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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1933-03-23, Page 3THE EXETER TIMES-ADVpCATE THURSDAY, AJAIU H 23rd, 1933 RELIEF CUT OFF THE LATE MRS- OLIVER Mrs. (Dr.) C. B. Oliver died at her home iu Chatham recently, fol­ lowing a prolonged illness. Mrs Oliver, who was in ehr 67th year was a daughter of the late William and Eliza Bicke-11, of Staffa. She married Dr. Oliver, who was a jia- > five of Avonbank in 1891. Surviving I besides her husband, are one son and one daughter, two brothers and three sisters. Mrs. Carrie Rogers, Kirkton being a sister. 45 YEARS AGO Malrch 22, 1838 of Pioneer Days in Exeter Sonic Reminiscences of the Early Days in South Huron as told by James Handford, of Exeter, Seaforth Council has passed a motion that transients will fend for themselves after April 1st. Af­ ter tfiat date the town will not feed or house them. FARMER IS BURNED is in i IJoseph Kale, of McKillop, Scott Memorial Hospital, Seaforth, as the result of an unfortunate ac­ cident while singeing a horse in th? stable. He had been applying coal oil to the horse and as he dropped his knife and the singers on the straw the coal oil ignited. Mr. Kale’s hands were badly burned and the horse was burned. Through the ef­ forts of the fire trucks from Sea­ forth and neighbors, the building was saved. We understand that R. Seldon, io has been with Samwell & Pickard for a number of years leav­ es shortly for Ingersoll. The Ontario (California) says that E. Drew and F. J. have gone into partnership a Fruit and Provision Store. Marriages were solemnized be­ tween Wm. Baker and Elizabeth Ann -Heaman, of iStephen; John R. Evans, of Clinton and Grace Essery of Steplien; Robert Lang, of Exeter and Aggie Russell, of Usborne; Richard Henry Coultis and Carrie Harvey, of Usborne; Robert Delor and Marietta ton. The death of Elizabeth aged 79 years, 11 months. On Thursday as Wesley Welsh was skidding logs he sprained his ankle badly. Thomas Bissett and L. leave shortly for the Northwest, believe, to commence farming. Record Knight to run Trevethick, of Credi- occurred on. the 20th Delbridge, of Usborne Hardy we 25 YEARS AGO March 26, 1908 MRS. EDITH CARTER Mrs. Edith Charlotte Carter died in Lucan at the home of her daugh­ ter, Mrs. Irving Gibson on Sunday. She was in her 63 rd year. A daugh­ ter of the late Jacob Edwards. She was born on the second cncession of McGillivray and lived there during the early years- of her life. Later she lived in Lucan a few years, then in London, coming back to Lucan nine years ago to live with her daughter, Mrs. Gibson, who is her sole survivor. Funeral services were held at the home of her daughter Tuesday afternoon with interment at Nursery Cemetery. REPORT OF S. S. NO. 1, USBORNE The following is the report of S. S. No. 1 Usborne for January and February: ISr. IV—Olive Parsons, 80.9; G Wurm 73.2; Billie Rowcliffe 67.5; Chester Dunn, 67.2; Marjorie Etfi- erintgon 62.i5; Agnes Fairbairn Jr. IV—Frayne Parsons, 76.5; E. Wurm 74.1; Wilfred Buchanan 69.3 Jack Boa, absent. Sr. Ill—Grace Beckler, 86.7; Jack Kestle 79.4. Jr. Ill—.Margaret Dougall, 71.8; Russell Ferguson, 60.2; Billie kes­ tle, 59.4; Gordon Squire 46.4; An­ drew Boa, 45.5. Sr. II—Billie Reynolds, 81.8; H Wurm, 79..5; Bobbie Jeffery, 79.3; Harry Dougall, 7.5.7; Alex Boa, 73.1 Donald Buchanan, 69.8; Lawrence Dunn 66.8. Jr. II—Billie parsons, 74.9; How­ ard Ferguson, 51.3. Primer— Bobbie Parsons, 80.8,. No. on roll 28, average attendance 24.4. Dorothy C. Manning, teacher REPORT OF S. S. NO. 7 STEPHEN more exams. McKenzie, 86.7; 74.7; Ruth Lam- Mellin, 5 8; Ray 4_da Gaiser, 77; Iva Baynham, 75.6 Earl Pickering 65. Baker, 73*; Following are the results of S. S. No. 7 Stephen for January and Feb­ ruary. Those marked with an aster­ isk, missed one or Sr. IV—Jean Dorothy Harlton, port 67.7; Orval S/weitzer, 54. Jr. IV—-Ida Sweitzer 71; Evelyn Clarke 65.4; Jim Clarke, 63; Mil­ ton (Sweitzer, 58. Br. Ill- Pickering, 7.5.7; Roy Mabel Harlton, 70.5; 70; Malieda Clarke, Jr. Ill—Kenneth Harold Fnkbeiner, 67; Robert er 66; Hazel Pickering, 60. II Classi—Roy Clarke 74.1; vin Gaiser, 74. I Class—‘Jack Ratz,4 88 ; Stewart Sweitzer 82; Donald Ratz 78. Jr. I—Jack Pickering 75; Gower *. Sr. Primer—Lila Finkbeiner Catherine Keough, 75.6; Ross Pick­ ering, 75. Jr. Primer—Joan Dellow *. > z L. Thompson, teacher! Luther Penliale. Mel- Iva 89.2 to a car of settler’s was nomination