On July 12, 1912 it was decided in the Farewell (also spelled Fairwell) District to organize a rural telephone company that would provide service to the area residents. It was set up with a capital stock of $1200.00 and had 8 ½ miles of line. There were 10 subscribers each holding 5 shares of stock at $25.00 per share. First subscribers were Wellington Barry, James Barry, H.S. Rowan, Thomas Barry, H.D. Simpson, J.W. Astleford, Mrs. Joseph Astleford, E. Rathwell, N.H. Hatchard, H.E. Gallaugher. In 1919 four other subscribers each purchased 10 shares.
In 1921 the Farewell Rural Telephone Company along with three other rural telephone companies merged with Tuxford under the new “Land Tax System.”

The 210th Battalion was authorized in March 1916 in Moose Jaw when Major W.E. Seaborn of the 128th Battalion was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and requested to recruit the 210th Battalion. Recruiting was very popular with the young men of Moose Jaw and district. The new battalion grew very quickly to 521 members. The recruits were accommodated in the Douglas Block on Main St. for summer training of drill and military discipline the battalion moved to Camp Hughes. Owing to the lack of transport, the battalion did not proceed overseas from the camp, but returned to the Douglas Barracks where they underwent further training. On April 12, 1917 the battalion left Halifax on the S.S. Carpathia. A smaller contingent left a week later on the S.S. Northland. The S.S. Carpathia docked at Liverpool on April 22, 1917. The battalion immediately left for Camp Bramshott where they remained as a unit for two weeks. The war situation demanded that the battalion was to be used to provide reinforcements for the hard hit battalions in France. The majority were absorbed into the 46th Battalion and the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles. Some officers went to the Royal Flying Corps. Casualties of the 210th Battalion serving with the 46th Battalion were 52 killed, 127 wounded, 3 taken prisoner of war. Casualties of those serving in the other units is not available. The 210th Battalion was disbanded and removed from army records.

The Kinette organization was formed in Canada in the late 1930's. It was meant to assist the Kinsmen in their work, and to carry on additional service projects which would not conflict with those of the Kinsmen. In 1942 the official name "Kinette Club" came into being at the national convention in Vancouver. There were 52 clubs in Canada. The first Kinette Club in District 3 (Saskatchewan) was formed in Saskatoon in September 1940. In the 1990's there were 80 Kinette clubs in Saskatchewan with a membership of over one thousand.
The Moose Jaw Kinette Club was chartered in February 1945 with 12 members at a meeting at the Grant Hall Inn. Mrs. A. Patterson was elected chairman of the nominating committee along with Mrs. N. Hodge, Mrs. John Oie, Mrs. P. Douglas and Mrs. J. Ingram. The first executive consisted of Mrs.George Maley, president; Mrs. Frank Kindred, vice president; Mrs. Glen Davis, secretary; Mrs. S.G. Stinson, treasurer; and Mrs. N. Hodge, press secretary. The main objectives of the Kinettes are to be an auxiliary to the Kinsmen Club, to carry out community projects with Kinsmen approval, to assist the Kinsmen with their projects and to promote fellowship among the wives of Kinsmen. Until 1988 women could only become Kinettes if their husbands were Kinsmen. With the change in this rule, enrolment increased. In 1988 a vote was also taken to create a "parallel partnership" which gives the Kinettes the status of being associates with the Kinsmen, rather than an auxiliary group. The community service projects and fund raising efforts of the Moose Jaw Kinette Club have been extensive and successful. Among them include donations for furnishings and equipment for Moose Jaw hospitals, Meals on Wheels, sponsoring the Moose Jaw Kinette Figure Skating Club, "Buckle up Baby" infant car seat rental, assisting Kinsmen in the annual Moose Jaw Kinsmen Band Festival, Telemiracle, hampers for the needy, scholarships to students, and donations to many other charities and projects.

The Sisters of Providence of St. Vincent de Paul arrived in Moose Jaw on November 13, 1912. The John F. Lindsay Home on the corner of Fourth Avenue and Ominica Street West(405 Ominica Street West) was purchased and opened as a thirty bed hospital on November 21, 1912. The first surgery was performed on November 28, 1912, and the first baby born was January 16, 1913.

