Smyth Interviews Cranbrook Ed

from _The Cranbrook Courier_, September 23, 1926 (p1)

SMYTH INTERVIEWS CRANBROOK ED. - F.J. Smyth, of Moyie Leader Fame, Seeks
Exclusive Interview at Sandpoint, Idaho.
Sandpoint, Idaho, Sept. 20. - Fred J. Smyth, formerly editor of the
Moyie Leader, when that city was in a flourishing condition, and who was
famous for his red vests and neckties, similar to the brand worn by Mayor
Taylor of Vancouver, strolled over to the Spokane International station
last evening and interviewed "Charlie Ed" in his private car, en route to
California after spending his holidays in and around "Beautiful Cranbrook."
The elephant was munching hay, and between copious mouthfuls his every
gesture seemed to imply that he had been right royally treated. "As near
as I can read the mind of an elephant, his message to me was this," writes
Mr. Smyth; "If California has anything on Cranbrook it sure has got to go
some."
"But why did you select Cranbrook as a place for deserting the "big
top"? I asked.
"Well, you see, it was just this way; coming west, all we heard was
Cranbrook, and the 'banana belt,' and we couldn't resist the temptation to
take a look for ourselves. Yes, we found the bananas, but the jungles
around Cranbrook sure have those of the Euphrates or the Punjab beaten a
city block.:"
"But your escapade has cost the Sells-Floto circus a lot of money," I
ventured.
"It certainly has that," he shot back, as he flapped his ear and
drove away a pestering fly. "Why this trip alone runs into many thousands
of dollars, and would you believe it, with all the extra room in this car,
the C.P.R. agent at Cranbrook had the nerve to charge excess baggage on my
trunk. Then at Eastport, the customs officer gave me a thorough going over
- he was looking for ivory, I suspect."
"So they caught you near Moyie," the reporter queried. "I operated a
paper there at one time." "Yes, I heard all about it in my travels around
Moyie. I also heard a lot of other things about you, which are a credit to
you, your tie and vest, and the inhabitants of Moyie."