January 4 -10: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1918
Suicide tragedy … What appears to be a deliberate and premeditated case of suicide occurred at the Cross Keys Hotel sometime between ten o’clock on Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon.
K. Moeller, who stated that he came from Nelson, engaged a room at the hotel on Monday. On Wednesday morning, Mr. J. Buchanan proprietor of the Cross Keys Hotel, notified Chief of Police Hersey that Moeller was missing, and enquiries show him to have last been seen alive by the housekeeper of the hotel on Monday evening at about ten o’clock, when he was warming himself by the stove in the upstairs corridor.
About four o’clock Tuesday afternoon the housekeeper informed Mr. Buchanan that deceased did not appear to have left his room and that she was unable to gain admittance to do the necessary cleaning.
Mr. Buchanan broke into the room and found that although the door was bolted on the inside. The bed appeared to have been slept in, and Moeller’s boots, hat and coat were in the room.
Immediately on being advised of the man’s disappearance Chief Hersey proceeded to the hotel and discovered the missing man, dead, in the loft over the wood-shed in rear of the premises. He had apparently been dead for some considerable time as the body was frozen. The deceased was hanging by a pair of suspenders attached to the wall, with his feet touching the floor.
Moeller was a man of about fifty years of age, and is believed to have friends in Alberta, with whom Chief Hersey is endeavouring to get into communication.
Dr. F. W. Green, coroner, conducted an inquest this morning, the jury being as follows: W. E. Worden, foreman, A. L. McDermot, R. J. Binning,R. Frame, L. P. Sullivan, and W. Steward.
At the conclusion of the enquiry a verdict of “suicide while temporarily insane” was returned.
Further claims heard by local exemption tribunal … The Local Exemption Tribunal has received a further list of applications for exemption and is in session today the particulars of decisions are not available up to time of going to press. Mr. Harry White has with him on the tribunal Mr. C. H. Phillips who was appointed to take the place of Mr. I. Pownall who resigned recently.
Schools reopen … the Schools re-opened after the Christmas holidays on Monday last with a satisfactory attendance. There have been two changes on the staff, Miss A. Josephine Howard taking charge of Primary Class at the South Ward School in place of Mrs. P. J. Deane, resigned, and Miss Nellie Patterson being in charge of the Kootenay Orchards School.
Returned from overseas … Lieut. Speery S. Phillips returned home from overseas today and was welcomed on arrival by a large number of relatives and friends including G W. Veterans Association, and deputations from the City Council, Board of Trade, and Retail Merchants Association.
Mr. Phillips, who was on the staff of the Imperial Bank here, enlisted in May, 1915, and went overseas with the 54th Canadians. He took an Officer’s Training Course at Cambridge, England, and on receiving his commission was transferred to the 3rd East Kents, commonly known as the “Buffs.”
He saw considerable service in France, and received the wounds that resulted in his return home on March 28th last.
Tighten your belt … Britons are asked to “tighten their belt”. There are many belts in Cranbrook which could be drawn in without discomfort.
Gill is transferred … Word has been received by his parents here that Pte. Carl Gill has been transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He is now on leave in Edinburgh, Scotland, previous to commencing training in that branch of the service.
City of Cranbrook, Police Department annual report … The Police Commissioners met on Tuesday evening to wind up the business of the past year and to receive the report of Chief Hersey on the work of his department. The report follows:
To His Worship the Mayor and Police Commissioners: Gentlemen, I have the honor to submit for your approval, my report of the Police Department for the year 1917. Number of cases heard before Police .
• Value of stolen property recovered and restored to owners: $256. The Police have also been instrumental in recovering an amount of lost property, comprising such articles as spectacles, money, bank books, watches, motor car tires, etc.
• Police Court fines for the year amount to $1,768, Pound Fines: $167, Dog Taxes: $238.75. Total: $2,173.75. This shows a big increase all round over last year.
