'I thought there was gold and a skull': What a Sask town found in a century-old time capsule
Items from Kerrobert's time capsule.
In the town of Kerrobert Sask., with a population of just under 1000 people, a community came out for an event a century in the making.
Two months ago, when contractors were restoring the front steps to the Kerrobert courthouse - a cornerstone of the community, a little piece of history was found. Something believed to have existed by many community members that had never been found.
“When we did our 100th birthday (in 2020), we had a rumour that we should look for a time capsule,” said the Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration Society's Jackie McNichol.
“Of course we had no success.”
The capsule was located in a cornerstone of the building.
It was built in 1920 and used as provincial court until 1996. According to the Kerrobert Museum Facebook page “the Kerrobert Courthouse held many different court cases, but one, in particular, was a murder trial in 1931, which was defended by John. G. Diefenbaker, a future prime minister of Canada."
“It’s in the middle of our town, it’s the heart of our community,” she said.
The site is commonly used for graduation and wedding photos.
Kerrobert Courthouse is a popular background for graduation and wedding photos. (Tara Neumeier)“When they (contractors) got to the cornerstone they noticed that there was a copper boxinside and with all the excitement we really wanted to open it then and there but then we thought 'Nope this was a provincial building back then. This is something that should be enjoyed by as many people as possible,'” Mock said.
Mock opened the box in front of the jam-packed courthouse crowd, drawing oohs and ahhs from many. Inside the cornerstone were several artifacts were confirmed by the Restoration Society:
- A program from the Wednesday July 21st 1920 Kerrobert bar association banquet
- A stack of newspapers by the now non-existent Kerrobert Citizen
- Potentially a book
- Another item yet to be determined
Items from Kerrobert's time capsule.
Items from Kerrobert's time capsule. Items a little different than some of the town’s kids were expecting.
“What I thought was there was lots of money in there,” said nine-year-old Jett Shepherd.
“I thought there was gold and a skull,” said twelve-year-old Austyn Zerr.
Regardless of what the box contained, there was plenty of excitement for the community and a reminder of what so many love about the old courthouse
“Everybody loves this building, it’s so beautiful and there is a feeling in here that’s very friendly, very cozy,” said long-time Kerrobert resident Bonnah Busch.
In 2020 when it celebrated the building’s centennial, it was rebranded as the Kerrobert Cultural Centre. It features the Kerropert and District Historical Museum, the Kerrobert Courtroom Art Gallery, the Wheatland Regional Library, the Kerrobert Chamber of Commerce, the town's office, counselling services and even one lawyer has an office there.
The Kerrobert Courthouse Restoration Society will contact curators in the province to get advice on properly handling the artifacts. Afterwards, they will be displayed for the public to see at the courthouse. The cornerstone will be put back into its original place — possibly with new secrets for another generation to discover.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Freedom Convoy-affiliated group being evicted from Ottawa church
The owner of a historic church in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood is evicting a group with ties to the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation planning to purchase the property this fall, in an apparent dispute over unpaid rent for the facility.
Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against a prominent Quebec cardinal, Pope Francis declared Thursday. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, an adviser to the Pope, has been accused of sexual misconduct in a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this week in Quebec Superior Court.
Apple warns of security flaw for iPhones, iPads and Macs
Apple disclosed serious security vulnerabilities for iPhones, iPads and Macs that could potentially allow attackers to take complete control of these devices.
Survival 'the only concern' as Canadian tenants struggle to pay rent
As rent prices rise, CTVNews.ca heard from a number of Canadians struggling to afford their homes. The surge in rent prices over the last few months has forced many to cut back on spending, with some having to relocate or move in with their parents.
Wolf found dead, another still missing after apparent break-in at Vancouver zoo
One of the wolves that were released during an apparent break-in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo this week has been found dead, and another remains on the loose.
What you can do to help mitigate shortages of fever and pain relievers
Pharmacists and health care professionals are asking the public to only buy what they need and to be up to date on all their essential immunization shots to help with Tylenol, Advil shortages.
Ontario ICU closed for a month has no date set to reopen
A month after an Ontario intensive care unit temporarily closed due to a “significant staff shortage,” the hospital has no timeline for when the ICU will re-open its doors.
