March 17 - 23: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers held at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives
1917
Libelous reporting … The Editor of the Fernie Free Press went out of his way last issue to cast a slur on the morals of Cranbrook, and to libel our administrative authorities in the execution of their duty.
He made the direct statement that the inmates of the red light district, recently cleared out, had now made their headquarters in various places around town.
It would only be common decency and common sense, before publishing such a statement as that, that some endeavor should be made to ascertain the facts and the truth of the matter.
We immediately drew the attention of the Mayor to the statement, and he promised to bring the matter to the attention of the Police Commission. This he at once did, and we have his direct statement that the paragraph above referred to is an absolute falsehood, and that every one of the inmates have left the district.
It is poor lame business of the editor of the Fernie paper to endeavor to bolster up their own bad case by trying to blacken another’s character.
Police court … Fred Staback, charged by Chief Hersey for housebreaking, received sentence of two years.
L. C. Dickson, alias J. W. Stewart, who was brought back from Creston by Chief Hersey, received sentence Friday last from Judge Thompson, of two years at New Westminster. Dickson, it will be remembered, forged a cheque on the Royal Bank, signing the name of David Speers, and cashed it at the Wentworth Hotel.
Pat Doyle was fined ten dollars or thirty days for being drunk and disorderly on the 19th. He had been celebrating the 17th of Old Ireland, and as it was the second offence within the month, he was gathered in. He elected to do time.
Arthur Birch, a big husky six-footer, was arrested Sunday afternoon last for assault on J. A. MacDonald, whom he beat up pretty badly. He had to be persuaded by the business end of the Chief’s baton, and handcuffed before he could be taken to the police station. He was fined $20 or 60 days. The fine was paid.
On Tuesday afternoon the Chief received complaint that the garage of Mr. Pete Matherson had been entered and three fur cutter robes, valued at about $35 were stolen. So well does the Chief appear to have the city undesirables under his surveillance, that within an hour the goods were found and returned to the owner. The thief evidently being afraid to offer them for sale, had hidden them in a certain house in town. Following the quick action in case Staback noted above, it looks as if the thieving element may find this place too warm for them.
A. Matson was fined $5 or 15 days for being drunk and disorderly on Wednesday. He paid the fine. News from the front … Margate, Kent. Eng., Jan. 12, 1917. Dear Sister: I expect before this reaches you, you have heard I’m back in England. I have just now had a letter from you dated July 21st 1916; well that’s the last letter I have received from you.
I was in hospital for Christmas, thank God. I’m in a poor state, Mary, but don’t worry. I used to be six feet high, weighed 14 stones, now I am but about 10 stones. I was an absolute skeleton but am growing muscle and flesh now, my heart is bad but still I cannot account for my life — it’s mysterious how I came thru all this alive.
I was one in 58 to come through a charge of 900 men and on my way I thought sure I was to die. I asked God to forgive me all harm I’d done anyone and my sins and help mother, dad, sisters and brothers and the girl.
This is how it was: We attacked, full of hope, against the Sunken Road to Le Tars; you’ve seen those names in the papers perhaps, it’s on the Somme front.
We charged all full of hope that the terrible bombardment our guns gave them had killed the common foe, so over the parapets we went, through the slushy mud, up to the knees. We got to the German lines, suffering about 100 casualties (I would like you to understand I am now or was then in the machine-gun corps) Well, my firing team being No. 1, I went with the first wave of infantry. My team which was under me (N.C.O. being killed,) gradually dwindled down to two of us on the gun and one on ammunition supply.
I had been firing my gun to keep the enemies’ heads down and let the 2nd and 3rd wave come over easily. I had been on this 10 minutes through a little delay or wrong orders in connection with the 2nd and 3rd waves, so kept us handful of first wave men busy defending ourselves and keeping back the enemy from his front trench.
