1907
Knights of Pythias pass an enjoyable evening … Wm. Irvine, of Nelson, Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias, of British Columbia, paid an official visit to Crescent lodge No. 33, of Cranbrook, last evening. There were over forty members present to meet Mr. Irvine and a most instructive evening was enjoyed by all. Short addresses were made by the Grand Chancellor, J. Fleischman, J. A. Arnold, G. H. Thompson, Wm. O. Taylor and others. After the routine work had been completed a social session followed and refreshments were served. Mr. Irvine is remarkably well posted in the work of the order and is making an enviable reputation for efficiency in his official position.
Move along … An aggregation of tinhorns arrived in town to-day and had hardly got their bearings when they received orders from the police to “move on.”
New opera house … The theater going public of Cranbrook will no doubt be pleased to learn that arrangements have been completed for the erection of a $12,000 opera house in Cranbrook, and what is more the ground will be broke for the same at once. A stock company has been organized, capital provided and the plans and specifications are now in the promoters’ hands, the lumber is ordered, and it is expected, that the contract will be let before the end of the week. The site secured is opposite the Canadian hotel. The building will be 100 feet in depth by 45 feet in width with a stage 25x45 and with the gallery there will be a seating capacity for about 800 persons. The house will be well finished throughout and supplied with all the latest electrical effects. It is expected that the building will be rushed and be ready for the opening of the fall theatrical season.
Ouch … David Anderson, employed in the woods by the North Star Lumber company, while at work last week was carrying a bottle of oil in his pocket to oil saws with. He slipped and fell, breaking the bottle, and the broken glass cut his thigh so badly that he was considerably weakened by loss of blood before assistance could be secured. He was brought to St. Eugene hospital, where he is improving rapidly under the care of Drs. Green and Mercer.
Look out … It looks to a man up a tree as if Cranbrook’s new chief of police meant business. This week he arrested a man for playing a piano in one of the houses on African row.
Look out … Judge Williams of Phoenix, who was in Cranbrook a few days ago, is about seven foot in height. In case he was pushed the judge could use a double barreled shot gun for a pair of trousers. He has a brother taller than he is but not quite as fat.
Close call … John Leask, on Thursday evening was experimenting with a view of determining as to whether there was anything in the ash-burning reports. Well the stove was at a white heat, and it took several buckets of water to prevent it melting and setting the shack on fire. John says that ash-burning is a success, but no more experimenting goes. Mr. Baker, a recent arrival from “h’old Hingland” kindly suggested that “the bloody fire ‘ose should be called h’out”.
Snakes alive … Walter Mathison, who throws the high balls and lacrosse balls over the Cranbrook bar is a Jim Dandy as a snake charmer. He can take the slimy reptiles and let them crawl up his arm and around his neck as if they were innocent squirrels or pet kittens. In fact he has the Circassian ladies backed off the board as a snake charmer.
An innocent burglar … On Saturday night, at a palatial mansion on Baker Hill, a quartet of ladies was enjoying a quiet game of bridge. The time was 9:15. Then an unusual noise was heard in the kitchen, the footsteps of a man passing to and fro, as if it was a burglar in search of valuables. The ladies jumped to their feet, one armed herself with a golf stick, another with a tennis bat, a third secured a vase of flowers, while the fourth hastened to a neighboring house for assistance. Chief of Police was telephoned for and the patrol rushed to the scene. The burglar was there, but, we must not tell, for it was only the grocery delivery man with supplies for the Sunday dinner.
Was up before the beak … James Grant, a lumberjack, got loaded Monday with the juice that is red, that makes man frolicsome and very funny, jumped into a wagon that was standing on the main street, drove through the main street then down the lane, over the bank, smashing the wagon breaking up things in general. He then rushed through the back door of a jewelry shop to Baker St. wild with excitement saying that someone had stolen his hat. At this time Chief of Police Cory Bow laid his grappling irons on him and rushed him to the cooler. On Tuesday he was up before Judge Anderson who fined him $13 and costs.
Horse races … When the bugle blows for the first race at Cranbrook on May 18th, it will inaugurate the best race meeting in the history of Southeast Kootenay. Many owners of crack horses which have raced in California, Washington, Montana, Idaho, Alberta and Saskatchewan, have entered in the races on the Cranbrook track. The meeting will last two days, May 18th and 19th. The Cranbrook Turf Association is a pioneer in the movement to promote good sport and clean racing. Many improvements have been made, and the track is now being put into condition to make it one of the best and fastest west of Winnipeg. A new paddock has been built, which is a roomy and comfortable place for the saddling of the runners. Adjoining the paddock, accommodations in the shape of stables for over fifty horses have been built, and ample space for the parade of thoroughbreds has been made, with plenty of room for spectators. The grandstand , jockey rooms, and judges stand, have been put in first class condition, and old unsightly affairs which obstructed the view of many persons in the stand have been removed. The track has been greatly improved, and in case of rain will not be sticky, and has been made to conform with all the requirements and regulations of racing Associations. The fences have been repaired and the entire ground will be in the best possible condition on the day of meeting.
Fans needed … The Baseball Association teams played two games of ball on Good Friday. The attendance was fair, but in the future all “fans” are expected to be present at every game.
Automobilia … P. Matheson has ordered a Reo car which will be here shortly. This car is a new type runabout and is said to be a great hill-climber. Last Sunday A. C. Bowness took his high wheeler out to C. Parker’s ranch on Cherry creek and made the return trip, fifteen miles, in one hour and five minutes. Frank VanDecar took his runabout, the Royal, out to Hanson’s on Sunday and made the home run, twenty-four miles, in one hour and forty minutes.
Most popular lady … Commencing Saturday, May 2, a voting contest as to who is the most popular lady in Cranbrook will be commenced at the Edison theatre and the result will be made known on Saturday, May 30th, when the lady elected will be presented with a gold bracelet set with pearls, which may be seen on exhibition in the window of W. F. Tate, the jeweler, from whom it was purchased.