From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

November 11, 1897 – The Weekly Herald

Still another town has arisen in the Kootenays. The last issue of the BC Gazette announces the incorporation of Cumberland in the Nelson district.

Judgement was given on Saturday in the case of Lang vs the city of Victoria arising out of the Point Ellice bridge disaster, which occurred on May 26, 1896, when an overcrowded streetcar carrying 143 passengers crossed the bridge and the span collapsed into the harbour. The jury has found for the plaintiff $20,000 for damages and costs.

The superintendent of construction of the Crows Nest railway was interviewed regarding the alleged unfair treatment of workers. He stated some of the men endeavored to evade payment of the fares advanced to them. The men, he claimed, were supplied with the best board and were paid 100 cents on the dollar. The sum of 50 cents charged for medical fees is the least amount he’s heard of a company charging.

November 2, 1908 – Taber Free Press

Carrying only light luggage that included not much more than a handbag, a young woman spent a comfortable 10 days at the Martha Washington Hotel in New York. When presented with the bill, she declared she had no money to pay it. As she was well-dressed, the hotel did not hesitate to advance her the customary week’s credit. The manager called the police and when confronted, the woman turned her back and withdrew a wad of cash, enough to pay her bill including all long-distance telephone charges, from her stocking.

Alex Paul, a youth of 16, arrived at his father’s house this past week foot-sore and weary after having travelled the railway track through Saskatchewan and into Winnipeg. His family were surprised to see him, having believed they had attended his funeral on August 15 of last year. An unknown lad was killed last year when run over by a freight train and it was believed to be Alex Paul. His death was registered at the office of the city and the family applied yesterday for cancellation of the notice.

The announcement of a cure for cancer has concentrated public attention on a remarkable series of tests now being carried out by a West-end London physician. He makes no secret of his method, which includes a strict diet along with applications of formic acid and other medications.

November 12, 1914 – The Bassano Mail

Taking advantage of the strong winds and an absence of electric lights, thieves broke into the Robin Hood elevator and stole a load of No. 1 wheat, some 70 bushels. The theft was not discovered until after several other wagons had passed over the road so the tracks couldn’t be followed. The miscreants also opened the spouts causing the oats and wheat to run together, making a general mess of things.

The latest feat of lighthouse engineering is to be found at Fastnet Rock, a small pinnacle off the coast of Ireland. It cost about $2.1 million to build, which included a special steamer to carry supplies to the rock. In spite of remarkable advances in electricity, oil is still generally used at lighthouses as the least expensive option.

The man who walked over Niagara Falls on a tightrope will have to take a backseat to our intrepid naval airmen who accomplished a breathless feat 2,000 feet above the sea on a Channel patrol. Two men volunteered to undertake changing out a propeller in the air rather than descending. The airships patrol the French and English coasts, sometimes for 12 hours at a time, making it impossible for enemy ships to approach the area without being seen.