Looking back: Teen seriously injured after being struck on head and FBI looking for Fort Hall man

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of Feb. 24 to March 2 in east Idaho history.

1900-1925

BLACKFOOT — A Blackfoot teenager was seriously injured after being struck on the head by strangers, The Blackfoot Optimist reported on Feb. 26, 1914.

Wayne Brawley, about 17 years old and son of Mr. and Mrs. G.L. Brawley, worked on the railroad shops in Pocatello and was leaving the shops when he was attacked. He was struck on the head by an unknown party and his skull was fractured.

The Pocatello Tribune reported Brawley was crossing the tracks when two individuals stepped from behind a car when he was hit and nearly knocked unconscious.

“He managed to get home alright, and later, one side of his body became numb and a sort of paralysis prevailed, though there was little to indicate the nature of his wound,” the article reads.

Brawley was taken to the hospital and underwent a surgery performed by three surgeons. He had several particles of bone removed where his skull had been shattered above his right ear. A large blood clot was pressing on his brain, which caused temporary paralysis.

The motive of the attack was thought to be robbery. The paper noted “several suspicious characters” had been hanging around the city for at least a week and a half dozen holdups had happened.

“Thugs seem to be operating throughout this territory, and the petty holdups that have been pulled off through the southern part of the state connect with the same gang,” the paper stated.

Brawley was reported to be recovering well.

1926-1950

RIGBY — Patriotism was “stressed to school pupils” during an assembly at Rigby High School, The Rigby Star reported on Feb. 26, 1942.

Superintendent Ross T. Rowe spoke to the students and talked about the significance of the patriotism of every high school boy and girl, as well as each citizen.

Musical numbers performed during the assembly included, “The Battle Song of Liberty,” “Any Bonds Today,” and “God Bless America.” The entire student body sang the national anthem and “America.”

“Mr. Rowe held the students spellbound with his realistic description of the sacrifices of war, the necessity of unity and cooperation in this war and by discussing the merits and accomplishments of the great men of our country,” The Rigby Star wrote.

Rowe pointed out the significance of the flag that hung over the bookstore window. He talked about how “it designates” the lives of Rigby High School students that died in the first world war — 14 brave, patriotic youth of the community.

1951-1975

FORT HALL — The Federal Bureau of Investigation was searching for a Fort Hall man who escaped a Federal Youth Center in Colorado, the Idaho State Journal reported on Feb. 26, 1974.

Rodney Papse, 23, was incarcerated in 1968 and again in 1972 at the Federal Youth Center in Engelwood, Colorado. He had most recently escaped from the institution on Feb. 20, 1974.

FBI sources reported he fled in a vehicle while on work release outside confines of the institution and may be attempting to return to the Fort Hall area.

He was convicted in 1968 on a charge of assault with intent to commit rape. Papse was paroled from Engelwood in 1972 but was returned to the center the same year for parole violations.

The FBI said he should be considered armed and dangerous.

1976-2000

IDAHO FALLS — A basement fire caused about $11,500 worth of damage to an Idaho Falls home, the Idaho Falls Post Register reported on Feb. 24, 1976.

Idaho Falls firemen said Mary Wade’s son was taking apart a small motorbike when the gas line broke, spilling gas on the floor.

He cleaned the gasoline up but the fumes spread into another room in the basement and reached the pilot light of a natural gas furnace, creating an explosion.

The furnace room and the closet in the basement were gutted, as well as the basement furnishings. The fire reached up through one wall into the living room before it was put out.