125 YEARS AGO: JULY 16, 1898
Charles A. Semlin: A large crowd of old friends and enthusiastic supporters of Mr. C.A. Semlin met him at the depot on his arrival in town, after the election returns were in sufficiently to show that the opposition had won, and with cheers and congratulatory speeches welcomed him home and escorted him to his hotel. No man in British Columbia, in public or in private life, has more friends than has Mr. Charles A. Semlin, soon, as it now looks, to be premier of the province, and the future of the province while directed by himself and advisers will, we feel certain, be free from any accusations of official corruption.
Ashcroft’s Requirements: If as now seems very probable, the opposition are to be entrusted with the administration of affairs for the province, it will do much for districts where public buildings have long been needed and in some cases promised by the Turner government, but not built as they should by right have been. It has seemed to all persons who have watched the course of construction of public works that some districts have been highly favoured and others have been badly neglected. In the latter class is west Yale, and now that its member will stand so high in the councils of the party in power, it is no longer a question of the district being remembered when the sack containing the money for public works is opened. Undoubtedly when the proper time arrives, Ashcroft will be remembered with a suitable school building, a jail, and various other improvements that are but just to expect.
Wanted: See a notice in another column of the reward offered for the arrest of the brute who murderously assaulted the old man Gotan at Savonas recently.
Needed: A cannery for putting up vegetables, evaporating potatoes, etc., should be a good proposition at Ashcroft.
Also Needed: A few houses for rent in Ashcroft would be a good investment for someone with means.
Fish Stories: John Webb and Dr. Williams are now furnishing the fish supply for the town. If fishermen would only catch as many fish as they do when telling their friends about it afterwards we could all have trout.
100 YEARS AGO: JULY 14, 1923
Premier Oliver Visits City: Hon. John Oliver, Premier of British Columbia, paid Ashcroft his first official visit on Wednesday and addressed a meeting in the town in the evening. Before the meeting he was interviewed by a delegation from the local board of trade, which pointed out to him some of the urgent needs of this section of the province, [including] the immediate reconstruction of the destroyed portions of the Cariboo road through the Fraser canyon, connecting the coast with the interior of the province and also forming a link in the trans-provincial highway, and the re-establishment of the government agency at Ashcroft. The centralization of the provincial government offices at Kamloops has resulted in great inconvenience to the public at large.
Zion Garden Party: Good luck betide the man, or was it women? who first invented garden fêtes. They are a lovely institution. But what of the garden? The mere mention of a garden city or garden suburb, or even a city garden, is enough to attract the crowd. It is a delightful thing among these sultry days in our valley town to find one of these open breathing spaces with flower gardens and shady trees where garden fêtes are possible. Seldom, if ever, has the old court house looked down upon a gayer or more charming gathering. The happy guests filled the many separate tables again and again, and the hospitality and ingenuity of the ladies were taxed almost beyond bounds. A most delightful evening was spent, and as the merry throng dispersed the expression of one seemed to voice the sentiment of all — Satisfied.
Asbestos Discovered: A new discovery of asbestos has been reported from Yale. Deposits of this mineral have long been known in the vicinity of Chilliwack and Jones Creek. The mineral is found on both sides of the Fraser River.
75 YEARS AGO: JULY 15, 1948
Gang Ranch Sold For $725,000: The Gang Ranch in the Chilcotin area, largest in the Cariboo district, has been sold to American interests for about $725,000. This sale includes a million acres of rangeland and 5,000 head of cattle. Involved in the transfer also is the Perry Ranch which lies east of the Semlin Ranch. The Gang and Perry ranches are among the oldest, as well as the biggest cattle ranches in British Columbia. They were established by the early-day cattle barons, Jerome and Thaddeus Harper. They came to B.C. during the Gold Rush of the sixties, driving beef cattle from the States.
Trans-Canada Back To Normal: Repair work on Flood Damage on the Trans-Canada Highway is progressing and most of the road is now back to normal width. All bridges damaged by the flood have been repaired. Three miles of the highway west of Lytton have been rebuilt. Six bridges from Alexandra Bridge to this side of Lytton have been eliminated during the past 12 months. Work commenced this week to straighten the 14-Mile Bridge, the suspension bridge at Potatosillihee, which was damaged during the flood. This will eliminate the only detour on the Merritt-Spences Bridge road.
Band Concert Huge Success: The residents of Ashcroft and surrounding districts were given one of the grandest musical treats ever staged here on Wednesday evening, when the Kamloops Elks Band played under the auspices of the Ashcroft Brother Bills. The weather was grand, not too warm for the outdoor concert, which was held at the Ball Park. During the concert a very entertaining variety show was put on, also a demonstration of Japanese Judo with Steve Sasaki and Yoshimitsu Yasuda as participants. The quickness and agility in this skilled art of defence is amazing.
Peppy Crowd: A large and peppy crowd packed the dance hall at Pollard’s Three Bar Guest Ranch on Saturday night and all had a grand time. Music by the Clinton Music-Makers.
50 YEARS AGO: JULY 12, 1973
Attention All Parents Of Children Under 7: Do you remember that our pool policy maintains that children under the age of 7 must be accompanied by an adult during public swimming sessions? Even after small children learn how to swim they must still be supervised at all times. Practise water safety with your family. [Supplied by Karen Bunting.]
Walhachin: First of all, I would like to say that I’m not a newspaper man, nor know how to report for a paper. Let’s just say I’m an inexperienced note gatherer, just filling in for the regular reporter who is on holiday, Mrs. Marilyne Ivey, with Chuck, Colin and Carole on a boating trip somewhere in the blue waters of summer. I wasn’t about to attempt this report at all but something of grave importance occurred the other day that I would like to point out and I’m sure everyone in Walhachin would, too. I haven’t lived here very long, but I really like Walhachin; so does my family. I’m also sure that 95 per cent, if not, 90 per cent like it, too. There is one thing to remember about Walhachin, that there is not a personal “Smokey, the bear” for every bush, tree, or shrub, etc. Some of us know what I mean, most of us don’t. I’ll explain: Tuesday I was told to pick up my shovel along with others to put out a fire in an open field of sage brush. We caught it in time, but the next time we might not. This is just a little note to remind people of our town, kids, tourists coming through, not to throw cigs out car windows, play with matches, etc. if Walhachin is to survive. I’d like to add that this isn’t meant for anyone person(s), it’s my personal feeling for Walhachin. Thank you. And note to Highways Dept.: Our road is loosening our teeth again.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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