This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Editor's note • Every Saturday, Salt Lake Tribune columnist Robert Kirby pulls out long-forgotten pieces of history to give readers a glimpse of life, crime and misadventure in Utah that week in 1917, 1942, 1967 and 1992 — showing just how much we've changed, and how much we haven't. Recognize a relative or have a story to share? Visit Facebook.com/DisturbingHistory or email rkirby@sltrib.com.
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1917
Jan. 21 • W.C.B Sharp, 60, is entombed alive in his Bingham Canyon's Cottonwood gulch cabin. He dies of suffocation just as rescuers reach him.
Jan. 22 • In Logan, Sarah Marler Affleck is near death after being accidentally shot by her 17-year-old son, who at the time was asking her to buy the gun for him.
Jan. 23 • Lee Hoffman, 25, escapes from Salt Lake police headquarters and is pursued by the oldest detective on the force, F.M. Schultz. Seeing Schultz fall in a snowbank, a pedestrian seizes Hoffman, slams him to the sidewalk, and pins him there until Schultz can catch up.
• Payson reports an epidemic of smallpox has been raging in the town since Christmas.
• When 20 cows drown in Salina, A.S. Crane telegrams state Food and Dairy Commissioner Heber C. Smith, asking if the cows can be bled and the meat sold. Answer: No.
Jan. 24 • Madam Snyder, Mrs. Smith and Mrs. Weir are arraigned in SLC court on charges of fortunetelling. A fine of $25 is imposed on all three. The sentences are suspended on the condition that the women cease fortunetelling.
Also this week • "Someone Else May be There While I'm Gone" by Al Jolson is popular.
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1942
Jan. 21 • After months of investigation, the United States drops murder charges against two Navajo who confessed to the 12-year-old ax murder of a prospector in San Juan County.
Jan. 22 • A move to eliminate policewomen from the Ogden Police Department is thwarted when the Ogden Industrial Club objects.
Jan. 23 • The SLC Traffic Commission approves final plans for the installation of parking meters. Cost is 5 cents for two hours, 2 cents for 48 minutes, and 1 cent for 24 minutes.
Jan. 24 • Orwen William Haws, 17, SLC, is charged with mailing an extortion letter to Hollywood actress Linda Darnell, threatening injury to her and her family if she didn't pay him $2,000 by Jan. 20.
Jan. 25 • Utahns are urged to plant gardens to help alleviate wartime rationing.
Jan. 26 • The family of United States Marine Pvt. Ernest N. Gilley Jr. receives word of his being decorated for bravery on Wake Island. It is believed that Gilley is now a prisoner of the Japanese.
Also this week • "International Squadron" starring Ronald Reagan opens at the Utah Theater. "A String of Pearls" by Glenn Miller is the top song. A quart of Miracle Whip costs 29 cents.
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1967
Jan. 21 • Following up on a citizen's tip, Ogden police arrest Robert E. See, 25, for attempting to kill Layton police Officer Afton Anderson on Jan. 19.
Jan. 23 • A large snowstorm brings traffic to a halt and snaps power lines across northern Utah.
Jan. 24 • An early-morning explosion wrecks a Granger real estate office at 3753 W. 3500 South and shatters windows in nearby homes. Cause: natural gas leak.
Jan. 25 • A Salt Lake woman suffering from heart seizures is "revived" 250 times using drugs and electricity at South Davis Community Hospital.
Also this week • "Fantastic Voyage" starring Raquel Welch starts at the Redwood Drive-In. "Ruby Tuesday" by the Rolling Stones reaches the top of the charts. Four loaves of bread cost 98 cents. A 14-piece bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken costs $3.75.
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1992
Jan. 21 • South Salt Lake firefighters save the lives of a cat, a dog and a guinea pig when a home at 453 Sunset Ave. bursts into flames.
• Rosa Parks leaves Salt Lake City after speaking at an NAACP-sponsored luncheon the day before.
Jan. 23 • In another blow against the traffic control measure of photo radar, Utah Gov. Norm Bangerter receives a citation in the mail. The photo shows that it is actually his daughter-in-law driving.
Jan. 24 • While driving around the Salt Lake Valley and waving a pistol at other motorists, three teenage boys are arrested. The gun turns out to be a toy, but the three are referred to juvenile court anyway.
Also this week • Eric Clapton's "Tears in Heaven" nears the top of the charts. A 500-round carton of Remington Thunderbolt .22-caliber shells costs $9.49.