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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1947-03-06, Page 1Seventy-Fourth Year EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, MARCH 6th, 1947 •Single Copy 5 cents Country Swept by Blizzard; Worst Seen in Many Years Hmpn County along -with the rest of the country has taken quite a heating at the hands of Old Man Weather during the past few days. A heavy snowstorm accompanied by high winds visited this section early Monday morning and highways al­ ready piled high 'with snow were filled in and the concessions were made impassable for almost any kind of traffic. Last week the school busses were making part of their rounds but had to stick mainly to the more travelled roads. On Thursday af­ ternoon the highway between 'Exe­ ter and Hensall became impassable during the afternoon and the stud­ ents from Hensall to the Exeter High School were marooned in town and were taken care of in the homes of their fellow students. The highway was opened up on Friday. Monday the worst storm of the season struck the district and prac­ tice " ” all business has been tied up. There have been no school busses and the high school stud­ ents have been having a holiday. The staff has been mostly on the job doing routine work and pre­ paring papers for the Easter exams, The public school has been open each day with attendance about 75 per cent. On the west side of the town some of the houses are almost mar­ ooned with snow piled up about 15 feet deep. Some of the old timers say it is deeper than they have ever seen it before. Between Exeter and Hensall there are some terrific banks where snow has been piled up and up as the plows have endeavoured to keep the highway clear. On Friday the large blower plow of the R.C.A.F. from Centralia was used to clear a passage through. 'Slowly it ate its way through the huge drifts throwing the snow in fleecy clouds fax* to the sides, On Saturday and Sunday a caterpillar bulldozer was used’ to push back the snow. Many interested spectators visited the scene Sunday to watch the cater- piller do its stuff. After pushing the snow back as far as it could it would climb the bank sinking deep in the snow hut still pushing mounds of snow back and up and then backing out to take another huge bite. At times it climbed al­ most into the tree branches ten to twelve feet from the ground. 'Some of the tunnels through the snow were much higher than the top of a car, These were again blown in on Monday and little or no attempt was made to open them Monday or Tuesday as the drifting snow would only fill them in as fast as they were opened up. Passengers Stalled at Centralia A snowplow went through on the railway Monday morning as far as Clinton and on returning became stalled near Brucefield. The pas- sengei* train following in the wake of the snowplow got only as far ■as Centralia going north and the passengers and .crew numbering some twentyufive were stranded for the night at Centralia and accom­ modation for them was secured at the Centralia hotel and in private homes. Treks 2 Miles Through Blizzard One person who will have occas­ ion to remembex’ the storm 11 Vic­ tor Heywood, of Usborne. Victor had been called as a juryman to attend the court sitting at Gode­ rich. He started out early from his home and made the more than two miles on foot with the snow in places up to his hips. The blinding snow whipped and lashed his face. He had put on two pairs of trous­ ers and when he reached Exeter his clothes were soaked and a sheet of ice had covered his face. As there was no train and the high­ way blocked it was impossible to make the journey to Goderich and he again returned home on foot. Other members of the jury who had been called but were unable to make the trip were .P. B. Browning, Wal­ lace Seldon, and Percy Duncan. The Monday morning mail from London was brought to Exeter Tuesday afternoon by truck from the stalled train at Centralia. ■ Two Exeter ladies, who were Plays Postponed Owing to weather conditions and the accident to Mr. A, Fraser play "Betty, the Girl -of My Heart’’ put on by the James St. Young people and booked for several en­ gagements has had to be postpon­ ed