From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson

Southern Alberta Newspapers

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Saturday, May 13, 1911  – Bow Island Review

Walter Scott will have the remainder of his toes amputated this week in Medicine Hat. Scott was lost upon the prairie last winter and his feet were badly frozen by the time he stumbled across a homestead. 

Herman Hugendubler blew into town last week without any footwear. To fill his requirements, he abstracted a pair from Beattie and Bratston’s Livery Barn while also helping himself to a revolver. The young man pleaded guilty to taking the shooter but not the boots. Upon evidence given, he was found guilty of both charges but considering his young age was only sentenced to 30 days for each. Hugendubler was removed to Lethbridge the same evening to begin his 60-day sentence.   

Wednesday, May 12, 1920 – The McLeod Times

Irrigation matters are being held up due to irregularities in the McLeod petition. The petition was addressed to the Minister of Public Works and had to be changed so it was addressed to the Lethbridge Northern Irrigation District. Several other points within the petition are receiving attention from the authorities before the necessary advertising can be done. 

The primary topic discussed at the Hospital Board meeting last Monday was if it can remain open. There was an unusually full attendance of members, including Dr. Kennedy and Dr. Kirk. When the finances were discussed, it was revealed the hospital will be behind by about $200 per month and the chairman noted things could not go on this way much longer. Staff have already received notice they might not have employment by month’s end. It was pointed out that compared to other hospitals in the province, such as Calgary that is running behind at about $56,000 per year, McLeod Hospital is doing quite well. Nobody was in favour of closing and two committees were formed. 

Wednesday, May 16, 1934 – The Wainwright Record

Brig. Gen. Alex Ross, president of the Canadian Legion, recently gave a speech in Toronto and talked about pensions. He pointed out the average age of ex-troops is 46 and they are not yet entitled to a pension. They must compete in the labour market with younger men who did not endure battles nor the hardships of the front line. Gen. Ross proposes to use a remedy similar to that of the Legion in England, which has managed to find employment for 39,000 ex-soldiers. 

Rev. Konkel and Rev. Casttles gave a well attended talk with many slides on Monday last. The topic was on the work being done with lepers, mostly in Africa and India. There are 15 cases of leprosy in Canada, 12,000 in the USA and more than a million in warmer countries. 

Recently a New York Times editor was at home and talking to Byrd about his Antarctica expedition on the shortwave radio. He took his phone receiver off the hook so as not to be interrupted, but the office needed to get in touch with him. A colleague was in conversation with someone else on the expedition and sent a message to Byrd to have the editor call into the office. The result was a message for a man only 5 miles from work travelled nearly to the South Pole and back to be delivered.