HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1955-08-31, Page 1I
(Subscription $3.00 per year, 7c per copy
With which is amalgamated the Corrie Vidette and Wroxeter News
” ’ ’ WINGIIAM, ONTARIO, WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 81, 1955
ALONG THE MAIN DRAG
By The Pedestrian
"V GETTING THE BIRD—Residents
of Hillcrest were somewhat alarmed
the other day when a truck pulled
UP and several characters jumped
put, armed with fish nets, ladders and
Jong poles. There was no cause for
•alarm, however. It was just the Stain-
tqn boys looking for a couple of their
dad’s prize pigeons on the loose. One
of the birds is still missing, and Perc
Stainton would appreciate receiving
reports on same.
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BUSINESS AS USUAL—With all
the activity going on around town in
connection with Frontier Days, many
, of the smaller fry have no doubt for
gotten that school starts again, como
Tuesday. Parents will heave a great
sigh of relief? but we doubt if the
teachers will be so enthusiastic,
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STRAWS IN THE WIND—So far
the boys on the street have done a
very fair job of keeping Josephine
Street cleaned up, considering the
amount of straw which has como
loose from the bales on the curb. We’d
like to bet, however, that the street
will present a different picture on
Saurday night, after the tumult and
shouting has died. Perhaps the town
should borrow a baler.
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MISTAKEN IDENTITY—Provin
cial Constable Bob Lewis, unjustly ac
cused in this column of being seen
horseback riding last week, wasn’t on
a horse at all, according to our latest
information. Frankly we can’t say we
blame him. Bob says he hasn’t ridden
a horse since way back when, in spite
of reports in the press to the con
trary.
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VERY CO-OPERATIVE—Country
people hereabouts deserve a lot of
credit for their co-operation in lend
ing horses and farm vehicles to
townspeople for Saturday's parade.
Without their help a good many of
the floats just couldn’t be engineered.
Let’s hope townspeople can lend a
hand in some way when people in the
townships get going on their own
celebrations next year.
Turnberry Students
Get Scholarships
Two students of Wingham District'
High School were awarded scholar
ships by the University of Western
Ontario, it was announced yesterday.
A scholarship of $500 ($300 for the
(first year, $200 for the second year)
for the highest standing in six speci
fied papers was awarded to Kenneth
Holmes, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bert
Holmes, of Turnberry.
A school scholarship of $200 for one
.year, for the highest standing in the
high school, was awarded to William
Laidlaw, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robt.
E. Laidlaw, Turnberry, by reversion
from Kenneth Holmes.
ENGAGEMENT
Mr. and Mrs. George E. Cook of
Belgrave, wish to announce the en
gagement of their daughter, Mildred
Laureen, to James C. Paton, son of
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Paton, of Glan-
worth. The marriage to take place
on Saturday, September 24th, at 2.00
o’clock in Knox United Church, Bel
grave. F31*
ENGAGEMENT
Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Bolt, Belgrave,
Ontario, announce the engagement of
their daughter, Isabel Elizabeth
Elaine, to Mr, John James Thomas
Nixon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac
Nixon, R.R. 7, Lucknow. The wedding
to take place early in September.
F31*
ENGAGEMENT
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Sanderson, of
Bluevale, Ontario, announce the en
gagement of their daughter, Hazel
May, to Mr. Howard Elgin Ryan, son
of Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Ryan, of Brus
sels, Ontario. The wedding to take
place the latter part of September.
F31*
The Maitland
Lodge LO.O.F. of
W i n g h a m, ’ are
holding their meeting, Thursday, Sep
tember, 1, at 8 p.m. F31b
NOTICE
A regular meeting of the Ladies’
Auxiliary to Wingham General Hos
pital will be held at 3 o’clock on Fri
day, September 2nd., in the Council
Chamber, F31b
fifheth wedding
ANNIVteRSAEY
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Deyell, who
are celebrating their fiftieth wedding
anniversary will be at home to their
friends on Monday, September 6th,
from 3 to 5 p.m. In the afternoon and
from 7.30 to 10.00 p.m. in the evening.
