Dipping into the past…

May 15, 2014 · 0 Comments

150 YEARS AGO Thursday, May 5, 1864 • From The Sun, Orangeville, compliments of Dufferin County Museum and Archives: MAY FAIR: The Orangeville May Fair for the sale and exchange of livestock, farm produce, &c., will be held here on Thursday next. This fair is usually well attended, and both sellers and buyers will find little difficulty in dealing to their mutual satisfaction. THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY – We believe our townspeople generally are desirous that the celebration of Her Majesty’s approaching birthday should exceed in interest that of any previous year, but unless our young men, on whom the work of preparation has hitherto devolved, take the matter up rapidly, the public desire may be only partially realized. If the different games and sports for the day are announced in due time, we are certain of drawing a large number of the athletes of the country into town, and of having a day of great and unalloyed enjoyment. Let our youth move on the matter. ANOTHER DRAFT – United States papers say that President Lincoln has ordered an immediate draft in New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio and Missouri, by which he expects to raise a force sufficient to crush the rebellion. It is, however, more probable that the enforcement of the draft will create a new rebellion in the North, than it will result in suppressing the revolution in the South. Ohio has already shown symptoms of dissatisfaction at such arbitrary proceeding, and it may be that the bloody scenes enacted in New York in 1863 may again be repeated in 1864. MEETING OF THE LEGISLATURE – Both branches of Parliament met on Tuesday but adjourned till Wednesday to allow absent members to reach the Capital. Mr. Dorion asked for further explanations of the policy of the Ministry, but Mr. J. S. Macdonald, whose name may come up in connection with the late negotiations for the formation of a coalition government, being absent, Mr. John A. Macdonald postponed giving the required information until he was present. The Ministry, it is believed, has a working majority, and it is likely to gain additional strength during the session. We may therefore expect that the business of the country, so sadly neglected for the past two years, will be proceeded with at once. Thursday, May 12, 1864 ORANGEVILLE COUNCIL – The Village Council met at Wallace’s Hotel on Saturday evening but adjourned for want of a quorum. On Tuesday evening it again met to hold the Court of Revision, but there being no complaints against the assessment, the rolls passed the Council as handed in by the assessor. This closed the Court of Revision, and the Council proceeded to other business. A petition was presented from Mr. Rutledge and 24 others, praying for aid to an indigent prisoner named Dennis Finn. On motion of Mr. Jull, seconded by Mr. Thompson, the petition was received and a grant of $10 given to Finn. Accounts were then presented from Peter McNab as returning officer, and James Kelly as assessor, and the Treasurer ordered to pay the former $5 and the latter $16. There being no more business before the council, it adjourned, to meet again at the West Simcoe Hotel on Friday evening, the 27rh instant. JOINED THE FEDERAL ARMY – We understand that Mr. Richard Hewat, who many of our readers will be happy to hear from, has joined the Signal Corps of the United States Army. From a letter received by an acquaintance of his here, we learn that, although only a few weeks enlisted, he has already earned the confidence of his superior officers, and been complimented for eminent services rendered the corps. Mr. Hewat was at one point connected with the Orangeville Infantry Company, and one of its most efficient members. If merit is recognized in the Federal army, we shall soon hear of his promotion. THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY – In compliance with a numerously signed requisition, the Reeve, Mr. F. C. Stewart, has called a public meeting of our villagers for Saturday evening next, at Witter’s Hall, for the purpose of taking into consideration the manner in which the Queen’s approaching birthday should be celebrated. We trust that the meeting will provide for a celebration that will do honor to the village, and be worthy of her under whose mild rule we continue to enjoy liberty and the inestimable blessings of peace and prosperity. FRUIT TREES – On Friday, Mr. H. B. German delivered to the farmers of this neighbourhood a fine a lot of fruit and ornamental trees as we remember to have ever seen in this part of the country. They were raised at the Oakville Nursery, where particular attention seems to be paid to the cultivation of the different varieties best adapted to this section of country. Many of the apple trees will bear fruit in two or three years. GRAVEL ROADS – At a public meeting of Brampton ratepayers held on Thursday to “adopt” some means to gravel or macadamize the roads leading into that town, a resolution was passed authorizing the council to expend from $500 to $1,000 on the roads and against further disbursements for sidewalks. This paltry sum is insufficient for paying even the gravelling of one mile of road, and unless the ratepayers of Brampton will adopt some other course to obtain good roads, we fear they will, for many years, plod through the mud. We had thought from the notice calling the meeting that some scheme would be devised and submitted to other municipalities which, approved of, would secure the gravelling of Centre Road. It is, however, evident that the meeting had no such object in view, and that the notice calling it was a piece of exaggeration not excelled by the best of Lincoln’s army correspondents. For the future we shall await the acts, before pronouncing judgment on the words of our enterprising(?) neighbours of Brampton. PARLIAMENT – The budget brought down by Mr. Galt on Monday estimates that the expenditure for the half-year ending June 30 will be $8,019,700, and that for the ensuing year ending June 30 will be $11,686,800. He proposes to raise $1,000,000 of this by taxation. 