Adversity on the Western prairie

encroachment.

Interestingly, the editor in a sidenote wasn’t sure if this was actually considered an encroachment or if it was perfectly within the builder’s rights.

The editor thought perhaps he had purchased the town lots with the understanding that eight feet would be taken off the lot frontage.

was an “offer to pay cash for your wheat, or exchange goods for your oats, corn, beans, butter, eggs and hay.” and a portion of funds from mail order sales weren’t designated for contribution.

The defacement of Broadway Avenue began with the encroachment of a building onto public property (1910).

The business in question wasn’t identified in the Lloydminster Times other than saying it was “a contractor’s yard abutting over the frontage here of the above thorough - fare, and just lately placed there as though he came into an inheritance of eight feet for the matter of taking it.”

Locals were understandably upset and requested the assistance of town council to enforce the need for proper inspections regarding building frontages.

This effort would “safeguard the rights and original public spirit shown by the pioneer builders and creators of our town.”

Especially upset were those pioneers who gave their fair share in compensation to builders on the east side of Broadway, which included the provision of eight feet of space dedicated to public use. Council was planning in advance for the future of Broadway as a wide and important avenue for the townsfolk.

A letter to the editor was signed by nine businessmen, including Wes Rendell, who strongly objected to this

The question of buying locally or supporting mail-order catalogues was an interesting dilemma.

Folks were encouraged to relax at their table where the window light would shine on each page.

Putting your pair of eyeglasses on would ensure no bargain on the pages would be missed.

Each catalogue was special for what it contained and then again for what it didn’t contain.

What didn’t appear on the printed pages

This effort would “safeguard the rights and original public spirit shown by the pioneer builders and creators of our town.”

Also, there was no mention of what the mail-order company would pay for livestock at their depot. No statements were made in regard to the taxes they would pay to support local schools and educate the children, or for improving roads and bridges for the transportation expense of running the business.

Churches were an important foundation of most settlements

During the years of bad crops, illness, injury and misfortune, folks could not expect a line of credit to be extended when cash could not be sent to pay for an order.

There are times as a writer what you leave out in your writing is as important as what you leave in.

Every story has diverse aspects and many opinions which are subject to the reader’s interpretation. Allen Ginsberg, a controversial American writer and poet once wrote, “To gain your own voice, you have to forget about having it heard.”

The voices of our early pioneers were clearly heard, no matter what dilemma developed. They strongly believed in supporting their local businesses.

Thursday, July 6, 2023

MERIDIAN SOURCE