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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1946-12-19, Page 1Exeter had its first daylight armed , robbery Monday afternoon but a smiling, plucky little lady foiled the robbers in their attempt to rob the jewellery store of Mt, Fred Cole, formerly owned by Mr. Jas. Lawson. Two youthful persons entered the store and began pric­ ing some jewellery, One of the men finally decided on a .gent's ruby-set ring which Mrs. Cole placed in a paper ibag but being somewhat sus­ picious of the pair she retained a close grip on the bag when one of them drew a revolver and demand­ ed the ring at gunpoint. Failing to get the ring from Mrs. Cole the robber turned to Mr. Law- son sitting at a repair bench and demanded that he get going to the back of the store. Mr. Lawson laughed at the would-be robber ana asked him what was the make of the weapon. Mr. Cole at the rear of the store, asked the lads what they were try­ ing to pull off. Making a hurried exit through a rear door and slam­ ming it quickly Mr. Cole frighten­ ed the robbers and they made a hasty retreat to the street. Mrs. Cole followed ana calling to Elmore Harness a few doors away asked him to get the license number of the car which the men had parked in front of his Ibarber shop and in which they were attempting a hur­ ried get-away. The engine did not start too quickly and in backing from the curb the bumper' of the car almost 'locked with the bumper of another car. Mr. Harness secur­ ed tlhe license number and the car, a convertible coupe, was found to have been stolen in London the same afternoon. The two men had been hanging around town for a couple of hours. STORE HOURS FOR CHRISTMAS — Open Monday and Tuesday evenings, Dec. 23rd and 24th '— Closed Boxing Day, Dec. 26th. We Wish to Extend to All, Our Very Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Prosperous New Year Jones & May They paid a visit to S, B, Taylor's jewellery store and remained for some time pricing various pieces of jewellery. Mr, Taylor, being sus­ picious, kept a close tab on them. The attempted roblbery was the third visit to the Cole store. They endeavoured to 'have Mrs. Cole pro­ duce some high priced jewellery which she did but kept it at a safe distance. When finally one of them pulled a gun Mrs, Cole said to him, “Don’t you know 'we are next to the telephone office and can soon get the police.” He then turned to Mr. Lawson, who greeted him with a smile and treated the thing as a joke. The slamming of the doox’ by Mr, Cole caused them to turn and flee. They (had come with a duffle bag evidently prepared for a clean-up and in their haste to get away drop­ ped the bag on the floor. Cn it was a large spot that looked like blood. Constables John Ferguson and J. Norry were summoned and they gave chase to the robbers. About five miles south of town the car had taken to the ditch and was up ^against a fence. The men proceed­ed across the fields on foot and were tracked as far as' a bush. They made a clean get-away and so far have not been apprehended. Speaking of it afterwards Mrs. Cole said she was so scared she just froze to the spot and stood there grinning at him, but still retained a firm grip on the ring. The youth holding the gun was 'described as being five feet, six inches tail, blond, wearing green trousers, a white sweatshirt and grey tweed coat. The other was about five feet, eleven inches tall, with red hair and wearing a brown suit with no overcoat. Don't Forget All Ladies’, Misses’, and Girls’ Winter Coats are on sale at greatly reduced prices — an excellent. Christmas gift sug­ gestion. Santa Claus Will Visit Exeter, Saturday Santa Claus will visit Exeter on Saturday next and will head a par­ ade from the south end of Exeter accompanied by the Exeter Band. Theatre parties have been arrang­ ed. The public school pupils of Exeter will be entertained at the theatre in thea morning at ten o'clock. The parade will start at one o'clock followed by a theatre party,, A second showing will be held at the theatre at three o’clock, Tickets have been distrib­ uted to the schools surrounding Exeter showing the hour the pupils are expected to attend. Treats will be distributed. See advt. Santa Claus