125 YEARS AGO Thursday, May 16, 1889 • On Wednesday evening of last week, a meeting was held in the basement of Shelburne Methodist Church to make arrangements for calling a mass meeting in Shelburne to discuss the question of the disallowance of the Jesuit Estates Bill. Dr. Barr was called to the chair and W. L. Smith acted as secretary. After short and pithy speeches from the chairman and a number of others, committees were appointed and the time suggested for the mass meeting was some day in the first week of June. The committee on arrangements will include Dr. Barr, Rev. Mr. McClelland, Dr. Rolstin and Messrs. J. Skelton and W. L. Smith. • William Sanderson, the East Luther farmer who was acquitted last week at the Orangeville assizes on a charge of rape, has found things too hot for him in his old neighbourhood. The people are indignant at and disgusted with the conduct of the man who so flagrantly violated his marital duties, and Sanderson has concluded that his absence was much desired. Old friends looked coldly on him and the irrepressible boy hooted and jeered at him whenever he appeared in public. A life like this was not worth living and he concluded that it must come to an end. Verily, the way of the transgressor is hard. Sanderson has rented his farm to his brother and will reside in his native township of Caledon. It is said that an action for seduction will be commenced against him by the father of Sarah Elizabeth Wells. • Mr. Peck, representing the Ontario Pump Co., met with Shelburne Council Tuesday evening last with a request for changes in the contract for a well and water tank, also for an extension of time to allow them to complete the waterworks. No arrangements were made, but it is likely terms will be agreed upon to the satisfaction of both parties. They have not succeeded in getting water yet, and work has been discontinued for the present. 100 YEARS AGO Thursday, May 14, 1914 • George Lawson, who was brought before Chief Magistrate Pattullo, last August 25, for a breach of the liquor law, and given the option of a fine of $100 or three months in jail, did not think it necessary to abide by the decision and left for pastures new. He has been rusticating in Acton since his departure, but, like many others, the allurements of Orangeville’s busy streets, skyscrapers, amusement hall and other attractions brought him again to the town. He arrived Friday and sought to rent a house. On Saturday High Constable Marshall got his eagle optic on the gentleman and decided on giving him a home for three months rent-free. Mr. Lawson is now the guest of Governor Bowles and will be carefully looked after by the County of Dufferin. Hard labour goes with sentence and as Spring is with us, it is probably gardening will be his field of operations for the next 13 weeks. • Members of the Dufferin Press Association held their annual meeting in Orangeville’s Carnegie Library, Friday of last week. The following officers were elected: A. D. McKitrick, president; T. F. E. Claridge, vice-president; John Foley, secretary; Vance A. Statia and Blaney McGuire, auditors; executive committee, the president, Logan Craig and R. L. Mortimer. • There was quite a heavy docket in Shelburne Division Court Tuesday afternoon before Judge Fisher. The case that took up the most time was the jury trial of Allen vs. Shelburne, an action for wrongful dismissal and three months’ wages brought by Jonah Allen, who was dismissed as caretaker of the town cemetery last October. Lawyer Henry of Markdale appeared for the plaintiff and lawyer Hughson, of Orangeville, for the town. After several witnesses had been called for both sides the jury dismissed Allen’s claim with each party to pay their own costs. 75 YEARS AGO Thursday, May 18 1939 • Returned soldiers are to form a guard of honour along the railway right-of-way when the train bearing King George and Queen Elizabeth goes through Alliston next Monday evening, and the Alliston branch of the Canadian Legion is asking that any returned soldiers in the area who can do so, line up with them. They will meet at Alliston Public Library at 5:30 p.m. The pilot train goes through at 6:57 and the Royal Train at 7:25. The Royal Train will be slowed down to 10 miles an hour as it passes through Alliston. Monday will be observed as a public holiday marking the Royal Parade in Toronto. 50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, May 13, 1964 • Shelburne Kinsmen have accepted the first cash donation towards a $27,000 fund to provide artificial ice in the town’s arena. The first donor was Shelburne Muskies hockey team. 10 YEARS AGO Friday, May 16, 2004 • Dufferin County Council has narrowly defeated a proposal to restore exemptions granted the Orangeville Legion and the Corner Pocket bingo hall in Mono Plaza from the County’s bylaw that prohibits smoking in public places.