HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1975-02-20, Page 30
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SEAFORTH
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wedding ceremony her husband
kept his coat buttoned, up to his
neck, but the groom had a white
shirt on.
Where Anstett's stores is now,
there used to be a Towne's Pool
Room, a hang out for all the boys.
Harry Towne the proprietor was
an elderly plan, lame, one leg
shorter than the other but that
didn't stop him from leading all
the parades in town. r;
Another character, although he
didn't live in Seaforth still he
came here every week day. This
was Jimmy McGee who drove the
stage from Bayfield to Seaforth.
Many ,fare the stories fold of him.
One day he gave some one a'
rid and when they got out they
id "Thank you, Mr. McGee".
'He replied "Sure my pocket's full
of that kind of money."
Another time it is said that, his
sage was full when to got to
/Egmondville on return trip but
he had a bicycle tied on behind
that he was takingto Bayfield so
when a pa<senger was waiting at
Egmondville to go tot either
Brucefield, or Bayfield he. asked if
he could ride a bicycle and when
.he said he could he rented the
man the bicycle.
When, in 1879, the town
fathers were negotiating for land
on which to build the high school,
they settled on a piece of land
where the„Lnanor is now. It was
owned by Thos. Adams. John
Beattie was chairman of the
committee and he and Mr. Adams,
his uncle by marriage; couldn't
agree as to whether a goose pen
was to be included or not.
Consequently the high school had
to be built in another place.
The - younger• people don't
remember the smell of hot
roasted peanuts that permeated
the air on Main Street • on
Saturday nights. Ciieles and-P
think Cardno Bros. had red metal
peanut roasters that they put out
in the doorways of the stores
every Saturday night. The
machines whistled, think..w.hen
the peanuts were roasted enough.
.You could buy quite a bagful for
five cents.
Seaforth has had at least its Sparling Street near the RR
share of colourful characters tracks.
during its 100. years as a town. In his sparetime he carved.
This week's guest correspondent things out of bone, a Craft he had
is Miss Ethel Beattie, whose learned, so they said, in peniten-
family has had a long association s tiary where he had been serving a
with this town. MisS Beattie in term for murder.
her article recalls some of the
interesting people from Sea-
forth's past. Some of our readers
will remember the people Miss
Beattie talks about but even oqr
young readers will lenjoy this
nostalgic and humourous look at
Seaforth characters from the good
old days.
By Ethel Beattie
Dicky Reid was the town handy
trian. He was a little Englishman
who could neither read nor write.
He used to do gardening and cut
wood etc.
Someone had notched a yard
stick at one x 2 ft intervals.
Consequently you were out of
luck if you wanted anything
planted eighteen inches apart.
Everything had to be 1,2 or 3 feet
apart.
•
When given a cup of tea mid
morning or afternoon he would
say, "Thanks for the next, I'm
sure of this."
Then there was "Grup" Wm.
Gillespie who was the town
policeman. He always carried a
cane. I don:t know whether for
protection, or support.
One time there was a circus
here.
while t
me of the help was fired
ey were here and, the next
day the broke into a house in
Little Scotland and helped 'them-
selves to all the clothes of a fattier
and son who were away, working.
"Grump" and Fred Welsh, a
baliff were chasing them. Miss
Gina Graham surprised one of the
culprits who was hiding in her
berry patch.
The Queen s Hotel was run
"Grump" arrived sometime originally by Thos. Stelohens. In
later and asked her where the later yearsbe was called "Dad".
man was. She said , "He ran 1ie came tb Seaforth in 1866. The
towards the RR track."
"Grump" asked "Do you sup-
pose he's running yet?"
Few remember Bill Curtis,
familiarly called "Nigger Bill".
He looked after Dr. Scott's horses
and lived in a shack at the foot of
story is told that when he was
going to be married he didn't have
a white shirt to wear but when his
brother came to the wedding he
bad -one on:
The brother's 'Wife couldn't
understand why, ',during the
James Gillespie kept a harness
shop where Flannery's Cleaning
Business is now. It was a great '
hangout for the men who were at
loose ends. Many tall tales were
told there.
One day one of the men had
been blowing about' what a huge
cabbage he had grown. Another
told of seeing Geo. Murray the
drayman going up Main Street
with 'the largest iron pot he had
ever seen on the wagon.
They all began speculating as
to what anyone would use such a
large pot for. Mr. , Gillespie
remarked that he guessed it was
to cook so and so's cabbage in.
