May 4 - 10: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1918
Straying horses and cattle … Horses and cattle are again appearing in the city streets in numbers. Owners will be wise to take this as a warning und keep their animals from straying all over the city.
Marysville news … We are pleased to see that Robert Stirton, who has been laid up for some time, is able to be around again. Mr. Stirton was riding a rather spirited horse when it shied at E. T. Cooper’s car, throwing him, and dragging him with one foot in the stirrup for a distance of 300 yards, cutting his face up rather badly.
Police court news … On Tuesday Robert Erskine was before the Police Magistrate charged with being drunk and disorderly. Several witnesses were heard in support of the charge and the case was remanded until Wednesday morning, the accused being allowed out on bail.
On Wednesday, Chief Hersey, who prosecuted, asked permission to withdraw the charge, the Chief pointing out that the accused was a returned soldier who had done his “bit” at the front, a little more latitude was perhaps permissible to returned soldiers than civilians, but at the same time the peace must be kept, the trouble is that well-meaning but mistaken friends were too free in offering soldiers liquor.
Magistrate Leask agreed with the Chief and was inclined to think the blame was attached to the person or persons who supplied Erskine with the liquor.
The charge was formally withdrawn, Constable Johns, who laid the information raising no objection.
Gopher death and potatoes … Word has arrived from Mr. H.O. English that owing to heavy demands, the supply of seed potato samples has been exhausted and no more can be obtained. Thus the large number of applications sent in from Cranbrook will not be filled. Report of the Powder Demonstration will be given in next week’s issue. Another supply of 100 boxes of Gopher Death has arrived and can be had at Mr. McPhee’s office.
Death of Mrs. Joseph Walsh … Mrs. Joseph Walsh, wife of Provincial Constable Walsh of Fort Steele passed away on Friday, May 3rd, after an illness of twelve years.
Mrs. Walsh was born in Lindsay. Ontario, on Aug 13, 1866, and was married in 1890, Mr. and Mrs. Walsh moving to Fort Steele in 1897. She leaves to mourn her loss besides her husband and eight children, her mother, Mrs. E.K. Francis, one sister Mrs. Major Baggley and three brothers Leo and Austin Francis of Calgary and W. J. Francis of Seattle. Two of her sons are on active service. Eddie at the front and John in the navy.
Rex vs William Lind … This is the first jail sentence in Cranbrook under Prohibition Act. This case was remanded from time to time and only came on for hearing last week.
Originally Lind was arrested without a warrant and Counsel for the Defense took the point relying upon a recent decision that he was improperly before the Court. Thereupon the charge was withdrawn and the accused was released, and shortly afterwards another information was laid, and a warrant issued and the accused arrested.
The case coming on for trial, the accused pleaded ‘not guilty’ and evidence was led by the prosecution, the charge being under the Prohibition Act for selling liquor.
Constable Johns gave evidence that on Easter Saturday he went into the Cross Keys Hotel, and saw a number of men standing beside the bar. He stated that as he went in he saw Lind hand two glasses to a couple of men standing at the bar and that the men drank the contents of the glasses, and handed them back to Lind; that he thereupon asked Lind for the glasses but that Lind threw them down, one going into the sink and the other on the wash board. He also stated that he saw a pitcher on the wash board.
He then went around the counter and picked out one glass from the water in the sink, and the other glass off the board, and that the latter smelt of intoxicating liquor. He stated that Lind attempted to empty the contents of the pitcher into the sink, but that some remained in the pitcher and that this smelt of intoxicating liquor also.
Lind then went out from behind the bar and Constable John telephoned to Chief Hersey. The Chief stated that on his arrival he saw the glasses and pitcher, and that they contained intoxicating liquor and that he then proceeded to search upstairs in the Cross Keys Hotel, and in various places found four bottles with liquor in them and an empty bottle.
He then came downstairs and he and Constable John took a sample of the water from the sink and that this smelt of liquor.
The various articles were proved in evidence.
The accused, Lind, then went upon the witness stand, and gave a general denial of John’s evidence, stating that he was not serving two men with liquor and made no attempt to conceal the glasses and pitcher and contents from the Police. He said he was speaking to a man named Benson at the time and was not near the sink. He called Benson who gave evidence substantiating the statement of Lind.