fill the vacancy Herman Elliott has engaged learn tailoring at W. Johns. Miss Hattie Follick is expected home today from British Columbia where she has been for some months Miss Mabel McTaggart left Wed­ nesday morning for Chatham where she has taken a position as steno­ grapher. Mr. Fred Kerr, of Crediton East, purchased Mrs. John Sanders fifty acre farm on Confcession 5 Stephen. Mr. and Mrs. A. Bagshaw and family left on Monday for the West taking with them effects. Last Monday in Crediton to caused by the resignation of Andrew Hicks on the Council Board. Only two candidates were nominated. Fred Wuerth and Michael Fink­ beiner. On Tuesday Mr. Finkbeiner retired from the field thereby leav­ ing Mr. Wuerth elected by accla­ mation. Mr. Chas. Holt has disposed of fifty acres of his hundred acre farm in the Township of Stephen on the 10 th concession to Mr. Michael. .Mr. Jas. Snell, manager o.f the Bank of Commerce, still continues ill and is confined to' his room. Mr. Luther Braund, of Brantford was here during the week visiting relatives and shaking friends. 15 YEARS hands with AGO postmaster At the present time we have not many people whose history goet back to the early days of 90 yean ago when South Huron was covereo with woods but in the village o Exeter resides Mr. James Handl’ord a gentleman, almost 94 years old who was born three miles south of Exeter on lot 7, concession 1 Step­ hen Tiwp. and has lived in this vic­ inity since his birth. To-day his mind is as clear as when a boy and he delights in telling the stories oi events that happened in the long ago. His father, Richard Handford, a quiet but most energetic man was a native of Devonshire, England and was apprenticed to a farmer unti‘ he was 21 years old without pay He heard of Canada and was deter­ mined to emigrate, though his ents and friends pleaded with with tears not to leave dear Devon, where he was certain of ing enough to eat and come to ada where he would starve, their pleading was of no avail be­ cause he was made of the stuff that has given us the pioneers of those early days. He therefore has the honor of being the very first man to er to an around his home the country was settled with Devon folk, a sturdy honest, thrifty people, who made this part of the country blossom like the rose. With him came the late William Rattenburg, who settled in Clinton where he ran the tenbury Hotel for centui’y. When the venturerrs reached had 5 0 cents or rather 2 shilling^ but nothing daunted, they went out into the Township of Chinguacousy County of Peel and got work. They remained there for two years and learned shingle-making. par- him old hav- Can- Bu‘ one looks at the almost giantlike. proportions of this old gentleman in his 94th year one can readily be­ lieve all one is told. At logging bees. I they always went together aad were J ! never beaten. Once when a new­ comer came to the district .he chal­ lenged them to a race. They gladly accepted and told him he might get all the men from Exeter to Centra­ lia on the 2nd and 3rd concession to help him. When the day of the race came one and one-half acres were measured for each gang. The newcomer took a small strip up one side and seemed to he forging ahead but the Handford-Holman gang took all ahead of them and finished in 90 minutes. The others took three hours to finish their allotment. Sometimes like the days of long ago in the time of the tournaments they met in combat and fierce and desparate were the struggles. Once they met a large number one and a quartei' miles east of Devon, ed them and chased them next miles concession one and a off. leave Devonshire for Canada ov- 10 0 years ago and whose letters the homeland brought out such influx of settlers that for mile? well-known Ra- nearly half a two young ad- Toronto they Walked to Egmondville of the present London Road he took a large estate for the who less than three left Devonshire fol the r THB CANADA STARCH 00. UM1TEB. MONTKBAL------CT c ptfARpSBUXc [0RH SYRtf! defeat- to the quarter Barn Raising barn raisings, Mr. Hand­ generally icaptain for one almost invariably won. At raising he and his broth- At ford was side and !one such er, Richard, pulled up fourteen raf­ ters for their side. These two- broth­ ers went together as cradlers and cut five acres each a day, sometimes Richard cut six or more. Once they cradled ten acres a day for three weeks. Another day they cradled 12 acres for Mr. Trivitt, of