indefinatelv. stranded at Centralia when the train became stalled Monday morn­ ing were Mrs. F. J. Delbridge and Mrs. H. Jennings who were return­ ing from London. Mrs, Delbridge was loud in her praise of the ser­ vice rendered by Mr. Ray Lammie Mr, Lammie took six of the ladies to his home and found sleeping accommodation for them for two nights. He provided hot dogs and hot coffee for the passengers and crew numbering thirty persons and did everything he could to make the forced stay as comfortable as possible. "You have no idea of the snowdrifts" said Mrs. Delbridge. "They are so bad you could hard­ ly leave the train". Mrs. Delbridge and -Mrs. Jennings arrived home by taxi Wednesday afternoon. After being tied up for three days with blocked roads the school busses are expected to be running Thursday over parts of the routes. The road from Grand Bend to Exeter was opened up about two o'clock Wednesday morning. Peter Eisenbach’s crew worked heroical­ ly all day Tues, and by late even­ ing reached a point between Dash­ wood and Exeter when Earl Guen­ ther and his men from Dashwood- arrived on the scene and assisted the crew that were pretty well done in. Mr. Guenther's men from Exeter started out from this end and working both ways the road wag opened up. On Tuesday afternoon after hav­ ing received authority from Lon­ don Harold Weber, who drives the Dashwood mail truck and Ross Guenther motored to Centralia and brought back the Exeter mail. In the evening they returned to Centralia and picked up the two ma'il clerks from the train togeth­ er with the mail and took all to London. On Wednesday morning with the truck loaded with mail they left London and delivered the mail to Lucan, Clandeboye, Cent­ ralia, Crediton, Exeter, Dashwood, Grand Bend and Zurich. The trip to Zurich was made around by the Bluewater highway, Yukon Controller Visiting Sister Here Mr., and Mrs. Q. A. Jeckell are visiting with, the former's sister, Miss L. M. Jeckell. Mr. Jeckell is Controller of the Yukon Territory, a position he has held for many years. The Yukon Territory accord­ ing to the Canadian Almanac covers an area of 207,076 miles with a population in 1941 of 4,914, As Controller of • the Territory Mr. Jeckell administered the govern­ ment under the Department of Mines and Resources. He and his officials had the power to deal with the imposition of local taxes, sale of liquor, preservation of game, es­ tablishment of territorial offices, maintenance of prisons and munici­ pal institutions, issue oT licenses, incorporation of companies, solem­ nization of marriages, property and civil rights, administration of jus­ tice and generally all matters of a local nature in the Territory. As Mr. Jeckell has now reached the age of retirement he expects short­ ly to be relieved of his duties. He and Mrs. Jeckell made the trip from Dawson to Vancouver by airplane and 'boat, where he purchased a new car and from the frozen north where the mercury at times has dipped below the lowest point on the thermometer they motored to the sunny south and after holiday­ ing in California returned by the eastern route to( Ontario. He Js now­ renewing old acquaintances' and visiting some of the familiar spots he knew before leaving this part at the turn of. the century. Mr. Jeckell in his younger years taught school at Farquhar, Seed Show Postponed The Hensall Seed Show has been postponed from Saturday March Sth to Saturday, March 15th. I I Red Cross Campaign i Naturally on account of the wea-1 th ex* the commencement of the 'Red i Cross Campaign has had to be postponed for a few days. The supplies are waiting for the unit leaders to get when they are able to 'get to town, Funeral of A. Robinson The funeral of the late Archie Robinson ^as held Thursday after­ noon of last week from the Hopper- Hockey funeral chapel with Rev. G. C. Weir, of Centralia, officiating. The bearers were six nephews, •Messrs. Don, Bob and Jack Blair, Reynold and Bill Robinson and Russell King. Among those from a •distance attending the funeral were Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Isaac and Jack and Mr. and Mrs. Chas, Isaac, Jr., o.f Detroit; Mr, and Mrs, C. A. Rowe, of Toronto; Mr, and Mrs. Arthur Robinson and