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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1954-07-28, Page 11Thomas Carruthers Built Home 90 Years Ago - Thomas Carruthers was only 20 years of age when he came to Wing­ ham in 1862. The house that he erect­ ed of the timber and lumber surround­ ing it, still stands in Lower Wingham on Victoria Street, just east of the mill race. A glance at the picture shows that with the exception of the addition of composition siding, there has been little change in the outside appearance of the building the Past 90 years, Mr. Carruthers also blacksmith shop which its location to Uppdr was operated by him With his mechanic, a man by the name of Day, he built the first wagon in Wingham which sold for $60. At that time wagon a chore since the to make even the by hand, shrink axes edge days through built later Wingham but for 40 years. a small changed making was quite wagon maker had wheels and spokes them, and fit the - Still Standing wheels with steel tires. During the Fenian scare in 1864-66, farmers came to Mr. Carruthers from miles around with old files, saws and to be sharpened to the keenest in case of an emergency. For and nights men stood sentry duty. One night a farmer on sentry bravely challenged what he thought was the enemy, and when he received no response, he fired. He was dismay­ ed to find that he had shot one of his own cows. Mr. Carruthers took many fine catches of fish from the Maitland River, only a few yards from his home. He also found that meat was a cheap commodity with deer, rabbit and other edible game so close at hand. In later years he delighted in showing people from his window, the spot where he had, in his youth, shot a bear. Thomas Carruthers' Residence Amos Tipling Operated Flax Mill Born on the Bluevale road in Turn­ berry Township, Amos Tipling was a son of a farmer and blacksmith. Horse Racing Here When Gravel Road Was Track By W, J, Fleuty The publicatiqn of this special 75th anniversary issue of the Advance- Times would be remiss if it did not make mention of the days in Wing­ ham’s history when the “sport of kings” was one of the foremost pas­ times in which the citizens indulged. Wingham was proud of being the home of some of the fastest trotters and pacers on the American contin­ ent. The fact that Wingham could lay claim to possessing what was freely designated as one of the fastest half- mile tracks in this province, seemed to be an incentive to the lovers of the noble equine, to own and drive one, or to see it win out against the stiffest opposition known to the track. dangerous for a stranger to go near her, yet little Johnny Currie would say, "Come on, Lady, it’s time to go to bed”. Lady would lie down in the corner of the stall and Johnny could lie down beside* her and both would go to sleep. There were other horses of renown owned in Wingham. Beattie Bros, had a big chestnut trotter called Wanda, the laziest equine imaginable. Jack Swarts became owner and Al Proctor driver. Al went to Lemmex’s black­ smith shop and had a big spur at­ tached to the heavy butt of a whip. He would run the spur along Wanda’s back and away she would go. This trotter made a record of 2,12 which days. wag considered fast in those The Whigham Advajice-Times. Wednesday, July 28, J954 1 Welcome ToDarky Hal then there was the Queen ofAnd the Canadian turf, (Darky Hal, a black pacing mare of the Swarts stables, which came home from the sputhern circuit with a mark of 2.02%. The first races known to have been held here took place on May 24th, 1874. These were running races and were held on the gravel road south of the town, from the point one mile south to the winning post, opposite Cas­ sel’s Hill, now the first farm from the town beyond the Maitland River. There is no hill the.re today, only a slight-rise in the highway. The heavy grade has been cut down and the road built up, especially since ■ the con­ struction of the splendid new bridges. / The CelebrationAmos was educated in the Wingham Public School, being a pupil at the old frame house of learning at the south-west corner of John and Leo­ pold Streets. Later, of course, he like other pupils, went to the new brick building that was opened in 1879. A link with turf affairs was bro­ ken when Darky Hal, known from coast to coast in racing circles had to be done away with in 1923, owing to old age. She died in her own pas­ ture field When the last race previous to her death was held, many people noticed the faithful veteran of the tracks and her colt, standing watching the races with almost human interest. near her beloved track,zens of Wingham, we wish to extend a TO THE VISITORS MAY YOUR STAY BE HAPPY AND YOUR MEMORIES PLEASANT extra-CRAWFORD MOTORS 0DESOTODODGEhad taken DEALERS Horses and Horsemen there. a a race the wooden-wheeled, high sulky used generally. The latest Wingham horse to gain renown was a colt raised by George H. Tervit. Jean Dillon was her name' and 2.07 was her best time. Harold H was home, placed in pert trainer, gave evidence of possessing plenty, of speed. Harold H was sold to' a Calgary sportsman, R. J. Mackenzie for $2,000. The romance of this Wonder horse came to an end in 1912 when Canada’s champion pacer died of paralysis. brought to his new the hands of an ex- A1 Proctor, and soon Subsequently he interviewed the farmer about the animal that he had taken a fancy to and offered the own­ er $200 for the horse, which was ac­ cepted then and horse’s con- “WELCOME HOME” By W. J. John E. Swarts, ordinary, told this vance sreibe at the that famous pacer, Harold place that was renowned his home town, Wingham. HOW “HAROLD H” fin company with the citi- MACHAN Back In The Days when this sort of thing was going on, Machan Brothers were starting their plumbing business in Wing ham. Since that time it