Soon the hospital became congested. Land was purchased in 1915 for a new hospital. In 1916 construction began on a new building on Lillooet Street. Contractors were Cowlin and Sons of Toronto.

Architect was R.G. Bunyard of Moose Jaw. The new fifty bed Providence Hospital, 201 Lillooet Street East was officially opened and blessed on September 19, 1917 by Archbishop O. E. Mathieu of Regina.

The School of Nursing was opened in 1917 for fourteen students. The Director was Sister Mary Rapheal. The first graduation class in 1920 had 3 graduates. The last nursing class graduated in 1970.

The first Providence Hospital Auxiliary was formed in March 1913 with Mrs. W.W. Irwin as president. It disbanded in 1918 and reorganized again in 1950 with Mrs. H.C. Taylor as chairman.

The Auxiliary functioned to the close of the Hospital.

With the City of Moose Jaw growing rapidly, construction soon began on a new “East Wing”. Contractors were Bird & Woodel. Sixty-four beds were added and part of the new addition housed the School of Nursing and accommodation for the Sisters and nurses. The East Wing was officially opened by Governor General Lord Willingdon in May 1928.

In 1946 a nurses’ residence was constructed from administration buildings used by the Air Force training at Caron, Sask., during World War II.

The medical laboratory was constructed in 1950 under the direction of the first pathologist Dr. G. Kent. Training for medical laboratory technologists was opened in 1952 under the leadership of Sister Mary Cornelia. A two year program for radiology technician training started under the direction of Sister Mary Rosaire.

In 1960 construction began on the Jubilee (West) Wing. It was officially opened in 1962. Contractor was P.W. Graham & Sons of Moose Jaw. Facilities were improved in x-ray, physiotherapy, emergency and central supply, dietary, and medical records. The Jubilee Wing housed a new operating room suite with a recovery room and a new and expanded obstetrical suite.

In November 1967 pediatrics was centralized at the Union Hospital and obstetrics at the Providence Hospital. This facilitated better utilization of space and avoided duplication of services and costs.

In 1968 a sixteen bed self care unit was opened on the third floor of the East Wing. An intensive care unit of four beds was opened in 1969. Due to lack of Government funding this unit closed in 1975.

In 1973 work began on a forty-two bed long term care unit (level IV facility), completely renovating the second and third floors of the East Wing. The unit officially opened in 1974. In 1976 it was named the “Raphael Wing” in honour of Sister Mary Raphael.

The Day Hospital was established in 1979. It was a medically oriented program that enabled the elderly to maintain and/or enhance their independence, enabling them to live longer in their own homes.

On September 21, 1981 a Pastoral Care Department was opened under the direction of Sister Patricia Kelly.

A volunteer program was formed in 1987, directed by Patricia Boughen.

The Providence Hospital closed in 1995 when acute medical services were centralized at Moose Jaw Union Hospital and Providence Place was opened, replacing St. Anthony’s Home in caring for the aged of Moose Jaw and Southern Saskatchewan. The duties of the Sisters shifted from administration and direct medical services to pastoral care. The Providence Hospital building was sold to a developer who let it deteriorate to a state of disrepair. The City of Moose Jaw had the building demolished in the fall of 2006.

In 1912 directors of the rural telephone companies met to discuss amalgamation with the Village of Tuxford for joint service. The Tuxford Rural Telephone Company was organized with J.B. Calver as secretary-treasurer and agent. Under the arrangement made the company carried on their business individually, continued to service their own lines, but shared the overall expenses of a central building and an operator. Elzer Sloan was awarded the tender to build a new telephone building.

In 1921 a motion was passed “that provided the government install a village system and the other rural companies organize under the new Land Tax system.” The four rural companies (Huron & Clinton, Farewell, Buffalo Lake and Maple Leaf) merged completely with Tuxford and their books were closed. N. H. Hatchard was shown as telephone agent in 1921. The telephone building was sold as the foundation was faulty. The vacated bank building was purchased and the Tuxford Rural Telephone Company continued from there.

