From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

September 28, 1894 – Moose Jaw Times  

Champion bicyclist JK McCulloch was in town on Saturday to take part in various races; however, due to heavy rains the event did not take place. Sports enthusiasts were disappointed, but McCulloch praised the hospitality of the North West and said he is grateful for all the entertainment provided for his benefit. He competed in Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and McLeod and has, thus far, collected nine medals.

At Stoney Beach a few days ago all the men were absent when a spark set fire to the straw in Mr. Porter’s yard. The damage would have been serious if not for the presence of mind of the women, who fought the flames with pluck and courage. A high wind was blowing and the straw was loose and dry, but almost all women came out to fight the blaze. Using a pony, they hauled barrel after barrel of water up from the well, which is 150 feet deep.

In Chicago, the ship Viking sunk in the river during the gales on Monday. The vessel has been raised and it is hoped she can be restored.

September 26, 1907 – Taber Free Press

In spite of all precautions, errors, accidents and irregularities do occur in post offices. However, it is not always the fault of a particular post office or a person working within. Many letters are posted without an address or posted without payment of postage and held as required by law. Many are not posted at all by messengers or clerks to whom they are entrusted and others, after having been delivered, are mislaid. Mail delays can also occur through transportation irregularities, which are out of the control of the postal service.

Another shocking disaster occurred at Coal Creek mines yesterday morning where one man is left seriously injured and another deceased. A premature explosion in No. 9 mine is supposed to be the cause, but as usual in cases of this sort, the affair is buried in mystery. Deceased is Peter Johnson, whose wife is currently on board a ship from England to join him here.

A freak incident from the lightning storm of July 7 in Hancock County, Indiana is an entire bag of onions being neatly peeled. The Ellsworth American says, “…that future day when man shall have succeeded taming lightning to his own uses. Then we may expect to find each well appointed home equipped with its own lightning apparatus, which would not only furnish light and heat, but would peel the onions and potatoes, sweep the floor, make the beds, wash the dishes…”

September 29, 1921 – Stony Plain Sun

Viscount Cowdray has bought the estate of Castle Fraser in Donside, Aberdeenshire. Castle Fraser is reputed as one of the finest specimens of the Flemish style of architecture in Scotland. The castle has a secret chamber that can be used to overhear conversations taking place in the dining hall. Walls throughout the building are from six to ten feet thick.

A chemical products plant in Oppau, Germany, is estimated to have killed between 1,000 and 1,500 people with over 2,000 left injured. More than a third of the houses in the town were destroyed and the roofs of others were swept off as if by a whirlwind. The cause of the explosion is attributed to excess pressure in gasoline meters.

The public never tires of providing the Prince of Wales with wives; it is a favourite amusement not only of women but of men also. The Prince will not be hurried or coerced into marriage. When his engagement is announced, it will be sudden and surprising – we may be sure of that – and it will not please everyone.