This 10 minutes seemed hours in such a critical position, so I asked my mate to leave the gun to me and go for more ammunition belts. He seemed afraid and would not go, so I left him with the gun and I went to shout for the man with the ammunition belts. I was there howling along the trench “belts, belts” and messages, when all at once my mate had his head blown off. It hit me full in the stomach, an awful sight it was too.
I left my gun as I could not carry it (60 lbs, without ammunition and spare parts in case of breaks) I left the lot, grabbed an enemy rifle and bayonet and proceeded to find mates somewhere.
I happened to look up when a big shell went by me making a noise like an express train; this was followed by hundreds more in quick succession from German guns making a curtain fire to prevent us getting back to our own lines or ours coming to our help.
I ran back to my gun, with the remains of my mate there hanging on to the gun, with his head off. I got him under my feet and fired the remaining five belts of ammunition, 250 rounds in each belt, into the onrushing hordes who were counter-attacking.
I was mad, mad, and laughing at the destruction and death dealing machine with no ammunition.
In this plight I was snatched away with others leaving the trench; the barrage or curtain fire the Germans had sent on was lifting; they, our lads, were retiring to our own trench. I went with them, but ill luck, I thought, had overtaken me at last; I sank in a shell hole in the Hxxs wire, and got fastened in it, but I came to my senses and shammed dead. They went by me thinking I was dead. I took my time, kept a nerve like iron, and slowly, beneath the mud, my hands were working, cutting loose my trousers and puttees.
I heard an awful yell go up; our lads were winning I thought, and the Germans would be coming back. True it was, they passed me with a rain of bullets. Down kept, shammed dead again, and our boys came along chasing back these Hxxs who had the idea they had made a splendid success.
Now, I thought, is my time to get out for a little longer life. I stepped out of my trousers, boots and puttees which were holding onto my legs, and chased off in my under-pants to our trench. Here I went dizzy with excitement and joy and then the order forward came and I had to rob a dead mate of his muddy trousers.
Off I went after them to find the machine-gun I loved so much. There it was too, but I had my senses and stopped with it; the lads were far ahead, about 500 yards, so I had to be careful. I got my periscope and had a look for a live Hxn. There they were, six or seven of them, potting at our wounded, killing them. I went for belts of ammunition and once more got on them with my gun and finished them off.
Well, that was my last great moment. I just looked around those who had fallen to my gun; I did not count them. The officer told me he judged them to be about sixty of eighty.
I thank God I’ve been brought through safe, although not sound, exactly. My heart is not right and I am absolutely battle-worn.
My recommendation from my officer says, “Pte. Twamley has destroyed many of our enemies and has bravely done his duty through the time he’s been in France.”
I still see those dreadful sights, the sight of the first German I ran my bayonet through. His eyes and tongue shoot out at me in my sleep, but it’s the weak state I’m in that makes this; when my heart gets strong again I shall be alright. I’m going on alright. I hope you are all well in Canada.
Wounded … W. W. Laurie, a Cranbrook boy, well-known in this district, is reported wounded this week.
Death at the front … The news has been received by Mr. F.H. Pym of the death of his only brother at the front. He was killed instantly when in action with a machine gun section of the Royal Fusiliers. He had returned to England from Malay, for a holiday at the outbreak of war and volunteered immediately.
Eugene’s message … Mr. C. H. Phillips has received word that his son, Eugene, has passed his last examination and has now been gazetted a lieutenant. He is now in the 8th reserve, and expects to go over to France very soon. Sperry S. is now in the front line. He writes: Father, it would do your soul good to hear the thunder of those big guns. It looks as if there was something doing all the time. The Fourth of July isn’t in it.
Joining his battalion … Mr. Wm. Maisey, who has been a resident of the Cranbrook district for a number of years, and who has been on the staff of the Ira Manning store for some time, left Wednesday for Calgary, where he joins his battalion, the 191st. Before leaving, he was the recipient of a wrist watch as a token of esteem from the other members of the staff.
Thief arrested … A man from across the border was last week arrested by Constable Walsh on a charge of stealing an overcoat at Wasa. The prisoner appeared before Justices of the Peace T. McVittie and A. B. Fenwick. He pleaded guilty stating he had been under the influence of drink: and was given two months hard labor.
