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Dipping into the past...125 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 12, 1890 • he Mowat Reform government has been returned with a slightly reduced majority. In many constituencies the contest was close and keen, but in Dufferin as surprising lack of interest on the part of voters has been manifested. True, the storm of Thursday afternoon deterred quite a number from going to the polls, but that alone could not have been the reason for so many refraining from voting. In Dufferin Dr. John Barr, Conservative, won a majority of the votes, with 1,331 compared with 603 for Reform candidate George Bailey and 501 for Farmers' candidate Dr. A. C. Gaviller. • The first intimation of disaster resulting from the storm of Wednesday of last week reached Shelburne about seven o'clock Wednesday morning when the news came that there had been a serious run-off on the CPR near Crombies; that five cars were in the ditch, some of them badly wrecked; that three cattle had been killed and a large quantity of Manitoba wheat scattered about. Fortunately none of the train hands were seriously injured, although the van was one of cars that left the track. The earth had been partly washed away from a culvert from the heavy rains Wednesday night and although the locomotive and several cars passed over safely, the strain on the rails and fish-plates was too great. • t Orangeville, the greatest calamity that has ever befallen the town occurred last Thursday afternoon. A little creek, commonly known as the Mill Creek, which supplies the motive power for King Bros. furniture factory, and James Morrison's shingle mill, at about 2 p.m. became a raging torrent, sweeping everything before it like straws before a tornado. In the western part of town the flood undermined the CPR railway track at Centre Street, sweeping away sidewalks and fences on the thoroughfare for a distance of over half a mile. The railway track was badly washed out in many places, with traffic delayed about 30 hours. The flood tore away a bridge on Bythia Street and a mill dam a little farther down. Later the bridge and sidewalks on John Street gave way and a frame stable was smashed into a thousand pieces. The rear part of an unoccupied home was carried clean away. The flood waters badly damaged some homes on Church Street. The course of the stream from Mill Street to Wellington Street is through vacant lots, and immense rocks were carried down to the Wellington Street bridge, the under part of which was swept away, leaving the upper part the only connection between the northern and southern sections of town. Just below this bridge is the shingle mill and pond. The dam could not withstand the pressure and consequently broke, letting a great volume of water down on several houses, with portions of those houses being carried off and the foundation of the single mill more than half washed away. Happily no lives were lost, although many narrow escapes were reported. • A fire broke out Monday night in the second storey of the Campbell block on Broadway occupied by W. H. Dane, photographer. Firemen responded promptly to the alarm, but the flames spread rapidly and the entire block was soon consumed. • Passengers on the steamboat express train bound for Toronto last Thursday were delayed in Shelburne until about noon Friday. They spent the time “doing the town” and taking in the sights. The Royal Hotel supplied meals for most of them and accommodated a large number with beds for the night, while some others stopped at the Mansion House and others remained on the train all night. 100 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 10, 1915 • aptain and Brevet-Major George Gabriel, of Shelburne, in charge of the 36th Peel Regiment's detachment for the 58th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, reports that by Saturday last the first detachment called for was completed, but that on Saturday afternoon, a call was made on the regiment to furnish 80 more men — 50 for the 58th Battalion and 30 for the 36th Battalion Canadian Expeditionary Force, which is said to be the next battalion slated to leave for the front. A public send-off was given by Shelburne Council and citizens last Wednesday to Capt. Gabriel when he left on the afternoon train to take charge of the 36th Regiment detachment. 75 YEARS AGO Wednesday, June 7, 1940 • he entire southeast coast of England became a frontline in effect last Thursday as women and children were ordered evacuated and belief was expressed that the government would remove all civilians form the area. Grimly, Britain is preparing for what may come. Should Hitler decide to attempt an invasion, the nation is ready to repel him. Home Secretary Sir John Anderson issued a warning that “there is every prospect of early call upon the civil defence.” He urged all units to keep “fully manned and in a state of readiness and efficiency,” while Vice-Admiral Sir James Somerville said in a broadcast that the home forces are prepared for any German attempt at landing on British soil. 50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, June 9, 1965 • beautiful memorial window was dedicated in Trinity United Church, Shelburne, on Sunday morning by the minister Rev. Warren G. Dixon. The window was donated by Miss Edith O'Flynn in loving memory of her brother, the late Thomas Johnston O'Flynn and his wife, the late Edna Grace Palmer Hill. • The managing committee of the National Fiddle Contest, to be held in Shelburne on Friday and Saturday, August 6 and 7, is considering calling the contest's 15th anniversary “Reunion Year.” A letter from Jack Brown, of El Paso, Texas, suggesting that a real get-together be held, sparked the idea that “reunion” should be the slogan for 1965. 10 YEARS AGO Thursday, June 9, 2005 • ohn Tory, leader of the official opposition and MPP for Dufferin-Peel-Wellington-Grey, called on the provincial government yesterday “to recognize and endorse the fiscal and social value of Ontario's agricultural industry and rural way of life that surrounds it.” • More than 150 students from area schools participated in the Orangeville Optimist Bike Roadeo, held at the Tony Rose Memorial Sports Centre last weekend. The event, held annually since 1972. is designed to promote bike safety, riding skills and proper maintenance. • A recent challenge proved it: thanks in part to growing gridlocks and soaring prices for parking and petrol, GO Transit is offering a great deal for Dufferin's commuters heading into downtown Toronto. For less than $16 for the round trip, GO patrons can reach Toronto's Union Station in about 80 minutes on one of three rush-hour buses that connect Orangeville with GO trains at Brampton morning and evening. Orangeville Citizen reporters John Edwards and Nicole Montreuil found commuters can choose between a hectic 75-minute drive and a few minutes more using the GO service. • Provincial officials gave a strong presentation in favour of a Dufferin County Official Plan last Thursday night, but only eight of 14 council councillors were there to hear it, and the meeting ended without a resolution. |
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