It happened this week in 1919

July 12 -18: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers hld at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives

It happened this week in 1919 Published 8:53 am Wednesday, July 15, 2026 July 12 -18: Compiled by Dave Humphrey from the archived newspapers hld at the Cranbrook History Centre and Archives 1919 Fires during the past week ... The dry weather of the past season is testing the metal of the forestry department.

The men are working day and night with no sign of sleep in sight. During the past week a number of fires have sprung up and fanned by the heavy gales are fast developing into huge conflagrations. A large bush fire has crossed the International Boundary and is moving east toward Mission Creek.

A detachment of fire fighters have been despatched to the scene of the fire. Another fire has developed on an extensive scale during the past couple of days is burning in the vicinity of New Lake, about four miles north of Cranbrook. At the present writing it is stretching out at a rapid rate, being fanned by almost hurricane gales.

It is being stubbornly resisted by a force from the forestry department who are resorting to every known means to combat its progress. Rats missing ... Davie Frame is the loser of a number of white rats.

Some individual purloined the pet animals the other night. Aeroplane model ... There is on exhibition in the window of the Cranbrook Electric Light company a working model of an aeroplane, the property of John Johns, the night policeman.

This machine took first prize at one of the English exhibitions. It is well worth the inspection of the Cranbrook public. Paraded before the magistrate ...

There has been quite a shuffling during the past week with the men who ply the gentle art of dealing out the ivories. Alex. Pollock was arrested Monday by the police, charged with living for the most part the result of gambling.

He came before Magistrate Leask on Tuesday and was found guilty of the charge. He was compelled to dole out fifty dollars to the city for the privilege. Another gamester, with a name as long as one’s arm, was also brought before the court, but was dismissed owing to insufficient evidence being produced.

Thomas Millard was fined $25.00 for being drunk and disorderly on Baker Street. Tom paid. During the past week four tin-horns left the city being asked to take up their abode in another place by the police, which they very graciously consented to do.

Midnight holdup ... Cranbrook is taking on Chicago airs at a rapid rate. At about 1 o’clock Monday morning, the city police received a call from Chinatown acquainting them with the hold-up of Hep Chong.

From the story of Hep, it appears he was about to go from a neighbor’s apartments to that of his own, when he was suddenly seized and thrown to the ground. He retained presence of mind and succeeded in removing his roll from his trousers’ pocket and concealing it about his person, so that he was still successful in retaining his money after he had been given the fourth degree. His assailants beat him up, unmercifully and almost strangled him.

He is carrying several marks of the battle and is swearing vengeance on the midnight marauders. The city and provincial police have scoured the country on all sides. Chief of Police Adams and Provincial Constable Kerr being on the job soon after the occurrence.

It is thought the men are in hiding in the bush in the vicinity of Cranbrook. All outside points have been communicated with and it is probable the ‘bad men’ will be brought to time. The voice of the people ...

Editor, The Cranbrook Courier, Cranbrook, B. C. Sir: Will you allow me a little space in your valuable paper to discuss a matter which I believe of vital importance to every resident of this district? Sunday afternoon last, I invited a few of my friends to go on a little fishing expedition to Wattsburg. When we arrived there I placed my car inside of the fence of Mr. Watts’ place, the gate of which was fastened with a piece of wire, and my friends, Dan McInnis, Mr. Ryder and Mr. Barrett proceeded along the river and indulged in fishing for about three hours.

When we made arrangements to go home I found the gate had been chained and locked and of course it was impossible to get the car out. I went to Mr. Watts and asked him for an explanation; to which he replied that he allowed no one to fish on his premises without permission. I then asked him if we had done any damage and what the cost would be.

He said it would cost me $10, to take my car out. While I was counting out the money to pay the alleged damage, he (Watts) reduced the bill to $5.00, which I paid. When Mr. Watts received the money he unlocked the gate.

