125 YEARS AGO: JULY 22, 1899
Clinton Race Meet: At a public meeting held at Clinton the evening of the 18th, it was unanimously decided to have a race meet at a suitable time to be decided upon later, but probably between the Kamloops and Ashcroft fairs. The races, for which good purses will be hung up, will last two days. A Ball will be given and a general good time is counted on.
Storm: A severe storm struck the valley of the Bonaparte on Thursday and did some damage to ranches along Cache Creek, Mr. Jas. Campbell's place being perhaps more injured than any other. Irrigating ditches were filled with gravel, and the road under the bluff at Cache Creek was quite badly washed out.
Daring Feat: A very credible feat was performed by watchman Harry Horney at Cherry Creek, who despite the fact that Cherry Creek at flood is a raging stream, swam the stream to secure telegraph connection and warn trains from each way. Any possible accident was thereby averted, and had a train gone through the bridge the consequences would have been terrible. Mr. Horney is 70 years of age but a hale and active man. He will be well rewarded for his fidelity by the C.P.R.
Keeping Clean: Why not clear off the rocks from the street? Each property owner look after his own. It would make the town look much better if old boots, cans, etc. were not allowed to be scattered about.
100 YEARS AGO: JULY 19, 1924
Camping Grounds: In view of the fact that the greater number of tourists who will visit Ashcroft from outside points will remain only for a short time, and certainly not for more than a few days, a camping site should be as close to the town as possible. A camp adjoining, or even in, the town would be more serviceable, and would answer the purpose of the city more than one at several miles distant. It is from a business and not a sentimental view that Ashcroft wants to encourage tourists to camp here on their way to the Interior, and the nearer they are to the business section of the town the greater are the opportunities of the businessmen getting in touch with them. The old Potlatch grounds [on Railway Avenue] would be an ideal site for such a camp. Some trees should be planted there, and in a few years an ideal camping ground would be available. A site at the old mill [on the Bonaparte River] seems more like driving tourists away from us than it does welcoming them to our city.
Clinton City News: Haying is in full swing in this vicinity, hay hands are reported short by many of the ranchers.
Ashcroft Locals: Did you hear that Mrs. Ball of the telephone exchange went to sleep in church the other night and woke up to hear the parson announce hymn number three hundred and fifty-two, three five two, and she calls out "Line busy"? No? Nor did we.
75 YEARS AGO: JULY 21, 1949
Clinton Athletic Association: Clinton took on the appearance of a miniature metropolis on Saturday night, the street thronged with people and half-a-hundred cars parked uptown. The picture show was filled to capacity and the huge crowd all poured out to Pollard's Guest Ranch, filing the lodge hall to overflowing, being the largest crowd every to attend a dance there. The gang was "rarin'" to go and there was never a dull moment till the dance wound up with a rousing square dance in the wee sma' hours. Donations were asked at the door for the Clinton Athletic Association, to which the proceeds were turned over. This procedure will be followed each Saturday for the rest of the summer. So come along each Saturday night and have a good time and help a good cause.
Ashcroft: Terry Johnson's heavy bulldozer dug the basement for the new Canadian Legion hall on Monday. To the surprise of all he had good digging, as the ground was fine gravel and sand. It is expected work will commence on the forms for cement Monday.
Rainy Weather: Heavy rain fell early Tuesday morning in Ashcroft and district, and from noon on till night a steady fall cooled off the air and soaked the ground to such an extent that irrigation was not necessary.
Windy Weather: Considering the force of the wind last Friday, Clinton was fortunate in having almost no damage in the storm. Further north, around the 83 Mile and Watch Lake, Canim Lake, and Forest Grove district all phone lines were flattened and roads blocked with dozens of large trees. A bolt of lightning struck somewhere in this area far too close for comfort. Denny Smith was fishing with friends on Canim Lake and was caught in the violent wind storm, and had a really unpleasant experience trying to make shore without capsizing.
50 YEARS AGO: JULY 18, 1974
Arena Interest Rising: The "Name the Arena" contest is growing into a resounding success! Entries are flowing in at an ever increasing rate. Assurance that Babe Pratt of the Vancouver Hockey Club will be at the opening may have something to do with the growing excitement. Contractors have now begun construction of the ice surface floor. The sound system should be in operation by Aug. 1. The building will definitely open its gates for a winter of fun on Oct. 5, 1974. Any mother or father interested in forming an Ice Arena Auxiliary should come to a meeting of the Arena Commission at the home of Merv Pears on July 7. It is whispered that a streaker may appear on the eventful night.
$10,648 Grant For Ashcroft Seniors: The Old Age Pensioners Branch #111 of Ashcroft has been given a grant of $10,648 by the New Horizons program to equip and operate a drop-in centre for senior citizens. The centre is located in the recently renovated old hospital building. Headed by Mr. S. Kincaid, the branch plans to organize for its members and seniors in nearby Cache Creek and Spences Bridge arts and craft classes, a choir and music program, and regular weekly bingo and card games.
B.C. Day August 5: Under the British Columbia Day Act, which received Royal Assent on May 3, the first Monday in August has become a legal holiday. In a letter to the mayors of all incorporated municipalities, the Provincial secretary, Ernest Hall, says "You may wish to set aside that day and the remainder of the week as a time for your Community to honour the pioneers and the elderly citizens who have contributed so much to the blessings we enjoy today." Mr. Hall suggests a civic declaration as to the purpose of British Columbia Day might be in order. The Act notes that the Government of the Colony of British Columbia was established by an Act of the British Parliament passed on Aug. 2, 1858, and calls for the annual recognition of "the pioneers who built the colony of British Columbia into the great Province that it is today."
