125 YEARS AGO: DEC. 17, 1898
Christmas Football Match (1): A meeting of the single men of Ashcroft is hereby called to meet at the store of Mark Dumond on Monday night of next week at 8 o’clock, for the purpose of selecting a proper eleven to meet the married men in a football match on Christmas Day. There are quite a number of the old boys who think they can still play football. The match is to prove to them that they are back numbers. Eight o’clock sharp. (Signed) BATCHELORS
Christmas Football Match (2): A meeting of the married men of Ashcroft and vicinity is called for next Monday night, at the store of Mr. McCosh, for the purpose of organizing an eleven to play a game of football on Christmas Day. There are some young single men in this town who think they can play football. The married men propose to take some of the conceit out of the youngsters. Eight o’clock sharp Monday night. (Signed) BENEDICTS
Winter Trip To Cariboo: Prof. Odlum, who made a trip from Vancouver to Barkerville a short time ago, from which he returned last week, writes thus concerning the same: “Leaving Ashcroft on Monday at 4 a.m., we faced cold weather and a dry, hard frozen road. On reaching Clinton, the wheels were discarded and a sleigh substituted. By this means we arrived at the 150-Mile House and again resorted to the circular method of travel until Soda Creek was reached. The last 120 miles were traversed in a comfortable new sleigh. During the four days I traveled by stage, we made over 70 miles a day, not a bad showing for a trip through Cariboo in winter. On the journey no less than 45 horses were used, in fourteen relays. I have it in my heart to say a word for the stage drivers of the Ashcroft-Cariboo stage and express company. They are superb horsemen, cool in a crisis, cautious in danger, sharp in making time, kind in handling their horses, and gentlemanly towards their passengers. I have never heard them using coarse, profane language; nor have I once seen them abusing their horses. They are a sober, manly, capable lot of men. Success to Hautier, Minty, Bell, Barger, Huson, and Sandy Locke. The company which keeps in its employ such men deserves credit.”
Town Hall: The town hall is now repaired and fitted up with electric lights and is in very much better condition than ever before.
Santa Visit: Santa Claus will surely visit Ashcroft. We know where there is a whole big box full of presents already marked for children for Christmas.
100 YEARS AGO: DEC. 15, 1923
Medal Offered For Canadian Journey: A medal for the first automobile travelling between Winnipeg and Victoria without leaving Canada has been offered by the Canadian Highway Association. The contest is open to any car, any person, and the route can be taken either west to east or east to west. Rules of the contest state that no ferry can be taken for more than five miles during the trip, with the exception of British Columbia, where one can be taken for any distance, provided it is taken on ferries that carry regular passengers and automobiles. The entrants must carry a log book, a copy of which must be turned over to the association on the termination of the journey. The book must be endorsed every hundred miles by some city or town official, postmaster, policeman, prominent merchant, or automobile club official. It is also provided in the rules that the car must carry at least one sign prominently displayed, worded “Winnipeg to Victoria” or vice versa.
Walhachin Notes: These radio aerials are peculiar things. Mrs. MacIsaac uses a frying pan and gets Greece every day.
Christmas Windows: The local store windows are beginning to have a decidedly holiday appearance. Some of them are beautifully decorated and display all manner of Christmas gift suggestions. The local merchants are advertising Christmas specials this week. Look up the lists for possible gifts for your friends.
75 YEARS AGO: DEC. 16, 1948
Clinton: On Saturday evening the Dawson & Wade men enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner, with all the trimmings, at the 51 camp. This was to celebrate the closing down of the work here over the holiday season. They expect to start up again around Jan. 15.
Ashcroft Couple Have Golden Wedding: Yesterday, being the 15th of December, was the Golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Cumming, who were married at Pavilion that date 1898. Mrs. Cumming was born in Guelph, Ontario in 1878. She came to New Westminster at the age of nine, where her father became engaged with the C.P.R., which position he held for many years. It was while visiting a brother, John, who was teacher at Lillooet, that she met R.D., who came from Glasgow, Scotland in May 1885 with his parents and younger brother William, the two being thirteen and eleven years respectively. The couple lived at Pavilion and operated the flour mill, a general store, post office and telegraph office until 1904, when they moved to Ashcroft and opened a general store on the site now occupied by the Bloom Cafe. In 1912 they purchased the Ashcroft Journal from Mr. D.W. Rowlands.
50 YEARS AGO: DEC. 13, 1973
Safety Mart Presents Plans: The contractor, A. Zenetti, and solicitor and director R. Webber of Safety Mart stores, met the Ashcroft Village Council at a special meeting Tuesday night. They applied for a building permit and presented the plans for their proposed new complex for Ashcroft. The plans are now being studied by A. Baxter, building inspector for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
Ashcroft-Cache Creek Arena Society: The final meeting of the Society was held Monday, Dec. 10. All business of the Society was finalized preparatory to the handing over of the Arena to the Village of Ashcroft. The Directors would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who gave of their time and materials over the years. Without this help, and that of the people who supported the Arena “Yes” vote, the final goal could not have been reached. Once again, thank you and good skating in the years to come.
Loon Lake News: There was quite a bad accident early Friday morning involving a north bound truck and trailer on the 20 Mile bridge. The truck landed in the riverbed after hitting the bridge railing, trapping the driver in the cab. He was reported rescued with some difficulty with the aid of crowbars etc., and although he was able to walk was taken by ambulance to Ashcroft Hospital. Broken railings, etc., took some time to clear away and one-lane traffic was routed through in the meantime. Well scattered in the area was the cargo of roofing that was being delivered. It was reported that the highway was in a treacherous, icy condition.
Inter Church Choir: The Ashcroft Inter Church Choir will give two presentations of their Christmas music on Sunday next, Dec. 16. At 11 a.m. the choir will be singing at the St. Gerard’s Church, and at 7:30 p.m. on the same day the choir will be singing at the United Church. The Inter Church Choir is directed and conducted by Frank Mierau and is accompanied on the organ by Mrs. Jessie Bradley. Their soprano soloist is Mary Reed. It is hoped that both presentations on Sunday next will be well attended and that not only will the choir be enjoyed but that all those attending will have pleasure in singing with the choir the well-known carols of Christmas.
