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Home My WebLink AboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1938-02-03, Page 3* Old Kirkton Days (Written for the Journal-iArgus by IS. J. Elliott)A Since we have already given a description of the Village of Wood ham back in the 7O’& and 80’s, we will now endeavor to describe Kirk ton during the same era. In doing so we must be cautious. I use the word advisedly as much rivalry ex isted between those villages fifty or sixty years ago, and I find there ar© a few of the old-timers left who would very forcibly resent any re ference to one village being superior to the other in the minutest detail. So in order to avoid any* controversy later, I will summarize the villages as they were and leave it to the reader to make his own decision. The Log School In order to give Kirkton the right to claim a school we will have to go one lhalf mile north on the Perth County side on the farm owned by a family named Hanna, now by ’Councillor Truman Tufts. Thiis was a log school, and on one occasion’ .used as a sheep fold. No doubt the scholars thinking a holiday should go along with (Hallowe'en, wilnen on that eventful night they herded a flock of sheep pasturing on highway into flue school. Of course they got a holiday*"the next day. When the sheep were liberated no doubt the school had to be fumigated. Shortly after this the present school was built and required two teachers, one for the Juniors and one for the Sen iors. ..................................................................................................................................................?h! she said, “An animal.” "Oh, yes” he says, “ox, cow.” The teacher thought he was trying to make sport of her expense and indignantly told him to hold- out his hand for punishment, which he as indignantly refused to do, She immediately remanded him to the supreme court in which the late Robert Porter was judge and teacher of the (Seniors. Robert de cided to give the fellow the neces sary punishment and upon hj£ re turn to his seat with the Juniors again, after a moment’s reflection, he left his seat, got his hat and lunch bag and made for the door shouting, “Good bye scholars, good bye school, good bye Porter you d—id old fool.” I think that was his last day at school. I never heard, of him taking up any particular pro fession later, such as a doctor, law yer, nor even a minister of the Gos pel, And yet many teachers, doctors, etc. got their start there. Even our old teacher Robert Porter 'became one of t'he law-makers of this fair Dominion of ours. When he elected to the House of Commons Ottawa for one of the ridings Huron County. Chip Off Old Block A School Incident THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE THURSDAY. FEBRUARY 3«I, 1988 'l , I A lady teacher looked after the education of the juniors although some of this department were pretty old juniors. One in particular 1 recall who was head and shiouders ■over the teacher. It was interesting to see this fellow in a class study ing words of two letters from card board tablets with children, place dent, word was. tablets with kindergarten No doubt he felt out of as was evidenced by an inci- Tlne teacher, pointing to the “ox” asked him wfeat the word When he could not answer was at ot come This As we leave the school we to the farm of Wm. (Stacey, is the man Mr. Vickers of Calgary speaks of as a hot headed old fellow. He was right, he was a very iras cible old boy and the school kids gave him a wide berth'. It was evi dently inherited by a son “Bill” as I recall an instance in which he showed the same tendency. I met three of them in Detroit, “Bill” be came a lawyer in that city and it was during the hearing of a case in which he was counsel that fee demonstrated that attribute of his father “hot-headed” when his op ponent made a remark evidently displeasing to “Bill.” To quote the evening paper; “Attorney William Stacey sprang from his seat and socked opposing counsel one on the “beezer” 'bringing .to claret, also a stern reprimand from the presid ing judge.” This occurred well nigh half a century ago as I recall rid ing down townn one morning when I met “Bill” and when .horse-drawn cars were the troit. I am slowly lage proper as eurred to my mind that I fail to pass without comment. However, we now come to the farm of Alex Kirk, northeast corner on which was sit uated the important part of the vil lage as far as industry and profes sion are concerned. We find Mr. Kirk's residence a log structure im mediately south of the bridge close to the highway, in which he raised a large family and as they grew up he found it necessary to build a more commodious residence which he did