Dipping into the past…

November 14, 2013 · 0 Comments

150 YEARS AGO

Thursday, November 12, 1863

• rom The Sun, Orangeville:

UNITED STATES ELECTIONS – The State elections so far as reported show a large and increased majority for the Republican or “Union” party over last year. This party goes in for an unconditional support of the Lincoln Administration and the prosecution of the war. In one State only – New Jersey – the Democrats have a majority.

THE LAIRD RAMS – The British Government seems determined that the iron-clads built by Mr. Laird now in the Mersey and supposed to be intended for the Confederates, shall not sail. A guard of marines has been placed on board the El Toussou, and Her Majesty’s ship Liverpool has been removed to a position opposite the Great Float where the rams are being fitted out. Great indignation has been manifested by the mechanics employed in the docks at the action of the Government and much interest is generally felt in the matter.

TEMPERANCE LECTURE – A popular Lecture will be delivered, under the auspices of the Orangeville Division of the Sons of Temperance, on Friday evening next, the 13th inst. in the Canada Presbyterian Church by Rev. Alexander McFaul. This lecture will be the first of a series of free lectures to be given by this Society during the winter season. The well-known abilities of the Rev. lecturer, and the interest which all well-wishers of the community should feel in the cause of temperance will, we trust, insure a full attendance, and a large addition to the members of this Division.

THE POLISH INSURRECTION – Late advices from Europe state that the Polish insurrection is extending, particularly in the provinces adjacent to the Galician frontier. Encounters between the Russian troops and the insurgents are of frequent occurrence, and although the latter have not been able to secure any material success, still their being able to offer a sturdy resistance to the gigantic power of Russia is no small tribute to the patriotism and valor.

WAR IN NEW ZEALAND – A war has broken out in New Zealand, occasioned by the hostility of the tribes on the northern Island, who, instigated by a malcontent chief, have commenced a war of extermination against the settlers. The attack was begun by the murder of two white men who were cutting timber about 20 miles from Auckland. They were suddenly set upon and after being killed, their bodies were barbarously mutilated. A company of 50 men of the 18th Regiment who were escorting some wagons were also attacked by a large body of natives … The detachment lost seven killed and ten wounded. The total amount of Her Majesty’s forces on the island is estimated at 5,000 men of all arms – a very small force to defend a scattered line of posts against an enemy of 7,000 men whose tactics are surprise and sudden murder, and not a trial of strength in manly conflict. Reinforcements, it is stated, are expected from India and also the British troops in Australia have been sent to New Zealand. Further aid from England is also expected and both government and people were preparing for war on an extensive scale. It is to be hoped that these measures will be effective, not only to put down the treacherous and cruel natives, but to inflict a castigation sufficiently severe to repress any attempt of a like nature in future.

THE WAR – Gen. Meade’s army has again crossed the Rappahannock. The Confederates made but a slight resistance and fell back on the main body, with the loss of some prisoners. The Federal advance is in the direction of Culpepper Court House, near which Gen. Lee is supposed to be posted with the main body of his army. If the report is true that Meade has orders from the President to attack Lee at all hazards, a battle may be expected soon, contrary to the general expectation that the Federal army was making a move to a quiet resting place secure from the blasts of the approaching winter.

125 YEARS AGO

Thursday, November 15, 1888

• helburne’s electric light scheme is getting into shape rapidly, and it is expected that the lights may be running before the Christmas holidays. A petition is now being circulated asking the Council to accept the offer to furnish five or more lights for the streets, and we understand that it is meeting with such favour that there will be no trouble in getting the signatures of a large majority of the ratepayers. Should Council accept the offer, as we hope they may, the company will be organized and work proceeded with at once.

• ull returns from the United States show that the Republicans have been restored to power, and that Harrison is elected President and Morton Vice-President. So far as Canada is concerned, it is but little moment if a Republican or Democrat sits in the White House, as it is likely to receive the same consideration from the one as from the other.

• he Swiss Bell Ringers and Concert Company will give an entertainment in the Shelburne Town Hall on Tuesday evening, November 20. Smith’s Swiss Bell Ringers consist of 12 first-class artists, and is the oldest bell party travelling. Commodore Foote and his sister, who are the smallest people in the world, are connected with this troupe and will be present.

• t a meeting of Shelburne ratepayers Tuesday, it was moved by C. Mason, seconded by R. A. Riky, “that this meeting, seeing the advisability and necessity for at once establishing a foundry in Shelburne, by a joint stock company, instruct J. F. Miller, the secretary pro tem, to prepare a legal form stock book and obtain the signatures of as many subscribers as possible, and produce the same at a meeting to be held here on Wednesday evening, 21 inst, when subscribers and those intending to subscribe will meet for the purpose of appointing provisional directors for the company and to prepare a petition to the government for incorporation of the company by letters patent.” The motion was carried.

