In 1932, an Idaho Falls man disappeared on the river. The story’s ending may surprise you

IDAHO FALLS — An Idaho Falls man vanished successful 1932 and location were “puzzling circumstances” regarding his disappearance.

The communicative connected Nathan A. “Nate” Williams was featured successful our play Looking Back column, which looks backmost connected what life was for illustration during different periods successful eastbound Idaho history.

Where was Williams headed and why?

Williams went to nan Greys River state successful Wyoming to float down logs that were trim nan autumn before, according to an article successful nan Idaho Falls Post Register dated Sept. 9, 1932. Williams — a husband, begetter and well-known man successful nan Idaho Falls area who formerly operated a workplace astir six miles southbound of municipality — planned to build a raft retired of nan logs and float down nan stream to Idaho Falls.

“According to nan accusation obtained here, Williams, accompanied by different man, a sheepherder, whose personality could not beryllium learned, and nan sheepherder’s young son, were driven to nan Alpine (Wyoming) state by Gene Morrow, of Idaho Falls, astir Aug. 25,” nan insubstantial said.

The sheepherder near nan campy soon aft arriving, and Williams was to “carry nan activity connected alone.”

Morrow returned to Idaho Falls aft driving nan men to nan tract of nan logs, Bonneville County Sheriff Harry Meppen said.

Harry Meppen was Bonneville County’s longest-serving sheriff. He is pictured connected nan near soon aft taking agency for nan first time. The photograph connected nan correct was taken erstwhile he was older. | Courtesy Museum of Idaho

RELATED | How Bonneville County sewage its sanction and nan early lawmen who protected its citizens

But Williams, connected nan different hand, did not look successful Idaho Falls connected his scheduled presence day of Sept. 1, 1932. His son-in-law became “uneasy erstwhile he grounded to get nan pursuing Wednesday.”

A hunt instantly sewage underway for Williams.

Searching for Williams

Law enforcement from Idaho and Wyoming started making their measurement down Greys River to “search nan state connected each broadside of nan stream.”

“They discovered logs entangled successful nan rocks of nan river,” nan article reads.

Bonneville County Deputy Tom Steers was driving a car down nan roadworthy to meet nan others erstwhile they arrived downstream. On his drive, he came crossed a fisherman from Rexburg. The fisherman, whose sanction was not shared, said he’d seen a man “answering Williams’ description” time off connected his raft of logs astir 6:30 p.m. Friday.

“The men past proceeded down nan roadworthy toward Idaho Falls and astatine Calamity Point made enquiry regarding Williams,” nan Post Register wrote. “They learned … that Williams’ raft had been seen passing that point.”

Officials believed Williams was alive, and Meppen estimated that “with bully luck” Williams should get astatine nan precocious ferry Sunday night.

Did Williams ever get backmost successful Idaho Falls?

On Sept. 18, 1932, nan Post Register reported Williams made it backmost to Idaho Falls safely Wednesday evening. He arrived astir 2 weeks precocious from his travel down nan Snake River.

“I’d alternatively return 3 trips down nan Snake than 1 down aged Wind River,” he said erstwhile asked if it was a vulnerable trip.

The insubstantial explained Williams had “much acquisition snaking rafts down nan whirling, treacherous waters of Wind River.”

“Loss of his only ax compelled Williams to bring down a smaller raft than he anticipated,” nan Post Register mentioned.

Williams told friends he planned to spell backmost to nan Greys River state to get nan logs he near down and further timber.