From the Archives of Western Newspapers

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Samantha Johnson
For Southern Alberta Newspapers

May 19, 1883 – Brandon Daily Mail

The long-pending appeal in the case of Stevens vs. Fisk opened yesterday in Montreal. The plaintiff is an American lady, divorced wife of the defendant – a local merchant – and she sued him for the full amount of her $220,000 fortune that he had the management of during their marriage. The court decided in favour of the plaintiff.

The floor of the Masonic Hall in Almonte, ON gave way during a service held by the Salvation Army. There was much panic, but nobody was seriously injured.

Maud and More Lewis were before the beak today where the first was charged with keeping a house of ill-repute and the second for being an inmate in the house. Maud claimed she was left in charge while the keeper, May King, was in Winnipeg and More was hired as a cook. Both stated they were unaware of the nature of the business taking place in the house and neither were convicted.

May 20, 1908 – The Chronicle (Crossfield)

The longest, perfectly straight railway track is on the Rhodesia Railway from Bulawayo in the direction of Victoria Falls. It extends seventy-one miles without a single curve.

The first attempt to produce a newspaper in America was made in Boston on September 25, 1690. The sheet was entitled “Publick Occurrences” and was suppressed by the authorities after the appearance of the first issue. Only one copy of that single issue is now known to be in existence and is preserved at the Public Record Office in London.

A very important factor in immigration is the Peace River district, which is not at present open for settlement although surveyors are currently working there. The territory is said to be as large as Texas and, though it lies much further to the north, the soil is as well adapted to wheat raising as that of Manitoba and the climate is delightful. The greatest drawback to immediate settlement is the difficulty in getting there. Travel from Edmonton to Athabasca Landing must be done by team, then by water to Lesser Slave Lake and another portage to the Peace River.

May 18, 1916 – The Alderson News

Pte. Johnson wrote to his brother from Flanders saying he was on guard while writing. The enemy has been quiet lately except for laying shrapnel all over the country that did little damage. Several from the other side got into their trench the other night but cut the stay short when our fellows impressed upon them the need to retire back to their own hole.

General Henri Philippe Petain is one of the great finds of the war. During peace, it took him 38 years to make the rank of colonel and in nine months of war he rose to command a whole army. He has yet to make a failure and it is said he holds the confidence of General Joffre. Petain appears to be a man of few friends as he is somewhat gruff and reserved in his manner.

The News has a wish list for the town council with four items: fill the position of town constable, present the ratepayers with a financial statement of the town as one hasn’t been presented in two years; force certain residents to clean up their back yards; and replace the broken crossings and loose boards in the sidewalks.