about forty rods east and away from the hustle and bustle off, motive power in approaching the many incidents De- vil- oc- the village, The old Methodist Church where the United Church now stands, 'Then the hotel stable and the ihotel. IT'his hotel like that at Woodham frequently changed hands, I think Jim Shoebottom can be given credit for the most perma nent host, I regret to say in my haste to arrive at the village indus- ! tries I have passed one, yes, two, although they are not in evidence at least the creamery, which was sit uated in a little grove on Mr, Kirk’s farm. This creamery for some reas on did1 not prove a success and later it was taken over by a man named Campbell who converted it into a cheese factory, and was apparently doing a big business, when one morning the citizens awoke to find, nothing but the stone walls. Many of the citizens anticipated a taste ot toasted cheese as the factory was know to be packed full the previous day, However, they were disap pointed as there was not even a grease spot. However Campbell col lected the insurance. When last seen he was crossing the border Uncle iSam. » COUGHS, DISTEMPER, Jj BROKEN WIND hav« «net their matter la ZEV-—made by the mak- era of Buckley** Mixture. Stockmen, poultry breed- era, etc., who have used V ■“ ’’If ZEV aay it i* positively “sure fire'* relief for all respiratory <S»dwe* in horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry and dogs. It is amazing how quickly it gets results in the moat stub born cases, In fact, we guarantee ZEV to do in a day or two what ft took old- fashioned remedies a month to do. Pet size 500, Stock size $1.00. Grt ZEV at Browning’s Drugstore the only industry, the Anglican rec tory and dwellings, although a grist mill was erected, but was destroyed by fire twice. The northwest .corner was the farm of Louis Kirk, on which Tim othy Eaton opened a store in a small log building on the edge of Fish Creek, dircetly behind where the E. N. Shier store now stands. Tjniothy Raton’s Furst Store Old Swimmin* Hole to visit “swim- not re Ba t Ul FRIDAY 10p,m„E.S.T. Stations CFPL-CBL Now we come to the old min’ hole”. "What boy does call the old "swimmin’ hole?” this was not only that, but one of the busiest spots in Kirkton at a certain time of the year, much to the annoyance of the boys. Farmers for miles around brought their sheep to be washed from early dawn until late at night could be seen sheep coming and going. There were pens constructed1, daubs of various color ed paint on foreheads of the sheep to distinguish one man’s sheep from the other. The poor animals were mostly driven on foot as some farm ers had forty or fifty and no con veyance such as a trailer of today. 1 said this was annoying to the boys as it was very close to the place where they were all in. together. 1 am not just sure if 'bathingsuits were invented 'then, if so, we failed to know it as we just jumped in in nature’s garb. But it can be said of the boys as it was very close to the public .highway, they never for got their modesty. One minute they1 would be out on the bank pelting and plastering each other with mud, when someone would shout here comes a buggy, then all that could be seen of the kids was their .heads above the water. But drainage has reduced that old swimmin* hole to a mere puddle. Now, we will proceed east from the hotel. There was a harness now Aberdeen Hall, Proceeding east we come to the home of Geo, Vick ers, dealer in musical instruments, sewing machines, etc. then the of fice of .Dr. Stubbs, probably Kirk ton’s first M.D., who was followed fey the following M.D.’s; Hutchinson, Irving, Ferguson and the present C. A. Campbell. The residence of the Doctor and the Methodist parsonage completed this corner. A vacancy opposite until the late 70’s. on t'he southeast corner on the farm own ed by the late (Samuel Doupe was in evidence until John McCurdy at that time the only merchant in the village, decided to build tike fine* residence directly opposite the Doc tor’s and now occupied by John “Jack O’Brien of baseball fame, member of a club known as. the Kirkton Inv,incibles. With, such .players as Nathan Doupe with the swift slanting balls, as a deceiving pitcher, opposing teams found it diff icult to solve this delivery. Robt. Batty retiring from his farm, 3rd line of Blanshard follow ed Mr, McCurdy’s example 'by erect ing another fine residence next to his. It can be seen this community was a thrifty and prosperous one. Note today the large mail order house of T- Eaton & Co., Toronto, one of the largest department stores got its start in Kirkton, moved to fit. Maryis, and eventually whpre and what it is today. Later Julius & Adam Poupe erected the present store now