125 YEARS AGO: APRIL 9, 1899
Spences Bridge: Thomas Kerno, of Spences Bridge, was in town Thursday. Mr. Kerno says that the big slide still obstructs the river below town, and some damage will be done by it at high water this spring.
Kamloops Sewerage: May I through your paper ask [the premier] not to send his Kamloops filth and disease by the Thompson River. There are several ways by which a small town like Kamloops can dispose of its sewerage without polluting the drinking water of the people who live below it. An idea seems to be abroad that when filth has been carried for miles by running water it is in some manner changed. The fact is that after it has traveled some distance in running water it is thoroughly mixed up, and the lumps are not distinguishable, but everyone who knows anything about sewage and its disposal knows that after Kamloops puts its sewage into the Thompson, every glass of water and every cup of tea and coffee drunk by the people of Ashcroft will contain a percentage of the sold and liquid excreta of the people and animals of Kamloops, diluted but not unchanged.
Robbery: Henry Cargile [of Ashcroft] is reported by Vancouver papers as having been out to see a mining claim near Atlin soon after his arrival. The price asked was $50, which Mr. Cargile agreed to pay, but not caring to let the party know that he had money with him, told him his money was at his cabin, and he would pay him the next day. When Mr. Cargile and his partner retired at night they did not make a light in their cabin but went to bed. During the night, $1,080 was taken from under his pillow. When daylight came they could see that the cabin had been overhauled, and even the ground dug up by someone in search of the money. It had been done before they went to bed the night before. So far as known there were no arrests.
A Shocking Story: London, April 5: A test case which has excited great interest in the cycling circles, was decided at the Kingston sessions today, when Lady Harberton charged the landlady of a hotel with having refused to serve her, because she was attired in bloomers. Lady Harberton, who is Treasurer of the Rational Dress League, said on the witness stand that she had traveled 1,000 miles in bloomers, including the West End of London. The landlady pleaded that she only refused to serve Her Ladyship in the coffee-room, and would have served her in a private room or at the ordinary bar. She also claimed that her business would be ruined if she was obliged to serve some women attired in bloomers. The jury decided against Lady Harberton.
100 YEARS AGO: APRIL 5, 1924
Work On Coast Interior Highway; Construction To Begin On Fraser Canyon In Near Future: Within a few weeks work will be in progress on construction of the missing link in the Trans-provincial highway — the link which is to connect the coast and the interior road systems. As announced some weeks ago, the Fraser canyon route has been adopted and this year’s work will consist of preparation of the approaches from Hope at one end with Lytton at the other. With the old trails at the outer ends of the desired road restored to shape this season, the construction through the canyon itself can be undertaken the following season, although it is understood that about three years will be required before the work is done.
Road Work: The government road gangs are at work cleaning up the streets in Ashcroft. The main street looks like a boulevard since it has been gone over.
Epidemic: Smallpox in the Big Bar district is now checked, although about 10 cases developed before its progress could be stayed. Science has certainly “put it over” on that epidemic.
75 YEARS AGO: APRIL 7, 1949
Fire Stopped In Record Time: Fire chief Jim Hewitt and those volunteers who assisted him at the fire last Friday at the rear of Dumond’s [Hardware Store in Ashcroft] are to be congratulated on their efficiency, coolheadedness, and the determined way in which they fought the fire. It started in a coal shed — how, nobody knows — and was a massive blaze, which quickly spread to another store shed filled with oils, gas, and paints, and to the wash-house of the Central Hotel. But with quick supervision and the motor pump, two steady streams of water were played on the flames, which gradually gave the firefighters a victory. Had any minutes been wasted, Dumond’s store and the Central Hotel would have caught; water and chemicals prevented the gas exploding in the shed. One coal shed was a total loss, the oil shed and stock received considerable damage, and the Central wash-house was also considerably damaged. Dumond’s store and the Central Hotel escaped untouched.
