125 YEARS AGO: AUG. 19, 1899
Rainfall: The campers at Savonas report a pleasant time in spite of the rain, which has been almost too plentiful for camping out. . . The severe fall of rain occurring in the vicinity of Ashcroft last week, and by which a small wash-out occurred on the railroad near here, has been followed by copious rains, and the remarkable complaint is heard in Ashcroft of too much rain. The complaint is not likely to be heard again for years to come unless we are to have a complete change in the weather conditions that have obtained in Ashcroft since the history of the section is known.
Fire Brigade Races: We trust that the Ashcroft Fire Company will be able to get in and compete in the fire brigade races during the Kamloops fair. Championship race: Team to consist of 13 men. Run 100 yards to hydrant, attach, lay 200 feet of hose, put on pipe, get water, take a length of hose off the hose cart, and replace the second length from hydrant, get water, time to be called when the water passes the pipe the second time. Wet test: Team to consist of 11 men. Run 100 yards to hydrant, lay 200 feet of hose, uncouple and screw on pipe. Hose cart to carry not less than 250 feet of hose. Time to be called when water leaves pipe. Speed race: Eleven men. Distance to run 150 yards, hose cart to carry not less than 200 feet of hose. Time to be taken when centre of reel or hose cart crosses the line. Break and make: The coupling contest consists of breaking and making five couplings in line of hose, all couplings to be three full turns. Hose not to be twisted at finish.
Soda Lakes: Work on the soda lakes near Clinton should go ahead. There is no reason why there should not be a good and profitable business built up in putting up the compound for cleansing purposes and putting it on the market. Housekeepers who have used it say it will commend itself and is superior to Pearline.
Hunting: A. Jarvis, hunter and guide, is in town awaiting the arrival of a party consisting of several gentlemen who will spend a few weeks hunting big game in this section.
Correction: Wm. Elmore, freighter, desires the Journal to say that the report published in a neighbouring paper about his damaging freight and injuring his horses by a fall over an embankment, etc., is entirely untrue. He had a slight accident from a defective brake, but no damage was done.
100 YEARS AGO: AUG. 16, 1924
Washout: A washout took away about 70 feet of the Boston Flat irrigation flume on Tuesday. A gang of men was put to work at once and the damage repaired in record time, the water being turned on again on Wednesday.
Eight Bush Fires In Quesnel Area; Flames Of Campers' Fire Rise Over One Hundred Feet In Air: Forest Ranger Eden is perhaps the busiest man in the Cariboo at the present time with no less than eight bush fires raging within a radius of twenty miles of Quesnel to look after. If he gets two hours' sleep in twenty-four he considers himself lucky indeed. He has fire-fighting crews on the fire at Australian Siding where at one time the buildings of Ed. Grey's farm and also the buildings of Beath's — the old Hilborn ranch — were in danger. Trenches were dug around Grey's house and barn, and gangs of men worked feverishly day and night to check the course of the flames which were steadily creeping in that direction. With the exception of the one in the Quesnel-Prince George highway, five miles north of Quesnel, all the others are under control. This fire, which was started by campers, gained such headway in a few hours, burning fiercely in big timber, the flames at times reaching a hundred feet in the air, that it was impossible to do anything with it. Men are watching the bridge on Armstrong's Hill and patrolling the highway to prevent fires from spreading on the west side of the road. Should dry weather continue and the wind change it is doubtful if the fire could be prevented from sweeping on into town, destroying several ranches in its path.
Barn And Chicken House Burned Down: The barn and chicken house of Geo. Crossley at Barnes Lake burned down a few days ago. The fire started about 5 o'clock in the morning from an unknown origin. The dwelling house, which stood some fifty feet away, was saved. The fire evidently began in the barn, for it was sparks flying from that building which ignited the chicken house. All stock was saved, but a wagon, two sets of harness, and a saddle were completely destroyed. Loss about $1,000.
Grasshoppers In Nicola Valley; Ranchers Take Measures To Stamp Out Pest Before Next Season: Measures for coping with the grasshopper plague and eliminating or lessening the swarms next year were considered at a well-attended meeting of the ranchers and farmers of the Nicola Valley. The grasshopper infestation of this valley came from the south and has now spread as far as Shulus. Even this year the plague is so bad that the alfalfa has been eaten, and next year will be worse, it is believed, unless measures are taken to control them.
Clinton Clippings: Quite a number of the local boys have been working at the race track of late repairing the fences, etc. By the time the race date comes, around everything will be in ship shape.
No Passports Needed For Business Trips: Canadians visiting the United States, either for pleasure or for business purposes, do not require passports or immigration visas, so long as their stay does not extend beyond a period of six months. Visitors to the United States, in order to avoid delay at the border, should provide themselves with documentary proof of their status. Any form of proper identification will answer the purpose and official passports are not required.
75 YEARS AGO: AUG. 18, 1949
Train Wreck East Of Here: Traffic was resumed on the C.P.R. Monday last after a two-day delay owing to a wreck on Saturday about three miles east of Ashcroft. The accident was caused, we understand, by a softening of the road-bed owing to what they called a "sink-hole". Sectionmen who were at the spot during the accident said the rails were "wobbly" as the train passed over. The freight of about 30 cars broke in two, the front few cars and its engine, and those in the rear, did not leave the track, while the centre consisting of about 31 cars piled up and over the bank, smashing in some cases to splinters, and spilling their contents of bulk wheat, barley, and oats down the hillside above the Thompson River. There was also a car of coal and two of baled hay. No one was injured. During the blockade trains from the east detoured via C.N.R. from Kamloops, and from the west at Spatsum.
Clinton Bakery: The Clinton Bakery this week moved into their spacious new quarters at the corner of the Cariboo Road and MacDonald Avenue (the station road). At the back are the large working rooms and the new 240-loaf oven, while the glass front of the store shows the gleaming blue and chromium tea shop with four tables and a modern counter and showcase. Upstairs are spacious living quarters for Mr. and Mrs. Les Brown and their family.
Ashcroft Legion: After a delay of about a couple of weeks waiting for material, Johnny Nordstrom has hammers ringing again on the Legion hall, getting ready for the pouring of cement for the walls.
Walhachin: Owing to the long dry spell the water pressure in the town is getting low, although up to date the gardens have not suffered much.
50 YEARS AGO: AUG. 15, 1974
Kumsheen School Ready For September: Creighton Construction Co. Ltd., the General Contractor rebuilding the Kumsheen Secondary School, has advised the Board of School Trustees that the school will be ready for school opening on Sept. 3, 1974. There may be some deficiencies at school opening, however, the contractors' trades can work on these without interfering with the instruction being carried on in the classrooms.
Ashcroft Garbage Dump: The Public Works Supervisor spoke to council on the recent fire at the garbage dump and the responsibility to the Village should any damage occur from such fires. After discussion it was moved, seconded, and carried that we write the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and request they commit themselves to operate the garbage dump by taking over our lease of the garbage dump and carry out full operation of the dump including burning.
Stolen Bikes: The Ashcroft Detachment is presently investigating the disappearance of several bicycles in the area. It is recommended that you lock or put your bicycle in a safe place. We also have several bicycles which were found in Ashcroft and Cache Creek. These bicycles have not been reported stolen. If you have lost a bicycle maybe the police have it. Come and see.
