From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

March 27, 1884 – The Brandon Mail

The CPR sent out two survey parties to the Rockies last Monday and three more will leave shortly. Their mission is to make a final location of the line from the summit through the Kicking Horse and Rogers passes, to the second crossing of the Columbia River.

Last year, 1,874 permits to bring liquor into the Northwest Territories were granted. 6,736.5 gallons of liquor were brought in with Whiskey being the favourite tipple in the Northwest, for out of that total, 2,730 gallons consisted of that stimulant. At 1,475 gallons, Brandy took second place.

Two weeks ago, our Lothair correspondent spelled several names wrong. Rutter for Ruler, McKazel for McKague, John for Job, Atteman for Alteman, etc. We much regret this, but those who know the difficulty of handling correspondence in a newspaper office will readily see how errors creep in.

McGinnis of Milford was up before Ald. Cameron on Monday for charges of getting money under false pretenses. After adjusting his glasses in true squire-like fashion, and taking in the particulars, Cameron concluded that in horse swaps, McGinnis’ logic was quite admissible, and the case was dismissed. The squire well knows the essence of morality is not always looked for in horse trades.

March 26, 1908 – The Advertiser and Central Alberta News

Calgary City Council have just found out that some newspapers will misrepresent the doings of public men. The Lacombe Town Fathers knew this long ago.

The single men defeated the married men in a game of hockey on Saturday night. This is the first time the married men have suffered defeat and claim the heavy ice is the cause.

The ratepayers meeting wasn’t well attended, although those there had a multitude of questions for the mayor, who’s favourite answer to all questions concerning money, how much there was and where it was coming from was “I don’t know.”

March 23, 1911 – The Blairmore Enterprise

Samuel Woodman, age 27 and a well-known local carpenter, was taking care of the McLean’s house while they were out east. On Friday evening, a large crowd gathered around the residence when a fire broke out. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to get the flames under control. After the fire had burned itself out, the body of Woodman was found in the cellar. The inquest began on Monday in Frank and adjourned Tuesday with a verdict of death in a fire due to intoxication.

Thomas Harvey was known throughout the Pass due to his peculiar manner. Tom will no longer be roaming prairies and hills in search of gophers and squirrels. He rigged up his shotgun with a string and took his life while in a melancholy state of mind.

We have one or two individuals in town who by their frantic and indecorous talk have proven themselves to not even be semi-human. They are continually slandering and finding fault with those who never cease in helping our town and making it a desirable place to live.

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