F31*
Pony Express ~ Exeter to Wingham Final Arrangements Completed For
A pony.pxpress service "fi'om Exeter td'Wi'ngham, a feat "which’was probably
•attempted for the first time last Wednesday, came through in fine style in
spite of. an attempted hold-up in Belgrave. In the top picture, Hugh
Carmichael, president of the local Lions Club, presents an invitation,
delivered in an old 1913 Model T Ford, to Mayor Ted Pooley, of Exeter, as
Johnny Brent looks on. In lower picture Sheriff Johnny Brent, last of the
pony express riders, delivers the reply from Mayor Pooley to Mayor R. E
McKinney, on the town hall steps in Wingham, after a relay of riders had
brought it all the way from Exeter.
REAL SIX-GUNS NOT
ALLOWED BY LAW,
CHIEF POINTS OUT
A couple of words of warning from
Police Chief Bert Platt on the coming
Frontier Days celebration were voiced
yesterday in conversation with The
Advance-Times.
Firstly the chief pointed out that
the wearing of firearms of any type
is illegal, unless a special permit for
carrying the weapons is held. Those
carrying weapons without a permit
will be liable to a fine, and the act of
pointing a weapon is a further of
fense.
“We don’t want to spoil any of the
fun,” the chief declared, “But local
police are responsible for enforcing
the law, and that is the way the law
reads."
The chief said that a registration
permit for a weapon is not sufficient,
if it is to be carried on the person.
Even a blank cartridge pistol can be
classed as an “offensive weapon,” and
the law makes no discrimination be
tween weapons capable of being fired
and those with the firing pin or other
parts removed.
However, it’s OK to pack a toy
pistol if you want, And as the chief
says,' some of them are far more
lethal-looking than the real thing.
Urges Caution with Horses
Chief Platt also issued a
warning regarding the horses in the
parade. He said that the use of fire
crackers, cap pistols or any loud
noise-makers during the parade could
bo dangerous, both to the riders
of the horses and the spectators along
the route. He urges children and spec
tators to be as quiet as possible While
horses in the parade are passing.
Wingham police may be short-
handed for this year’s' celebration,
compared with the number of police
men available last year. Provincial
police Sent 6 men into Wingham for
last year's celebration, but this year
Wilt only send two, in addition to
those stationed here. Chief Platt said
he was hoping to get extra deputies
for Saturday’s parade.
Finishing touches on the plans for
Frontier Days aft? being completed
this week as Sheriff Johnny Brent
and his committees are, working
around the clock at the Sheriff’s
office to pub the -last-minute details
in shape. Final arrangements are ex
pected to be completed today,
The big paradfc which will high
light Saturday's , .festivities has been
progressing fay0j$bly, and promises to compare with J^st year’s effort for
the 75th anniversary. Almost fifty
floats have been' promised for the
parade, and in addition there will be
clowns and horses as well as people
in costume. Anyone interested in
Bandits ^Threaten Mail Delivery
As Pony Express Gallops North
NEED COSTUME FOR
FRIDAY’S DANCE?
Stuck for a costume for the big
Frontier Ball on Friday night?
Johnny Brent may have the an
swer.
A big selection of rental cos
tumes is being imported into town,
and will be »n display in the
council chambers at 10 a.m. on
Friday.- The selection will' include
all sorts of old fashioned costumes
and western’outfits, as well as the
latest in Davy Crockett get-ups.
Drop into -the council chambers
on Friday and rent a costume for
the ball. Or better still, contact
Johnny Brent before then and
insure a choice.
To Attend College
Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Symons, who
have resided in Wingham for almost
three years, will be leaving town on
Monday, September Sth, to go to the.
Salvation Army’s William Booth
Memorial College in Toronto. Upon
completion of training Mr. and Mrs.
Symons, who now hold the rank of
Cadets, will be commissioned as full-
time officers of the Salvation Army.