Now, Mr. Editor, I have been a resident of this country for many years and think that this is the smallest deal I ever had put across. I think the general public should be made acquainted with this matter, so that in the future Wattsburg, as a fishing place, should be given a wide berth. F. Godderis

The Corporation of the City of Cranbrook ... in pound: Brown gelding, branded on left hip. If not claimed within eight days from Percy Adams, Chief of Police. Kimberley dances ...

On Friday evening last, the benefit dance held at Kimberley was a decided success. There was a large crowd in attendance from outside points, notably from Cranbrook, and an enjoyable time was had by the devotees or the light fantastic. Arrangements are under way for a series of dances at Kimberley, which will help improve social conditions in the place.

Ball twirlers ... Steve Clark and Lloyd Crowe, two Wycliffe ball twirlers, were in town Tuesday evening in connection with the big ball tournament here on Saturday. They expressed willingness to play in Cranbrook and do whatever lay in their power to make the Peace Day Celebration a success.

The result of the Wycliffe team playing in the Cranbrook tournament will mean a big following of fans from the lumber city, where baseball is part of their religion. Latest returnees ... Among the returning Cranbrook boys this week are Gordon Wallinger and Carl Gill.

Report all accidents ... Louis Pes, an Italian, was fined $10 and costs Tuesday morning in the police court for failing to report a motor accident. An accident should always be reported to the police and ignorance of the law is considered no excuse.

Ben Rondeau improving ... Ben Rondeau, who met with a serious accident while engaged at work on the addition to St. Eugene hospital, is somewhat improved and hopes are now entertained for his recovery. He was severely wounded about the head and received other injuries which will necessitate his remaining in the hospital for some time.

Mrs. Rondeau is also a patient in the hospital, having been there for some time. For sale ... One of the best residential properties in Cranbrook, two minutes walk from post office.

Also a number of electrical fixtures and a Grandfather’s clock, and a Persian cat, male. Apply, to Box 235. An invitation ...

The Cranbrook branch of the G.W.V.A. have extended an invitation to all returned men to take part in the Peace Day Parade, which is being held in this city on Saturday, July 19 th. Men with uniforms are requested to wear them and those not being so fortunate are also extended an invitation to put in an appearance in civilian clothing. Men are asked to form up in front of the G.W.V.A. rooms at 10 a.m. under the command of Colonel R. D. Davies, D.S.O. Notice to water users ...

The prescribed time for using water for lawn purposes, must be confined to the hours of 7 a.m. to the hour of 9 a.m. according to the instructions issued by order of W. H. Esie, City Engineer. This has been found necessary owing to the demand made on the water supply during the recent hot spell. Ratepayers and others are particularly requested to give this matter their serious consideration, as the city engineer has it within his power to discontinue the water services of any violator.

A word to the wise is sufficient; Cranbrook boundaries being extended ... Large Area Will Likely Be Brought Into Corporate Limits of City. From all appearances the boundary lines of the city of Cranbrook will be extended.

In years past an effort was made to bring into the city limits the blocks of land lying between the White addition and Kains street but always without any degree of attainment. However, the Cranbrook Townsite company and the Cranbrook Estates, Limited, have signified their willingness to consent to the incorporation in the City limits of the new Cranbrook addition, consisting of blocks 304 to 319 inclusive. The bringing into the city of this area will result in good both to the city and the residents now included in the above land.

When all necessary arrangements are complete a separate poll will have to be taken by the ratepayers and of the residents of the proposed land to be so incorporated, which no doubt will, meet with the unanimous support of both. Coal shortage in Cranbrook ... The strike of miners of District 18, which takes in Southeastern British Columbia and Alberta, is causing deep concern among coal dealers throughout the country.

At the present time Cranbrook is without coal, the local dealers not knowing when shipments will again commence. There is no actual shortage although local supplies are getting low. From Fernie comes the report that there is no immediate settlement in sight, with conditions about as they were when the strike started.

The miners are still united in their decision to stay out, although in a few cases some men have returned to work. The C.P.R. coal pile, near the old King’s mill site, shows no signs of diminishing. As a matter of fact the coal is banked up higher than ever.

