From the Archives of Western Newspapers

Posted on October 16, 2025 by Sunny South News

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

October 12, 1892 – The
Saskatchewan Times

In 1800, 88 million coins of 25 denominations were struck in the British mint. Of these, 17.5 million were rejected for the wrong weight or being faulty.

Latest statistics show there are 200,000 volumes in the library at Yale, 880,000 at Harvard, 167,000 at Cornell and 185,000 at Columbia.

The elaborate precautions against cholera being taken in cities in the United States call forth the admiration of Dr. Bryce and other provincial officials. These gentlemen, it is to be feared, do not read the daily newspapers and are ignorant of the true extent of the quarantine regulations imposed. The Detroit Free Press, a respectable paper, is not impressed with the house-to-house inspections, deeming them a make-work project that employs people who do not know what they are looking for.

October 13, 1911 – The Raymond Leader

It is very interesting to watch some of our leading merchants driving their cows to work each morning and returning with them in the evening. It is much safer and the feed is better near their respective places of business.

Automatic flogging machines are in use among the military forces of several European nations. For many years, the whipping was always done by a soldier, under the command of an officer, and the punishment varied according to the relationship existing between the soldier and the victim. It was to correct this disadvantage that the flogging machine was invented.

Contradictory hints for proper bathing collected from various papers include the following: Never bathe soon after eating; The morning, after breakfast, is the best time to bathe; Do not remain in the water over 20 minutes; No bath should be more than 10 minutes long; A bath of 20 minutes is about right; Bathe at least an hour a day; Always wet yourself with one plunge, never by degrees; Never wet the body all at once or the great shock is apt to cause heart failure; Wet the wrists first on entering the water; On entering the water, the chest and abdomen should be wetted first; Always wet the head first.

October 14, 1914 – The Alderson News

Reports from European battlefields constantly emphasize the predominant role played by artillery in this war, and the effectiveness of the guns is entirely dependent on the accuracy of their fire. This has resulted in the use of aeroplanes for fire control and the unheard-of skill with which the batteries of both the allies and central powers are controlled is due to aeroplane spotters.

Milk ought to be handled so that none is spilled. It is difficult to remove from wooden surfaces even when freshly spilled. Wooden buckets are undesirable, requiring more labour to keep clean than tin ones. Galvanized iron, copper or zinc containers should be used for tabletops. A concrete floor in the milk room is essential for sanitation purposes.

The CPR is once again at the forefront in their consideration of patrons. A novel feature has been introduced in their dining cars in the form of a special buffet with cold meats and salads tastefully displayed under glass covers. This is the first time a cold buffet has been introduced in a dining car and it is meeting with great success.