Dave Humphrey
Items compiled from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre Archives
1905
Sidewalks … P. Mathieson is the promoter of a new sidewalk on Armstrong avenue and as usual a few people pay for it the reason there are no marriages in heaven is that there are no men there.
Not too rich … There are no very rich men in Cranbrook, but those who are here and have made any money, made most of what they possess right in this town. That speaks well for the place.
Another tall one? … J. P. Fink has been out in the hills all week and when he returns it is dollars to doughnuts that he will have a bear story that will make the one told by Fred Hazen and Bert Beattie look like thirty cents.
Store closing … There has been a slight change in the closing arrangements. The stores will be kept open Saturday nights, C. P. R. pay nights, nights preceding holidays and Wednesday nights. Other nights all stores will close promptly, at six o’clock. This seems to be a fair arrangement to all concerned.
Stay out … There has been some good work done by the constables in clearing the town of a most undesirable class but there should be no let up to the good work, Cranbrook has been a great haven for this class and they will not stay away unless they are made to understand that Cranbrook air is unhealthy.
Marysville vs Cranbrook … Arrangements have been made for a big time at Marysville next Wednesday evening. The Cranbrook football team will play the Marysville team and later there will be a ball at the Falls View Hotel. Rigs will leave Cranbrook for Marysville about three o’clock in the afternoon.
1906
Sad drowning accident … On Thursday morning about 11 o’clock a sad accident occurred just north east of town when the little two year old boy of Mr. and Mrs. J. Derr was drowned. The boy had been playing around the house running to and fro from Mr. Londesborough, when Mrs. Londesborough hearing Mrs. Derr call the boy sent him home. In a few minutes he disappeared again and when found was drowned in the creek which flows at the rear of the lot, the mother plunged in brought the little fellow out. Dr. Coffin was called but to no avail, life was extinct. The parents have the sympathy of the entire community.
Football …The first game of the football league was played on the recreation grounds on Friday evening last. The opposing teams were the Town and Fire Brigade. A large number were in attendance and much enthusiasm was manifested. The first half was very close neither team scoring. In the second half the interest increased and the Fire Brigade made its first goal on a penalty kick. Shortly afterwards another goal was made, then two more and it looked one-sided. Then the Town team succeeded in making a score and as darkness came on the game was closed. The Town team lodged a protest against the ruling of the referee. This was dealt with at a very enthusiastic meeting on Wednesday evening and after much discussion the game was declared null. The teams decided to play the game on Thursday evening which resulted in a tie, no goals being scored by either team.
Monkey business … J. D. McBride, who has been visiting in the jungles of the Prairie city, Chicago, returned Saturday. During his visit Mr. McBride captured a live monkey which he brought home with him as a trophy from the “Windy City”. Mr. Monk is now on exhibition in the big store window of Mr. McBride’s hardware store.
Help for San Francisco … The annual ball given by the members of the Knights of Pythias lodge on Tuesday evening of this week was a decided success. Excellent music was furnished by the orchestra, and the refreshments were very daintily served, bringing credit on those who were responsible for that part of the programme. So enjoyable was the occasion that few realized how the night had flown until it was announced 3 p. m. The local lodge donated the receipts to San Francisco sufferers.
I.O.O.F. … This week, April 26th, the I.O.O.F. celebrate their 87th Anniversary. This order has had a wonderful growth until now, the number of members amounts to one and one half millions, paying out in relief each year $4,630,744.00 or more. The local lodge celebrated the anniversary last Sunday when about forty members and friends marched to Knox Presbyterian church where an appropriate and impressive sermon was preached by Rev. Bro. Fortune.
Safe from fire … Mr. H. Kershaw, postmaster at Fort Steele, has received a message from his mother, Mrs. H. Kershaw, who was in the San Francisco fire, saying that she escaped uninjured, but saved none of her effects. Friends will be pleased to learn that “Atch” was at Los Angeles and not at San Francisco during the big earthquake.
Phone line extension … We learn that it is the intention of the Cranbrook Telephone Company to extend their line north from Fort Steele to Wasa, and from Wardner east to Elko in the near future.
Road extension … Work on the wagon road from Marysville to the lake is nearly completed. Construction on the road from the lake to Alki creek will be commenced early in May with a force of 40 to 60 men.
Rod & Gun … A meeting of the Cranbrook Rod & Gun Club will be called early in the coming month for the purpose of making necessary arrangements for the season of 1906. Membership in the club is open to anyone who wishes to join. The annual fee is $2.50, in advance. If you desire to become a member send your name to J. H. Pinkham, or hand it to any member of the club.
Chickens … The breeding of fine poultry is becoming a prominent as well as a profitable industry in the vicinity of Cranbrook.