Few remember the little man,
'Mr. Broodbridge, who used to
stand and open and close the door
for the customers at McFaul's
Dry Goods Store. It was where
+Frank Kling's is now, The• dr'y'"./
goods stores and in fact all the
stores took in butter and eggsk
trade for the merchandise they
sold. ,
Henry Livens familiarly called
"Jew" kept a grocery store where
the butcher shop is and later"ik
the store vacated by the Canadian's'
Tire. He didn't believe in
telephones or banks.
His pants pocket was popularly
supposed to be his bank and when
it was imperative that he call
sonic of his suppliers on the
phone they could almost have
heard him in Exeter if the door
had been open, he yelled so
loudly.
• Act, 1971 was passed.
Jim Johnston and Lorne Dale
will count dogs and sell tags at
$f„00 for 1st dog, $7.00 for
second; or $7.00 first female and
$10.00 for second.
A by-law to impose special
annual drainage rates upon lands
in respect of which money is
borrowed under the Tile Drainage
Act, 1971 was ',passed.
The Clerk will write letters to
trailer owners re licencing trailers
on said property.
Road Accounts of $5,222.20:
Drai nage of $7,0$5.30 and
General of $2,967.88for a total of
$15,285.38 were read and passed.
Travelling Lone Hands - Mrs.
John Templeman; Ladies' High -
Mrs.RosS Balfour and Mrs. John
Miller; Gent's High - Tom
Colquhoun and Roger Edwards,
Nearest Birthday = , Mrs. Ross
Balfour; Lucky Chair - Mrs. John
Templeman.
The-third meetingbf the Staffa
#1 4-H Homemaking Club "Pins
and, )leedles" was held at the
home of Mrs.George Vivian on
Saturday morning at 9:30 a.rrt.
The meeting opened with the 4-H
pledge followed by the, roll, call
`Give one point to remember
when cutting or marking fabric'
which was answered by seven
members.
Editor's Note: Remember When's'
is a column, to celebrate
Seaforth's Centennial, Guest
columns will be written by local
people and we Invite an, of our
readers to contribute their
"memories" of Seaforth to. the
column.
SEA ORTH
Whey fly and other Seaforth characters
•
Happ
I
Mr.Arnold Miller passed away returned from a trip to Germany.
at SeafOrth Community Hospital Mrs, George Dundas , was
onThursday February 13, 1975 in visited by Mrs. Robt. McMichael
his 79th year. - of Walton and Miss Tillie Dundas
"Ernie" as all his friends knew of town also by Miss Amy Love of
him, had been employed by the Toronto.
town of Seaforth for many years Rev. Bert McSpadden visited.
before becoming a resident of with his father Mr. Zack
Seaforth Manor and until, this McSpadden and his aunt Mrs.
past few months had been able to Cartwright Hawley.
walk uptown every day. During Mrs. Fern Patterson 'of wn
his residence here he had visitel with Mrs. , arles phis
himself to fellow McGaV.,in and Mrs. Ada Rei , and
resident's and staff alike. Funeral Mrs.George Dundas. Other
services were held for Ernie on visitors with Mrs. McGavin were
Saturday, February 15 at the Box her son Bill of Strattord, Mrs.
Funeral Home at 2 p.m. with Rev. Elsie Keyes and Frances and
•
Visitors with Mrs. Ada Reid were
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wain and
children of the Bluewater
Highway and Mr. 'John Marks of
London also Mrs. Elsie Dinsmore
and Mrs. Eva McCartney of town
and Miss Jean Scott of Harpurhey
who gave Ada a lovely hyacinth
bulb. Mrs. Reid is a lover of
flowers and takes great price in
watching them grow.
Mrs. Lillie Hudie was visited by
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Hudie, also
Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Rinn
of Belgrave ,and Wss:•-•Sennie
Storey, Mrs.Keith Rock and Mr. Leslie McKenzie 'who recently Staffa Women's Institute held in Chalet on giird'ap , Karen and
the township hall on\Jednesday
-' Correspondent
Mrs. John Templeman
Hay Ride
The Hibbert commu n
young people enjoyed a hay ride
party Friday evening, returning
later to the Family Life Center for
refreshments.
Mrs. George Vivian, Mrs.
Russell Worden and Mrs, Carter
Kerslake were the . planning
committee for the Valentine
progressive euchre party the
Everett Storey and Mrs. Eva
McCartney.
