May 28 – June 3: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives

1916

News of wounding … Mr. and Mrs. John Laurie have received official notification that their son Robert J. has been wounded by being shot in the neck. He joined the Winnipeg Rifles at Winnipeg.

Shorter hours for pubs … By an amendment to the Provincial Liquor License Act, the hours in which liquor may be sold in hotels has been very materially reduced. All bars must close at 11 p.m. and remain closed till 12 noon the following day.

According to advice to the local inspector the new hours go into effect at once. This is local time. The new hours will remain in effect for the duration of the war.

Case against hotelkeeper … An important case was up for hearing Wednesday morning before His Honor Judge Arnold, of much interest to hotelkeepers and to the general public.

A charge had been laid by the Chief of Police against Mr. J. F. Campbell, proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, for being in his bar during prohibited hours.

Mr. A. B. Macdonald appeared for Mr. Campbell and admitted that Mr. Campbell had been in his bar at the time charged but claimed that in so doing he was quite within his rights, that no law had been broken, and that his client should not have been forced to appear in court when no offence against the law was charged, and asked that the case be dismissed without further waste of time.

Chief of Police Hersey, who conducted his own prosecution, objected to such procedure, claiming that the law had been broken, and that it was an offence against the act for the licensee to be in his bar after closing time.

Despite the objections of Mr. Macdonald the Chief called Night Constable Johns to the witness box and established on his evidence the fact that Mr. Campbell was in the bar at the time charged, as admitted by the defence.

In an exchange of pleasantries between Mr. MacDonald and the Chief, in which Mr. MacDonald referred to previous constables who were in the habit of “nosing around” not lasting very long the Chief protested vigorously against such “threats” being made against him by the opposing solicitor, and particularly in open court, and asked His Worship to make a note of this threat. Mr. MacDonald denied that it was a threat but the Chief maintained that it could be construed in no other fashion.

The prosecution asked that Mr. Campbell be called to the box that he might be questioned about his reason for being in the bar, but counsel for the defence objected and would not allow Mr. Campbell to be sworn.

In arguing the case Mr. MacDonald maintained that a licensee had a perfect right to be in his own bar during prohibited hours, that he could remain there all night, sleep there, or have members of his own family in the bar with him if he desired.

Chief Hersey in rebuttal claimed that the Act did not confer any such right, that the only occasion a licensee was allowed in the bar during prohibited hours was to obtain a drink for himself or family or to obtain liquor to serve a guest at a bona-fide meal, and that any such interpretation of the Act as claimed by the counsel for the defence would make the Act a joke and impossible to enforce.

His Honor announced that he would remand the case for two weeks in order to refer the matter to the Attorney-General for a ruling as to the meaning of the Act.

Law must be enforced … At a full meeting of the Police Commission last week the edict went forth that henceforth and hereafter the law must be enforced in this city, and no matter who the offenders the penalty for breaking the law would be enforced.

Chief of Police Hersey is also License Inspector, and was given instructions to enforce the provisions, of the Liquor License Act. No immorality will be tolerated in the city and the Red Light habitués must confine their activities to fields outside the city limits, which is under the jurisdiction of the provincial police, not the city. It was also decided to put the local police force in uniform. Minor improvements are being made to the cells, such as putting on screens, etc.

Clean up the town … No fault will be found with the Police Commission for their action in instructing the police to strictly enforce the law, except perchance it be by some coterie of law-breakers who in the past may have enjoyed special privileges and now anticipate having to live up to the law the same as the majority of the citizens have had to do all along. In that case they will receive scant sympathy from the law abiding citizen.

Rightly or wrongly Cranbrook has in the past earned an unenviable reputation as a wide-open town, and though the days of that period have been but memories for some time back, the reputation is hard to live down.

As long as the city authorities tolerate the segregated district on the outskirts of the city it cannot be expected that we will have, or deserve, a high reputation for morality or virtue.

