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.

2011

In what may have been a surprise to some in District 31, Republican Precinct Committee met and chose John Tippets, Neal Larson, and Mark Harris as the three names to be sent to Gov. Butch Otter as a replacement to fill the vacated seat of Sen. Bob Geddes for the next two years.  There were 37 precinct committeemen present out of the 48 precincts in the district, which includes Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Teton, and Bonneville Counties.  Geddes resigned his senate position after he was appointed two weeks ago by the governor to chair the Idaho State Tax Commission.  Rep. Marc Gibbs of Grace immediately announced his intentions of seeking the senate appointment and was thought by many to have the inside track if he made the list of three that is sent to the governor, who then selects one of those for the appointments within the 15 days.

John Tippets, 59, of Bennington in Bear Lake County served in the House for some 12 years before not seeking re-election after his term in 2000.  He works for Agrium in Conda.

Neal Larson, 56, is from Preston and is a former mayor of that city.  Preston is in Franklin County.  

Mark Harris is a cattle rancher from Eight Mile in Bear Lake County and has been involved in Republican activities at a local level.

The meeting for the District 31 Republican Committee was held in Pocatello Friday night.  Others nominated by not successful were Roy Bunderson, Bloomington, Tony Goe, Teton Valley, Jim McCulloch of Soda Springs, Chick Heileson, Iona, and Marc Gibbs of Grace.  Whoever receives the appointment by the governor will serve the nearly two-year unexpired term of Geddes and would presumably stand for election in the primary in 2012.   

The Soda Springs Veterans Honor Guard achieved certification on Jan 22 from the Department of Defense, as an authorized provider in the military funeral honors program.  The Soda Springs Veterans Honor Guard is an all volunteer group of VFW Post 9141 and American Legion Post 62 members, who conduct local miliary graveside honors for veterans’ funerals.  As directed by Congress, the Authorized Provider Partnership Program allows members of veteran’s organizations to participate with the Armed Forces in providing military funeral honors.  According to Cpt. (Ret) Bob Falen, Soda Springs Veterans Honor Guard officer in charge, “This partnership of veterans groups together with the Armed Forces members at graveside allows us to provide more funeral honors elements than we could by ourselves.  That, and our additional training and practice has clearly enhanced the quality of continuity of honor and respect shown for our deceased veterans.”  Prior to the AP3 certification of the Honor Guard, members received training in military funeral honors, firing party procedures, and flag presentation ceremonies.  In addition to demonstrating proficiency in these areas, they also demonstrated compliance with Dept. of Defense standards for all funeral ceremonies.

At their Jan 19 city meeting, Grace Mayor Charles Titcomb and the city council and employees presented outgoing zoning chair Bruce Silvermail with a plaque in appreciation for his many years of service.  Mayor Titcomb than administered the oath of office to Wayne Alder as the newly appointed chairman of the Zoning Commission. 

Every year the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare sends the hospital the latest book of vital statistics.  The 2009 figures were as follows: population was 6,914, which was up 1.3 percent from 2008.  Soda Springs’ population was 3,101, which was up 1 percent from 2008.  Grace’s population was 956, up 1.8 percent, and Bancroft’s population was 349, up 1.4 percent from 2008.  The county’s population by race and ethnicity were 99.3 percent white in 2009.  The white-hispanic population increased 18.8 percent over the year in question.  Caribou County had 124 residents age 85 and older; 37 men and 87 women, which was 1.8 percent of the population.  Statewide, the percentage is the same.  Fifteen percent of Caribou Coun ty residents were 65 years of older, whereas 12 percent of Idaho residents were in that age range.  There were a total of 96 births in 2009, a 9.3 percent decrease over the year.  (Idaho has an agreement with other states, including Utah, so all babies born to Caribou County residents, even out of state, are included in the above number.). We had a 13.9 birth rate per 1,000 population, compared with 15.3 statewide.  The adequacy of pre-natal care is reported with the birth certificate information sent to the state.  During 2009, only 8.4 percent of Caribou County mothers had inadequate pre-natal care, compared with 14.6 percent of mothers in Idaho.  No Caribou County babies were listed as having no pre-natal care at all.  Thirty five percent of Caribou County mothers had at least a high school diploma or GED in 2009, whereas statewide it was 25 percent.

From birth certificates, the top ten names given to Idaho girls were Olivia, Emma, Isabella, Sophia, Addison, Elizabeth, Abigail, Emily, Ava, and Madison and for boys Logan, Jacob, Wyatt, William, Noah, Aiden, Mason, Alexander, and Jackson.  Also listed as names from the year were Byrkli, Clarixxa, Daquiri, Fayte, Gyzzelle, and Tottie.  For boys, unusual names included Evol, Jaxxon, Noall, Oz, Sabyr, and Zebedee.  

During 2009, there were a total of 70 deaths for Caribou County residents, a 10.1 rate, compared with a 7.2 rate for all of Idaho.  The state statistics also recorded 44 marriages and 26 divorces for Caribou County.  Idaho residents who are married in other states are not included in Idaho statistics, unlike births.

During 2009, in Caribou County there were 21 deaths from heart disease and 15 deaths due to cancers.  Accidents claimed the lives of 10 residents, two from Alzheimer’s and one from a stroke.  