Mrs.Mabel Crouch visited with
friends and also rendered
selections on the piano for our
residents on Saturday. We are
indeed grateful to Mrs. Crouch
-"for sharing her talents with us,
OUr crokinole winners this past
week have been Mr. Charles Ross
and Miss fla Gardner.
last Thursday euchre winners
were mr. Emil Hermansen and
Mr. Albert St. Denis with Mr. St:
Denis also having , most lone
hands. Friday afternoons bingo
winners were Mr. Joe ,Downey.
Personals
Mr. and Mrs. John Miller and
family attending the Crippled
Children's party at the Pineridge
Mrs. Spencer Jeffery read
grains. stay • stitching and seams
and demonstrated the techniques
in gathering.
Mrs. Vivian demonstrated
seams, french and flat.
Helen Smale demonstrated
how to make a dart.
A lengthy discussion brought out evening.Feb. 12 with tables in
to blame for the lower water table
H ullett recommends severances play' Prizes were awarded to -
that farmers themselves are much
A COUPLE OF ARMS FULL — Little Jimmy and Karen. Campbell are just 'able to
handle two of the triplet lambs that were born to an ewe ontheir father's farm in
McKillop recently. The children's mother, Mrs. Arnold Campbell, is attempting to
get hold of the third lamb, between the children. For the mother ewe; whose ears
and head are just visible in the bottom of the picture, it's her fourth set of triplets, a
fairly unusual occurrence. (Staff Photo)
MP's hear farm
concerns at Huron
F of A meetin g
d out that the
t set prices, but
''-' thatthe price is se by supply and consequences .of not having our council man as saying in
dem.nd. The Pork Board then own sugar industry have been discussing councilmen's salaries: made' painfully aware in the last should not be subject to the "The salary should be high
blanket criticism that has been few months,. If a commodity enough. so that good candidates
levelled at marketing boards in disappears from Canadian w production, all ,Canadian
won't be(frightened off, but not so
the last half year. high as ffo attract people just for
Another concern he expressed consumers will be at the mercy of
exporters from other lands.
the money."
was the effect of 'strikes on • Mr. McKinley replied that
-innocent parties and he stressed The same commodity was
discussed in a brief from Jake
provincial members in Ontario
that a solution to this widespread
and Quebec' have a higher salary Van -Wonderen of Varna who problem 'must be found. than - the federal members and wondered if governments The Pork Producers together
explaiiied some of the costs a ' couldnt do more to help beef men with the Bean Producers, the
member is obliged to incur. If a to become even more efficient. Beef Improvement Association munielpality built a swimming Plant Some farmers in some areas are and the Huron Power
pool, the MP donates $50, or if living on subsistence he claimed Committee afted the members to
constituents visit Ottawa, . the and he asked for government help do anything in their power to member invites them for dinner.
prevent the building of a power so they can help themselves, Murray Gaunt said that on of Blyth explained Bailey plant in Huron County as they felt Mason occasion a school class with this would be detrimental to the the Land Use Policy of the Ontario
Federation of Agriculture. This is seventy pupils may visit Queens
growing of plants, particularly Park and the least it cost him is
white beans, but to other crops as often quoted out of context he seventy bottles of pop or maybe further said. We want land preserved for well, and that seventy box lunches. Mr.Bean food production, but on condition development in the wake of the
pointed out that the MP also has that the farmer can make a living plant construction would crowd
to make sure that there will be off that land comparable with the out livestock operations because money to fight the next election in society who have the same of objections to the smell of such rest of his savings. The danger of too low
investment and the same operations.
a remuneration is that only the managerial ability, he said. Alan Walper of Grand Bend rich can afford to run in an
expressed, concern about . the Paul Steckle of Zurich, election and that would put the
continuous dropping of the Chairman of the Huron County representation of the not so rich
water table. Some wells, he said, Safety Association, said that in their hands.
that were free flowing twenty compulsory roll bars on all new At the conclusion of the
years ago now need a deep well tractors would probably soon be meeting, the MP's declared that
pump, and he asked for research introduced. The railroads are now they wouldn't like to miss this
in this area, if for instance tile experimenting with revolving yearly exercise as it provides
drain water from the fields could lights on• locomotives and are them with material for) their
be safely led back into the wells. applying reflecting devices on the speeches in the house.
