From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

May 29, 1891 – The Times (Moose Jaw)

The Pope refused the Italian subsidy for his support and the clericals will, it is understood, abstain from any share in the Italian municipal elections.

One of our noble NWMP had a very close call in Regina on Monday night when the express pulled in. He attempted to cross the tracks in front of the engine and had not engineer Moore seen him, we would have had a dead NWMP.

Zimmerman arrived in Pittsburgh with a herd of ponies to sell and George Davis, a young married man resident there, looked longingly at one but had no money so offered his wife in exchange. The wife was consulted and after a few days dickering Zimmerman took the wife and some money and Davis got the pony. Zimmerman and Mrs. Davis went west, but she soon changed her mind and asked to be taken back. Davis discovered Zimmerman had no land in Montana or anywhere else and the pony was all that was bad so welcomed his wife home with open arms when she returned.

May 25, 1907 – Saturday News (Edmonton)

Owing to the delay a great many of our city subscribers have experienced in receiving the Saturday News when sent through the mail, we have decided to start our own delivery system. We ask all who wish to have their papers delivered, to send in their names and addresses.

Ald. Drinnan in Medicine Hat has resigned saying the number of meetings he was forced to attend and the protracted character of most of them were interfering with both his business and health. Anyone who has experience with municipal councils will sympathize as each municipality has the misfortune to have a representative of the genus known in private life as a bore and in public as a windbag.

By supplying books of an educational value, we are supplementing the work of the schools and providing advantages for those who are unable to attend institutions of higher learning. For those anxious to educate themselves, to be near a good public library is often a greater boon than taking a course at a university.

May 28, 1908 – Taber Free Press

The Taber Kangaroos took on the Calgary Crescent basketball team and, as a keen contest was expected, a large crowd turned out to cheer for the boys. The game closed in favour of the Kangaroos 29 to 14 and the Taber boys treated everyone to a dance at the Opera house with a goodly number attending.

The Land Commissioner for the Grand Trunk Pacific states that arrangements are being made to sell the townsite of Prince Rupert by public auction in Vancouver in September or October.

There are few things more exasperating than trying to quarrel with those who won’t pay any attention to you.

The rainfall last week has amounted to about two inches. Quite a number of people availed themselves on the holiday Monday and went to the river for a picnic. When the rain arrived, they had a picnic getting home. Nevertheless, all had a good time.