October 13-19: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1917
The Criminal Court … Before His Honor Judge Thompson, three First Nations, Patrick, Gregory and Prances Phillips, were tried for stealing a heifer belonging to the Sisters of Charity at the Mission, valued at $36. W.A. Nisbet appeared for the prosecution and G. J. Spreull appeared for the defendants.
Patrick, Gregory and Frances Phillips pleaded guilty and after hearing a number of witnesses, the Judge decided to convict Patrick. Sentence was postponed in order that further inquiries might be made.
Patrick was subsequently sentenced to three years and Gregory and Frances one year each.
Sister Philomena dies at St. Eugene Hospital … Sister Philomena died early Monday morning at the St. Eugene Hospital from tuberculosis at the age of 28 years.
She was born in New Brunswick and taught school for some time in Alberta. She received her training as a nurse in Vancouver and later entered into the community of the Sisters of Charity of Providence in Montreal. From there she was sent to New Westminster as teacher of the Orphanage but owing to failing health she came to the St. Eugene Hospital last June.
The father, brother and sister of the deceased lady arrived from New Brunswick to attend the funeral which took place from the Hospital Chapel, Father Murphy officiating and Father Michel from Fernie presiding at the organ. The internment taking place in St. Marys Cemetery. Sister Philomena was known as a good teacher and was very popular.
Her death, which was really her birth into a brighter world, was most touching, an exemplary to the good Sisters around her who saw her pass to her reward.
King Edward’s School … Kindergarten classes at King Edward’s School from 10 to 12 a.m. Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Sewing, Drawing, Singing and Drill. Fees $5.40 a month including use of books, stationery and needlework materials.
Visiting Cranbrook … A gentleman with a very commanding physique, who registered at the Cranbrook Hotel as “Big Jim” from Medicine Hat was in the city this week interviewing various land brokers with a view to purchasing a large tract of land for grazing purposes.
In hospital … Miss Florence Bathie of Wynndel. B. C., is an inmate of the St. Eugene Hospital this week, where she is recuperating from a successful operation for appendicitis. Miss Bathie expects to leave the Hospital on Thursday when she will be the guest of Mrs. Waldron McKay for a few weeks.
Bjorkman-Johnson … At Cranbrook on Wednesday, Oct. 17th, Victoria Johnson of Bull River, was united in marriage to Ragnar Bjorkrman of Bull River. Rev. Thos, Keyworth officiating.
“Robinson Crusoe” … F. Stuart-Whyte will offer his newest super-musical extravaganza, ‘‘Robinson Crusoe” at the Auditorium Theatre on Thursday night, October 28th. Not only is this going to be a wonderful singing and dancing show, but the scenic effects promise a rare treat.
There are eleven complete scenes in the piece, all designed by Mr. Whyte and executed by Mr. Edgar McKie, late master scenic artist of the Drury Lane Theatre, London.
Some of the effects achieved by Mr. McKie are marvelous in their tone color and beauty and will make a fitting back-ground for the brilliant action of the piece.
In memoriam … The City of Cranbrook has a legitimate pride in her sons who have counted not their lives dear unto them in the great world-struggle for righteousness and liberty. Her pride is deepened when she hears of her boys volunteering to rush to the post of danger where the supreme need is courage and self-sacrifice.
Had Robinson Cyril Brown been spared, he would have been decorated for distinguished service.
Harold Cadwallader offered himself for trench service and his brother, Lawson was killed when entering the fourth German trench. The boys’ ages were 24, 22 and 20 respectively — killed in the prime of youth.
A memorial service for the boys will be held at 7.30 p.m. in the Cranbrook Baptist Church to which all are invited.
St. John Ambulance benefit night at the Rex Theatre … On Tuesday evening, the energetic members of the local branch of the St. John Ambulance took charge of the Rex Theatre; unfortunately the films which were kindly donated by the Regal Film Company did not arrive in time and the matinee had to be cancelled, but there was a full capacity house at both shows in the evening.
