Looking back: Fire burns prominent building to the ground and water balloon shatters school bus window

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking backmost astatine what life was for illustration during nan week of June 3 to June 9 successful eastbound Idaho history.

1900-1925

MCCAMMON — A occurrence collapsed retired successful a edifice successful McCammon and nan building was burned to nan ground, The Blackfoot Optimist reported connected June 5, 1913, from an article primitively published by nan Pocatello Tribune.

The occurrence happened astir 2 a.m. astatine nan Harkness Hotel, which was 1 of nan oldest buildings successful McCammon astatine nan clip (it’d been astatine that location for much than 30 years). The section insubstantial said each effort was made to prevention nan building but nan h2o proviso was “so inadequate that nan effort was useless.”

“Had location been immoderate upwind nan consequence mightiness person been very disastrous to nan town, but fortunately it was very quiet, and moreover nan surrounding trees were small much than scorched,” nan article reads.

It was thought nan occurrence started from a defective chimney flue. Aside from a mini magnitude of furniture, thing was saved.

The edifice was operated by Mrs. H.O. Harkness. She said a tin container that had been fixed to her by her hubby was burned successful nan fire.

“She had been fixed instructions to not unfastened nan container until a definite clip elapsed, and yesterday was nan time,” nan article reads. “She recovered successful nan container $500 successful gold, astir $1,000 successful rate and a number of valuable papers.”

Before she went to slumber nan nighttime of nan fire, she put nan container nether her pillow and forgot astir it erstwhile nan occurrence collapsed out.

“The edifice was 1 of nan landmarks of that conception of nan county,” nan insubstantial mentioned. “Today location is overmuch disapproval connected nan h2o strategy of nan town, and a decided request for amended protection.”

1926-1950

BLACKFOOT — A 60-year-old Blackfoot man died of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever aft being bitten by a tick, nan Idaho Falls Post Register reported connected June 3, 1932.

Harry Hamilton, a salient cattleman successful Blackfoot, was bitten by a tick while connected nan godforsaken westbound of Blackfoot 2 weeks anterior to his death.

“He was sick 3 days earlier being brought to his home,” nan insubstantial said. “He had been unconscious since his arrival.”

1951-1975

RIGBY — A schoolhouse autobus was damaged by a h2o balloon thrown from a passing car, The Rigby Star reported connected June 5, 1975.

The autobus was operated by Jefferson Joint School District No. 251. The effect of nan h2o balloon was estimated to beryllium astatine astir 100 miles per hour, arsenic nan 2 vehicles were approaching each different astatine astir 50 miles per hour.

“The effect scattered solid into nan look of nan driver, Mrs. Judy Foster, and trim nan driver’s girl who was seated straight down nan effect area,” The Rigby Star wrote.

Foster was enroute to nan Midway Junior High School to prime up students and was astir 1 mile southbound of Lewisville connected nan Rigby-Lewisville Highway erstwhile nan balloon was thrown.

“Material harm is estimated astatine $60,” nan article explained. “Mrs. Foster was incapable to make recognition of nan offender. A reward is being offered.”

The schoolhouse autobus that was damaged aft being deed by a h2o balloon. | Courtesy The Rigby Star

1976-2000

AMERICAN FALLS — A 14-year-old American Falls woman was missing and her parents were asking nan organization for thief uncovering her, nan Idaho State Journal reported connected June 8, 1976.

Anita Joyce Coslow climbed retired a chamber model and ran away. She was believed to beryllium seen successful Fort Hall aft moving away, but her mother, Mrs. Walter Simpkins, said she had nary confirmed reports of her daughter’s whereabouts.

“If her girl sounds this, (her mother) asked her to please telephone home,” nan Journal stated.