After argument by Counsel for the Prosecution and for the Defense, Police Magistrate John Leask adjourned the case to Monday to allow careful consideration of the evidence taken.
On Monday the Magistrate gave judgment. In summing up he said he considered the evidence of Benson the witness for the defence was somewhat unsatisfactory, that he believed the evidence of Constable Johns and also the testimony of the Chief of Police. The evidence of the Police was corroborated by the jug, glasses and the liquid taken from the sink which smelt of liquor even now, although the whisky in the jug and the glass had been evaporated; he therefore found the accused, Wilhelm Lind, guilty and sentenced him to six months with hard labour in Nelson Goal.
W. A. Nisbet appeared for the defense; G. J. Spreull for the Prosecution. Notice was given of appeal. In the meantime Lind is out on bail himself in the sum of $2,000.00 and two sureties of $1,000.00 each.
Call for duty … Mr. Percy Parker, of the Herald staff, has received his call from the military authorities and leaves for the Coast on Sunday. Mr. Parker will be much missed in musical and other circles.
Machum-Barnhart … Rev. P. V. Harrison officiated at a very pretty church wedding at ten o’clock Wednesday morning, May 8th when Mrs. S. Barnhardt’s youngest daughter Mary was united in marriage to Mr. Kenneth R. Machum.
The bride looked charming in a gown of white duchess satin and ninon trimmed with gold beads and carried a bouquet of white roses, she was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. Crane of McLeod.
Miss Mary Terrace acted as bridesmaid and was dressed in pink voile with picture hat to match and carried a bouquet of white and pink carnations.
Mr. James Arnold acted as best man.
The groom’s present to the bride was a diamond pendant and to the best man a set of pipes.
The wedding march was played byMiss Pye. A number of guests sat down to a dainty wedding breakfast which was served at the home of the bride’s mother.
The bride’s travelling costume was of Copenhagen blue broadcloth with hat to match.
The happy couple left on the afternoon train for Vancouver where they will spend their honeymoon, and on their return will reside on Burwell Avenue.
Davis-Watt … A quiet but pretty wedding was solemnized at high noon on Friday atthe Presbyterian Manse, when the Rev. Hillis Wright united in marriage Elizabeth Coghill Watt and Edgar Charles Davis.
The bride was attired in her going away suit of navy blue serge, with coat opening over a dainty blouse of flesh colored georgette crepe and wore a smart hat of grey trimmed in pink. She carried a shower bouquet of white roses. Miss Al\ma McGee acted as bridesmaid and carried a shower bouquet of white carnations.
Mr. A. Morris acted as groomsman. Mrs. D. Ryckman played the Wedding March. Mr. W. H. Wilson drove the bridal couple to the train where a large crowd of friends had assembled to extend congratulations and wish the happy couple Godspeed.
Amid showers of confetti and colored streamers, Mr. and Mrs. Davis boarded the Pullman. Mr. Davis has gone to the Coast for the purpose of enlisting in the Engineering Corps and will be greatly missed by a large circle of friends and business associates.
Mrs. Davis has been for a number of years very popular with the young people of the city and her loss in the St. John Ambulance Association and Presbyterian Church is one that will not easily be replaced.
Fort Steele forest fire … Fire Warden Watson of Fort Steele reported a large forest fire at Mud Creek and went out to the scene of activities with the fire fighters. The fire has been extinguished and the men are back in town.
Elko notes by Fred Roo … The Box Social and Dance held at Flagstone last week for the benefit of the Red Cross, was a splendid success. The sale of the fancy lunch baskets provided by the grace and beauty which the district is noted for, brought in $63.00 and the drawing for a very exquisite Lillian Russell handmade lace and embroidery boudoir cap, brought in $12.00 making a total of $75.00. A great many visitors coming from Gateway, Dorr, Waldo, and the Roosville Valley. The Sunkist Orchard Band supplying the music. A novel feature in many of the baskets and which was greatly enjoyed by the young men was a fine champagne flavored Tobacco Plains cigar, and a most enjoyable time was spent by all participants.