Centralia and Richard cradled another acre that evening. As a boy James was a good ploughman. At twelve years he was in his first match in a field where the Exeter Opera House now stands and won first prize in the boy’* class. For three successive years he won first with his yoke of oxen. Team ■with. work took Oxen in those a man’s early place Boys had to and often credit to themselves. Before he 12 years old he took the oxen a grist to Bell’s Mill at Klp- SBITRG N BRAND CORN SYRUP d pure, wboleeome, and economical table Syrup. Children lore its delicious flavor. exhibition of a war dance for the entertainment of the Prince. With him went James and Richard Hand­ ford and Richard Holman. The twe Dicks danced, with the Indians but fchey kept on their eflothes while the Indians wore only a breechclotb The next day there were doings at the Fair Grounds and these three youpg men wanted to see what they were like. When they got so far they were etopped by a member of the Prince’s Bodyguard but they were obstreperous and wished to push forward to get a nearer view. The soldier drew his sword and said he would cut off their heads if they tried to go farther. Dick Holman’s fist caught him on the chin and his sword flew through the air. Then they realized what he had done. The two Dicks lost themselves in the crowd and James fell back sudden­ ly. They got other stories strength and in the early home all right. Many are told of the great prowess of these men days* Fond of Horses Handford, besides farmingMr. engaged in the horse business and bought and sold thousands of hor­ ses in his day. He was noted for his integrity and ability to judge hor­ ses. For twenty years he was a judge at the Fall Fairs in such places as Exeter, Bayfield, Seaforth Ilderton, Stratford etc. His proud boast is that he bought and sold without lying and he has nothing but utter contempt for the man will cheat in a horse trade. He went to school with the Thos. Greenway, late premier Manitoba, worked for him years who Dyment sold the brought and Wllliaan first horse in $100, sold to 67 years he with to to it there were three shanties here on three farms occupied by Messrs. Willis, John McConnell. His father London that Jailer Lammie. He James sold tlie first horse that brought $200. Mr. Handford has always been a devoted Conservative. His father and all the neighbours left home to quell the Rebellion of 1837. His wife and children were left in the care of the Indians and they proved to be,the truest friends, ago his turn came and many other young men went Goderich to meet the Finians but it proved to be a bloodless campaign. They did not get a sight of the enemy but they had a good time. Mr. Handford was married three times, his first wife being Elizabeth Snell, who lived a few months. His second wife was Ann Sfprague, leav­ ing one son, Wesley, who died at Swift Current in January. His last wife was Margaret Beamish, of Lon. don Twp., who left five daughters two of whom are giving their father unremitting care in his declining years, viz: Miss Annie at home and Mrs. Foster, of Toronto. His mind is still as -clear as ever and he de­ lights to tell stries of the days long ago. His many friends around Exe­ ter wish him many more years oi life. 90 YEARS OF AGE Mrs. John Willard holds the title of being St Marys oldest merchant she having recently celebrated her 90th birthday. At this age she i< still actively in charge of her wall paper store. Sixty-three years ago i when her husband, the late ex-may- That P1’’ John Willard, started in the . The “last” time hePaintinS and decorating business in late ot ,, WU1AHU LUL 111111 eigllt in his store at Devon and when he went west he accompanied ’ him to assist him and at the same time make a first shipment < fine horses to Winnipeg. ' was 51 years ago. _........„.........