Looking Back at Pages from the Past

The following stories are summarized from past issues of the Caribou County Sun over the last fifty plus years.  The Enterprise thanks Mark Steele for permission to use the contents, and the Grace Public Library for access to the archives.

2005

Gate City Real Estate Associate Lisa Ayers of Soda Springs recently sponsored Emmett Johnson from Soda Springs High School as one of three winners of the 2005 high school senior scholarships to Idaho State University.  Each recipient received a $1,000 scholarship.  Emmett, the son of Randy and April Johnson of Soda Springs, was active in BPA, Soda Pops, choir, football, wrestling and track in high school, and is currently employed at Lew and Dan’s grocery store.  His future plans include entering the business program at ISU, with an emphasis in accounting.

The Grace Mustangs defeated Marsh Valley to win the title of Little League Baseball Champions.  The Grace Mustangs were undefeated during the tournament playoffs.  Other Little League teams that participated in the tournament included three teams from Soda Springs, two teams from Grace, one team from Inkom and a team from McCammon.

The College of Southern Idaho recently released their dean’s list for the 2005 spring semester.  Two former Grace HS students, Brandice A. Beckstead and Hagen T. Beckstead, were included on the list.

2000

It will be a busy and fun time leading up to and including the July 4th celebration in Soda Springs this year.  It will be capped with a fireworks display that will be the biggest within 150 miles, second only to the show in Idaho Falls, officials say.  Rotary spokesman Kirk Hansen said Caribou County Senior citizens have volunteered to run a shuttle can from their center to the fireworks in Kelly Park, and will make sure that everyone gets a ride back.  Call Blanche Lloyd for reservations.  Hansen said the Rotary Club, who is sponsoring the event with help from volunteers and donations, is asking that no personal fireworks be brought into the show because they will detract from it.  The 32-minute show is all synced to music and 11 ground show displays will range from the American Flag to an eagle and prairie schooner.  It will be a first-come seating basis at Kelly Park, with the fireworks along the home run fences.  People can sit in the stands of bring a blanket and sit on the infield.  When parking fills up at Kelly Park, more room will be made available where the mud bogs are held and then spectators can walk in.  Due to the size and cost of the show, a $2 admission is being charged at the park to help cover the $12,000 firework expenses, particularly the ground displays.   

The J.R. Simplot Conda Pump Station was honored on June 22 when it received the Governor’s Idaho GEMStars pollution prevention award.  The pump station, five miles north of Soda Springs, has 15 employees and received the award for the new environmentally friendly oil control vale system for the slurry pump that pushes phosphate ore slurry to the processing plan in Pocatello in a pipeline.  Attending the presentation were 23 teachers from Afton, Soda Springs, Bear Lake and Idaho Falls who were studying the phosphate industry and business for a week this summer.  The eight inch pipeline is under 3,350 pounds per square inch and the 87-mile slurry journey takes a little over 21 hours from the mine to Pocatello, Dave Tarbet who led the group on a tour, said.  The slurry mix at the mine, along with crushing and other processes, also eliminated calciners at the Pocatello fertilizer plants, Tarbet added thus eliminating pollution sources and also saving the company money in the long run.

A Final Environmental Impact Statement has been issued by federal agencies in FMC Corporation’s proposal to extend their existing phosphate mining operations at the Dry Valley Mine northeast of Soda Springs.  The South Extension Project would result in development of two new open pit mines and construction of three overburden dumps, haul roads, and other structures. 

1995

Jeff and Shauna Bowen with the Chamber of Commerce Bingo Committee, along with Chamber President Daphne Allen, broke ground on Monday, June 12 in the city park for the construction of a new pavilion. Bingo proceeds will go towards the construction of the new pavilion for the public’s use.  Contractor is Bassett Construction.

Chad J. Rawlins is a 1995 cum laude graduate of the University of Idaho.  The son of Mr. and Mrs. Rex Rawlins, Soda Springs, he received his bachelor of science degree in zoology this springs and was designated a recipient of UI’s second highest honor for graduating seniors in commencement ceremonies May 20.

Scott Wilcox, son of Blynn and Karen Wilcox of Soda Springs graduated May 13 from the University of Wyoming at Laramie with a Master of Science degree in Community Counseling.  He had previously earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1992 and an AA degree in 1992 from Western Wyoming College at Rock Springs.  During his academic career, Wilcox was on the National President’s Honor Roll in 1988, 1989, and 1991, and the Dean’s Honor Roll in 1989 and 1990.  Scott’s parents, his sister Tracy, sister Pam Brown, and her children Ashly, Brady, and Jackie, brother Keith, brother Neil, his wife Teresa and sons Ric and Craig, and many friends from Wyoming, Idaho and other states attended the graduation ceremonies.  Wilcox is currently employed at South West Counseling Service, Rock Springs, WY as a psychotherapist.  

