Bonner County History - Aug. 1, 2024
Brought to you by the
Bonner County Historical
Society and Museum
611 S. Ella Ave., Sandpoint, Idaho, 83864
208-263-2344
50 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Aug. 1, 1974 – JAILBREAKERS SURFACE
Three men positively identified as those involved in the July 22 jail break at the county courthouse robbed a man and his son at gunpoint early Wednesday. According to Sheriff Robert Wilcox, William Are, 29, Steven Alexander, 22, and Jesse O’Donnelly, 23, and an unidentified fourth subject robbed Bob Voris and his son Craig of $120 at about 12:15 a.m., then tied them to a bed in a house on Spring Creek, just west of Clark Fork. After freeing themselves, the men notified the sheriff. The resurfacing of the “Ares Tribe” in the Clark Fork area reinforces an escape theory held by sheriff’s deputies, who believe the men involved in the jailbreak stole a boat on July 21 from the Sandpoint Marina, then used it to make their getaway after the jailbreak. The boat was recovered last week near Ellisport Bay, not far from yesterday’s robbery.
•••
EILEEN HUNT AND KARL WOELK MARRIED
United Methodist Church was the site of the July 7 wedding of Eileen Hunt, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Verland Hunt, Sandpoint, and Karl Woelk, son of Mr. and Mrs. Werner Woelk of Selah, Wash. Matron of honor was Lorena Freund, sister of the bride. Hans Woelk was best man for his brother. Flower girl was Heidi Woelk, sister of the groom, and Bible boy was Ricky Moore of Sandpoint. Reception hostesses were Mrs. Annie Ginter, aunt of the bride, and Mrs. Alice Wallace, both of Sandpoint.
75 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
Aug. 1, 1949 - MISSING LIGHTS NEEDED
Sandpoint tennis fans want to find the old ball park lights so that Mountain States can reinstall them at the tennis courts. No one seems to recall where they are stored. Interested tennis players are invited to get their names on the ladder. If more girls sign up, a girl’s ladder will be begun. Mary McKinnon and Nancy Englert are the only ones now. The boys’ ladder is, in order: Butch Shaffer, Jack Peterson, Walt Hardin, Jimmie Van Sant, Bob Parsons, Bob Sell, Arnold Eidam, George Eidam, Ozzie Rue, Alva Reeves, Bob Peterson and Jim Parsons, Jr.
•••
BROTHERS PLAY HAVOC AT SCHOOL
Considerable damage was done at Kootenai School when two young brothers found the back door unlocked, entered and created havoc. Papers, books and furniture were strewn about and a large world globe was broken. The worst damage was red enamel smeared on blackboards and newly sanded desks. The drinking fountain also received a paint job. The vandalism was discovered when the school board arrived for a meeting, and the sheriff was called. Following up several clues, deputy sheriff Parker brought to Sheriff Ellersick two boys, age 6 and 8, who admitted responsibility. After consulting with the school board, it was agreed the boys’ father would repair as much of the damage as possible. Saturday morning, two sadder but wiser boys picked up books and, with broom and sandpaper, began to “pay the piper” under the supervision of their father.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.