The total receipts being $113.95 netting the St. John Ambulance $83.00. The members desire to thank all those who supplied candy and contributed in other ways to make the day a success, especially Mr. and Mrs. Bookout, Mr. Toombs and Mr. Parker’s Orchestra.
Splendid example of patriotism shown by children … With a determination to do their “bit” for the Prisoners of War Fund, a number of the young children of this city exhibited a fine example of patriotism last week when they, unaided by the adults, arranged and carried out a program of song and dance.
The program was as follows: Opening chorus: “Oh Canada” : Highland fling: Loretta Leclerc and Annie Parnaby : Recitation: Annie Parnaby ; Spanish dance: Loretta Leclerc, Gertie Parnaby and Helen Leclerc: Fairy dance— sketch : Muriel Reade, Queen; Annie Parnaby, Loretta Leclerc and Marion Drummond, fairies; Short dialogue, “Marigold”; Chorus: “Good Luck to the Boys of the Allies,” and “God Save our Splendid Men.”
Refreshments and candies were served. The admission charged was 5 cents from which was collected the sum of $3.85.
We give herewith the names of the children who took part in the proceedings: Annie Parnaby, Gertie Parnaby, Muriel Reade. Loretta Leclerc, Helen Leclerc, Hazel Simpson and Marion Drummond.
City council meeting … The regular monthly meeting of the City Council was held on Thursday last with Mayor Clapp and Aldermen MacKinnon, Bakin and Balment in attendance. The accounts were ordered paid.
The City Engineer reported as follows: Maintenance work on the water systern during the month was as follows:
One leak on the main, and three leaks on the distributary system were repaired. Two hydrants and two valves were overhauled and repaired.
Three culverts were built on Kains St. at Norbury, Armstrong, and Durick Avenues. Road bridges on Edwards Street and Durick Avenue were partly redecked.
A new foot bridge was built on Garden Avenue and Kootenay Street and the creek at this point cleaned out. The main streets were cleaned, and sidewalks and footbridges throughout the City maintained in repair. … 12 Mitchell rock crusher, with elevator, was purchased at a cost of $575 with the object of providing more suitable material for street maintenance and repair.
The Stoddart trays over primary filters at the disposal works were cleaned, and the ditch and flumes to the irrigating tract maintained.
Two plumbing permits were issued during the month.
Your obedient servant, Wm. H. Eassie, City Engineer.
The Fire Chief was instructed to have the Fire Hydrants covered as usual for winter.
Requests were received from Firemen R. Simplon and W. Foster for an increase in salary. The matter was referred to a committee composed of the Mayor and Aldermen Balment and Bakin with power to act.
The application of Mr. J. R. Adamson for sewer connection came before the Council and the Mayor and City Clerk were authorized to enter into an agreement, with Mr. Adamson for same.
Alderman Bakin gave notice that he would, at the next regular meeting of the Council, introduce a By-Law to amend the Boarding and Lodging House By-Law.
Spofford’s visit … Mrs. C. Spofford of Victoria, Provincial President of the W. C. T. U., has come and gone, and both the local union and the community are the richer in knowledge and inspiration for her visit.
The temperance propaganda, which has become undoubtedly the greatest ethical and political movement of any day, so wide in its sweep that it is carrying cities, provinces and great nations on its bosom, can be traced to the toil of a few friends, in a small village, who struggled to save their own sons and the tone of the community.
The British Temperance League the National Temperance Union, the International Congress, with all its world-wide research might never have been, had not Joseph Livesly, in 1832 consecrated himself and the villagers and walked or driven in his cart to the neighboring villages to fan the fires of interest in total abstinence.
There is continuity, therefore, in the parlour meeting such as was held at the home of Mrs. Joseph Woodman on Friday afternoon, the 12 th of October.