1975

Miss Chris Langdon, Miss Caribou of 1975, was selected as third runner-up at the Miss Idaho Pageant in Boise last weekend.  As third runner-up she received a $400 scholarship.  Miss Teri Harding of Twin Falls was chosen Miss Idaho, and Miss Gwen Anne Relyea of Boise, and Miss Louisa Anne Hanes, of Moscow, were first and second runners up.  Miss Bear Lake County, Gay Sorensen of Ovid, was fourth runner-up.  Chris is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Langdon of Soda Springs.  At the conclusion of the pageant, Miss Langdon described her impressions as follows: “The group of girls was an exceptional one…Not only were they beautiful and talented girls, they were warm, friendly people.  We didn’t feel like we were competing with one another.  The girls took a mature attitude about the whole pageant, realizing that once they had arrived in Boise, it was too late to make improvement on themselves of their talent, and so we all relaxed and enjoyed one another during the week.  We stayed in a very nice motel, the ‘Ramada,’ two girls to each room in downtown Boise.  Each girl had one of the Boise Lion’s Club member’s wives as a personal hostess.  The week’s activities began Wednesday with newspaper interview.  The rest of the week was filled with rehearsal, TV tapings, luncheons and dinners, and an individual judges’ interview.  None of us got much sleep but we were so wound up that it didn’t matter. I would like to personally thank the Caribou County Lion’s Clubs for all their support.”

The Mt. Caribou Cowbelles awarded a $5 beef certificate to the parents of the first baby born closest to Fathers Day.  The Michelsons had a baby boy on June 16.  

Governor Cecil D. Andrus has appointed a Southeastern Idaho man, Earl Gunnell of Soda Springs as a member of the Development and Publicity Council for the Tourism and Industrial Development Division.  Gunnell formerly served as a member of the State Parks Board, resigning that position to accept the new appointment.  Andrus, in a letter to Gunnell, said that since the death of Jim Bedingfield the council “has been without representation from the Soda Springs region.  Further,” Andrus said, “there is no representation from the agricultural community—the state’s largest economic block.  You and I understand that much of the state’s future economic health will be directly related to agriculture and the development and use of our recreational facilities; thus your service on the parks board becomes invaluable as you begin council.”  Andrus told Gunnell that the latter’s “unmatched variety of interests including the legislative service would be impossible to duplicate.  And now that the Parks Board has been operating for a number of years, a change could be made without great impact on its ability to function.”

Max McCammon, with a 3 lb 15 oz Cutthroat Trout, caught in the Blackfoot River, was the winner of the Big Fish Contest at Ern’s Sport Center for the week of June 15-21.

Idaho cattlemen were warned today of the possibility that the state may lose its “Brucellosis-Free” certification unless there is a dramatic change in the frequency of new infractions.  Dr. A.P. Schneider, Boise, chief of the Bureau of Animal Industries, said as many as 98 herds were found to be infected during the past year.

1963

Mr. and Mrs. Bob Stoddard and three children returned Sunday from a vacation trip to California.  They visited in San Francisco and a Napa, California with Bob’s brother Ray and family.

Mrs. Walter Blackburn and daughter Amy Jo left last week on a vacation that will take them to the World’s Fair and surrounding area.

1965

Airman First Class Michael D. Wright, son of Mrs. Olive Wright of Pocatello, has arrived for duty at Wheeler AFB, Hawaii.  Airman Wright, an administrative specialist, previously served at Scott AFB, Belleville, Ill.  The airman is a graduate of North Gem HS.  His wife Mabel is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilder Hatch of Bancroft.

Gerald Lee (Jerry) Young, Utah State University student, has been elected to the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society.  This honor is open to freshmen who maintain a grade point average of 3.5 or above.  Jerry was also recognized as an excellent scholar at the Awards and Honors Convocation.  Jerry graduated from Soda Springs HS, where he was an honor student.

The family of George T. and La Vera Giles Jenkins will honor their parents at an open house on their Golden Wedding Anniversary, June 20, at the home of their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Anderson, in Spanish Fork. Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins were married in 1915 in the Salt Lake Temple.  They lived in Provo until 1917, then moved to Soda Springs where they were engaged in farming.  Four years later they moved to Conda, where he was employed by the Anaconda Company.  In 1955, they moved to Las Vegas where they were caretakers of a large estate for five years.  After retirement they bought a home in Spanish Fork, where they reside.

1953

Jay Allen and family have moved to their new home in the Lakeview subdivision.  

Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Grant of Scottsbluff, Nebraska are visiting with their daughter, Marie Hoke and husband Burdette.

Mayor A.L. Ozburn spent Monday in Fort Hall, Blackfoot and Chesterfield on a business trip. 

The Merlin Anderson family have purchased the Parson home at 260 East Second North.

A good old-fashioned family reunion was held by the Willard Williams family last Thursday evening at the home of Willard and Emily Williams, near Grace, with forty-one participating.

1929

Miss Margaret Zeigler of Bancroft is employed at the Enders hotel.

Mrs. James Sibbert, Jr. and children and Mrs. Heber J. Skinner of Wayan were Soda visitors this afternoon.

A.H. Caine and family have arrived in Soda to spend summer and are located in the Art Lau home.

Reece W. Davis of Elko, Nevada, is visiting with his parents, Mr, and Mrs. W.M. Davis, and other home folks.  

Miss Edith Hopkins returned home Saturday from Pocatello, where she had been attending school. 

1907

One of D.A. Woodalls valuable mares had her leg broken last Tuesday by being kicked by s boco at Tipton’s blacksmith shop. 

T.M. Ellis was a business visitor from Bench last Friday, and reports plenty of rain.  

E.J. Dimick and wife went to Montpelier last Sunday on No. 2 to visit with relatives.

H.F. Reinhart completed the foundation for the Chieftain’s newspaper press last Tuesday and after tomorrow the office will be in the new building at the corner of First South and Dillon streets.

It is announced that the new train, known as No. 19, will carry mail for all points south of the junction at McCammon.  This makes a decided improvement in the mail services as well as for passengers.