Dipping into the past…

October 16, 2013 · 0 Comments

150 YEARS AGO

Thursday, October 15, 1863

• rom The Sun, Orangeville:

The Canada Gazette of last week contains the appointment of Joseph Carbert, Esq. M.D. of this village to the office of Associate Coroner for York & Peel This is doubtless the price of his recreancy to Conservatism at the last election for Wellington – and though the consideration is assuredly small, yet we cannot say that his support is cheap.

We are happy to announce for the benefit of our younger readers of both sexes that Mr. Guy Leslie of this place has received the appointment of Issuer of marriage licenses for the Counties of Wellington, Simcoe and Peel. Under his agreeable ministrations in his new capacity many who might otherwise have lived to die “old bachelors” or sigh “old maids” will soon enjoy the tranquil felicities of matrimony.

INCORPORATION OF ORANGEVILLE – Though the desire for incorporation is very general, the feeling obtains with many of our villagers that it would increase taxation. This idea has its origins in the popular error that no distinction is observed by the assessor is assessing township and village property. Than this there could be no greater mistakes. In the village the rate is the $ levied upon the actual yearly rental or six per cent of the actual value; while in the township the assessment is on the real value of property, either real or personal. From this it will be readily seen that a rate of four cents to the dollar in incorporated villages is an exact equivalent to two mills and two-fifths of mill in the dollar in a township, so that what may appear a high rate in a village is actually low as compared with what appears a low rate in the township. – Guy Leslie, Orangeville

One of Nelson’s veterans, named James Dixon, now 93 years of age, was arrested lately by the Toronto police, and placed in the shambles for being a little tipsy. He is native of Fermanagh, Ireland, and says he is one of 10 brothers. The venerable hero usually resides in Biddulph, Middlesex; and is a hale, hearty man for his age.

NOTICE – Whereas Bernard Sweeny of Lot No. 5, Centre Road, Caledon, deceased, was conveyed on Saturday evening, the 18th of September last from Sligo Tavern to his residence, by some person or persons unknown; it is necessary to the furthering of the ends of justice that the party who conveyed Sweeny as above, do give his or their names and residences to the Editor this paper, as quick as possible. Signed J.K. Riddall, Coroner U.C. Y & P., October 5th, 1863.

125 YEARS AGO

Thursday, October 18, 1888

• rites the Melancthon Station correspondent in the Shelburne Free Press:

We feel like congratulating the Shelburne papers on account of their numerous and intelligent correspondents at this place. We have “Justice,” “Big Bear,” “Fair Play,” and “Tar,” that excellent mathematician. They are all noted for their logic and intelligence, but they are only fit for a junior class when compared with Mr. “Common Sense,” he being of a philosophical turn of mind, and also a self-educated man. He surpasses all the rest. In politics he is a Conservative, and when it comes down to legal matters, it requires a well-read lawyer to enter into his theories. Having finished his study in the sciences, he has now taken up journalism. We must say he is a “hustler.”

• he Methodist Church at Whitfield has organized a full choir under the leadership of their pastor, Rev. J. Goodman. This gentleman possesses a rare gift for music besides being a very impressive speaker, and has won the hearts of all his congregation. May success crown all his efforts.

• orning’s Mills: The celebration of the Annual Harvest Home Festival, under the auspices of the Methodist Church on Wednesday was a decided success. Notwithstanding the dark night and the muddy roads, the church was filled and a spirit of pure enjoyment and thankful gaiety seemed to prevail. The speech of the evening was made by Rev. George Abbs, of Shelburne. The reverend gentleman is nothing if not patriotic, and his able, brilliant oration wound up with a patriotic appeal that fairly took our breath away, while it caused our spirits to glow and our hearts to burn within us. The choir, under the able leadership of Mr. Weeks, fairly distinguished themselves and added much to the evening’s enjoyment. The festival was followed by a social on Friday evening to dispose of the surplus provisions. This social was largely patronized by the children and young people who, under the leadership of the pastor, distinguished themselves. The total proceeds amounted to over $60.

