Looking back: President of local paper dies at desk and missing 6 year old found watching T.V. at store
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IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of May 8 to May 14 in east Idaho history.
1900-1925
BLACKFOOT — Former Idaho Gov. James Hawley issued a proclamation about Mother’s Day, the Blackfoot Idaho Republican announced on May 12, 1911.
“Whereas; It has recently become the custom to set aside the second Sunday in May in each year, by proclamation of the governor of each state in the Union, as Mother’s Day, and as the idea appeals to the noblest sentiment of the human family,” the proclamation reads.
Hawley urged that “the press of the state direct public attention to the observation.” He encouraged people to wear a white carnation as an emblem “for the establishment of the custom.”
“Those who are absent from their homes (should) make this day the occasion for special personal remembrance in the form of a letter or gift to their mothers, and appropriate services (should) be held in the various churches,” the proclamation states.
1926-1950
IDAHO FALLS — The president and editor of the Idaho Falls Daily Post died while sitting at a desk at work, The Rigby Star reported on May 13, 1926.
J. Robb Brady left his home in Pocatello via train to travel to his work in Idaho Falls on May 12, 1926. He went directly to his office and “complained of not feeling well.” After lying down for a few minutes, he told employees he was feeling better but the paper said he “appeared to be suffering.” He went outside for a while before coming back inside to lay down again.
“Shortly before noon he went into the business office to discuss some business with his bookkeeper,” the article explained. “It was while talking to his bookkeeper that he suddenly slumped over on the desk.”
The local paper said “first aid was immediately administered” but “failed to bring him to.”
“He gasped two or three times but never regained consciousness,” The Rigby Star noted. “When Dr. J.W. West arrived, he pronounced him dead.”
Brady was sick with a “bad attack of the stomach” for several days before he died. It was determined his sudden cause of death was due to a heart attack.
Brady was involved in various organizations including the Pocatello Chamber of Commerce. He was 44 years old at the time of his death and left behind five children.
1951-1975
CARIBOU COUNTY — A 6-year-old boy was missing for almost three hours before being found.
The Caribou County Sun said on May 9, 1957, Charles Fryar, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Fryar, “failed to show up at home.”
His parents, friends and police were “anxiously searching for him for two-and-a-half hours.”
“While the search was carried into all parts of town, Charles was sitting comfortable at Ken’s Electric watching television,” the paper wrote. “Mrs. Fryar said she imagined about everything had happened to him except watching television.”
1976-2000
POCATELLO — A 23-year-old Pocatello man plead guilty to five counts of issuing a check without funds, the Idaho State Journal said on May 10, 1976.
Clinton Galloway entered the plea during an appearance in Sixth District Court.
“He is charged with cashing $86.34 worth of checks without funds at various Pocatello businesses in March and April,” the paper explained.
A pre-sentence investigation report was ordered by the court.