Week November 24 - 30: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1917
Police raid Chinese joint … A raid was made on Sunday evening the 25th, by the Police assisted by the Police Commissioners, on a Chinese rooming house with the result that some 16 or 17 Chinese men were arrested and charged with gaming.
Trial came on before Police Magistrate Arnold on Monday and Tuesday the 26th and 27th of November.
The charge as against the keeper, which is punishable by imprisonment, was withdrawn, five of the players were fined $25.00 each and ten who were looking on $10.00 each.
A.B. Macdonald appeared for the prosecution, Sherwood Herchmer of Fernie for the accused.
Bull River tragedy … At the preliminary hearing on Wednesday, in connection with the recent tragedy at Bull River, James Young, the accused, was committed for trial.
Percy Bidder killed in action … We regret to announce that Private Percy Gilbert Bidder, son of Mr. Chas. Bidder, of this city, was killed in action on November 15th. A telegram to this effect was received by his mother, Mrs. Chas. Bidder, last Tuesday. The sympathy of the Herald and the community at large is extended to the bereaved parents.
Victory loan campaign … There is every reason for the Cranbrook Committee and the various Subcommittees throughout the district, to feel satisfied with the results of the Victory Loan Campaign.
The $100,000 mark originally aimed at, was passed before the end of the second week, and $150,000 was then set as the figure to be reached. This amount of subscriptions was secured to-day and with two days returns yet to be added, the amount has now reached $163,600.
Full particulars, giving amount of Cranbrook subscriptions, and the amounts sent in from outside points, will appear in our next issue.
Crop entries … There were eight entries in the potato competition this year, the quality of the produce shown being remarkably good and the range of points between the highest and lowest, very small.
Mr. Gibson, who officiated as Judge, commented on the good results obtained here, compared with other districts further west, the season having been against good yields and there being considerable potato ground in some districts that would not be dug.
The Judge commented on Mr. P. Woods’ sample of Red Fife as securing one of the best scores on his judging trip, It was the only plump sample here.
All prizes except the first were won with the Marquis variety of wheat.
There were nine entries, almost all being cut two or three points for weeds, though Mr. F. Clark escaped with the loss of only one.
The weeds mentioned were Tumbling Mustard and Wild Buckwheat.
The crops were not judged until rather late, September 3rd, all the grain being cut, some entries stacked, and one threshed.
The prize cheques will be presented to the winners at the Annual Meeting of the Institute on December 8th, on which occasion it is hoped there will be a good attendance, as not only will the finances of the year be closed, but owing to lack of a quorum at the last meeting, the Directors for the ensuing year will be elected.
There will be a Seed Fair held at Armstrong, BC in December and it is hoped that at least some, exhibits of wheat and potatoes will be sent from this district.
The Government pays transportation of entries and gives liberal prizes. Full information can be obtained from A. B. Smith, Secretary of the Farmers’ Institute.
News from boys at the front … France, Oct. 10th, 1917. My Dear Sister Annie.—I will drop a few lines to let you know I am well and hope that this finds you all well at home. I have had several letters from you and never answered any of them, so I think it is about time to write one; I got a card from you the time I went to Paris, you were in Victoria then.
Is Len and Harry still running their cars? Tell Len to write me few lines when he gets time.
You people at home often ask how long I think the war will last; I have had a vast experience since I saw you last and would like to write and express my opinion about the war but I am afraid it would not pass the Censor.
Tell Len that I saw Tommie Good and Alex Sutherland here awhile ago; I also saw Carl Mackay about two months ago; he is in the 29th Battalion. I was talking to StanleyStuart too; he is just as happy as ever. I saw Jack Taylor a few days ago and was talking to him.
I will close for this time with best regards to everyone at home. I remain, Your loving brother, George Crowe.
Case dismissed … Pierre Same, a Kootenay Indian, was charged before His Honor, Judge Thompson, at the Wilmer Court, with the theft of a two year old animal.
The case came on for trial on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 20th and 21st of November.
It was contended by the Crown that the accused sold the animal to one, Vaughan Kimpton. The Crown however, failed to establish any case against the accused and the charge was accordingly dismissed.
F. U. Hill of Golden for the Crown; A. B. Macdonald of Cranbrook for the accused.
Larson/Rathrey wedding … A very pretty wedding took place on Friday evening, November 23rd, at the Presbyterian Manse, Rev. H. Wright officiating, when Miss Lillie Larson of Yahk was united in marriage to Mr. Alex Rathrey of Bull River.
The bride was attired in ivory satin and tulle; the flowers on corsage were white carnations. She carried a bridal bouquet of Chrysanthemums.
The couple left for Bull River immediately after the ceremony.
Gordon Mcredey receives promotion … Mr. Gordon Mecredy has been gazetted a 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, according to word received by his mother, Mrs. H. G. Mecredy, of Victoria. Lieutenant Mecredy left Cranbrook as a Sergeant in the 225th Battalion in July, 1916, going overseas with the Battalion draft last January.
In the spring of 1917 he was recommended for commission in the Imperial Army and qualified as an officer after a three month’s course at the officer’s training school at Fennoy, Ireland. When last heard from Mr. Mecredy was with his regiment in Dublin, but was expecting to leave for France very soon.
Honor roll unveiled at Central School … The unveiling of the Honor Roll, on which are the names of fifty-four teachers and scholars of the Central School who have volunteered their services in the cause of Empire, brought together a large number of friends and relatives of the men on Friday evening, the large assembly hall at the School being well filled.
