125 YEARS AGO: DEC. 31, 1898
Football Match: The football match between the married and single men came off on Monday. The married men won the toss and played down hill for the first half. The single men made a strong effort to score but at half time no goal was made on either side. On resumption of the game at half time the married men, having to play up hill, were hard pressed, but managed to hold their own until time was called, the match ending in a draw, in spite of the protest of the single men that they had scored a goal. The match was witnessed by a great number of the townspeople and was enjoyable throughout. In many of the scuffles for possession of the ball some hard whacks were exchanged but were taken in good fellowship. Owing to the result above stated the married men are still of the opinion that they can show their young friends how to play football and will meet them at any time the youngsters feel disposed to learn.
New Bridge: A. Stevenson, superintendent of public works, is calling for tenders for the construction of a new bridge across the Bonaparte at Harper’s Mill.
A New Stock Company: The Kamloops Sentinel says that a local stock company is now in course of formation for the purpose of providing Kamloops with a first-class hotel. So far, the site for the hotel has not been selected, but options have been secured on some of the best property in town. The building is to be thoroughly modern in every particular and will contain upwards of 40 rooms. Kamloops has long needed better hotel accommodation, and the erection of an up-to-date building, fitted with modern conveniences and properly conducted, would mean a great deal for the city.
Turkey Contest: J.D. Gillis gave the boys a chance on Saturday afternoon to win a turkey for their Xmas dinner, and the attendance, though small, was none the less remunerative to Mr. Gillis. The contestants had lots of fun in their efforts to hit the bullseye.
100 YEARS AGO: DEC. 29, 1923
Xmas Entertainment At Walhachin; The Orchard City Had Most Enjoyable Christmas Tree And School Closing Concert: The residents of Walhachin and many outside guests were treated to a very enjoyable evening on Saturday, Dec. 22, the event being a Christmas tree and entertainment rendered by Miss Gladys Thompson and her pupils. The stage curtain, which was decorated with witty advertisements about the people of Walhachin, provoked much laughter and placed the audience in a jovial mood the instant they were seated. The big event of the evening, at least to the kiddies, was the appearance of big, jovial, red-cheeked Santa Claus (A.H. MacIsaac) and we wonder if Santa ever appeared in greater spirits or better form. He had a glad word and gift for each and all, and with his ready flow of original jokes and wit, won the hearts of all. It was an evening long to be remembered. Great praise is due Miss Thompson and the children, who spent long weeks in rehearsal.
Banquet: The banquet on Thursday night at the Ashcroft hotel was very orderly and was enjoyable to all present. About 58 participated, and the following morning most of them reported for business as usual.
Clinton City News: About eight inches of snow fell Christmas morning, which is causing the cars running north considerable trouble.
Dance: The dance last Wednesday night was got up as a sort of send-off to Bessie Peters on the occasion of her leaving for California. She will remain in Los Angeles for the winter with her grandmother, Mrs. Dougherty, and sister Olive. Bessie intends to stay in the sunny south if she can land a job there.
75 YEARS AGO: DEC. 30, 1948
Skating Rink In Operation: Owing to unfavourable weather conditions during the past 20 or more years, there has been little or no skating in Ashcroft. The rink has been lying idle all those years in winter, and has been used only as a tennis court in the summer. The same might apply to curling, which was once a very popular winter sport in Ashcroft. The building is in a bad state of repair and the stones have all disappeared, taken away by their owners or broken by local vandals. With the return of suitable weather — the present cold spell seems encouraging — curling and skating may come back, although the membership in both is sadly depleted by the passing of pioneers from the town and district. It would mean a complete new beginning. Today the children are having the time of their lives for the first time, and there is talk of a hockey match without an association, if the cold weather continues and we can get any substantial guarantee from the weather man. Terry Johnson has taken over the training of a junior hockey team, and the boys are quite enthusiastic. Ashcroft has a potential junior hockey team (17 and under). It behooves those of you that believe in sports as a character builder to get behind them with your encouragement and if necessary, money. It is really wonderful to see the smaller children so enthusiastically enjoying the ice, which is just about half the size it should be.
Clinton Accident (1): Gibb Cullen had a very narrow escape on Wednesday afternoon, when he lighted his kitchen fire after an absence of two days in Ashcroft. Apparently the water had not all drained out of the water jacket in the stove, and it blew up. The stove was blown to pieces and the kitchen was a shambles. Doors were blown off their hinges, the windows were shattered, and everything wrecked, soot, of course, plastered over everything. Fires started in various places from the hot coals but were soon put out. It seems a miracle that Gibb was not killed or seriously injured by some piece of flying debris.
Clinton Accident (2): Mr. and Mrs. Yingling of the Forest Service, Williams Lake, had a narrow escape last Thursday night, when their car skidded off the road near the PGE railway bridge north of Clinton. They were lucky enough to escape with minor bruises, although shaken up and suffering from shock. They walked two miles and then were picked up. After spending the night with Mr. and Mrs. H. Bowden they were able to proceed on their journey by train.
Believes Cats Saved Him: William MacRae, Cayoosh Creek, believes he owes his life to his cats. Clad only in his night clothes, he escaped from his burning house into zero weather, suffering from burns that necessitated treatment in Lillooet Hospital. He believes cats scratching on the roof wakened him. Mr. MacRae was the founder of the Blue Pool auto camp and resort on Cayoosh Creek. He lost all his effects, including the books and cash from the business and a collection of relics and curiosities that required years to collect. He has always been fond of cats, and has several.
50 YEARS AGO: DEC. 27, 1973
Merry Christmas Greetings to all from the Journal staff. Journal office will be closed from Dec. 21 to Jan. 7 — Staff holidays.