• The introduction of amendments and the passing of several new Bylaws has considerably strengthened the hands of this Department. In particular I might mention the passing and enforcement of the new Curfew By-law which has worked out most satisfactorily. The object of preventing young children from being on the streets at night has been accomplished. It is also noticeable that there has been a very marked decrease in the number of complaints of willful damage to property.
The By-law passed for the Regulation of Pool Rooms has also had good effect and has been of much assistance to the police. Since the B. C. Prohibition Act came into force on October 1st, cases of drunkenness, disorderly conduct, assault, etc. have been reduced almost to the vanishing point.
During the year three cases only of distress have come to my notice. In each case the parties in distress have been recent arrivals.
• In Cranbrook last summer, the premises of this Department were painted and kalsomined and repairs made to the sanitary arrangements. A high board fence has recently been completed at the rear of the cells. This provides an exercise yard for the goal and prevents unauthorized persons from conversing with prisoners. It also adds greatly to the security of the goal, discouraging any attempt at escape from custody.
All prisoners undergoing sentence have been placed at the disposal of the City Engineer.
A certain amount of work has been accomplished in this way at small cost to the ratepayers, although there has not been as much help of this description as formerly.
• Considerable annoyance and damage has occurred this year by stray cattle wandering at large through the city. I would respectfully suggest that the Farmer’s Institute be approached with a view that farmers and owners of cattle co-operate and make some arrangement whereby cattle can be kept out of town. This would prove of mutual advantage to all concerned.
• Strict economy, with due regard to efficiency, has been practiced by me in all matters appertaining to my department throughout the year.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen. Your obedient servant. B. C. HERSEY, Chief of Police.
Annual fire report to city council … Annual Fire Report for 1917. During the year the brigade has answered 15 calls. Of that number 10 were inside the City limits and 5 outside.
The value of property inside was: Buildings: $11,575. Insurance carried on same: $6,500. Insurance paid for losses: $520.
The description of buildings concerned is: 5 residences: 1 hotel; 1 pool-room; 1 chicken-house.
Cause of fires: 4 chimneys, no damage; 1 wood too close to stove, damage; 1 defective chimney, damages; from sparks from smoke stack on roof, damages; smoke scares, no damage; 1 children with matches, damages.
The five calls outside the City were: 4 bush fires, close in on City limits, with high wind blowing toward city, the blame was laid to children playing with matches; The other fire was the Sash & Door Factory, said to have been from spark falling on dust. The Factory was destroyed, but the Office and other buildings wore saved.
In the extinguishing of the foregoing fires twelve hours were worked by the brigade and 4,850 feet of hose laid.
No chemicals were used during the year.
No accident to firemen occurred.
25 permits to burn rubbish were issued.
All hydrants have been inspected regularly. Water pressure has kept from 90 to 100 lbs., which is very satisfactory to the Insurance Inspector.
Geo. W. Reece, Fire Chief.
Fine exhibits at poultry show … The second annual Cranbrook and District Poultry Show opened yesterday and is being continued to-day in the Poultry Building at the Exhibition Grounds. There are about 250 entries, and while the exhibition cannot compare with those held in some of the larger centers as to size, there is no fault whatever to be found in the quality of the exhibits sent in for competition by the poultry men of this district.
The Committee had arranged for cartage of all local entries and when Mr. W. H. Westbrook of Lethbridge, who officiated as Judge, reached the city on the noon train, he found all exhibits staged and everything in readiness for him to get to work, which he proceeded to do without delay, and before dark had completed the awards in the various classes, leaving only the allotment of the specials for today.
In conversation with our representative, Mr. Westbrook expressed himself as very pleased with the quality of the birds on exhibition, commenting in particular on outstanding entries in almost all varieties.
Speaking of the particularly good specimens he mentioned the single-comb White Leghorn cock from the Atchison Poultry Farm, also the black and white Orpingtons sent in by R. Jones of Fernie.
