The Goderich Signal-Star, 1952-07-21, Page 19s.
11971 THURSDAY, A XHIS1 Blst,
•
Stirring Reminiscences of Life In
Goderich After Turn of Century Are
Word Pictured By A Former' Resident
(Continued from page 22)
my' first visit. to the church which
I believe was correctly described
as .the second largest Presbyterian
Church itt Western Ontario. Be-
sides being over -awed by this fact.
it was the tarot -time I'bad par-
ticipated in a service that was ac-
companied by pipeorgan music i(J.
East Jordan, organist), socia should
be quite Understandable that I re-
member Rev, Mr. Andersen an-
nouncing the opening hymu.:
,"Pleasant Are Thy Courts Above."
As I dwell on the memories of
PHONE
STONE'S
FOR
PROMPT REMOVAL OF
DEAD OR DISABLED
COWS — HORSES
WM. STONE SONS LTD.
PHONE COLLECT
Irl ,
INGERSOLL 21
GODERICH, 936r21
Cemetery
Memorials
T. PRYDE 8t SON
Clinton, Exeter, Seaforth
Write Box 150, or phone 41J,
Exeter
and we shall be pleased to
call.
those who contributed to the spirit-
ual life of the community, ! 1t is
natural that 1 should recall duly
those with whom 1 had personal
contacts
and t#a 1 mime -t he r
.m bete
1 trust it will be runder'stood that
1 realize there were manly others
who should' be referred to. How-
ever, the ones ,named' are singled
out because I knew theta personally
gad had intimate knowledge of the
great contributions theyoY made to
the building of u better citizenship
in Goderich. First that comes to
wy wind is Edith, Wiggins, leader
of 'the MaeGillivrny Mission 'Band
and teacher of ,the primary class
In Knox Church. Known to se
many aud loved so dearly in tier
death recently we lost a real friend.
Next, Miss Lottie 'Polley, 9liss Mary
Morris and Miss Stirling who for
years conducted the Young Ladies'
Bible class in Knox Church. As
an attendant 'at the Young Men's
class in that congregation, I had a
deep respect , for G. F. 'Blair and
Alex. Saunders. As Sunday School
Superintendent, J. Elgin Tom was
long the faithful leader. Mr. Stod-
dart was the conseientious church
officer, while associated with the
administrative side of the church
I recall C. A. Nairn and A. I),
McLean as members of the Board
of Managers. jack Nairn and
Dave- Munro I remember as chief
ushers.
But it was my good fortune, too,
to know leaders in other congrega-
tions. 1)r. A. T. Emmerson for
years was the zealous president of
the ..114)11's Sunday Club in North
Street Church, and I rarely think
of those marvellous meetings at 10
o'clock each Sunday morning with-
out remembering A. 31. Robertson,
A. J. Cooper, - J. W. Vanatter, H.
It. Long and W. C. Pridham, all
of whom were faithful attendants.
In Victoria Street Church my, mind
singles out (1. JL Elliott, who in
later years became the superin-
tendent of the Children's Aid So-
ciety and whose pioneering in that
field of service is one to be re-
membered, The Belcher family I
also identify *4th the .leaders in
Victoria Street Congregation.
In 1907 a movement was launched
to. set up a Y.\LC.A. in Goderich.
79te charter members as recorded
in a group 'photo by It. It. Sallow,,
which I saw receutly. were: G. A-
Robertsaou • (uf the G;G.I staff),
G. F: 'Blair, Syd. Belcher, Gordon
Wlghttuau, Jim Carrie, Barry
Hillier, Dr. W. Y. Hayden, Roswell
Itutherferd aud-Grahaut Robinson.
The Social Life of the; Time
When one exa utues the social life
of the early part of the century.
he is impressed by the fact that it
took au little to entertain .young -
people
out -people us compares- with the de-
mands of- the ,preseut generation,
We had, such events to look forward
to as G.C.I.' Promenade in the early
fall months, the Model School' .At
Home, G.C.I. Sports Day, roller
and ice skating, and, of . course,
hockey aa played' by the Goderich
Sailors, the Fall Fair. and Gude-
rich Races, young people's , work
iu L'hurches, twice a week at 5e
per admission to the nickelodeon,
frequent picnics during the suuimer
utenths to Attrill's Point, Point
Farm, Muck's Point, Piper's Dam
and such fur -away places us Port
Albert. Of , course, Dungannon
Fair was a "must." Transporta-
tion to these points was generally
undertaken in a surrey or carry -
alt engaged for the evening from
Davis', Guudry's or Swurts'
liveries. Conveyance by motor was
not even considered,. because .,Ben
Allis, J. B. Kelly, J. W. Craigie.
W. Stead, Walter Kelly and Par-
sons of Parsons' Fair were about
the only car, owners in the com-
munity.
,The visit of Guy Bros. to the
Goderich Opera. House was a yeariy
feature and in this saute setting
we were entertained from time to
time by the Canoe Club Minstrels,
with Lionel ' Parsons and Harry
Sturdy, the chief "end" "men, and
Dr. Charles Sale as interlocutor.
