HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Wingham Advance-Times, 1953-05-13, Page 10Only Split .Pea Mill Left
Said to be the only split pea mill left in Canada, the mill at Wroxeter stands
on the banks of the Maitland River.
Oldest Resident
Bob McMichael .
4ekeeqesozeolelee ' eneVaiS: e•eerepe"..e:
• 'nes "meow 'new *nese net`e.,7zerIrsersees:ese M
Senior Room at Wroxeter School
TRAVEL DIFFICULT
ON WINTER ROADS
By Mrs. Thomas Gibson
All communication with the outside
world, generally referred to as down-
below, was by way of Seaforth, to
which there was a gravel road, con-
sidered to be a wonderfully good' one
judged by the standards of those days.
In winter it was a common sight to
see dozens of farm sleighs loaded
high with bags of wheat or carcasses
of pork on their way to the Seaforth
'market. Mails 'were also received by
the same route and when the stage-
coach driver sounded his horn, usually
after dark, it was a signal for the vil-
lage boys whose fathers read "The
Globe", to dash out to Gofton's Hotel
and dash home again with a copy of
the paper to hand to father, eager to
read the news of the clay. Later on,
the Toronto, Grey and Bruce, or nar-
row gauge railway, was built from
Toronto.
The narrow gauge proved un-
satisfactory and the rails were sub-
sequently adjusted to the ordinary or
standard distance apart. In the depth
of winter ,the old narrow gauge was
frequently in difficulties and the vil-
lagers were summoned to turn out
with their snow shovels to dig the
train from the heavy snowdrifts. On
one occasion the train abandoned al-
together the attempt to get through
and not until the advent of spring did
it arrive, being as the village people
said, "Three months late".
FIRST SCHOOLHOUSE
BUILT OF LOU
,By Mrs, Thomas Gibson
Education had' an important place
In the thoughts of the people from the
beginning. The first schoolhouse was
built about 1860 of squared logs op-
posite Dr. Smale's place. The first
teacher was Dougald Strachan and
'the next was Thomas B Scott. Mr,
Scott was what was known as a
-"stichit minister", that is one who had
-Studied for the ministry but who had
for some reason, failed to achieve his
goal. He was a man of fair education
and something of a poet, hut he had
a failing not uncommon in those days.
He was fond of the bottle and the
children coming to school occasionally
found him with his head on the desk,
sound asleep. The children did not
mind this, for of course it meant a
holiday for them. Mr. Scott was ef-
ficient in the use of the "tawse" and
would roll up the thongs into a ball
which he would throw at the culprit
he had in mind, who on bringing
them to the master, would receive his
due reward,
Scott was followed by Andrew Hay
and he by Richard Graham, who was
cruel in his punishments. Then came
George Eyvel, the best teacher the
school had had up to that time, Mr.
Harry Cameron succeeded him follow-
ed by David M. Walker. Eyvel became
a reporter on the Toronto Globe and
Walker finished a fifty-two year ca-
reer in public and high schools at
Niagara Falls.
THREE CHURCHES
fN WROXETER
(Atlas of Huron County)
The medical and legal professions
are represented by two physicians and
two conveyancers. There are three
churches, Methodist, Episcopal and
Presbyterian, and a very flourishing
branch of the Mechanic's Institute,
possessing a library of nearly 1,000
volumes and a membership of neatly
100. Andrew, Patton is president and
MurrayWilliam is Secretary, Thomas
B. Sanders, treasurer and librarian.
Lodges
'The village is also the seat of the
Masonic, OcklfelloWs and Orange
Lodges, represented respectively by
Porest Lodge, Al?. Sr A.M,, No. 162,
GR.C.; Montana Lodge, NO. 176,
I.O.O.F.; 0.L., No. 1091.
Strachan, Thos. Inglis, James Edgar,
and George Fortune. Those from a
distance were: A. Turnbull, M. La-
mont, James Turnbull and William
Brown, Grey; A. Hyslop, M.P.P.; Geo.
