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.

2020

The Soda Springs Rotary Club would like to thank all the participants and sponsors who supported the “Discover Caribou County” summer event.  This virtual scavenger hunt resulted in hundreds of photos of families enjoying sites around our beautiful county.  The photos can be seen on Facebook under the #discovercariboucounty hashtag.  A great time was had by all participants.  One remarked “Had so much fun doing the #discovercariboucounty scavenger hunt sponsored by the Rotary Club! There’s a lot to see and learn about in out little town!”  Contributors to the event included Bayer, Caribou Memorial Hospital, the Caribou County Sun, and Itafos.  The winners of the $50 and $100 prizes, chosen by random drawing, were Miranda Winward, Mindy Jensen, Laura Lind, Georgia Brown, Stephanie Funk, Wayne and Dori Clegg, Brydon Smith, Blair and Jackie Winward, Shanda Richey, Laruen Naser, Natalie Dickaut, Tyesha Harrison, Eli Thalman, Jimmy Workman, LuCus and Dusti Spencer, Mindy Jensen, Shannon Gentry, Hope Hansen, Jessica Fullmer, Rachel Hamilton, Debbie Hansen, Sean Wiggin, Erica Goode, Mike Farnworth, Alison Allen, Crystal Galloway, Charity Partain, Anna Skinner, Brian and Lindsey Grimm, Karleigh Hooper, Shari Goode, Selena Barrett, and Becca Renfroe.  

Governor Brad Little last week issued a proclamation outlining the issues to e considered by the Idaho Legislature during a special legislative session.  The governor’s proclamation calls for a special legislative session to address the COVID-19 pandemic in Idaho, including election law changes that are needed in order to facilitate a safe and secure November election during the pandemic.  Each of the topics chosen for the special session were recommended by the Idaho Legislature after study and analysis by legislative working groups that identified the topics and recommended each to the governor for consideration.  The Idaho Constitution gives the governor the authority to call a special legislative session, and the governor is required to specify the subjects for consideration.  Special legislative sessions by law are of a limited duration and by recent tradition last only a day or two.  “Special legislative sessions by their very nature are intended to deal with time sensitive issues that require immediate legislative action and cannot wait until the ge4neral session in January,” Governor Little said.  Governor Little chose not to include two legislative proposals in his proclamation—one related to public health district authorities and another on education funding.  Governor Little said further discussion on both topics is merited, and public discourse will continue during the legislative session in January.    “We owe it to taxpayers to pull off a swift and successful special legislative session ,” Little said.  “I appreciate the work our legislators put into the proposals for a special session and for their willingness to come to Boise and address these issues on behalf of the people we serve.”

From the Caribou Historical Society: Through the efforts of many, the CCHS has put together their first completed display in the museum located at 100 E. Hooper Ave in the old ZCMI/Horsley Mercantile/Stoor’s Grocery building in Soda Springs.  The building, erected in 1885, has been under renovation for nearly two years, and although it is still a work in progress the main part of the old store portion is nearly complete.  As the finish work inside the store part of the building was being completed the idea took hold of the display honoring the famed Dr. Ellis Kackley.  Dr. Kackley, who was to become the best-known doctor in Southeastern Idaho, came to Soda Springs, Idaho in April of 1898, after answering an advertisement placed in a medical magazine by Postman L.C. Eastman.  Young Dr. Kackley graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1898 and within three days was in Soda Springs, where he spent his life making house calls, delivering babies, and administering to the sick.  When WWI was declared he was among the first to volunteer and served as a lieutenant in the Army Medical Corps during four major encounters before returning home in 1918.  This was one of the few times he spent away from his practice.  Early on, most cases were treated in the homes of those needing treatment.  Later, the upper story of the Fryar’s Hotel was converted to a private hospital.  Dr. Kackley was influential in the building of a county hospital in 1926 and used his own money t purchase some of the equipment.  Sr. Kackley died in Soda Springs on November 21, 1943.  His funeral was held in the high school gymnasium as it was the only building in town big enough to hold the throngs of admiring mourners wishing to pay tribute to the good doctor.  Caribou Historical Society members Galen Wilson, Bill Horsley, Carol Goodsell, and especially Jerry Stoor, have been key in the renovation of the building and set up of the display.  The Caribou Memorial Hospital has had a collection of old medical items and pictures of both Dr. Ellis Kackley and his son, Dr. Evan M. Kackley’s, medical instruments on display for several years in the lobby of the hospital. 

It comes as no surprise that recreation is exploding on public lands and people are flocking to the outdoors.  However, with the unprecedented level of use,  various problems are starting to emerge, campgrounds are at capacity, trash continues to accumulate and patience is thinning as boat ramps remain congested and dispersed sites always seem to be full.  With the increase in use, fire officials are seeing an increase in abandoned campfires throughout the region.  Conditions in the area are dry and a fire may start easily, spread quickly and burn intensely.  Everyone in asked to practice heightened fire safety at all times.  This past week, firefighters responded to two small fires caused by abandoned campfires; one in the Jedidiah Smith Wilderness, in an area where campfires are prohibited, and another just north of Kilgore.  Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire personnel have extinguished over 60 unattended or abandoned campfires so far this summer.  Abandoned campfires can quickly escalate into wildfires.  Where campfires are allowed, it is extremely important that they are completely extinguished and cold to the touch before campers leave their site.  Visitors should never leave a fire unattended and can be held liable for suppression costs if their campfire becomes a wildfire.  During times of elevated fire danger, a campfire is not encouraged.

