From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

March 12, 1886 – Qu’Appelle Progress

In Prince Albert, a consignment of spirits arrived in coal oil barrels addressed to O.W. Hughes. Hughes claims he had no knowledge of the shipment, which was seized and destroyed.

Sometime in early to mid-February the outhouses and stables left standing on Gopsill’s farm were destroyed by fire. There is no travelled road leading to the premises and it was thought at first it was the work of an incendiary. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered someone built a fire too close to the building, likely using it as protection against the wind. The fire ran into the banking of the building and set it ablaze.

The Qu’Appelle Vidette has a wonderful article in its last issue making statements in an effort to draw us out, having been unsuccessful in prying into our business. The Vidette has mistaken its quarry, we are not in the drawing out business. We will say there is no unholy alliance with the Lt. Governor and we have not been engaged to do printing at fabulous prices.

March 12, 1908 – Taber Free Press

Taber is too important a business centre to be without telephone communication much longer. Here we are only 30 miles from Lethbridge, yet we must wait for the slow-going letter or the more expensive but faster telegraph. This state of affairs must soon come to an end and is a matter the Board of Trade should go after.

Edmonton has the honour of having the first boy to be sent to the Alberta Industrial School for the charge of stealing a bicycle.

Child labour is on the increase in the state of Michigan. 700 more children under the age of 16 were employed in 1907 than in 1906 according to an official report.

The final toll of missing and deceased from the Collingwood School disaster in Cleveland is now at 174, 172 students and two teachers. The school caught fire shortly after 9 a.m. due to an overheated steam pipe coming in contact with a wooden joist. 194 of the 366 students managed to escape.

March 9, 1911 – The Bow Valley Call

Gleichen is from German and means I like everybody. Count Gleichen, from whom the town derives its name, resides in England and is well liked there, although did come this far west about 28-years-ago.

While rough playing in any sport is to be deplored, one-sided newspaper reports are also disagreeable. While our esteemed contemporary to the east scores our player, it was unnecessary to overlook their own, who kicked our player with his skates still on. The same player who had to be carried off the ice because he “fell as if shot and it was thought by some he had got his finish,” then suddenly revived shortly after and managed to play like a ‘hero’ for another 45-minutes. Stage-play sometimes looks well but seldom creates lasting sympathy.

Police raided rooms above a restaurant in town and arrested two women and three men for immoral conduct. All the men pleaded guilty and were charged $10 each, although the women, who only arrived in town yesterday evening, were charged $30.