„ .... went West was 14 years ago when he was see his 23rd of years. The late Thomas Handford was the youngest son of the was a dealer large gersoll. Mr. Handford is quite tell that in the early days in this large around to the North, not necessary to ask a man for note when you lent him money cause he would and did pay debts. He thinks he should know cause he was dealing with the pub­ lic from early manhood until he was eighty years , of age. Fourteen years ago he retired from active life to live in Exeter which he has seen grow from nothing to its present at­ tainments. The first time he came Clandeboye. days with was with pen 12 miles away. He had to wait until the next day for the flour He was allowed to sit by the kit­ chen stove until morning while the rest went to bed. When coming back the next day he got within 5 miles of home but the late Peter Murray, who lived in the octagonal stone house one and a quarter miles north of Exeter, stopped him, en­ quired who- he was and then said “No son of Dick Handford’s or hit oxen will go past my place without getting something to- eat.” He took them in and fed them well and sent the hungry boy and his oxen home happy indeed. Mr. Handford is stili grateful. On this winter' or drawn on jumpers as they were called, runners were unshod and the people got along very well with them but it was amusing to see how the oxen knew they would run more easily on the grass than on the gravel or earth and they would turn invariably to save themselves, men had from sixty to eighty cleared before they bought a on. SO years old this time to son, Wesley, who died the January this year, aged 63 St. Marys his wife decided to carry on a wall paper stock with it and she still carries on. Of a family of seven children all are still living. Having a little money and having caught the spirit of the new land i.e., a longing to be a land-owner they walked to- Egmondville along the Huron Road that had been open, ed by the Canada Company to God­ erich. Here they separated, William Rattenbury going on to Clinton and Richard Handford coming to Exeter Three miles south village on the up 300 acres, prentice boy, years before Canada with just enough money tc pay for a steerage passage acrosf the Atlantic. At once he set about building a shanty which was roofed with basswood scoops, i.e. basswood logs, split in halves and hollowed out. One row of these were laid oil the top of the shanty with the hol­ low side up, then the cracks between were covered with another row with the hollowed side down-wards cracks were filled with moss -and a splendid roof was the result. Soon the settlers came streaming in and neighbours made the country life pleasanter. After a few> years in the shanties, the farmers began to build log houses and it was then that Mr. Handford found that his knowledge of shingle making was a fine asset He began making them and supplied the farmers for many miles around with home-made but excellent shin­ gles for their roofs on both houses and log barns. His shingle business was quite profitable and helped him through the trying early days in the woods. trip and every other trip summer, the loads were home made sleighs oi I1,he in horses extent. His family family and to a very live in In­ pleased to MRS. ELBEN E. REITH illnessFollowing a three-month Ellen Elizabeth Reith, of Guelph, wife of Ezra Reith, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. J. Oscar Hod­ gins, Lucan. Mrs. Reith was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cook, of Nissouri. She is survived by four daughters, Mrs. W. C. Thompson, Mrs. Mrs. J. Oscar Hodgins, of Lucan and Mrs. E. brothers, Mich.; .and Rev. H. A. Cook, Taber Alta. Mrs. Reith was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church, Guelph The funeral took place Saturday af­ ternoon to St. James Cemetery. district with the English Exeter and Devon, the Irish South and the Scotch to the that all were honest. It was his be- his be- of Nissouri. ; daughters, of Londesboro; Clifton Watson, of Guelph; Mr. W. J. Russell, has purchased Mr. Albert Spencer's fine brick dwelling on Mr. John Gacikstetter week from Exeter North he recently Wm. Walper Hay Twp. Mr. S. B. appointed District of the County of Huron. ‘The much anticipated Cantata given in the Opera House on Friday evening last under the direction of Prof. W. M. Clarke, deserves to rank high in the entertainment an­ nals of Exeter. A chorus of members of the choir St. church and of other town and neighbourhood excellent service. The principal Bib­ lical characters were represented by the following: Ed. Shapton, I-Iarry (Jennings, W. D. Sanders, Mr. Gal­ braith, of Toronto, Miss Mabel Fol­ lick and Miss Margaret Moody. A delightful kitchen shower was tendered Miss Bertha Horney at the home of Mrs. Horney, Main Street on Monday night by her young lady friends. Mrs. George Russell, of Hanna, Alta., arrived here last week and will visit with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. sanders. Mr. Samuel Preszcator, of Step­ hen, has purchased the