MAY 21, 1914

From the HERALD archives back to 1883

Over a hundred oil brokers have already taken out licences. The oil fever from which Calgary is suffering at the present time is being reflected very markedly at the city hall, where little business is being transacted, owing to the fact that people seem incapable of thinking and talking about anything but oil shares, leases, and prospects. The general rush to invest savings in oil shares and stocks is reflected in the receipts of the electric light department, where the revenue has fallen off about half, and it has been found necessary to put on a number of extra collectors to bring receipts up to the normal. The receipts in the water-works department shows a similar falling off.

"We might as well shut down the city hall for all the business we are able to do," said Commissioner Graves this morning to a Herald representative. "Everybody seems to be immersed in oil and is thinking about nothing else."

Compiled by Norma Marr
From, Historic Turner Valley, Cradle of Westen Canada's Oil and Gas Industry, pg 112