The Clinton New Era, 1888-09-14, Page 1•
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CLINTON, ONT., sErwnilvrt 14, 1888.
'ftOBRI1T BOLMES lyiiblishe.
• • a1,L0 a year in sacivau4y.
A lap to Manitoba,
INCIDENTS BY THE WAY.
Ilurouites I 11[eb There.
(131C E. FLOODY, CLINTON,)
To the Editor of the Neto Era.
Dean Sia,—In compliance with your
request, I give you a few rambling
sketches of a trip to Manitoba and the
North-west Territories, and of what I
have seen in my travels. 1 left Clinton
on Tuesday, August 7th, on the tamers
excursion, there being 13 passengers
from this station, among them being
Messrs Thos. Jackson, A. Gorrell and
G. Swinbank,, the two latter gentlemen
had their wives with them. We arriv-
ed at Toronto at 7:30 pan., and found
everything in a bustle there. It was
learned that there was over 600 passen-
gers for the excursions, and thedif eulty
was to find berths for them all. Only
about half the n}imber had been count-
ed on, and it was no easy task for Mr
Callaway, District Agent for the C.P.R.,
to make arrangements. It was "first
come first served," and.a number had
to take smoking oars until we. reached
North Bay. Mr Thomas Jackson was
virtually the great leader and pilot of
the Huron contingent, and looked after
his charges, and had them attended to
in a very satisfactory manner. While
in Toronto we had the pleasure of wit-
nessing the grand Orange procession, in
honor of Grand Master Wallace_, on his
return from the old. country. It was
the finest procession I ever saw. Well,
at 11 p.m. we were ready to leave To-
ronto, and a few minutes later our train,
heavily laden, started out. J. H.Young,
ex•Reeve of Brussels, 11Ir Jackson and
myself occupied the sa me berth, "upper
and lower," and with a good supply of
mattresses and blankets we made our-
selves comfortable on the colonist sleep-
er, and went to rest. These' sleepers
are very nicely constructed, and, with a
good supply of bedclothes, are very com-
fortable. Our coach was composed of
a lot of jolly and sociable people, and it
was some time before we slept. Of the
642 passengers on board, over 100 wore
from the county of Huron, among them
being J. Curring and wife, J. Lasham,
J. Campbell, Walter Riddell, Mrs Oui-
mette and Mrs Newton, Londesboro ;
F. Metcalf, J. Carter and M. Smeltzer,
Blyth ; W. Cook and J. Reid, Varna ;
J. Cardno and J. Logan, SealertJ* ; A.
Johnston and W. Hays, Winthrop ; J.
Grant, J. H. Young and George Love,
Brussels; R..Strong and W. Hyndman,
Howick, so that our county was well
represented. We passed through New-
market, Barrie and Orillia during the
night, and arrived at Gravenhurst about
a,m., when everyone was astir, wash-
ing and preparing for breakfast. We
all had a good supply of eatables on
board, and a great many had a supply
of "drinkables," so that no person was
hungry. On our way to North Bay we
passed through a very rocky country,
with here and there a small settletneut
and a few farm houses. There are
several small lakes, and most of them,
you would imagine, filled with little
islands. Bracebridge and Huntsville
are lively little towns, and both have
considerable manufacturing. They do
the principal trade of Muskoka, Be.
yond Huntsville, we pass many lum-
beringvillages, until we cone to Callen-
der, on the main line of the C.P.R. We
arrived at North Bay about ;) a.rn., and
wereetas
d nod here some three or four
hours, taking on passengers from the
main line and the regular train from
Toronto. We had a good opportunity
to look around and see the town. It is
a pushing little place, situated on Lake
Nipissing, the buildings being all new.
There are a number of C,P.R. shops,
and quite a few men employed. From
North Bay for 400 miles westward we
travel through a comparatively rough
region, where forests, meadows, lakes
and rocky ridges alternately meet 'the
view. The scenery in some sections is
striking and beautiful, and relieves the
monotony. Lakes are numerous, and
for a long distance almost form a con-
necting chain. The falls of .the Stur-
geon River are very near the railway,
but further on, near Onaping, the high
falls of the Vermillion River are very
fine, falling, as • it were, from rock to
rock for quite a distance, and both sides of
the river being covered with small
white poplars, tends to give the view a
better effect. All through this 'section
huckleberries, raspberries and cranber-
ries may, be ifeen in abundance, and
often, when the•train made a stop, the
passengers were all out picking them
for dessert. As soon as . the conductor
yelled "all'aboard," they all rushed for
the train. On one occasion, near Chap.
lean, I think it was, one of our Huron.
ites from Wingham waited too long,
and the train left him. He came on
the regular train next day, and caught
ns at Winnipeg. After leaving Heron
Bay, on the north-east angle cf
Lake Superior, the scenery becomes
particularly fine. The sweep around
Jackfish bay is something "immense."
