Looking back: Woman becomes first Jefferson County nurse to serve overseas and letter returned to Roberts man after 50 years

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking backmost astatine what life was for illustration during nan week of July 15 to July 21 successful eastbound Idaho history.

1900-1925

FORT HALL — The “oldest and wealthiest Indian” connected nan Fort Hall Reservation died suddenly, The Bingham County News reported connected July 20, 1916.

The man, “Big Jimmie,” was 1 of nan first denizens of nan reservation, and his estate, consisting of onshore and stock, was going to appraise for astir $200,000.

“His decease is rather a mystery, arsenic he has ever been successful bully wellness and spirits,” nan section insubstantial explained. “His demise came arsenic abruptly arsenic though he had been shot.”

The “reservation and different doctor” said his decease was owed to “some problem of his head” but nary further accusation was provided.

“He was an exceptionally bully and provident Indian, and Ralph Dixie, his caput says he does not judge he had an enemy,” nan article said.

1926-1950

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Lt. Marjorie Ellsworth became nan first Jefferson County caregiver to service overseas, The Rigby Star reported connected July 20, 1944.

Ellsworth was assigned to a infirmary “of nan European theater.”

“Ellsworth began her work pinch nan service nursing corps much than 2 years agone astatine nan Hammond General Hospital (in) Modesto, California,” nan article reads.

Prior to entering nan service, Ellsworth was pinch nan Oregon State Extension work and had specialized successful dietetics successful a Salt Lake City hospital. She was besides a erstwhile coach astatine Ricks College.

Lieutenant Marjorie Ellsworth became nan first Jefferson County caregiver to service overseas. July 1944. | Courtesy The Rigby Star

1951-1975

ROBERTS — A 50-year-old missive written by a Roberts man was returned to him by 2 strangers from California, The Rigby Star reported connected July 16, 1953.

“(The strangers) drove into nan gait astatine nan location of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Hochwart, southbound of Roberts, recently, (and) handed Mr. Hochwart a letter, which he learned to his astonishment was successful his ain handwriting, written successful 1903 to his relative successful Munich, Germany,” nan insubstantial said.

One of nan strangers identified himself arsenic Martin Back. Before he near Germany, his mother gave him nan missive and told her boy to “be judge and look up Mr. Hochwart successful nan caller world.”

The missive was postmarked from Market Lake, Fremont County, Idaho, but they had “some difficulty” locating nan Hochwart’s municipality aliases station office.

Back, who was surviving successful California, and his relative Fred, decided to return a travel to Yellowstone park.

“He took his 50-year-old missive on and arriving successful Pocatello, he learned that nan sanction of Market Lake had been changed to Roberts galore years agone and nan region to Jefferson,” nan insubstantial explained.

It continued, “He came connected to Roberts and inquired astatine nan station office, wherever to his astonishment and delight, he recovered that some Mr. and Mrs. Hochwart were surviving southbound of Roberts and connected nan workplace they person lived connected for much than half a century.”

1976-2000

SODA SPRINGS — A hunt was underway for a 16-year-old Soda Springs boy believed to person drowned successful nan Alexander Reservoir, nan Idaho State Journal reported connected July 17, 1977.

Jay Stevens was nan teen who was missing. He was reportedly pinch respective different boys who were canoeing Thursday nighttime erstwhile nan canoe tipped over.

“The different lads made it to safety, but Stevens ne'er reappeared,” nan Journal stated.

The Caribou County Sheriff’s Department was successful complaint of nan hunt which continued Saturday night. The origin of nan mishap had not been reported by authorities.

“A vessel is being utilized successful nan search, but nan sheriff reported immoderate trouble utilizing nets to resistance nan bottommost of nan reservoir because its reasonably rough,” nan insubstantial mentioned.