Spences Bridge: A fire of unknown origin completely destroyed one of the CPR dwellings, the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ireland, while they were attending church service a fortnight ago. The young couple, who have been married six months, suffered a heavy loss as nothing was saved from the completely furnished home. The heat and smoke, which was so intense, and lack of fire fighting equipment made it impossible for anyone to go near the blaze.
Clinton: Resourcefulness and courage of a very high calibre were displayed by Bill Porter when he was injured last week, when riding near Canoe Creek. His horse slipped and fell on him, trampling his left leg and injuring it severely. He strapped it up himself, climbed back on the horse, and rode a mile-and-a-half to Canoe Creek, where he was given all possible aid and the leg put in a temporary cast. He was taken by truck to Clinton, where he was transferred to an ambulance. After examination at Ashcroft it was thought advisable for him to go to Kamloops. All through the long, painful miles over rough roads, he not only never once complained, but laughed and joked with those accompanying him. His friends will be very glad to hear that he is doing well in Royal Inland Hospital. Bill is a son of that famous rodeo rider of early years, Nels Porter.
Hard Times Dance: Don’t forget the dance in the Clinton community hall on Friday night, April 8th, in aid of funds for the Pro. Rec. Plenty of spice and variety has been arranged for the night’s programme. To begin with it is a hard-times dance and there will be fines for jewellery and silks and finery generally. Spotlight waltzes, elimination waltz, and other variety dances will be featured. Come and enjoy yourself and help a good healthy cause.
50 YEARS AGO: APRIL 4, 1974
The Sands Theatre Opens: The Sands Theatre, formerly Ashcroft Theatre [now the Opera House], will hold their Premier show Friday, April 5th starting at 7 p.m. On opening night there will be free popcorn, door prizes, free show passes for specially numbered ticket holders. There will be on hand at all shows baby sitting service and there is a snack bar.
Tempers Flare At Annual Hospital Meeting: The annual meeting of the Ashcroft and District General Hospital was held last Thursday night at the United Church Hall. It was a packed house with even standing room at a premium. The chairman Don Tait opened the meeting with a remark on the attendance and informed them that new members signing up that night were not eligible to vote for another 30 days, as provided in the Society’s bylaws. This remark immediately drew protest. The issue of the meeting was the cancellation of Dr. H. Lynes’ privileges at the hospital until his medical records were brought up to date. Heckling and rude tactics began, very few addressed the chair in the proper manner, half-a-dozen people were talking at the same time, and everyone present was an adult! After a loud “Keep Quiet” the meeting continued. The meeting was noisy throughout and much of the dialogue was lost.
Loon Lake News: All winter there has been a rabbit pen located at the corner of the Watt home at Loon Creek. On Sunday, after considerable racket, investigation seemed called for. On opening the door the unbelievable sight of a cougar slinking out of the back porch greeted my eyes. The knocking of my knees was so bad that I doubt if my finger could have pulled the trigger on the gun, never mind aim straight. Fortunately I was not alone, and the animal was soon dispatched. If there had been no one home, “Pinkie and Blacky”, it is feared, would have made a satisfactory snack for the cat, as the latch on the door was not a too complicated affair.
Warning To Kite Flyers: Kite flying time is here once again and B.C. Hydro issues its annual warning to all youngsters — and grown-ups as well — not to fly kites near powerlines or towers. “Everyone should understand that the cord holding a kite, particularly if the cord is wet, may act as a conductor if it touches a charged powerline,” says Peter Liesch, manager of Hydro’s Cache Creek power district. “The electric current can travel down the cord to the person holding it. If this happens the consequences can be very serious. So have fun but play safe. Keep kites well away from powerlines, poles, and towers. If a kit should become tangled in a powerline drop the cord at once. Don’t try to free the kite with a long pole.” Each year serious accidents occur in British Columbia because people do not heed this warning. Grown-ups as well as children have been killed while trying to free a kite from powerlines.