Week of Jan. 27 – Feb. 2: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1910
A NIGHT WITH BURNS … Cranbrook’s Scotsmen certainly did themselves proud last Tuesday evening, the 151st anniversary of the birth of their national poet, Bobbie Burns.
The program consisted of supper, a concert and, of course, a dance, There was a very large attendance and everyone present apparently enjoyed the entertainment provided thoroughly.
The Auditorium was the scene of the gathering, and the large hall had been very tastefully decorated for the occasion. Four tables, running the full length of the hall, were laid out for the supper.
Whilst all manner of delicacies were provided for the guests, the dish of the evening was, needless to remark, “The Haggis,” prepared by Mrs. A. Wilson, and pronounced excellent by connoisseurs. There were some aliens present and for their edification it may be well, in view of the curiosity expressed by them, to state briefly the nature of this famous Scotch dish.
“The Haggis” is nothing more or less than a conglomeration of minced offal of mutton, oatmeal and suet, duly seasoned with salt and pepper, and thoroughly boiled up to one luscious whole inside a sheep’s stomach.
“While it satisfies the stomach of every true Scot,” an authority remarks, “it would probably turn that of every other inhabitant of the three kingdoms”.
SOO TRAIN WRECK … The worst wreck in the history of the C. P. R. occurred on the Soo branch at the bridge crossing of the Spanish river at 1:10 o’clock last Friday afternoon, in which forty-five passengers were killed and many injured.
Local interest in the above described disaster is accentuated by reason of the fact that among the passengers on the ill-fated train, who lost their lives, were three who were well known to many people in Cranbrook, and who had for some time past been residents of Wycliffe. The persons referred to are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kelly and their eleven-year-old daughter.
On December 17th last, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly and their daughter came into town from Wycliffe, where Mr. Kelly was engaged as sawyer at Staples’ saw mill. They were then en route for Mr. Kelly’s home in Ontario. Mr. Kelly had been out in the west for the past eighteen years and he was looking forward with keen pleasure to revisiting his parents and the scenes of his youth.
Late despatches from the scene of the train wreck, tell of the recovery of the bodies of Mrs. Kelly and of the little girl, and an earlier despatch mentioned the recovery of the body of Mr. Kelly.
Mr. Kelly was very well known to several Cranbrook citizens, among whom he was held in high regard.
He came to Wycliffe last spring from Leavenworth, Washington.
BRAZEN THIEF … One morning last week a bold, though incompetent robber, attempted to empty the till in the Northern hotel restaurant, while the night waitress was out of the dining room. She, however, returned when he had secured only fifteen or twenty dollars. The waitress put up a very brave resistance and at the same time called for help, but no one came so the culprit escaped. The police were summoned at once, and they traced his steps to his shack in West Fernie. He was brought before Magistrate Whimster and sent up for trial. Judge Wilson gave him two and a half years hard labor.
MOYIE NEWS … Ransome and Campbell will make improvements on their hotel, the Cosmopolitan, to the value of about $3,500. The old building is being moved back, and a new structure 34×42 will be erected on the front. The office, and bar will be in the new part, and there will be 12 large bedrooms upstairs. The building will be plastered, and will be heated by a furnace. There will be hot and cold water on both floors. The building when completed will be one of the best in town. Monday morning the Imperial Bank in Moyie opened up for business in its new quarters on Victoria street. The building is 30×50 feet and two stories in height. All of the material for it came from the coast. The inside is finished in the natural wood. The cage for the teller and some other fixtures for the bank have not yet arrived. The upstairs of the building is fitted up and will be used as rooming quarters for the staff. The bank is doing a splendid business, and W. H. Swan, the accountant in charge, and H. C. McDonald, the cashier, have about all the work they can comfortably handle.
WARDNER NEWS … A couple of mild days this week put the ice bridge out of business, but with the present conditions existing for a day or two longer it should soon be in good shape again.
