125 YEARS AGO: MARCH 18, 1899
A.A.A.A.: On Monday, March 27th, the celebrated poetess, Miss E. Pauline Johnson, will give an entertainment under the auspices of the Ashcroft Amateur Athletic Association. Miss Johnson comes with the best of recommendations and the press notices of her performances are most flattering. The Vancouver Province says: “Miss Johnson stands a unique figure upon the borderlands between the worlds of ancient tradition and modern art, combining to a very remarkable degree all that is romantic in the one, all that is poetic in the other.” Of her ability both as an elocutionist and a writer there is no question. Canada can claim no more gifted woman; indeed, in the world of literature she has long been accorded a foremost position. The A.A.A.A. deserves great credit in bringing Miss Johnson to Ashcroft, where she has not appeared before, and we hope the public will accord them a hearty support in their venture.
Bicycle Race: A quarter-mile bicycle race, free for all, for the championship of Ashcroft, will take place next Thursday evening. Messrs. Dexter, Atkins, and Hall have signified their intention of competing, and if a few more of our good riders will start, the chances are that the race will be a spirited one. Thom Chong Lung and several other professionals are getting into practice and began training yesterday.
Tie Up Your Cattle: Editor, Mining Journal; Dear Sir: In the matter of planting trees in this town, I beg to call your attention to the fact that I have been to considerable expense in fixing up my premises but do not consider it advisable to plant trees or further improve my property until the cattle, which are at present allowed to run at large, are impounded or kept confined. Residents who own stock or cattle must keep them confined to premises where they can do no harm to anybody’s property. Cattle have broken the fence around my premises several times and taken liberties in my yard which is not consistent with any well regulated town. Yours respectfully, N. De Keyser.
Gardening: Monday, March 13th, Mr. James Haddock, Ashcroft’s early gardener, planted his first vegetable seeds. March 18th the shoots are plainly to be seen in rows across the beds, and present a fresh, healthy appearance.
100 YEARS AGO: MARCH 15, 1924
Savona Hotel Burned Down; Lake View House, Old-Time Hostelry, Completely Destroyed By Fire On Monday: The Lake View Hotel at Savona, one of the oldest hostelries in the Interior, was completely destroyed by fire on Monday. The house was owned and operated by J.M. Christian. The fire broke out at 10 o’clock in the morning, the cause, it is thought, being a defective chimney, the flood of a year ago having caused it to go out of plumb. All efforts to save the building were futile, but some of the furniture was taken out. The loss is placed at about $10,000. Roadmaster Hopgood of the CPR was in town and requisitioned a locomotive, from which water was used to save the community hall and two nearby buildings.
Thought World Was Coming To An End: Tim Tinson, a rancher of Dog Creek, shot himself fatally in his cabin on the ranch. He was a single man, and lived alone for many years. He came to this country long ago, and was at the time of his death 65 years of age. There was no apparent reason for the act. Mr. Tinson was a successful farmer, and things were going well on the ranch. Of late he was much perplexed over the world coming to an end soon. His neighbours and others with whom he conversed recently say that was constantly on his mind, of late, and they believe that he became demented brooding over it.
75 YEARS AGO: MARCH 17, 1949
Extensive Cariboo Road Work: The Provincial Department of Public Works survey crew is now working a mere 500 or 600 yards below Clinton. When that is finished, that part of the Clinton Road from the top of the 20-Mile hill to Clinton will have been relocated and and ready for the construction crews to commence work. The job will be complete of straightening the hill south of Clinton, and new locations around Maiden Creek, where the new road will cut off the clay roads above Dougherty’s. It will then follow the hillside north of the present road to the top of the 20. This hill has been straightened and a gradual grade developed. These features all combine to make a new Cariboo Road similar to that piece approaching Ashcroft from Cache Creek. We understand the road will then cross the Bonaparte from the foot of the 20-Mile hill and link up with the main road at the north of the TU Auto Camp below the Bert Collins store. In this event the new road would follow the old historic Hudson Bay trail which passed up that way. And so it goes, and we all live in hopes that the Cariboo Road will soon be free of dust and corrugations.
Robbery: Mathews’ store, one mile west of Spences Bridge, was broken into and robbed of a quantity of dry goods amounting to over $300, besides a quantity of cigarettes, candy, and cash obtained when they took the cash register out and broke it last Wednesday night. Entry was by a window which they broke, and as yet no trace of the thief has been found.
Lovers’ Lane: It is understood that the Public Works is going to cut down the grove of trees known as “Lovers Lane” east of Spences Bridge on the Ashcroft road. It is a pity, as tourists often stopped to rest in the shade and take pictures of this green spot in this land of sagebrush. In the meantime, buildings are going up in the meadow on the right hand side of same where Mr. Clapperton is to have an auto camp.
Ashcroft To Have Tourist Camp: Work may begin this year on Ashcroft’s first auto camp. Land was bought last year by G. Greatrix, of Coquitlam, for an auto camp east of the town and the clearing has been done. This property is situated on the “flats” near the river [where the River Inn and Legacy Park campground now stand], and practically all the buildings have been moved away, and a bulldozer has levelled the ground and a road put through. The high water of last year did not cover the ground, which makes it an ideal location for the tourist camp.
Many Attend Chev. Showing: One of the most enjoyable events of the season was the Dancing Party held in Clinton Memorial Hall Saturday evening, when a crowd of about 200 residents of Clinton and district gathered as guests of Clinton Motors Ltd., to view the new 1949 Chevrolet. Dancing to the tantalizing rhythm of Bert Hill and his orchestra, the crowd was enthusiastic and untiring. A tasty supper with an unlimited supply of coffee made by the coffee master Al Hinkes was served during the dance. Centre of attraction, however, was the highlighted new 1949 Chevrolet, an old favourite in a new design, heartily applauded and greatly admired. Indeed a NEW note HAS been added and this two door sedan model is a beauty on wheels.
50 YEARS AGO: MARCH 14, 1974
Flooding: A sandbagging crew was at work last Sunday at the Bethlehem Trailer Court, south of Ashcroft, when sudden warm weather brought water from the hills flooding a portion of the court. Village crew and Ivan Lowe were called out to dig ditches to divert the water, which was running between the trailers. Volunteers threw large boulders to prevent erosion of a gravel bank which in time would have washed away, causing further water damage. This would be a good time to warn parents of keeping their children away from eroded steep gravel banks, as they cave in. Three children were seen at such a spot on Sunday.
Loon Lake News: Cries last Friday with the sounds of banging on metal the following day heard by Walt Ladoski and his three sons led to the belief that the plane that disappeared Feb. 15 might be located in the area. There were three men aboard. The investigation site was about five miles from Mr. Ladoski’s home at Loon Creek. The immediate surrounding area runs to the 4,500 foot level and it seems highly unlikely there could have been other humans there. A helicopter and another aircraft were involved in the air search before a ground search, headed by the RCMP, went in on snowmobiles and searched on foot, some using snowshoes. No trace of anything was found, only some moose tracks. The heavy snowfall and rough terrain of the country made the search frustrating and difficult. When he was up in the helicopter, Mr. Ladoski reports it was almost impossible to tell one thing from another.
