Looking back: Over 2,500 magpie heads turned in during magpie contest, and bathing beauty competition to be held

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com is looking back at what life was like during the week of May 19 to May 25 in east Idaho history.

1900-1925

IDAHO FALLS — Rain and a severe hailstorm hit eastern Idaho, The Rigby Star reported on May 19, 1921.

The hailstorm appeared to be the most severe west and southwest of Rigby, with Idaho Falls being hit the hardest.

In Idaho Falls, almost all of the downtown cluster lights were smashed, and thousands of window panes were broken. Skylights in the business section were also damaged.

Despite the damage done by the storm, the paper expressed gratitude for the weather.

“The heavy downpour of rain was welcome, and did great good to the crops above the ground as well as seed in the soil,” the paper mentioned.

1926-1950

JEFFERSON COUNTY — Boys in Jefferson County were “cooperating wholeheartedly” with a magpie contest that was being held, The Rigby Star reported on May 21, 1942.

The contest, which started in early May, was being put on by the Jefferson County Sportsman’s Association.

At the time the article was published, there had been 2,590 magpie heads turned in for payment and around 500 eggs turned in for a grand prize. What the winner would receive as the prize was going to be announced in the near future.

The price for heads was two cents each. Some boys had reported making three or four dollars in an afternoon of “robbing nests.” The heads and eggs were to be turned into the Western Auto Store in Rigby.

“The importance of this work cannot be overestimated in ridding the county of these pests,” the article states. “They do untold damage to the game birds at nesting time and to the species which help control our insect pests.”

Morgan Lake, secretary of the association, added, “Keep up the good work, boys!”

1951-1975

RIGBY — Cash prizes were going to be awarded to winners of a bathing beauty contest in Rigby, The Rigby Star reported on May 24, 1951.

The contest was to be held June 15, 1951, in conjunction with a celebration and rodeo event. Surrounding towns and communities were invited to enter their candidates for the contest.

The Rigby Chamber of Commerce and the Park and Rodeo committee were co-operating in financing the event.

Finals were going to be held on Main Street. A cash prize of $50 would be given to the first place winner, $25 for second place and $10 for third place.

Candidates for the contest were required to be between 16 and 25 years old.

1976-2000

POCATELLO — Police arrested a juvenile at Franklin Jr. High School, the Idaho State Journal reported on May 22, 1977.

The 15-year-old allegedly violated the Youth Rehabilitation Act — disorderly conduct. The juvenile, who police said had been drinking, was stopped from going into a dance at the school.

After a scuffle, he had to be restrained by three teachers and the school principal. He was placed in the county jail after police weren’t able to find his parents.

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