Looking back: Construction worker drowns trying to save woman, and man tries to kidnap estranged wife

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of May 5 to May 11 in east Idaho history.

1900-1925

BLACKFOOT — A man tried to rescue a woman who was stranded on driftwood in the Snake River but ended up drowning in the process, The Blackfoot Optimist reported on May 11, 1916.

Robert Stone, who was overseeing construction work on the Sterling Bridge several miles from Blackfoot, attempted to take Gertrude Nelson across the river in a boat. Somehow, he lost control of the boat, which was “hurled with great force” into the bridge.

Nelson was “violently” thrown from the boat into some driftwood, and Stone landed on a sandbar half a mile below.

Three men on a boat tried to reach Nelson, who was described as a “young lady,” but the boat they were on capsized. Peter Nelson, one of the men on the boat, drowned. The article said this was the second workman that had died during the construction of the bridge.

Nelson remained unconscious on the driftwood for four hours until she was eventually rescued.

1926-1950

ST. ANTHONY — A man survived after a tire on his car blew and caused the vehicle to roll approximately hundreds of feet down a gulch, the Idaho Falls Post Register reported on May 11, 1934.

W.H. Lang, 60, of Los Angeles, California, was driving his car when the right front tire blew and the vehicle swerved off the grade at Bear Gulch. The car rolled approximately 300 feet.

Passing motorists extricated Lang from the car. He was brought to St. Anthony by Sheriff James Fredrickson and Dr. P.M. Kelly.

The article mentioned Lang was recuperating at a local hotel from bruises and shock.

1951-1975

LABELLE — Charges were filed after a man tried to kidnap his estranged wife in Labelle, The Rigby Star reported on May 6, 1965.

The kidnapping took place at the Claude Moser home in Labelle where a woman named Mrs. Clinger was staying. Kerbe Clinger allegedly kicked his way into the Moser home and abducted at gunpoint his estranged wife. He then ordered his wife and Mr. Moser to get into the Moser car, which he followed.

Once they got into Ririe, the Moser car collided with another car and the Ririe police came to the scene. At some point, several shots were fired by Clinger at Mr. Moser and Mrs. Clinger who were in the car ahead.

Once police arrived, Mr. Clinger fled east in his own car. He was apprehended in Afton, Wyoming, at 2 a.m. Saturday by state patrolmen who had set up a road block.

Extradition papers for the return of Mr. Clinger from Wyoming to face a second-degree kidnapping charge were prepared Tuesday by prosecuting attorney Grant L. Young. The complaint was signed by Moser.

The request for extradition was headed to Gov. Smylie who would forward it to Wyoming’s chief executive.

1976-2000

POCATELLO — A Pocatello man was charged with second-degree burglary after the owner of a mobile home used a rifle to hold the suspect until police arrived, the Idaho State Journal reported on May 6, 1977.

Harold Weeks told police that around 6:30 p.m. Thursday he found Douglas Kevin Brodie, 18, inside his mobile home near a closet that had a rifle inside.

“What the hell are you doing?” Weeks reportedly asked Brodie.

“I’m just looking for Bobby Jean,” Brodie allegedly replied.

Weeks said his step-daughter’s name is Bobby Jean. Weeks used the riffle “to march” Brodie into the kitchen where he was held until police arrived.

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