100 YEARS AGO

Thursday, October 16, 1913

• onday will be a military day in Orangeville, for on that day the 36th Regt., probably assisted by Orangeville cadets, will hold manoeuvres there, winding up with a review and march-past. The different companies will reach Orangeville by the morning trains and the proceedings will be over in good time for the men to catch the evening trains for home. While in Orangeville the regiment will be quartered at the Exhibition grounds. A number of the officers of the regiment were in Orangeville a few days ago making preparations for the affair. The headquarters staff at Toronto will provide the umpires. G Company under Major Gabriel and the Regimental Band will leave Shelburne on the 8:33 train Monday morning, returning on the 8:08.

• ast Friday, Judge Fisher sentenced Harry Brown, the 18 year-old Barnardo boy who confessed to the firing of the home of Hilliard Anderson, ex-Reeve of Mono, in July last, to 19 months imprisonment in the Reformatory for Ontario. Mr. Anderson’s fine home and contents were totally destroyed entailing a loss of some $1500. his is the new County Court Judge’s first criminal case.

• here are now five rural mail routes starting from the Orangeville Post Office, as follows:

No. 1 — Orangeville to Glen Cross by Hockley Road, then north to Mono Centre, south to 15 Sideroad, west to Hurontario Street and south to the starting point, Thomas Harshaw carrier.

No. 2 — west along Broadway at the Gravel Road to the 18th Line East Garafraxa, south to Erin Town Line, north on the 19th Line and south again on A Line to the Town Line and then east to Orangeville, J. E. Langford carrier.

No. 3 — west to Second Line, Amaranth, north on 2nd Line to 25 Side Road, east one concession and then back to Orangeville along Mono-Amaranth Town Line, W. H. White carrier.

No. 4 — north on Prince of Wales Road to 25 Side Road, then west and south again on 2nd Line West, commonly known as Blind Line, John A. Bruce carrier.

• o. 5 — east to Mono Mills, north on 6th Line to 5 Side Road, south again on 5th Line, north on 4th Line, west on 5 Side Road, and south on 2nd Line to Town Line and back to Orangeville, William Robbins carrier.

• helburne’s new town bell is here at last, installed in the bell tower, and Constable Whitehead is again “official time giver” for the Town. The new bell does not seem to have as pleasing a tone as the old bell had before it gave way to the infirmities of old age.

75 YEARS AGO

Thursday, October 13, 1938

• ince we go to press Wednesday morning we cannot tell anything about the Shelburne Rotary Club’s Shoot and Frolic opening, but by the hundreds of men, young men and ladies attending the practices on Saturday night and Monday afternoon and evening, the interest is so great that literally thousands are expected to the present during the three nights of competition and funfest Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

• he second fatality in Orangeville in the space of a little more than two months shocked residents Monday evening, when Charles Adams, 68, was struck and instantly killed on East Broadway by a westbound tractor trailer.

50 YEARS AGO

Wednesday, October 16, 1963

• councillor for the past several years, Philip Franchetto is Shelburne’s new Reeve for the balance of 1963. He was appointed at the Council meeting last week when Reeve Claude Dufferin resigned to take the position of Town Foreman, filling the vacancy left by the resignation of Ernie Rusk, who has retired.

• rom October 16 to November 30, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, hunting for pheasants will be permitted in Earl Rowe Park, just west of Alliston. Only shotguns and shot no heavier than No. 2 may be used.

10 YEARS AGO

Friday, October 17, 2003

• he new Dufferin County Ambulance Station, at 325 Blind Line in Orangeville, was officially opened last Friday. The new building is much more user-friendly than its predecessor, as the paramedics no longer have to climb a set of stairs to reach the level where the ambulances are located.

• evelopment, as well as water quality, quantity and preservation were the focus at a Mono all-candidates meeting held Tuesday evening at the Mono Community Centre.

• rangeville Police are investigating multiple theft and fraud instances in the town since mid-August. Police say the suspects are entering local grocery stores and stealing wallets and purses of female shoppers, then attending other businesses and making large purchases with credit cards from the stolen wallet.

• he eighth annual Headwaters Arts Festival wrapped up on October 13, ending an 18-day splash of colour and sound that showcased the best of Dufferin County’s artistic community.

• ono Council introduced and accepted in principle a groundwater resources draft official plan at its meeting Tuesday. The document was prepared by Wendy Nott, of Walker Nott Dragicevic Associates Ltd. and stems from a groundwater workshop held in May.