VICTORIA, Vol. 32; No. 52 An Independent Weekly Newspoper Devoted to the I g ,t of Centrol and Northern Citizen British' Columbia Prince George, B.C., Thursday, December 29, 1949 Willow River Couple Lose All In Christmas Eve Blaze 10c per Copy; $3.00 a Year Doug and Pat Ketter Burned Out In Sub-Zero Weather After Trip To City A young Willow River couple, recently married and with a newly furnished home, lost their home and all their posses sions, including even the clothes the husband stood in, in a disastrous fire on Christmas Eve. The couple, Doug and Pat Ketter, returned home from a party [about 11-30 p.m. Dour was lighting the gas lamp when it exploded and within a few seconds the whole place was enveloped in flames! Mr. Ketter, who had his pants burnt off his legs, was exceedingly fortunate to escape with hi-- life. Mrs. Ketter also managed to get out of the home uninjured. Up with the flames went their r.ow washing machine, new radio, chesterfield suite and every single thing they possessed. HELP With that co-operative spirit for which Willow River is known rot only at Christmas but at aJl other times, neighbors speedllj banded together to help the unfor-Lunate couple. They were housed for the time being and necessaries piven them. The Red Cross was i:i "drmed and Mrs. G. S. Wood in Prince George at once arranged for the purchase of bedding, clothing and other essentials for them. Meanwhile the Willow River Community has starred a New Year's Eve dance, the proceeds of which will be devoted entirely to rehabilitating the unfortunate couple, and many women there are knitting quilts for them. DESTITUTE A special Willow River correspondent writes: "Doug and Pat Ketter are left destitute of household and clothing necessities of any kind. "We in Willow River will do all Red Pass Hotel Burned Down Monday Red Pass Hotel was burned down on Monday, says a telegram received by Sub-Inspector George Clark of the Provincial Police. The adjoining tavern was badly damaged. No loss of life is reported. A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY A city doctor's ears burned at the week-end after an incident in Prince George Hospital. A strong-willed old patient decided to take his treatment into his own hands ond with Christmas in the offing, climbed out of bed, dressed and planned to depart forthwith. Matrons ond nurses pleaded with him in vain. The patient got to the door, phoned for a taxi and sot down to wait. A worried nurse telephoned tfie man's doctor, got no response, so telephoned the doctor's partner. The latter hurried to the hospital and spied a groyfng individual with suitcase in the entrance. Pleadingly the doctor informed the man that he was not really so well as he thought and the best thing he could do would be to climb right back into a hospital bed. The man looked a little shocked and explained that he was George Toombs, Fuller brush man, calling on the hospital in a professional copocity. Meanwhile, the obstreperous potient, feeh'ng slightly weak, had calmly gone back to bed without informing rxjrse or doctor. Ti Donald Gordon, chairman and Dres'dent-deaignate National Railways, arrived in Montreal on the Con- , i,mlte? "cenj'v to attend his first meeting of the CNR rLfireclols- Greeting h:m was a familiar character -SW Welcome �" ������ eomin* Pneumonia Outbreak Takes 21 To Hospital Not Yet An "Epidemic" But Warrants Attention, Says Medical Spokesman Twenty-one cases of pneumonia have been admitted to he Prince George Hospital during the past two weeks, a pokesman for city medical authorities revealed this week. Patterson, chief | ~ Doctor T. H. medical officer, Cariboo Health Unit, stated that the infection has not yet reached epidemic propor t'ions, but that it merits prompt attention by the general public to all minor respiratory infections. "The usual precautions for protection from colds are advisable and should a cold serin abnormally severe it is advisable j to call a doctor," he said. Some of the hospitalized i pneumonia cases have been diag-' nosed as virus pneumonia while Hospital Accountant New accountant for the Prince George and District Hospital will be S. S. Reid, hospital authorities revealed this week. Mr.. Reid, formerly of Vancouver, will assume his new duties on January 1, and succeeds Stan Dickson. who will enter the firm of Herbert J. Paisley, accountants. Mr. Reid arrived in Prince George last week and is now familiarizing himself with the hospital system. we can and any help that can bo Riven from Prince George will be greatly appreciated. "The Ketters have had tough coing so far and had just moved into their house and were getting nicely started up in their little home. All Willow River was saddened by their great loss." Doug Ketter had been out of (See BLAZE, Page Four) Lumbermen Beat Fort 21 � 1 The two busiest men in the arena last night when a renovated Lumbermen squad defeated Fort St, James with a margin of 20 coals, were Storekeeper Cyril 'Hipre arid Fort St. James Goalkeeper Ed. Murdock. Keith Corrigan, 185 pound former defrnceman with Ke|. OM-na Packers and now roach �ind defenremon for the Lumbermen, showed promise <>f Paving a valuable player to the 'oral team. Although needing much prac-ticP yet, and stiffer competition gainst which to show their met, "o. the Lumbermen gave promise of J)eing a powerful team. Seven new players were iced b.y the Prince George .squad and tho flashiest three of these were Dob-Cnmnoni and Corrigan others are lobar pneumonia. The health unit head said that � many cases of so-called flu, with j the general symptoms of muscular aches and pains, coupled with I intestinal disorders and general malaise have been seen by local physicians throughout the area. "It has also been reported that ninny children have contracted abnormally severe colds which might be accounted for by an in-fluenzal infection super-imposed upon the cold." Dr. Patterson re-ven led. He added that some of these children have been admitted to hospital- in order to clear up the infection. "Outbreaks of influenza are usually associated with extreme weather changes." he