Whist ( not bri,tigel was popular it►
certain social sets, while euchre,
pedro and "500" parties were fre-
quent functions.
(':vents of tate 'Years
lit the year 1907, the year fol-
lowing my taking up residence in
Goderich, there were five events
which stand out clearly itt my
mind. First was 'the Strang Ite-
union, a tribute to Dr. II. I. Strati;
who for years was the able Prin-
cipal of Goderich Collegiate Insti-
tute. Next I recall the Canoe Club
Regatta and the top tfight.Domiu-
ion Day programme which might
be inspiration for the observance
of this date in 195:1. It 'is sug-
gestisi that the town fathers should
consult the filed of The , Oodec1ch
Signal and'be Goderich Stair of
that year, because to Me th, 1907
event was the high Spot 0, ail
Domiuiou Day celebrations I' have
known in Goderich. Next was the
oilfciat receggition given to Dan
Wiggins; champion marathon roller
skater of the world, at a reception
on Itie.,return from Guelph where he
won ,against all -comers. Aud then
early in August op a licit Sunday
a
afternoon,, 1 was uta the bank at
the foot of Wuterluo street to wel-
come the drat train from Guelph
ou the new Guelph and Goderich
branch of the C.P.R.
There is a gap of three years in
my, memory, to 1919, iu which `'year
I see the Stewart Construction
Company erecting new 'storage
facilities for the Big Mill. I recall
Sir Adam Beck's lively' campaign
to introduce hydro to Goderich and
the futile efforts of Will 1tobertton
of The Signal" to convince the
citizens that the town Should re-
ceive a better contract than thut
which Sir Adam offered. Whiie
Robertson's arguments " were pooh-
poohed in high places at that time.
1 ant sure there are. many . today
who will recall W.H.'s approach to
the problem • and who may 'admit
now that he "had something" in his
opposition to Hydro -Policies as sub -
milted by Sir Adam.
The wrecking of the schooner
Azbv with Captain MacDonald and
his crew adrift all night in an open
boat .was a story featured In the
daily press about the • middle of
the year.
But the record for 1910 would
not be complete without a reference
to Halley's Comet. I recall how
score's of (:odt•rich's young folk
paired off to visit Harbour Park
in the late evenings of May and
June of that year to enjoy a per-
fect s•iew of the heavenly body
which will not 1►e seen again until
1987. Still others ( and 'I was
among them, aceompauiecl by Con.
Smyth of Hick's Drug Store 'and
Walter Harrison) set our Marne;
,for :t • a.m. in order to view the
comet from the -top of freight cars
at the G.T.R. station.
The year 1911 was the year in
which I cast wy tirst ballot 1 and
lost) when I voted in favour of
.reciprocity in the Federal election
campaign. - The same ,yea r J. W.
Muyes of the Ontario West Shore
Railway was In the 111`w•., us also
was a wan br the name of Brodie
who proposed mining.- for potash
beneat0 the salt beds of t:oderich.
•
A Genteel Motors Valu
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ROADMASTER CONVERTIBLE
with a touch of your toe !
Most cars lead a double life.
A good part of the time they're running errands, taking
children to school, taking women to stores, taking men
to work, taking family and friends to clubs and social
functions.
it doesn't-calffor-a--very great output of horsepower for
duties like these.
But there are times when you want a car that can do
vastly more, and these are the times when you'll want
what this year's ROADMASTER has to offer.
Beneath its proud hood, there's a Fireball 8 Engine—a
valve -in -head that can let loose 170 lively horsepower
when, needed.
And—alongside this engine—there's also an Airpower
carburator which thriftily feeds fuel and air through two
smaller -than -usual barrels for normal driving—which
means that you now use less gas at 40 than you'd
formerly use at 30.
But there are two barrels in reserve—waiting for you to
call them into action -and they let loose a soaring rustil
of power that sinks your shoulders backi into the seat
cushion, swoops you past a truck—out of aitight spot—
up a hill—sets your speedometer needle to registering
added miles more than twig as fast AS your watch can
tick off the seconds. .
This is an experience you certainly should know
firsthand.
Fa -5525
BUICK CUSTOM
You should also know how Buick's Power Steering*
provides a helping hand in slow-motion manoeuvres—
lets you keep the "feel" of the car in straightaway
driving.
And—just for good measure—this 1952 ROADMASTER
also has the biggest brakes on any postwar Buick—the
greatest trunk space since spare tires moved off the
front fenders—a warning light that glows when the
parking brake is set—and to top it all -the smartest
interior fabrics that Buick has ever offered. -
Whenn aFe you coming in to look this distinguished
performer over? We urge you to make it soon.