• he trustees of Dundalk Public School had over 100 applications in answer to their advertisement for teachers, with salaries ranging from $360 to $600. After six hours’ deliberation Mr. S. Neilly, of Lakefield was chosen for the position of headmaster, and Miss Sutherland, of Linton, appointed to the third division.

• eorge Shepherdson and Mrs. Breeze, of Eramosa Township, were tried last week at Guelph on the charge of murdering the illegitimate child of the latter, by drowning it near the house of its reputed father in Garafraxa. The child was drowned in the river and then buried in a piece of bush near the village of Belwood. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty on the plea of insanity, but recommended that both prisoners be confined in the lunatic asylum.

100 YEARS AGO

Thursday, November 13, 1913

• t a Shelburne Council meeting held Wednesday night of last week, a deputation of Main Street ratepayers appeared to discuss the opening of a drain on Owen Sound Street for a new post office septic tank overflow emptying into the drain. Rev. J. A. McKenzie, architect, and Mr. Green, contractor, assured the ratepayers that the only water to run into the drain was surface water and the Council decided to take no action.

• n order for the winding up of the Superior Portland Cement Co., of Orangeville, has been granted by Mr. Justice Latchford, with the Union Trust Co. as provisional liquidator and George Kappele, K.C., as referee. The petitioner, John L. McIntyre, of Guelph, is a creditor of $29,200. The statement of assets and liabilities give parallel totals of $607,626. The company was incorporated on September 17, 1902. The capital stock is $500,000, divided into 50,000 shares at $10 each, 40,000 shares of which are said to be subscribed and paid up. The company’s directors are William D. Wilson, Dr. J. H. Matheson, T. A. McClure, C. B. Dunke and George McIntyre. The petitioner says the managing director has admitted the company’s inability to pay its liabilities and that the company has assigned, and he wants the affairs investigated to find out how the insolvency has been brought about and as to the claims of his creditors.

• is Honour Judge Fisher held Division Court in Shelburne on Tuesday. This was His Honour’s first visit to the town since his appointment to the judiciary. There were only a few cases on the docket and none of them were of importance. Mayor Island, of Orangeville, was the only legal gentleman present.

75 YEARS AGO

Thursday, November 10, 1938

• ith Friday of this week being Remembrance Day and by proclamation of Reeve T. J. O’Flynn, Shelburne business places will be closed until one o’clock in the afternoon, the 16th annual community Remembrance Day service will be held at 10:45 a.m. If the weather is suitable the service will be held in the Memorial Grounds. Otherwise, all but the final part of the service will take place in the Town Hall.

• here was the usual large attendance Thursday and Friday nights of last week for the annual Commencement Exercises of Shelburne High School.

• new pump has been installed at Shelburne’s waterworks and is working up to expectations, pumping 100-120 gallons per minute. The water in the new well is proving to be of first class quality, having been thoroughly tested, and with an adequate supply. The pump is fully automatic and by working five or six hours daily will furnish the town with a plentiful supply of good water. The pumping will be done at night to get off the “peak load” of the Hydro.

50 YEARS AGO

Wednesday, November 13, 1963

• helburne Junior Farmers and 4-H Clubs held their annual banquet and presentation of awards in the Cedar Room of Shelburne Community Centre Friday night with an estimated attendance of 300.

• n the Oratorical Contest at the 17th Annual Meeting of The Township School Area Boards of Western Ontario, held in Guelph last Wednesday, Miss Susan Little, of Shelburne Public School, walked off with the top honours in a very keen competition involving four contestants.

10 YEARS AGO

Friday, November 13, 2003

• ith an overwhelming portion of the popular vote, Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson was elected to his third term in office. Mayor Crewson received 886 votes to challenger Linda Buffett’s 354.

• atient records at Headwaters Health Care Centre have a totally new look to them. As of yesterday they are paperless, the first in what Headwaters’ staffers hope will be a permanent computer-based charting. The new Patient Charting System, which includes specialized software and devoted hardware, will replace the paper charting standard with essentially a cross-linked data base where everything from lab results to hourly vital signs are available at the click of a mouse.

• rangeville Police Service is seeking the public’s help in investigating a case of indecent exposure. The police received three reports last week of a man exposing himself to young girls on their way to and from school. Police Chief Rod Freeman said the incidents occurred in the Lawrence Ave. and Faulkner Streets area and involved girls aged 10-14.