Looking back: Mysterious disappearance of local man, and fisherman wearing heavy clothing survives being knocked into Snake River

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking backmost astatine what life was for illustration during nan week of Sept. 9 to Sept. 15 successful eastbound Idaho history.

1900-1925

RIGBY — The caller Jefferson County Jail was yet complete and described arsenic a “very bully building,” The Rigby Star reported connected Sept. 10, 1914.

“The compartment room contains accommodations for 8 persons, nan cells being 2 successful number pinch a corridor capable successful size to licence of workout connected nan portion of nan prisoners,” nan article reads.

The building besides had room for female prisoners, which was located to nan near arsenic 1 enters nan building.

“The activity of building was successful nan hands of Mangun and Son, and from each quality nan activity gives grounds of being first-class,” The Rigby Star wrote.

1926-1950

IDAHO FALLS — There were “puzzling circumstances” regarding a section man who went to get firewood and disappeared, nan Idaho Falls Post Register reported connected Sept. 9, 1932.

Nathan A. “Nate” Williams, an Idaho Falls man who lived pinch his woman and son, went to nan Greys River state to float down logs that were trim nan autumn before. He planned to build a raft retired of nan logs and float down nan stream to Idaho Falls.

He was scheduled to get successful Idaho Falls connected Thursday, Sept. 1, 1932. His son-in-law “became “uneasy erstwhile he grounded to get nan pursuing Wednesday.”

“Sheriff’s assistance was requested, and nan 2 officers drove northward to hunt for nan missing man,” nan article states.

After searching for nan man for 2 days, Sheriff Harry Meppen returned to Idaho Falls wherever he said nan “only connection of Williams was received from a female resident adjacent nan Alpine (Wyoming) bridge.” She claimed to person seen a man akin to Williams’ explanation successful campy adjacent nan river.

“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 state by Gene Morrow, of Idaho Falls, astir Aug. 25,” nan insubstantial said.

It was reported nan man identified arsenic nan 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, Sheriff Meppen said he learned.

Meppen and Deputy Tom Steers near Idaho Falls again Friday greeting to proceed nan search. They were to beryllium joined by nan sheriff of Lincoln County, Wyoming, and a deputy.

“Mystery is added to nan disappearance of Williams by nan truth that a study from Sheriff Meppen indicates nan logs, upon which Williams was to float down nan river, could not beryllium found,” nan Post Register explained.

It continued, “Careful enquiry from residents, placer miners and fishermen, revealed that nary of them had seen Williams’ raft aliases immoderate of nan logs successful nan river.”

1951-1975

RIGBY — A Rigby man “had rather an experience” while connected a sportfishing travel erstwhile an overhanging character branch knocked him into nan river, The Rigby Star reported connected Sept. 9, 1954.

Frank Gerard was connected nan South Fork of nan Snake River pinch a group erstwhile nan mishap happened.

Not agelong aft launching nan rubber boat, nan statement discovered it was leaking and nan centrifugal connected nan rear of nan trade was settling successful nan water.

“Gerard was attempting to rescue nan centrifugal astatine nan clip and did not announcement nan overhanging character limb, which struck him,” nan article states.

Although he was wearing rubber boots and a dense overgarment astatine nan time, he came to nan aboveground and grabbed a statement trailing from nan boat. He was quickly helped connected committee by nan different members of nan group.

“Considering his constrictive escape, Gerard considers himself lucky, contempt nan nonaccomplishment of a caller sportfishing rod, reel and line,” nan insubstantial stated.

He besides said it was “a very foolish gesture” to not person lifejackets while connected nan river.

1976-2000

POCATELLO — A 65-year-old man was knocked down and robbed while entering his apartment, nan Idaho State Journal reported connected Sept. 9, 1976.

Fred Reed was unlocking his doorway aft 9 p.m. erstwhile a man described arsenic astir 30 years aged pinch short brownish hairsbreadth tapped him connected nan enarthrosis and asked him he had immoderate money.

Officers were told nan fishy deed Reed successful nan chest, knocking him done an unfastened doorway onto his flat floor.

The man past took Reed’s wallet, which contained $10 successful cash, and stole astir $80 from his pouch earlier moving away.

A witnesser described nan man arsenic being “well dressed and groomed.”