March 10 - 16: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1917
Serious accident on Hamilton’s Hill … A serious accident occurred last Saturday afternoon on Hamilton’s Hill, west of town, whereby Mr. Dow, teamster for the Cranbrook Sash & Door Co., is the loser of a horse to the value of about $500.
According to information received, a sleigh coming down the hill became stuck on the road where the snow has gone. The teamster went back and stopped the next sleigh coming down the hill and called to the teamster to pull him out. They blocked the second sleigh on the hill and unhitched the team and went down to the first sleigh where they proceeded to pull it out, forgetting, apparently, to warn the teamster coming behind, of the danger ahead, consequently, by the time the third sleigh hove in sight of the blocked one, the speed was too great to pull up in the distance.
Despite the attempts of the teamster, Mr. Dow, to avoid the collision, he ran into the sleigh ahead, broke the harness on his team causing one of his; horses to fall. The sleigh passed over and crushed one of its legs and the animal had to be shot.
All three teamsters are in the employ of the Cranbrook Sash & Door Co. who have been hauling logs over this route all winter.
Police news … Fred Staback was gathered in this week by the Chief on a charge of stealing goods from a dwelling in Cranbrook. Dropped off a freight Sunday, arrested Monday, sent up for trial Tuesday—pretty work.
Morris Crowe appeared before the magistrate on the 13th on a charge of drunk and disorderly, and was fined $5.00. He had $86 on him when arrested and probably has Chief Hersey to thank for the rescue of his wad.
“The Man in the Moon” at auditorium … Pretty girls, funny comedians and a wealth of handsome costumes will lend enchantment to the play that will appear at the opera house Saturday, March 17th, when “The Man in the Moon” the fantastic musical comedy production with Hyatt and Lenore in the stellar roles will be the attraction.
Unlike most musical shows which are built for laughing purposes only this one has a unique plot, and deals with the adventures of the all-star opera company who become stranded in Turkey and give a performance for his Royal Highness the Sultan.
Highly indignant and displeased with their show, the Sultan decrees that the manager of the show and his performers be beheaded. The comedy starts here and is a continuous scream throughout the entire show.
The beautiful chorus of girls will be seen potpourri of twenty-two musical numbers and dancing ensembles that set you all a humming.
Everything of the serious nature is forgotten, the costuming of the girls is made a special feature with all new scenery you can rest assured that you are going to see one of the best musical comedy companies that has played.
For sale … Beale & Elwell have been instructed to sell Mr. Caslake’s residence on Armstrong Avenue on very attractive terms. This is one of the most up-to-date and complete residences in Cranbrook. For full particulars, apply to Beale & Elwell. Phone 20
Readings continue … On Wednesday last Mr. Bridge continued his series of readings from great plays, taking “Pompey the Great,” Maxfield’s masterpiece, as his subject. Mr. Bridge was just recovering from an attack of grippe and his voice was not in the best of condition. However, with assistance of excellent musical items by Mrs. Wallinger, Mrs. Whitehouse and Miss Caslake, the audience spent an enjoyable evening.
This Week Galsworthy’s “Little Dream” is the subject of the reading. A unique feature will be a musical accompaniment to the spoken lines. Next week Mr. Bridge will present scenes from Shakespeare’s “Tempest.”
St. John Ambulance … On Monday, March 19th, the St. John Ambulance will present at the Rex Theatre, “The Social Buccaneer,” featuring J. Warren Kerrigan and Louise Lovely.
This picture is a five reel drama with lots of punch and thrill, many of the scenes depicting Chinese dens etc. Kerrigan and Miss Lovely are at their best in this wonderful drama, and we invite all to come and help the cause.
In addition to the picture a short program has been prepared to be put on between shows: Song, Miss Roberts; Dance, Mr. Allen DeWolf; Song, Miss Frances Drummond. Special music will be furnished for the show.
Matinee in the afternoon at 4.15. Adults 10c; children 5c. Evening performance: Adults 25c; children 15c.
Auditorium … F. E. Powell, distinguished Australian magician, and his excellent company, will appear at the Auditorium, Friday, March 16th. Mr. Powell was the first magician to make a tour of the Orient, having played throughout China thirty years ago where he astounded the Chinese magicians with his stupendous illusions.
Mr. Powell has been on the road for the past forty-one years and has appeared in every part of the civilized globe. Powell’s performance marks the dawn of a new era of legerdemain. His work is baffling, mystifying and thrilling.
