IDAHO GOES DOWN The week of August 11–17 in the history of east Idaho is being examined by EastIdahoNews.com.
1900-1925
RIGBY On August 11, 1921, The Rigby Star reported that lightning had struck a local family’s home during an afternoon storm.
The house of I.G. Woods, south of Rigby, was struck by lightning. The bolt destroyed the front screen door, raced through the electric lines, removed the heads of the nails in the tin, struck the roof, and produced a brilliant fireworks display on the cement pavement in front of the house.
When it happened, Mr. and Mrs. Woods were inside. The lightning was said to have dazed them a little, but they were unharmed.
1926-1950
The Burley Herald said on August 13, 1936, that a 20-year-old girl’s death was being described as unexplained when she unexpectedly fell ill and passed away.
On the evening of August 8, 1936, George Abbott’s wife, Merlin Abbott, fell ill. According to the report, she passed away after suffering for 19 hours.
Local medical professionals, including Drs. C.A. Terhune, G.G. Espe, and H.E. Dean, conducted an autopsy, and Coroner D.E. Johnson transferred her organs to Boise. Boise was supposed to provide a report on Abbott’s vital organ contents, but by the time the piece was published, it had not arrived.
About 16 months had passed since the Abbotts’ marriage. They traveled from Twin Falls to Burley two months before to the woman’s passing.
The birthdate of Abbott was July 9, 1916. Her husband and parents, Mrs. Maude Bertsch of Twin Falls and Elmer Craner of Burley, survived her. She also left behind two sisters and two brothers.
On August 13, 1936, the Christian church hosted her funeral. Interment was to take place in the Twin Falls cemetery after the services.
1951-1975
IDAHO FALLSA On August 12, 1951, the Idaho Falls Post Register reported that a possible break-in at a local jail had been foiled.
In a jail mattress, Bonneville County Sheriff Dean F. Wilkie discovered a 10-inch saw blade and a piece of metal. According to the sheriff, officers conducted periodic shakedowns in the jail since ten other blades had been found weeks before. The objective was to locate and seize any hidden tools that could be used to escape from prison.
According to Wilkie, the jail had been heavily reinforced a year prior, making it nearly impossible for an inmate to break out. For instance, the jail bars on windows were enclosed with roller bars. The rollers inside would stop additional cutting even when hack saws could cut through some of the bars.
Additionally, windows, cell tank tops, and other potential escape routes were covered with thick steel panels and screens.
Additionally, a massive steel compound was erected at the front entryway, allowing officers and other staff to converse with inmates and provide them food while maintaining a sealed door between them.
Eight inmates were incarcerated at the time, according to the Post Register.
1976-2000
POCATELLOA On August 14, 1977, the Idaho State Journal reported that a 25-year-old male had been detained on accusations of assault, resisting arrest, and drunk driving.
After a foot pursuit, Randy S. Nalder allegedly scuffled with an officer, kicked and struck an officer, and then took a revolver from an officer’s holster.
When Nalder’s automobile skidded through an intersection at around 2:20 a.m. and then accelerated, police say he was initially pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving.
On a $2,500 bond, he was put in jail.
