From the Archives of Western Newspapers

Posted on August 6, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

August 5, 1882 – Edmonton Bulletin

One reason why there were so few passengers on the last boat was that nobody was certain she would get over the rapids and there were few that wanted to take the chance she would make it. 

J. McCrae went to cut some hay with a local lad and when they got to the location, he jumped out of the cart. In doing so, he caught his wrist on a scythe that was sticking out over the edge and sustained a deep cut clear across, cutting one of his smaller arteries. Dr. Munro attended at once and McCrae is healing as fast as could be expected. 

Since the mail route has been changed to the north side of the river, a petition to have the office at Fort Saskatchewan removed to that side, in order to save the mail carrier the trouble and delay of crossing, has been circulated at Edmonton. Those at the Fort claim most of the mail is for that settlement and the office should stay where it is. Besides, the business of the office has always been carried out in a most satisfactory manner and it would hardly be fair to deprive the postmaster of his office without better cause. 

August 6, 1908 – Taber Free Press

Admitting there were mistakes in the former trial, the members of the conference have instructions to begin a fight all along the line of the Standard Oil Trust. “It will now be a fight to the finish,” said USA Attorney Sims. “We made mistakes, glaring ones, in the other trial, but now we are at work in earnest. Nothing will go wrong this time; you may be sure of that.”

Jean Louis Riel, son of the late Louis Riel, the famous rebel leader who made history in the Canadian northwest, died at St. Boniface hospital at the age of 36 years. He was well-educated and took up a profession as a civil engineer. A few months ago, he married the sweetheart of his youth and the couple had recently settled in Winnipeg. Young Riel was working on the new line of the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway when he was taken ill. He’d only just recovered from a severe cold and several complications developed from this last illness, from which he was unable to recover. 

The district around Macleod suffered a light frost last night across most of the area. According to the latest reports, the wheat has not suffered. The fall wheat is too far advanced and the spring wheat not far enough advanced for either to be hurt. In town, tender garden stuff got badly scorched in some places while adjoining gardens were not touched at all. 

August 3, 1911 – The Bow Valley Call (Gleichen)

The public meeting called by the Council last Friday resulted in not a single motion being made. Mayor Rose opened the meeting by saying the object was to get the opinion of the ratepayers as to borrowing more money for the erection of a town hall and firehall along with extending the sewerage and waterworks. In his usual and precise manner, his worship left no room for doubt as to the necessity of all. It took a long time for anyone to speak, but once the silent spell was broken, many had much to say. 

With over two years of its legal tenure of office still to run, the eleventh parliament of Canada has been dissolved. On Saturday morning, after a full meeting of the cabinet, the council decided that any further attempt to pass the reciprocity agreement in the face of determined opposition from the minority government was useless. The election is scheduled for the shortest time possible, with election and a new parliament by September 24 with nominations on September 14. 

Canadian teachers, who are holidaying en masse in England, are having a strenuous time. This week they visited several London schools, inspected the Tower of London, and made a tour through the National Art Gallery. They also journeyed to Winchester and Greenwich. They are scheduled next to go to Hampton Court to be entertained by Lady Napier of Magdala. 

In Winnipeg, police have arrested five men who they believe to be the nucleus of the gang of railway thieves whose operations have been active for the past ten months. More arrests are promised.