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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 56C.Ige +arr.k.. ,,A110446aii:Jitiow6V14::, 40, '41; Some things work so well NOTHING CAN TAKE THEIR PLACE Serving sorhe of man's most urgent needs since 1849, the trustworthy old safety pin is a device whose utility has never diminished. It is one of those great inventions of all time which even space age ingenuity cannot im- prove. BU . . . When you have something that isn't working well chances are Don MacGregor and staff can fix it . . Not everything works as well as a safety pin, When area residents need repairs, they've come to know that Don MacGregor is the fellow to see. Not only will he fix it, but chances are he'll even create something if you have a need for which no product is presently available. You'll find him working on all sorts of projects ... all the way from fixing a toddler's tricycle with a small welding job to designing and building those' huge trailers used by plastic drain companies. From the left, Ralph Morley, Don MacGregor, Jim MacGregor and Beverley Burtch.' Don MacGregor Welding EXETER 235.1273 JOTTINGS BY JMS May 16, 1963 The above picture shows the Main Street of Exeter during the early part of this century, Few will remember the grocery store and the liquor store of Farmer Bros., shown in the right hand corner of the picture. The liquor store with the wooden verandah was the first Bible Christian church iti Exeter and was the forerunner of what is now James Street United Church which had its beginning just about one hundred years ago, Adjoining the liquor store was the grocery and flour& feed store of Farmer Bros. The two stores were operated by John and Richard Farmer. The former was married and lived in a large brick house on Andrew Street, at one time owned by J.S. Har- vey. There are numerous stories that the boys used to tell of the tricks that were played on the two proprietors and some of these were concerned with petty thieving that is by no means a modern invention, also of the ruses used to procure liquor in those early days. While engaging the proprietor with an excuse to go to the cellar or liquor store the boys would do some shop-lifting. MAY 27, 1954 Jottings By J.M.S. The early history of the Huron and Bruce railroad is fast fading from the memory of the oldest inhabitants but many of our readers will recall the days when it was a most important link in the life of the communities through which it passed. Particularly on holiday oc- casions, such as the 24th of May, with visitors coming and going, the H. & 13 played an important part as before the coming of the automobile it was the only means of long distance travel, Watch Culprit The first station was on the west side of the tracks and the tracks had to be crossed in order to reach it. I recall on one occasion while waiting for the train I stood on the platform while opposite were the grain houses where the farmers brought their grain for shipping. The grain, wheat and peas were stored in large bins. From the station platform you could see right through the centre of the building with the grain bins on either side. A young lad with his back to the station and with his eye on Mr. J. Harding, who had charge of the plant, was dipping his hand into the pin of peas and filling his pocket. That was in the days of the pea shooters and the grain houses were the sources of supply. A number of people on the platform observed the act and one lady was heard to remark: "Isn't it awful what the young generation will do in these days I wonder what will become of them in the future?" There were four trains a day in those days, one from the south and the other from the north in the morning and the same in the afternoon. Carry Produce This permitted the women Exeter Times, Oct. 11, 1877 In the quarter ending the 11th of September, 1877, there have been in the county of Huron, 46 convictions of assault, 30 for drunkenness and 22 for breach of the Liquor License Act. That is the story and I have heard it so often that I believe it to he true. Following the Farmers the grocery store was used as a furniture store by Wesley Ilueston, who afterwards moved west. ' The liquor store for years was operated as a boot and shoe store by Alfred Walters. In 1915 the store was purchased by J.G. Jones and removed to the rear of the lot and was used as a warehouse for Jones & May. That same year the building now used as the town clerk's office, with a residence in connection was built and Herbert Walters, carrying on his father's business, used it as a shop and residence. The furniture store, owned by Mr. Farmer, was purchased in 1908 by Jones & May and a seed- cleaning plant was installed and operated until October 30, 1947 when Jones & MacNaughton opened the modern seed-cleaning plant that carries their name. One of the interesting items in the picture is the electric light seen in the left hand corner. It was the forerunner of hydro in Exeter, It was a carbon lamp and the lamp had to be lowered each day and carbons adjusted or new carbons installed. from the farm to carry their produce to the London market in the morning and return home at night, It was because of this that the H. & B. became known as the "butter and egg special," a name it carried throughout the years before the section from Clinton to Wingham was discontinued on April 26, 1941. When the railroad was built in 1875, one section began con- struction at Hyde Park and the other at Wingham. It was on Christmas day, 1875, that the two gangs met at Exeter and the traditional golden spike was driven as the ties came together. On Tuesday, January 11, 1876 the dignitaries from the various places along the route, many of them bewhiskered gentlemen, celebrated the inauguration of the new railroad with a banquet- at the Tecumseh House in Lon- don. One of the prominent passengers and one who had much to do yvith bringing the railroad to Exeter was Mr. Isaac Carling, reeve at that time. Wood-Burner The H & B was equipped with a wood-burning locomotive and wood was piled along the tracks at strategic points. The first passenger coaches had hard board seats, later replaced with red plush. The dignitaries and visitors arriving at the Great Western Railway station in London were met by Mayor Benjamin Cronyn, by members of the committee and citizens of the city to the strains of music played by the band of the 7th Battalion, Added to the joyful clamor in connection with the celebration was the ringing of the bells of St. Paul's Cathedral, In addition to being feted by the railway and by the city, the visitors were shown the various public institutions, factories and wholesale establishments. One of the afternoons' highlights was a demonstration by the London Fire Brigade at the corner of Dundas and Wellington streets simultaneously with the firing of a salute in Victoria Park by the London Field Battery. Section. 3, Page 4 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973 First B.C. church become liquor outlet Butter & egg special important to town