125 YEARS AGO: SEPT. 16, 1899
Burning: Property owners are objecting to the dangerous habit, much too frequent in Ashcroft, of burning waste paper on the street. Even in wet weather this is not a desirable practice and should not be continued.
Roadworks: The gravelling of Railway Avenue by Stewart & Crozier, under the direction of Government Agent J.W. Burr, is progressing satisfactorily. The teams are now working south of Fourth Street and in a day or two will have completed a much-needed work.
Tidy Appearance: Grass lawns and flower gardens are greatly improving the appearance of our residential properties. Brink Street from S. Tingley’s residence to Sixth Street, having more ornamental and shade trees than other parts of the town, presents a most pleasant and homelike appearance.
100 YEARS AGO: SEPT. 13, 1924
An Annual Event; P.G.E. Offers Special Rates To Clinton Races: Races have been held annually at Clinton for the past 25 years or more. In years gone by it was a foregone conclusion that all the “Old Timers” would meet at Clinton on race day, bet their money on their favourite horse, exchange reminiscences of days gone by in the “Wonderful Cariboo”, and have a good time in general. One of the outstanding features, in connection with the races, is the dance, which will be held every night. One of the best four-piece orchestras in the Interior has been engaged to supply the music. The management of the Pacific Great Eastern Railway has very kindly put on a special fare for the occasion, and in addition they will have a standard sleeper, with porter in attendance, placed on the side track at the station here, at the disposal of those who patronize their line, in the event all sleeping accommodations are filled in the town.
Produce Shipments: Potatoes are beginning to move, and if the excellent weather continues, shipments to coast and prairie points will increase daily. Seven car loads of tomatoes in one day from Ashcroft and Walhachin is surely a record. This was shipped a few days ago by the Dry Belt Farmers’ Exchange Ltd.
Praises Ashcroft Tomatoes: Mr. Whitelaw, president National Canners, Ltd., says “The exhausted potato fields of the Ashcroft District are going into profitable tomato growing.” He stated that contrary to all theories, that worn-out potato land could never raise tomatoes, there are hundreds of acres in that district with vines standing six and seven feet high. So luxuriant was the growth that it became necessary to cut the tops off to let the sun get at the tomatoes. The vines are covered with the nicest, uniform tomatoes the province could produce. According to Mr. Whitelaw, there is no reason why British Columbia could not become the greatest tomato-canning country in the world. “We will be almost in a position to pick the tomatoes and throw them through the window of the cannery into the washing vats,” said Mr. Whitelaw.
Sumas Harvesting: Harvesting of grain crops on reclaimed lands in the Sumas Reclamation area is proceeding. A dream of 50 years has come true, thanks to the enterprise of the government in carrying out its work. Despite the keenest criticisms, nothing but praise is heard now and hundreds of acres are under cultivation, lands which were annually flooded. The new farming area of Sumas Lake promises to be one of the richest in the province.
Boosts Canyon: “A million and a quarter dollars for such a project as the Fraser Canyon Highway connecting the British Columbia coast with the whole interior of Canada is a mere bagatelle. In one year that investment will bring you back $10,000,000.” This was the message of A.F. Bement of Detroit, secretary and vice president of the Lincoln Highway Association in an address to the Vancouver directors of the Automobile Club of British Columbia in Vancouver. “It is always difficult to estimate the amount of return that a highway investment will bring,” he said, “but I have found after 10 years’ experience with the Lincoln Highways that estimates are always far too low.” Mr. Bement informed the auto club directors that the scenic and tourist attractions of British Columbia were hopelessly unadvertised in the Eastern States, the home of the wealthy, leisured class of this continent with the time and money to enjoy what this province has to offer. “You are going to have that road in a year or two,” said Mr. Bement. “Now is the time to begin your publicity, so that people will look forward to it.”
75 YEARS AGO: SEPT. 15, 1949
Clinton: The hard frost on Sunday and again on successive mornings cut down the gardens and pitch-forked us out of a touch of late summer right into autumn.
Frost But Little Damage Done: Tomato and potato plants in Ashcroft and Walhachin area were visited by Jack Frost early Monday morning, but was so slight that there was very little damage. The tops of the plants were hit but no damage was caused to the tomatoes. The cannery is running to full capacity, about 60 or 70 tons per day going through process into tomatoes and juice. Indications are that this will be a record year. This is about the earliest frost recorded for some years. However, the sky is overcast now and weather warm.
Board Of Trade: A landing strip for Ashcroft will be sought by the board, the flat above the sandhill where the old race track is [the Mesa] being the place selected, which will give sufficient ground.
Around Your High School (by L. Louie): An added attraction to this year’s curriculum is music, which is offered as a five-credit course. The course includes such things as Music Appreciation, mastering of the Flutophone, the theory of music, and singing. For music appreciation, we listen to albums of various selections. Yesterday’s included the Symphony Espagnol, a violin and orchestral arrangement. Next period’s will be an album of Bing Crosby’s. So you see a wide variety will ensure the satisfaction of our students (we hope).
50 YEARS AGO: SEPT. 11, 1974
Thompson-Cariboo Minor Hockey Ass’n: There will be a general meeting of the Association on Sunday, Sept. 15. All persons interested in coaching or officiating are requested to attend. Meeting will be held in the Drylands Arena, Ashcroft, at 2 p.m. We have a full agenda to prepare for our first chance at a full season’s hockey schedule. Included in the agenda will be the plans for the forming of a girls Ringette League in conjunction with the minor hockey schedule, which will include both girls and boys. We also intend to discuss the formation of men’s hockey, properly registered with the B.C.A.H.A.
All-Indian Ball Tournament This Weekend At Bonaparte: And everyone welcome. The annual All-Indian Fastball Tournament will be held on Sept. 14 and 15 at Bonaparte Village beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday. Teams competing include two Bonaparte teams — the Pintos and Super Bs — Shalalth, Deadman Creek, Ashcroft Cowboys, Chu Chua, Boston Bar, Quilchena, and Pavilion. Dances will be held on both Friday and Saturday nights at the Bonaparte Hall. A new memorial trophy has been added this year in memory of Alan Antoine, to be awarded to the best player in Sportsmanship during the two days of play.
Walhachin News: Hopefully the racket and the dirt resulting from the nearly around the clock activity at the quarry will eventually come to an end. The noise level at night is intolerable. True, the crusher is shut down, but the decrepit and squealing loaders protest vociferously until after one while the cars are being loaded. We understand, to quote Lady Rumour, that this increased activity is to meet a deadline and that they will be leaving, never to return. Walhachin has quite enough troubles without a quarry. Dare we hope?
Loon Lake: Traffic on the Loon Lake Road is mostly heading south this afternoon, leaving clouds of dust. Tuesday was back to school day for the kids. It is to be hoped that our bus driver, Larry Van Allen, had a good holiday.
