A White Frog In a Solid Rock

1895

The sensation of the Salt Lake valley some years ago was the finding of a queer white frog, with enormous eyes, in a solid rock blasted out at the Varley & Everill quarry at Salt Lake City. The rock in which the little hermit was found had been blasted from a strata several feet below the surface and was being separated into pieces suitable for loading when the pocket, or cavity, which contained the frog was discovered. The local account at the time says that "the discovery created an immense sensation among the workmen, and all operations at the quarry were for a time suspended."

Examination by the Salt Lake scientists proved that the creature was of a species supposed to have been extinct for thousands of years. Its immense eyes were sightless and covered with a thick, tough, horny substance, and the mouth was entirely closed up. Mr. Everill, one of the proprietors of the works, took charge of the curiosity, but it died within 24 hours and was presented to the city museum, where it is now preserved in alcohol. — St. Louis Republic.

Harry Potter Stresses Style in Shoes

Ogden, Utah, 1940

Ogden Women Invited to Visit New Firm On Opening Day

Grand Opening of Store Set Saturday

With a complete stock of the newest spring fashions and a store as attractive as the stock it sells, the Fashion Bootery will have its grand opening Saturday at 2481 Washington, according to Harry Potter, manager.

The store will specialize in women's shoes, hosiery, and bags.

"I am thrilled with the opportunity which this new store will give us to serve the women of Ogden," Mr. Potter said. "I extend an invitation to Ogden women to visit the store on its opening day."

"One of Finest"

"I feel this store will be one of the finest of the kind in the west," added Jack Porad, secretary of the firm. "This is our newest unit of 11 stores in Utah, Washington, Oregon and California. It will bring to Ogden something new in last minute styles from New York, Hollywood and Paris."

Exterior of the store is of Colorado Yule white marble, trimmed in bronze and maroon carrara. The entire interior is of natural walnut. The store is completely air conditioned, and all interior lighting is fluorescent.

Founded In Seattle

The Fashion Bootery firm was founded in Seattle in 1922 by Joseph Porad. Since then it has expanded through the entire west coast.

Harry Potter, manager of the Ogden store, comes here from Portland.

—The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden City, Utah, March 15, 1940, p. 4A.

What It'd Be Like To Discover Intelligent Life on Mars

1920

FROM HOMES IN THE STARS

At midnight April 20, when Mars is approaching the nearest point to the earth, the wireless operators of the world are to listen for messages from the Martians.

When the day arrives on which word comes from the heavenly bodies that day will displace Armistice day as the greatest in all history.

Our earth is insignificant compared with some of the celestial bodies. There is no good reason presented in support of the contention that human intelligence exists on no planet other than earth. With active minds on Mars it is possible that for years the inhabitants have been signaling to us and have been puzzled at our stupidity in not catching the messages.

Mysterious wireless waves have been received of late, and scientists of the learning and practical experience of Marconi are hopeful that the messages are from out of space.

Now if, on April 21, there is positive information that Mars is talking to us, we shall await further disclosures with deepest interest.

The man of strong religious convictions will ask, first of all:

What do the Martians know of a Supreme Being? Has a Christ appeared to them?

The man of letters will inquire as to the literature of Mars.

The scientists will seek word as to the discoveries and researches.

Doctors will ask as to the physical structures, the ailments and cures.

And, if the people of Mars are 500 years ahead of us in civilization they will tell of things as strange and wonderful as wireless and electric lights, telephones and airplanes would have been to Christopher Columbus in 1492, when, landing on the shores of the West Indies, that daring navigator, 100 years in advance of his own time, thought he had reached the East Indies.

When Mars has spoken, then will come the call to other planets, and at night, when the stars shine out, each twinkle will be an eye wink from the worlds in the depths of the universe.

—The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden City, Utah, April 10, 1920, p. 4.

'Crash Of Death' Stunt Driver In Hair-Raising Performance

Ogden, Utah, 1937

STUNTER FLIPS AUTO ON BACK

'Crash Of Death' Performed Before Small Crowd At Stadium

Before a small and shivering crowd of spectators, Jerry Edwards, 32-year-old Detroit stunt driver, presented his hair-raising "crash of death" performance Saturday night in the Ogden stadium.

"This is one of the smallest crowds I've ever showed before," Edwards told the onlookers through a loud-speaking system. "But I have to work just as hard for you as I do when I perform before 20,000 people, as I have often done."

PRECEDES CAMPAIGN

Edwards was brought here under the auspices of the junior chamber of commerce as the forerunner of a county-wide safety week campaign sponsored by a citizens' safety council, comprising Ogden service clubs.

The climax to the show, in which Edwards used two stock light sedans, came when the dare-devil sped his crimson machine up a wooden platform, crashing full somersault and bottoms-up again on the sodded field.

NO SERIOUS HURTS

During the four years Edwards has been presenting his death-defying stunts, he has never suffered serious injury, although he has been put out of "commission" temporarily and unable to finish his show.

"The best thing to do when you have a flat tire is to step on the gas — not the brakes," Edwards told the crowd.

He said one of the best precautions against accidents is to keep both hands firmly on the steering wheel.

—The Ogden Standard-Examiner, Ogden City, Utah, May 9, 1937, page 10A.