The officer’s course consists of one
year at the College in Toronto, fol
lowed by two years of advanced train
ing in some phase of Salvation Army
work. '
During their stay in Wingham, Mr.
Symons has been employed • at radio
station CKNX in various capacities,
including that of staff musician, an
nouncer, and commercial writer. For
the past year he has. been manager of
the commercial department.
Mr. and Mrs. Symons have two
children, Kenneth and Bonnie Jean,
both of whom will live in Hamilton
with friends until completion of the
College course.
Farewell services will be held at the
Salvation Army Citadel on Edward
Street in Wingham this Sunday for
the Symons’.
FULL HOUSE ON HAND
FOR HANNA TROPHY
A full house of 38 rinks of doubles
was on hand for the Hanna Trophy
tournament at the Wingham Lawn
Bowling Club on Friday evening, and
the bowlers managed to get in two
games before the tournament was
called on account of rain. The Club
had to turn down Seven entries.
Winner of the trophy was Spar
ling’s rink from Goderich, With two
wins plus 16 and aggregate 33. Other
winners wbre: second, Agnew of
Lucknow, two wins plus 16, aggreg
ate 33; third, Scarborough Hanover,
two Wins plus 16, aggregate 27; fourth,
Haselgrove, Wingham, two wins plus
14; fifth, SherbOhdy, Wingham, two
Wins plus 13; 6th, Miller, Lucknow,
two Wins plus 9, aggregate 25;
seventh, Brant, Walkerton, two wins
plus 9, aggregate 23.
The trophy was presented by Harley
Crawford, on behalf of John Hanna.
CHANGE ROUTE OF
Olli PARADE'
The route of Saturday’s big parade
has been changed slightly from pre
vious plans. In order to provide
through passage for motorists on No,
4 highway, it was announced yester
day.
The parade will start off at Jose
phine and Victoria Streets, proceed
up Josephine Street, with floats mak
ing a right hand turn at Cresset’s
garage and bands making a left hand
turn at the same corner, returning
to the town park. There will be no
parade, either coming or going, on
Minnie Street.
The change was made to leave
Minnie and Scott Streets free for
through traffic on NO. 4 highway.
The parade will assemble on Edward
Street this year, with bands being fed
in from Josephine Street south of
Victoria.
Parade 'officials say that spectators
should assemble on Josephine Street
to get the best view of the floats.
Leaves for Germany
In November
\~SignaIman Raymond E. Bell, of
town, is home on a month’s leave
from the army.
On September 26th he will leave
for Camp Utopia, New Brunswick, for
special training, and in November he
will be leaving there for a two-year
posting to Germany.
It is expected that his wife, the
former Peggy MacDonald, and family,
will follow him overseas.
Signalman Bell is the son of Mrs,
Matthew Bell, of town.
One of the features of the Frontier Days celebration this week will be the Six Nation’s
Indian Band, which will march in the big parade on Saturday, Indians in the band will
also participate in a display of tribal dances at the town park during the afternoon.
Frontier
getting into the parade in fancy
dress should contact the sheriff for
details as to their position.
Five Bands Promised
Five bands have .been definitely
promised for the parade and there is
a possibility that a sixth may be on
hand. The bands will include the Six
Nations Indians, the Durham Girls
High School Bugle Band, the Galt
Salvation Army Band, the Brodhagen
Band and Wingham's own Lions Boys
and Girls Band. The Lounsbury Sis
ter, Canada champion baton twirl-
ers, will be a feature of the parade.
The parade will be marshalled at
the town park, on the corner of Ed-
Traditions of the Old West and the-
mail-must-go-through days were hon
orably upheld last Wednesday, when
the Frontier Days' pony express from
Exeter to Wingham came through in
record time, in spite of an attempted
hold-up in Belgrave, along the way.
The event attracted wide publicity
for the Frontier Days celebration, and
a large number of the people of Wing
ham turned out to welcome Johnny
Brent, last rider in the. relay, into
town with his message from Mayor
Ted Pooley, of Exeter.