appeared in Exeter Saturday afternoon ilast and dis­ tributed apples and oranges to the children. He was drawn by a white horse in a decorated wagon driven by Harry Beaver. Traffic was blocked for short intervals on the Main street as the children gather­ ed around to receive the gifts. Attends National Club Congress in Ch icago Miss Marion Rundle has return­ ed home, .after spending a week in Chicago attending the National 4-H Club Congress. There were 23 Ontario Junior Farmers and Home­ making girls in the delegation. The .trip was a grand and glorious one. There were between 1,300 and 1,500 at all discussions, tours, luncheons, banquets and dances. Friday was .the most interesting and exciting day. The Ontario del­ egation only, were entertained by Mr. Jolly, president of the Inter­ national Harvester Company. They were shown through the Inter­ national Harvester factories. They looked in on the making of every (Continued on page 5) C of C Endorses Proposed By-Laws The first open/ meeting of the newly-formed Chamber of Com­ merce was held in the Canadian Legion rooms Monday evening. President Sandy ^Elliot was in the chair. Secretary Chas. MacNaugh- ton read the minutes of the execu­ tive meetings, Four groupings have been "set up: Agriculture, under the chairmanship of Preston, Dearing; Industry under B. W. Tuckey; Commerce under Ulric Snell and Civics under Dr. Doyle. The membership was reported at 98. The guest speaker for the evening was Ronald M. Menzies, president of the Goderich Board of Trade, who outlined the work carried on by that organization and gave many helpful suggestions for the making of a successful Chamber of Commerce. Elmer D. Bell expressed the appreciation of the members for the timely . ad­ dress. Reports from the various committees wefe received. The two by-laws that are to be voted on ’ at the forthcoming election that of having ’ a . regular garbage collection in Exeter and the other of making an annual grant to the town band were heartily endorsed. Ulric Snell reported arrange­ ments had been made - -with the Lions and the Legion for the visit, of Santa Claus; for the providing of a lighted Christmas tree and fpr strings of colored, lights for the holiday season. Thanks were' expressed to Preston De.aring for securing a tree." Dr. Doyle, suggest­ ed a campaign to, get out the vote, at the coming election. A publicity committee comprising .Elmer D._ Bell, 'Reg. Beaver^, K. JT/ Lampman Bob Southcott anti Gerald Zwicker was set up. #•?.. ' Smith-Campbell A pretty wedding , v/as solemniz­ ed at the Prc’.byterian Manse, Hensali,.- on Safeway.-, -Deceinher’ 14th, when Luella Doreen, daugh­ ter of Mr. and Mrs, Earl Campbell, of Exeter, .became the bride of Leonard Nelson Smith, -only son of Mr. and Mrs. ' Clarence Smith, of Centralia. Rev. Percy A. Fergus son officiated. The bride wore a dress of blue crepe trimmed with gold sequins and wore a corsage of red roses and mums. The .bride was attended by Miss Marjorie Smith, sister of the groom, wear­ ing a dress of rose Georgette and corsage of roses and mums. Harold Campbell, brother of the bride, acted as best man. Following the ceremony a wedding dinner was served at the home of the bride’s parents to the immediate relatives. Mr. and Mrs. Smith left on a wedr ding .trip to London and Toronto. On their return they will reside a( Centralia, The .Times - Advocate joins in wishing "the happy couple the best of everything. Red Cross Packing Day The (following articles were pack­ ed Friday, December 13th: Knitting—5 infant’s . jackets, 7 infant’s bonnets, lo pairs infant’s booties, 9 pairs girl’s stockings1 size 8, 5 girl’s sweaters size 8. „ Sewing — 27 boy’s combinations size 2, 15 girl’s undervests size 8, 20 infant’s undervests size 1. Eight quilts, 2 crib quilts, 1 afighan. The next Red Cross packing will be held Friday, January 17th. Will nnits please note this date and en­ deavour to have their sewing and knitting in then. Hensail Couple Wed 60 Years (By the Hensali Correspondent) Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Meaner, prominent and well-known Hensail residents, celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary on Saturday. The couple were married in Hensail sail by Rev. Torrance, Methodist