This part of the road is the shape of a
horse shoe, when in going ten miles
only two could be made by going in a
straight direction. For sixty miles we
follow the shoe of the lake around the
high promontories, with deep rock cut-
tings, and now and then a tunnel, when
we all held our breath. In this course
we pass what is called " Fiery Hill,"
where it is said a surveying party of
eighteen perished a few years ago, dur-
ing a bush fire. After leaving Schreiber
we follow the shore of Nepigon Bay for
sixty miles, and afterwards take direct
course for Port Arthur. This region
just passed is m what is known as the
" Disputed Territory," and I think all
the noise about it was simply an election
dodge. As one old farmer put it, "They
had very little to dispute about ; I
would not give a shilling for the whole
.bneiness." Well, when we got to Poit
Arthur we were all asleep ; this was our
third night on the road and our train
was a good Ileal behind time, and as the
town is pretty well known, I will not
stop to say anythingabout it. At Fort
William we had a sort stop, and every
body got wakened up. From kern to
Winnipeg wo travel over a wild and un-
inhabited region, broken by lakes and
rivers. At Savanah we saw two of the
boats Woolsey used in his exhibition of
1870. We reached Rat Portage in the
afternoon, and •stayed there two hours
for supper. It is n lively little town.
brat otti' crowd made it livelier. 'There
aro a great many Indians hero, so after
supper some of our party took up a col-
leetion, and had the papooses and
squaws racing, after which .we had n
war dance. here Mr Dockrill, travel
ing agent of the ('.P.R., wit n had dans
everything to melte the expuraioniats
comfortable, was presented with a purse
a -rd an address, also Mr Crawford; of
Birtle, who accompanied the excursion
for the purpose of giving information
ocncerniug the Northwest. We then
started for Winnipeg, which we reached
at 12:30 Saturday morning. We leidi
over here for the remainder of the
night, and our train proceeded west,
ward at 7:30 a.m. Here our party was
pretty well split up, a number staying
in Winnipeg, while a great many went
to • Southern Manitoba, Mr Jackson
among the rest. We were informed
here that our trip would be extended
from.11loosomin to Regina, and that we
would have an opportunity of taking in
the great capital of theNorth-westTer-
ritories. As we proceeded on our jour-
ney over,the prairie, every person seem-
ed to be 'delighted, and the enthusiasm
know no bounds, Nearing Portage la
Prairie the sight was a beautiful one,
the broad stretch of country could be
seen for miles, over which were spatter-
ed neat farm houses,•and as far as the
eye could see, magnificent fields of grain
waving in the breeze met the view. We
arrived at Portage la Prairie, and made
a short stop here; some of the passen-
gers took the Northwestern here, up to
Birtle. We moved on and reached
Brandon for dinner. I shall not any
more than mention the towns on the
way up, but on the down trip will give
you a little information concerning
them. At Brandon we were met at the
station by Mr F. A. Tamblyn, formerly
of Mullett;„ who is proprietor of one of
the`leading"hotels in the place, and who
did all he ,pould to entertain us. After
dinner the'Board of Trade entertained
us to'a two.hours drive through the
country adjoining Brandon, and every.
thing looked like prosperity. After a
pleasant drive, a vote of thanks and
three cheers for the citizens of Brandon,
we proceeded on our journey. The
next place we made a stay at was Vir-
den, and the citizens gave us a right
royal reception. A bagtss band was at
the depot, and when the train rolled in
they played a lively air. There was a
fine exhibit of products, roots, etc., laid
out on tables opposite the depot, and
while the train waited we were treated
to an exhibition of lassoing a wild horse,
by a cow boy. The train moved out,
and the next stop we made of any im-
portance was at Moosomin. Here,
again, was a big reception, the train
lying over two hours, for supper. Ad •
dresses of welcome were delivered by
Messrs J. R. Neff, M. P. P., Principal
McInnes, of the Public School, and
Thompson. Leaving Moosomin, -we
ran as far as Broadview, a..divisional
point on the railway, and then laid over
for the night. Next morning was Sun-
day, and everybody was astir bright
and early, not for church, though. Two
of our Huronites'saw a'farm residence
in the distance, and struck out to walk
to it over the prairie, but the distance
was more than they estimated, and
when they got a few miles out they got
tired, abandoned the trip and turned
back, being nicely in time for the train.
Our next stop was at Grenfel, where we
had an opportunity of seeing a fine ex•
hibit of the products of that section.
This is a great section for cheese mak-
ing, and the citizens practically demon-
strated the fact, by cutting up and giv-
ing away to the excursionists, three
large cheese, weighing probably 60 lbs.
each ; 'i were all supplied with cheese
for three or four days. Our next stop
was at Wolseley, where there was an-
other fine exhibit. I might say that
we had a number of reinforcements to
our party on the way up, among them
being Messrs JsIl}t Neff,_M.P.P. of Moo-
somin, Mayor Hamilton, of Regina,
who joined us at Broadview, and at
Wolsely wo were joined by Senator Per -
ley and Mr Bray, formerly of Mitchell.
The train pulled out from Wolsely, and.
our next stop was at Indian Head. Here
the citizens gave us a great reception,
and drove us over the famous Bell farm.
This was one of the finest sights I saw
in the North-west. The farm originally
comprized 64,000 acres, but, owing to
the failure of the company, some of it
has been sold, quite a large tract for
the Government Experimental Farm.