Wasa news … The boys of Wasa are being well trained they have all taken up knitting not only the smaller ones but the larger ones as well.
Wycliffe news … Dang Gong, a Chinese man who works in the sawmill here, was badly injured Monday morning when accidentally caught and wound about a slowly revolving shaft. He was taken to the St. Eugene Hospital in Cranbrook, in a state of unconsciousness.
His right arm was also severely fractured in many places. Those who witnessed the accident say that had the shaft been revolving at a high speed, the man would certainly have been killed.
Accidents are not common here in this plant. This is the first of any consequence which has occurred for two years.
Vaccinations … R. L. T. Galbraith returned on Monday from Tobacco Plains where he has been vaccinating and preparing the locals for the attack of small-pox which might spread from Eureka across the line. He states that things are satisfactory and all looks well.
Rex theatre … What an army goes through in making an attack under heavy shellfire can never be appreciated by one who has not had the experience, but some shadow of an idea can be gleaned from seeing moving pictures of the event.
In “Canada’s Fighting Forces” Series Two, which are to be shown for one afternoon and five evenings at the Rex Theatre, beginning on April 2nd, there is a remarkable picture of a Canadian brigade making an assault on an enemy position. The wild passion of the men on the attack and the perfect discipline maintained at all times are too incongruous to be believed without having been seen.
The use of the new-fangled modification of a very ancient weapon, the catapult, is interestingly demonstrated in this section of the picture.
Touching incidents, such as the interview between the then Minister of Militia, Sir Sam Hughes, and a private soldier with both legs missing punctuate the pictures.
Twenty-five hundred feet of film were taken from the air by Lieut. D. J. Dwyer, the photographer, but owing to the difficulty of focussing in the treacherous air pockets 2,000 feet had to be discarded.
The five hundred feet shown in “Canada’s Fighting Forces” is the finest thing of the kind ever shown in this city, nevertheless.
Carriages and caskets … Mr. H. J. Johnstone of Winnipeg was in the city Monday and Tuesday Mr. Johnston attends to the wants of humanity coming into the world and going out so to speak, as he sells baby carriages and caskets.
Non partisan league … The first annual meeting Non Partisan League will be the Maple Hall, on Thursday March 29th, at 8 p.m. There an election of officers for the ensuing year. All ladies who are in favor of voting for the issue, instead of for the party, are urged to be present.
Men at the English church … An appreciable increase in number of men attending the English Church has been noticeable since Mr. Bridge commenced his course of addresses on Science and Religion. It looks as though some people want information as well as exhortation.
Canadian Patriotic Fund … The Executive of the Local Branch of the Canadian Patriotic Fund have just completed checking up the list of local subscribers and have ascertained that there are a number of the citizens not yet contributing to this very deserving Fund.
In view of the request of the Central Provincial Branch that this Branch should contribute during the current year the large sum of $20,000, it is hoped that everyone will contribute such an amount as each individual feels that he or she can afford.
No specific amount is asked of anyone, the motto of the Fund however is “Give until it hurts.”
The Committee are circularising nonsubscribers requesting them to contribute and hope for a generous response.
An addressed envelope, to the Hon. Secretary, has been enclosed with each circular and if the response does not come up to the Committee’s expectation a personal canvass will be made later.
Engineer’s report … There are a number of leaks around town apparent to the public eye, but little can be done yet to remedy matters, not merely because of the difficulty in excavating; the frozen ground but more particularly because of the necessity of shutting off the water for lengthy periods during which those services which are now running will be almost certain to freeze.
One leak near Mr. Ross Carr’s, which was doing damage to his cellar was repaired after considerable difficulty and another near the corner of Hanson and Kains was stopped sufficiently for the present to prevent impending trouble. In view of the use we will have to make of our gasoline pump in mending these leaks this summer, I have had it thoroughly overhauled and put into good shape. This pump is as good as two men for the job.