occupid by E. N. iShier. This firm was known as J. Doupe & Co., and was later succeeded by Shier & 'Marshall. A shoe repair shop just north, this was previous to Mr. Mills, also a tailor shop where the bakery now stands. The store now occupied (by Ira Marshall was form erly a hardware operated by| Wm. “Billy” Moore, latex* Hackney now district. As I desire fair deal I 50 YEARS AGO | February 2, 1888 I Mr, John Kay baa been appoint ed postmaster for Farquhar office, AU the briclc yards in Stephen have been pretty well cleared out, and save that of Mr. John Mitchell. Mr. Mr, | Mitchell has about 150,000. the has the person who recently • .a I Abner Mollard over Master Billie, who his grandparents for months went home with Mrs. Gilbert by Charles of the Motherwell to give each village a neglected to credit Woodham with a tailor shop by Mi chael Sampson, also Ed. “Ted” Davis, the mail courier for .Exeter to St. Marys. It will be seen there were a lot of people in the Kirkton district having the same name. Yes, any way you look or went you would bump into a Kirk. Doupe, Shier or Switzer and not half of them blood related. Dies from Fall Down Elevator Shaft The Fair The Agricultural Society having expanded and grown to such dimen sions it was necessary to find a big ger ground. This they did on the J farm of iSamuel .Doupe, but again Reginald Douglas Drops Three Stor- this was found ’ inadequate. The result was the present fine site on the Huron side. 'The balance of this corner was comprised mostly1 ot ra.dio announcer of Wingham dwelling houses, a butcher shop by , £atalL" Wm. Kirk, another blacksmith R. ’ whe11 '11,e 'Plunged three stories down Robinson, Jas. Cann, implement an elevator shaft at the W. H. Gur- agent, succeeded by Augustus Bre- ney glove factory where .h.e held a thour, tailor shop, by Joseph .Bryan,, day-time position. He died in Wing- where the Bank of stands. Geo. Mills, who is still sticking will be seen that industries were on the Perth side, although th post office was in Huron and the general store conducted by shop, itihen the blacksmith and car- (the late John McCurdy, situated on the farm of John Hazelwood as was also the frame Anglican Church now | brick1, on t'he same side, also the two cemeteries. (Anglican and public, the latter becoming so congested it was England, necessary to get a large one which is now situated one mile north of , the village and known as the Union i cemetery. Robt. Kirk, tinsmith was riage works of B. J. “Jenky” Road-' house, his residence, the residence of John Callender, now of Dr. J. G. Jose, Reeve of Blanshard. Then Mr. Callender’s blacksmith! and wagon works and just back of this Kirkton’s first fair grounds for its famous Agricultural 'Society, now a resi dential street; then the Agric. Hall. ies in Elevator Shaft Reginald1 Douglas, 32-year-old was injured Friday afternoon Montreal now shoe maker, to the last. It practically all ham Hospital within 15 minutes of 1 the accident. Examination showed he suffered a fractured skull and broken back in the fall from the third floor into the basement. Dur ing the evenings Douglas had been associated as an announcer over CK'NX, the Wingham radio station. He gave a sports talk each night. He is survived by his wife of eigh teen months, formerly Beth Hallo well. His parents reside at Exeter Renew Now! z TO BE GIVEN AWAY r Mr. J. Parkinson, of wilkesport, purchased the prem- town ’ball, Statton vis- week-end. spent last GRAND BEND Mr. and Mrs, Morris Masse visited Sunday with Mr. and Mrs. Dick Masse, Mr, and Mrs. Ted Stanlake visited at Hickory Corners, with her sister on Sunday last. Mr. and Mrs. Russell Mollard daughter Peggie visited with and Mrs. week-end. been with couple of them. Mr. and ited in Sarnia over the Mr. Mansel Mason week-end in London. Mr. ronto Mr. in St, ■Mr. ed with Mr. and' Mrs. Dave Baird on Sunday. Mrs, McFall, of Blyth, is spending a few days with her daughter Mrs. Bert Craig. Quite a number took in the dance at Thedford (Friday night. Mrs, Frank .Statton visited daughter Mrs. Newton iHayter the past week. ISim Ireland is visiting in To-’ at present. and Mrs. Joe Oliver visited Marys last week-end. and Mrs. Dave Sturgeon visit- WHALEN her for andMr. and Mrs. Wilson Morley Mrs. E. Squire spent Thursday with Mrs. Morley of Woodham celebrating her 79 th 'birthday. Mr. D. Johnson is visiting with Mr. and Mrs. Mervin Johnson at Exeter. 