as they easily succumb to the
temptation to enlarage their At the regular nfeeting of authorized to sign the Clinton
farms by cutting down wood lots. Hullett Township Council on Fire Area Agreement.for the .year
, Warden Anson McKinley February 3, Elgin Nott was given 1975„
pointed out that Huron County permission to build h house on Hugh Flynn was appointed as
has an excellent law which forbids Lots 70 and 71, Plan 4, Con 1, Township Representative on the
the cutting and removing of Hullett Township subject „ to' Huron County Farm Safety
woodlots of more than two acres Township 13y-Laws and Huron Association.
and the cutting of trees with a County Health Unit. . The Engineer's REport on the
circumference of more than 54 Severances *ere recommended Wallace Drainage works was
inches , 18 inches above the base. , fer approval for Lot 25, Con. 4, accepted and the date to consider
Any violation of this law makes 1111 liett ToWnship and for Murray same was set for 3 o'clock on
one liable to a hefty fine. Adams on Lot 25, Con. 5 with no March 3, 1975. .
The Bean Producers Marketing conditions but suggest that A Building Permit was issued
Board devoted their entire brief to owners haveagreement on Line to Clifford Shobbrook on Lot 21,
Fences, This severance portion Con. 12 for a barn, subject to the contemplated power plant in
Huron County. They explained will be owned by Mr. Adams township by-laws.
through their chairman, Philip brother-in-law, the remaining will A by-law to raise $500,000. to
Durant of Zurich, that 54,000 be for farming purposes. aid in the construction of drainage
The Reeve and Clerk were : *works under the Tile Drainage
-U.S, in one year. •
million dozen eggs in—England
dearest. During the coal strike in
the price per dozen would not
exceed twenty cents, at the
England in 1893, they had one
music at first was a _gramophone
away as Drayton, Formdsa and
$250 000 00 worth of tothe
was situated on the North West
corner of Main and Goderich
Streets. They gathered eggs by
horses and wagons from as far
Amberly. They had 13 teams and
wagons on the road and shipped
on the show they had a parade., up
school all rushed up to see it.
Cardno's .flall. There was the
strels, The Sunny South Co. and
noortcrn the day they were to put
Main Street and the kids from
pict re all for five cents.
came to town and put on a show in
Uncle Tom's Cabin players. At
flashed on the screen from time to
sev ral showings - of the same
Marks' Bros., Guy Bros. Min-
course, the conversation'being
time: The admission was five
cents. The program was
continuous.
in the first decade of this century.
You could go and sit through
, The late Leonard McFall was
they saw that the boy was biting
wooden kitchen chairs. ,The
with a horn.
piano. The pictures were silent of
store now occupied by the antique
store. The seats were plain
principal of the public school for
the master's knee to receive a
were highly entertained -when
Dewar's wooden leg.
of Dewar was a teacher in the
caning and the rest of the class
it.
public school. He had a wooden
leg. One boy was t urned over
had to write an apology and sign
in Mich tire-kids who misbehaved'
ears. He had a Doomsday Book
That wat a lot of eggs because
D. D. Wilson's Egg Imporium
0 e a year groups of players
Later a Mrs. Bullard played the
I think it was probably started
The first movie theatre was in a
At one time a manly the name
lc
"Whey Fly". He was a little man
jump the pitch holes. ..
,Storey, He ,,also had' a horse and
horse and wagon and gathered
attention of all the fools on Main
Street."
the church furnace.
churches watched and waited-
every Sunday to see them take
noise either blowing their noses
or sneezing.
remember. The kids called him
who went around with a white
called Fly a misnomer and when
he wanted to stop he yelled what
replied "Yes, it can draw the
early days of this century to use
McMiehaEl who went to the •
Methodi6 Church (now Northside -
snuff. Then they made quite a
garbage. The old horse was
called but to him - "Can that
experience, especially if your
held. in , the basement of the
Presbyterian Church. The, kids
be found. They were hidden in
remember who.' 'still'used it.
D.D.Wilson who went to the
United(. The kids in both
sounded like "Whey Fly".
wagon, Someone to be smart
horse draw?'; Jack quickly
bushels of grain was 'shipped,
from here annually. The grain
wood to the salt bloc and 'logs
for lumber in winte the roads
by the bobs of the weighted
a cutter was a spine jolting
horse was young and liked to
the public school, classes were
played hooky once and couldn't
snuff. There were two men that I
Presbyterian Churth and Jas.
was hauled, by horse and Oragon
from as north as Bruce
County.
became full of pit holes caused
sleighs. Riding over the roads in
in .Seaforth in 1870 was 500.
