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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1973-06-28, Page 63RBI USBORNE c HIBertil Francistown was active JOTTINGS BY J.M.S. Nov. 27, 1952 There is considerable activity at the present time in what was at one time known as Francistown. Francistown was an active, bustling community when Exeter was in toddling clothes. As Exeter grew Francistown gradually lost its industries. It is now known as Exeter North and the post office as Hay post office. In my 'early days, a large brick building stood on the corner now occupied by Les Gibson's store and garage. It was the Walper Hotel and contained a bar and many rooms. Just south of the building was a general store owned by Trick & Currelly. The hotel was the stopping place for stage coaches and travellers on their trips to and from London. Many stories have come out of the hotel. One is told of a tramp that visited the place and for some misdemeanor was placed under arrest. A fake court was set up for his trial and the late Lancelot Hardy, quite a character in his time, was sent for to defend the prisoner. He was introduced as a man learned in law. Hardy appealed to the court for a recess of five minutes to consult his client. They went outside and Hardy advised the tramp that he had five minutes in which to get going and as he trudged northward the men in the hotel had a great laugh as they watched him go. Two characters that were frequent visitors were Silas and Sam Stanlake, twins from Stephen Township. Besides farming they ran a sawmill at Sodom, about three miles west of Exeter. They were very fond of singing and their voices could be heard to good advantage after a wee drop or two. They carried a ladder when bringing a load of hay to town so that they could get down and up, for it was said they hardly passed a tavern without a visit. A favorite expression of theirs was: "We've made our money together and we spend it together." Corn in Egypt Another story of these days comes from Joseph Davis. He was ploughing in a field near the old hotel at the station when the proprietor of the hotel came over with a bottle of Scotch and holding it up said: "There's still corn in Egypt". As the hotelkeeper was adverse to drinking fr,om a bottle he was in a dilemma but notbeaten.Going to a turnip patch he pulled a turnip, cut away the dirt and then hollowed it to form a cup. South of the Walper House Digory Braund ran a blacksmith shop and Alex McPherson was the wagon-maker. Mr. Braund with a sizeable family, built a large brick home on the property that was later sold to Charles B. Snell, who demolished it and the material went into several new homes that were built by Mr. Snell in Exeter. Mr. McPherson was a taxidermist and won many prizes at fairs for his work. He had numerous cages of birds and small animals. T-A April 20th, 1933 Checker players from Exeter and Hensall wound up the season with a tournament in Exeter on Thursday evening of last week. Sides were chosen as follows: Dr. Moir, Archie Brintnell, Jas. Sweet,B. Edwards and E. Faber vs J. Zuefle, J.M. Southcott, C. Brintnell, Chas. Triebner and J.S. Grant. Two games each were played. Dr. Moir and A. Brintnell were high with 15 points each out of a possible 20. Dr. Moir's side won 56 to 44. The checker players have had some interesting evenings during the season. Section 3, Page 11 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973 SOLDIERS PARADE - In the early 1900's as now, everyone loves a watch the 33rd Regiment march north through Exeter on its way to the parade. Here, the shoppers and merchants stopped long enough to camp at Goderich. Founded in 1876 . . . by the ancestors of the area to protect their investments if disaster should strike Maintained through the years by their successors for the same reason USBORNE & HIBBERT Mutual Fire Insurance Co. OUR NEW EXETER OFFICE OPENED IN 1972