I have also got in a small stock of rubber seats for our hydrants and 100 lbs of lead for caulking. ‘Several trips have been made to the dam from time to time to observe the quantity wasting over the spillway and cut ice.
I think it would be well to make arrangements with another rancher near at hand to keep an eye on the dam, now that Mr. Maisey is gone, and particularly to rake the grating over the intake at time of high flood.
SEWERAGE: The effluent from the sedimentation tank has been recently diverted from Mr. Godderis’ land, as the great amount of water flowing was tending to cut the surface. The effluent now passes onto the trays and through the primary filter, then into a compartment of the secondary filter and finally into the creek as it used to do before we built the ditch. This tends to promote growths in the creek, but as we will soon have the scouring effect of the high water, no nuisance will arise.
Thanks to the removal of the pond at the old Standard mill all growths are swept through to St. Marys River.
The present condition of affairs will be allowed until the creek subsides, when the trays will be again cut out and the effluent passed on to our land where it ran so successfully during the hot months last summer.
As has been pointed out to previous councils the success of removing all nuisances depends on adapting the treatment to the season and the stage of the creek.
I have nothing to report regards streets and sidewalks.
I am, Your obedient servant, J. G. Cummings.
A farewell social … The Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, gave a farewell social at the home of Mrs. D. Campbell, Armstrong Avenue, Tuesday evening, March 13th, in honor of Mrs. W. McKenzie and Mrs. J. Roberts, before leaving for their new homes in Medicine Hat and Calgary, respectively, their husbands having been transferred to these points by the C.P.R.
These ladies were presented with cut glass cream and sugar sets in recognition of services rendered during their membership in the G. I. A., the presentation being made by Mrs. A. A. Cameron and Mrs. J. T. Sarvis read the following address Dear Sisters McKenzie and Roberts:
It is with sincere regret that we, the officers and members of Selkirk Div No. 473 of the G. I. A. to the B. of L. E., are compelled to accept the fact of your removal from the city of Cranbrook is so soon to take place, although we have known it for some time we could hardly realize it to be true.
You have been valued workers and highly esteemed members of this division and we mark with keen regret the places made vacant by your removal from our midst hut sincerely hope that what is our division’s loss will be some other division’s gain and we hope that you will be just as useful and willing in your new division as you have been in ours.
As a simple and earnest expression of our esteem as fellow workers, sincere friends and sisters we ask that you will accept these small gifts from the members of this division and that God will bless and prosper you and Brothers McKenzie and Roberts and your families in your new homes is the sincere wish of Selkirk Division Signed on behalf of Division No. 473, Mrs. J. T. Sarvis, President Mrs. A. A. Cameron, Secretary
The amusements of the evening consisted of cards and music, Mrs. Robt Edmondson providing the latter. A guessing contest took place on the names of old songs, Mrs. Cameron carrying off the first prize.
After the serving of dainty refreshments and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne” the party broke up although all regretting the departure of these ladies from our midst.
Association meeting … A very fair number of poultry-men were in attendance at the regular monthly meeting of the Cranbrook Poultry Association Friday evening last in the City Hall. President Cooper was in the chair, with Secretary Shepperd handling the pencil.
The routine business being disposed of, the question of getting the boys and girls poultry raising competitions in operation again this year was taken up, and as the Government was guaranteeing the prizes now, it was thought that a good competition might be organized. A committee was appointed to take the matter up with the school authorities.
The formation of an Egg Circle, which is in the hands of the executive, is being proceeded with, and it was reported that by next meeting things would be in shape to get the circle in working order.
An interesting discussion developed relative to the purchasing of poultry feed, and a good many different opinions were expressed. As a result of the discussion it was decided to form a feed buying club, and a committee was delegated to take the necessary steps towards that end.
The club meets on the third Friday in every month, and all poultry keepers, whether members or not, are invited to attend. The club Intends to take up the study of the Hogan System of selection at the next and successive meetings.