From the Archives of Western Newspapers

By Samantha Johnson
Southern Alberta Newspapers
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

October 25, 1900 – The Qu’Appelle Progress

In Brandon, a horse belonging to T.L. Orchard escaped from the stable and ran down Eighth Street. The horse fell into a sewer with a 14-foot drop. It took 200 men with ropes and planks to rescue the animal. Fortunately, the horse went down backwards, managed to alight on his feet and was uninjured.

In Chicago, Woodworker Adam Maesch, secretary of the Woodworkers Union until a few weeks ago, was fatally shot outside his home by two men. It is believed they were either striking woodworkers or sympathizers. The likely reason for the attack is Maesch returned to work with non-union men after a strike was declared.

A time of excitement always gives people special facilities for making fools of themselves. Canada sending troops to South Africa opened a wide field for exhibitions of folly and some of our people took lively advantage of the situation. One of the wisest things you can do is neglect your own business entirely during the excitement and run around like madmen. Go to political meetings every night and stand around all day talking politics. Don’t forget to give all your extra cash to the party even though you children might need new shoes and coats for winter.

October 21, 1910 – The Bellevue Times

Cupid is casting her darts rather thick in Bellevue right now. Get the tin cans and sticks ready boys.

The unknown regions in southwest Labrador are to be explored by a group of college professors from Middlebury. Known as the McFarland expedition, the first part of the journey will be by rail from Montreal to Roberval, Lake St. John in northern Quebec. From there the team, all supplies and scientific equipment will travel the next 375 miles by canoe.

Notices have been posted at all railway stations in France that it is strictly forbidden to exchange kisses on platforms, in waiting rooms or upon the steps of carriages due to frequent delays caused by the prevalence of this dilatory practice. The first condition of safe travel is punctuality and those caught kissing will be liable to prosecution.

October 26, 1912 – The Strathmore Standard

The Milan Alpine Club has organized the biggest excursion yet recorded under the auspices of the ministry of war as an encouragement towards physical training for Italian youth.  About 1,000 youths marched to the night camp before beginning to climb the following day to an elevation of about 10,000 feet. For the three-day journey from Matterhorn to Monte Rosa, the youth will be accompanied by 40 guides, 47 women, 50 journalists, 40 doctors and a dentist.

Jacob Epstein’s monument for Oscar Wilde’s tomb in Pere Lachaise has been rejected by the administrative body of the cemetery. Their principal objection is not against the sculptor or the work of art, which they state is more suited to a museum than a public cemetery.

A western traffic manager tells of a railroad in Colorado that seems unable to form an intimate acquaintance between the advertised schedule and the trains. They are so proverbial late that each time one arrives at the terminal on time, there is a mild celebration. A large crowd gathered recently for the arrival of one train and cheers rang out for the conductor as he jumped off the train.

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