minister, 60 years ago. The attend­ ants were Sarah Merner and John Mellick, both deceased. After their marriage they farmed on the 14th concession of Hay for 26 years. They then took up residence in- Hensali where they have resided for the past 34 years. M,r. Merner operated a threshing machine for many years in this district. They have a daughter, Mrs. Flossie Brock, Hensali, and oiie son, Roy Merger, of Hay; six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Mrs. Merner of former years Was presi- dent of the Ladies’ Aid, president of the Women’s Christian Temper* ance Union and a Sunday School teacher in the Hensali .United church, and is a life member of the W.M.S, Both Mr. and Mrs, Merner are enjoying good health, end received .many friends during the afternoon. R. N. Creech Retires From Board of Education A special meeting of the Board, of Education was held Tuesday evening at Grigg's store to wind up some of the business* The Board of Education automatically dissolves at th® close of this year and the new board for the H.S. area is being set up. The three representatives on the new board from Exeter are Dr. Cowen, J, H. Jones and E. R. Hopper. At the forthcoming election it will be necessary to elect a new body to be known as Public School Trus­ tees comprising six members. R. N. Creech, who has served the Board faithfully and efficiently for a great .many years announced his retirement * and expressed his ap­ preciation of the harmony and co­ operation received during his term of office. J. M. Southcott, who a year ago succeeded Mr. Creech as chairman of the Board, also an­ nounced his retirement and spoke of the splendid leadership and un­ tiring efforts given over a period of years by Mr. Creech. The mem­ bers , of the Board who automatic­ ally relinquish office but who are eligible for election to the Trustee Board are W. E. Middleton, R. E. Russell, S. B. Taylor and John Willis. No Paper Next Week With Christmas coming on Wed­ nesday and with Thursday pro­ claimed as Boxing Day there will be no issue of the Times-Advocate next week. Advertisers and cor­ respondents will please note. As New Years also comes on Wednes­ day of the following week all it­ ems of news especially the news pertaining to the Christmas season should be sent in early. To Plow Streets . The municipal councilxhave ar- ranged with Mr. Jack Ehsgery to plow, t)jg ^tre’e'fs- ^.of: Exei.dr through* out' the coming winter. Mr. Essery has a large truck with snowplow attachment. This will' be the first experiment of the kind in town. The council have also purchased a tractor and snowplow for keeping the sidewalks clean. H.S. Christmas Dance The student council of, the Exe­ ter H. S. staged a dah/e for the staff and students in the Exeter Arena Friday evening last. Music was provided from a loud speaker. The decorations were exceptionally fine. Santa appeared and each of the teachers were presented with a gift from the students. Further Donations Received A fine list. of donations has be.en received by the Exeter Agricultural Society in connection with the re­ cent drive °for funds. Owing to laclp of space the acknowledgement of the list is being held over until the next edition. In the meantime fur­ ther donations will be gratefully received. To Wed This Month Miss Dorothy Traquair Reg.N. bride-elect of December, arrived from Calgary by T.C.A. on1 Mon­ day to spend 'Christmas at the home -of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Traquair prior to her wed­ ding the latter part of December. Dorothy reports a most enjoyable trip by air although her flight was delayed ten hours dueeto the weather. Her fiance, Johnny Chris­ tie. of Calgary, will arrive by T.C.A. next week. $1,300 to Send Letter Mr. Art Campbell, sports direc­ tor, last week received a letter from a friend in China on which there were two five hundred dollar stamps and three one hundred dollar stamps, making $1,300. It is increditable the extent t-o which inflation has climbed in China. Woodham L.O.L. Elect The WoOdham L.O.L. held their annual election of officers at the ■Woodham L.O.L. hall Wednesday evening, December 11th with the following result: ,W. Master, Lloyd Horn; D. Master, James Miljer; Chaplain, Emerson Patton; Rec> Sec., Oliver