From the Archives of Western Newspapers

Posted on December 11, 2025 by Vauxhall Advance

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

December 11, 1885 – Qu’Appelle Progress

As the present session of the Northwest Council proceeds, there is an increased interest in the deliberations of that body. The one all-absorbing topic that gives most colour to the Council’s proceedings is the fight that has developed between the appointed and elected members. Appointed members are servants of the government and must, to a large extent, do their bidding. Elected members are newly returned by their constituents and, having recently mixed with the public, are more aware of their sentiments.

If not overloaded, Esquimaux dogs will easily draw a sledge 60 miles a day.

In the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Dr. Selter recommends beef tea, made very hot with red pepper, for delirium tremors. A London surgeon is stated to have successfully treated 150 patients with this remedy alone.

The bell, so long promised, has at last arrived. In addition to its usual purpose, by the kindness of the clergy, it will be rung as a time bell at 7 a.m., noon, 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily.

December 10, 1909 – The Raymond Rustler

Spinning for trout on a small river in Devonshire, a man hooked a large salmon. His rod and tackle being inadequate for the flashing monster, he soon found the fish was playing him and not he the fish. Unable to stop the salmon’s frantic rushes, he found himself running down the current after it. The result, as might be expected, was disaster, the cast and salmon both departing.

An English swine raiser treats all his sick pigs with the same remedy, no matter if the illness is rheumatism, paralysis, blind staggers, thumps or scours. His cure, in varying proportions, is fresh new milk mixed with a teaspoon of turpentine. All pigs will never refuse new milk, even dosed with turpentine, unless they are very ill, then it must be administered by spoon.

In Paris, France a doctor has performed an extraordinary surgical procedure into a man suffering from an arterial aneurysm. The surgeon used a 10-inch-long vein out of a live sheep to restore circulation and the man has completely recovered.

December 10, 1910 – Bow Island Review

In Edmonton, 300 men who were laying steel on the Grand Trunk Pacific line west of Edson were discharged without pay. Arriving in Edmonton, the men appealed to the mayor, chief of police and magistrate. Finding city officials could not help them, they engaged a solicitor, who is attempting to secure board and lodging for the men until they can get their money. Many of them used all their funds to get to the worksite and have been there for a month or more without yet being paid.

The Hudson 33 automobile was given dress rehearsals in the Allegheny mountains. The drivers were told to smash the car if they could without running into telegraph poles or into water with Hudson dealers from the surrounding towns gathering to see how the car performed. The drivers climbed every road in the mountains and took as many of the dealers with them as they could, usually five at a time. Climbing up the steep hills, the car performed well and didn’t overheat once.

Three well-known farmers were recently sentenced in Prince Albert to a year in jail for making entry for homesteads to which they were not entitled. One man for three homesteads, another for four and the third had contented himself with only two.