From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

August 12, 1886 – Qu’Appelle
Progress

In response to a petition for protection on the Prince Albert trail following the robbery of the mail coach on July 23, the government has decided to establish a Mounted Police post at Touchwood Hills.

We would advise our contemporary at the Regina Leader not to make the Northwest appear in a worse light than it is. Our farmers will take legitimate work to earn money and are not disposed to be beggars soliciting the charitable distribution of government money.

A novel flower has been found at the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico. This floral chameleon changes colour during the day from white in the morning, to red when the sun is at its zenith then to blue at night.

August 11, 1910 – The Blairmore Enterprise and Frank Vindicator

Pincher Creek’s mayor, J. Scott, committed suicide by discharging a shotgun into his chest on Sunday night. Mrs. Scott was away in McLeod visiting friends at the time. Scott telephoned Constable Rea before committing the act, but the constable was out on duty at the time but heard the shot as he was entering another residence in the town. Scott was 50 years old and leaves no children.

Sir Wilfred Laurier’s train collided with a freight train on Saturday evening last. No one was killed but several were injured. The party put back to Regina for repairs and, after a short delay, proceeded on their journey west. Another wreck about 40 miles east of Medicine Hat resulted in disorganized train service, no injuries or loss of life were reported.

Mayor of New York, William Gaynor was shot in the head while on board the steamer Kaiser Willhelm de Grosse ready to go to Europe on vacation. His assailant was a former city employee and said Gaynor was the reason he lost his position. There is little hope of Gaynor recovering.

August 8, 1929 – The Crossfield Chronicle

The average life of the automobile is seven years, although not many persons run their cars that long. The auto is not in the class of horse-drawn vehicles, which it displaced, as regards length of years. The old buggies and cabs were frequently longer-lived than their owners and their maintenance cost was little more than the price of axle-grease.

The U.S. Bureau of Standards has developed a new sound-proof aeroplane cabin which, it is believed, will eliminate one of the drawbacks to increased passenger transportation, the roar of the motor.

At the Hague, deadlock again seems to threaten the vexed question of reparations. Great Britain is firm in her opposition to the Young Plan, which was developed at a recent conference of experts. France, Italy and Belgium seem equally determined to oppose any change to the scheme.