Major Bell, the founder of the company,
piloted us over the farm. It is a mag-
nificent"tract of land, and apparently
has been well cultivated. and,
soil is
very rich and fertile. Dotted all over it
are the residences.of the laborers, and.
the large round buildings here and there
are the granaries where the threshing
is done. They have now, I understand,
fifteen binders on thia farm. I saw 800
acres of wheat in a block here, almost
ready for cutting. We drove all around
it, and it was a magnificent crop. Major
Bell has, a fine residence and outbuild-
ings, thrugh which we had the pleasure
of being shown, We were also over the
experimental farm, and I may say hero
that there is as much difference be-
tween this farm and the Model Farm
at Guelph as between day and night.
Do not suppose for a moment that I
make this statement on account of my
political proclivities. I have been over
the farm at Guelph,and the style of
farming is 110 credit to the institution.
At Indian Head, however, things are
different, the tillage has evidently been
properly attefided to, and everything
about the premises looks clean, neat
and tidy. They have almost everything
you can think of planted, and the roots
particularly arc fine. A large number
of the hardiest varieties of fruit trees'
aro planted and are doing well. The
Superintendent is of the opinion that
good fruit will be grown 111 quantities
in that country yet.
After a few congratulatory speeches
our train moved out for Qu'Appelle,
where we stopped for dinner After
dinner we moved on for Regina, which
we reached about 3 p. m. and I was
glad to get a rest. Wo all had the
privilege of going as far as Moosejaw,
but I preferred staying at Regina. All
preparations were made for giving us a
big reception on Monday, but the heavy
rain which full on Sunday night pre.
vented us from having a long drive in
the country, The mud, when wet, be.
comes very sticky, and when you get
into it you feel as if you had a home-
stead on one foot and a pro-emption on
the other. It is very slippery and on
Monday morning it was a hard task to
retain your equilibrimn on the side-
walks. Regina is a busy little town of
2000 inhabitants, is an important centre
of trade for the Northwest, and in the
Entero will no doubt bo one of the lead-
ing cities. The Legislative Assembly
of the Northwest Territories meets here,
and this is the residence of the Lienten -
ant Governor. The headquarters of
the Mounted Pollee foreo are also located
here, but something that will be of more
importance to your reruler9 will be the
fast that, the leading men Qf,the p100
are former Huronites. Mayor 'Hamilton
is, an old Goderich boy, and is doing
well here; he has an extensive law prac,
tioe. Sheriff 13enson is an old Soaforth,
ite, and is well knownto meet of yoer
;readers. Court Clerks Dixie Watson,
formerly of Goderich, and latterly of
Wingham, was well known in tbit}
county. He is as jolly as ever, and his
shadow has not grown any less in the
Northwest. Ald. Chas. Howson is an
old Clinton boy; son of Mr James How-
son. "Charlie" does an extensivelbusi-
cess hero and is one of the pushing men
of the place. He did all in his power
to entertain his Huron friends. A
special dinner was provided by the Re-
gina people for the Huron visitors, at
the Windsor House, while the other
excursionists were provided for at the
City Hall. Mr Nicholas Flood Davin,
M. P., helped to entertain the Huronites
at the Windsor, After dinner -a, public
meeting was held in the City Hall, pre-
sided over by Mayor Hamilton, where
speeches were delivered by Senator
Parley, Hon. E. Dewdney, N. F. Davin
and others. A fruitcanner from Picton
posed as a reporter of the Empire and
carried his copy in his hand, for the
purpose of advertising his canned fruits.
After the public meeting we were given
a public drive to some of the leading
gardens, Mayor Hamilton and Ald.
Howson accompanied the Huron visitors.
The vegetables and flowers were ex-
ceptionally fine, and are very seldom
equalled in Ontario. We then went
down to the Barracks, passed the Gov-
ernment House, to witness an exhibi-
tion of drill from the Mounted Police.
They are a fine looking body of men,
and their movements were well exeeuted.
We were then shown through the Bar-
racks and inspected the cell where Riel
was confined, and also the place where
the scaffold was erected from which he
swung. The Mounted Police Band and
the Town Band entertained the visitors
with music alternately, during their
visit. The train for thereturn trip then
backed up to the Barracks, and after
bidding our:friends all good-bye, and a
salute from the Mounted Police, we
•`acted on our trip to the east again. I
siva:l neyer forget the kindness of the
Huronites in Regina. The land in this
section is very fertile, although,I should
judge, is more calculated for grazing and
stock raising than general agriculture.
Large bands of horses aro to be seen
frequently up through this section. At
Regina a large business is done in horses
and cattle.
Wo stopped at Qu'Appelle for about
20 minutes, on the return trip, where
Mr Davis, M.P.P., who 'resides here,
made a very appropriate speech, setting
forth the advantages of the country,
and inviting the Ontario people to come
up and locate. Our next stop was at
Wolsely, where Senator Perley invited
all those who could make it possible to
drop off and spend the day with him,
offering them free lodgings and a day's
drive through the country. About 25
accepted the invitation, and I stopped
off myself, as I had some friends out at
Lorlie, in the colony. We spent a very
pleasant evening at the Wolsely House,
a well regulated hotel,' and the Senator
entertained us to the best of his ability.