I Gibson, Molesworth; L, N. Gibson and
'John Gibson, Toronto; Robert Gibson,
,Klienburg; Dr. Sloane, Toronto; Jas,
'McMullen, ex-M,P,P., Mt. Forest; Mc-_ ortirerny A. IVIenclejohn and Mr, Gray,
Harriston; N. Young, l3lyth; A. Muss
grove, Dr. J. McDonald and Mr. Spar-
Wingham; Wm. Messer, Blue-
vale; Jas. Fox, Mr. Blair, F. S. Scott,
Scott and Mr. Sinclair, Brussels,
"In the course of his remarks, Rev,
Mr. Anderson made referrence to the
deceaeed. He spoke of the pioneers
and said that as men grew older, life's
journey comes "'toe be marked by for
them, not so much by milestones as
by graves, Prominent among those
who settled in Wroxeter was Mr. T.
Gibson who came in 44 years ago, at
'a time when so many were leaving
the old land to find room for their
youthful vigor and ambition. It was
his lot to share in the hard work of
the pioneer and he did not shrink
from the' task. Always public spirited,
he' took his part, too, in promoting
the early industries of the village.
Gifted beyond the average with a
knowledge of practical affairs, he was
consulted by many from far and near
in these early days, and was ever
ready to give advice and help.
"It was to be expected that such a.
one would be marked for honor and
'office. Mr. Gibson was of the first
reeves of Howick and in 1871 he was
sent as a member to the Provincial
Parliament. Here his record was
marked by the same scrupulous up-
rightness that has characterized his
private life. In a period when tempta-
tions were strong to laxity in conduct
in political life, he maintained his in-
tegrity untarnished. High-principaled,
he was not afraid to bring public
questions to a moral and spiritual
test; and on the moral questions of
the day, he took a clear and open
stand, When he retired from Parlia-
mentary duties after twenty-seven
years, it was as one whom his fellow
members of both parties respected and
honored.
"Mr. Gibson was identified with the
beginnings of the Presbyterian church
in Wroxeter and through its whole
history, has taken a practical interest
in its welfare. The old Scotch habits
of strict attendance on the means of
grace and of systematic giving, he
honored and practiced to the close of
his life.
"He died at the age of 76. Full of
years and of honor, he has been gath-
ered to his fathers and his works do
follow him. 'He being dead, yet speak-
eth.' "
General News -from
The Wroxeter Star
March 21st, 1901
MANY FACTORIES
IN EARLY DAYS
By Mrs. Thomas Gibson
When the change was made from
narrow gauge to broad gauge a con-
siderable number of men Were em-
ployed In the work, and the opportu-
nity was taken to incorporate the vil-
lage for which a certain minimum
population was required. By judicious
shaping of the village boundaries to
include the newcomers, the objective
was reached. At this time Wroxeter
had hopes of becoming a place of
some importance. It had a flour mill,
a 'sawmill, an oatmeal mill, a woollen
mill, a sash and door factory, several
blacksmith shops, a waggon shop, a
tannery, a cooper shop, a shoemaker
shop where boots and shoes were actu-
ally made, a tinsmith shop, two hard-
wares, and a number of general stores
besides two taverns where accomhmo-
dation for man and beast was sup-
plied, not to mention whiskey for hu-
man refreshment,
• Disincorporate Village
But fire destroyed the woollen mill,
the planning mill and the flour mill.
