From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

September 26, 1890 – The Times (Moose Jaw)

The avowed purpose of the Old Stone Millers Association out of Detroit is to educate the public regarding the dangers of using roller (white) flour as opposed to the superior old stone flour. The association charges white flour is causing the rapid rise of insanity and kindred diseases, along with the startling fact that humans are fast losing their teeth and dentists are multiplying by hundreds in all parts of the country.

In Prince Albert, work on and around the station ground is rapidly nearing completion. What a few weeks ago was a solid grove of poplar is now many buildings, railroad tracks in all directions, numberless cars of all descriptions, with locomotives hooting and tooting and running in and out of town, presenting the most lively scene.

In the year 1889, there were 3,567 murders committed in the United States. Only 97 of the murderers were legally convicted and another 175 were lynched.

September 24, 1909 – The Frank Paper

The will of Henry L. Frank, the founder of our town, was filed for probate in the district court at Butte, Montana last week. The will was made more than 25 years ago and is in Mr. Frank’s own handwriting on legal cap paper. He leaves a quarter of his property to his father, another quarter to his mother and the remaining half to his sisters and brother. As his father preceded him to the grave, that portion will also be divided between his siblings. Both witnesses to the will also predeceased Mr. Frank.

Walter Fitzgerald, the coal inspector for the CPR in Frank prior to the slide, was in town and paid a visit to old friends. Since leaving Frank, he has completed homestead duties and now has a fine farm near Innisfail.

Dr. Bechtel of Lille, who was recently debarred from practicing medicine in Alberta, was before the police court on Saturday for the charge of practicing medicine without a license. He testified as not practicing for pay since being debarred and only attended some cases gratuitously where the patients specifically asked for him. He was discharged with a warning that he must not practice at all.

September 21, 1917 – The Lomond Press

Thomas Clapman’s quarter section of wheat threshed him 21 bushels to the acre. During the past week, the local elevators have handled between seven and eight thousand bushels of wheat daily.

The people of Canada pay upwards of 200 men $2,500 per year to legislate for them. Last week, when the War Election Act came up for final reading, just 44 members were present. Only $110,000 was represented out of an annual $500,000 paid in salaries by the country to members of parliament, the other $390,000 were loafing.

Melvin Tiffin paid a short visit to his sister last week before heading to Toronto to attend medical college. He left France in June and has been homebound since, but submarines and other obstacles made the trip a long one. Mel had some thrilling experiences in the medical corps, once having a coat sleeve torn off by a shell yet escaping without a scratch. He carried wounded at Vimy Ridge for 36 hours without eating or sleeping.