In January 1950 the switchboard closed and Tuxford went on an automatic dialing system. On September 3, 1977 it became part of the Moose Jaw exchange system.

Tuxford was incorporated as a village on July 19, 1907. The SW quarter of Section 5 in Township 19, Range 26 was chosen as the best location for a townsite and railroad station. CPR officials named the town Tuxford, for George Stuart Tuxford whose untiring efforts with railway officials got the railroad routed through the Buffalo Lake wheat growing area. In 1905 an insurance and real estate office was set up on the townsite. Plans were under way for the construction of grain elevators and by fall 1905 the railroad was within a mile East of the townsite. The first overseer of the Village of Tuxford was D.E. MacIntyre. Secretary-treasurer of the Village Council from 1907-1912 was J.B. Calver.

The Women's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.) was founded on the national level in 1883. It was the first interdenominational woman's organization in Canada and in the world. The Moose Jaw Union of the W.C.T.U. was organized in 1889. The Union is renowned for its campaign against liquor, but it has always been a service organization, and was one of the major movements in working towards the franchise for women. The W.C.T.U. members are dedicated to the Christian principle of responsibility for the welfare of mankind, and the sacredness of human life. The motto is "For God and Home and Every Land." The pledge is one of total abstinence from alcohol, tobacco and narcotics, believing they contribute to the desecration of the home and the demoralization of the individual. Provincial conventions met annually, Canadian conventions met biennially, and World conventions triennially. The children and youth organizations are Little White Ribboners for children under 7 years of age, Loyal Temperance Legion for children 7 to 14 years of age, and the Youth Temperance Council for young people over 14 years. Women active in the Moose Jaw W.C.T.U. included Mrs. A.E. Peacock, Mrs. W. H. Beamish, Miss F.M. Johnstone, Mrs. E. Green, Mrs. A. Johnson, Mrs. H.F. Lanks, Mrs. A. Bricker, Mrs. C. Kjarsgaard, Mrs. Amy Lancaster, Mrs. Mildred Steele.

The Pla-Mors Hockey Club was organized by former junior hockey players who still loved the game and desired to play. The possibility of reviving the old Senior Hockey League was discussed. Sponsors considered it a bad risk. In 1959 the players decided to go ahead and organize, even if it meant costing them money personally the first year. Their purpose was to promote their own calibre of hockey and foster minor hockey. They were instrumental in re-organizing the Saskatchewan Senior League consisting of Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Regina and Saskatoon. The first coach of the Pla-Mors was Roy Belbin, captain George Hunchuk, manager Jim Chadwick and trainer Earl Gray. Executive for 1959-1960 were Jim Chadwick, president; Leo Heisler, vice-president; Ernie Webb, secretary-treasurer and executive members Clarence Waldo, Merv Hulse and Dr. Bill Mullen.

The original Women’s Auxiliary was formed in 1907 when the Duchess of York Chapter of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire disbanded and its members became the auxiliary to the Moose Jaw General Hospital, now known as the Women’s Auxiliary to the Moose Jaw Union Hospital. The Auxiliary is a member of the Provincial Hospital Association. The main objective of the Women’s Auxiliary is to improve and upkeep the hospital facilities and its staff. Funds are raised mainly through membership drives, teas, bake sales, bridge parties, fashion shows and displays

On Wednesday, March 14, 1956 representatives from interested organizations in Moose Jaw and district held a meeting in the Chamber of Commerce offices for the purpose of considering setting up a local safety council. Previous to this, the council of the Chamber of Commerce discussed and felt there was a need for a coordinating body to promote safety in Moose Jaw.

The convener of the meeting was Stanley A. Ward of the Chamber of Commerce. After discussion it was the consensus of opinion to establish a safety council in Moose Jaw. The Chamber of Commerce offered to supply secretarial services and the use of their offices.