Hunting bounties … Mr. Wallinger has received word from the Government this week that the bounty on coyotes is reduced to $2, wolves to $10, but cougars remain the same; taking effect from April 1st.
Moyie news … Between fifteen and twenty families who within the past three months arrived here to make their homes, are like the property owners, anxiously awaiting the decision of the Consolidated Company; if they decide to rebuild the Concentrator, Moyie will be the busy place it was before the fire. Already nearly forty men have gone to other places.
Wycliffe news … Victor Hakinen, a Finlander, was tried here for assault and battery, before F. P. Davis, J. P., on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. The plaintiff was Budd Willet the well-known retainer of the Wycliffe Hotel. The witnesses were for the plaintiff, Charlie Waterman, and for the accused, two Finlanders, Matt: Johnson and Wayne Lapa. J. P. Davis acquitted Hackinen and ordered Willett to pay the cost, five dollars.
The trouble originated, it seems, outside the Wycliffe Hotel, last Saturday afternoon, over two of the accused’s friends, whom the plaintiff had hauled into Cranbrook that morning and had come back without. These two men came out later in a hired rig, and having assembled the remaining cohorts of their band, among whom was the accused, met the plaintiff as he was coming out of the hotel.
Some Words were exchanged between the plaintiff and the Finns when according to the almost tearful allegation of the plaintiff the accused without provocation or ceremony, passed over a “hay-maker” to the plaintiff which catapulted the latter some eight feet through the air and deposited him in no gentle manner upon a stock of beer bottles adjacent to the spot.
Fort Steele news … Last week Constable Walsh was called to Bridge’s sawmill to remove some drunken men who were causing a disturbance there. On 14th they appeared before Arthur B. Fenwick. J. P. Grantly Dalgardno, an interdict was fined $20 and costs. Pat Harrigan was fined $2.30 and costs and Charles Nording $2.50 and costs.
Police commissioners … The first open meeting of the Police Commissioners took place Tuesday evening in the City Hall, several ladies and gentlemen being present as a delegation from various bodies.
Mayor Clapp opened the proceedings and called for any remarks from those present. The ladies very gracefully waived their privilege, and allowed the gentlemen to lead the array and the Rev. W. H. Bridge took the floor. He complimented the Commission upon allowing the public into their deliberations, and also upon their determination to enforce the curfew by-law. He thought the law was an excellent one, but would like to see exceptions made for children to attend entertainments and evening classes.
The Mayor here interposed that all requests must be submitted to the Commission in writing.
The Rev. Thos. Keyworth also paid tribute to the work the Commission were doing, but thought that it would be unwise to grant any exceptions. He suggested that the date when the change in the hour when children must be off the streets should coincide with the dates when schools hours were changed. The Mayor said that this was being done, and that during the summer months 9 o’clock the bell would ring. March 1st to November 1st, it was found, constitutes the summer school schedule.
Mrs. McFarlane then addressed the members of the Commission, and, complimenting them on their work, spoke strongly in favor of the by-law. She thought 8 o’clock in winter and 9 o’clock in summer late enough for any child to be on the streets. She had noticed already how the little ones trotted off home as soon as they heard the bell. On behalf of the ladies of the town, she wished to express the gratitude they all felt for the work the Commission had undertaken.
Mr. W. D. Gilroy, on behalf of the Merchant’s Association, presented a written request that exception should be made for boys engaged in delivery on Saturday nights, and Mr. Fink spoke in support of the request. He said that in these hard times the help the boys were able to give to the home was all needed.
As to any possibility of friction arising out of the by-law, being one of the original framers of the law, he said that the original intention had been to so operate it as to cause as little hardship and inconvenience as possible, and by a system of cards: these difficulties as to delivery and classes, etc., could be easily arranged.
Chief Hersey, who is taking a strong personal interest in the working of the by-law, read over a few suggestions he thought would be of benefit. He thought that 14 should be the age limit and that “not having any special business” would cover all these cases of necessity.
Mr. White also spoke in favor of the by-law, and as against any exceptions being made. The Mayor, in acknowledging the appreciative remarks, said that the Commission had thrashed the matter out all ways, and he thought that nothing had been said which gave them any real cause to change their views.
Placing his foot down firmly and solidly, which the Mayor is well able to do, he said that they were determined to administer the law fairly and squarely and show no favors to any party or person.