A program had been arranged by the Junior Red Cross Society, including patriotic choruses by theJunior Red Cross girls, vocal and instrumental selections by a number of local artists, and several short speeches.
The Roll of Honor was unveiled by Dr. F. W. Green, who occupied the chair, and who made an appropriate speech, commenting on the large number of names appearing on the Roll and speaking particularly of those who have made the supreme sacrifice or whose names have figured in the lists of wounded.
The following is a complete record of the names on the Roll: Gordon Anthony, Roy Argue, Raymond Armstrong, Charles Barnhardt, Harry Bathie, Harold Bridges, Harold Cadwallader, Lawson Cadwallader, Archie Chisholm, Frank Cryderman,Claude Davis, Former Principal F. Dexter, Harvey Dickson, Edward Doolan, Wesley Finley, Carl Gill, Harvey Handley, Edward Hannah, Charles Herniman, Ernest Jones, Griffith Jones, George Kerr, Robert Laurie, William Laurie, Lionel Leask, Donald Leslie, Car Mackay, Charles McKowan, Christopher McNeil, Nome McNeil, Charles Morrison, Bert Murgatroyd, Edward Neil, Percy Neil, Frank Passmore, Silas Patton, Ashton Powers, Robert Reid, John Ryckman, Donald Simpson, Frank Sissons, Douglas Stewart, Earl Stewart, Louis Stewart, Roy Stocks, Nigel Thomson, Gordon Wallinger, John Woods, Orville Dow, Former High School Principal Ashmore, Marshall Barton, William Brownlee, Harold Hickenbotham, Clarence Hickenbotham.
Handsomely framed, and placed in a conspicuous position, the Roll should prove an ever present reminder to those attending the school, that their predecessors learned not only true British spirit which makes a man willing to fight for justice and freedom, and if necessary, to lay down his life for the cause.
A collection was taken to defray the cost of Christmas parcels sent to the boys at the front, $32.55 being realized.
Miss M. Green receives presentation … Miss M. Green, who is leaving for Toronto in the near future, was presented with a handsome silver mesh bag a few days ago. The gift came from a number of girl friends with whom Miss Green has been associated in the work of the local branch of the St. John Ambulance Association, of which she was President.
The vacancy caused by Miss Green’s retirement has been filled by the election of Miss A. McLennan.
$18.75 Realised from melting pot … Mrs. M. A. Beale is in receipt of a cheque for §18.75 from Mr. Raworth, the proceeds of the sale of the old gold and silver which people generously donated to the “melting pot.”
The money will be handed over to the Prisoners of War Bread Fund. Thanks are due to Mr. Raworth for his work in this connection and he has kindly offered his window for the same purpose after Christmas.
In the meantime if anyone has any gold and silver junk to donate, please notify Mrs. Beale.
C.E.S.T. Conference … Fourteen boys, in care of R. E. Pow, attended the Boy’s W ork Conference held under the auspices of the C.E.S.T. movement at Nelson, Nov. 22-25.
They reached Nelson on Thursday evening, and were escorted by the Nelson boys to the Y.M.C.A. where they registered and secured their billets.
The first three sessions were particularly for leaders in boy’s work. On Friday evening the boy’s conference proper opened under charge of the boys themselves. Otto Gill was chosen as secretary of the conference and R. E. Pow to represent the “Y” among “the Allies.”
The sessions right through were most helpful and inspiring, the prominent features being the demonstrations of charting, and of the Sunday and midweek sessions of the organized Sunday school class; the banquet in the Presbyterian Church on Saturday evening, and the closing meetings in the Anglican and Methodist Churches on Sunday.The men leading the meetings were W. Storey, J. P. Westman, and C. A. Meyers, representing respectively the Y.M.C.A., the Methodist and the Presbyterian Churches.
A better and more harmonious trio would be hard to find. It was a red-letter day in the lives of the local boys, and they acquitted themselves very creditably. It was a pleasure to accompany them.
We hope that the various groups will have an opportunity of presenting the work in their various churches, and the C.S.E.T. program will be adopted in every Sunday School.
Cranbrook Ladies Unionists … At a largely attended meeting held in the Unionist Committee rooms Thursday afternoon, November 24th, the ladies of Cranbrook formed aUnionist organization.
The chairman announced that it had been the intention of Dr. Bonnell to be present, but had just received the following telegram: “I regret very much that I am unable to attend meeting in Cranbrook today but will arrange to address ladies of Cranbrook in the near future and sincerely hope that they will do everything in their power to support Union Government in upholding the honor and integrity of Canada in the eyes of the world. (signed) S. Bonnell.”
After several good speeches had been made by the ladies they proceeded to elect their officers and started off with a membership of nearly 100 members.
Not a stone is to be left unturned to bring about the election of the “Win the War Candidate, Dr. Bonnell of Fernie, who has spent one year and a half with our boys at the front”.
The following officers were elected: President Mrs. A. M. Laurie; Vice-President, Mrs. L. B. Green; Secretary, Mrs. E. M. McKowan; Executive Mrs. M. Worden, Mrs. J. C. Leslie, Mrs. A. T. Phillips, Mrs. M. A. Beale. It would be very hard to muster a more enthusiastic body of ladies, who are working so energetically to further the prosecution of the war.
Dr. Bonnell is the right man in the right place and it is an assured fact that he will be elected by a good substantial majority.
With the valuable assistance of the ladies in this riding the majority will be largely increased.