He•is popular in this section, ]raving
been elected to the Legislative Assem-
bly, then to the House of Commons,
and elevated to the Senate in a short
space of time. 'Wolsely is a pretty la -
lege, and is' a very important grain
market. Mr Bray, formerly of Mitch-
ell has a large store here. On the fol-
lowing morning I drove out across the
Qu'Appelle valley. This has some of
the most beautiful scenery in the west,
and the trees on the sides of the hills
are like columns of soldiers marching
in the army. After passing the plea-
sant hills, we strike into a fine country.
Pheasant Forks, a thriving little village
on Pheasant Creek, is soon reached, and
a few miles further on wo come to
Lorlie ; Cantelon Bros., formerly of
Goderich township, are the pushers
here, Mr Adam Cantelon being post•
master. I spent two or three days with
the boys here, Mr D. J. Cantelon does
the auctioneering, real estate business,
etc., for the section. The Great North
west Central Railway, it is expected,
will be completed through here in a
short time, and then a big boom may
be expected. Messrs Cantelon have a
fine section of land, and aro doing well ;
hey are ._into stack raising::very.exten
lively:
Onmy return to Wolsely I took the
train to Moosomin and spent a few days
there. Mr Geo. Park, formerly of Bay.
field, is here, and is as jolly as ever.
Dr Rutledge, another Bayfield boy, is
the only inedical man here, and has an
extensive practise. He drives some-
times as far as 90 miles on a professional
visit. How would our Huron medicos
appreciate a drive like that ? Mooso-
min is the leading market for a large
radius of the country ; farmers as far
south as the boundary, and for 40 miles
north, do their marketing here. The
first building was erected in September,
1882, and now the village has a popula-
tion of over 1,000. The public school
is a magnificent structure, and is a
credit to any town. Tho town has a
large elevator, two large steam flouring
mills and several industries. It is the
county town of East Assiniboine, and
the judicial officials reside here. The
Queen's Hotel, conducted by Mr II. Ire-
ton, is the leading house of accommo-
dation in the place. Thera is a fine
agricultural country in all directions
from the town. Mr Parke drove me
out with his gray team of bronchus, to
see the largo farm of J. R. Neff, M,P,P.,
who, by the way, is the enterprising
man of the town. This farm comprises
2,000 acres, a large percentage of which
is under crop, There was some 800
acres of wheat, and about the same of
barley ; the wheat was a splendid crop,
and just ready for cutting,and I not-
iced five binders all reay for work.
Our friend Young, of Brussels, has
three brothers near here, and ho.spent
a couple of days visiting then]. IIe
tried farming' for a day or twos and
came to the conclusion that hardware
was a nicer job yet. His brothers have
very largo farmh, and aro doing well.
While at Moosomin I noticed a great
outcry about frosted wheat, in the To-
ronto papers, but so far, I have not seen
any, -
Leaving Moosomin, the gateway of
the Northwest Territories, I next drop.
peel off at Virden, the prettiest little
town in the West. The stores and
public buildings are handsomely con-
structed and have an air of neatness
about them that cannot fail to attract
the attention of the stranger;' Two
large elevators are erected here, with a
capacity of 85,000 bushels, and in addi-
trnn there is a large flouring mill, tnrn-
ing.out 120 barrels per day. Virden is
a good market town, and like 1ylooso.•min
has a large area of country to depend
on. It is wonderful what a number of
Huron people you will meet ins -the
Northwest. I had hardly stepped from
the platform before I met an old •Clinton
man, Mr R. H. Read. Mr Read does a
good business here in the Real Estate,
Insurance and auction business. Later
on I met Mr L. Hardy, of Exeter, who
was up here breaking up a big farm he
owns north of the town. In the after-
noon we drove out to see Mr X. Joslin,
formerly of Clinton, whose residence is
about two miles from the town. • Mr
Joslin gave us a very kind reception
indeed, and I was pleased to meet my
friend, Mr Jas. Moore, who with Mrs
Moore were rusticating there. They
seem to like the country very much,
Mr Moore has been trying his hand at
farming, but as this occupation is not
congenial to his taste, I think he will
not stay at it. • tie went at it with a
will, however, and Mr Joslin says he
can do a good man's work in a day.
