From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson

Commentator/Courier

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Friday, May 14, 1897 – Moose Jaw Herald Times

About 10:30 p.m. on Sunday evening, a fire broke out in a large warehouse situated at the rear of the store belonging to E.A. Baker and Co. There was no alarm and it was left to a few citizens to take action. Fortunately, there was no wind and a rain shower earlier in the evening had soaked the neighbouring roofs, which greatly assisted the impromptu bucket brigade in their efforts to prevent the fire from spreading. 

Few people know the London Gazette is the oldest English newspaper. First published on Nov. 14, 1665, it was originally known as the Oxford Gazette on account of parliament sitting at Oxford. The name was changed on Feb. 5, 1666 to the present one, but it is not a paper read by the general public. Berrow’s Worcester Journal made an appearance in 1690 and has always had a wide circulation among the higher classes in the district and today is a vigorous as ever. However, it also started out under a different name. The Lincoln, Rutland and Stamford Mercury has been in existence for 174 years under the same name with a wide circulation and is a paper that has enormous influence in the Eastern Midland District of England. 

The Winnipeg Commercial showed their usual enterprise by coming out on time again this week despite the destruction of the paper’s office by fire. 

Friday, May 10, 1907 – Strathcona Chronicle

The police force in Toronto are getting prepared for a possible strike of the street railway employees in June when the agreement expires. The strained relationships that have existed for considerable time leave grave apprehensions of trouble. The last Toronto strike three years ago was a bitter one and much damage to property resulted. 

In Estevan, a fire that has been eating through a coal seam for the past two years has been extinguished. Contractor Redway managed to dig a trench around the burning seams and the fire was unable to cross it and burned itself out. Redway received $1,400 in cash and all the coal that was in the trench for his trouble. 

While out walking and enjoying a smoke on Wednesday, a local had an eventful experience. A stray bullet whizzed past, hitting his pipe and knocking it away, leaving the stem in his teeth. 

O. Papedick charges John Spry with the theft of a cow. The case is the outcome of a row between the two settlers, who both arrived from the States recently. The two shared a freight car with all their goods but Spry was short of money so Papedick paid. In exchange, he took care of two cows belonging to Spry until the freight bill could be paid. Papedick became enraged when Spry took one cow back as he needed the milk for his family. 

Friday, May 12, 1911 – The Bellevue Times

Arnold Varley and Mary Fisher are the latest scarlet fever victims. Arnold has it so mild that it isn’t like having it at all. Yet he must do three weeks in quarantine. The other cases are progressing nicely. 

While we congratulate the people of Coleman with no longer being pestered by the late editor of the Coleman Miner; we sympathize with the innocent people of Cardston upon who his presence is now being inflicted. 

In the case of a wife against Canadian Northern for the death of her husband, Chief surgeon Martingny states that 18 hours of work each 24 hours is the limit of anyone. The husband died from a fall about 10 a.m. after having been at work since 7 a.m. the previous day. He only suspended work for meals and the plaintiff argues the company had no right to allow men to work such long hours.