A motion was moved by James E. Adams and seconded by Charles H. North that Moose Jaw Safety Council be organized. The motion was carried. James E. Adams moved and H. Waldman seconded that a steering committee be named to prepare a program of work, recommend the size of executive needed, to prepare a slate of nominations for the executive and to draft the general frame work of the council. The motion was carried. The steering committee consisted of Stan A. Ward, E.H. Stinson, P.J. Stewart, Charles H. North, H.R. Murray, F. Wells, Mrs. Julian S. Marquis, Miss Margaret MacDonald, D. Chapman and L.E. McWilliams.

The first general meeting of the Moose Jaw Safety Council was held on April 11, 1956. In June 1956 Stan Ward was elected chairman and George Friesen was elected recording secretary. The executive elected for 1957 were Stan Ward, chairman, F.J. Stewart, vice-chairman, and Paul Morris and J. Sureau, secretary (they were in Moose Jaw on alternate weeks).
The Moose Jaw Safety Council discussed matters pertaining to all types of home, community, and traffic safety. Recommendations aimed at promoting safer conditions were submitted to provincial or civic authorities. Support of the Safety Council was sought from persons and delegations concerned about unsafe conditions in their areas.

The Moose Jaw Safety Council provided assistance and publicity to nation-wide and local safety campaigns. They submitted press releases to the media during high peak accident times. They provided talks and lectures to local organizations, and distributed literature covering home, traffic, industrial, and holiday safety. Soon after their formation, a representative from the Moose Jaw Safety Council was requested to serve on the City Traffic Advisory Board.

The Saskatchewan Safety Council awarded Charter No. 2 to the Moose Jaw Safety Council on April 14, 1967.

The Women’s Division of the Moose Jaw Safety Council was established in 1961. They were granted a charter by the Saskatchewan Safety Council in 1967. (See MJ-94 Women’s Safety Council Moose Jaw fonds).

In 1977 only two members remained on the Moose Jaw Safety Council, Mrs. Chris Kjarsgaard, treasurer, and Charles V. Stokins, president. On Feb. 22, 1977 they requested that the Moose Jaw Safety Council bank account be closed.

Whimster’s Hardware was established in Moose Jaw in 1923 on 61 River St. W. by Murdo F. Whimster. Before coming to Moose Jaw, Mr. Whimster went into the hardware business in 1902 in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba. In 1906 he moved to Calgary. In 1916 he established a hardware business in High River, Alberta. After two years on River Street, in 1925 Mr. Whimster relocated his hardware store to 23 Main St. N. In 1937 he turned the business over to his son Donald J. Whimster and moved to California. In 1944 Donald J. sold the business to long time employee Austin T. Ellis, and Les Turner. Both Murdo and Donald finally settled in Lethbridge, Alberta.

The Moose Jaw Milk Producers Association was formed in 1924. Membership consisted of all farmers and dairy-men shipping milk to the creameries in Moose Jaw. The object was to promote better relations between the dairy-men and the creamery. Among those involved in the formation of the association were Benjamin Hopkins Thomson, R.H. Jones and Fred H. Jones.

The Association was financed by the creamery deducting one and one-half cents per one hundred weight of milk from each dairyman’s monthly cheque.

The Association promoted the Moose Jaw Herd Improvement Association and the Moose Jaw Boys and Girls Calf Club. They were also instrumental in promoting cow testing in order to improve the butter fat production in the herd.

In 1968 a new Moose Jaw Milk Producers Association was formed with new by-laws. President was George Fagan and secretary-treasurer was E.R. Champion.
Over the years, producers costs kept rising, but their returns kept falling, as profits were going to labour and distributors.

In 1972 Moose Jaw area milk producers decreased to 21 from 78 in 1960. The Moose Jaw Milk Producers Association disbanded in 1986. A bank account was open until 1992.

Beatrice “Bea” Lett was born January 13, 1923 to Truman and Clara Lett. The family moved from a farm near Strongfield, Saskatchewan to Moose Jaw in 1929. She worked as a secretary and a library stenographer at A. E. Peacock Technical School from 1942-1977 and then at the Public School Board Education Centre. Ms. Lett served the Moose Jaw school board for over 44 years. She currently lives in Moose Jaw.