Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1980-10-23, Page 1A' Py Jim Fitzgerald A disastrous $50.0000 fire that evelled the historic, three-storey Clinton Hotel early last Friday morning was intentionally set. Clinton. Police Chief Lloyd Westlake *said Vuesday afternoon that arson was the cause of the blaze, but because the fire is still under in- vestigation,. no more details could be released The Clinton police have been in- vestigating the fire with Ontario fire marshal's office investigator Bob Adams of Mount Forest and know where the fire started. No more in- formation will be released until an arrest is made. The huge blaze, which broke out about 2:10 am Friday morning, send four guests and the owners, Des and Helen Cassidy and their 1.2 year -old - daughter Erin, fleeing to the streets in theirnightcloths. No one was injured. A smoke dectector awoke the people, said Mrs. Cassidy, whose family lives on the third floor and they went out a fire escape on the front of the building. "We lost everything in the fire,. I didn't even .get my purse out," Mrs. Cassidy said. • Another guest, Rick Rogers, who has been .staying at, the hotel for several months, said that when he tried to go out into the second floor hall, after hearing someone shouting "fire" the smoke was so dense, he was forced to go back into, his room and break out his bathroom window, and escape onto the first floor lounge roof with only the clothes on his back and his coin and photograph coliec- tion. Another guest, Rick Evans who was providing the entertainment in the goad Nine Lounge, screamed at a asthg :ORP officer who summoned._ Firemen from Clinton and Goderich are silhouetted' by flames spewing out of all three floors during the peak of the fire at the Clinton Hotel early last Friday morning.. - Thanks to hard work by Seaforth, Clinton,,and Goderich departments, flames were prevented from spreading to Gerrards, in the left of the picture. Police say the fire was set. (James Fitzgerald photo) r<. the fire department. Only .a- few Minutes after they arrived at the,'scene, Clinton firemen called in the .Seaforth „and Goderich departments as part of the mutual aid program, and. the three. forces, using five pieces:of equipment, fought the fire until dawn. At one point, the fire threatened to spread to Gerrard's Shopping Centre next door, but firemen, aided by a fire wall, prevented the flames from advancing further down the street into the century old brick buildings. Thick, black smoke covered the downtown area most of the night and the ruins of the building were still smoking on Tuesday night, four days after the fire started. Because of the danger of_the brick walls falling into the street, a large crane was brought in Friday af- ternoon and knocked the tpp two floors into the smouldering ruins. -Des Cassidy, who bought the -hotel from Frank Cook in 1973, said the loss would run as high as $500;000, and there wasn't near that much in- surance on the building. But he plans to rebuild, if possible, and the family has moved into a 0 mobile home set up on the hotel parking lot until, the new building is,. u Already townspeople have moved to raise money for the Cassidys, who lost everything in the blaze, and a benefit dance is set for November 8 at the Clinton Legion, where all labor will be donated, and all profits will go to the Cassidys. Police and firemen were suspicious of arson right after the fire started, as the • -hotel had been closed shortly before 2 am. One employee, Budd Schmidt, said that when he left at 1:45 am, there was no sign of any fire or smoke. The fire call was turned in at 2:10. Mr. Cassidy said he believed the fire started in the Cloud Nine area in the northwest corner of the building and quickly spread. Two Clinton firemen who entered the building through the front . door when they first got there, were con- fronted with a wall of 'fire and were forced to. retreat.. The hotel, the only `one in town, has forced the regulars to the Elm Haven Motel, or to one of two local clubs, where only members and their guests can imbibe-. Acclamation byword in municipal elections By JimFitzgerald Interest in the upcoming municipal elections in the area ranges from enthusiasm to apathy, depending on the municipal ity; In Clinton, for example, there won't be an election at all, because most posts were acclairned. In fact;. only three people filed papers for the six council seats open, and nominations had to reopened on Wednesday for eight hours. Hensall, by contrast, will have a full election, with two seeking the reeve's chair, seven