Dipping into the past…

July 23, 2015 · 0 Comments

125 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 24, 1890
• bout six o’clock Saturday evening, as Mr. William Whitten, of Amaranth, accompanied by his wife and child, was driving up Victoria Street in Shelburne, a dog ran out near the railroad crossing and frightened his horses, causing them to bolt to one side. The buggy was upset, and the occupants all thrown out, but were not seriously hurt. The horses then ran away and when they were stopped at the Mansion House sheds, the buggy was pretty much smashed. The horses were not injured.
• Between 4 and 5 p.m. Saturday afternoon smoke was seen issuing from the roof of the post office building on Owen Sound Street, Shelburne, and a fire alarm was at once given. In about three minutes the Chemical Engine and Hose Reel were on the ground and in a short time had the upper floor flooded. At first no one could tell where the fire was located, but when windows were opened and the smoke had cleared away, it was discovered that the pipe from the stove in the post office had fallen out of the chimney and all the smoke was caused by a lot of waste paper in the stove. Some damage was done to the building by the water and smoke, and a good deal of inconvenience was experienced in the post office, but all were relieved to find that the origin of the whole trouble was nothing but smoke.
Mr. Charles E. Noble met with an accident during the incident. He and the others who had gone into the post office to locate the fire found the smoke so dense that they were nearly smothered. They attempted to come down the stairway, but someone had turned on the hose from the waterworks and they could not face the terrific stream pouring in. They then made for the front windows and kicked them out but in getting out Mr. Noble had a bad gash inflicted on one of his legs. Dr. Rolstin found it necessary to put in three or four stitches.

100 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 22, 1915
• atriotic enthusiasm in Orangeville was greatly stimulated last Thursday night by a demonstration at Alexandra Park. Major Heron, Captain Eric Armour and Lieut. F. Aylesworth, of the 36th Regiment, arrived on the evening train. The local company, under Drill Instructor Reg. King, and headed by the Citizens’ Band, with the Toronto Officers, Lieut. R. H. Neilson and Lieut. Bert Booth, a veteran of the Army Service Corp, marched to the park, followed by a large number of citizens in autos and on foot. Mayor Campbell was chairman. Lieut. Neilson, in charge of the local company, reviewed the history of the 36th Regiment in which Orangeville had always been strongly represented, and appealed for new recruits. Major Heron, who for two years had commanded the local company of the 36th, delivered an excellent military speech. C.R. McKeown, MPP for Dufferin, made a ringing speech, urging the young farmers of the area to join the colours, noting that one of the local townsmen, Lieut. Harry McGuire, had fallen at the Battle of St. Julian. Rev. Dr. John Neil, of Westminster Church, and holidaying at the time, made a most effective address, saying 48 of his congregation had volunteered with the Overseas Contingent. Mayor Campbell read names of 30 Orangeville men who had gone to the front, and at the conclusion of the meeting, a considerable number enlisted. A two-day campaign to secure $5,000 for the Patriotic Fund was over-subscribed; 25% of the money raised will go to the Canadian Red Cross, 60% to the Patriotic Fund and the balance to the local committee for the purchase of wool and other needs.
• Out of 245 pupils who wrote entrance examinations in the County of Dufferin, 155 were successful. Unsuccessful candidates will receive their marks, while certificates, but no marks, will be given to the successful pupils. The pass and honour list is the highest of any in the past three years, and teachers of the County are to be congratulated on their success. The number attempting the exam (and those successful) are as follows: Orangeville, 67 (48); Shelburne, 40 (27); Grand Valley, 40 (27); Laurel, 21 (12); Rosemont, 20 (11)’ Marsville, 17 (12); Horning’s Mills, 25 (13); Randwick, 15 (5).
• Frank Deuvall, of Shelburne, appeared before Magistrates Falconer and Hall last Thursday on the charge of selling liquor, Inspector Robinson of Orangeville being the complainant. Crown Attorney Island, of Orangeville, conducted the prosecution, and Deuvall was defended by Mr. Wilkinson, of Toronto. After hearing some witnesses, the trend of the evidence being against the accused, an adjournment was made to Wednesday afternoon. As this is a second offence, Deuvall having been fined for selling liquor before, conviction this time will mean a sentence of four months in jail.
• Mr. and Mrs. T. F. E. Claridge, Mrs. George Peacey (Toronto), Fred Claridge and Harold Rutledge and Miss Evan Foster, returned on Friday from spending two weeks at Mulmur Lake. They were visited while at the lake by Mr. and Mrs. S. H. Rutledge, Mr. and Mrs. W. Husband, Mr. Bert Claridge, Mrs. T. Claridge, Misses Tisha and Nellie Claridge, Miss Viola Claridge (Dundalk) and Aubrey Silk. The following spent Friday and part of Saturday at the Lake: William Rowan, Elgin Rowan, Mrs. K. E. Fife (Toronto), Miss Ina Wilson (Toronto), Miss Lillian Rowan, Miss Carrie Longhurst, Miss Ida Pickering, Milton Rowan (Cleveland, Ohio), Walter Holmes (Cleveland), William Hamilton, Delbert Russell. This and next week, Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Dickson and party, are camping at the lake.