All the industries were snuffed out
one by one, by the factories of the
larger towns and cities. In 1928 Wrox-
eter was disincorporated by Act of
Parliament at the request of the vil-
lagers and the site resumed its place
in the townships of Howick and
Turnberry out of which it had been
carved, This move arose largely out
of the introduction of electricity which
could be more cheaply supplied to ru-
ral customers than to those in incor-
porated villages,
WROXETER MARKETS
MARCH 21, 1901
Flour per cwt, $1.75 to $1.85; bran,
per cwt., 65c; shorts per cwt., 80c;
oatmeal per cwt., $2.25 to $2.50; wheat
per bus., 63c to 64c; oats per bus., 30c;
peas per bus., 61c; barley per bus., 35c
to 40c; potatoes per bag, 30c to 40c;
apples per bbl., 50c to 60c; wood, 2-ft.
dry, per cord, $1.50 to $2.00; woad,
green, per cord, $1.50 to $1.75; hides,
per lb., 6c to 7c; wool per lb., 17c to 18c
dried apples per lb,, 4e to Itiesc; tur-
keys per lb„ 8c to 9c; geese per lb.,
5c to 6c; ducks each, 25e to 30c; chick- •
ens per pair, 25c to 30c; butter per
lb., 15c to 16c; eggs per doz., 10c to
11e; sheepskins, 25c to $1.00; hay per
ton, $7.02 toi $6.00,
Local Items from
The Wroxeter Star.
February 27th, 1902
Horse Fair in Wroxeter next Wed,
nesday, Morph 5th,
Mr. .Jelin Ear, er erected a new ice
house for Mr. F, V. Dickson last
week.
Mr. Thomas Rae this week got his
fine horned (awl home from Listowel
where he got it stuffed and set up.
MONEY TO LOAN—Montana Lodge,
I.0.0,F., has some funds on hand to
loan on first mortgage security at
reasonable interest. Apply to John
Douglas, secretary.
OFF InUTY—Miss Maggie Miller has
been off duty at Mr. MiKercher's of-
fice for a few days owing to having
her wrist broken by a fall on the ice
last week, We are pleased to note that
she is recovering nicely,
Mr, Robert Miller, while in Toronto
last week, attended the "At Home"
of the Huron Old Boys, held on Fri-
day evening, and reports a very plea-
sant and sociable time. Quite a num-
ber from the County of Huron attend-
ed and thoroughly enjoyed the even-
ing with the Old Boys now living in
the city.
On Sunday last the pulpit in the
English Church here was occupied by
Mr. Snelgrove, a student 'from Huron
College, London, and those who had
the good fortune to be present EX-
press the opinion that the young man
delivered one of the beat sermons they
ever heard. No doubt Mr. Snelgrove
will make his mark as one of the best
and cleverest of a fine lot of young
men who are now studying for the
ministry in the Anglican Church,
We understand that Mr. Geo. Muir,
this week closed a deal for the Ma-
hood farm on the B line, Howick,
about two miles from town. The pur-
chase was made through Mr. Robert
Miller, acting for the owner, and the
price is about $900„ The farm is now
in a rough state without buildings,
but will no doubt, under the care and
management of Mr.. Muir, soon be
transformed into fruitful fields. We
wish George every success with his
new purchase.
DISTRICT NEWS FROM
THE WROXETER STAR
March 21st, 1941
Judge Barrett sentenced Sperling,
the house thief, to five years in the
penitentiary at Kingston last Thurs-
day. Messrs. Brigg and McKay, of
Walkerton, accompanied:•'hins to his
future residence on Monday..
The teachers and municipal' coun-
cils of Bruce as well as the county
council are to be asked to. aid ire the
erection of a memorial to Gordon
Cummings, who was killed in South
Africa. Subscribers limited to 25:c. Mr.
Cummings was' the only Bruce boy
who fell in that far-off land.
The by-law to grant the Hess' Mose
Bent Chair Co., a loan of $10,000 was
on Monday of last week carried at
Listowel by an almost unanimous vote,
there being 425 votes polled for the
by-law and 35 against. The factory
is expected to be running within four
months,
A cattle car on a south-bound train
upset near the Main Street crossing;
Palmerston, last week, and it was a
hard task to release the animals,
which were jammed together against
the side of the car. Part of the roof
was pulled off and the cattle were
pulled through the opening thus made,
Several cattle were injured and one
sheep killed.