said. In addition to pneumonia and influenza, Dr. Patterson reported that two cases of encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) have been reported in the district following attacks of whooping cough. He emphasized the importance iif having patients with whooping cough under the care of a physician so that signs of encephalitis can be treated early. Drunken Drivers To Get No Sympathy MOUNTING TOLL OF MINOR ACCIDENTS PROMPTS POLICE CHIEF WARNING Drunken drivers will find two highly unsympathetic ears on either side of Sgt. Norman O. DeWitt's head on New Year's Eve if they get caught, but a kinder eye will look upon the man who fails, to put his hand out when turning or parks more than a foot from a curb. Planing Mills Start Salvaging Lumber Waters Drop Four Feet To Reveal Heavy Damage � 100 Are Jobless Floodwaters of the Nechako River which last week put men THE WEATHER Cloudy with snow flurries today. Clear and very cold tonight ,-M)rl tomorrow. Winds Light. Low tonight -30F, high tomorrow -10F. Minimum temperature for the week: was yesterday with -33.4F, highest temperature was recorded on Christmas day with 2.ri.(5F. He said that the Prince George police detachment will not fol-jow the precedent set by Calgary anil Edmonton police who offer to drive intoxicated persons home free of charge, but he strongly urges that drunks get themselves a sober chauffeur. His statement came following revelation by police that more than $1500 worth of damage was caused in ten reported accidents during the past week. He said that the rash of fender bumping was partially due to weather and road conditions and implied that "other" conditions might also be responsible. As accident reports poured into his office, many of them incomplete, or needing further attention, he was unable to state whether IN JAIL, IN LUCK four planer mills out of commission, threw more than 100 out of work and threatened to seriously affect the economy of this district, have.receded four feet. The mills concerned now have hopes that they will be able to resume operations shortly. _ Although office workers of the Open 'Spiel Starts On January 4 About 40 rinks are expected to enter tho Prince! George Curling Clubs open novelty bonspiel which will commence January 4 in the new curling rink below the Civic Going to jail this Christmas was a rather pleasant occur-|nt 6.30. rence for four revellers who were booked in, sobered up, given Christmas fare, and told to go their way. Although the menu did not include roast turkey, it did include a fine roast of beef, gravy, three vegetables, fruit, an assortment of nuts, Christmas cake, cigarettes and cigars. Centre. All curlers, .both club members ;md non-members, are invited to enter the competition, entries for which close at 5 p.m. January 3. Entry fee is $1 per person. AN entries should be given to Mel Strickland, club secretary, at 1025 Fifth Avenue. Draws will start each evening charges would be laid in any of the 10 accidents. His warning to the public is: drive slowly, drive carefully, and drive soberlv. NEW TEACHER A new teacher, Charles A. Patterson, arrived in Prince George last week to fill a teaching vacancy caused by the resignation of music and, English teacher Merlin Runt two weeks ago. Music teaching duties have been assumed by Kenneth Weir, while Grade Eight and Nine English, and Grade Eight mathematics will be taught by Mr. Patterson. Mr. Patterson comes here from Vancouver. Prince George Planing^ Mills returned to work this week from emergency quarters up town, there are still two feet of water in the yard and huge blocks of ice have transformed the area into a frigid winter-wonderland. KVDIGXATIOV Officials of one flooded mill stated this week that no time would be wasted in making strong representations to government departments lor remedial action against a recurrance of the flood. "These floods have been occurring for many years but it is only since the last major flood that the area affected has bo-come the focal point for a major industry," one planer mill man said. "Corrective measures can, and (See FLOOD, Page Four> High Jinks Planned For New Year The hoots and bangs of hundreds of colorful horns and balloons will herald in' the New-Year in Prince George, when couples gather at one of the numerous club-sponsored dances on Saturday night to celebrate their first glimpses of 1950. One of the biggest events of the season will be the Legion dance at the C.C.F. Hall which, it is expected, will surpass its last year's attendance record of 538 people. Colorful streamers and other de- corations will give the hall a festive appearance. The Legion Orchestra will supply music for tho occasion. A turkey dinner will precede the Elks' dance, which is expected to draw about 100 couples. The Rhythm Orchestra, newly arrived from Vancouver, will be featured at the dance. Summit Lake Lodge will be the scene of yet another New Year's Eve frolic. Turkey supper will be cater to about 100 couples. Gaugh's Orchestra will provide the dance music. Another 100 couples are expected to gather at the Prince George Motel where a cabaret dinner and dance will be enjoyed by members of the Kinsmen Club. At the Basketball Association's New Year frolic, recorded music-will be transmitted to the armory hall from another part of the building. About 60. couples are ex- served at the dance, which will pected to attend. $100 Dream Vanishes � In Steam Fred Munson of the CNR would be more than $10O richer today if he did not prefer his oysters boiled. A month ago, while eating a 55 cent package of oysters, he discovered a pearl of great size and lustre. The pearl was pronounced by local jewellers to be possibly of considerable value and Mr. Munson sent it to Vancouver for appraisal. He has now received a reply saying that it is a fine pearl but owing to the fact that it had been boiled, it Is valueless. Otherwise, the experts said, the pearl would-have been worth more than $100. Mr. Munson is now inclined to agree with the judgment of epicures that the true flavor of an oyster Is appreciated only when eaterv raw.