Looking back: Man tries to burn down jail, and good Samaritan ends up in hospital after explosion

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of Feb. 17 to Feb. 23 in east Idaho history.

1900-1925

RIGBY — A man tried burning down a local jail, The Rigby Star reported on Feb. 19, 1914.

A man, who went by the name “Emerson,” was taken to the village jail by Marshal Coucher after he started “a fuss” at the pool hall.

“The quarters were evidently not to his liking, as about 10 p.m. Saturday night he set the door to the jail on fire with the evident intention of burning himself out,” the paper wrote. “And but for timely aid, he would have succeeded in burning the building down and also ridding the earth of his presence.”

The jail was next to the courthouse, and the article mentioned the courthouse could have burned if the jail caught fire.

Emerson had taken a fire shovel and heated the handle up enough to burn a hole in the jail door. Someone had also broken the jail window and given the man a saw to help make his escape.

A trial was going to be held for the man on the afternoon of Feb. 19, 1914.

1926-1950

JEFFERSON COUNTY — A sample of a large Idaho potato was wanted in New York, The Rigby Star reported on Feb. 20, 1930.

The request to the Star came from a former resident of Idaho who the New York natives accused of being somewhat “off” from the truth.

It’s not entirely clear why the sample was wanted, but the paper was going to forward the largest samples brought in before Feb. 25, 1930.

“Let’s send them some real spuds,” the article reads.

1951-1975

RIGBY — Three Blackfoot teenagers were arrested in Rigby and taken back to Blackfoot, The Rigby Star reported on Feb. 18, 1954.

The teenagers were suspected of having stolen scrap iron from Rigby and taking it to Rexburg to sell.

When apprehended, one of the teenagers admitted he was involved in the burglary of Oleys’ Auction Barn in Blackfoot at the first of the month.

The teenagers had binoculars, a spotlight and screwdrivers — taken from the Blackfoot Barn — when they got arrested. They had also stolen 13 wrist watches, hunting knives, quilted comforters, a camera, wallets, wrenches and sun glasses from the Blackfoot Barn.

The teenagers also broke into Murdock’s Grocery in Blackfoot on Feb. 6, 1954, and stole candy, cigarettes and cookies.

1976-2000

POCATELLO — A local man stopped to help a stranded motorist and ended up in the hospital, the Idaho State Journal reported on Feb. 20, 1976.

Devon Aslett, 33, stopped to help a driver, Marriame DeGrace, who had run out of gas. While Aslett was pouring gas into the carburetor of the stalled car, it backfired, causing the bottle Aslett was holding to explode.

Burning gas was thrown onto his shoulder and head. Aslett dowsed the flames in snow and was taken to Bannock Memorial Hospital by ambulance. He was treated for first- and second-degree burns to his head. He was later released.

DeGrace suffered burns to her hands but did not go to the hospital.