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Wm. Fernie Passes Away www.thefreepress.ca
THE FREE PRESS Thursday, December 27, 2012
Fire in West Fernie
October 8 1920 Free Press Files
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bout 2 p.m. on We d n e s d a y morning the nocturnal silence was broken by short sharp blasts of mill whistle of the Elk Valley Lumber Co. in West Fernie, denoting a fire in that vicinity. These were immediately followed by the bell in the tower at the fire hall and a glance at the western sky showed it illuminated by a ruby hue. The location of the blaze and its intensity caused those aroused by the alarm to form the conclusion that it was the large sawmill plant that was afire and consequently
many citizens were attracted to the locality. The fire, however was confined to the grocery store premises of Glover & Meiklejohn, two of Fernie’s youngest business men, as it was only on Aug. 1 last that they opened a place of business on their own responsibility. The cause of the fire is attributed to an overheated stove and a defective pipe where it fitted into the chimney. The entire building was gutted beyond repair and the complete stock and contents a total loss. The loss to Glover & Meiklejohn is estimated at about $3,500, partially covered by insurance.
Curling Rink Vandalized
December 3 1924 Free Press Files
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att. Tully and son are working hard getting the curling ice in shape for the season. They have already a fine foundation and expect to have the ice in shape in a few days. The curling fee has been reduced to $10 and the membership
committee are hard at work rustling new members. A small boy during the past summer has caused a lot of trouble at the curling rink by smashing everything in sight and stealing electrical light fixtures, etc. The chief of police is investigating and an example will be made of anyone found guilty.
Fernie will get beer December 3 1924 Free Press Files
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eer by the glass will be granted in districts which gave affirmative majorities on the June plebiscite, the legislature decided at midnight last night by defeating a motion from Dr. E. J. Rothwell to delete the beer clauses from the Liquor Act. The formal vote was recorded in the house today as 26 to 14. Attorney General Manson voted against beer, saying the whole
issue was raised by the breweries and not the people. Premier Oliver broke down as he announced he must vote for carrying out the terms of the plebiscite submitted to the people in good faith. R.H. Pooley reminded the government he has last year predicted such an impasse. The house also defeated by 27 to 13 a latter motion by Chris McRae to have the beer sold only in government dispensaries.
May 20 1921 Free Press Files
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illiam Fernie, of Victoria, the founder of Fernie and one of the real pioneers of Kootenay, has passed away, death calling him on Sunday last, after a lingering illness of several weeks. The deceased, who was in his 84th
year, was the original discoverer of coal in this district and put the first stake in at Morrissey long before the Crow railway was thought of. He was born in Kimbolton, Huntingdonshire, England, and when 14 years of age went to sea on the ship “Salesman”. He left the boat at an Australian port and went to work in the mines at Bendigo and Perdue, staying at it for four years, when his thirst for adventure led him to other fields and he took to sea again. Later he became quartermaster on the United States mail steamer playing to South America. Finally he came to British Columbia in 1860, locating in the Cariboo country, where for many years he was engaged in mining. In 1873 he was appointed to a government office, which he held for four years, resigning to join C. Baker in an attempt to secure a charter for the British Columbia Southern Railway in the eastern part of the province. In 1887, after successfully securing
the right to build the railway, Mr. Fernie located the coal fields of the Crow’s Nest and in his honor Fernie, which was established shortly afterwards, was named after him. For many years Mr. Fernie struggled along with a small company, but finally succeeded in interesting Toronto capitalists, who used their influence to have the Crow’s Nest Pass branch built through the mountains, and after that it was more or less easy sailing. For a number of years he was a director of the company, but later on disposed of nearly all his stock and retired to Victoria, where he resided since. For many years he has given large gifts to charity and soldier institutions and his death is a distinct loss to the province. He was a brother of Peter Fernie, famous British campaigner, who died last year. Citizens of Fernie unite in expressing deep regret for the death of Mr. Fernie.
Strike Oil In Flathead
Tourism in Fernie
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ourists are still going through Fernie on their way to the United States. Some days
August 21st 1924 Free Press Files
ome time ago the Lethbridge Herald carried a story of the discovery of oil in the well of the Crow’s Nest Pass Oil Company, a company financed by Vancouver and Fernie men. The well, located in the Flathead reserve south of Corbin, has been under way for a couple of years, progress being slow on account of the difficulty encountered in hauling in material. The oil discovery is confirmed by E.C. Gilbault, who returned to the city from Cranbrook over the
weekend. Mr. Gilbault brought with him a bottle of the crude which he secured from W.R. Ross, ex-M.L.A. Mr. Ross is heavily interested in the Flathead venture. The sample will be tested at the local oil refinery. The first oil was found at 500 feet and the second oil at 900 feet. This was a light oil and not present in commercial quantities. At 2000 feet a heavy flow of oil, similar to the Kevin oil, was brought in. It is a dark green crude. Until the pump can be put on the well, the production cannot be accurately determined. It looks like a good well, however, in the opinion of oil men.
The Ford Opening
January 27 1928 Free Press Files
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r. Dicks, local Ford Dealer, has issued invitations to the first showing of the new car in his showrooms on January 31st, February 2nd and 3rd. The people of Fernie are in for a real surprise. This new car is a very conclusive bit of evidence that the Ford Motor Co. has anticipated the needs and desires of Canadas motorists for a long way into the future as they did when the Model T was introduced in 1908. In performance under all conditions, speed, riding comfort, roadability, ease of control, flexibility, and the other points on
which cars are judged, the new car performs astonishingly, even when compared to expensive cars. The details which to date have been looked upon as “big car” features have been included by the Ford Motor Company of Canada in the New Car, said Mr. Dicks, yet the Ford genius for precision in quantity production, unequalled in the world, have placed the car within the reach of every purse. We want the people of Fernie and district to feel free to visit our showroom and inspect the car, Mr. Dicks declared. Our service policies will apply not only to the New Car, but to all Model T’s now being operated.
Aug. 16 1924 Free Press Files
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there are as many as seven or eight cars. The roads after Elko is reached are comparatively good, but it is a tough grind through the pass.
Christmas Windows December 19 1924 Free Press Files
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he Trites-Wood Co. and the Crow’s Nest Trading Co. Christmas
windows are very beautiful and show wonderful taste. Fernie has reason to be proud of its two big stores.
Big Folks visit the Fernie Golf and Country Club July 12 1929 Free Press Files
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he Fernie Golf and Country Club is being patronized by big folks
these days. A niece of J. Pierpont Morgan and her husband played the course last week. They are touring the west and taking in the Stampede
Man killed in Woods at Elko September 27th 1929 Free Press Files
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ord was Brought in that W. Thacker of Baynes Lake had been killed
in the Woods in a logging accident out from Baynes Lake Stead Mill. Mr. Thacker during the past summer contracted for W. Wood local contractor.
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