Jatjues; Fin. Secy., Allen Berry; Treas., H. Hopkins; 1st Lecturer, Clifton Jaques; 2nd Lecturer Herb Broom; Committee- men, Clarence Switzer, Geo. Davis, Harry Cole, John watson, Wm. Elison; Tyler, H. Clarke , Herb Hopkins; Auditors, H. DaVlS, C. CaPiin. .Refreshments were served at the close and a social hour en- joyed. There is a good foundation for ice at the Exeter Arena. Heavy District Windstorm Does Considerable Damage A severe storm swept this dis­ trict Thursday evening of last week and in some places did con­ siderable damage. A storage build­ ing at the Huron Lumber Co, yards was completely demolished, the loss being estimated aroupd $1,,'Qi00. The frame building virith a metal roof was situated on the north side of the property and a south-west wind picked it up bodi­ ly and turned it over into the yard of Bob Belling with pieces being carried to the property of the Misses Huston. The building con­ tained lumber and storage sup­ plies. It happened just after six o’clock and Reg. Taylor who was J. H. Jones Named To District Board The regular meeting of the Municipal Council of the Village of Exeter was held in the Town Hall on Monday evening, December 16, with Reeve Tuckey and. Councillors Allison, Caldwell, Dignan and Hern present. The minutes of the last regular meeting of December and the Spe­ cial Meetings off December 4th, 9th and 11 th were read and adopted on the motion of Councillors Hern anfl Caldwell. Communications were read ano dealt with as follows; Victoria Hospital, re hospitaliza­ tion ; filed, W. L. .Ballantyne Co. Ltd., re snowplough outfit; filed. Department Of. Municipal Affairs, re destruction of documents; tabled Canadian Fire Underwriters, re care fire equipment; filed. Exeter Citizen’s Band, re grant; filed. It was moved. tand,^seconded. iby-; Councillors i^Dlgnan 7and Caldwell • that the Clerk write W. L. Ballan­ tyne Qp. Ltd. that if they ship snowploughing outfit with cab, we will return the outfit we now have, carriage paid if necessary. A Financial Report was present­ ed by the Band Committee showing an estimated deficit of $233.47 for the year. It was moved and second­ ed by Councillors Dignan and Cald­ well that the report of the commit­ tee be accepted. Councillor Hern reported during the storm Dec. 12th, a tree fell on James Street doing damage to the auto of Mr. Wm. Snell and the house occupied foy him. It was moved and seconded by Councillors Hern and Allison that the Clerk be instructed to write the company carrying the Liability Insurance of the Village, stating the case and asking if they will pay the claim under the circumstances. .By-Law No. 112, 1946—Appoint­ ing J. Hubert Jones to Exeter High School District Board. By-Law No. 11, 1946—Extend­ ing Albert Street through from John to Sanders St., were given their first, second and third readings and finally passed on the motion of Councillors Dignan and Allison. The Treasurer presented his re­ port to December 16 th, showing current year’s taxes 94% paid. It was moved and seconded 'by Coun­ cillors Allison and Hern that the Treasurer’s Report be accepted as read and that copies of the report be printed for use at Nomination ■meeting. 4 The tax collector’s report was ac­ cepted on the motion of Council­ lors Allison ana Caldwell. The fol­ lowing overpaid 1946 taxes were ordered repaid on motion of Coun­ cillors Dignan and Hern! Alice Coates 1.79; Alfred W^uerth .20: Frank Taylor 21.27; Isabel Stewart 1'0.77; Frank Mathers .50. Reeve Tuckey reported that the warning lights for Main St. had been ordered by the P.lLC. but that it would require several weeks to secure them. The following accounts were read and ordered paid on the motion of Councillors Caldwell and Dignan: W. C. Pearce, postage $9.00; W. G. Simmons, repairs to snowplough and mower 8.50; Grigg Stationery, supplies 1.85; Bell Telephone, J. Norry account 2.22; Traquair's Hardware, street broom 1.98; W. .L. Ballantyne Co. Ltd,, 1,700.00; Hur­ on County, balance county rates 596.05; Mather Bros., 2 gal. anti­ freeze 7.50; Russell Balkwill, share cost drain 9.15; Exeter P.U.C., st. lighting 234.10(0 ‘ Exeter P.U<C.. hydrant rental and town hall 352.02; Twp. of Usborne, grading streets 21.0; Gladinan & Cochrane, fees 266.80; Pay