Looking at it from a railroad point of view in this section, there is no shortage of fuel for railroad purposes. The local electric light company has a good supply in its bunkers, enough to last at least another month. School board meeting ...

R. B. Forsyth, principal of the High School, wrote the Board expressing his appreciation of increase in salary to offset the soaring cost of living. A communication from R. S. Shields, principal of the Central School, informing the board that certain school articles were missing from the South Ward School, was referred back for more detailed information. It was the opinion of the board that drastic measures will be taken to prevent the entrance of boys to the school during vacation time.

A letter from James Logan, Janitor of the Central school for the past several years, was read. Mr. Logan felt that he was entitled to an increase in salary after such long service in the employ of the city. On motion of Trustee Nisbet, seconded by Trustee Wilson, he was granted an increase of $5.00 a month.

The report of Medical Inspector MacKinnon was read. The report dealt with the general defects of the children attending the public schools. The report showed that many children are suffering from bad teeth.

It was the opinion of Trustee Nisbet that something should be done in this matter. The principal of the High school wrote requesting the board to furnish the office in the High school. This was laid over.

A communication, signed on behalf of the school teachers, was brought before the attention of the board. The teachers asking for a fourteen days sick leave, which is in vogue in other parts of the province. The matter was held over until such time as the trustees can investigate conditions in other sections.

Fernie, Penticton and Revelstoke being places cited to seek information from. A requisition from Principal Shields for school supplies was passed and ordered filled. St. Mary’s Lake notes ...

The hot and sultry weather of the past week has driven the city folk right back to the primeval. One hundred in the shade is no inducement to remain in the city, when St. Mary’s Lake, the watering resort of East Kootenay is within an hour’s car ride from Cranbrook. The exodus from the terminal city has been most marked and there has been a stream of pleasure seekers here since the heat wave struck Cranbrook.

A few notes of interest to The Courier readers follow: Mr. and Mrs. Ferrier, of Kenora, Ontario, brother-in-law of W. F. Cameron, have been here during the past week and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of their stay. The bracing atmosphere of this scenic belt has caught the fancy of Mr. Ferreir and he has resolved to again return and bring his friends with him. He says the wonders of St. Mary’s should be heralded broadcast by the publicity committee of the board of trade or some other public body.

People of Ontario would go wild with joy should they be fortunate enough to possess scenery of such magnificence. And the fish, well, they cannot be beat; it surpasses anything in Canada. W.F. Cameron and family were also sight-seers at the lake.

Cameron is a great admirer of nature. While he was enthusiastic over Cranbrook he gave way to the statement that the St. Mary’s had it all over Cranbrook from a scenic point of view. During his stay, Mr. Cameron secured a nice mess o£ fish and went home rejoicing.

P. Adams and family bolted from the maddening throng of Cranbrook and the fumes of gasoline and hied themselves to the lake. He was joined here by provincial Police Kerr, who is learning how to dangle a line with the best of them. Mr. Kerr landed four beauties, but Mr. Adams had a day off and received bites in the neck, which he bathed with mosquito lotion.

He says he will be back again. First banker in Cranbrook ... Mr. H. Morris, general supervisor of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Western Canada, was a visitor in the city during the past week.

Mr. Morris was one of the first bankers in this neighborhood, coming here about twenty-one years ago to establish branches at Cranbrook and Fernie. At that time the C.P.R. was cutting the right-of-way for the Crow’s Nest Pass railway, and there was great activity at Wardner, which at that time was considered the logical division point. To reach Fernie, to which he was compelled to visit, (unless one rode on the windy end of a cayuse) it was necessary to go from Fort Steele by boat up the Kootenay river and cross the canal at Canal Flats into Columbia lake and thence on to Golden.

From Golden the train was boarded for Calgary and Macleod. The journey was completed by stage to Fernie. While in Fort Steele, Mr. Morris dropped in on his old friend, L. T. Galbraith, whom he had not seen in twenty years.