Surprise party … A most enjoyable time was spent at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Parker on Thursday evening of this week when about twenty eight of the friends of Mr. Percy A. Parker took occasion to give him a little surprise party and presentation, in view of his leaving for the coast next week to report for military duty.
The evening was pleasantly spent in games, music and dancing till about twelve o’clock when Mr. Arthur Burch called the gathering to order and read Mr. Parker the following address, at the same time presenting him with a neat wrist watch, suitably engraved:
“Dear Friend—It is with mingled feelings of regret and pride that we, a few of your many Cranbrook friends, are gathered here tonight to endeavor to express in some slight degree the estimation in which you are held by us and to show in a tangible manner our appreciation of your many excellent qualities. We regret to think that soon we must lose you from our midst, but we feel proud to know that you go to answer the call of King and Country, to fight our battles that we may live in security and peace at home, and to uphold the principles of liberty and justice.
"In musical circles your departure will leave a blank which will not soon be filled and we trust that the day will soon come when you will be spared to return to us and again take up the tasks you are now laying down.
"Tasks, we say! Were they tasks? To you they seemed always to be a pleasure and we feel sure that that was one of the great secrets of your success and charm. We now ask you to accept this wrist watch as a slight token of our esteem, not for its intrinsic value, but simply that you may remember, whenever you look at it, your many friends and admirers in Cranbrook and that it may be a silent testimony to the good will and kindly regard in which we all hold you.”
Signed by all those present.
Mr. Parker, although taken completely by surprise, expressed his appreciation and gratitude; after which all joined in singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” and three cheers. A dainty luncheon, supplied by the ladies, was then served and the gathering disbursed about one-thirty.
Methodist resolution … At the annual session of the East Kootenay Methodist District meeting, the following resolution was passed: “That the Methodist Conference at Vancouver appoint a committee to work in conjunction with a corresponding committee from the Presbyterian body to take into consideration the advisability of local church union between the two congregations in Cranbrook”.
Leaving Cranbrook … Rev. Thos. Keyworth has severed his connections as Pastor of the Methodist Church in Cranbrook, of which he has been in charge for the past three years. Mr. Keyworth left on the Westbound train on Wednesday to attend the Methodist Conference in Vancouver. A large number of friends were at the station to bid him farewell.
Must return surplus flour and sugar … The secretary of the Cranbrook Food Conservation Committee is today in receipt of the following telegram from the Canada Food Board: “Give utmost publicity to need of consumers returning to dealers surplus flour and sugar before May 15, according to Food Board’s orders recently announced in newspapers. Otherwise liable to heavy fines and confiscation to Crown. All police officers to enforce law. Ignorance of the law will be no excuse.”
Form branch of Navy League here … Mrs. C. D. Nerontsos, who is touring the province in connection with the formation of branches of the Navy League of Canada, was in the city last week.
At a meeting held at the Y.M.C.A. on Thursday afternoon it was decided to organize a Cranbrook and District Branch of the League. An application form signed by not less than ten intending members is the first requirement in the formation of a branch. Over thirty signatures had been secured by Thursday evening and the list now contains thirty-five names and a great many prospective members.
Mr. N. A. Wallinger and C. W. Hallamore will be glad to receive applications for membership.
The Navy League of Canada is affiliated with the Navy League of the British Empire, and is an association of members formed for the purpose of carrying out the following objects: To assist in securing as a primary object of the Imperial policy, the command of the seas. To spread information showing the vital importance to the British Empire of the maintenance of naval supremacy. To conduct a thoroughly organized educational campaign throughout Canada in matters pertaining to the Navy and the Mercantile Marine. To raise funds for the relief of British and Canadian Sailors, for their dependents and for the Sailors’ Homes, Institutes and Hospitals in Canada or throughout the Empire. To organize and encourage volunteer Naval Brigades for boys and young men in which they can receive instruction to prepare them for service in our Navy or Mercantile Marine in salt or fresh water.
A meeting will be held at the Y. M. C. A. on Monday next, 13th inst, at 8.45 o’clock for the purpose of completing organization arrangements.
It is hoped that all who have signed the application form will be in attendance and in order that the Cranbrook and District branch may be established on a strong foundation, all who are interested in the work outlined above are requested to be present at this meeting.
