Bonner County History - July 25, 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
July 25, 1974 – JAIL BREAK TRIO SOUGHT
A “known associate” of three men wanted here in connection with a jailbreak Monday was arrested Wednesday in California, said Bonner County Sheriff Robert Wilcox. He did not know on what charge the man had been apprehended or the exact location, just the “L.A. area.” The man is suspected of involvement with Monday’s daring jail break, in which two men burst into the Bonner County jail armed with two rifles apiece and freed the third. Since then, deputies have combed the wilderness area near Rapid Lightning Creek where the group, some eight to ten persons, were living, including two pregnant women. It was confirmed today that articles found Tuesday included a crude drawing of an “SLA” [Symbionese Liberation Army] type insignia. Also found were cartridge cases with the initials SLA written on them and a dirt-filled box with SLA written out with high caliber bullets stuck in the dirt. Wilcox said bond will be set at $100,000 each on the three men involved in the escape.
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FBI ENTERS BONNER COUNTY SEARCH
The FBI has entered the search for two gunmen and the man they freed from the Bonner County jail Monday. The men, dressed “like pioneers” held the night radio dispatcher at gunpoint and locked him in a cell before escaping with the third man, who was being held on a California warrant. The Daily Bee has learned that a Los Angeles radio station received a tip about a jailbreak in Sandpoint, but by the time the FBI responded it was too late.
75 Years Ago
Sandpoint News-Bulletin
July 25, 1949 – HOSPITAL MEETING TONIGHT!
A new hospital for Sandpoint and Bonner County appears a definite possibility with the announcement this week that the Farragut hospital dispensary, a modern, well-equipped building which could provide the facilities needed, can be secured for $75,000.
The Community Hospital board investigated the matter at length, and, after local doctors lent their approval, have transferred all assets and liabilities of the current Community hospital, including the present building, to a new non-profit corporation known as Bonner General Hospital, Inc. Local attorneys formed the corporation and worked with Bonner County National Bank in setting up a trust fund arrangement for financing the new building. The $75,000 cost of the building will be underwritten by the sale of certificates bearing 2 per cent interest to be paid over a period of 15 years.
Plans are to move the dispensary-hospital building here and re-erect it on Alder Street between Second and Third Avenues, covering about half the block. The building is an E-shaped structure, 220 feet long and 74 feet deep, one story in height. The three wings would extend north and south toward Alder Street, with the main entrance on Third Avenue and the ambulance entrance on Second Avenue.
To thoroughly explain the hospital plan, a meeting to which all county citizens are invited will be held tonight (Thursday) at 7:30 at the Community hall.
For more information, visit the museum online at bonnercountyhistory.org.