Looking back: No traffic fatalities in 679 days in Pocatello and boys were arrested and fined for killing chickens
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IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of Oct. 30 to Nov. 5 in east Idaho history.
1900-1925
MORELAND — Four boys living near Moreland were arrested and charged with killing chickens, the Blackfoot Idaho Republican reported on Nov. 3, 1911.
“The boys were caught red-handed and no defense was made,” the paper explained.
The incident happened on Ed Parsons’ farm. They plead guilty in Judge Crawford’s court at Riverside, and were fined $6 each.
1926-1950
ST. ANTHONY — A local man caught two fish that were “placed on display” in the window of Potter and Sanders Billiard Parlor in St. Anthony, The Rigby Star reported on Nov. 1, 1928.
Dr. J. Walker caught “two big native trout.” One weighed 13 pounds and the other was 10 pounds 4 ounces.
After being dressed and placed in the window, The Rigby Star said the fish were “viewed and admired by people from all over the country.”
The fish were caught within half a mile of St. Anthony on the North Fork of Snake River.
“They look mighty big but there are plenty of big ones left,” the article added.
1951-1975
POCATELLO — Pocatello had gone 679 days without a single traffic fatality, the Idaho State Journal reported on Nov. 1, 1951.
“While most of Idaho slewed this week over the fact that the state has the fourth worst traffic fatality record in the nation, Pocatello was in a better position,” the Journal wrote.
The paper said there were 800 accidents in the Gate City in 1950 with 30 pedestrians and 83 car passengers listed as injured. As of Oct. 1, 1951, there’d been 601 accidents with 23 injured pedestrians and 47 passengers hurt throughout the year.
“In other words, there was an average of 75 accidents each month during 1950,” the article pointed out. “The average this year (1951) is 66 a month, or a decrease of 109 accidents this year if the monthly average continues.”
Police Chief A.L. Oliver, Lt. C.C. Evans and Sgt. M.E. “Pete” Roundtree “were reluctant” to share their thoughts on why their was a declining traffic accident rate “despite the fact that more automobiles than ever before are in use in Idaho’s second largest city.”
“Their reluctance to discuss the record of no fatalities in almost two years stems (from) a … police superstition,” the Journal explained.
“Just as soon as you put something in the newspaper, there’ll be a fatal accident,” the policemen said.
It’s not clear how long the no traffic fatality record continued in Pocatello.
1976-2000
POCATELLO — Pocatello officers responded to “the usual Halloween complaints,” Halloween night, the Idaho State Journal reported on Nov. 1, 1977.
The Journal said officers responded to complaints of people throwing pumpkins at cars, broken bottles and older children stealing candy from younger ones.
No arrests were reported in connection with the incidents.