125 YEARS AGO: JUNE 25, 1898
A Terrible Storm: A storm unparalleled in severity touched Ashcroft and expended its fury across the Thompson opposite, passing along by Cache Creek and doing much damage to the fruit and growing crops in its path. On the ranch opposite Ashcroft owned by S. Tingley [what is now North Ashcroft], a flood of water poured down the mountain side and almost completely ruined the crop of the tenant of the ranch. James Campbell, of Cache Creek, suffered severely, his crop being badly damaged, and the ranch, or portions of it, being covered with boulders and drift from the mountain side. C.A. Semlin’s ranch was also injured, the irrigation ditch being filled up and the dam washed away. The Methodist church in town was injured somewhat by being twisted by the storm on its foundation. Many windows were broken by the hail. In fact, it was a bad storm, and while apparently only local, was the worst ever seen here by old timers. Such a storm is not a welcome visitor and fortunately is not often sent to this section.
Our New School House: The following letter and accompanying specifications were received by the [Ashcroft] school trustees this week. “Lands & Works Department, Victoria: I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th inst., and in reply I beg to advise have forwarded to your address a plan and specification for a school building having four rooms. From the remarks made in your letter I am of opinion that the central portion of the building being of two storeys, each containing one large school room, will answer the present requirements, and tenders may be invited at once for its erection. As the school population increases in the future the wings can be built on to each side of the building.”
A Hot Lacrosse Match: The lacrosse match at Kamloops last Wednesday between the rival teams of Ashcroft and Kamloops was warmly contested, resulting in a drawn game, each side scoring twice. At one time in the game a decision was given by one of the umpires that was so radically wrong that an immediate and vigorous protest was made, and in so far effective that the error was rectified. All who saw the ball thrown, both of Kamloops and Ashcroft people, entirely agreed that the ball did not go within several feet of the goal posts.
New Housing: Harvey, Bailey & Co. contemplate the erection of a double house on the lot opposite C.H. Rayson’s residence, for the purpose of renting. Houses in Ashcroft are much in demand.
Cleaning Up: Is it not fair that the men who sell hay in town should devote a few hours to picking up the baling wire which is scattered around in the vicinity of some of the barns? If they should not, who should? Or should the wire be left to trip pedestrians for a few more months?
100 YEARS AGO: JUNE 23, 1923
Wild Horses Killing Range; Cariboo Stockmen Consider Them A Serious Menace — Are Seeking Relief: That bands of wild horses have become a serious menace to the livestock industry of the Cariboo was brought out by stockmen at a representative meeting at Williams Lake last Thursday night, when cattlemen were gathered from all quarters from Quesnel to Clinton district, together with a party from Kamloops and the Okanagan. These bands of wild horses have been increasing in numbers lately, it is claimed, and unbranded range colts have joined them. Roaming over a wide area they have been cropping off the range, which has been depleted in the last two or three years by drought and grasshoppers. This spring’s rains have started the bunch grass again, and it is felt that were it conserved the range would soon be like it was in the good old days. It has been proposed that authority be secured to organize wild horse hunts to kill off the animals and save the grass for the cattle. The whole question will be discussed at a conference to be held at 59 Mile House next week.
Clinton City News: We note the Okanagan fruit growers are getting their supply of oil wraps from New Westminster this summer. Should they be in need of hot air raps try Clinton.
Working For Fraser Canyon Road: The branches of the B.C. Automobile Association in the Fraser Valley are agitating very strongly for the completion of a road connecting the interior North Country with the Fraser Valley, and the roads committee of the association is also interested in the plan to have the old Cariboo trail along the Fraser canyon, parts of which were totally destroyed by the construction crews of the C.P.R. and C.N.R. when building the railroad through here, reconstructed at the earliest possible moment.
Look Around: Look about you. Think of something beside your neighbour’s faults, then life may mean more to you.
75 YEARS AGO: JUNE 24, 1948
Clinton: One case of diphtheria in the district was reported last week. Following this the Public Health Authority made an inspection of all school children and completed immunization in those children already partially protected. Only very few school children now remain unprotected against this fatal disease. An isolated case of typhoid fever was also diagnosed. Fortunately owing to the “flood scare” in May, protection of the school children by preventative immunization is almost complete and further cases are not anticipated.
Softball Notes: The Clinton Women’s Softball team travelled to Ashcroft on Thursday last to play the Ashcroft team. Ashcroft was victorious again with the score of 39 to 14. Refreshments were served to both teams in the Sunday school hall. Clinton is still determined to win, so we are playing them at Clinton on Sunday. The team would appreciate it if as many Ashcroft cars as possible could go up for the game.
Ashcroft Locals: Cloudy skies and showers have returned again after two days of nice sunshine. Very few farmers have cut their first crop of alfalfa as yet, owing to continued rain this month, although it has been ready for about two or three weeks.
50 YEARS AGO: JUNE 21, 1973
Cache Creek: The Department of Municipal Affairs has advised that two Bylaws are being held in abeyance until the Village amends zoning to meet Water Resources requirements of a 50-foot set-back from the 1948 flood plain on the Bonaparte River and Cache Creek, as well as a five foot elevation. Council had reluctantly approved these amendments on bylaws that have been in Victoria since February 1, 1973 as certain developments were being held up pending registration of bylaws.
Lytton Braves: The Lytton Braves won the Native Ball Tournament which took place at Main Street Ball Park over the weekend, and they went home with the Nicola Valley Indian Association winners’ trophy, $200 in prize money, plus their entry fee. A total of eight teams took part in the double knockout tournament, and Merritt’s host team, the Shulus Ball Club, placed third, with the Port Alberni Eagles losing out to Lytton in the fourteenth and final game, coming in second.
Walhachin’s Inconsiderate Drivers: An increasing number of complaints are being heard among residents about the few maniac drivers in our midst; inconsiderate types who consistently drive around town well in excess of the speed limit, with no regard for the lives of our children or pets. School will soon be out, and thanks to the local construction crew totally destroying the proposed park the whole community worked on last fall, the children will have to continue to play in the streets. When one of these children is hit, as is inevitable, what are we going to do? We are not allowed to rush an injured person to the hospital ourselves; at least half the time our telephones don’t work to call; and we don’t even have a cemetery!! Maybe we should try to flag down a train.
editorial@accjournal.ca
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