February 25 – March 2: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1917
Chong Choy vs Bardgett … This action came up for trial in the County Court and lasted all day. The plaintiff claimed from the defendant $144.70 for vegetables supplied, and the defendant maintained that the vegetables were to be paid for in exchange for manure which the plaintiff took from the defendant’s premises. The defendant also claimed that he was entitled to the value of certain sacks which he had sold to the plaintiff. The Judge said he believed the story as to the formation of a loosely worded contract was correct, but said the only way he could decide the conflicting claims was to base them on straight sale and delivery of goods. The result of the judgment was that he found the plaintiff entitled to $100.20. Council for the Plaintiff, A. B. Macdonald: Council for the Defendant, Geo. J. Spreull.
Waldo news … A serious outbreak of fire occurred here on Tuesday morning which completely wiped out the residence of Geo. Hammond. The fire evidently was caused by an over-heated stove pipe. The house was situated about three miles across the river from Waldo and help from this place was totally out of the question. The inmates did not have water near them in sufficient quantity to fight the fire, and had to stand by and watch the house burn. They unfortunately lost everything.
Guilty youth … Charles Salter, or Chinora, was taken to Fernie on the 23rd inst by Constable Dryden and charged before Judge Thompson with having obtained goods under false pretences from the Adolph Lumber Company’s Store at Baynes Lake. He pleaded guilty, but on account of being under age the Judge was unable to sentence him, and the matter was referred to the Attorney General for a decision. The boy was previously an inmate of the Reformatory School at the Coast, and it is thought likely that he will be sent back again.
Moyie concentrator distroyed by fire … At 6.30 on Tuesday evening the St. Eugene mine was discovered to be on fire.
The fire started in the lower floor of the Concentrator and on account of so much oil in the timber, it quickly got beyond control and the whole plant on the north side of the railway track soon became a blazing mess, and is a total loss.
Since commencing work in October last the Consolidated Mining & Smelting Company has expended about forty thousand dollars on repairs; the total loss will likely exceed one hundred thousand dollars, partially covered by insurance.
This will also mean a serious loss to the residents of Moyie as the Company was getting the plant ready for the concentration of the Sullivan mine ore and the resumption of work was expected to improve the conditions of the town very materially.
Curling competitions … Curling interests for the past week have centred around the “Fleischmann Cup” and contests between Cranbrook and Fernie have been numerous.
On Wednesday last week Fernie rinks skipped by Brown and Baldry met defeat under the brooms of local rinks skipped by Jim Henderson and A. Ward.
The games went to 13 ends. At the twelfth end Ward stood 10 up but our genial Postmaster happened to be (mischance) 10 down.
On the extra end both Cranbrook rinks scored two points, Fernie came back for revenge on Saturday. The genial secretary of the Fernie Bonspiel, Sherwood Herchmer, came himself with a strong rink, which our rink skipped by A. C. Bowness managed to defeat under a score of nine to seven. Very few stones were wasted by either rink in this game.
On the final end Fernie were one up and lying one when Bowness went to play last rock. He played on the shot stone perfectly, and counted three. George Leitch had a strong rink in Henderson, Hogarth and Wallinger, but for this once they were unable to do anything with the Fernie aggregation; (some think the ice was too slippery.)
We neglected to make a note of the actual score, but sufficient to say the lead obtained in the other game was overcome, and Fernie took home the cup. Bowness had on his rink, Ed. Hill, R. Eakin, and E. Topham.
The Fernie rink was skipped by L. J. Macdonald. Bowness and Hogarth carried war to the enemy’s camp on Monday evening, the rinks being: Bowness, Topham, Eakin, and Hill, and Hogarth, Phillips, Manning and Henderson. Fernie was out to keep the cup, and with strong rinks playing all they knew how, made a successful defence.
The result was Bowness lost his game by two points, and Hogarth his by two. The evening being still young, the same rinks started in to play it all over again. Bowness lost again by two, and Hogarth by four.
There is some chance that another attempt will be made to bring the silver mug back “where it belongs”.
“The Bells” … On Wednesday evening at the Parish Hall, the first gathering was held of the series of Wednesday social evenings that will be continued through Lent, and which became so popular last year.
The programs consist of instrumental and vocal solos and part pieces, with a reading by the Rector from some well-known book or play, and are thoroughly enjoyable, the programs containing nothing at which the most particular can cavil.
Last night Rev. W. H. Bridge read the chief part of “The Bells”, the piece with which Sir H. Irving’s name is so intimately associated; the reading was excellent, the characters and scenes being so faithfully portrayed that many people went home with that creepy feeling inseparable from hearing “spooky” stories. This play was probably written at the time mesmerism was just becoming fashionable; the pivot of the play being the fear of the murderer of a local mesmerist and the effect of the fear during his sleeping hours, in which he confesses the crime.
