125 YEARS AGO: JULY 29, 1899
Curling Club: All interested in forming a curling club are invited to attend a meeting this evening at the Ashcroft Athletic Club rooms at 8:30 o'clock. It is hoped that there will be a good attendance.
Town's Morals Good: The letter in another column written by the Rev. Mr. Laidley will be read with interest and endorsed by many. We do not agree with the views of a resident whom Mr. Laidley quotes, that the morals of the town are not as good as they were some years ago. In a general way they are much better. Profane and indecent language is not often heard on the streets now, yet it formerly was. A vigorous enforcement of the law by the village authorities is doing much to bring about a better state of things.
Ashcroft Life: Wm. Hawthorne made a trip to the coast this week. He says Vancouver is a lively city but that Ashcroft, as a place to live, suits him better.
High Price: California fruit in the market is fine but comes high. Fifteen cents per pound is expensive. This vicinity grows splendid fruits but not enough attention is paid to its culture.
Fishing: When a man gets up in the morning he grumbles if his breakfast is not ready; but if he goes fishing he can wait all day for a bite.
100 YEARS AGO: JULY 26, 1924
Error: Clinton news items last week were headed "Clinton City News". Now, Clinton, you've got to be very careful — don't you know there is only one city — the Queen city of the Dry Belt, the Metropolis of the Interior, Kamloops of the cluster lights, etc. You will be finding yourselves sued for libel by the logical capital of B.C. if you do it again, and it is well to remember that the citizens shoot on sight if you mention that Vernon at the last census had 7 or 17 or 70 more people, because of course we all know that was merely a piece of dirty work at the crossroads! How could a mere apple burg stack up more than the Queen of the Thompson, and expect to get away with it? Absurd. Anyway, Clinton, don't say you weren't warned if you do it again.
Cache Creek Races: With fine weather and a good crowd, Cache Creek held their second annual race meet last Saturday. Cars came from several of the towns in the district to attend them and the usual good time was had by all. The horse races were very good, and the bucking contest seemed to be the best attraction of the two. The most interesting races of the meet were the Cache Creek Derby and the Point-to-Point race, which was unique, and awakened much interest from the crowd that gathered.
Driving: The death rate will be lowered when men find out they can't drive an automobile at 60 miles per hour and light a cigarette at the same time.
75 YEARS AGO: JULY 28, 1949
Road Improvements: Old-timers don't like the improvements going on on the Cariboo road. They say it takes away the historic value and sentiment attached to the old road. From Clinton down to the "20" toward Ashcroft the road has been entirely changed and not much is left of the pioneer builders' work, and from Clinton north it has almost lost its identification. Around the "100" there are drastic changes, and as far south as the "74 Mile House" a new survey entirely has been followed. The 74 has been isolated by a mile, but a branch gravel approach now connects the old roadhouse with the main highway. However, the new improvements eliminate sharp turns and steep hills on the Cariboo road that used to add miles to the distance between points. It is said that between Clinton and the "70" the road is 12 miles shorter than heretofore. When surfacing has been done, which is now being done from the 100 down, the "old Cariboo" road will be one of the best in the province. The Clinton hill, so notorious in old times to teamsters, is no more; the grade has been reduced so much so that it is hardly noticed.
Clinton Dance: There was an excellent attendance of local people at the dance at Pollard Lodge last Saturday, and the large crowd enjoyed a really peppy Saturday night's dance. Among out-of-towners were noticed people from Walhachin. The Athletic Association again benefittDd substantially from the donations asked at the door.
Elks Preparing For Labour Day Celebration In Ashcroft: The local Elks are planning several major attractions for the Labour Day celebrations in Ashcroft this year, to include the Barrel Roll, Soap Box Cerby, Bicycle Races, Foot Races, Softball Tournament, Tug-of-War, and a dance to finish off the day. It is also hoped there will be a show at the CPR grounds, with games and rides for the kiddies. The barrel roll will be run from the Savona bridge to the Ashcroft bridge.
Radio Noise: Almost every evening in Ashcroft there comes a racket on the radio. It usually occurs when one is listening to their favourite programme. If you have a machine that is causing the annoyance, do something to stop it. Otherwise radio listeners in Ashcroft will have to appeal to the trouble finder at Kamloops to investigate.
50 YEARS AGO: JULY 25, 1974
Ashcroft's Newest Store: Tuesday evening, July 23, the new Safety Mart store opened their new store in Ashcroft (No. 6) for public viewing. Coffee and doughnuts were served by the group of helpers working to fill the shelves and get the store in readiness for opening on Wednesday, July 24. It is a large modern market with the many extras to be had, with merchandise displayed and marked clearly. Each section named for the ease of the shopper and eliminates a lot of foot and leg work when you have missed something on your list and have to return to the shelves to find it. Everything is spic and span, the produce looked particularly inviting. Manager Laurie Haines greeted his many guests at the door. Wednesday morning on the first day of opening the store was packed, human traffic was going every which way. People from Clinton, Cache Creek, Spences Bridge, Walhachin, and Ashcroft were all there. We all congratulate Safety Mart No. 6, and wish them every success in the future.
Ashcroft RCMP: During the past four months there has been a very sharp rise in minor thefts, most of which are from unlocked automobiles. Tape decks, speakers, and tapes are the most popular items. Please ensure your vehicles are kept locked at all times. If you have a tape deck, make sure you have recorded its make and serial number. When items of this manner are stolen, the police can do very little toward recovering stolen property and/or initiating any criminal action unless the stolen article(s) can be positively identified.
Cougar Shot At Loon Lake: Last week a two-year-old cougar came into Frank and Mary Drayton's front yard and killed one of their three goat-kids. Frank set the dog on him, treed, and shot it. Luckily the children weren't out playing with the kids, but had been a short time before. There must be a game shortage for these animals to become so bold in the past few years.
Sasquatch Study To Be Made: A scientifically designed study will soon be mounted to determine what truth there may be in the numerous sightings, and other data, connected with the Sasquatch, or giant wild man. "Sasquatch" lore has been gathered in the past from many parts of the world, while film footage was taken of what was seemingly a wild human-like creature a few years ago. The study will be headed by Robert Morgan of Miami, Florida. The party will include university specialists from several disciplines, as well as interested lay students of the Sasquatch phenomenon from the northwest. The party will have the use of considerable modern technology. By coincidence, it was announced on Tuesday morning's news that a Sasquatch had been sighted by several people at Harrison Mills in the Fraser Valley.