Nova Scotia mother with ALS uses eye-tracking technology to write her life story
Angela Parker-Brown may be unable to speak but that hasn't stopped her from using her voice. The mother from Truro, N.S., who is unable to speak due to ALS, recently published a memoir using technology that tracks her eye movements to form words and sentences.
Long COVID risk extends two years after infection. Here's how to assess your risk
A new study has found an increased risk of certain long COVID-19 symptoms up to two years after an original infection.
Regina
-
Sask. on track for record-breaking drug overdose deaths in 2022
Saskatchewan drug overdose deaths are on the rise again this year.
-
Riders' Plaza of Honour inductees arrive for Friday's special halftime ceremony
Weston Dressler, Mike McCullough, and Ken Miller will be inducted into the 2022 Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Plaza of Honour during a halftime ceremony at the Aug. 19 home game.
-
'It’s life changing': Farm safety top of mind during harvest
Agriculture is one of Saskatchewan’s largest and most dangerous industries. One Saskatchewan farmer saw the hazards of the industry in 2003, when he lost part of his arm to a piece of farm machinery.
Winnipeg
-
Manitoba to welcome influx of Afghan refugees
Manitoba is getting ready to welcome an influx of Afghan refugees.
-
What Manitoba's minimum wage will be increasing to this fall
Manitoba's minimum wage is going up this fall. This increase will leave Manitoba with the second-lowest minimum wage in the country, according to the Retail Council of Canada – followed by Saskatchewan's expected increase to $13 per hour.
-
'We'll have more coming': Premier considers rebate cheques to help with inflation
Manitobans could be receiving more rebate cheques from the provincial government to help deal with rising inflation costs.
Calgary
-
Suspect sought after deadly early morning shooting in Evergreen
Calgary police are investigating a shooting in the community of Evergreen that left one person dead and another fighting for their life.
-
3 store employees hurt after truck crashes into Calgary Co-op
Roads are closed around the midtown Co-op after a stolen transport truck crashed into the west side of the store Thursday afternoon, injuring three people.
-
'Delay and mistrust': Errors made in internal investigation of Sean Chu
The Calgary Police Commission admits errors were made during the internal handling of allegations of sexual assault made against Calgary councillor Sean Chu when he was a police officer.
Edmonton
-
'Not sustainable': Edmonton Public worries school staff hiring being funded by reserves, not provincial support
While the province is promising schools will be staffed with hundreds of more teachers and support staff this upcoming school year, the Alberta Teachers' Association and school boards believe that commitment falls short.
-
'I don't feel safe': Edmonton SafeWalk program hopes to expand to other parts of the city
A northeast Edmonton program helping women feel more secure while walking hopes to expand to other neighbourhoods in the city.
-
Serious crash causes traffic delays on Highway 2 in northern Alberta
Emergency crews are currently on scene at a serious crash on Highway 2 near Range Road 60 and Range Road 60 just north of Sexsmith, Alta.
Toronto
-
This is where home prices are holding steady or still going up in Ontario
House prices in sought-after areas in Ontario continue to hold steady and even increase, according to a new report.
-
Ontario releases plan to stabilize health-care system amid bed and staffing shortages
The next phase of Ontario's 'Plan to Stay Open' involves transferring of seniors from hospital to alternative long-term care homes, the hiring of thousands of health-care workers and a pledge to reduce surgical backlog.
-
Boy, 2, dead after being struck by vehicle in Mimico
A two-year-old boy has died after being struck by the driver of a vehicle in Mimico.
Ottawa
-
Freedom Convoy-affiliated group being evicted from Ottawa church
The owner of a historic church in Ottawa's Lowertown neighbourhood is evicting a group with ties to the 'Freedom Convoy' occupation planning to purchase the property this fall, in an apparent dispute over unpaid rent for the facility.
-
Canada Post halts mail delivery in rural Ottawa because mailboxes are too short
Canada Post says it will no longer deliver mail to homes on Constance Lake Road near Dunrobin because the mailboxes are too short.
-
Ottawa asks for funding for 42 new paramedics to address hospital offload delays
Mayor Jim Watson has sent a letter to Premier Doug Ford and Health Minister Sylvia Jones requesting funding for new paramedics, and asking Ontario to recognize offload delays in hospital emergency departments as a "public safety risk."