going for the four council seats, and Three vying for the two PUC seats. Here is the complete rundown for area m.unicipalities: first column CLINTON Former councillor Chester Archibald has been acclaimed mayor, succeeding four year member Harold .Lobb, __whal_e ___deputy. _ reeve_ -_Ernie Brown was acclaimed to the reeve's chair, vacated 1V'R,oyce Macaulay. Only three former councillors let their names stand for the six council vacancies, George Rumball, Rosemary Armstrong, and Ron McKay. Nominations were reopened on Wednesday. The four seating members of the PUC were -all acclaimed for two year terms. They are Bab ' Irwin, Hal Hartley, 'Lawrie Slade, and John Wise. It just doesn't seem possible that winter is jus# around the corner as we're still eating from the garden. Wasn't it only a couple- of weeks ago that we cut the lawns after supper? Well, there be no more outside activities after supper this weekend, unless you use a flashlight as darkness will descend shortly after 5 p.m. That's right, good old 'Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am'- on Sunday morning, so you have an extra 60 minutes to get ready for church as we turn the clocks back one hour. Except at our house where Screamer, Terror and Hellion can't read the clocks yet, and only have their internal devices, which means we'll be hitting the floor- boards about 5 am. Actually, it's not as bad as it used to be, now the five and three-year- old only spill the cereal on the kitchen floor, not all over the rest of the house like they did a few months ago. Progress! + + The Main Street Wit says that everything gets easier with practice - except getting up in the morn ing. +±+ Looks like not too many people read this column afterall, judging by the poor response to a plea the last couple of weeks for candidates for Clinton coo cil. As of presstime, the nom tions had to be reopened since not enough had indicated an interest in the position. Where are .all those peeple who _ar .always collaring me on the street and demanding why I don't put soine real or imagined evil about council in -the paper ? + + + There are, of course, some mixed feelings about the loss of the old Cloud in last Friday morning's€ire;- with some viewing the loss of any drinking establish ent as a good thing, while other#' watching the wrecker's ball 7bash in the smouldering ruins did so with tears' in their eyes. But the Cloud was also a business and a home for the Cassidy family, as well as employing 10 people, so the loss will affect all of us directly or indirectly. It's great to see the town getting behind the Cassidys with the benefit dance .on November 8, and we hope they have a sell-out night. + + + Having been at the fire from nearly the start to the finish, I have nothing but admiration and praise for the 40 or so firemen from Clinton, Godericji and Seaforth who fought the blaze, some taking some pretty risky chances to see that the flames didn't spread down the block. Many of the Clinton brigade stood by until late Saturday, get- ting only a few hours sleep, and all for just a few bucks. Not many Would volunteer for that kind of duty and miss their pay cheque too. On behalf of the whole town, thanks guys! BAYFIELD There will be an' election in Bayfield, as .five people are seeking the four council seats available. Newcomer George Fellows was ac- claimed to the reeve's position. Councillors John Chapman, Gwen Pemberton and Reg Wilson will face a challenge from David Johnston and Barb Sturgeon. GOD ERICH'TWP. There will be an election in Goderich Township for reeve, but only two people put their names in for the three council seats. - In,cumbent reeye Grant Stirling is facing. a challenge from deputy -reeve Garnet Wright, while former coun- cillor Jake Reder was acclaimed to the deputy -reeve's chair. Only incumbents Chester Sturdy and Walter Mcllwain let their names stand for council, ' so nominations were reopened on Wednesday. HULLETT TWP. H'ullett Township Will have an election as former councillor Tom Cunningham is challenging in- cumbent reeve Joe Hunking for the !reeve's chair, and four people, John Flynn, Ron Gross, Melvin Knox and r Vanastra men Quick action by crew members of the Algoway. and Coast Guard Cutter Rapid helped save the lives of four men whose boat had overturned in Lake Huron just north of Domtar Chemicals,Saturday. Thomas and Robert Kyle and Dennis Kelly of Vanastra and John Wright of London were plucked from the chilly waters just north of the Sifto Salt Mine after their boat had filled with water and overturned. Kelly, Wright and Robert