Looking back: Body found, resident attacks sheriff with knife and hundreds of earthquakes in one week
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IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of March 10 to March 16 in east Idaho history.
1900-1925
BLACKFOOT — The body of a man who drowned was found on a sand bar in the Snake River three weeks after the accident, The Blackfoot Optimist reported on March 16, 1911.
Peter Courto drowned while crossing the Snake River from Gold Point with a group of people, one of which was C.V. Clevenger. The boat they were on capsized, and Courto drowned and Clevenger barely escaped drowning.
Once word came the body had been found, Deputy Sheriff W.H. Kestner immediately drove to the area where the body had been discovered. The paper said someone by the name of Leslie Curtis was working along the bank of the river when they saw the body on a sand bar.
Courto’s body was brought to Blackfoot. The paper noted no inquest would be held because the body was identified by the clothes, money and jewelry found.
Courto’s brother, George, was living in Spring Valley, Wisconsin at the time. He was notified about what had happened and was expected to travel to Blackfoot.
More information on Courto was not published in the article, other than it was believed he would be buried in the city where his brother George lived.
1926-1950
RIGBY — A one-half horsepower motor was stolen from the Rigby High School shop, The Rigby Star reported on March 10, 1938.
The shop was located at the back of the school building. The thief used a key and unlocked the door before stealing the motor, which was attached to a power grinder. The motor also had a two-inch hardwood pulley on it.
The community was told to call the sheriff’s office or school authorities if they learned of someone trying to sell or trade a motor that fit that description.
1951-1975
CARIBOU COUNTY — A local sheriff was attacked at his home by a community member with a butcher knife, The Caribou County Sun reported on March 14, 1963.
Caribou County Sheriff Ralph J. Marriott told the investigating officer that he had retired for the evening when he heard someone knocking at his door. He got up to answer and when he opened the door, was attacked by Ray Little, of Soda Springs.
He said Little began “slashing at him” with a knife. Marriott eventually managed to overpower Little as the two fought. Marriott got the knife and threw it out into the yard. He then kept Little “under control” until it was possible to call for help.
Deputy Sheriff Porter arrived and immediately place Little under custody. Marriott was taken to the hospital where he was treated for severe scalp and facial lacerations and loss of blood.
A complaint was signed by Marriott charging Little with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Little was bound over to district court and placed under a $10,000 cash bond.
1976-2000
EASTERN IDAHO — Eastern Idaho was jarred by more than 300 earthquakes during the first seven days of March 1977, the Idaho Falls Post Register reported on March 11, 1977.
This information was according to Ricks College geologist Edmund Williams. He said the earthquakes, most measuring 2.0 on the Richter Scale, were centered in the area of Hebgan Lake.
Although most were minor tremors, Williams said one earthquake registered at a 4.0.
“Large earthquakes in and around eastern Idaho are common and have caused considerable damage,” Williams said. “Many people do not realize that this part of the Intermountain West is a high-risk earthquake zone.”
He said the frequency of earthquakes in eastern Idaho is the reason the area has been included in zone three, the highest seismic risk classification. He mentioned the reason earthquakes are common in eastern Idaho is because of ongoing mountain-building processes.