Looking back: Police search for bandit who killed officer, and autopsy underway after Utah man found dead in Pocatello motel

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of Feb. 3 to Feb. 9 in east Idaho history.

1900-1925

BLACKFOOT — An alleged “goose thief” was captured and taken to jail, The Blackfoot Optimist reported on Feb. 5, 1914.

Mr. Howard, who lived near the sugar factory in Blackfoot, caught D.W. Smith in his henhouse around 2 a.m. Smith was apparently trying to steal Howard’s geese.

Sheriff Jones was notified and responded to the call. Smith was taken to jail, where he allegedly admitted he was guilty of trying to steal Howard’s geese.

1926-1950

SOUTHERN IDAHO — Southern Idaho police were searching for an unidentified bandit who killed a police officer, the Idaho Falls Post Register reported on Feb. 8, 1934.

The bandit murdered Thomas Russell, a Twin Falls merchant police officer, late Tuesday after robbing a service station of $53.

The policeman was killed while pursuing the bandit. The gunman fired two shots into Russell’s body and fled down a dark alley.

Two men were taken into custody but were eventually “exonerated of suspicion” in connection with the killing. One, however, remained held on a liquor charge.

J.W. Tebben, attendant at the service station at the time of the robbery, told police that neither of the men arrested resembled the man who robbed him.

1951-1975

POCATELLO — A 29-year-old Pocatello man was charged with assault with intent to murder the Idaho Falls Post Register reported on Feb. 7, 1954.

Claude Holmes was accused of shooting two people during an argument Thursday evening. Police said the investigation indicated the shooting happened after a fight, during which Holmes was ejected from the Johnson apartment.

Those shot were Juanita Johnson, 43, and Albert Holman, 36, both of Pocatello. Johnson had bullet wounds in the arm and side, and Holman was shot in the groin. Both were reported to be in “fairly good” condition at a local hospital.

Holmes was released on $300 bond.

1976-2000

POCATELLO — An autopsy was underway to determine the cause of death of a Utah man found dead in Pocatello, the Idaho State Journal reported on Feb. 3, 1977.

Jarney Claywell, 51, was found dead at a local motel shortly after midnight, according to police.

The fatality was being investigated as an unexplained death, chief of detectives Walt Jensen stated.

No further information was provided about the man or his death.