Saturday evening at the Gem Valley Performing Arts Center was the perfect blend of a pre-show Valentine dessert bar hosted by GVPAC Committee members and friends and the professional talents of the Perfect Gentlemen.  According to Mary Obray, “Selecting performers to appeal to a varied age-spectrum audience as well as keeping the material family-friendly are universal criteria for every presentation comprising the six show concert seasons.  The Perfect Gentlemen were considered a perfect fit when this writer viewed their showcase at the Northwest Arts Alliance booking conference in Boise…The Perfect Gentlemen’s performance was unanimously first rate!”

1976

An armed robbery was reported to the Caribou County Sheriff’s Office Sunday night at the E-Z Way in Grace.  According to Sheriff Ralph Marriott a man wearing green coveralls and a green baseball cap entered the store about 6:45 p.m. He pulled a pistol on Mr. and Mrs. Kent Corbett, managers of the store, and walked away with approximately $1,200 in cash, currency, and checks.  Marriott said the robber told them to stay there for five minutes and not come out.  “He told them he hadn’t killed anyone but would.”  The sheriff said there were two deputies at the scene within minutes of the call.  Attempts by the law enforcement officers in Southeast Idaho to set up roadblocks failed in the apprehension of any suspects the night of the robbery,  The Sheriff’s Office is continuing the investigation.  

The Western Auto Store in Soda Springs was burglarized during the early morning hours Tuesday, Feb 3, and lost approximately $460 according to initial estimate.  The loss was mainly in merchandise and a small amount of cash.  Police Chief Blynn Wilcox said his office was contacted about 5:30 a.m. when someone noticed the rear door of the store open.  Entry had been gained by gained by breaking a rear window and crawling through.  The person or persons then exited out the rear door.  According to the police department, other tools, rifles, and merchandise had been set aside but apparently the burglar or burglars were scared away.  Items taken included a 20 gauge shotgun, rifle scopes, pocket knives, a CB radio, fishing supplies, a bicycle, and shelves.  

The Artic Circle in Soda Springs was also broken into on Sunday and Monday nights.  The door had been kicked in, according to Wilcox.  A calculator was taken Sunday night and it appeared the burglar had helped themselves to something to eat both Sunday and Monday.  

Completion of the sale of Bob’s Café last week ended a long history for the business.  First 

National Bank of Grace purchased the building and plans are being finalized to include the space into the bank facilities for their bookkeeping department.  Owned by Bob and Mona Hill the business has served people of Grace for 29 years—30 years next November.  Main Street won’t seem the same for those who have supported this fine business over the years and enjoyed the friendly meeting place for good food and sociability.  

Construction is nearing completion of the third addition to the Mountain View Shopping Center, the Brass Lantern Pizza Parlor.  According to Jerry Stoor, manager of the restaurant, scheduled opening will be later this month.  The menu of the house will include, in addition to 15 varieties of pizza and eight sandwiches, Italian foods, such as lasagna, ravioli, and spaghetti.  The menu will be extended in the near future to include tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and taco burgers.  The inviting decor features a colonial brick wall and round open fireplace, highlighted by brass lanterns hung throughout the eating area.  A multipurpose room, which can be closed off from the front area will be able to cater to groups and parties of about 50 persons.  The remaining area will accommodate approximately 100 in booths and tables.  

1965

Mr. Percy Beins and Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Williams of Grand Island, Nebraska, are visiting the Stuart Beins family.  

May Miles, of Ogden, Utah, visited Wednesday at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hyram Miles.

A family dinner honoring Kim Barfuss on his 8th birthday anniversary, was enjoyed Sunday at his home.  Guests we Mr. and Mrs. Lester Barfuss, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Griffith of Franklin, and Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Alder of Granger, Utah, and their families.

1954

Skiing is getting better by the day at the course in Trail Canyon, members of the Soda Springs ski club reported this week.  

Dinner guests of the Glenn Yosts Thursday were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Christopherson, their daughter Joan and son Joe, Jr. who will leave in the near future for Okinawa. 

The David, Vince, and DeVerl Williams families visited in Logan and Clarkston, Utah, over the weekend with relatives and friends.  

Mrs. Myrtle Hymas of Preston is visiting at the home of her daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Vince Wright.

1930

The St. Valentine’s day program, which was given by the school, was enjoyed by a large crowd.  After the program a delicious luncheon was served by the Primary.  

E. Largilliere motored to Montpelier on Sunday.  While there, he took in a talkie.  

Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Gates spent the weekend at Bailey Creek visiting Mrs. Gates’ mother, Mrs. Laura Moore.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilkerson and little daughter Jean spent a pleasant day with the Grant Cummins family last week. 

1905

Salt Lake paper are complaining of the cold when it is only seven degrees above zero.  Wonder what they would do if they got a dose of forty-four below at 8:30 in the morning like we have here last Sunday.  

A surprise party was given at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Largilliere last Saturday evening in honor of their son Edgar.  Notwithstanding the extremely cold weather a sleigh load of people attended and were treated to a good time, consisting of music, games, a spider web and a good lunch.