has been a pleasure to serve so many Wing­ ham people and to contribute our small share to the advancement off the community. HOWARD After his marriage he resided in Wingham and was active in munici­ pal affairs and rose to the office of reeve, which automatically made him a member of the county council. He advocated the growth of flax throughout this section of Huron County and for several years a flax mill flourished in the town with Mr. Tipling as the head. The growing of flax gradually dwindled away and the flax mill was discontinued. One of the contending horses was owned by a grand old sportsman by the name of Gofton, a Wroxeter inn­ keeper, and by the way, grandfather of a present day citizen of Wingham, Harry Town. Mr. Gofton also owned a splendid specimen of the Greyhound breed of dogs and delighted in show­ ing the public how high his dog could jump. Holding a whip up above his shoulder, it was no effort for the dog to go over it. There Have Been Mild Winters Fleuty horseman story to an Ad- time he brought H., to the as being Mr. Swarts said business him to Ridgetown, Ontario. He was standing in front of a hotel talking to the landlord when a farmer drove by with as ill-matched a team as could be imagined. One horse was a bay pacer, the other just a big common looking farm horse, a full hand higher than its mate. Mr. Swarts inquired of his com­ panion, “Who is that man driving the team?” The answer came as to his personality as a neighboring farmer. “I like the look of that little fellow,” said John E., referring to the pacer. Mr. Swarts felt justified in sending his pacer over the United States rac­ ing circuit and there seemed to be no limit to his speed. The outstanding opponent in many races was the fa­ mous Dan Patch. The circuit complet­ ed, Harold H was brought home for a well-earned rest with a record of 2.02%. Local sports organized a wel­ come and a parade. A beautiful collar of roses was placed over the head and all the welcome of quering hero was extended. A couple of weeks later matinee was held. There were plenty of trotters and pacers hereabouts to fill a good program. Between two classes Al Proctor brought out Har­ old H for the edification of the large attendance. He was sent a mile, and horsemen were delighted to see how the speedy little fellow kept his ears flopping backwards and forwards, as much as to say, "Isn’t this a joke?” Stop watches recorded 2.14 as the time for the mile. Regular Track Then came the desire for a regular half-mile track and a plot was rented on the farm of Thomas Henderson, which is now owned by his son, W. J. Henderson. The opening of the new course .was billed for the Queen’s birthday. On May 22nd there was a fall of four inches of snow. Gloom pervaded the membership of the Turf Club and the citizens of the town generally. It was a heartbreak. On May 23, Old Sol came out in all its glory. Gone was the hated snow and on May 24 the track was in splen­ did condition, all the better for having been so recently dampened. The race meet was a great success, with plenty, of horses and good time scored by the contenders. The new­ fangled rubber-tired sulky had not been brought into use at that time, and was Famous horses in the old days were Elam Livingstone’s “Doc Livingstone”, a strong hard-mouthed specimen that Elam at times could not hold. It had wonderful speed and was known to cover a quarter-mile stretch in a trifle over a two-minute clip. There it would break and become almost unmanage­ able. i A well-known citizen was John Mc­ Connell, residing on Minnie Street, who did a general trading business. Dr. J. E. Tamlyn, a local physician, also kept two mares for his personal use in his practice. On one occasion neither of his drivers were in con­ dition to be driven, so he borrowed one of Mr. McConnell’s horses. The doctor was so taken with the speed shown in this horse that he made free mention of it. Eventually some person bought it and entered it in the local races. The turf came to know this pretty, dark-brown mare as Lady Dufferin. Her disposition was as gentle- as a lamb and Lady made a successful record for her owner. Mr. McConnell later went to Manitoba and was elected to the Provincial Legis­ lature. At one time Lady Dufferin was stabled in a box stall in the Dinsley House barn. In the Stall adjoining was a big trotter by the name of John A. So vicious was this unruly brute that Frank Golding, the groom and driver, dared not enter the stall without providing himself with a heavy club for protection. George Roe, of the Queen’s Hotel, was the owner of Miss Garfield, a pacer which won many races. It was In 1906 the lawn bowlers of Wing­ ham were on the greens and had a right good game in shirt sleeves on January 26th. They had a photo ta­ ken to prove it. There were several weeks of very mild weather that year. In The Times, appeared recollections of an old timer of the winter of 1832 when, while living at Turner, he went to school from December to March in bare feet, linen pants and cotton shirt. On ’Christmas day he picked eight quarts of ripe strawberries in a field beside the house and nearly had sun stroke. He claimed that at night he slept without bedclothes and “the Skeeters were fearful”. R. JOHN CURRIE 1938 - 1954 Sacrifice *>•«»* R. A. CURRIE 1913 - 1954 Established in 1880 By the late Samuel Cracey *- k M -■ JAMES A. CURRIE 1949 - 1954 There can be no real and abiding happiness without sacrifice. Our greatest joys do not result from our efforts towards self­ gratification,, but from a loving and spontaneous service to other lives. Joy comes not to him who seeks it for himself, but to him who seeks it for other people. —“Leaves of Gold” R. A. CURRIE & SON Josephine Street Funeral Home Wingham, Ontario In Wingham-In Huron County - In Western Ontario Almost Everyone Reads