The ladies then withdrew, and pipes were hastily loaded up, the Commission settling down to what looked like an all-night session, and your scribe also beat it.
News from the front … W. A. Rollins says “Fxxxz nearly got me but am O. K. now. We will finish Fxxxtz this summer.” He has a good word for England. “The finest people here I ever met.” letters have been received this week acknowledging the Christmas boxes sent to the boys by the English Church, from W. A. Rollins, D. Leslie, W. C. Crebbin, F. E. J. Rosselli, R. T. Williams, and Colin M. Dunlop. Robert J. Laurie, of the 8th Battalion, who was wounded last September, and who has since been in various hospitals in England, has been sent to Hastings. He says the place is full of wounded Canadians and the first ones he met were Charlie McCowan and Oliver Bristow. As most of the men are quite convalescent the routine consists of physical drills and short route marches to harden them a little before returning to the trenches.
The men are very comfortably housed in the summer hotels and boarding houses on the sea-front.
The many inquiring friends of Sergt. Percy Adlard, will be pleased to learn that his father, W. C. Adlard, has heard from him after a period of six weeks, when he was then in hospital in France, sick.
Letter just received is dated Feb. 13. Hut 30, K Company, No. 6 Convalescent Depot, A. P. O. S II France.
Dear Dad. I suppose you wonder what, has got me as I have not written. I am alright; I am still down the line as you will see by the address. I have been out of Hospital about a week and I came up here.
I have got a job here now which will last about, two months I think. I suppose you will be glad to hear that, but really down at the bottom of my heart I don’t like the idea, but then I think I have done my little bit.
I have not received any mail from you since I left the battalion, but I suppose I will get it in about a month’s time, it takes the mail such a long time to find you when you leave the battalion.
Wycliffe news … Mr. H. H. McClure of Wycliffe, arrived in the city last night from Cayley, Alberta, with a car-load of dairy stock for his farm and pulled out for home on the Kimberley train this morning. The shipment consists of one bull and seventeen cows all registered Holsteins and all between the ages of three and six.
The whole lot are very typical of the breed being good large businesslike looking animals and are either fresh in milk or freshening in the next month, and will make an appreciable addition to the supply at the Creamery.
Mr. McClure has here the foundation for a herd that will do credit to the district and as we understand Holsteins are to be the breed used by one or two other progressive farmers near Wycliffe, a spirit of union and push would easily make St. Marys Prairie a breed centre noted for black and white milkers, which is much better than two or three breeds for the same purpose in the same neighborhood.
Mr. McClure is to be congratulated on the useful type of cows got and the district on their advent. The dairy cow is to the farm what oil is to a machine, she smoothes the running of the other branches.
Induction service … The Knox Presbyterian Church was well filled Wednesday evening when the newly appointed pastor, the Rev. H. Wright, was formally inducted to the charge. Rev. W. Robertson of Rossland, Moderator of the Session, Rev. Mr. Pow of Creston and Rev. Mr. Carr of Fernie, were the officiating clergymen.
Mr. Wright, who hails from the “ould sod”, has been stationed at Pincher Creek, and received the welcome of a good many of the brethren at the depot on his arrival Wednesday noon, with Mrs. Wright and little son. The ladies have been very busy during the week preparing the manse and the church for their reception, and a most hearty welcome seemed to be given by all.
Mr. Robertson created a very comfortable feeling of contentment and pleasurable anticipation by his very apt address to the congregation at the close, when an adjournment was made to the school to partake of the good things provided by the ladies, and to make friendly acquaintance with the new pastor and his family.
Farmers get together … The Farmer’s Institute held a very interesting meeting Saturday last in the City Hall President Palmer in the chair and about 35 present. Among other matters dealt with was the question of the erection of a flour and grist mill and elevator in the district.
A committee from the Board of Trade led by Pres. Beattie brought the matter forward, pointing out that the production of grain in the district had now got beyond the demands of the feeders of whole grain and that the amount of imported flour and ground grains was very great here still.
Growers had to peddle their grain from door to door and sell in small amounts, often, on credit which was not bankable and that there was no settled standard of price which left them satisfied that they were getting fair value for their grain.
That an elevator would stabilize prices and provide storage where a grower could place unsold grain if desirous of so doing, and if need of cash obtain the same against his stored grain at any time.