Before the addition was built
here, they burned 12 cords of
wood daily.
used to haul grain, o the station,
There was another man I
The average school attendance
Another character was Jack
It was quite common in the
in the hey day of the salt blocks
i alle bo ighs being
and lost three cents a dozen on
SPECIALS them.
In the 18/0's one' million
with any
and Mr.Harold Walsh'. Straight
corners were Mr.Ludger Seguin
Awry Lampkin for full house:Four
Mr. Emil Hermansen and Mr. 4, CHIPS
Reg. 89 .69
line was Miss Edith Salo and Mr.
Clarence Jackson.
Tuesday of ternoons euchre
winners were Mr. Clarence
Jackson and Miss• Doris Wells.
Happy Birthdays also on
Tuesday, Feb. 18th-to Mr.' James
Walmsle'y, Mr Alex Malinchuk,
Mr. Owen , Morgan and Mr.
Joseph Prov est. Cake and treats
were shared with these residents
for their birthday in the
afternoon.
Shirley, participating in the
afternoon entertainment.
Darlene Templeman,
Waterloo. Geraldine and Ruth
Templeman, Stratford, spent the
w,eltend with Mr. and Mrs. John
Templeman and family. Visiting
with them on Sunday were
Mrs.Dale Martyn, Wanda and
Michelle, Russeldale and Mr. and
Mrs. Dave Capling, London.
Lee Miller, Woodstock spent
the weekend with Mr. and Mrs.
Russel Miller and family.
1CIGMETTES
Small .55
Large. .65
REMEMBER :
Oil and
Filter Change
Chassis Lube
$9.99
ARCHIE'S
SUNOCO
Open 24 Floors
' '
The HurOn County Federation acres of land are used for the side of a railWay freight cars on
of Agriculture held their annual production of white beans 'in the recommendation of the Safety
Members —of Phrliament meeting Huron County with. a total Association.
last Saturday in the Clinton production in 1973 of 63 mill.ion
4q. He' warned further that anyone
_Boardroom of the Ontario pounds. With the building of a who hires labour is responsible to
Ministry of Agriculture and Food. power plant this production will have the employee covered with
The federal member Robert (Bob) almost certainly be decimated, Workmen's Compensation. If he
McKinley and both members of thereby depriving the world of an doesn't he can be held
the Ontario Legislature, Murray enormous amount of high protein responsible if an accident occurs.
Gaunt and !Jack Riddell
Considerkble period of time. Both
were ,food _which can be stored . fora He suggested to the MP's that
present to listen 'to and comment fainters be made more aware of IvIPP's assured the meeting that on concerns expressed , by the Workmen's Compensation
'representatives of the federation they would do everything in their through the Tax offices and
and various farm commodity power to prevent the• accounting departments.
groups. ,Doug Fortune -contemplated development. They Too many acdtientslake place
of Wingham chaired the meeting also stated that there is a good on'the farm, he said, and sooner
and stated in his opening remarks possibility that this plant will be or later the agricultural industry
that farmers must learn to find , built in ". or .near the Bruce will be required to operate under
answers to their problems Peninsula instead of in Huron the Farm Safety Act with regard
themselves and th ei r County. to safety equipment, which will
organizations in co-operation with Beef Producers mean regular inspection of such
their local members and The problems of the beef devices.
governments. . producer were presented by Maurice Bean of Auburn
The Huron Pork Producers George Adams of Wroxeter and concluded the MP meeting with a
president,- , Eric Moore of he wondered if more farming brief on the salary increase to he
Goderich, point
pork board does
would go the way of the sugar asked for federal members of
beet industry and the arliament.—He quoted a Blyth
de
$3. (r -GAS
en ings at Seaforth Manor PURCHASE•
E.G.Nelson in charge. Temporary
entombment in Pioneer Memorial
MauAleuin with interment „ 12 X 30 oz
Egmondville Cemetery. • • , 3.09 Staffa people errioy hayride cOKE
MILK
Jug 1.15
Bag I .19
•
BREAD
White 3/1.00
POP SHOP
40 oz.3/1 .39
PEPSI
26 oz. 3/.99
GIN-GERALE
3/.99
Prices Do Not
Include Deposit
NOTICE 014
SEAFORTI:1 FARMER'S CO-OP
will hold a
WEED SPRAY
INFORMATION MEETING
Feb. 27, 1975 at 8 p.m.
in the
SEAFORTH LEGION HALL