Many people think our National
Anthem was composed for the reign
of Queen Victoria, but it was compos-
ed, both words and music, by Henry
Carey, an English poet and composer;
who died in 1743, substantially, as we
have it today, It was composed to be
sung at one of the birthday celebra-
tions of George Ix, and was first pub-
lished in 1772. It was changed to "God:
Save the Queen" on the accession of
Victoria, and is now only changed
back to its origifial form.
Mrs. Sam Hawkins of Epping, is.a
young woman with a large amount or
An exchange tells of a lady who. de-
cided to scare,her husband, who' was
quite a hard drinker, so he would: re-
form. To do this she procured'. the
costume of the devil she had worm at
a masqUerade. The next time the
spouse came home feeling happy
she quickly donned the costume. As
he opened the door she stepped fors
ward' and said in a sepulchral tone,
"Come with me, I am the devil". The
result rather startled her as the re-
spouse to her greeting was, '"Zat fed?'
Shake on boy, I'm your brother-in-law;
I married your sister."
The Wingham Tjmes says—"We-
have not heard very much this week
in the way of news in connection with
the National Iron Works. The brick'
for the buildings are being delivered
and work on the erection of the
buildings will be commenced as soon
as the• weather permits."
The skating rink at Mildmay col-
lapsed last Friday evening under the
heavy pressure of snow on the roof.
A heavy snowfall in the evening fol-
fowed by' a thaw proved too much for
the strength of the building and about
two-thirds• of the building is a wreck.
The rink affords innocent amuse-
ment for the young people of the
town, and it is probable that a new
one will' be erected before next win.:11'
ten.
Grand Old Lady
r.S•nne Ten Pie Whighana Advance-Times, Wednesday, nlay 19, 1993
Late Thomas Gibson
"Father of Wroxeter ,,
router Village Was Thriving Howl& Centre
William Smith
Took First Census
(Atlas of Huron County)
The incorporating by-law provided
that William Smith, who took the pre-
liminary census, should be the re-
turning officer for the first municipal
election ordered to be held, and the
gentlemen returned as the first repre-
sentatives of the new village were—
Reeve, Alex L. Gibson; councillors,
Messrs, Black, Clarke, Paulin and
Smale, William Small was chosen as
first village clerk and Samuel Hossack
was the first assessor and collector,
Village Councils
Since 1875 the village affairs have
been managed from year to year by
the following gentlemen: 1876, Howie,
A. L. Gibson, Councillors, Messrs.
The subject of the following notice,
whose death took place in 1900, was in
EartY ways worthy of the name of
"The Father of Wroxeter";
"He was born near Greenlaw, Scot-
land, in 1824, and came with his wife
t..9 this country nearly 45 years ago.
After residing here some time, his
first wife died about 22 years ago but
left no children, Deceased then mar-
And Miss Young, daughter of the late
Richard Young, of Lakelet, who with
one daughter, Edith, survives him,"
"The following was taken from the
Huron County ,Atlas:—'The earliest
actual settlement within the present
llnrits of the village of Wroxeter was
made by Messrs. Thomas and Robert
Gibson, who first purchased lot 29,
eon. B., Howick, in February, 1856,
at the same time obtaining lot 26 and
the water privileges where the mills
sre now situated. The purchase was
Made from the Hon. James Patton,
who with others, had acquired the
land on which the yillage now stands.
The improvements made by the Gib-
son Brothers, three others having fol-
lowed the first two, were the entire
development of the place up to 1858,
at which time Andrew Patton laid
out the village.
"Mr. Gibson's political career was a
very successful one and he was noted
for his staunch uprightness, never be-
ing accused, even by his political op-
ponents, of political trickery so com-
mon among aspirants for parliament-
ary honors. His first contest was
against William Hays in 1867, when
he ran for North Huron, the county
at that time being divided into two
ridings only. The polling was by open
vote and occupied two days, there be-
ing only one polling place in the
Township of Roleriek. However, Mr.!
