125 YEARS AGO: DEC. 23, 1899
Christmas Tree: The Sunday School of the Presbyterian Church in Ashcroft held a Christmas tree and entertainment in the Town Hall last night. The ladies of the church were in charge, so it is needless to say it was a success.
Skating Rink: Quite a number of persons visited the skating rink on Monday, the opening night. The ice was in fair condition. The comfortable office where skates can be put on and off is appreciated by the ladies and children. Manager Morgan will do all he can to please his patrons and will make only such rules as are necessary for the comfort of all.
Interesting Trip: Wm. Felker, of the 144 Mile House, has gone to Victoria on a very interesting mission. It is said that one of the fair sex who paid a temporary visit to Cariboo has become so charmed with a certain locality that she has determined to return there. Mr. Felker, it is reported, has had considerable influence in her choice.
Christmas Greeting: A very Merry Christmas is the wish of the Journal to all its readers. We think no other day is so universally recognized and acted upon by the people of all lands as Christmas Day. It is the day of great expectations by the little ones, and many an older member of the family is drawn to express a pleasure he does not feel, so that the joy of the children may not be the less. We are inclined to be more kind and lenient to one another’s faults at this season than usual. Would it not be well to carry this forgiving spirit with us all the time, being happier and brighter ourselves and aiding others to be so.
100 YEARS AGO: DEC. 20, 1924
Ashcroft In Grip Of Blizzard; Worst Storm In Years Strikes Village From North Sunday Night: The worst snow storm and blizzard experienced here in many years visited Ashcroft and district on Sunday night and Monday with unexpected suddenness, taking everyone by surprise and freezing prized house plants and water pipes. The thermometer reached a few degrees below zero on Sunday morning, with a cutting blizzard blowing from the north and the dry snow drifting into heaps against fences and buildings, and even into the homes through windows and doors. On Tuesday morning the thermometer reached 16 below, and on Wednesday it registered 24 below. The school attendance dropped down very low during the first few days of the week, as it seemed impossible to keep up the temperatures in the room to the desired heat. But the cold weather was the opportunity for ice-making, and the rink was put in shape by the boys who have it in charge.There was good skating on Wednesday after two days’ work sprinkling and flooding. The weather was too cold, however, for general skating, and only a few turned out. However, skating tickets are on sale at the W.M. Huston drug store. Get one, for the season promises to be a long one.
Notwithstanding Drawback Of Cold Weather, Dance Successful: Notwithstanding the cold zero weather of Thursday night, the postponed dance took place as arranged in the community hall, which was comfortable and warm, and all those present enjoyed themselves fully. There were very few from outside points owing to the climactic condition, but the locals patronized the affair, in keeping with the usual good will. The music was supplied by J. Rolston, saxophone; Mrs. Huston, piano; and Mr. Graham, drums. Refreshments were served by the ladies in the assembly hall, and the event closed at about 2 a.m. “The air was cold, but the town was game / For the dance went on, just the same.”
Road Work As Relief: For the purpose of relieving unemployment in British Columbia, the government has set aside $150,000 and will carry on constructive public works to as great an extent as possible in aiding those out of work. Road work will be started immediately in districts where unemployment is felt the most keenly. While Premier Oliver does not expect to get full value for the money spent on account of weather conditions at this time of year, he explains that he could not ignore the universal demand for some measures of relief.
75 YEARS AGO: DEC. 22, 1949
Leave Christmas Lights Alone: Ashcroft Elks have placed a huge Christmas tree on the front street and have decorated it with coloured light bulbs, which is very effective, and we wish to compliment them on their never-ending interest in the children and the town. They have put a tree up there for quite a number of years now. However, we are told, someone is taking the light bulbs from the tree. This isn’t a nice thing to do. So please keep your hands off them. The tree was put there for the brightening up of the town for Christmas and New Years, and it is everyone’s duty to see that it is taken care of. So once again, do not take the light bulbs. Whoever has been doing it should be ashamed.
Clinton Notes: Clinton’s “live” Christmas tree is once again aglow with Christmas tree lights and decorations, Clinton’s Light and Power Co.’s contribution to the bright Christmas season.
Skating Rink Now Ready: Ashcroft’s skating rink was ready for skating last Tuesday and the boys who have been working day and night on it took to their finished job Tuesday afternoon and enjoyed hockey practise. The boys are in need of some lumber or a shed for a girls’ skating house, so if you wish to donate this please get in touch with G. Rodford, or one of the boys at the rink. Arrangements are being made to install lights for evening skating.
Free Show: Bill Campbell of Campbell Shows, Clinton, invites all his patrons to a free show this Saturday night, Dec. 24. The feature picture will be Bud Abbott and Lou Costello, and there will be other short pictures also. So spend your time before Santa Claus comes at the Campbell shows, commencing at 8 o’clock.
Famed Cariboo Property Sold: The famous old Mountain House (158 Mile) Ranch has been sold again to make this the second change of ownership since 1897, when Louis J. Crosina took over the famous stopping house. E. Peterson, of Burbank, California, is the new owner and will be operating it with his son as a cattle ranch. The old ranch was first founded by Steve Tingley as a stopping place for stagecoaches and freight teams after pulling the infamous Carpenter Mountain mudhole. The old time horse freighters hated the pull through the deep mud from the 150 Mile to the Mountain House, eight miles away.
50 YEARS AGO: DEC. 18, 1974
Body Named: Cyril Bernard Quesnel, 46 years, of Ashcroft has been identified as the third victim in the fire at the Ashcroft Hotel on Nov. 8. The inquest into the three deaths caused by the fire will be held Jan. 15 at 1 p.m. with Coroner W. Adam presiding at Ashcroft.
New Cache Creek Library: With the grand opening of the Cache Creek Community Library, in the Oasis Shopping Centre, Friday, Dec. 13, 1974, the ninth library of the Thompson-Nicola Library system came into operation. Roger Behn, Chairman of the Board of Management, in announcing the opening, stated that despite the ominous date, the library system had taken another step in the provision of informational, cultural, and recreational services for the residents of the regional district. The library of 1,100 square feet will offer special programming for individual adults, groups, and children. Film service and musical cassettes will be available in the new year, along with a large variety of books and paperbacks. Any reader can request special information material or a particular book, which will be brought in from other libraries in the system, or from across Canada.
New Library Building: Plans have been announced for the construction of a library building in Ashcroft to house the Community Library. The 3,600 sq/ft building, expected to be built at the corner of Brink Street and Second Avenue, will contain a meeting and activities room, children’s story corner, information area, and book storage. Wilton Construction Limited has assured the Board that the building will be commenced as soon as frost conditions permit, and a completion date of July 1, 1975 is expected. Services will continue at the present location above the Town Hall on Bancroft Street [the upper floor of what is now the front part of the Community Hall].
Sports Fans: To all you sports fans who enjoy watching the fights and hockey on TV, may I suggest a night out at the Drylands Arena. There they have combined the two, or so it seemed Wednesday night, when the Savona Savages played Lornex. I think the referee must have said take your positions and come out fighting as he dropped the first puck. It was a rough three periods, with Lornex coming through with a 12–2 victory.
