Looking back - 1975: Fire destroys Franklin home
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- Published on Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Neepawa Press archives. 40 Years ago: A major fire leveled a Franklin home.
By Cecil Pittman
The Neepawa Press
80 years ago, Friday November 29, 1935:
No hockey to speak of in Neepawa for four years is resulting in 100 per cent activity among local enthusiasts since the new rink has been constructed. There are four distinct units organized at present, the pee-wees, commercial league, intermediates and the collegiate. Other activities, games and practices will be confined to the times not used for skating, for which Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday nights have been set aside.
70 years ago, Thursday November 22, 1945:
Marion Carmichael and James Sangster were found dead in Sangster’s car early Sunday morning as a result of carbon monoxide gas. The car, a 1927 Chevrolet, was parked in front of Norman Tyler’s residence, Third Avenue, just a piece from Marion’s boarding place. Marion was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alec Carmichael, of Riding Mountain and had recently found employment at the coffee shop. James, recently returned from service overseas and volunteer for action in the Pacific, was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Sangster, and was home on an extended leave. He was 21 years of age.
60 years ago, Thursday November 24, 1955:
Jack Holyk, 16-year-old Minnedosa youth, who was reported missing from his home over the weekend, has been located in Neepawa. Word to this effect has reached the RCMP here, but there were no further details. Over 100 persons assisted in a search over the weekend and the RCMP called to their police dog from Dauphin.
The youth left his home late Saturday afternoon, carrying a .22 rifle as he said he wanted to hunt rabbits. Early Sunday morning, the lad entered a farmhouse six miles south of Neepawa and said he’d been out all night and was cold. Searching parties had combed bush lands near the Holyk home on Saturday in the hunt for the boy.
50 years ago, Tuesday November 23, 1965:
Construction in Neepawa hit a new high this year, compared to totals for the last two years, and a large part of the total value was attributed to new home construction. Total construction value [all types] came to a high of $375,735.
To the end of October, the total value of new home permits issued reached a resounding total of $269,900. With still two months left this year, the figure was well above corresponding figures for the past two years.
40 years ago, Thursday November 27, 1975:
Firemen stood by and watched helplessly as flames engulfed the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Robinson of Franklin in a blaze that broke out shortly after noon, Saturday.
The fire, believed to have started in the area of the electrical service, resulted in an estimated $11,000 damage, but no injuries were reported.
The lack of a source of water to refill their equipment left members of the Neepawa Fire Department unable to bring the blaze under control. Instead, they maintained their water supply to preserve the near-by buildings.
Deputy fire chief Roy Thomas reported that “there was no water supply to control it. It was out of control when we got there.”
Mr. and Mrs. Robinson were not at home when the blaze broke out. They had traveled to Thompson to visit Mrs. Robinson’s brother.
30 years ago, Thursday November 28, 1985:
The owner-operator of Neepawa Ambulance Service is critical of the province’s air ambulance, which will begin regular flights in December.
The Life Flight Air Ambulance, a custom designed Citation SN11 air jet, will make trips from Neepawa to Winnipeg on the request of the doctor.
“For northern patients transfer it’s great, but in the south, it’s a total waste of tax payers’ money,” claimed Ron Forsman.
He explained the ground ambulance can make an emergency trip to Winnipeg in about an hour and a half, as compared to an hour by plane. The patient must still be transferred to the air ambulance via ambulance.
“The onus is really left up to the doctor”, he said. “If the doctor is pressured by the family who may think the air service is quicker, even if it isn’t, or the patient’s family may use the service because it’s free.”
While there is no service charge for the use of air ambulance, the patients will have to pay for the ambulance trip to and from the airport in Neepawa and Winnipeg.
20 years ago, Monday November 28, 1995:
Jennifer Reidle and Shauna Reilly of Neepawa and Stacey Hislop of Minnedosa were presented with the bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s award in Neepawa on Nov. 10.
The evening began with a banquet. Guests included family and friends of the recipients, as well as Minnedosa MLA Harold Gilleshammer and mayor Terry Drevit, Ste. Rose MLA Glen Cummings, and Neepawa mayor Roy McGillivray. Margaret Gregory represented the Girl Guides.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s award was initiated by Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh for young people aged 14-25 throughout the Commonwealth to challenge themselves by setting and reaching goals.
10 years ago, Monday November 28, 2005:
The Neepawa and District Disabled Person’s Association took delivery of its new $82,000 Handy-Van Tuesday afternoon.
Leon Ferguson of Saskatoon based Crestline personally delivered the vehicle he helped design and sell to the association months earlier.
“I like to drive them out, to get a feel for the community,” Ferguson said.
“It’s such a good feeling to be providing a transportation solution.”
The 2005 vehicle, built on a Ford chassis, has seating for 16 plus two wheelchairs.
Some of the seats also fold down, allowing for up to four wheelchairs to be transported at one time.
“We really custom design to fit the needs of the community,” said Ferguson.