Vancouver
-
Wolf found dead, another still missing after apparent break-in at Vancouver zoo
One of the wolves that were released during an apparent break-in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo this week has been found dead, and another remains on the loose.
-
What to expect when the Fair at the PNE returns this weekend
The long-awaited Fair at the PNE is opening Saturday after being scaled down during the pandemic. Here's what to expect.
-
Suspects used saws to cut open ATM at B.C. gas station, RCMP say
Mounties in Mission, B.C., are asking the public for help identifying three people who used "chop saws" to cut open an ATM at a gas station early Thursday morning.
Montreal
-
This Afghan student escaped the Taliban regime to study in Montreal
Last year, Arzou Lashkari was ready to fly to Canada and start a new chapter of life at Concordia University. But her dream was crushed when the Taliban took control of her country, forcing her to stay home.
-
Vatican shelves sexual assault probe into Cardinal Marc Ouellet
There is not enough evidence to open a formal church investigation into sexual assault allegations against a prominent Quebec cardinal, Pope Francis declared Thursday. Cardinal Marc Ouellet, an adviser to the Pope, has been accused of sexual misconduct in a class-action lawsuit filed earlier this week in Quebec Superior Court.
-
2 dead in Laurentians in presumed domestic violence, children in youth protection
A case of alleged domestic violence has left two people dead and one injured late Wednesday night in a residential town in the Laurentians. Police discovered the body of a woman in her 30s, and 42-year-old man in a car in critical condition, who later died
Vancouver Island
-
'They're going to end up dead like my brother is': Victoria man's death blamed on toxic drug additive
Chris Schwede was found dead Thursday morning in his tent on Victoria's Pandora Avenue. Inside his tent was a blue-tinted form of crack cocaine that first appeared in the city on Wednesday, according to local outreach services.
-
'Major milestone': Harbour Air completes another electric seaplane test flight
B.C. company Harbour Air says it has completed its first point-to-point test flight with its electric seaplane, nicknamed the "e-Beaver."
-
Cliff jumper suffers serious injuries in plunge at Comox Lake
A 20-year-old man was airlifted to hospital Tuesday after he suffered serious injuries while cliff jumping at Comox Lake, near Cumberland, B.C. Firefighters and paramedics were called to a spot known as Devil's Ladder, a 30-metre rock face that has long attracted adventure-seekers.
Atlantic
-
Saint John police continue to seek answers in homicide investigation
Police say three unidentified masked men with dark clothing forced their way into an apartment where 39-year-old Justin David Breau was stabbed. The suspects ran away towards Garden Street before police arrived.
-
Nova Scotia mother with ALS uses eye-tracking technology to write her life story
Angela Parker-Brown may be unable to speak but that hasn't stopped her from using her voice. The mother from Truro, N.S., who is unable to speak due to ALS, recently published a memoir using technology that tracks her eye movements to form words and sentences.
-
City stepping up security at Halifax Public Gardens after dozens of trees damaged
The historic Public Gardens in Halifax will soon have some new features never seen before in its more than 150-year history – extra security.
Northern Ontario
-
Ramsey Lake residents concerned by nearby encampment
Many homeless encampments are springing up around Sudbury.
-
North Bay armed robbery suspect arrested
A 26-year-old from London, Ont., accused of armed robbery involving a firearm in North Bay on July 26 has been arrested in southern Ontario, police say.
-
Sault grandmother upset with Ontario's new autism program
Sault resident says more funding is necessary for the province's autism program, as well as a switch to a needs-based approach.
London
-
Two people, one horse injured following Elgin County crash
OPP in Elgin County are on scene of a crash involving an electric bike and a pickup truck hauling a livestock trailer. According to police, two people and one horse were injured in the crash that happened just after 7 a.m. at a Lyons Line, Malahide Township address.
-
Family and friends remember hit-and-run victim
Kevin Walsh was a larger than life personality that lived life to the fullest, his friends say. But, that life came to an abrupt end on July 19 when Walsh, his wife, and their two friends were struck by a passing motorist on a quiet street in Eugenia, Ont.
-
Why London police may no longer be responding to noise complaints
A joint pilot project between city hall and London police will see municipal by-law officers respond to most noise complaints. During the final quarter of 2022, an eight-member team of municipal noise and parking enforcement officers will respond to noise complaints 24/7.