Looking back: Man and horse miraculously survive plunge in Snake River, Philo Farnsworth TV unit adopted and teens shoot windows

EAST IDAHO — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back in time at what life was like during this week in east Idaho history.

This week is Jan. 3 to Jan. 9.

1900-1925

IRWIN — An Irwin local was riding a horse when the two of them ended up in the “icy waters” of the Snake River, The Rigby Star wrote on Jan. 6, 1916.

Joe Jones was on his way home when he noticed “a section of the railing on the river bridge” had been knocked off. It was believed that a large tree being carried down the river had caused the damage.

“As they approached the bridge, the noise of the ice or something scared the animal and it jumped to one side and leaped into the river,” The Rigby Star said.

Jones stayed on the horse, and the animal swam through the “swift running mush ice” to the bank.

“His (the horse’s) action no doubt saving his (Jones’) life as the river carried a large amount of ice as a result of the recent cold snap and the weather at the time was bitter cold.”

1926-1950

RIGBY — Philo Farnsworth, a former Rigby boy, had his “television unit … adopted,” The Rigby Star explained in its Jan. 9, 1930, newspaper.

The paper said Farnsworth invented a television unit that experts claimed would make television radio broadcasting possible in the early months of 1930.

“The Kemper Corporation, of California, have secured exclusive control of the Philo Farnsworth television unit which is designed to be used on any A.C. type receiving set,” The Rigby Star wrote. “Philo’s many friends will be pleased to learn of his success.”

1951-1975

SODA SPRINGS — Two 15-year-old boys were going to be arraigned on Jan. 6, 1961, after being arrested for shooting out windows, according to The Caribou County Sun.

The boys shot the windows out of the Soda Springs post office and Ace Chevrolet with an air rifle on Christmas Eve. They were arrested by Police Chief Dean Lloyd after an “exhaustive investigation.”

Lloyd said the youths confessed to the damages after being questioned. The costs of the damages between the two buildings was estimated at approximately $200.

“The arraignment … will be only on local charges,” the paper noted. “No information has been received yet as to what charges, if any, will be preferred by postal inspectors.”

In connection with the case, Lloyd issued a statement to citizens telling them, “It is unlawful to discharge firearms of any kind in the city limits of Soda Springs. B-B guns are included in this law.”

“Chief Lloyd said that many parents are apparently unaware of this law, and cautioned all who gave or received a firearm for Christmas to obey the law and go outside the city limits before using the gun,” the paper explained.

1976-2000

FORT HALL — A Fort Hall man and his wife were arrested on Jan. 6, 1976, the Idaho State Journal reported.

Douglas Faulkner was arrested in Pocatello by county authorities on charges of receiving stolen property and forgery. Authorities said a small amount of marijuana was also found on him during the arrest.

Debbra Faulkner was arrested by Fort Hall police on a charge of receiving stolen property.

“The arrests stem from a $100 coat stolen sometime in December from Montgomery Ward’s at Westwood Village, which the couple allegedly attempted to exchange last week,” the Idaho State Journal said.

Douglas’s bond was set at $2,500 for each charge, and Debbra’s bond was also $2,500.