Mr Joslin is one of the most successful
farmers of the district. He has 1280
acres of land and has a large crop this
season. He had put up over 100 tons
of hay, and had 180 acres of wheat
about ready for cutting when I was
there. Mr Joslin is one of the coun-
cillors for the district and takes a lead-
ing part in politics. Mr Joslin has the
finest farm residence I saw in the North-
west. It is a frame structure of the
most modern architecture. His out-
buildings are also very comfortable. Mr
A. G. McDougall, formerly of Seaforth,
is also a resident of Virden. Mr Mooney,
formerly of Belgrave, of the firm of
Mooney at McLean, does an extensive
trade here in the hardware and lum-
ber business. Mr Mooney is a very
enthusiastic Tory, but his partner, Mr
McLean, is a Grit M. I'. P. While here
I carne across a rather novel society,
it was called the Baldheaded Club, and
Messrs J. Joslin, O. G. McDougall and
R. H. Read are prominent members.
The famous Bass Hill farm, the pro-
perty of the Hon. F. P. Bouverie and
Mr Thos. Rutledge, adjoins the village,
and Mr Rutledge kindly drove me over
it, and showed me through the outbuild-
ings, gardens, eto. The farm consists
of 1600 acres and over half of it was
cropped. Nearly 300 acres of wheat
was ready for cutting, and the binders
were into it. I brought a sample of it
home with me. There is a large quan-
tity of stock on this farm; in ehheep,sorise
of almost every breed, and Messrs
Rutledge and Bouverie bid fair in the
future of being the most extensive
breeders in` the Northwest. I saw some
wild geese here that have been domesti-
cated. The outbuildings,of which there
are from twenty to thirty, are very
nicely arranged, "a place for every-
thing and everything in its place." In
the gardens the vegetables and small
fruits were really magnificent, I might
say that Mr Rutledge is. quite a Tory•
politician,. having unsuccessfully con-
tested Dennis county at the last great
election, Mr Rutledge is a genial,whole-
souled fellow, and is always ready to
give strangers every information regard-
ing the resources of the country. While
here I also met Dr Ceuest, late of St.
Marys, who has launched into prairie
farming on a very large scale.
Leaving Virden, I next struck out for
Brandon, which is a very progressive
city of 5;000 inhabitants. 'This is a
booming city, and the largest grain
market in Manitoba. .It is beautifully
Situated on high ground, and has many
fine streets and magnificent public build-
ings. I met a number of old Huronites
here, among then] Messrs F. Clegg, for-
merly of Morris, A. Churchill, of Gode-
rich township, and John Clark, former-
ly of Blyth. Mr Clegg is in the cattle
business; Mr Churchill has a line farm
near Douglas station, and Mr Clark has
a position in the round house of the C.
P.R. Brandon has three newspapers,
two of which are run by gentlemen for.
tnerly from this locality, viz., The Sun,
by Mr W. White, formerly of Exeter,
and The Mail, by Mr Cliffe, formerly of
Kincardine. While here the merchants
seemed to be busy, and everything was
booming.
I left Brandon next day for Portage
la Prairie. On the way we pass several
small stations, and I noticed a large
elevator at each place. Numerous
stacks of hay may be seen in the dig.
tapee;..indicating ..that hay has been, a
good crop. In the Northwest the peo-
ple do not go in for seeding down, but
cut their hay off the "sloughs," or ponds,
and this is as good for the stook as the
timothy of Ontario. I arrived at Port-
age in due time, and struck at once for
Capt. Sheppard's.hotel, but that gen-
tleman was away from home. I met
Mr R. McLean, of Goderich, on the
street, and shortly after our old friend,
Mr H. S. MacLean, who, by the way, is
principal of the public school there.
The Portage is a very long town, and
was evidently intended for a big city,
when it was laid out. Tho main street
seems over a mile long. There arsi
some fine stores and public buildings
here, two or three large elevators and
some flouring mills. It is a fine coun-
try around there, the finest I saw in the
Northwest ; the farms ate'all improved.
The Manitoba se Northwestern runs
from here in a northwesterly direction
through a tine country to Langenbing.
Von can easily see the train from the
Portage for forty minutes after it has
left the station, the country is so level.
Leaving Portage the sante day I
struck for Winnipeg, the great city of
the west. There was a regular bum
here, and business seemed to be boom-
ing in every direction. The population
of the city is now estimated at 35,000.
It is growing very rapidly, and is' justly
named the Canadian, Chicago. The
City Hall is one of the finest structures
in the Dominion, and -the post office
buildings will compare very favorably
with those of any of our Ontario cities.
The chief workshops of the C.P.R.,-be-
tween Montreal and the coast, are here,
and the train yards contain more than
twenty miles of sidings. There aro
fine stores, particularly the Cauchon
block, and Il(dson Bay Co's block. I
met a number of former Clintonians
here : W. Donagh, who has the best
merchant tailorring business in the city;
W. Ranee, W. Muir, W. Coloton, for-
merly of the Record staff, H. Steep and
others. The leading newspapers are
the free P1•089, (Reform), the Call,
(Conservative), and the Sun, (Indepen.
dent). Mr W. F. Luxton, formerly of
Seaforth, is one of the proprietors of
Fr •e Press; this paper, though Pefo'm,
is not in accord with Mr Greenway in
his railway policy. 11Ir C. W. Ilans•
comb, city editor of the Call, is married
to a Clinton lady, Miss Pratt.
During my attendance at the (l ran l
Lodge I had the pleasure of a drive
through the city, was introduced to
Lieut. -Governor Schultz,shown through
the gardens, and had a trip up the Red
River to Frazer's grove, where the dale;:
gates to the Grand Lodge were ban;;
quetted. The fire brigades of the city
turned out and gave us an exhibition of
their drill. A'stranger cannot but be
struck with the beautiful streets .of this
go-ahead city. They aro paved with
tamarack blocks, which is said to be an
improvement on the cedar. Well, Mr
Editor, I think 1 have nearly tired you
out. I left Wiuuipeg on Friday night,
and reached home on Monday, more
than pleased with my trip, and with
the kind manner in which I was treated
during my sojourn in the Northwest.
Tuckcrgiuith.