The Judge considered the Barred Plymouth Rocks to be without doubt the best class in the show, while A.B. Smith’s entry of Cornish were of excellent quality, as also were H. Hughes’ Houdans.
Mr. Westbrook considered the entries deserving of a little more work along the line of preparation for showing, as birds on which some time and attention has been spent, make far better appearance in the show pen than those which go direct from the run to the show.
Mr. F.S. Ryckman performed the duties of Show Secretary in his usual efficient manner. Others to whom considerable credit is due for the preparatory work and the satisfactory way in which the show has been carried out being President E. T. Cooper, Association-Secretary C. R. Sheppard, Show Superintendent R. Jones of Fernie, also Messrs. W. Harvey, W. R. Watson, W. R. Gibbs, A. B. Smith, P. Weatherall and W. B. Black.
An exhibitor who was missed from the show was Mr. A. M. Beattie of Waldo. In consequence of a severe snow storm, Mr. Beattie was unable to get his birds in to the show.
Several Fernie poultry men sent in exhibits and secured their share of the prizes.
Scott family entertainment … A Scotch concert was given at the Auditorium last evening by the Scott Family of Entertainers. The Auditorium was well filled and the proceeds will go to the funds of the local branch St. John Ambulance Association, under whose auspices the entertainment was given, and Irish songs, duets, dances, and number of humorous stories.
Miss Fiona Scott was the favorite vocalist; her rendering of some of the old songs that are seldom heard being particularly pleasing.
Miss Elfieda Scott also rendered some solos in good style.
Duets in character were given by Mora and Doune and were quite effective. In company with Ian and Walter these young ladies presented a number of Highland dances. The younger of the two boys made quite an impression on the audience with his courtly bearing and stage manners.
T.J. Scott, who has a good tenor voice, is the male vocalist of the company, and to his musical ability is added the capacity for telling stories of a humorous character.
Municipal matters … In our last issue we expressed the hope that all the Civic Officials would be re-elected by acclamation and up to the time of going to press, we are pleased to say there appears no indication of an election being forced on the City.
Civic positions are no sinecure, the Mayor, Councilors, School Trustees, and Commissioners must devote considerable time to their respective duties, if the City’s welfare is to be properly cared for, this work is done gratuitously and Cranbrook has been particularly fortunate in its Civic Directors in that they have always given of their best.
There is a tendency on the part of the Citizens to accept such services as a matter of course. We are prone to be forward with our criticisms and fault findings, usually without justification and backward in our expressions of gratitude and approval; as a matter of fact the City owes a deep debt of gratitude to Mayor Clapp, the Aldermen, and other officers for the arduous and satisfactory duties they have carried out and it is no small thing to ask them to continue these duties for another year - the third term for not a few of them.
As soon as conditions warrant it, there should be no time lost in requiting our faithful Councilors with some measure of reward, by way of salary.
The Directors of Banks and other large Corporations are paid for their services and there is as much, if not more, reason why the Directors of a City’s business affairs should receive appropriate remuneration for services rendered.
We understand that Mr. F. M. MacPherson and Mr. Arthur Shankland are willing to serve as Aldermen to replace the Late Alderman Hanson, and Alderman Green, who has expressed a desire to retire. Both men are well known and would render efficient service.
There was some mention of a Police Commissioner contest. We trust we are misinformed. The present Commissioners are Mr. Robert Eakin and Mr. T.E. Parrett and there is a general feeling that both these men have performed a difficult and often unpleasant task with every satisfaction. Both are willing to continue and we trust they will be returned by acclamation.
The policy of the Police Commissioners has been faithfully carried out by the Chief of Police as evidenced by his Annual Report which appears in this issue, the moral condition of the town has greatly improved. Tin horns, gamblers, crooks and other undesirables are learning that Cranbrook is an unprofitable city to ply their pernicious trades and are giving it a wide berth.
This is as it should be: we do not want such characters in our midst and the Chief of Police deserves credit for performing his duties in so efficient a manner.