family, (Mrs. Webstex* and Mrs. Skeggs, of Lon­ don. Funeral of Mrs. E. King* The funeral of the late Mrs. Eli King, of Crediton, was held Satur­ day afternoon from the Hopper- Hockey Fhneral Chapel conducted ■by Rev. A. S. Trueblood, of the ■Crediton United church and was largely attended. Mr. Frank Tayloi’ sang “God will take care of you," accompanied 'by Mrs. Chas. Hoff­ man. Mrs, King, whose maiden name was Lucretia Victoria Jory, had beexi an invalid for many years suffering from arthritis which she bore with the utmost Christian fortitude and was never heard to complain. At the funeral service her pastor spoke in eugolistic terms of her many excellent qualities. She passed away in the Rogers Private (Continued on page 4) Council Discusses Mutual Fire Aid, Housing and Garbage Collection Two Men Injured When Cars, Trucks Collide During Storm Axminster Rugs 2 only fine, quality seamless Axminster rugs, fringed ends, size 6’9” x 9’, in wine and green colors — $43.00 each. Axminster, Chenille and Smyrna Scatter Rugs— a few good patterns now in stock. Ladies’, Men’s and Boy’s Sweater Coats A new shipment just arrived! V All Wool Whisks Blanket and Bed Throws We have a large range of woollen blankets and satin bound Ved throws. Buy now as prices are advancing. SPECIAL—10 only grey woo], blankets, weight 4 lbs. each, on sale this month at $5.95 each, * * 5 dozen good quality whisks. Special — while they last — at 50c each. Terry Towels Terry towels—good range now in stock at 20c, 50c to $1.25 each. 5 Linens dozen Men’s White All chiefs at dozen Men’s White All Irish 35c Irish very Linens Linen. Handker- 5 chiefs, hand rolled edges, 65c, 2 for $1.25 All Linen Tea Towels at 60c, White AU Linen Luncheon* Cloths with colored embroidery, 36” x 36”, at $4.95 each Table Napkins, 2 dozen all Irish linen, 22” square, regular $12.50 dozen, clearing at $9.75 dozen Ladies’ Aprons in prints and plastics at from 45e to $1.25 each Linen Handker- fine quality, at 75c and 95c Bright Floral Table Cloths I 50” x 70” at $3.95 each. Blood Transfusions Free to All - Give to the Red Cross to Make This Possible Special Values for Thursday, Friday & Saturday Nature’s Best Choice Peas Special value, 20 tins ........... each 13c Kel Crushed Apple Juice, 20 oz. Fancy quality, unsweetened, per tin 16c Lombard Plums Choice quality,-20 oz, tills ... 2 for 27c Choice Cookihg Figs * ’'Block” or "Natural”, in bulk, per lb. 23c Date arid Nut Bread Crosse & Blackwell’s original, 8 oz. tin 19c California Baby Lima Beans Nice bright stock ................... per 'lb. 23c “Golderi Kist” Raspberry Jam .Packed in B.C* (2 coupons) 4 lb. tin 85c Stokeley’s Tomato Juice Fancy quality, 20 oZ, tins 2 for 21c Your Superior Store The regular meeting of the Municipal Council of the Village of Exeter was held in the Town Hall on Monday, March 3rd, at 2 p.m., with Reeve Tuckey, Councillors Allison, Caldwell, Cochrane and Sweitzer,present • The minutes of the last regular meeting of February 17th were read and adopted on the motion of Councillors ’Cochrane and Al­ lison, Communications were read and dealt with as follows: Meadows,, Critoph & Co., re sur­ vey. The Clerk was instructed on the motion of Councillors Allison and Caldwell to write .to Meadows, Critoph & Co., for more informa­ tion. iBru-nner Mond, re calcium. It was moved and seconded by Councillors Sweitzer and Caldwell that we order 25 tons of calcium for delivery in M'ay or early June. Mr. Pearce, Tax Collector, wait­ ed on Council and reported out­ standing 1946 taxes in the amount of $265.87. It wag moved and sec­ ended by Councillors 'Sweitzer and Caldwell that Mr. Pearce retain 1946 roll until March 15th, when it shall be returned to the treas­ urer. Councillor Cochrane gave the re­ port of the committee appointed to investigate civic work to be done other than that covered by appoint­ ments. The report' was tabled for further consideration. It was agreed that Councillor Allison make arrangements with the School Boards to consider ad­ visability of purchasing land ad­ jacent to school grounds. Mr. E. D. Bell waited on behalf of the Exeter Chamber of Com­ merce and submitted a brief on the housing situation. Reeve Tuckey thanked Mr. Bell for the informa­ tion that had been secured by the Chamber of Commerce. The mat­ ter was tabled for consideration later in the meeting. Mr. Ed. Hunter-Duvar waited^ on Council in regard to condition of hennery. The matter to >be referred to the Board of Health. By-Law No. 3, 1947, making ap­ pointments and Setting remunera­ tions where any, was given first, second and third readings and fin­ ally passed on the motion of Coun­ cillors Caldwell and Sweitzer. Mr. William Sweitzer waited on Council in regard to a business ■proposition. Mr. Chas. MacNaughton waited on the Council on behalf of Jones & MacNaughton 'Seed Co,, asking permission to erect a sign in front of their new 'building and to place "No Parking" signs to 30 feet West of corner of building so as to pro­ tect their loading area. It was moved and seconded by ■Councillors Sweitzer and Caldwell that permission to place "No Park­ ing" signs be granted and permis­ sion to erect sign under the super­ vision of Chief Norry be granted. Mr, Hubert Jones waited on Council on behalf of the Hoy Scouts and Cubs, asking permission to use the Town Hall for meetings Thurs­ day evening of each week, Remis­ sion granted on the motion of Councillors Caldwell and Cochrane. By-Law No. 4, 1947—A Py-LUW for establishing and maintaining a system for the collection, removal and disposal of ashes, garbage and other’ refuse in the Village was given its first, second and third readings and finally passed on the motion of Councillors Caldwell and Cochrane. Fire Chief Wm. Chambers wait­ ed on Council and recommended that another effort be made to have fire alarm controlled from tele­ phone central. The matter was left in the hands of property commit­ tee. The Fire Chief also advised that the R.C.A.F. 'Station at Centralia wished to arrange fox’ Mutual Aid in case of a large fire at either the Port or in the Village of Exeter. It was moved and seconded by Councillors Allison and Caldwell that we agree to Mutual Aid 'be­ tween the Airport .and the Village in case of large fires. That there be no charge for the service and that the Airport authorities be so advised. * Applications for the position of tax collector were considered. It was moved and seconded by Coun­ cillors Sweitzei- and 'Caldwell that W. C. Pearce be appointed tax col­ lector for the yeax’ 1947 at the sal­ ary of $300.'0'0. Building permits applied for by John N. Willis to 'build a house, on South side of John Street, W!m. G. Cochrane to renovate store and apartments on West Main and Ern­ est Buswell to build house on West Carling were granted oix the motion of Councillors Allison and Caldwell. The Surety Bonds covering Tax Collectoi’ and Treasurer were exam­ ined by Council. It was decided that sidewalks blocked with snow should be opened as soon as possible. Meeting was adjourned to 7:30 ■p.m. The "report from the Exeter Chamber of 'Commerce re housing was considered. It was decided on the motion of Councillors Caldwell and Sweitzer to contact Wartime Housing Ltd, and Central Mortgage Corporation asking them to have theix* repre­ sentatives appeal’ before Council at their earliest convenience. The following accounts were read and ordered paid on the motion of Councillors 'Sweitzei- and Caldwell: Jas. Bowey, coal for towix hall $15.35; Hilt Lang, gas and oil for snowplough 27,13. Relief: Cook’s Grocery, groceries 12.00; Lee Learn Dairy, milk 8.30; Chambers & Dar­ ling, meat 4.00; R. G. Seldon & Son, fuel 10.00; Jones & May, gro­ ceries 12.00; Broom Meat Market, meat 4.0-0; James Bowey, coal 10.00. Work 'Sheet: Jack Essery, removing snow with truck 14.00; Henry Bierling, removing snow with truck 30.00; Gerald Cornish, removing snow, labor and snow­ ploughing 31,98; Harold Kendrick, removing snow 3.60; Peter Durand, removing snow 9.00; Sam Grain­ ger, removing snow 8.10; William ■Smith, removing snow 4,80; Jack Essery, snowploughing streets 355.5'0'; Henry Green, hauling snow, with team 7.15. AU motions wore Carried, Ad­ journment on the motion of Coun­ cillor Allison, C. V, Pickard, Clerk. One of the worst series of traf­ fic accidents ever to happen in this district occurred early Monday morning when two men were seri­ ously injured and seven cars and three trucks were piled up