125 YEARS AGO: AUG. 5, 1899
Horseless Carriages: Two horseless carriages will soon be on the streets at Vancouver, and it is reported that a factory will soon be established to manufacture them.
Flim-Flammer: A genuine, thoroughly well up-to-date flim-flammer on crutches, who was working the town for money, was taken in by officer Burr on Tuesday. The fellow claimed that he was obliged to use crutches and must lose his leg, etc. Examination showed only a small ulcer, perhaps produced purposely so that he could beg to better advantage. He was given 30 days in the chain gang by Justices Lehman and Webb.
Domestic Abuse: What can you think of a man who threatens to tear down the jail if his wife is not released, and when his so-called wife is released, she applies within 12 hours for police protection to save herself from brutal punishment at his hands? Yet this actually occurred within the past week in Ashcroft.
Summer Fun: Quite a number of young people from Ashcroft are in camp at Savonas, fishing, bathing, and enjoying themselves immensely.
Baseball: The merry baseball players from Ashcroft left, 18 strong, on a B.X. special highly decorated with ribbons and flags, for Lillooet yesterday morning. The boys will have a good time, anyway, and we think will do the Lillooet youngsters.
100 YEARS AGO: AUG. 2, 1924
Inter-Switching Is Now A Fact; First CNR Train Goes Over To CPR Tracks At Kamloops: Although it has been possible for the two transcontinental systems to transfer from track to track at other points, it was only on Saturday night that a transfer became possible at Kamloops. The first train to make use of the new inter-switching facilities was the westbound passenger train on the Canadian National. Owing to trouble on the National line west of Ashcroft it became almost imperative that the train should make use of the CPR line between Kamloops and Basque. Although the connection at Kamloops was not completed, work was rushed and the lines laid in time for the CN transcontinental to cut in on the CP line at Kamloops without an undue delay. The train went back to the CN lines at Basque. The completion of this connection marks a new era in the history of transportation in Kamloops.
Highland Valley Mines: About a year ago, J.N.J. Brown discovered the "Empire" mineral group of claims. There have been from five to six men employed at the mine since the early part of spring. The vein, which is 100 feet wide, carries gold, silver, and copper. No such large body has ever been found in B.C. before. An incline shaft has been sunk and in a few days a cross cut will be started. Brown, in relating the story of discovery, said he had shot a deer a short distance from the cabin. On the way home with the game he remarked to his wife that there was mineral on the ground they were walking on. They determined to prospect this, and the following Sunday they went to the spot and found rich mineral. If the Empire proves rich in depth, as it has proven on the surface, it will be the means of opening up the vast mineral wealth of the Highland Valley.
Walhachin: The cloud burst up Deadman Creek on Monday night did considerable damage, some three miles of road rendered impassable.
75 YEARS AGO: AUG. 4, 1949
Clinton: The children are all enjoying their freedom again, having been confined to their yards for one week owing to a case of mild scarlet fever in the village. Luckily no more cases have developed.
New Store Opens: Of interest to both ranchers and tourists is a new store recently opened in Clinton. The Cariboo Gift and Saddle Shop is the name of the new enterprise, which is located in the store attached to the New Cariboo Lodge. The Cariboo Gift and Saddle Shop will stock all forms of saddlery, cowboy, and ranching equipment and clothing, plus a complete line of hunting and fishing equipment, together with souvenirs typical of Canada in general and the Cariboo district in particular. Hunting, fishing, and resort information will also be given to tourists at the new shop.
Cloudburst Hits Bonaparte: The terrible thunder and lightning that visited the skies above Ashcroft on Tuesday did not send much rain relief to town, but at the Bonaparte Reserve it came down in heavy hailstones measuring 1 by 3-4 by 1-8 inch. The roadway by Judge Calder's was covered with two feet of gravel and rocks weighing about 500 pounds, which was washed down. About a mile of Arthur Parke's irrigation ditch was filled up with gravel and washed out. The Public Works crew were out on Tuesday clearing away the slides on the highway, and kept traffic moving.
Spences Bridge: The weather remains hot and sultry, and if it keeps up our water supply will be short, possibly cutting down our lights, which have held up very good this year. Here's hoping we have a good rain within a day or so.
Ashcroft Legion: Johnny Nordstrom, who has the contract for the cement work on the new Legion hall, has the cement footings in and now has the framework up for the walls. He has five men working and is making good time on the building.
Ashcroft Community Hall: Work is going on at the community hall, remodelling part of it for the children's auxiliary high school. We understand the front part of the lower floor is being converted suitable for a classroom.
50 YEARS AGO: AUG. 1, 1974
No Journal August 1st: There will be no issue of the Journal on Thursday, Aug. 1. The shop will be closed Friday, July 26 to Tuesday, Aug 6 to allow for staff holidays.
