October 1, 1917
When the hotel bars closed at 10 o’clock Saturday night, not to reopen for the sale of alcoholic beverages, very little stock was left in any of the Nelson hotels or wholesale houses. The celebration of the last “wet” day was comparatively mild, very few of the participants becoming noisy, and not a single row was reported, the police court blotter being clean for this morning. Many packages of liquor were toted home-both ways-and private stocks were replenished against the dry months to come. Many of the bars will reopen today for the sale of soft drinks and two and a half per cent beer, while a few will remain closed for a few days pending alterations.
October 8, 1917
To Nels Anderson falls the distinction of being the first man arrested in this city on the charge of drunkenness since prohibition came into effect. While exercising his vocal organs with raucous effect on the streets on Friday night he was picked up by the city police and locked up on a charge of being drunk and disorderly. Anxious to know how he obtained his jag the authorities questioned him closely as to what he had been drinking and where he secured the liquor. Nels stated that he had been overcome by two percent beer. Despite the fact that he was told that “two per cent” had no “kick” in it, Nels stuck to his statement and was fined $10 and costs.
October 10, 1917
Under a 20-minute handicap in favor of the train, D.G. Kurtz yesterday morning raced the Slocan train to South Slocan in his automobile and beat it. Miss Louise Horswill, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.S. Horswill, started the race. She teaches school at Silverton and had to return yesterday from the Thanksgiving holidays. She missed the train, walked back up town, saw the Kurtz machine standing outside the barn on Vernon Street and urged Mr. Kurtz to make the attempt to catch the train. The trip was made at unusual speed but without causing Miss Horswill to weaken in her purpose of catching the train.
October 10 , 1917
This year is the first in 19 that it has not been necessary to borrow from the bank for municipal purposes, the city clerk stated at last night’s meeting of the Council. He said that the street railway had taken in over $1,000 more than last year and the population was apparently greater as all departments had taken in more revenue and the school attendance was larger. It has not been necessary to finance on outstanding taxes and there is still $10,000 credit balance. Last year the city had to borrow $10,000 and the year before that $20,000. (Ed note- $10,000 in 1917 = $163,000 in 2017)
October 22, 1917
Trinity Methodist Church was crowded at both services yesterday when it was reopened and reconsecrated after being reconstructed. The beautifully furnished and decorated main auditorium was in use for the first time in nearly two years, having been closed since the fire which gutted the building. Services were conducted by Rev. S.D. Chown, D.D., and by Rev. W. W. Abbot, pastor of the Church. Dr. Chown, who is general superintendent of the Methodist Church in Canada, preached two sermons. In the evening when the Church was crowded to its capacity, attendees were entertained by two soloists and a choir augmented by singers from other churches. An orchestra took part in the musical program. The dedication ceremony took place during the morning service. (Ed note- today’s Nelson United Church)
October 30, 1917
“This must be a sane Halloween,” Chief of Police T.H. Long stated in his office yesterday, “The boys can have all the fun they want to, but they must confine themselves to innocent amusement.” Special police will be sworn in for duty on Halloween evening and they will be on the lookout for anyone who goes too far with his pranks. “Anyone caught doing damage which will include the tampering with or removal of property, will be severely dealt with,” the Chief promises. The action is taken in keeping with last year and with what many other cities are doing this year. In many places it is pointed out that ratepayers, with the burden of war time taxes, should not have repair bills to pay for needless and useless pranks which have in late years been gradually growing in nuisance.