Dave Humphrey
Items compiled from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre Archives
1903
Election time ...The election in the Cranbrook district passed off without any trouble. There was some excitement at times, and a few earnest discussions, but at no time was there any differences of a serious nature. The morning opened up cloudy and chilly, but before noon the sun came out and the day proved a perfect one. The workers on both sides had things well organized, and in consequence the vote was gotten, in at an early hour. In fact there were very few votes cast anywhere in the district after 4:30, so well had the managers in each poll sized up the work. In Cranbrook there were 939 votes cast, and the street in front of the booths was crowded most of the day by the workers of both parties and the voters coming and going. Both Dr. King and Mr. Caven were on hand all day to encourage their workers and to do their part in the battle that was being waged. Naturally there was some betting, but it was slow during the forenoon, if seemed to be conceded that up to noon the Caven side had a little the best of it, but after 12 o'clock the King men began to come and enthusiasm began to show. Finally some man offered to bet $100 on Caven. It was taken, and more asked. This resulted in a few moments in odds of two to one; being offered on King, and then the money began to go up in bunches. In all probability between one and two thousand dollars were wagered, most of it at the above odds.
Election returns ... The latest returns received by The Herald up to 12 o'clock today by special service, gives the result as follows: Conservatives .. 22; Liberal .. 18; Socialist .. 2. Finally Dr. King was called and from the porches of the Cosmopolitan Hotel he made a brief talk, thanking them for the valuable assistance they had given in the campaign, and the voters of the district generally for the confidence they had shown in him by electing him as their representative. Afterward the Doctor was picked up by his admirers and carried the length of the street. Then a large electric banner with the word "King" formed of electric light globes, was suspended in the middle of the street and was loudly cheered. It was a warm night in the old town and victors and vanquished celebrated together. There were some nasty things said under the bitterness of defeat and enthusiasm aroused by exhilarating liquids, and a few quarrels followed, but as a rule good natured prevailed, as the majority of the people realized that in every election there must be losers as well as winners.
How's that again? ... The correspondent who gave a forecast of the Cranbrook vote to the Fort Steele Prospector smokes a warm brand of dope.
Brotherly reunion ... T. S. Gill left Tuesday for Spokane to take in the fair. While there Mr. Gill will be the guest of his brother, A. F. Gill, city engineer of Spokane. The brothers have not met for thirteen years.
Wanted ... Bushmen, wages $40 per month and board for experienced men. Moyie Lumber and Milling Co. Moyie, B. C.
A bad accident ... Claude Trotter, formerly a clerk in G. T. Roger's store, and well known in Cranbrook as a young artist of promise, met with an horrible accident at Moyie last Monday night. He had been working in the saw mill at Ryan and boarded a freight train to come to Cranbrook. When he reached Moyie he changed his mind and concluded to stop there. The train was going through the town at full speed, and he jumped on the platform. He was thrown over and rolled off the platform under the train, having one leg crushed by the wheels. He was brought to Cranbrook Tuesday and taken to the St. Eugene hospital and yesterday the injured leg was amputated. The accident is a bad one and the young man's many friends sympathize with him in his misfortune.
Hunting party ... A number of young men climbed the Three Sisters Mountain last Saturday and returned the following day. They took a rifle with them which did effective work on a band of 17 mountain goats that they encountered, as they brought back with them four fine heads.
1904
Not a nice job ... Constable Hoskins has received instructions from the provincial authorities at the coast to proceed at once with the collection of the personal poll tax in this town. This is not a pleasant duty to perform, as the average citizen protests against the payment of this tax, although it is only $3. Yet it is the law, and Mr. Hoskins' instructions are positive and peremptory, therefore he must proceed at once. Under the law and his instructions, after he has asked a person for the tax and it is not forthcoming, he must at once issue summons for the delinquent and then the matter is in the hands of the courts. People often blame a constable for performing his duty and forget that it is that with the constable or the loss of his position.
Fine shots ... Mrs. Joseph Jackson and Miss Jackson took a ride down the Moyie Road one day this week. Both ladies are good riders, and the result of the trip also shows that they are excellent shots. Armed with a 22 rifle, they succeeded in bagging nine partridges.
Crooked elections ... If they get a few more Liberals in Ontario for crooked elections the political complexion of the local house will be entirely changed. Every Liberal who is caught in crooked work at an election should be prosecuted, and when the Liberals have been attended to, then go after the Conservatives. Honest elections should be the desire of every true citizen of Canada.
Too much ... Campaign literature is getting as thick as bible tracts in a foreign mission.
Get caught up ... A few arrests in Cranbrook might prove a good thing. Reckless driving, profanity on the streets and a few more things like that would receive a check.
Rink needed ... There will be a meeting at Union Labor hall tonight for the purpose of organizing a hockey club and discussing the question of building a rink for skating and curling. Cranbrook should have a rink and the only way to secure one is to go after it good and strong. The attendance at the meeting tonight will be an indication of the feeling of the people on the question. Those interested should not fail to be present and give the meeting the benefit of their ideas on the subject. There is no time to lose and if there is a rink to be built this year work should begin without delay.
You've been fooled ... An easy joke has been worked on the many travellers over the Great Northern railway between Jennings and Swinton. The trainmen got hold of a couple of discarded telephone instruments and connected them up with one in each compartment of the accommodation car. Then with the train running at 30 miles per hour a fictitious enquirer from Morrissey or some other distant point, would ring up a traveller and pretend to transact business with him. Nearly all would bite readily though some would afterwards shake their heads and sagely remark, "Marvellous, these scientific inventions!"
No caribou ... Y. H. Baker and C. M. Edwards went to the upper Moyie this week to hunt for caribou but could find no bulls. Their trip was a failure in consequence.
Dear editor... As a constant reader of your valuable paper I desire to congratulate you upon your advice to young people. Now with your permission I will make a few suggestions that I feel sure will be endorsed by the many mothers who read your paper. I have thought much and much has been said and written about "Where is my boy to night." As a mother who has several daughters and no boy, I would like this inquiry changed so as to read, "Where is my girl tonight." With pangs of remorse one must admit, that in our community at least, many of our girls who have good homes are on the streets seven nights in the week. They wander listlessly about, no object in view. They bring upon themselves slighting remarks from street loafers. They gossip and flirt with young men, they would blush with shame to have enter their home. My girls would not desire to loaf upon the streets and in the store if others did not do so. Can we not as mothers organize and in some manner, prevent this growing evil that sooner or later is sure to destroy the happiness of our homes. Would it not be much better for our girls to spend their evenings at home in mental improvement, or if they prefer meet at each others' homes. Anything to keep them off the streets. They lose the respect of all good citizens and sooner or later will lose all respect for themselves. Respectfully submitted by A Mother.