Three significant events occurred in Idaho on this day in history.
In Idaho’s history, noteworthy events often seemed to occur in threes. A captivating story from the past involves a Catholic priest from St. Joseph’s Parish in Spokane, Fr. William J. Metz, who emerged as the first-place winner in a Spokane Daily Chronicle contest in 1926. The victory presented him with an extravagant Pierce-Arrow car valued at $3,550. Following closely behind, the second-place winner, F.W. Hutchinson, obtained a Willys-Knight sedan worth $1,725, while the third-place recipient, Rees Bungay, was awarded a Hupmobile priced at $1,595. Additional prizes included an Ajax six sedan, a Pontiac six sedan, two Star four sedans, and two Chevrolet coaches. Various participants were fortunate enough to walk away with Stewart-Warner radios as well.
Meanwhile, in a reminiscent moment from 1976, the Spokane Chronicle highlighted a series of unfortunate incidents that unfolded in the state of Idaho. The first calamity struck with the catastrophic Teton Dam collapse in eastern Idaho, leading to the loss of 11 lives and displacing 25,000 individuals. Following this tragic event was the rock festival riot at Nor’wester ’76 in State Line, where an enraged crowd destroyed the stage and the festival grounds, leaving behind a smoking ruin. Finally, the third disaster occurred in the form of a fire that ravaged parts of the original Sun Valley Lodge at the renowned ski resort. Fortunately, no injuries were reported as all guests were promptly evacuated, with many finding shelter at nearby inns. Interestingly, the attendees of a Lions convention at the lodge had recently returned home due to the aftermath of the Teton Dam disaster, preventing a more severe outcome.
Fr. William J. Metz’s significant victory in the Spokane Chronicle’s Circulation Contest truly showcased his devoted congregation’s support. The pastor of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and vicar general of the Spokane diocese secured the grand prize – a Pierce Arrow automobile. Metz dominated the competition with over 12 million votes, a substantial lead over the second-place contender with just over 7 million votes. Contest participants were encouraged to garner new Spokane Chronicle subscriptions, with each new subscription translating to thousands of votes. Three new automobiles were up for grabs as rewards for the top three vote recipients. Metz’s winning moment was commemorated with a front-page photo in the Chronicle, solidifying his well-deserved victory.
In times both past and present, stories of triumph and tribulation from Idaho’s history continue to captivate and resonate with audiences. It is through such accounts that we glimpse the resilience, camaraderie, and unwavering spirit that define the human experience in the face of adversity.