Beginning Aug 31, the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, in conjunction with its partners, will replace two deficient bridges and realign the road around a wetland area susceptible to annual flooding.  Delays could be possible on Diamond Creek Road as workers remove and install culverts and cattleguards.  All work is expected to be completed by Oct. 2.  Crews will relocate approximately 1,500 feet of the Diamond Creek Road located in the floodplain near Coyote Creek, which is impacted annually by flooding from beaver dam activities.  The project is designed to permanently address this problem by moving the road east to the outer edge of the valley bottom.  This effort is made possible through a partnership involving the Forest, Caribou County, Upper Blackfoot Confluence, Lower Valley Energy, Bureau of Reclamation and the Greater Yellowstone Coordinating Committee.

2010

The Chesterfield Foundation Board has recently acquired the Muir/Butterfield/MacArthur home on the Chesterfield Townsite.  Theis home is located on the Chesterfield Road and the corner of the 24-Mile Road.  It is the first home you see as you arrive on the townsite from Bancroft.  This acquisition now completes the town site block of one mile of seven 10-acre blocks from  south to north and three quarters mile of five 10-acre block from east to west for the foundation.  This puts all of the area under its protection as the town site is on the historical register.  This home is the oldest documented brick home in the town, which dates bate the 1887.  It was built by Moses Muir for his family.

A Sea Knight military helicopter and its crew took precautionary measures Saturday when it landed at the Soda Springs Airport because of the unstable weather that was creating strong winds, thunderstorms, and hail.  The helicopter is used for transporting combat troops and equipment.  

Mads Christensen has decided to retire from Crop Production Services after 50 years of employment.  Mad hired on the year of 1960 under Lloyd Wilson for Wilson Farm Service.  Mads started out flagging for Lloyd Wilson.  He then moved to an applicator for years, until he eventually became operations supervisors, where he could tinker around the shop, drive truck or do mechanic work.  In 2010 Mads was named Serviceman of the Year by the Far West Agra Business Association.  Mads plans to fish, hunt, and restore old tractor during his retirement.

2000

A time capsule was places inside a stone marker at Caribou Memorial Hospital in 1968 when the facility was built, replacing the old county hospital on the site where the US Bank now stands.  Hospital Administrator John Hoopes saw the stone marker in the hospital’s maintenance shed and asked the contents of the box.  Carl Lemons, maintenance supervisor, who has worked at the hospital since 1977, said when the hospital was enlarged in 1997 the marker had to be removed and the contents of the time capsule have been kept in his desk drawers since then.  Hoopes, who enjoys local history, took the time capsule and has placed the contents inside three large frames, now hanging on the wall opposite the elevators on the hospital’s first floor.    

Lightning strikes kept fire fighters busy again this past week.  Caribou County Fire Captain Roger Rigby reported lightning started a fire off the Kelly-Toponce Road Thursday.  Fire fighters responded and contained it to an eighth of an acre.  A Friday lightning strike on Carter Lane southwest of Grace burned 25 acres and threatened two homes.  Rigby said rain came in and helped them contain the fire.  While mopping it up, they were paged to Mabey Canyon near 10-Mile.  BLM ordered air drops on the 30 acre fire when it threatened structures and one home.  That fire, too, was lightning related.

The Soda Springs Public Library Children’s Story Time is starting again.  It is the goal of parents and educators to help children become successful readers.  The library staff wants your child to love books and love reading too.

1970

Tragedy struck the community of Bancroft on Saturday evening when Kim Faulkner, 18, and Patrick Dennis O’Brien, 17, were killed in a car-train accident at the intersection of Highway 30 North and a spur track of the Union Pacific Railroad just east of Bancroft.  Brent Crump, 18, driver of the car, and Debra Kopetzzky, 13, a passenger, were rushed to the Caribou Memorial Hospital where Miss Kopetzky was listed as critical and Crump in serious condition.

Superintendent Ellis L. Williams announced that al schools in Soda Springs District 150 will open at 9 a.m. on Monday, Aug 31, for a one-half day session.  Students are urged not to arrive at school earlier than 8:50 .m.  Classroom and teacher assignments will be posted in the elementary schools adjacent to the door of each room.  Junior and Senior High School students will proceed to the auditorium where complete details concerning class schedules will be announced.  A “Back to School Dance” will be held immediately after the football game, sponsored by the Call of ’71.  Music will be by “Boss Tweed.”

Mr. and Mrs. Martin Ruggles, accompanied by Mrs. Ruggles’ sister, Mrs. Oralynn Meecham, returned to their homes after vacationing a month in Dallas, Texas.  They visited their niece and family, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Jones.  The Ruggles left a few days later, spending a week in Yellowstone Park and Jackson, accompanied by their niece Mrs. George B. Tracy of San Francisco, and then spending five days in Salt Lake City visiting their son and family, Mr. and Mrs. Dale Panting, their grandchildren, Mr. and Mrs. Duance Beins and Mr. and Mrs. Peter J. Fillmore.  Their granddaughter Lori Dawn Panting, accompanied them to Salt Lake.  They returned home Sunday evening.