From the Archives of Western Newspapers

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

July 22, 1886 – Qu’Appelle Progress

On Saturday, the Prince Albert mail was proceeding north, about 25 miles east of Humboldt, when a man armed with a double-barrelled shotgun appeared behind them. He told the stage to stop while pointing the gun at the driver. He tied the driver’s hands along with those of one of the passengers while the other passenger was commanded to hold the horses. Several bags of mail were opened until the man found the registered pack of letters, which he took. It is assumed a gang was waiting in hiding to assist if necessary.

The editor of the Progress journeyed to Regina to attend and report on a reception given for Sir John A. MacDonald, who was visiting the city. The town was profusely decorated with bunting and flags. The streets were lined with poplar trees, which were brought in and fastened upright for the occasion. There were lengthy speeches and the first two pages of the paper are devoted to relaying what was said and by whom with another two columns on the back page used to summarize the event.

The Progress has decided, for the present time, to publish on Thursday morning rather than Friday to meet the reading blank caused by the nonarrival of mail on Wednesday night. In consequence of this and the crowd on the paper’s space by the report of Sir John A. MacDonald’s reception in Regina, some local matters were left out.

July 25, 1902 – Ponoka Herald

The arrest of Robert Lawrence by officers from Wisconsin has caused quite a stir in Wetaskiwin, where he has been operating a large department store and was well respected by all. Lawrence was taken to Calgary and, after extradition proceedings were waived, to the USA accompanied by his wife. He was wanted for manufacturing bogus securities and stealing trust funds and was engaged in various frauds through a large casualty insurance company he owned.

A former Nebraskan remarked a few weeks ago that if we could have but a few days of warm Nebraska weather he would be perfectly satisfied with Alberta. In view of the fact that we’ve now had two weeks where the mercury has stood higher than it did for the same period last year, we suppose the minds of those who were inclined to be dissatisfied have been put at ease.

Complaints are still being heard by those who have been victims of petty thieving in the village. Some of the guilty parties to these offences will one day be brought to justice. We hope whoever purloined the axe from the Herald’s wood pile will live long to make use of the same.

July 22, 1917 – The Coleman Bulletin

The provincial police have been active since coming to this district. At the Coleman Hotel, they found a large quantity of whiskey with wood alcohol added to it. While thirsty pilgrims may have appreciated this little effort to increase the joy of life, the magistrate saw no merit in it.

The police also raided an opium den in Blairmore. The owner was out visiting but the manager was there to greet the unwelcome guests. Five customers were charged $10 and costs while a sixth, who had inhaled sufficient dope to make him feel like a millionaire, was charged according to his condition.

After you’ve worked like a slave digging up stones and debris in your backyard, then spent hard-earned dollars for seeds and garden implements, worn out your back, knees and patience with planting, strained your eyes for weeks looking for the first green shoots, endured the unmerciful joshing of your wife and neighbours about the failure of your crops and have decided to dig up the whole blasted garden and replant it when suddenly every bloomin’ thing you planted comes up in one night – oh, it’s a grand and glorious feeling.