It may be argued that this district is outside the control of the city authorities, and to a certain extent this is true, but at the same time it is also true that if the proper steps are taken the place can be cleaned up in short order.

It exists only on the sufferance of the city, and if the Commissioners will have this hive of vice, which cannot be less than an eyesore and reproach to all right-thinking citizens, summarily removed they will have shown their courage and worth, and have earned the thanks of the growing majority of citizens who stand for a clean town in all respects.

The Chief of Police is also License Inspector for the city, and has full authority to enforce the provisions of the Liquor Act. Due warning has been given all the hotelmen that the provisions of the Act will be strictly enforced, and if the law is observed by them no action on his part will be necessary.

If, however, there are infractions of the law prosecution will follow, and with public opinion behind the chief, as it undoubtedly will be, there can be but one end.

Paid the fine … A lady of easy virtue was up in police court Tuesday morning and assessed $25 and costs or two months in Nelson. She was given twenty-four hours to obtain the money or go down. At the eleventh hour she produced the money and saved herself a free journey.

Distant parishes … On account of the war, the Anglican Church has had to economize, resulting in the staff being cut down to half its former number. This makes the Cranbrook district take in Yahk, Wasa, Kimberly, Marysville, Wycliffe and Moyie. Rev. Mr. Bridge is hoping he may be able to get a car now he has to go to these out-of-town churches.

Purchase of old store … Mr. W. J. Atchison has purchased the stock and good-will of the Cranbrook Drug and Book Co., and is now in possession at the old stand. The building is being repaired as quickly as possible and as soon as the roof is on Mr. Atchison will put on a big sale and clear off all the old stock, putting in a complete new stock of drugs, stationery, etc., without delay.

Tennis … There was a splendid attendance at the Tennis Tea Saturday afternoon last, at which Miss Hewitt was hostess. Play has been commenced for the local championships and the tennis courts are daily the scene of much activity. The courts are in capital shape and provide most agreeable and pleasant recreation and exercise for ladies and gentlemen. Those desirous of playing this year but who have not yet joined the club should make application to the Secretary for membership so as to get the full benefit of the season’s play. In the recent American Tournament, Mrs. McKowan and Mr. S. Rumsey won out.

Prairie schooner … Residents of Cranbrook were interested in an old-time caravan after the style of a prairie schooner which passed through the city Tuesday morning

There are six persons in the outfit. Mr. and Mrs. Paterson, their son and wife, and son-in-law and wife. The party comes from the State of Washington and is travelling to Alberta They intend to buy C.P. R. land and settle north of Calgary. They have with them sixty horses, as well as complete camping outfits.

They travel by easy stages covering from 15 to 20 miles a day, and grazing the horses as they go. They have travelled about 400 miles so far.

Mr. Patterson is a hardy robust American who has travelled pretty extensively over the continent, and is enthusiastic in his praise of the prairie lands, where he is going which he describes as the best stock and farming land he has ever seen.

These are the finest types of emigrants Canada can get and though not coming to our own province we are glad to see “invasions” of this nature from across the line.

There are still millions of acres of good available agricultural land in British Columbia and the prairie provinces in need of just such settlers as these.

Song service … A most enjoyable Song Service was given at the Methodist Church on Sunday last. Beginning at 7.00 p.m. Prof. C. F. Nidd, organist and choirmaster, gave a short organ recital. That this was greatly appreciated was evident from the fact that the seating capacity of the church was overtaxed from the commencement and additional chairs had to be requisitioned till it was impossible to seat any more, the aisles being crowded.

The service began at 7.30 p.m., Mr. Adlard officiating in the absence of the Rev. Thos. Keyworth, who was attending the Methodist Conference. The anthems were well delivered, the Hallelujah Chorus being exceptionally well rendered.

That a body of local talent should be able to handle this difficult chorus in this manner speaks volumes for the ability of Prof. Nidd to train a choir in a very thorough way.

