From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

October 25, 1883 – The Brandon Mail

The Winnipeg Sun states that Nicholas Flood Davim boasts of having an athletic cousin in England who cleared 23 feet 2 inches in a long jump. When raised to boiling point, Davim can jump that distance himself, as witnessed when he went after the reporter who criticized a lecture Davim never delivered.

A Hastings County judge has decided a husband is not liable for jewellery bought by his wife unless he consents to the purchase. This is hard on the wives, but harder still on the jewelers who must ask married women if they have written consent from their husbands to make a purchase. The law is too severe and will occasion too many blushes and do little good in the end.

Reports from Rome state that many private documents referring to the papacy have gone missing from the Vatican.

October 22, 1907 – Western Globe

The paper is surprised to notice that in spite of the violent opposition of Editor Thomas of the Camrose Mail, the CPR company trains are still running with apparent regularity.

George Kincaid of the Yukon Public Works department was arrested a few days ago and charged with robbing the mails. While being transported to Victoria, he committed suicide by drinking poison.

There was a fierce motion picture show in the Opera House this week called Howard’s Great and Only. The pictures were out of sight and the singing of the professor only added to the agony. An audience of 12 was in attendance.

The post office at Edmonton was destroyed by fire last week. P. Burns butcher shop was also badly damaged. Loss estimated at $20,000.

October 20, 1910 – The Blairmore Enterprise

A party travelled to Coleman on Sunday to attend a whist party but were disappointed they had been misinformed by the Coleman Miner as to the date, which should have been the 19th and not the 16th. However, a big party went last night and voted the event one of the most enjoyable they’d ever attended.

In Switzerland, it has been found while building railways, that labourers working above 10,000 feet can only work one-third of the time of labourers one mile lower.

A coroner’s inquest into the death of Richard Moore on Saturday at the Hillcrest Mine was held at Frank. The verdict was returned that Moore met his death by accident and blame could not be directed toward any other person. The jury also severely criticized the fire bosses who allowed Moore to carry more explosive than the law states, which is five pounds. It was pointed out the victim was carrying considerably more than this amount when he met his end.