BAD Loss.—The many friends of
Mr Hugh Alexander, of 11 anitoba,
formerly of this township, will be
sorry to learn that he has met with
serious loss by the entire destruction
of his wheat and barley crop, by
frost. Mr Alexander has bad nothing
but reverses ever since he left bis
;arm here, and this beibg his first
year in Manitoba makes the loss all
the more severe for him.
UNION PICNIC.—The picnic in Mr
Townsend's grove last Friday, was
largely attended by old and young of
the Ontario St. and the Turner con-
gregations. The day being pleasant,
the grove everything that could be
desired for picnicking, and the peo-
ple all glad that they were still living,
the prospects for a moat enjoyable
afternoon were bright. The change
from the monotony of the office, the
work of the shop, the perspiration of
the harvest -field, and the dust of the
threshing machine; to the beauties of
the grove had a beneficial effect upon
all. Every one seemed to have come
with the determination to add as far
as possible to the mirth of the after-
noon. The older portion of the crowd
gathered in groups to enjoy the pleas-
ure of convereation,others, younger in
years, surrounded the swings; while
still others, among whom were the
pastors of the Ratteobury and Ontario
street congregations, engaged vigor-
ously in a game of base ball. After
all had satisfied themselves with the
games, at the call of the Committee
they came together to partake of the
good things provided by the ladies;
and after doing iustice to the refresh-
ments they turned towards home.
thankful picnics were not yet gone
out of fashion.
Kingsbridge.
ROMAN CATHOLIC PICNIC. -On the
morning, of Wednesday, 5th inst.,
people in holiday attire and with
cheerful, expectant countenances,
might be seen wending their way,
some driving, some walking, but all
seemingly making for the one point.
The curiosity of your correspondent
was aroused, and resolving; to see
what 'twas all about, he joined the
hurrying throng, and was carried on-
ward until he reached the gate of Mr
Dean's grove. Pleasurable expecta-
tions were awakened in his breast
when sweet strains of music and
merry peals of laughter broke faintly
upon his ear. Hurriedly paying his
quarter, he passed through and found
himself surrounded by people all ap-
parently bent on making themselves
and everybody else as happy as pos-
sible. On through the trees he could
faintly discern the younger, people
thor$ughly enjoying themselves danc-
ing to the music of McCullough's
string band. On all sides were tents
containing all kinds of refreshments.
Notwithstanding that the day was
cool, crowds of people were present
from all parts, Wawanosh, Hallett,
Colborne, Goderich, Lucknow and
Ashfield, in fact, everybody and his
mother were there. When the bell
rang for dinner there was h hungry
rush and squeeze, and although the
army 'of waiters was- as active and
busy asbeeteitwaaafterth—a o clock
belbre every one was served. A con-
test for a gold -headed cane between
Messrs Lawrence, of Luckhow, and
Roberts of Dungannon, was decided
in favor of the latter. The Lucknow
Glee Club sang a couple of beautiful
quartettes, while Beery McIntyre
delighted the people with his perform-
ance of the 'Sailor's Hornpipe.' ,Al-
together it was the best picnic your
correspondent ever attended. The
managing committee spared no pains
to render everybody happy, and they
are to be commended on how well
they succeeded in doing so. Every
one thoroughly enjoyed himself and
looks forward to the pleasure of at-
tending the next one. The proceeds
amounted to nearly $400.
•
East Wawanosh.
Bruns.—The bricklayers are doing
the work of Mr David Scott's new
house this week. Mr Challenger
wears his new parental smile—'tis a
daughter. The stone masons have
finished their part of the contract for
Walter Scott's woodshed. Mr John
Coultes of Wawanosh Mills is busy
filling orders for a lot of building
lumber at present.
BALL.—,plh interesting game of
ball was played between the Tories
and Grits of the Oth concession, on
Saturday last, resulting in a victory
for John A. The players for the
Tories were P. W. Scott, P. M. Sctott,
John S. Scott Walter Scott, Wm.
Scott, Charlie Scott,John Mason,Jas,
Vancamp, Robt, Stonehouse, and
their opponents were Chas, 1Vight-
man, R. Henry, Basil Coultes Geo.
Coultes D. Anderson,Fred Anderson,
Wm, Anderson, Jas. Henry and
Wm, McDowell Mr John Sandfield
McDonald Anderson, the popular
umpire, managed the game to the
entire satisfaction of all. At the
close of the first game the seo:e stood
for Tories 14 runs in 8 innings, and
8 for Grits in 9 innings ; as there was
o 'nsiderable daylight left, they play-
ed another gameot three innings,this
time the Grits were victorious by 7
runs to four.
e.
BLYT11
Miss A. Shane is visiting friends iu
Goderich.
Mr D. 13. McKinnon has returned
from Toronto.
Miss Hess, of Listowel, is the guest
of Mrs Dr Sloan.
Miss Emma Shibley is visiting rela-
tives in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr Richard Walker, of Chicago, is
at present here on a visit. -
Mr Joseph Carter returned from
his trip to Manitoba, last seek.
Inspector Malloch, of Clinton, visi t-
ed our public schools on Tuesday.
Mr John B Kelly is in Toronto
this week,attending the exhibition.
The Rev H. A. Thomas is at pre-
sent visiting friends in Wallaceburg.
Mr R. .L McGee, of Kincardine,
spent two or three days in town last
week,
Miss Hattie Ritchie left on Tues-
day,on a visit to friends in the Queen
City.