The whole thing started off on
Tuesday, when two of the Lions and
Johnny Brent started off for Exeter
in an old 1913 model T Ford to deliver
an invitation to the Frontier Days
celebration to Mayor Pooley, of Ex
eter.
Accompanying the model T on its
perilous journey were several other
members of the Lions Club in modern
cars. The cavalcade left Wingham on
Tuesday afternoon.-, and reached’ E&-
eter during the^e^epmg... where the
invitation was accepted by Mayor- in a
formal ceremony.
Members of the Exeter Riding Club
undertook to deliver the Mayor's
reply as far as Clinton, where Sheriff
Brent's riders accepted the letter and
started the relay to Wingham.
Trouble at Belgrave
At Belgrave a trio of horsemen tried
to hi-jack the saddlebag containing
the message, and others on foot actu
ally succeeded in getting the mail. A
roadblock had been put across the
highway at that point, and when
crowds prevented the rider coming
into Belgrave from getting through to
the next horseman, he threw the
saddlebag over the barrier, only to
have it caught by George Johnston,
one of the hold-up men on foot.
Others implicated in the mock rob
bery, which was apparently unre
hearsed, were Clark Johnston, Jim
Lamont and Don Coultes, with assist
ance from Clarence Wade, who was
disguised as an old woman.
When the thing was finally sorted
out the saddlebag was given to the
next rider and the express carried on.
Honorary Sheriff Johnny Brent was
the final rider in the relay, delivering
the message to Mayor R. E. McKinney
on the town hall steps in Wingham.
A large crowd of people were on
hand to witness the final lap.
■ Instigator jailed
It was later reported that the in
stigator of robbery in Belgrave had
been apprehended by a posse of vigi
lantes under Sheriff Brent, and is
now lodged behind bars in the jail
cell at the sheriff’s office. While the
identity of the culprit has not been
revealed, it is reported that he has
become notorious around Western1
Ontario under the name of Two-Gun
Pete.
Coming to Wingham
ward Street at 12 o’clock. It will
move off at 1.16 p.m. sharp, taking
the route down Edward along Victoria
and up Josephine. In case rain forces
the cancellation of the parade, noti
fication will be given over radio
station CKNX.
Following the parade there will be
a variety program at the town park,
featuring selection of the best fron
tier couple. Indian Tribal Dances by
the Six Nations Indians, an amateur
contest, square and step dance con
tests,' tug-of-war and barber shop
quartette.
Friday for Children
Friday afternoon’s program will be
jDO’S AND DON’TS FOR
SATURDAY’S PARADE
Do leave automobiles at home, if
possible.
Do be content, if driving, to park
some distance from the parade route
and the downtown congestion.
Do co-operate with traffic control
men.
Do keep back to the curb while
watching the parade. It will not only
give everyone a better view, but will
lessen the chance of mishaps.
Do keep children close at hand. A
lost child can be difficult to locate
in a parade crowd.
Do report any emergencies to the
nearest official or police officer. First-
aid treatment will be available.
Do drive and walk carefully at all
times.
Don't park on Josephine, Minnie,
Alfred or Scott Streets after 12 noon
on Saturday. Cars left on the parade
route will be removed at the owner’s
expense.
Don’t double park or obstruct drive
ways on any street.
Don't expect all officers to be in
uniform. Also on duty will be special
'bdhstablesv who’ cait’-foe identified by.
their red armbaridst'""' ” ’ 4 ‘‘
Don’t attempt to view the parade
from a telephone pole, ledge or other
percarious perch. The daring could
cost a life.
Don't push and press fellow specta
tors. A well-ordered crowd has a
better view and is in less danger of
injury.
Don’t under any circumstances
throw fireworks about in the throng.
Pranks with firecrackers could mean
the loss of somebody’s eye.
Don’t let children run onto the
street. The pre-parade and post-par
ade congestion will present a special
hazard.
Don’t expect to have a swift'route
home after the parade ends. Delays
should be expected.
Don’t forget to have a good time.
