Dipping into the past…

August 27, 2014 · 0 Comments

150 YEARS AGO
Thursday, August 25, 1864
• rom The Sun, Orangeville, compliments of Dufferin County Museum and Archives:
THE TRAMWAY COMMITTEE — We are requested to state that this Committee will meet at Van Wyck’s hotel, Orangeville, on Saturday, September 4, at 7 o’clock, for the purpose of taking steps to secure an early survey of the Orangeville Tramway, and for the transaction of other business.
A FLAX MILL FOR ORANGEVILLE — We have recently heard of our townspeople suggesting the propriety of having a public meeting of the inhabitants called with a view to devising the best mode of creating a first-class flax mill in Orangeville. This is an excellent idea, and anything tending to promote so desirable an object, we are not from whom it emanates, shall receive our hearty support.
We believe that if a public meeting were called, there would be no difficulty in providing the ways and means for the erection of an extensive flax mill. A joint stock company might be formed with a capital of two or three thousand dollars, which might be raised in shares of $5 or $10 each, and as these shares would be within the means of every farmer in the country, we have no doubt that they would be readily bought up, and the work proceeded with early next spring. Meanwhile it would become known to the farmers of the adjoining municipalities that a flax mill would be erected here in time for next year’s crop, and all that would be required to induce them to cultivate flax would be to loan them the seed. Of the great benefits that would most assuredly result to this village and the surrounding country from the erection and working of a flax mill, it is almost unnecessary for us to speak. That it would prove remunerative to the stock holders, as well as secure to this section a large amount of trade by introducing a new branch of industry, we have every reason to believe; while it would enable our farmers to cultivate flax in large and paying quantities, in reference to the more uncertain and less remunerative crop of cereals, on which they are now entirely depending. The soil of this district is admirably well suited for flax raising, its people thoroughly acquainted with the culture of the textile plant; and a mill capable of scotching a tithe of the flax that might be annually raised, would prove of inestimable advantage both in town and country.
INCREASES — The returns of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, for the past year, shows a membership of 40,000, being an increase of 2,000 over the previous year.
THE AMERICAN WAR — There is no news of importance from the seat of war in the States this week. The siege of Charleston, Petersburg and Atlanta still languishes, time only showing the futility of the attempts of the Federals to reduce these great strongholds. By a movement of a portion of Grant’s forces, the Federals have got possession of the Weldon railroad south of Petersburg and hold a position somewhat embarrassing to the Confederates.

125 YEARS AGO
Thursday, August 29, 1889
• he peaceful village of Relessey was the scene of great excitement on Saturday last, when it became known that James Anderson had taken his own life in a fit of despondency caused by ill health. The deceased had been ill for about a month. He was up to that time a strong, muscular looking man and only 28 years of age. He was unmarried and was in good circumstances. He lived with his father and aunt on Lot 17, Con. 5, E. H. S., Mono. Joseph Anderson, his father, and the servant girl started for Orangeville on Saturday morning about 8 o’clock. Before leaving home they asked James to accompany them but he refused on the plea that he did not feel able for the journey. At nine o’clock his sister, having come over to look after the house, found him dead. The deceased had left the house a few minutes after the departure of his father and before leaving had asked his sister to look after his little nephew who had been visiting with them but was laid up with a bad cut on his leg. The deceased was found hanging dead in the stable with his dog lying at his feet. Those who were intimately acquainted with him say he had an excellent character and was highly respected in the community.
• he Salvation Army of Shelburne had quite a jubilee meeting on Thursday night last. It was well attended. Officers from Toronto, Dundalk, Orangeville and other places were present. Nine soldiers were enrolled. Captain Mudge appears to have the confidence of the people in his work. The Army expects to have a big celebration in Shelburne on September 9.
• . Hewitt, contractor of the new buildings in Shelburne for the Melancthon Agricultural Society, will commence work this week. He has a large gang of men and will complete the contract in good time.