Mr Thomas Scott occupied the
pulpit in the English church, on Sun-
day last.
Mr Wm. Campbell and Mr George
King were in the county town on
Wednesday.
Mr Harry Jessop leaves for a boli -
day trip to Toronto and Eastern On-
tario next week.
A ndmber of our townspeople in-
tend taking in the Toronto exhibi-
tion next week.
Mr J. Kelly, son of Mr John Kelly,
of the Queen's, lett town on Monday
for Palmerston.
Mr R. Irwin has•taken possession
of bis house lately purchased from
Mrs Robt. Stewart.
Mr Geo. White has just completed
the erection of a very commodiva
driving -shed and stable.
Miss S. Symonds, who has been in
Kingston for some time past, re-
turned home, on Monday.
The Wingham lacrosse- Club will
probably play the return match with
Clinton, here, next week.
, Our popular townsman, Mr John
Morgan, Is having n fine driving -shed
erected on his new premises.
Owing tb a break in one of the ma-
chine wheels at the brick yard, work
has been stopped for a few days.
Messrs John Denholm and John
Mains are each having a atone cellar
put under their dwelling houses.
Our boys are talking of organizing
a football club here. Go into it boys,
and make it worthy of the village.
Mrs G. H. Old, of Goderich, ac-
companied by her sister-in-law,visited
at Mr W. H. McBride's, last week,
Mr and Mrs J. U. Hamilton, ac-
companied by their daughter, leave
Friday on a visit to friends at Milton.
Mr R. D. Dunbar, one of our popu-
lar tailors, leaves on Monday next for
New Fork, and will be gone about
ten days.
Mrs R. B. Durnion and Miss Mal-
ley, who were visiting in town last
week, left on Monday evening for
Tiverton.
Rev D. McGilivray, of Goderich,
will preach in exchange with Rev Mr
McLean next Sunday, morning and
evening.
The boys have ceased operations
with the flax. They say they have
not made as much money out of it
this year as last.
We are pleased to learn that the
accident to Mr J. McConnell was not
as bad as reported, and with a little
time will be around again.
Messrs Anderson & Elder expect to
occupy their new premises in a short
time, when their annual millinery
opening will take place.
Dr Young, of Londesboro, was in
town • this week, and we were glad to
eee...him, this beinghis first=-hpp-eata'-
ante since his recent illness.
A number of our more pretentious
citizens are contemplating taking in
the $2 90 excursion to Toronto, on
Friday,and the following Wednesday.
Mr Joseph Carter has commenced
the erection of his handsome brick
residence. Joe is a pushing' fellow
and is determined to help build up
the town.
It is the intention bf the young
people interested in dancing to have
a hop the latter part of the month, to
be followed later by a grand ball,
when invitations will be sent to our
neighbol'ing towns.
Some of our more pretentious
youths were so overjoyed at Sam's
marriage, that to express their con-
gratulations, they went out to meet
him with horses, bells, and a variety
of tin cymbals.
Mr S. Herrington and bride return-
ed from their wedding trip on Tues-
day evening Last ; a large gathering
of young people, including quite a
number of the fair sex, were at the
depot to welcome them,
The Hopeful Gleaners of St. An-
drews church have commenced a
young people's prayer meeting, on
Sunday evening, beginning at six
o'clock. Thus far much success hap
attended it, and the hopes are bright
for the future.
A lawn tennis match was played
hero on Friday last, between the
members of the club, Dr Glade and
Fred W. Tanner being their respec-
tive captains. The doctor's team
proved too much for their opponents,
they winning the game easily.
Your correelpondent can inform the
billious editor of the Standard that he
can find nqthing in his sheet worth
cribbing. for the literati of Blyth
want the latest local news, and in or
der to satisfy their longing in this re-
spect, they have to resort to the Clin-
ton Now
A handsome two-storey frame
dw-llinghouse erected upon a durable
atone wall, which encolses a fine,
cellar, is nearly completed and atande
telasamisallaWineleaMenalIMMI
opposite Mr John Morgan's : brick
1 reeidenee, Morris street, and is •the
property of 111rThoes Marshall.
I An kern appears in the last issue
of the local sheet stating that Mt
Metcalf is holding temperaaco meet-
ings in various parts in Manitoba and
the Northwest, while on his holida1
trip, and Mrs Metcalf is much an-
noyed•thereat. Your correspondent
has undoubted authority to state that
such is not correct and that.. the
Standard, or the fellow who tries to
run it, will bo interviewed regarding
the libelous assertion and severely
censured for his conduct, What the
intelligent people of Blyth want is
reliable news and all the news in full
—no atale clippings. •
METaODIST CHURCH —A meeting
of the young people of the Methodist
church was held last week, to.conaider
the advisability of organizing an as-
sociation in connection with the
church: The variqus forms of work
to be done as an auxiliary 'of the
church were fully and freely discussed
by the pastor and the young men;and
as a result of the meetin;, it.was de-
cided to form the Blyth Young Peo-
ple's Society of Christian Eudeavor.
The following officers were chosen :—
Pres„ J. Hunter; Vice -Pres., Miss
Pentland; Rec-Sec., S. ?tethers; Cor -
Sec., R. Clark; Treas., Miss Hunter.