Gibson was suceessful and was return-
ed by a good majority. He could re-
late many incidents of those early
campaign days which now appear to
have been ridiculous. At the next elec-
tion he was again opposed by William
Hays and was again successful, as
also at each succeeding election
enstenst various opponents, twice op-
posing 'Thomas Hays, until about 1898
- when he retired from political life and
left the field to a young man, Mr.
,Anch. Hyslop, the present member for .
:,"he Local House. For the past few
years, Mr. Gibson lived a retired life
and as we heard one remark, he kept
his coat on, a thing which he had not
done before in his busy and useful'
life in the village and riding he so
long represented.
"The funeral on Saturday afternoon
was largely attended and the deepest
'respect was evinced by all present who
felt that they had lost a good man and
a. true friend. The pallbearers were:—
John R. Miller, James Wylie, Thomas Junior Room at Wroxeter School
The council of Brussels held an in-
formal meeting on Monday afternoon
to decide what to do with Mrs. Wal-
lace, who was burned out on Sunday
morning. They considered it unwise to
rent a house for her again and she
was returned to the house of refuge
on Tuesday.
A Howick farmer visiting Toronto
stood looking at a sign in a bookstore
window: "Dickens' Works All This
Week for Two Dollars." "Well", he
remarked, "my opinion is that that
Dickens feller is either a mightly poor
workman, or else be's confounded
hard up for a job."
John Badiey of Michigan was last
week married to Mrs. Wm. Hatton,
nee Hollings, of Palmerston, It was
a romantic affair. Forty years ago
the twain were lovers in Maryborough
and had a quarrel, separated, married
other mates, became bereft of their
spouses, met again and the wedding
last week was the climax,
The coroner's jury, after viewing
the remains and hearing the evidence,
returned the following verdict:-"From
the appearance of the body we are
inclined to believe that the deceased
had been run over by a gravel train;
but from articles and memoranda dis-
covered on his person we find that
he was a contestant in a hockey
match."
A Fergus girl while Making a close
inspection of the millinery display in
a store window let her tongue touch
the frosty glass and was held a prison-
er until a gallant, stout, middle-aged
commercial traveller, who modestly
declined to reveal his identity, effect-
ed the release of the inquisitive maid-
en by blowing his breath on the win-
dow. His breath must have been hot
stuff.
There was a fair attendance of
HarristOn's Influential men at Friday
night's meeting of citizens and farm-
ers, called by Mayor lVfeiklejohh to
consider the advisability of establish-
ing a beet sugar manufacturing in-
dustry in Harriston. The night was
dreadfully Stormy, or more persons
would have been present, Mayor- Meik-
Iejohn occupied the chair. Consider-
able discussion of the subject took
place, It Was shown that to start an Smale, Clark, Black and Sanderson;
Industry a this kind a capital of 1877, Reeve, A. L, Gibson, Councillora
$700,000 would be required, Two hun- Clark, Black, Sanderson and Paulin;
dyed farmers would have to geararitee 1818, Reeve, A, L. Gibson, Counlellors
to taise at least ten acres of beets Sanderson, Paulin, Harrah and For- Which point, to substantial develop-
each to supply raw product for the syth; 1879, Reeve A, L, Gibson, Grains ment and local supremacy in the fu-
faetory—Harristort Tribune. onion, Sanderson, Paulin, Forsyth and tare,
.Sanders. Of the above, Mr. Gibson has
'been elected every year by acclama-
tion The other municipal officers for
the current year are as follows; Clerk
William Smith; treasurer, William L.