75 YEARS AGO
Wednesday, July 18, 1940
• nationwide plan for the registration of every man and woman in Canada, above the age of 16 years, has been announced by Hon. James C. Gardiner, Minister of National War Services. National registration is a first step in carrying out the objects of the National Resources Mobilization Act. Four days will be set aside about August 14 for registration purposes. Jules Castonguay, Canada’s Chief Electoral Officer, will supervise the registration, and a provincial organization will be set up in each province, with the Chief Justice of that province or a judge appointed by him, as the head.
• British children participating in the mass evacuation movement, as distinct from those whose parents are able to pay their transportation to the homes of relatives here, will be brought to Canada under auspices of the Dominion Government. The Canadian Government in turn, has delegated to the provinces the responsibility to find suitable homes for these Child Guests, and once such homes are found, the additional responsibility of ensuring that the children will be properly cared for during their stay in Canada, a period which will probably be extended beyond the duration of the war. In Ontario, responsibility for carrying out this programme has been vested in the Department of Public Welfare, and through the department in the Children’s Aid Societies throughout the province.
• Cars will meet on William Street, Shelburne, at 1 p.m. Thursday, to load up with children for the annual Community Picnic sponsored by Shelburne Rotary Club. The picnic will be at Midhurst Park, between Barrie and Wasaga Beach, and the invitation to attend is open to all children in the Shelburne area. Although the Rotary Club is assuming the expense of the picnic itself, the outing is purely a community affair and every child is more than welcome to attend. In cases where a parent or guardian should accompany a child or group of children, transportation will be provided, if not already available through the family.
• Despite the recent drop in strength caused by the departure of 14 members for active duty, Shelburne Platoon, of the Lorne Scots Regiment. now has a larger membership than it had before the 14 boarded the bus for Toronto after a public send-off Monday of last week. Although the original authorized strength of the platoon was 30, it is now permitted to increase its strength to 50. This leaves room for several more recruits. Application should be made at the Armories, Owen Sound Street, Tuesday night.

50 YEARS AGO
Wednesday, July 21, 1965
• n Sunday afternoon, about 200 persons assembled at the Keldon School, SS No. 10, East Luther, to mark the school’s closing. The crowd of former teachers, pupils and friends spent a pleasant afternoon renewing acquaintances and talking over old times. At 3 o’clock, Mrs. Lorenzo Crewson, of Conn, the oldest teacher present, rang the bell and called the meeting to order. The address of welcome was read by Kathy Shortt, six-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Shortt, who was the last child from the Keldon section to start at the school. Mrs. Winston Hall, music supervisor for the township schools, led a group of children in a chorus and also accompanied Darlene and Daryll Crewson, who sang a duet. A short history of the school was read by Mrs. Barrie Dales. Mrs. Lewis Mournahan told of being present at the school’s opening in 1899 and of the programme given on that occasion. Mrs. George Deaken, of Orangeville, presented a silver dollar to Mrs. Norman Eastwood, of Grand Valley, the oldest former student present.
• The South Dufferin Teachers’ summer seminar was held at the Mono First Central School from June 30 to July 5, with the president, Mrs. Mary Hilborn, in charge. The delegates were welcomed by Reeve George Reid, chairman of the Mono Township School Area Board.

10 YEARS AGO
Thursday, July 21, 2005
• rangeville Council has rolled out the welcome map for investors proposing an 80-suite hotel on the hill, east of Highway 10 and south of Broadway, while Dufferin County is being more stand-offish. The hotel, to be known as the Orangeville Suites and Inn, would eventually become part of the Best Western chain and the investor’s plans include a Boston Pizza Restaurant alongside it. At its meeting Monday night the town council formally agreed to waive $400,000 in development charges. Last Thursday Orangeville Mayor Drew Brown and Deputy Mayor Jim MacGregor teamed up with Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson and Deputy Mayor Randy Chambers at County Council to torpedo a rural motion not to waive $80,000 in development charges.
• Representatives of Canada Composting Inc. might have made a good presentation at a special meeting of Dufferin County Council’s Community Development Committee last Thursday afternoon, but it bogged down when the committee, and later County Council, found they’d have to spend about $50,000 for a study on the project’s viability and then perhaps another $150,000 for one on its “feasibility.”