'The many friends of Master Neil Johnson are glad to learn that he is making favorable progress in Vic toria Hospital. Miss Velma Squire spent Sunday in London. Mr. and Mrs. W. Hodgson, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Morley and Mr. F. .Squire visited with friends in Ex eter on Wednesday. Master Norman Brooks, of London spent the week-end with his parents. Miss Dorothy (Hazelwood is able to be. out again after being confin ed to the house with jaundice. Miss Merle iSquire, of Woodiham, spent the week-end with her par ents. from Mr, John Broderick! jses one door north of the spent last week in Mr, Chas. Tom, premises one door 'Times office to Mr. At a special meeting of the Us borne Council Mr. James Jones was appointed auditor instead of Mr, A. Duncan. Mr. Henry Horney sold to White .& Co., the other day a nine-months old colt for $14'8. Miss Ethel Levett and her cousin Miss A. Thompson visited friends in Clandeboye for a few days, Mr. Matt Morlock, one and a quarter miles north of Crediton met with a heavy loss by the destruction of his apiary by fire. The loss will be around $800. McTaggart-Ratz—At the Metho dist parsonage, Parkhill, on Monday January 23rd, fey Rev,. A. G. Harris, Mr. Jas. L. McTaggart, of Tucker smith, to Miss Emma Ratz, of Ex eter, iHerbert-Hallorn—At the Metho dist parsonage, Crediton, on Janu ary 31st by Rev. D. M. Kennedy, Wm. Herbert, of Biddulph, to Miss Annie Hallorn, of Stephen, town, has south J. N. Hooper, sold his of the has been pack furniture this moving to his RESTORE VIGOR TO EXHAUSTED NERVES BY TAKING They Help To Bring The Shattered Nervous System Back To Its Old Time Condition 25 YEARS AGO February 6, 1913 (Mr. W. J.. Carling ing and storing his week preparatory to farm at Brighton. W. Martin, who recently moved into town has purchased Mrs. Hugh Oke’s property situated on Albert street. Mrs. Fulton, who' resides with her sister, Mrs. Geo. Coward, Usborne, had the misfortune to fall and break her arm on Wednesday. Judge Doyle contemplates leaving for the southern states for the bal ance of the winter. 'Mrs. Wm. Tapp left Monday for Kedwood to visit 'her 'brother James Harton, who is ill. Miss Laverna Quance, who has been visiting at her home here, re turned to Saskatoon, Sask., on Tues day. Messrs. Alden Johns and Robert Wilcox, of Saskatoon, Wes. Stone who have relatives in Usborne weeks, all returned to Monday. Mr. Bedford, the purchaser of the Carling & Son store has arrived in town and is moving into the Car ling residence on Huron St. Mr. Frank Ballantyne, after a short visit here left Monday on his. return to the West. Mr. Earl Spackman, of Toronto, spent a few days here illness of his mother. Mr. Norman Bissett, visit here returned to Man., on Monday. Messrs. W. J. Heaman, Reeve of Exeter, W. D. Sanders and John Love, of Stephen and Samuel Rout- ly, of Usborne, are attending County Council at Goderich. Sask., and been visiting for several the West on. til! owing to t'lie after a short Pilot Mound, to subscribers of the Times-Advocate FIRST PRIZE $5.00 FIVE PRIZES OF 00 EACH TEN PRIZES OF $1.00 EACH a . •* These prizes will be given to subscribers of the TIMES-ADVOCATE who pay their subscrip tions before February 19. Coupons will be issued for each years’ subscription. On February 19 a draw will be made and the holder of the first coupon drawn will receive a prize of $5.Q0. The next five will receive $2.00 each and the following ten will recei ve $1.00 only one prize to a subscriber. Subscription $2.00 a year 3 Years for $5.00 if paid in advance.RENEW NOW!We club with all papers and magazines. I * 11hill 15 YEARS AGO February 1, 1923 Mrs. Jas. Pickard, who lives op posite the James St. church, had the* misfortune to slip and fall on the icy pavement with the result one of 'her hip bones was fractured. Exeter won the first hockey i match with an outside team this, season when they defeated HensaU 6 to 4. Exeter line-up: goal, Har ness; defence, Lawson and Hardy; centre, Hind; wings, Wells and Tie man; subs, E. Anderson, W. Davis. Referee, F. Boyle. Mr. W. R. Rydall, of Usborne, ac companied by his wife and family, left recently for Shallow Lake, where he has secured a position teaching school. * Dr. Glair Wood of Blyth, son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Wood, of town, who has been practising dentistry at Blyth for the past three years,' has disposed of his practice and will enter into partnership with his fath er-in-law, Dr. Flank. Mr. Clyde Heaman, who has been on the staff of tne Molson’s Bank5 at Ridgeway, has been transferred to Kingsville. FORMER GROWN ATTORNEY FOR HURON DIES 'Charles .Seager K.G., former crown attorney for Huron County and father of Bishop Charles A. Seagei* died last week. He whs in his 94th year. For 20 years Mr. Songer was a prominent and highly respected attorney of Huron County during which he was made King’s Counsel. Following the death of Mrs. ■Seager' three years ago h,e went to London where he has resided with his son, who is the only immediate survivor*