Looking back: A teenager stole all his father’s money before leaving town and an 85-year-old woman flew on a plane for the first time in history

IDAHO FALLS — EastIdahoNews.com looks back at what life was like during the week of Oct. 28 to Nov. 3 in eastern Idaho history.

1900-1925

BLACKFOOT — The 19-year-old boy made headlines after he “betrayed his father’s trust,” the Bingham County News reported on Oct. 28, 1915.

The boy, Sidney Busenbark, and Dan Robbins (whose age was not mentioned), both of Willow Creek, “suddenly left the home of their parents.” They took two horses and two saddles that belonged to Busenbark’s father.

“They brought the horses to Blackfoot, put them in the Mowery feed yard, and sold the saddles, spurs and shoulder pads to a second-hand store for $27,” the newspaper explains. “The horses were returned to their owner, who paid the feed bill and took them back to Willow Creek.”

The Busenbark boy then withdrew all of his father’s money from the First National Bank and “outfitted himself and a companion” with $78.35 worth of clothing.

“They bought a ticket to Reno, Nevada, where they were last heard from,” the article says. “They made their way from Blackfoot by hired car to Fort Hall, where they boarded a train to Reno.”

Busenbark’s father was described as a “prosperous stockholder” who had “unconditional confidence in his only son, to whom he entrusted all his affairs.”

“Although he regrets the ungrateful and dishonest departure of his son, (he) will not allow his arrest and hopes that the experience of his waywardness will make him a better and wiser boy when he returns to the forgiving father whom he so shamefully deceived and wronged. ,” the Bingham County News reported.

1926-1950

POCATELLO — The “Pioneer Woman” flew by plane to celebrate her 85th birthday, the Idaho Falls Post Register reported Nov. 1, 1933.

Mrs. Lena Cathcart, who traveled four days by stagecoach from Kelton, Utah, to Placerville, Idaho, to get married in 1872, took her first airplane ride on her birthday.

“It was a wonderful trip,” Cathcart, who has lived in Pocatello since 1891, told the newspaper. “I hope to go again.”

1951-1975

IDAHO FALLS — Burglars broke into an Idaho Falls home and stole money from a piggy bank, the Idaho Falls Post Register reported Oct. 28, 1952.

According to the police report, El’s home. J. Richards was “thoroughly looted.” About 6-10 dollars were taken from the piggy bank.

The article does not provide any further details other than that police are still investigating the case.

1976-2000

POCATELLO — A 13-year-old Pocatello boy was arrested on charges of “transmitting false documents,” the Idaho State Journal wrote on Oct. 28, 1976.

The boy was charged with passing multiple checks totaling $194 at a local Albertsons store.

“Store employees told police the boy used every receipt to buy groceries, leaving little change,” the newspaper said.

The article continues: “Because the checks were written before the boy arrived at the store, Albertson’s clerks apparently assumed that the boy’s parents had written them.”

Pocatello police were investigating how the boy obtained the checks.