered six- two older daughters and two sons, along with Wesley and his wife, Velma, all tightly packed into the country home furnished by the Sugar Company.
Velma, known for her ready wit, described their cozy home perfectly, saying time and again, “the house had 4 nice closets, but no rooms,” and that wasn’t much of an exaggeration. The family bought a small, braided area run to cozy up their largest room, the living room, only to find that the ends and sides all overlapped on the sides of each wall. No indoor plumbing, just a privy out back- it was definitely time to make a move.
Wesley was a tireless worker, with the ability to make friends easily. His brothers, Creighton and Winfield, along with his sister Lavinia and her husband, Henry Norton, had already relocated to the Mini-Cassia area. They all urged him to come down and find a place he could call his own.
Wesley found a lovely farm in the Declo area- just the kind of place he’d always dreamed of having. Its owner, Dick Simplot, was anxious to sell, so they arrived at a price, and Wesley traveled home, thrilled to finally be getting a place of his own.
Somewhere along the way, Wesley met Dick’s son, Jack, and the two became friends instantly. Wesley had assured Dick that he’d be back in contact with him as soon as the financing was arranged. Getting financing on the place was not an easy task, but as soon as it was completed, Wesley headed to Declo to meet with Dick and close their deal.
But when he caught up with Dick, Wesley knew something wasn’t quite right. Finally, Dick confessed that he really didn’t think Wesley could come up with a down payment. Someone else came along with financing in place, so Dick accepted the offer, leaving Wesley high and dry.
Dismayed, Wesley explained his situation to Jack, before heading back home. Jack was furious that his dad would go back on his word. As Jack thought things over, he told Wesley he was pretty sure he could get his dad to sell another nice place- this one located a couple of miles west of Declo. Together, they drove to the place, which was the farm Jack had been raised on. Located just north of what was then Hwy 30, the main thoroughfare between Burley and Utah and all points south, it was beautiful. The farm was very well-taken care of- one of the most attractive places in the whole valley. Its white stately two-story home had four nice bedrooms upstairs, a master bedroom, kitchen, indoor bathroom on the main floor, two nice porches and a basement. A majestic red barn and several other out-buildings were located inside the corral, adjacent to the home’s west lawn.
Wesley fell in love with the place immediately, though he had serious doubts that Jack’s dad would actually sell such a beautiful place. However, Jack had carefully thought the situation through. “I’m pretty sure I can convince him to sell,” Jack explained. “but, we’ve got to do things just right. If you follow my lead, I’m almost certain he’ll sell.”
Then J.R. Simplot went to work. Though a relatively young man, he’d already acquired a reputation for making good business deals. He came up with the perfect approach to broach the situation with his father- after all, he’d given this matter a lot of thought. “Dad, I think you ought to sell the homeplace to Wesley. You know it’s taken a lot for him to scrape together the down payment, and without having a lot of experience, it’s a sure bet that he’ll run the place for a year or two, then lose it. When that happens, you’ll get the place back, plus you’ll have his down payment- you’ll win on both ends.” Dick’s head bobbed up and down, then mulling the situation over, he told his son, “You’re right, it will be great to have his money and the place back, too. Let’s do it.”
But Jack wasn’t done yet, telling Wesley. “I got him to sell, but there’s one condition I’ll impose on the deal. Do not be a day late on giving him money. If you ever see that you can’t make a payment, call me immediately. I’ll make sure the payment is made, but whatever you do, don’t ever tell Dad what I’m willing to do. I want you to have that place.” So, the deal was done, the first year without a formal note or signature.
In November, 1937, the Hurst family moved to their new place. Wesley’s short history states, “So in six days we had moved everything, our furniture, cows, horses, pigs and machinery. It was far and away the best move we have ever made. We have felt very much at home ever since we moved here.”
Though the first few years were a struggle, Wesley always made his payment in full and on time. Within a few short years, the place was completely paid off, but Wesley never forgot the great favor his friend had done for the Hurst family.
Jack Simplot went on to become Idaho’s first billionaire, but he never forgot his friend, Wesley either. Over the years when he’d travel to Burley, Jack often stopped by the old homeplace to chat with his friend. On several occasions, he told Wesley he really wanted to buy back his old place. Then he’d pull out his checkbook and tell Wesley to fill in the amount- the price didn’t matter; he’d pay whatever Wesley thought was fair. But Wesley didn’t even flinch, “You know, Jack, I appreciate your offer, but this place means more to me than all the money in the world.” So J.R. “Jack” smiled warmly as he stuffed the wallet back in his pocket, knowing he’d made the best deal possible, many years before.
Source: A Love Story- The Compiled History of H. Frederick and Leora Hurst Johnson
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