Robinson; assessor, Robert Pox and
the auditors, Ezekiel Evans and D,
M, Walker,
ASSESSED VALUATION
SHOWS I'ROSPItRITY
(Atlas Of Huron County)
As to Wroxeter generally, it may
fairly be stated that it possesses the
elements of prosperity and substantial
indications of continued progress. The
assessed Valuation of real property
amounted to 077,655; of personal, to
$25,480; or a total of $144,495. It is
the seat of the Ninth Division Court
of the county, George Gibson being
clerk and Stephen Playford, bailiff, It
is the centre of a respectable and
growing trade and among its attri-
butes are many of those properties
Speaking of moving picture enter-
tainment that will appear in the Town
Hall -on Tuesday evening,. March 11th,
the Harriston Tribune, of January 30,
says, "The exhibit by the London Im-
perial Moving. Picture Co., in. the
Town Hall on Saturday and Monday
evenings was far ahead of anything
of the kind ever seen here, the picture
on the screen being clear and steady.
'Large crowds attended and all were
'pleased". Admission, 25 cents.
,As we understand ,the 'sale of the
Electric Light plant here, announced
for next Tuesday, is the outcome of a
dispute between the present proprie-
. I tor, Mr, Ries, and Mr.. J. Donaldson, I
the former contending that the plant
was not as represented.. We have been
told that 100 or more new lights could
have been put in had the plant been
up to its supposed capacity. Since Mr. grit in her composition. Her husband'
Reis. took hold of the plant he has drives- the mail between Flesherton
given general satisfaction, and is both and Epping, a distance of fifteen
'willing and able to continue the- busi- miles. Two weeks ago Sam was- taken
ness if the matter in dispute can be sick and since then his wife has. made-
settled.. We expect to have semething the"--daily trip 'with the mail bags..
definite for the public next week, in- •When the bad state of the roads. and'
forming them that the light will be the exceeding bad weather of last
continued by Mr. Reis in a more sails-The grand old lady of Wi•oxeter; Mrs, week is taken into consideration, one's factory manner than ever. Fuller par- admiration thermometer mounts. D.up Rae, has a memory full' on past
titulars will he given. quickly for a, woman who, would face occurrences in the village and: is stilteery_ active despite her advanced conditions. Mr. Stewart, of near Molesworth, such years.
passed through town on Wednesday
on his way to. Cargill- for two loads
of pine lumber for building purposes.
A junior team pf hockey players
from Wingham will he over on Sat-
urday afternoon to try conclusions
with our juniors on the rink here. The
game starts at 3 p.m.
Mr. Themes Savage, of the 2nd con,
of Grey, was this week through town
several times moving his effects to
the Hutchison farm in Culross, which
he recently purchased.
It is the geheral opinion of the pub-
lic that a, certain street light should
be removed as it makes it very in-
convenient for a certain young nian
who Often frequents that corner.
Mr. John Davidson has lately re-
ceived a consignment of new buggies
of various makes,. Already he has dis-
posed of several for shipment to Mani-
toba.
Itweek.
iex For particularslook out for advt.
Quite a number of hockey admirers
ftom here were over to Harriston on
Tuesday evening to take in the match
between Liatowel and Harriston
which resulted in, a victory for Her-
riston by a score of 04. However,
Listowel wins the championship in
points of total goals won,
Mr, Charles Sackett, of Guelph, was
at the Lofton House Tuesday, arid in
company with Mr. D. D. Sa.ndeson,
placed several of the noted Brantford
Minimills in the vicinity. Mr. A. An-
derson, Edmore, took a forty foot
pumping mill for use on his farm,
—Centr0.1 ',ten canaeitin
Probably for the first time since the coronation of Edward VI
in 1547, the Sovereign is to be invested with arrnills or bracelets,
among the most ancient royal emblems, at the coronation of Queen
Elizabeth in Westminster Abbey, London, on June 2. To be pre.,
rented as gifts to the Queen for coronation investment by govern,
ments of Southern Rhodesia and the British Commonwealth, the
armills will be used at the ceremony instead of the' existing ones,
which were Made for the coronation of Charleg II in 1661, The
new ornaments are being made by the crown jewellers and will
be of pure gold. As the design shows, above, they will be quite
plain, except for two narrow decorative bands of engraving and *
single Tudor rose, which will serve as a clasp. They will be lined
with red Velvet and hallinarked with Special coronation Mark, which includes effigy of the Queen,
•