or dam­ aged in a enow drift during a Whirling blizzard about a mile south of Exeter, With Allan Fraser at the wheel accompanied by Roland Motz, May- Ion Ryckman, Harold Skinner, Sam Bowers and Gordon Farrow, the six men were on their way to work at the Centralia Airport. About a mile south of town they ran into a drift between two high snowbanks and stalled the car. A small truck followed by three othex* cars all 'bound fox* the airport piled one into the other. Grills were smashed, fen­ ders were dented and on the whole considerable damage was done. R. Motz Injured With the snow swirling around them with such force that it was difficult t0 see even a couple of feet the men got out to untangle the cars and to try and get the first car out. They had backed away the truck from the first car when the Wonder Bread truck from Lon­ don, driven 'by John Bibbings ana with Gordon Baynham, of Centralia, in the front seat plowed into the front of the Fraser car. Unfortunate­ ly Mr. Motz was in front of the car and received the full force of the impact. It was necessary to separate the cay and the truck to release him. He was slumped over one of the fenders. Mr. Bibbings said that it was not until he had alighted from the truck that he saw Mr. Motz. 'Several of the men carried the injured man into the farm home of Howard Kerslake and Dr. Dunlop of town was called. Mr. Motz re­ mained conscious and requested the men to be careful of his left leg which unfortunately had been brok­ en, He also received internal in­ juries undetermined at the time. It was not until Tuesday morning af­ ter a provincial plow had opened up the highway to London that Mr. Motz was removed to Victoria Hospital in an ambulance. / Allan Eraser Has Leg Broken The impact of the bread truck on the car forced the car back against the truck in the rear and Mr. Fraser who had been working behind the cax’ was crushed between the two and received a badly fractured leg. One of the men stated that they worked frantically know­ ing all the time the danger they were in but the snow was blowing with such fury that it was almost impossible to see the man beside you. Following close on the accident Art Cann arrived on the scene driv­ ing a former army truck. He had a coxnpanion with him and as they ap­ proached the cut he asked him to keep a close look-out ahead. Before seeing anything they heard someone «Nighthawk» Averts Fire About three o’clock Monday morning fire broke out in the Bailey Greenhouse and was discov­ ered ,by a passer-by who awoke the family and the fire was brought under control before much damage was done. The fire was discovered ■by one of our young eligible bach­ elors but as the hour was late or should we say early we -hesitate to mention his name. By 'being able to cope with the fire Without call­ ing the fire brigade the citizens of Exetex’ were saved the experience of being called ifrom their cosy beds to go out-into the stormy night to fight a conflagration. The fire start­ ed from an overheated furnace pipe and damaged a wall and burned a hole in the roof. yell and the next moment they saw what looked like an obstacle and Mr, Cann wheeled the truck into tlie ■bank ot snow. His left rear fendex* struck the right fender.of the car ahead. Following close another car rammed the Cann truck and the front was badly damaged. Two mexx were sent each way to warn on­ coming traffic and strenuous ef­ forts were made to get the cars turned around and out of the drift. Allan was 'brought to town in one of the cars accompanied by Mr.. Cann and Mr. Baynham and it was not until they had reached Exeter that they recognized that it was Allan, so covered with snow was he, Tiie wreckei* from Graham Arth­ ur’s garage driven by Bert Borland was called soon, aftex* the first accident occurred and helped to bring -out the cars and truck, Dr, DunlOp was taken to the scene in the wreckei’. Men Dazed From Strenuous Efforts Among the men bound (for the airport were twelve Toronto men staying at the -Central Hotel who are engaged in reconditioning ' the aircraft preparatory to renewed operations when spring opens up. The men worked with such vigor to extricate the cars, get them turn­ ed around in the drift, working