125 YEARS AGO: MARCH 25, 1899
New Name: The postmaster here has received official notice that on and after the 1st day of April, the name of the local post office will be “Ashcroft,” instead of “Ashcroft Station” as heretofore. The post office at Cornwall’s [now Ashcroft Manor], which has borne the name of “Ashcroft” for so long a time, has been closed.
Athletics: The executive committee of the Athletic Club is busy getting things in shape for an early start. Some part of the gymnasium outfit is already ordered and will be in Ashcroft, it is expected, by the 1st of April. The committee have engaged the town hall and very satisfactory terms have been made for lighting the building. The most difficult problem the committee had to deal with was to find suitable grounds for outdoor sports. A number of places were suggested, but after inspection by members of the committee, it was decided that the only really suitable grounds were those situated on the far side of the railway track. These will require some clearing up, which the committee are arranging to have done.
McPhee’s Big Company: Andrew McPhee’s Big Dramatic and Vaudeville Company will open an engagement of two nights at the Town Hall on next Thursday evening, producing Maggie Mitchel’s greatest success, “Fanchon, the Cricket” and on Friday evening the ever popular drama of Southern life, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This is the largest company that has ever visited Ashcroft, numbering 26 people travelling in their own private car and having a first class Military Band and Orchestra headed by the only lady Drum Major in the world. This company has just closed an engagement at Vancouver, where they opened the New Alhambra Theatre.
Scarlet Fever: Owing to the very small attendance at school, on account of the prevalence of scarlet fever in Ashcroft, the school trustees have decided to close the school for a week. It should be clearly understood, however, that the fever is of a very mild type, and there seems to be no danger, provided the patients have careful attention.
Cycle Track: Bicycling is becoming the fashion in Ashcroft. What about the track that should be made? Get together and talk it over, all ye who ride bicycles.
100 YEARS AGO: MARCH 22, 1924
Killed Near Black Canyon; Section Foreman Meets Death While On Way To Ashcroft On Speeder: Charles Koblasky, 38, section foreman on the C.P.R. about three miles west of here, was instantly killed by being struck by a train while he was on his way to Ashcroft on a speeder on Sunday afternoon last. He was coming to town for the purpose of taking his wife and family home, who had been spending the weekend in town with friends. Evidence given at the inquest held on Monday afternoon seemed to indicate that the unfortunate man was in the act of moving the speeder from the rails when he was struck. Mr. J. Drabit, who was Koblasky’s assistant at Black Canyon, did not see his foreman leave with the speeder, which leaves some doubt as to which train was responsible for his death, as one went west and one east that afternoon. Neither of the engineers saw anyone on the tracks, nor were they aware of having struck a speeder at that point.
Ashcroft To Hazelton; Few Gaps In Road To Be Filled In This Summer: A highway leading from Ashcroft clear through the Cariboo and Prince George districts to Hazelton will be completed this year. The gaps in this road from Quesnel to Prince George, and from Burns Lake to Endace, will be filled by the middle of the summer. If the trans-provincial highway, as anticipated, is built up the Fraser River, it will be possible to drive a car from Vancouver to Hazelton.
St. Patrick’s Day Dance; Success Attends Event Got Up In Aid Of Hospital: The dance given in aid of the hospital Ford raffle on St. Patrick’s night under the auspices of the board of directors turned out to be one of the most enjoyable events of the season, as well as successful in aid of that cause for which it was got up. Many attended from outside points including Clinton, Walhachin, Savona, Cache Creek, and Spences Bridge, which proved the widespread interest that was taken in the work of maintaining the hospital which serves the communities which each of the above towns represent. The $11 that was left over after all expenses were met was given away in raffle tickets. The music was supplied by the usual local orchestra, and dancing continued until about 3 a.m.