YOUR HORSE WEARS NATURE’S CLOTHES … Yes, but unless your stable is steam heated the horse will find nature’s clothes just a little bit drafty these 20 below zero nights and needs a blanket just as you need an overcoat. We are offering a special bargain on horse blankets. Our regular prices are $2.25, $3.25 and $4.00. And we are selling the few we have left at $1.75, $2.75 and $3.25 respectively. This is your opportunity — grasp it. Young ladies of Cranbrook (Whether matrimonially inclined or not) we invite you to take particular notice of the Moffat Stove we are exhibiting in our window this week. It is the best stove that can be bought in Cranbrook and turns those terrible first cooking catastrophes into certain successes McCallum & Co. The Hardware Men
BASKETBALL … In the junior series, the “Never Sweats” (Captain Cryderman) won a good game from the “Comets” (Captain Cyril Patmore) last Monday night at the conclusion of the Boys Brigade drill. The senior teams, representing the city churches, are getting in shape for the contest which will be announced shortly.
THE PATAGONIAN … At an open meeting of the Young Peoples Union, in the Baptist church on Monday evening, Mr. J. W. Edmunds gave his popular picture travel talk on Patagonia and the Patagonians: their industrial and religious conditions. Mr. Edmunds illustrated his remarks by a large number of stereopticon lantern views. The vast sheep and cattle ranches, as the chief industry of this great country; the birds and animals, the strange customs and religion, or irreligion, of the people were sketched by Mr. Edmunds in an informing and interesting way. From the standpoint of the missionary spirit Patagonia is evidently one of the most neglected countries of that neglected continent.
AUDITORIUM NEWS … Mr. Farquharson, of Seattle, is negotiating for the lease of the Auditorium for a period of twelve months. He proposes running a first-class moving picture show and eventually to introduce high class vaudeville.
SMART THIEF … A. Bond, proprietor of the Palace restaurant, was the victim of a smart sneak thief on Monday morning last. The thief, taking advantage of his temporary absence, made off with the cash box, containing upwards of $100 in cash, a cheque for $21, a silver watch and a large number of meal tickets. The thief is still at large, although the police have hopes of locating him, as he is believed to have made for Spokane. Since Monday Mr. Bond has recovered the meal tickets, which were picked up near the slaughter house and in the C. P. R. yards. The cheque for $21 has also been recovered. The thief gave it to a teamster, who gave him a lift, and he (the teamster) brought it into town and returned it to Mr. Bond.
BAND BUSINESS … The band is now comfortably settled in their new quarters at the Arena rink, where the directors have given them the free use of the large upper room overlooking the ice. They are holding their regular practices there every Monday and Friday night from eight to ten and will give a short program each evening for the benefit of the skaters.
CREDIBLE WITNESS … A witness on a railroad case at Fort Worth, asked to tell in his own way how the accident happened, said: “Well, Ole and I was walking down the track, and I heard a whistle, and I got off the track, and then the train went by, and I got back on the track, and pretty soon I seen Ole’s hat, and I walked on and seen one of Ole’s legs, then seen one of Ole’s arms, and then another leg, and then over one side Ole’s head and I says, “My heavens! Something muster happened to Ole!”
ASSAULT AT THE COS … The other night a young fellow, named M. Sheran, made a vicious assault upon an old man in the Cosmopolitan hotel, inflicting severe injury to one of his eyes. The assault was entirely unprovoked. Brought before Police Magistrate Ryan, Sheran was sentenced to three months imprisonment and a fine of $10, or another thirty days.
FERNIE NEWS … Fernie is having a thaw and the skaters are putting up an awful kick as it is interfering with the ice business down at the rink. We hope the weather man will be more considerate, as there is to be a carnival on Friday night, and should there be no ice, there will be a great many long faces in town.
ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY … By the 22nd of May next the Cranbrook Electric Light company, in accordance with the terms of a duly executed contract, must be in a position to supply the city with a specified electric horse power, or in default forfeit their deposit of $3,000. The question that many ratepayers are asking is: Will the company be in a position on May 22nd to fulfil their contract? With a view to throwing some light on this problem and also to learn just what was going on in regard to matters electrical in this city, a representative of the Herald, paid a visit to the new power house now being erected for the Electric Light company. Messrs. Archibald Waller and Arthur H. Nesbitt, have the contract for this structure, which is now rapidly nearing completion. The building covers an area of 94×54 feet. It is built of solid brick, supplied by the Cranbrook Brick company, with cement foundations and a galvanized iron roof, being as near fireproof as possible. The main building is about completed and will be ready to turn over by the time of the expiry of the contract, February first.
FOR SALE … Settings from pure bred White Wyandottes, Rose Comb White Leghorns, and Bassed Plymouth Rocks. Orders booked ahead. Price for setting of Eggs $1.50 apply JOS. WALKLEY.