Mrs. Whitehouse opened the evening with an excellent pianoforte solo and during the intermission between the acts a very pretty vocal duet was given by Misses Roberts and Muriel Wallinger, and two violin solos by Mrs. Wallinger. Their items were greatly appreciated and made excellent interludes, the violin solos calling forth much applause.
These evenings should appeal to all those who delight in something out of the ordinary, and as the next Wednesday evening will be devoted to a reading of Masefield’s “Pompey the Great” with several musical items, it is hoped that a goodly number will be present. It is free to all, no entry is being charged, but a silver collection will be made to defray the expenses of the hall. Everyone is welcome.
Y.M.C.A. Notes … The Bowling Tournament for the Brunswick Trophy which decides the three-man championship for the season 1916-7 closed on Tuesday evening February 27th, and resulted in the Shop Team winning by a margin of four points although defeated three straight games in the final match.
The personnel of the winning team were as follows: E. Brake, Cap: C. R. Puley, G. Moth, J. J. Johnson, and G. P. Tisdale. The games were keenly contested throughout, a remarkably good showing being made by the Juniors who, with the exception of one, were all in their first season and rather heavily handicapped by their Captain who seemed to take a greater interest in dealing with characteristics of members of the opposing team than in the rolling of high scores. The absence of this discussion in the final match may account for the particularly good showing made by the Juniors on that occasion.
Mr. Shields of the Juniors and Mr. Puley of the Shops were the two star men both playing consistently all through the series both intent upon winning the Gold Medal for the high average.
The final scores however, gave Mr. Shields a considerable lead he thereby walking off with the jewellery.
Mr. Shields made an average record of 160.09 and C. R. Puley an average of 154.6. Commencing next week a Tournament will be run off to decide the championship for five-man teams and will extend throughout the month of March.
A Gold Medal will also be presented by the Association for the winner of the high average in this competition, particulars concerning it being posted in the bowling alley and lobby of the Association building.
Mr. J.M. Dudley, Railroad Secretary for the International Committee who is in charge of all Canadian Railroad Associations, will visit the local Y.M.C.A. on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week, and will meet with the board of directors on Tuesday evening as they are postponing their regular meeting until that date.
Methodist church … The Service of Praise at the Methodist Church last Sunday evening was as everyone expected of the Methodist choir and leader, one of great pleasure. Though the entire service was given up to musical items a reverential spirit pervaded the edifice.
The program commenced with a half hour’s Organ Recital of numbers well chosen to bring out the possibilities of the Pipe Organ in the organist’s inimitable interpretation of the masters’ excerpts.
At 7.30 the Song Service commenced with the singing of the Doxology, a fitting Invocation by the Pastor, supplemented by the chanting of the Lord’s Prayer. The congregation showed that they could do their part in singing the old hymn “All hail the power of Jesus’ Name” to the tune Diadem the harmonies of which were arranged by the organist.
After prayer by the pastor, Mr. Morton acquitted himself well in the solo parts of Adam’s “Holy City,” arranged by Jacoby. Strength was added to the number by the addition of part singing in the Chorus.
Though it would be invidious to single out any particular, number on the program the duet “He wipes the tear from every eye,” sung by Mrs. T. C. Phillips and Miss M. P. Hamilton, was very tastefully rendered. Both these ladies have voices which show great promise. The violin solos “Pan” and “Pastorale” rendered by Mr. Percy Parker were greatly enjoyed by everyone, the latter composition being particularly suited to organ accompaniment.
The Anthem “Sing praises unto the Lord,” was rendered with the verse the happy contrast of the middle section being admirably brought out. “Man of sorrows what a name,” again gave the congregation a chance to participate in the program in an active manner. The two contrasted numbers by Lemare and Batiste formed a fitting organ offertory while the collection was being taken. A departure from the usual style of vocal numbers in the song services was heard in the rendering of Stratton’s “Softly fall the shades of evening,” the double quartet acquitting themselves well.
The ever welcome “The Lost Chord,” arranged by Arthur Tagge, was the closing number by the choir, sang in a manner best calculated to bring out the varying emotions of the composer.
The service closed with the singing of “The Day Thou Gavest” followed by the Benediction and Vesper Hymn, the latter being the organist’s own setting.
Non partisan league … A meeting for the purpose of forming a branch of the Non Partisan League for the Cranbrook District was held in the Rex Theatre at nine o’clock on the 27th inst.