house on Huron Street owned by Mr. Wesley J. Bissett and now occupied by Mr, William -St. moves this to the farm from Mr.purchased on the Goshen Line Stothers is the ne^ly Representative composed of James choirs of rendered Early Settlers birth of eleven children and three daughters, three survive, Samuel, Man., Mrs. Wm. May, Barnes, of Toronto; two Rev. J. E. Cook, Athens, aside Some acres wag- of of oi ol 1H of largf more. A and his- Dull Aches In His Back Terrible Pains In Bladder Mr. James E. Dowdle, Bath, Ont., writes:—"I had such a terrible backache I became nearly crippled, and had to quit harvesting. I could not lie still at night, and had terrible bladder pains. The lady of the house told me to get a box of Doan’s Kidney Pills, which I did, And was feeling better after the first few doses, and I have not been bothered since I finished the one box.” For sale at all drug and general stores, or mailed direct on receipt of price by The T. Milburn Co., Limited, Toronto, Ont. Model No. 4A First Trip to 'London At ten years of age Mr. Handforc! in company with his uncle, Jack Bissett made his first trip to London and can and one arrival there they were standing on the street when two soldiers came by, one carrying a dog, which he thrust into his uncle’s face. He promptly knocked the soldier down’ and the second one when he came at him. They did not seem angry but invited him to come down tc the barracks where they told him they had a man he couldn’t manage Uncle Jack sent the little lad home <and warned him not to tell where he had gone. But after dark ho told and when his friends went to the barracks, the soldiers told them that Uncle Jack had beaten all tlieli best men so they rewarded him with plenty of drink and put him to be^J When ho was a boy 30 dians camped back in the his father’s farm beside, stream for many years white boys delighted to visit them They became very friendly and learned a great deal about each other’s ways and thoughts. The Handfords and Holmans learned their language and their war dances and wore able to do almost anything the Indians could do. The Chid was named Sarponace and was a warm friend of the elder Mr, Hand­ ford and tlie whites in general. he had a exciting time. At Lu­ be saw his first colored man didn’t like his looks. They were day and a half going. On their Smooths the Way I Ironing Day” Among the early settlers wap Thomas Bassett with a growing fam­ ily, one daughter, Dorothy was 14 years old.when they reached Toron­ to. She remained behind and work­ ed for a year there then she alsc walked from Toronto to jrgmond- ville and joined her father’s family south of Exeter. Three years later when she was 18 Richard Handford married her. Their union was bless­ ed by the eight sons these only Snowflake, Mitchell, and James the subject this sketch, in Exeter, who will 94 years old in July* These were the days families, many of ten or neighbour, Louis Helman wife, Jane Barley, were the parents of twelve children. The Holman and* Handford familes wore inseparable friends, growing up side by side they loved like brothers and sisters and yet never intermarried. The Handford boys wete with one excep­ tion six feet tall or over while the Holman’s were shorter but very stout. The youngest son in the lat- fter family is Geo. H. Holman, of Goderich, County Clerk for Huron County. Logging Bees Maiiy interesting stories of the early days when there two families either together or separately per­ formed deeds worth recalling and ds to 40 Til- wood on a little and the Indian War Dance When the Prince of Wales iff I8­ 60 visited London, the old cliiel took his braves along and gave an] Z’-'UT your ironing time one third . • » banish ironing day troubles! You can do it with the new Instant-Gas Iron, You can do better Work, too, do it easier and faster. The Coleman lights instantly ... no waiting. Has Roto-Type Generator with cleaning needle which can be operated While burning. Makes and burns its own gas from regular motor fuel. Use your Coleman anywhere ... in the coolest room, or out ott the porch. Pointed at both ends . . . forward and backward strokes give the Same Wrinkle-proof results. The point is always hot. Tapered sole-plate, which makes it easy to iron around buttons, Under pleats and along seams. Beautifully finished in blue porcelain enamel and gleaming nickel. THE COLEMAN LAMP AND STOVE COMPANY, Ltd. TORONTO, fl, ONTARIO ASK YOUR DEALER (TX-3)