From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Friday, June 24, 1892 – Moose Jaw Herald Times

In Germany, a wedding feast of Homeric proportions recently took place. The 163 guests ate an ox, three pigs, four calves, 18 chickens, 10 geese, ducks and pigeons. For drink, they imbibed four hogshead of beer, 40 quarts of rum and 50 quarts of other liquids. 

The stone city, Calgary – the capital of Alberta – and its tributary district are fully described and beautifully illustrated in the June edition of the Western World. Principal buildings, streets, residences, and a number of ranch and farm scenes vividly present the character of central Alberta.  

Judge Charneau gave his decision concerning the conspiracy case against ex-premier Mercier, ex-provincial secretary Langelier, and Ernest Pacand. Mercier and Pacand will stand trial in October and charges against Langelier were dismissed. The judgement of the court was exceedingly lengthy and would easily fill 17 columns of the paper. 

Thursday, June 18, 1914 – Ponoka Herald

The southwest part of North Dakota was hit by a severe hailstorm and damage is conservatively estimated at half a million dollars. The storm originated near the Montana line and its spread varied from 2 to 10 miles wide. Buildings and crops were all severely damaged and there was considerable loss of livestock. 

The School of Agriculture in Olds will soon be providing courses for those who already hold teachers’ certificates to also teach Household Science in the common schools. 

In Ottawa, the Public Works Department is beginning work that will cost $46 million. Harbour and river works, along with public buildings are all planned. It is said, with such a large expenditure, the department will have a beneficial effect on the financial condition. 

Thursday, June 22, 1916 – The Alderson News

The CPR is repainting all the depots between the Hat and Calgary with a gang of 10 painters completing the work. The local station is now resplendent in a fresh coat. 

On the basis of the latest statistics, there are 78,000 deaths due to cancer annually in the USA. The mortality rate has steadily increased from 63 per 100,000 in the population in 1909 to 78.9 in 1913.

A unique incident recently occurred and as far as is known, the first of its kind in the war. An aeroplane mistook a hostile aerodrome for its own. Through the morning mist, a British aerodrome saw a German machine circling as if it was about to descend and did not interfere. The German aviator and his pilot saw the mistake too late and were taken prisoner. It is a boon for the British as the German plane was one of the newest models.