Mrs. Spofford spoke to the women in her own inimitable way, of “The Woman Who has Come”. Her address was practical, immediate, suggestive and helpful. It was a high tribute to the attractiveness of her own winsome personality that such a large gathering of ladies, the largest she has had in Cranbrook, should, in spite of the other functions of the week, be present, to welcome her.
In the evening, in the Baptist Church, Mrs. Spofford also spoke on “The Price of Victory.” In life we only get what we pay for. The Temperance victory has been great: the price has been great. To-morrow a larger victory may demand a heavier price. The theme was opportune.
The Executive Committee of the W.C.T.U. occupied seats on the platform. The Baptist and Presbyterian ministers could be seen in the audience. Mrs. Thos. Keyworth, President of the local society, presided, and in her own gracious and happy way introduced the speaker as a woman of rare eloquence.
The prediction was fulfilled. Mrs. Spofford spoke for over an hour with a voice that seemed unwearied, clear and full.
Mrs. Spofford’s style was forceful without losing grace. Her arguments were convincing. The address was informing, teeming with facts culled from scores, history, life and literature. The literary grace in which these were clothed, with the speaker’s warm conviction and impounded optimism, interested, and held the attention of the audience till the close.
The Rev. H. Wright led the meeting in prayer. An augmented choir, under the leadership of Mr. J. Palmer, ably led the singing. The local W. C. T. U. therefore should be able to run through the winter, happily, on the impetus of the visit of their esteemed President.
“Birth of a Nation” … Stupendous picture coming to Rex Theatre. Quite the most wonderful of many scenes pictured in “The Birth of a Nation” is that showing Sherman’s march to the sea and the burning of the City of Atlanta. Imagine if you can a view of a long, fertile valley extending for miles, apparently between the hills. Moving through this valley, in straggling formation, or lack of formation, is the army of General Sherman. The view is so extensive that the soldiers appear but little larger than ants, yet the photograph is so clear that the form of each man is perfectly delineated. Now and then a puff of smoke indicates return fire upon snipers in farm buildings. Now and then a barn is fired in evident retaliation for a deadly bullet from its shelter, and the army of human ants is ever moving forward, wriggling its way like a huge serpent towards its goal — the sea. Atlanta is reached.
Whether the burning of the City was a military necessity, or whether the conflagration was of accidental origin, chroniclers of the time fail to agree, but Atlanta was sacrificed to the flames and the conflagration is so realistically pictured in the “Birth of a Nation” that one can almost smell the smoke, and hear the cries of the terrified people as they flee to the hills for their lives. Few make any attempt to save household effects, so great is their haste to escape the flames and the hated Yankees.
Sherman’s army has sent its fearful swathe through the heart of the South. Another link has been forged in the chain that shall bind the confederacy to the stake. Another move has been made in the big war game that is to end at Appomattox Court House with the surrender of Lee.
It is a wonderful picture in very truth. Nothing like it has ever appeared on the screen, and it took a vast amount of labor and infinite patience to stage such a spectacle.
The entire musical score written for this great picture will be played.
The picture will be seen at the Rex Theatre one night only, Wednesday, October 24th. Prices 75 cents; children 25 cents. Seats on sale at Beattie-Murphy’s.
Trent-Wisner wedding … The friends of Arthur Trent will be agreeably surprised to learn of his wedding on Tuesday afternoon to Mrs. Sarah Wisner of Thompson Falls Mont. The ceremony was performed at the International Hotel in this city, by Rev. G. H Wilbur, and the couple immediately left for Mr. Trent’s ranch on the north bench. Arthur Trent has been a resident of the valley for several years and was known as a confirmed bachelor, so that the surprise comes more pronounced among his friends. He has recently erected a cozy cottage in the city on the North side, but has stoutly denied that there were any matrimonial intentions behind the action. A host of friends in Boundary country and Spokane will join in extending congratulations to the couple and voice the wish that their married life may be long and full of happiness.