Mrs. Baxter was in the chair and was supported by Mesdames Beale, Burton, Laurie, Barney and Miss Cherrington, with the Rev. W. H. Bridge as a coadjutor
The special object of the meeting was to hear Mr. Wm. Irving expatiate upon and explain the objects of the league and the necessity for its formation, before the women of the district had tied themselves up to or affiliated with either of the present political parties.
Mr. Irvine is from Calgary and was one of the first men to recognize the enormous power that could be wielded by women suffrage, if not directed by any present political party, and for years has been speaking and working in its favour. Mrs. Baxter opened the meeting with a short speech calling upon the women of this district to set aside political bias, band together and make up their minds resolutely as to the course to pursue.
The position of women is being rapidly advanced and now that they had been entrusted with voting power, she hoped that it would be used with intelligence in the interest of public good and not for the benefit of any political party. Rev. W. H. Bridge, being called upon to make a few remarks, first explained how it was that apparently this meeting conflicted with that called by the Women’s Liberal Association and how sorry he was; it was perfectly unintentional, in fact he was not aware of the date of the other meeting until after the arrangement with Mr. Irving had been made.
As an advocate of Women Suffrage in the Old Country he had always strenuously upheld the cause and particularly in the direction of holding aloof from affiliation with any political body or party, the essential point for women to remember is “Vote for the issue and not for the party”; if this was once insisted and acted on, both political parties would have to play the game in order to be endorsed by the Non Partisan League.
Personally speaking he was neither a Conservative nor a Liberal and allowed neither party to use him as a catspaw as has been so often suggested.
Mrs. Laurie was then called on, and after stating the pleasure it gave her to be speaking in favor of such a league, the immense possibilities for usefulness of which she could readily perceive, she called upon the women of the district to register as voters as soon as possible after the 1st March. Everyone knew that the present political parties needed housecleaning and there were a great many cupboards that needed cleaning out and it was up to the League to do their share in the cleaning; it would be something to fight for; their fathers, sons or brothers were at the front fighting for civilization, empire and Canada and it was up to the women at home to see and do what is humanly possible to make Canada worth fighting for.
The chairman then introduced the visitor of the evening, Mr. W. Irvine, who in the course of a splendidly delivered discourse, spoke particularly strongly of the evils of party politics and the essentially important part a strong Non Partisan League could play to clear away all the crookedness and dirtiness of present day politics and wipe away the reproach attached to the name of “Politician.”
It is only now under the instruction and knowledge brought about by the stress of war that we are beginning to see the true inwardness of social life and to take politics seriously. The rest of his speech will be taken up at our next issue, as it is too important to abridge and it is too late to include it, in its entirety in this issue.
A meeting to elect officers etc. was held immediately after, towards the foundation and formation of the League, and a further meeting arranged for at the Parish Hall for Wednesday afternoon.
Editor needed … We are going to take our readers into our confidence, we are without an Editor; several applications to the position are on file but our Directors want to select the best man for the job and that takes time.
In the meanwhile, perhaps for three or four weeks, the task of publishing the Cranbrook Herald falls upon amateurs in the Editorial Art, and we anticipate that our lack of knowledge of its unknown pitfalls and crevices will be much in evidence and we therefore humbly crave the indulgence of our readers for a short time.
We approach the task with fear and trepidation, but we are going to do our best, we are going to try and give you a readable newsy newspaper containing such information as we believe will tend to the advancement of the district, that is our principal aim and object, and we want every one of you to give us a helping hand.
A good local newspaper is unquestionably a great asset to any community and we want to make the Cranbrook Herald a real live wire but we cannot do it alone, we need your help, and this is the way you can help us. If you know any news of interest send it in to the Herald office. If your head is bursting with an idea which you think will advance the interest of the community, relieve the congestion by a letter to the Herald, we want to encourage correspondence on all subjects of material interest, and last but not least, don’t forget that money helps the paper to talk and if you are not already a subscriber, send along your two dollars for a year’s subscription, that will be real encouragement.
New management of the Herald … It will be of interest to our readers to learn that we have made arrangements with a number of the leading literary gentlemen of Cranbrook to form an Editorial Staff therefore it may be expected that the diversified items of a dozen or so will be more interesting than one set of brains could produce.
So far we have not succeeded in arranging for the co-operation of the ladies in this respect, we shall be glad to hear from any ladies who wish to contribute articles which will earn the same payment as that given to their masculine competitors.
A meeting of the Editorial Staff will be held once a month who will act as judges in cases of competitions for prizes. Space will be given for articles or letters written by school children and prizes awarded each month. Prizes will also be given for the best collection of “gems of thought” clippings from the journals and magazines.
It is specially requested that anyone wishing to contribute articles will have same in not later than Wednesday noon in order to insure insertion in that issue.
