'Nutty Jack' Williams, aka the Human Fly, climbs the Oakland Tribune building on March 29, 1919, in Oakland, California. Williams climbed the four-story Twin Falls County Courthouse in August 1918 as a publicity stunt to get men to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps.
Most photographs taken of daredevil “Nutty Jack” Williams were of his backside.
Williams, also known as “The Human Fly,” was said to have scaled — using only his bare hands and feet — more than 5,000 buildings in his career. Fifteen hundred of those buildings were more than 10 stories tall, he claimed.
In August 1918, the U.S. was deeply entrenched in the Great War in Europe. Williams, who served in France during the war, came to Twin Falls to recruit men for the Marine Corps. The 1911 four-story courthouse, Williams said, was a piece of cake compared with other structures he had climbed, such as the Walker Bank Building in Salt Lake City, the Washington Monument, and the Woolworth Building in New York City.
But William’s stunt, according to the Twin Falls Daily News, attracted a large crowd on Shoshone Street in Twin Falls. Williams donated a quarter of the $260 gathered at the event to a local war fund. Twelve men signed up to enlist, but the Marine Corps had already stopped enlistments.
The former vaudeville aerialist, weighing only 122 pounds, could hang from a ledge or cornice by one finger and could crush a potato with one hand.
Missing Buhl man is still missing. Foul play is suspected.
Early photos of Milner found by a West Jordan, Utah, woman show life in the now-defunct Magic Valley town during its second boom.
Do you know how roads in Twin Falls County got their names?
Refreshing history
A pedestrian walks past the Evel Knievel monument July 14 in Twin Falls. The original plaque was stolen sometime between 1985 and 1999.
Refreshing history
Scott Truax talks about wanting to replace a missing plaque on the Evel Knievel monument July 14 in Twin Falls. The plaque was stolen sometime between 1985 and 1999.
Refreshing history
Evel Knievel launched his steam-powered rocket 'skycycle' in 1974 from this dirt mound seen July 14 on the south rim of the Snake River Canyon in Twin Falls. Scott Truax, son of skycycle engineer Bob Truax, is replacing a plaque that was stolen from the nearby Knievel monument.
Refreshing history
Scott Truax describes his plan to replace the missing plaque on the Evel Knievel monument July 14 in Twin Falls. The plaque was stolen sometime between 1985 and 1999.
Refreshing history
Scott Truax talks about wanting to install a fresh plaque into the Evel Knievel monument July 14, 2020, in Twin Falls. The plaque was stolen sometime between 1985 and 1999.
Refreshing history
The dirt ramp left over from Evel Knevel's attempt at crossing the Snake River Canyon in a 'skycycle' is seen Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Twin Falls. Scott Truax wants to install a new plaque into the Evel Knevel monument nearby. The original plaque was stolen sometime between 1985 and 1999.
Refreshing history
Scott Truax wants to install a fresh plaque into the Evel Knievel monument that was stolen sometime between 1985 and 1999.
Reporter in the field
Scott Truax talks to Times-News reporter Mychel Matthews about replacing a missing plaque on the Evel Knievel monument Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Twin Falls. The plaque was stolen sometime between 1985 and 1999.
Photographer in the field
Times-News chief photographer Drew Nash zooms in July 14 on Evel Knievel's 1974 launch site on the Snake River Canyon rim.
Evel Knievel
Robert 'Evel' Knievel stands at a monument to his 1974 attempt to rocket across the Snake River Canyon in this 1985 image by Twin Falls photographer Vic Graybeal.
Matthews
Mychel Matthews is the Big Story Chief for the Times-News. The Hidden History feature runs every Thursday in the Times-News and at Magicvalley.com.
If you have a question about something that may have historical significance, email Matthews at mmatthews@magicvalley.com.
