Resource Collections  /  Documents

Wakopa Gleanings

Brandon Sun Weekly -  Feb. 16, 1882
This is the first available newspaper report about Wakopa…

(Download the pdf)

Wakopa Gleanings Correspondence of the Sun: James S. Stephenson was elected trustee at the annual school meeting on the 4th inst. To fill the place of Neil McGill whose term of office had expired. W. Williams and P. Grant were also elected auditors. It was agreed to push forward the erection of a school house, and trustees by vote of the ratepayers were authorized to raise money by loan for that purpose. B/B. Laraviere Esq., has given two town lots as a site for the school house, and trustees contemplate sundry improvements on the original plan of the building. On Tuesday the 5th, there was a large gathering of farmers here in compliance with a call from the General Union. After waiting for some time for speakers to arrive from Brandon as were promised -  but who did not arrive – they at last assembled in B.B, Lariviere’s hall, and organized a branch union by electing Jas. A. Stephenson, pres. And Wm. Henderson Vice. A committee of five gentlemen, Messrs. Sharpe, Cowan, Tyler, Pilling and Rankin were appointed to look after the interests of the organization. A series of resolutions were passed similar to those comprising the platform of the general union with the addition of one requiring that the railway lands in this section of the province shall be immediately placed in the market, and not longer locked out from settlement. Another movement of a different nature is being talked of here. Some of our farmers realizing that grumbling and fault-finding to the Government may not bring immediate and lucrative returns, are beginning to cast about for means within their own reach whereby they can better their circumstances. They see that it doesn not pay to raise oats or wheat for market when the markets are so far away, and they must concentrate their productions. Hence they are talking of starting a cheese factory. We have one of the best grazing counties in the world, and no doubt cheese and butter making can be made profitable to this community. Alrrady, within a radius of say five miles each way from Wakopa, no less than 200 cows can be counted, and many more would be presented if a factory were to be built. Here is a chance for some enterprising man, or for a stock company. Some, too are talking of going into wool raising. Sheep do well in this country and pork can be as cheaply produced in this country as anywhere. Let the farmer sow more barley instead of so much oats and wheat, and by feeding turn into pork, beef and mutton. He has thus concentrated his products, ant they will bear transportation to a distant market. J.P. Alexander, Esq., now is away  to the Souris with lumber and shingles for the construction of a registry office and dwelling, preparatory to removing his family there in the spring. R.G. Douglas, Esq., is away visiting friends in Ontario. He is expected to return about the beginning of April, when he may bring some stock with him. Finlay Young, M.P.P. is now stopping at home. And like ordinary mortals, is attending to the duties of a granger. A. Grenville Sharpe, us selling of his household and personal effects preoaratory to taking a grand hunting expedition in the  Rockies in the spring. Messrs. Phillips and Dupree, and others are to accompany him providing the necessary funds to defray the expenses of the expedition are forthcoming. Observer Wakopa, Feb. 11, 1882