WINGHAM BOY IN
WALKERTON HOSPITAL
Seven-year-old Douglas Rodgers,
son of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Rodgers,
Wingham, is in serious condition in
Bruce County Hospital at Walkerton,
following an accident in Mildmay on
Monday afternoon. .
The boy was riding in the rear of
a light delivery truck driven by his
aunt, Mrs. Sylvester Fortney, of Mild
may, and as the vehicle was passing
through the main street of the village
he was thrown out of the truck box.
Apparently the youngster’s head
struck the pavement. Examination at
the hospital disclosed a serious skull
fracture. The boy was still uncon
scious tfee following day.
of special interest to the children.
Events will start off with a children's,
parade, which will assemble at Jack
Reavie’s garage on Josephine Street
at 12.30 and move off up Josephine
Street at 1.15. All children are invited
to enter with 'costumes, decorated bi
cycles, doll carriages, tricycles or
wagons, and valuable prizes will be-
offered in these categories.
At the town park on Friday after-
noon there will be highland dancing,
choosing of the Frontier Queen, a log
sawing contest and variety concert of
fancy roping and riding, In addition
there will be rides for the kiddies in
the midway there, all for 10c a ride.
Admission to the town park on both
Friday and Saturday will be 50c for
adults and 25c for children.
Arena Busy
Wingham’s arena will bef a busy
place during the three-day celebra
tion. On Thursday night a fiddle con
test will be held to determine the
Ontario Champion old time fiddler,
and following the contest a dance wilL
be held with music by Don Robertson
and the Ranch Boys. The program
starts at 8.30.
On Friday the Frontier Ball will
be held, featuring the Dominion Old-
Time Fiddling Contest, with contest
ants from all parts of Canada partici
pating. Those attending the ball are
asked to dress in frontier garb for
the occasion.
A gigantic CKNX Barn Dance pro
gram, one of the biggest ever present
ed, will be a feature of the Saturday
program at the arena, at which fiddle
contest winners will be present to dis
play their styles.
FRONTIER DAYS BRIEFS'
All floats must be registered for
Saturday’s parade with Johnny Brent.
If you’d like to enter a float in the
parade, but haven’t yet. registered it*,
please gqL.in touch, .with Johnny im
mediately, so that he can make the
necessary arrangements.
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Last minute entries in some of the
contests will still be accepted. See
posters for details, and contact
Johnny Brent, for registration.
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The CKNX Radio and TV trophy,
emblematic of the Dominion Old
Time Fiddle Championship, arrived in
town this week for presentation to
the winner of Friday night's contest.
In addition to the trophy, the top
fiddler will receive a cheque for $300.
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In case of rain during the celebra
tion, all activities with the exception
of the parades will be moved indoors
to the arena. If weather threatens
the parade on Saturday afternoon,
noticifation will be given over the
local radio station.
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Popular admission prices will pre
vail during the celebration, similar to
those of last year. At the park ad
missions will be 50c and 25c and at
the arena 75c and 50c.
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Work on erecting stages and seats
at the town park will start today, in
preparation for the first event there,
on Friday.
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Children in costume for the child
ren’s parade will be admitted to the
town park free of charge. Regular
admission price will be 25c. Rides for
the kiddies at the park Will be 10c
all day Friday.
Former Resident
Married in London
The marriage took place in the
Wesley United Church Chapel, Lon
don, Ontario, of Mrs, Alice West and
Mr. T. F. McMackon, on August 19.
Rev, Geo. Moore performed the cere
mony.
Mrs. West will be remembered by
many residents of Wingham. Her
former husband, Mr. Ed. West, was
an employee of the Bell Telephone
Co., when they resided hero,
I’APIIR ON THURSDAY
NEXT WEEK
Because of the Labor Day holi
day on'Monday next, The Advance-
Times will be published on Thurs
day next week, instead of Wednes
day,
Correspondents and advertisers
are asked to have their copy in to
The Advance-Times office at the
usual time next week, if possible.