Sheet: John stiro, labor drains 11.78; Gerald Cornish, labor drains 10,08; Andy Blaumeart labor drains 10.08; Richard Davis, labor streets 4.80. All motions were carried. Ad­ journment on the motion of Coun­ cillor Caldwell. c. V. Pickard, clerk, leaving the mill for his home saw the building lifted from its foun­ dation and (land upside down north of the property. Plans are now be* ing made for the '.erection of a complete new building. Hydro Disrupted Shortly after seven o'clock the same evening a heavy gust of wind j brought down a large limb of a tree on James street disrupting the hydro wires and for some time a portion of the town was in dark­ ness’ until repairs were made, The limb fell across a par belonging to Wm. Snell and did some damage to his home. Roof Ripped from Usborne Bam In Usborne tragedy again "hit the home of Ernest Rock. With Mr. Rock confined to his bed 'critically ill, the storm ripped off half of the east side of the roof of a 47 foot barn, tore a colony house into matchwood, ripped shingles from the house and a hen-house, up­ rooted some trees and cut off the hydro. It was necessary the next morning to clear a tree from the driveway before a doctor could reach the house. Neighbors have come to the assistance of the fam­ ily in an endeavor to fix the barn and repair the damage. Members of the Exeter-Hensall branch of the Canadian Legion, are lending a helping hand. One of the members motored to London and in. a search of the city, for nails by getting a few pounds here and a few pounds there was able to scrape up two hundred .pounds. One of the neigh­ bors went to Preston and Galt in an effort to secure roofing. The farm is on the 4th. concession of Usborne and was purchased by Mr. .Rock from Mr. Robt. Kydd a year ago last November. A number of weeks ago Mr. Rock was taken 1H and for some time was in the Christie street hospital,/Toronto. Heavy Damage in Hibbert 'Considerable damage was done in the Staffa and Dublin area. The barn of John Ryan was completely ripped from its foundation with pieces no longer than five feet strewn everywhere leaving no trace of the original building. A- cross the road the John Drake, Jr., barn also fell a prey to the high winds. Sweeping north-east on No. 8 highway 2 miles’ east of Dublin roofs were taken off barns on th« Jack Malcolm, William Kleinfeldt and W. F. Levy farms. Power and telephone lines at Staffa and Cromarty were off until sometime Friday. Heavy damage was also done in the Thedford district. Officials Feted by Reeve At the close of the council meet­ ing Monday evening Reeve B. W. Tuckey was host to the members of the council and the officials to­ gether with the editor of the Times-Advocate at a' delightful chicken supper at Rether’s Rest­ aurant. Expressions of appreciation were made and Reeve Tuckey ex­ tended the season's greetings and. best wishes for a successful 1947. Exeter Fair Board Enjoy Banquet The officers and directors of the Exeter Agricultural Society held a successful banquet at the Central Hotel Friday evening of last week when twenty-seven sat down to a sumptuous turkey dinner. Follow­ ing the dinner a very timely and interesting address Was given by Mr. J. Stewart, of Ailsa Craig, on field crops, wheat, oats, barley and corn. He spoke of the importance of goad seed and of the great care that should be taken in the prep­ aration of the seed bed. The soil should be tested to determine what fertilizers are best suited for* the various crops. Some Very practical hints were given and .the address was much appreciated. P. Pass- more, president, presided for the evening. Garnet Hicks gave several selections on his guitar. Officers and directors were well pleased With the work that has been ac­ complished during the year and there wag a feeling expressed that the new year should complete the necessary work at the grounds such as a larger grand stand and hew cattle .barns. Appreciation was expressed of the assistance given by many interested patties and of the liberal contributions re­ ceived. One of the inembers of the executive was anxious that the public would not get the Irapres* sion that the banquet was nt the expense of those Who haU made recent contributions as each mem­ ber present paid his -own Way.