100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, August 27, 1914
• he 36th Regiment, of which Lt. Col. R. C. Windeyer is commanding officer, left for Valcartier Thursday of last week with Major J. Graham as senior officer. Major Graham is 47 years of age and hails from Mono Road. He has had three trainings with the regiment and has a captain’s certificate. The order to leave for the concentration camp was received on Wednesday evening and the regiment spent the entire night in preparing to leave. The men mustered at the Ravina Rink, which has been their headquarters, at 1 a.m. to get their equipment. The regiment’s overseas contingent numbers 230 officers and men.
Canada’s overseas contingent has been in the course of assembling at Valcartier several days now and concentration will be completed this week. Word has been received from Shelburne members of the 36th Regiment detachment confirming their safe arrival and expressing their belief that they would sail about September 4th. It is stated that a rigid medical inspection of the men in the camp is now taking place and that only the fittest in the way of both health and soldiering ability will be taken with the first contingent. The remainder, will likely be kept in the camp as a nucleus for a second contingent should the sending of another be deemed necessary. The first force will consist of between 20,000 ad 25,000 men.
• n Friday night some person or persons committed a dastardly act by the wanton destruction of property at George Nicholson’s greenhouse on John Street, Orangeville. Stones and empty whiskey bottles were thrown through the glass and 17 large panes were broken. There is strong suspicion who the guilty parties are and it is hoped that they will be apprehended at once and severely dealt with. Says the Orangeville Sun: “Such rowdyism can not be allowed and it should be stopped even if it is necessary to round up all the suspicious characters that infest that part of the town.”
• ays the Orangeville Sun: Canada has a mania for capturing for capturing German spies just now. Every city, town and village has nabbed at least one. The thing has become somewhat of a farce. One day last week, County Constable Tom Allen, of Mono, saw a man making a survey of the Hockley Valley, and his suspicions were aroused. When spoken to, the stranger replied and betrayed a strong German accent. Constable Allen nabbed him and brought him to the jail here. He admitted being a German and being related to exalted officers of the German Army. Con. Allen was satisfied that the fellow was a spy and preparing a military map of the Hockley Valley for the first German army for the invasion of Mono. Dr. Carson took a look at the alleged spy and came to the conclusion that he was out of plum in the top story. After spending a couple of nights in jail, the spy mapmaker of the Hockley Valley was taken to the depot, a ticket was placed in his hand, and he was bundled into a southbound train – and we have not heard of him since.
• undalk had a little war scare of its own one day last week when three Germans with considerable heavy baggage arrived and applied to Mr. Mountcastle, the Government Immigration agent, for jobs on farms, all wishing to be together. Only one could speak English. No farmer could be found who would take them and they were sent back to Toronto the following day. They were not ordinary farm hands in appearance and in conversation with Mr. Mountcastle and Police Chief Scriminger they claimed to have been working as carpenters in Toronto. There was much curiosity in Dundalk to see or know what was within their heavy grips, whether carpenter’s tools or explosives, but they got away without a scratch. They were possibly just trying to hide themselves in the country until the war was over.
• ohn Best, MP for Dufferin, arrived home Sunday evening from the special war session of Parliament. The amount voted by Parliament was $50 million as a grant to His Majesty toward defraying any expenses that may be incurred by or under the authority of the Governor-in-Council during the year ending the 31st day of December, 1915. The amount granted is for the defence and security of Canada, the conduct of naval or military operations in or beyond Canada, promoting the continuance of trade, industry and business communication, whether by means of insurance or indemnity against war risks or otherwise and the carrying out of any measures deemed necessary or advisable by the Governor-in-Council in consequence of the existence of a state of war.

75 YEARS AGO
Thursday, August 31, 1939
• aurice Cline, physics instructor at Orangeville High School, suffered serious injury to his left hand when it came in contact with a circular saw at the Orangeville Lumber Company on Monday. One finger was severed and a second badly lacerated. He was treated at Lord Dufferin Hospital.
• native of Mono Township has been appointed to the school inspectorate of the County of Dufferin. Harold A. Halbert, until now principal of Alexander Muir Public School in Toronto, will assume his duties on September 1. He is a cousin of Mr. Frank Halbert of Shelburne.

50 YEARS AGO
Wednesday, August 26, 1964
• andidates for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership spoke to a near-capacity crowd at Centre Dufferin District High School last Saturday night. The candidates were introduced by Mrs. William Church, president of the Dufferin-Peel Liberal Association, and Jim Cook, of Orangeville, introduced each of the four candidates and granted each 15 minutes. The four are: MPPs Eddie Sargent, of Owen Sound and Robert Nixon of Brant County, Hamilton mayor Vic Copps, Toronto lawyer Andrew Thompson, and Liberal MP Joseph Greene.

10 YEARS AGO
Friday, August 29, 2004
• r. Asha Goel, 62, the chief of obstetrics at Headwaters Health Centre, was killed last week, while visiting her family in India. Her husband, S. K. Goel, a general surgeon at the hospital, left India shortly after learning of her death.