The solos were rendered with that execution which we have learned to expect from Mrs. Wallace and Mr. R. W. Russel. The violin solos given by Mr. Percy Parker show that we are fortunate to possess in Cranbrook a violinist of such exceptional skill and talent—though not at all as well appreciated as he should be. Were Mr. Parker living in a larger centre he would receive that mead of praise which is his just due, but unfortunately, as other occasions have shown, the majority of our citizens apparently have not reached a high plane of musical appreciation.

Laurie/Lake wedding … The Calgary Albertan of May 26th has the following account of a Victoria Day wedding of interest to many Cranbrook friends of the groom: A very interesting event took place in Heath Baptist church at 2.30 Wednesday afternoon, when Mr. Ralph Laurie, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Laurie of Cranbrook, B. C., and Miss Nellie Lake, daughter of the late Mr. John A. H. Lake and Mrs. Lake of 117 Ninth Street east, this city, were united in marriage by the Rev. Mr. Dafoe, pastor of Hillcrest Baptist church.

The ceremony was witnessed by a large gathering of friends and relatives of the young couple. The bride, who looked charming in a robe of white silk with shadow lace coatee, and a veil of embroidered Brussels net surmounted by a wreath of orange blossoms (the gift of Miss Hester Allan of San Francisco), entered the church on the arm of Mr. A. M. Bartle. She carried a lovely shower of white roses, ferns and bridal wreath, and was attended by her cousin, Miss Freda Robinson.

The groom was supported by his brother, Mr. Charles Laurie of Dunmore, Alberta.

The bride was the recipient of numerous useful and beautiful gifts amongst them being a handsome silver tea service, presented by the office staff of the Western Canada Flour Mills.

Mr. and Mrs. Laurie left on the evening train for Banff, returning to Calgary by way of the lake route, stopping at Cranbrook, B. C., to visit the groom’s parents.

Watch winner … The Parish Hall was very prettily and tastefully decorated on Wednesday afternoon when the St. John’s Ambulance Association gave their Fete Dansant, which was a splendid success. The stall of eatables looked very appetizing and was soon sold out, while the afternoon teas which were served were very dainty.

An excellent program was given, the following ladies tendering their services: Mesdames Patterson, Sinclair, Macdonald and Nesbit, also Miss Roberts and Miss Reid, a cousin of Mrs. MacDonald’s from the coast. Miss Wellman and Miss Alexander played the accompaniments.

After the program, dancing was indulged in and Miss Doris Wallinger and Private Tighe Mecredy gave some of their popular dancing, the dances being the Mecredy Trot and the Hesitation Waltz, which were very much appreciated by the audience. The Cranbrook Orchestra supplied the music in their usual pleasing style.

Those helping at the tea tables were: The Misses Drummond, Marion Roberts, Madge Robertson, Roberts, Whitehead, Larkum, Fisher, Kershaw, B. Pye, McLennan, Woodland, Wallinger, Taylor, Brown.

The ladies in charge of the cookery table were: Mrs. Miller and the Misses Harrison and Christie. The watch was won by Mr. Harry Drew of Kimberley, the time being 3.40.

The net proceeds will amount to about $40, in addition to nearly $70 on the watch.

Welcome news … It will be welcome news to Kootenay that the Banff-Windermere highway is to be completed without further delay. Not only is the road to be completed but by the arrangement between the provincial and federal governments a new national park will be established along a five mile stretch of territory along the road.

This land is ceded to the Dominion Government by the province, and is to be maintained as a game reserve and park at the expense of the federal authorities. This will preserve one of the finest scenic territories in the world, and the completion of the road will enable thousands of tourists to travel by auto along this truly “scenic highway” between Banff and Windermere.

The land is mostly rough and rocky, unsuitable for agricultural purposes and fit only for a park or game reserve and as the province retains the mineral rights the bargain is an excellent one.

At the annual meeting of the Cranbrook Board of Trade last February a strong resolution was passed urging the provincial government to devise some means of completing this highway and suggesting the employment of interned aliens to do the work. The solution arrived at is quite in line with the resolution.