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Section 3, Page 24 THE EXETER TIMES-ADVOCATE JUNE 28, 1973
Chief John Norry served town well
JOTTINGS BY J.M.S.
December 18, 1952
I wonder how many policemen,
after having served a
municipality for twenty-two
JOTTINGS BY J.M.S.
(Feb. 2, 1956)
In looking for some interesting
events in the early history of
Exeter I ran across the following
item which described the
unhappy lot of a travelling troupe
which staged a performance in
the old Opera House then known
as Drew's Hall.
The show was billed as the
Stanley and Walker's New York
(London) Troupe and according
to the article "had their entrance
heralded into Exeter by the
music of a brass band, com-
prising four musicians.
The arrived at the Drew Hall
about 8 o'clock and were met by
an audience of about three dozen.
"During the performance some
of the audience, disgusted with
the disgusting bill of fare
presented, commenced pulling
down the canvas, when one of
them was struck at by a young
man with a hammer. This
aroused his anger, and after the
show was over, or, at least,
broken up and while the audience,
the performers and their ef-
fects were locked in by Mr. Drew
until sufficient funds were raised
wherewith to pay for the hall rent
and the printer's bill, the row
became hot.
years, can say "There are no real
bad kids in this community,"
That was a statement made by
Chief Jack Norry who is about to
retire from his duties and enjoy
a well-earned rest,
While Exeter has been fairly
"When it became known that
the young man with the hammer
also flourished under the
protecting care of a pair of "steel
Knuckles" his life didn't appear
much to an insurance agent, as
he received a severe blow from
the individual he had before
assailed."
"Before this all the small arms
and big words of the members of
the troupe were brought into
service. One more valiant than
the rest, rushed, eagerly to the
assistance of his friends with
drawn sword, but felt like
swearing everlasting fidelity to
the individual who intercepted
his course. The butt end of a
revolver was courageous enough
to display itself, but was awed
from further appearance. The
company made for London as
soon as convenient,"
I wonder how many of our
readers will recall the drop
curtain that adorned the front of
the stage in the old opera house,
that was the one and only place
for travelling shows and amateur
concerts. In the centre of the
curtain was the picture of a
sailing ship and surrounding it
were the advertisements of the
merchants of town.
free of vandalism there has been
the odd youngster who has run
foul of the law and as I look back
over the years Chief John Norry
has shown an unusual adeptness
in handling most cases.
At one time a bicycle was
stolen and was found by a couple
of youngsters who reported the
same to Mr, Norry, "We took the
bicycle to Mr. Norry and he went
with us to the owner, who
recognized the bicycle as his. The
other guy didn't give us anything
but Chief gave us a half dollar to
take and treat, ourselves,"
I have heard Chief say that
when a youngster does a good turn
it should be recognized and I
know he followed that principle.
He has given more than one lad
some good fatherly advice,
pointing out the error of his ways
and where it might lead him.
On the other hand Chief Norry
was stern enough and talked
plain when occasion demanded.
"You gol darn birds" is a favorite
expression.
Exeter has been pretty free of
robberies but there have been
some break-ins. We recall when
the Southcott Bros. store was
robbed.
The provincial police were
alerted and detailed around the
district. Provincial McCoy from
Goderich, and Chief Norry struck
out east, "We found the gas pump
at Winchelsea had been broken
into and the trail led to St. Marys,
where a car had been stolen,"
said the Chief. "When we heard
that a certain lad had visited St,
Marys we followed a "hunch"
and much to the surprise of T. 0.
Southcott we were able to return
the goods the same evening.
It was in 1930 that Mr. Norry
succeeded the late Wesley Bissett
as constable, but previous to that
he served in different capacities.
In 1909 R. G. Seldon had the
contract for laying the present
cement sidewalk on Main street
and also the walks on the side
streets. Mr. Norry was the
superintendent of construction.
He had assisted with the laying of
the permanent road on Main
Street. When it came to drains
the Chief was about the only
source of information.
In May, 1920 a barn in the heart
of the business section, belonging
to W. J. Statham, baker, caught
fire during the night and
threatened serious damage as
there was a high wind and sparks
blew over the roofs of many
stores. Chief Norry had his face
scorched and the legs of his pants
burned off.
According to the Chief the barn
now on the property of Miss Jones
was threatened from the heat,
Water was played on the barn to
keep it from catching fire, when
the owner of the adjoining but-
cher shop ran up shouting "Never
mind that barn, save my ice
house."
Another story is told about that
fire, Chris Luker was in charge of
the hose crossing the street when
the late Judge L, H. Dickson
came along with his car and was
stopped by Mr. Luker. Mr.
Dickson protested that it would
not do any harm to cross. "Judge
or jury, you're not going to cross
that line," said Mr. Luker and he
didn't.
The Chief has one and only one
hobby and that is playing euchre
or five-hundred. One of the rooms
at the town hall is known as the
firemen's room. Many a game of
cards has been played on a
padded table in that room and no
one could laugh more heartily
than the Chief when getting the
better of his opponents.
Years ago I used to wonder
what all the thumping was that
came from that room and later I
found out that the cards were laid
down in no easy manner. Of later
years the games have been
played in the Oddfellows' Hall
where there is no more welcome
visitor than Chief Norry.
"GOL DARN BIRDS" - "You gol darn birds" was one of Police Chief
John Norry's favorite expressions but he was really a softy at heart. He
once said "There are no real bad kids in this community". Mr. Norry
succeeded Wesley Bissett in 1930 as a constable in Exeter, and
sometime later became chief. This picture was taken in 1940.
Recalls plight of a
visiting show troupe