Kyle were treated in Alexandra Marine and General Hospital while Thomas Kyle. 31, was taken by ambulance to Vic- toria Hospital London. According to police chief, Pat King, the four men were on an outing Saturday near the mouth of the Maitland River when the vessel capsized. A crew member of the Algoway spotted the boat and im- mediately informed Captain James Scott of the Algoway. Capt. Scott, tug operator Donald Bert MacAdam and five crew members rushed to the asphalt pad at the north end of tiie north pier and threw lifelines to three of the men and managed to haul thein to safety. "The crew members did most of the work and and got the lifelines otit to the three men, 1V4acAdam said. "They were 35-40 feet out clinging to Clare Vincent are seeking the three - council seats. Joe Gibson was acclaimed to the ' deputy reeve's post. S TANLEY TWP For the first time in a decade, there will be an election in Stanley Town- ship, as all positions are up for grabs. Former deputy -reeve Paul Steckle is challenging incumbent Tom Consitt for the reeve's chair,- while former councillors ' Don Brodie and Don McGregor are fighting for the deputy- reeve's chair. The four people seeking the three council seats include incumbent Clarence Rau, and newcomers Jack Coleman, Bill Chipchase, and Howard Armstrong. TUCKERSMITH TWP Former deputy -reeve Bob Bell was acclaimed to the reeve's chair in Tuckersmith Township, succeeding Ervin Sillery, while councillors William Brown and Bob Fotheringham will fight it out for the deputy -reeve's spot. Six people will seek the three Council seats, including Robert Broadfoot, John Brownridee. Lloyd Turn to page 3 • nearly drown the boat that was overturned in the water." - The Coast Guard Cutter Rapid was notified of the accident and they spotted the fourth than lying face down in the water a distance from the boat. Using the. smaller boat, Avon, the coast ,guard crew pulleThomas Kyle from the water andhe was rushed to hospital by waiting am- bulance. Chief King said the wind and high waves may have filled the boat with water and caused it to capsize adding that the presence of the freighter Algoway saved the lives of the four men. Weather 1980 1979 tHI LO HI LO OCTOBE R 14 7 .»1 7.5 1.5 15 8 2 l3 5 16 11.5 4 15 2.5 17 18 10 12 6 18 16 7 16 3 19 10 4 20 2.5 20 8 2 22 17 Rain 16.4 mm Rain 12 mm The last remaining indentification of thj Clinton Cloud Nine room crashes to the ground after being hit by the wrecker's ball on Friday afternoon. (3anies Fitzgerald photo) Hotel was landmark By Shelley McPhee A Clinton landmark is gone, for a second time in its long history. - In 1907 the Clinton Hotel was burned to the ground. In 1980 the newest version of the 108 -year-old business meta similar fate. According to a history compiled by Gerry Fremlin, and published in the News -Record in 1975, a blacksmith shop was originally located on the site of the hotel, build by Isaac Grigg in 1852. Itstood until ,1872 when Isaac Rattenbury, son of William, leaving the original hotel at the present Bank of Montreal corner, set up a small hotel where Grigg's blacksmith was. His business ' prospered and the 'building was enlarged to nearly the size of the hotel that recently stood. But in the devestating Foundry Fire of May 13, 1907, the hotel and 20 other businesses and old homes in Clinton's downtown area burned to the ground. The most disasterous blaze in the history of the town brought in fire fighters from as far away as Strat- ford. The men came by train with their fire engines omit flat car, but a strong gale was against them and the • fire quickly spread. The threatened town was saved however, but much was also destroyed or damaged. The loss of the hotel was felt deeply by Isaac Rattenbury as flames lapped up $5,000 in damages. He only had $2,000 insurance on the building. He recovered from the loss and in the same year a contract was let to by his brother Joseph, to ° Thomas MacKenzie for construction of a new brick three storey building. It wa's, opened in May of 1908. The hotel- had its ups and downs because of prohabition, and in 1947 Thomas MacKenzie's wife sold the business to Frank Cook. He continued to operate the hotel and dining room until 1973 when it was, purchased .by Des Cassidy, In the old days, the town boasted more than six hotels and the Clinton Hotel remained the last of those. Through the years it offered ac- commodation and food for weary travellers, banquets for local organizations and a social nightin the Cloud Nine lounge. Tuesday nights, the dining room was always prepared. Turn to page 3 •