HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 571970 - 2500 sq. ft. 1011111•0111.111•14110-
1971 - 4000 sq. ft.
1972 - 8500 sq. ft.
1 1973 - 13,000 sq. ft.
We're comparatively new here, starting in 1970 with
only 2 employees. By 1975 we'll have significantly
expanded in size and will be employing 15.
BUILDING PRODUCTS LTD.
Highway 83 East - Exeter
"Encouraging a standard of excellence in metal building products"
Copper-toed shoes were
once the styl e of the day
JOTTINGS BY J.M.S.
July 17, 1958
The other day I became in-
terested in a pair of shoes that
reminded me of earlier days and
the long way we have come from
the days when a shoemaker was a
maker of shoes and not just one
who repaired broken down
footwear.
The pair of shoes I refer to
would be classified as top boots
for a child three or four years old.
I was told they came from the
store belonging to the late J.A.
Stewart, afterwards Southcott
Brothers and now the Gould &
Jory store on Main Street.
The shoes are about a foot high
and made of leather, The soles of
the shoes were put on with
wooden pegs, identical with what
were used in larger shoes in those
early days. The heels were nailed
on. Across the front of the toe was
a thin, narrow strip of copper.
This narrow strip of copper was
used on many of the larger boots
in those early days and became
known as copper-toed boots. At
the top of the boot was a diamond-
shaped piece of red leather which
added to the attractiveness of the
foot-wear and inside were two
leather loops for pulling on the
shoe.
I imagine it would be a proud
youngster who wore the boots or
prouder still the parents to see
their offspring strutting out in
something super-duper. It was
the same spirit that prevails
today to see the youngsters
dressed in the height of fashion.
When Mr. Stewart first came to
Exeter, I would say about 75
years ago, he advertised his
business as the bankrupt stock
store for that was exactly what it
was. He started with and af-
terwards bought up bankrupt
stocks which he was able to sell at
bargain prices, until finally he
had one of the finest general
stores in the town. The shoes
above referred to no doubt came
/ from the stock of someone who
had failed in business.
Mr. Stewart was ,a progressive
business man and was one of the
first in town to diicard the old
coal oil lamps for lighting the
store and install an extensive
system of acetylene gas lighting.
A plant for making the gas was
made in the form of a circular
cement tank at the rear of the
store and piped to gas jets
throughout the store, giving a
brilliant light.
So successful were the lights
that Mr. Stewart had the gas
piped to his home a black east of
the store. The gas was more or
less dangerous but I never heard
of there being an accident.
It was this same acetylene gas
that was used in the early
headlamps for motor cars.
Mr. Stewart was a shrewd
business promoter and at one
time he had a Shetland. pony
displayed in one of his windows
Exeter Times, July 5, 1.877
The other day we were shown
specimens of the art as executed
by Mr. Senior, of this place in
comparison with those of the
popular artists of the cities and
we must say the work compares
most favourably.
Exeter Times, July 5, 1877
If you want your umbrellas or
your parasols fixed, call at E.
Fish's shaving saloon.
Exeter Times, Aug, 23, 1877
On Wednesday, morning of last
week, Mr. Will Hooper went to
the cage of his mocking bird for
the purpose of feeding it. Those of
our readers sho have listened to
its beautiful notes, which it
seemed never to tire of warbling
may imagine his sorrow when he
picked up a dead bird. The bird
was a general favorite, and will
be much missed and seemed to be
in excellent health. He had
refused $75 for it a short time
previous.
p
tis
on which tickets were given for a
draw on the pony with each
purchase in the store.
When Mr. Stewart retired from
business in the twenties he was in
comfortable circumstances but
A Real
Pleasure
To serve
Exeter on
the memorable
occasion
of its
100th
birthday.
Best wishes for
success during
your gala
celebrations.
I look forward to joining you,
as I'm sure all other residents
of Huron do.
Jack Riddell
Huron MPP
unfortunately he suffered heavily
in the stock market crash of the
thirties.
(The shoes above referred to
used to be in the possession of
T.O. Southcott.)
SOCIAL CENTRE - The old Exeter Opera House was the centre of social
activities in the town for many years. The building was eventually torn
down and a theatre built. It was located across the street from the
library on the present site of McKerlie Automotive and the IGA parking
lot,