75 YEARS AGO: MARCH 24, 1949
Farmers Hear Lecture On Spuds: On Monday evening last at the community hall, farmers numbering around 40 from all parts of this district listened to a very interesting address by Mr. P.J. James, Interior Vegetable Board’s agriculturist, on the growing, dusting, and cultivation of potatoes, tomatoes, onions, carrots, and celery. He also gave illustrations by lantern slides, which showed the various diseases of vegetables, dusting, and how they are grown in the Okanagan. The slides were beautiful, as the background of the pictures gave one excellent views of our B.C. scenery. Mr. James’ main topic was the potato and the two main diseases, late blight and Tuber Flea Beetle.
Let’s Grow A Flower And Vegetable Garden: In the “Make Ashcroft Attractive” campaign, we should plan to grow a vegetable and flower garden this year. Why? Because gardening is fun — it is also profitable! You help yourself to fresh air and sunshine as you wish, you enjoy the benefit of wholesome exercise and relaxation from burdens and cares in the garden, the pressure is off. You relax. You use your hands and talents to create, to bring to completion something you have planned. But even more tangible are the benefits you reap as a proud producer of your own crisp, colourful vegetables of all varieties and beautiful flowers. You will find that a good vegetable garden will not only provide a greater variety of vegetables for the winter, but will ease the burden on the overloaded budget. Vegetables gathered fresh for daily use are not only cheaper but are superior in flavour and food value to those held for several days in the market.
Sale Of Margarine Now Legal In B.C.: Starting today, after 60 years of illegal sale, B.C. housewives will be legally able to buy all the margarine they want — but it won’t be on the shelves. Pending for months, legislation repealing the provincial ban on the butter substitute was introduced to the House in Victoria Wednesday. First supplies may not come until May 1. When it does it will sell for about 40 cents a pound and be a pale yellow.
50 YEARS AGO: MARCH 21, 1974
Railroad Accident Takes Two Lives: Francis Bottici, 47, and John W. Boyd, 24, were killed early Sunday morning when a C.P.R. empty coal train struck a rock slide and veered over a 100 ft. steep bank, blocking the Trans-Canada Highway about a mile west of Spences Bridge. The accident happened about 4:30 a.m. On impact the train appeared to slide about 60 ft. before careening over the bank. The two engines blocked the highway, the second one coming to a stop on top of the first one, which was accordioned to about half its original size. Two empty coal cars were resting perpendicularly, up the bank to the track above. C.P.R. crews from Ashcroft, Spences Bridge, and Lytton were soon at work with crane and heavy equipment endeavouring to clear the highway. It took about two hours to free the two men trapped in the engine. The highway was opened to one lane traffic about 24 hours after the accident.
Guard Rail For Our Bridge: A guard rail has been installed this week between the car deck and the pedestrian walk on the Thompson River crossing bridge at Ashcroft. While this is a much needed improvement for safety, it does not change the fact that the present bridge is hopelessly inadequate for the ever-increasing traffic it serves.
Father, Son Die In Plane Crash: A father and son died Sunday in the crash of their single engine Cessna, at Deadman Creek Valley. The plane was on a flight from Fort St. James when it suddenly veered into a mountain and exploded on impact about 12:20 p.m. Don Docksteader, a cattle rancher on Deadman Creek 17 miles north of the Trans-Canada Highway, was doing chores near his house when he saw the plane veer off course. “It was just coming down the valley, heading south, and it just took off to the right and crashed into Toomey Mountain. It just went up in flame. It was instantaneous.” Docksteader said the crash site was “not more than 200 yards from the house.” The valley floor is at an elevation of about 1,800 feet, he said, and the mountain is about 3,000 feet. He said he phoned air rescue and the RCMP but did not inspect the crash himself. The route over his ranch is frequently flown by small planes and commercial aircraft, he said.
Walhachin: Though the B.C. Telephone crew has practically taken up residence here in an effort to solve our phone problem, bugs are still creeping into the system, we understand. I haven’t any problems, but understand others have. However, we would like to thank the men who are trying to improve our service.