in the cold and covered with snow, that they were almost dazed as they piled into cars to be brought to Exeter. Coupe Badly Wrecked Jack Stone, in a Dodge coupe, who is living in Exeter and is em­ ployed in London, was on his way to London -and at Arva found the road blocked by a wreck that had taken place there and he was on his way back to Exeter when he plowed into the back of the Win­ der Bread truck. His ear was badly damaged and was brought to Hun- ter-Duvar’s machine shop. Hensall Man Damaged Car Fred Darling was on his way south about fifteen minutes after the accident occurred and was warned of conditions ahead of him and he stopped his half-ton pick­ up .. truck- only to be run into by a cax* driven by Carl Passmore, of Hensall, with a new 'DeSoto car that ha’d only been driven -a few. miles. One of the doors was badly damaged. Removed To Hospital With the two injured men need­ ing hospitalization a desperate ef­ fort was made Tuesday morning to open the highway and one of the big plows was sent out from Lon­ don and succeeded in battling a single track through the snow. AI- laxi IFfaser was taken in the Dinney ■ambulance and Rollie Motz in the Hopper-Hockey ambulance and in company with several others who went along they followed the big plow back to London and both of them are now together in a semi­ private room at Victoria .Hospital. Allan is suffering from a very (bad compound fracture of his leg and knee while Rollie -has a fractured leg and several broken ribs. "The trip to London was one of the worst trips I ever had to take and I hope that I will never have another," said Mrs. Fraser. Two men deserve special mention for their outstanding work, one the gentleman from London who oper­ ated the plow through the blinding snow on Tuesday, and Mayion Ryck­ man who remained with Mr. Motz from the time of the accident until his removel to hospital. Mrs. Motz and Mrs. Fraser are deeply appreciative of the heroic work done by the men -at the time of the accident in caring for the men and bringing Allan to town, and also for the kindly assistance ■given on Tuesday at the time of their removal to hospital with spec­ ial thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Kerslake. Many Colourful Costumes at Skating Carnival Friday Night While the numbex* of spectators at the carnival held at the arena on Friday evening last was not large the number of persons in costume was equal to most similai’ occasions and the costumes on the whole were of greater variety and provided a lot of entertainment for the spec­ tators. Particularly noticeable were the numbei* of smallex* children decked out in gorgeous and indes­ cribable costumes of all kinds and colors. All classes were well filled and the judges had no easy task in making theh* decisions. The winners were as follows: Bost dressed couple, Mrs. Graham Arthur and Mrs, Wes, Ryckman as an old fash­ ioned couple; Marion Murch and Wanda 'stephen as -majorettes; gents’ fancy costume, Miss Alma Ryckman, first, and Miss Lorna Taylor, second, as Irish gentlemen; ladies’ fancy costume, Maida Rich­ ards, Hawaiin; -Ilene Hunter; gents’ comic, Calvin Heywood as a hunt­ er, and Fat Hey; ladies’ comic, Betty Gaiser, Marjorie Hoffman; boys* fancy costume, 12 to 16, Roy Luck as an Arab, Doh McCurdy; boys’ fancy costume, under 12, Beverley Sturgis, Billy Pollen; girls’ fancy costume, 12 to 16, Marie Jen­ sen as -Dutch girl; Shirley Taylor as ice queen; girls’ fancy, under 12, Marie Hodgson, Nancy Cudmore; comic boy ox' girl, 12 to 1'6, Ilene Fraser, Don. Kirk; comic boy or gild, under 1'2, Peter Cowan, Pat Armstrong; clowns Marcia McDon­ ald, Joyce "Willard. Tim Stires, who has been winner of the men’s open race fox* several seasons again was the winner but Art Trites put up a good race and. was only nosed out at the finish. In the open face for girls Mary Schroeder was first and Janet Kestle, second. The finish Of the five rounds proved just about all the girls could handle. For boys or girls under 12 Bob Coates was fir$t and Bruce Cudmore, second. The judges were Mr. -and Mrs. Farrow and Allan Fraser while those in charge were three now members of the arena committee, A. J. 'Sweitzer, W, G< Cochrane Wallace 'Seldon, .