From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson

Southern Alberta Newspapers

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Friday, April 12, 1901 – The Wetaskiwin Times

In Penron Park, Duncan McPhail has a dog who is fond of fishing. The dog makes his way to the river each day and always manages to bring home what he caught. 

A man arrived from St. Paul’s, USA, this past week and from all his boasting, it was inferred he was intending to buy all the land in this section and the Driard Hotel. On Monday, he called at the home of Mr. Speers, one of our highly respected citizens, on the pretense of obtaining information. Shortly after he left, the man returned claiming he had left his pocketbook with $2,500 in cash at Mr. Speer’s home. No pocketbook or money were found and the stranger was brought up before the authorities after he was heard in town circulating stories about Mr. Speers. 

From Sarnia, at the Lambton county assizes yesterday, the manslaughter case of King vs. Clark was thrown out by the grand jury. The prisoner, James Clark, was charged with killing his brother Joseph in a drunken row. 

Friday, April 16, 1909 – Wainwright Star

Three young men from town started out last Friday evening to attend the concert given at Plaxton School. Shortly after starting out, a heavy rainstorm descended and the men lost their way. They finally managed to get within a half mile of the school about 11 p.m. when they decided to turn for home. On the way back, they lost their way again and were eventually discovered by a kind-hearted settler who sheltered them until morning. 

FW Phillips wrote into the paper to inform readers about the nightwatchman at the Wainwright train station who is charging passengers a fee to remain in the waiting room overnight. Phillips and his brother arrived by train late at night and a storm was raging. No beds could be found in town and they were forced to return to the depot. The nightwatchman arrived about 11 p.m. and charged everyone 25 cents to remain, even the women and children. 

During the last year the immigration department has deported 1,790 people, who, within two years of the arrival in Canada, were found to be undesirable citizens. For the previous year, total deportations were 825. Upon landing at ports of entry, 4,600 were rejected last year and 1,172 the year before.  

Friday April 10, 1914 – Lacombe Guardian

Thousands of letters, many containing cash, are in the dead letter office in Ottawa. Due to a recent regulation, cash can no longer be sent by mail, only postal order, cheque or with a registered envelope. The order to stop sending cash was to reduce the temptation of postal employees to helping themselves. There is no penalty for sending cash, but as it is contrary to the new regulation these letters are now being sent to the dead letter office.  

In New Hazleton, BC, two bandits were killed at 10:30 a.m. during a battle between some robbers and a large posse of citizens. Six gunmen held up the Union Branch in town and four managed to get away although distant gunfire can still be heard as this is being written. The thieves managed to secure $1,100 in cash. 

Anxiety is high in St. Johns, Newfoundland, for the 173 men onboard the sealing vessel Southern Cross, which has been missing since Tuesday’s blizzard. The Kyle was sent out to find her with no luck and no incoming vessels reported a sighting. Following so closely on the loss of 77 men on the steamer Newfoundland, this event will bring upon the colony the biggest tragedy in history. 

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