Thorough energetic officers, it will be
seen, have been appointed, and the
new society begins its work with the
good wishes and hopes of many
friends.
The Standard this week returns to its at.
tack on our correspondent, and also on- the
NEw Esu, and insinuates that we stated
what was untrue when the blame for chang-
ing the word "cigars" Into liquors was placed
on the shoulders of a compositor. We hare
been in the habit of believing a denial when
made by any of our ootemporaries, but the
one at Blyth re evidently not built that way.
He should not assume that because his own
standard of honesty is low that of others is
equally so. But to convince him .of the
correctness of our statement we will show
him the copy whenever he takes the trouble
to oa11 at the NEW ERA office, and it was be-
eause we were the cause of the error that tier
correspondent asked us to correct it. Then
again, the Standard becomes quite cocky be -
cense our correspondent did not deny that
he copied items from it. That paper should
know enough of the rules of debate to know
that the correspondent is not called upon to
deny it ; the Standard makes the cuargc,•
and it is the Standard's place to prove it. Iu
criminal procedure a man charged with a
crime is not required to prove his innocence ;
his accusers must his gurlt,or the case drops.
We take the responsibility on oursolves of
saying that the Standard cannot prove Its
charge for this retieon: the bulk of our Blyth
copy ragenerally in the NEw Eng oftlee be-
fore the Standardis published, The editor
of the Standard professes to be supremely
i ndia'orent'as to who our correspondent is anti
"gust wants to let him know wo are on to his
racket." This is a case where ignorance i.,
bliss, and alae ono of "emir grapes" for w.•
know perfectly well that the most pereisten t
emote have been made to discover his ident-
ity. and ire to the NEw EitA giving more Blytle
news than the local paper, we are quite
satisaed with the verdict of tho public,
Would the editor oft the Standard like us to
till him hour often the remark has been
made, "When we want the Blyth news we
have to look in the New EiiA for it," beeaus,.
if he is anxious, we can give him the names
of people in Blyth who have told hint this.
Then a correspondent "A. B. C." comes tri
the assistance of the• Standard editor, and
charges us with publishing "rumors." We
plead guilty to this charge. If we hear c..
rumor drat has any public t nterest we publish,
it, but we publish it as a rumor, not as a fact.
And because the NEW ERA is usually first on
the ground with information for the public;
may be found the reason for its popularity.
Further, the church difficulty which A. B. C.
alleges:was settled is not yet settled—it i.,
only as yet a proposed settlement—The NEW
Ens bas not the s'•gh a tobjection to Blytlt
having tho very best paper it eau, and we are
always pleased to see our cotoms. Succeeding
but we certainly do not believe in them sue -
eoedmg by misstatements concerning our
correspondents or ourselves, and that is our
only apology. for taking up to much 5115(.k.
this week.-- 1:ditor NEW En+. ! -
Colborne.
BRIEFS. —Mr and Mrs tiara, of
Clinton, are visiting friends and re•
latives here this week. Master L ,
youngest son of Mr Stephen Butt,died
on Friday night, Aug. 31st, and on
the following Sunday a large number
otfriends'and relatives followed his
remains to the Homesville cemetery.
NEW ENarNE--On Wednesday,12th
inst., Mr Levi Snyder paid a flying
visit to Brantford and whilst there
purchased a;neselYaterous .laagw.le- o -e.•,; , -:.
-rnrr-wlth bile new miff: WTfh his old .
engine he has threshed 1000 and 17011
bushels of•mixed grain in a day, and
had . given universal satisfaction, so
with 145 new power greater work
may be expected.
A MEAN Taicr,—Some boys play-
ed a mean trick on Charles Elsley, on
the night before the day of his thresh-
ing. The water tank was left on•the
road so as to be handy early in .the
morning..- When the team was taken
to be hitched up,the two hind wheels
were •missing, and were • found at
some distance away. Suclk tricks
should be stopped, tor it not only de-
lays work, but causes bad blood and
threate of shooting to be freely made,
as in this instance.
A Lotesinx» BCcrtv.--Two of our
young ladies,assisted by their matern-
al relative, living r,ot half a mild
from Bethel .Church, undertook to
weak their top buggy the other day.
For this purpose they removed the
wheels, and upon replacing them,
inadvertently put a hind wheel on
the front axle. The buggy was run
nearly 25 miles with the two hind
wheels. on the one side before the
mistake was discovered by a resident
in Goderich.
BelfilSt.
BRIEFS. --NU John Durnin left for
Dakota to few weeks ''ago. Most of
the faratters have finished seeding.
Eight pupils in our public school aro
being prepared for the next entrance
examination. Mr F. 11. Alton, of
the Nile Public eehool, has been en-
gaged to teach the school here' for
1889, MyRobert Somerville left
last week fr Manitoba on tho Har-
vest Excursion. Our hotel keeper is
improving his stable and outbuild-
ings.
11Troris.
A meeting of the ratepayers of S. S.
No 1 was held last Saturday afternoon
in the school bnnse, to discuss school
grievances. Many uncharitable and
murcenary things were said against
the teacher and the result is the pre -
Rent teacher will not remain next
year,