'Optional at extra cot: onROA DMASTER OMly
8tU1 a>notlor event which made
headlines, was the controversy be-
tween the Colborne Telephone
System and 'the shareholders of the
Goderich Rural Telephone Com-
pany. Dr. W. F. Clark, as Reeve
of Goderich, and a member of
Huron County Council, was prom-
inent in the campaign to extend
the I'rovfnektt Good Roads pro-
gramme to the county and to Gude-
rieh. Iu this same year the, Court
House was the seetie et two murder
,trials.
November of 1913 will be re-
membered as the time of the great
storm on bake Huren with all its
tragic consequeuret .
1914 marked- the outbreak of
World War I. The tenseness of
thesitu tion in theearly o
a a y day:3 f
August prompted the local news-
papers to. issue dully bulletins' re-
porting the progress of the German
armies toward . France.;
Next 1 remember the recruiting
of the .161st Iiuron`Buttaliou, ruff,
ing the funds for the 161st Battal-
ion Band, and two or three years
later. with the interval sadly
taarred by frequent casualty lists,
the joyful ,homecomings of Gode-
rich veterans.
11121 was Old llotue Week and
the year in which Goderich Lions
Club 'received its charter. ' At at
monster banquet in the late fall
at Hotel Sunset opened fur the
occasion, It. C. flays, J r., was in-
stalled as the Club's first Chief.
let 1922 the Purity Flour Base-
ball 1'eitm was busy putting (:ode -
rich on the map in no uncertain
way.
111 19232 I recall the forming of
the Blue Water Highway Asso:•i-
ation and the Blue Water highway
I)evelopmen_ t south of the town.
This was the year in which tate
town staged its first "Dollar Day,"
a merchandising event which
brought many new customers to
Goderich ntere:,hauts.
1921 was umrked by the con-
troversy prior to the voting on
ehnrch onion.
In 1921; the Chamber of Com-
merce was re -organized and a
trained seeretary employed, anti a
year later, in 1927, Goderich
bra ted its hhudredth auuiversa t -y.
There was stilt another event,
an annuli olio for many years,
vvhieh was looked forward to with
great pleasure by every Goderich
+ itiZA'u, a lid. that was the visit of
the Steamer Greyhound front De-
troit. Rich yea r scores of former
111 i14'115 of the old town returned
for 1) week -tenet with threir relatives
•
Ii ERTES
LONGER
MILEAGE
b••••o•••••4iio ••••••••.•e
o
o •
•
,•
••SONS •••
• ' CEMENT CONTRAC- •i
•TORS ••
•
•BUILDING BLOCKS and
w CHIMNEY BLOCKS I
0
--Chimney built or re-
•
paired. •
•
•
~Phone Carlow 1612 :
• i-oxtf =
r**********************
BIG
TIRE
SALE!
GOOD1EAR
MARATHON
95
Sureistrue kr52
BUICK SUPER
When better automobiles are built
BU/CK
will build them
Site
6.00 x 16
while the boat'tf stay at (oderich
was marked by -a trip. ou Luke
Huron by moonlight, en exeur,luu
widely patronized, t veu by ''biose
who admit today that us good
sailors tai weer telt' qualified!
It is wy hope that I have not
proved Loring as have permitted
my
Mind to ratublcoluw•.n the green
by-paths of memory. The varlet!
events of the yearsreviewed were
interesting and stimulating phases'
of my life in Goderich in -iutet'-
tultteut periods between 1806 and
1927 and itt recording what 1 re=
member of the highlights' of the
times I have done so with, a- single
purpose in mind., '1'o the men and
women named and to the scores
whom I have momez tartly forgot-
ten, I should like to pay tribute
in order to help Wake ., sure that
their important part in the cutu-
tnunity life'rem.aius fresh au(i` last -
lug in remembrance. To the spirit-
ual leaders `of my day, to the
doctors who ministered with un-
sparing devotion to hutilatt ills, to
.the men and ,women who labored
in the other processions, te muni-
cipal, business and political leaders:
to all who made personal cont.ribtt-
tious to good citizenship. will you
join me in a silent tarast?
elcom�
Home
Foll
In Goderich .... when it's
SSO
OIL
BURNERS
DELUXE MODEL
ONLY $ 65 DOWN
AND $14.90 MONTHLY
FOR 24 MONTHS •
i
MacDONALD
ELECTRIC
Phone 235 Britannia Rd.
or building materia
it's
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ohn Jeffrey & Son
PHONE 7$2 ELGIN AVE. EAST
— PLANING MILL AND BUILDERSSUPPLY --
-::L:W:i :':iii:+., •}� .�. •....
:i4✓:intsJ�l:}'fir�i+F�i�w•.n�c
O
•
To find where fo buy it
4on'foqle or blink i
MOW PACES will find if
Quick as a wink
OF YOUR
TELEPHONE
DIRECTORY
FILSINGER!$ JEWELRY & SIFTS
EXTENDS
A SINCERE WELCOME
TO
ALL OLD BOYS and GIRLS
and Visitors
PHONE 344
SAMIS MOTORS-
S3*
W. J. MILLS
Motor Sales
Phone 755
KINGSTON AND VICTORIA STREETS St. DaV-icr St.
•
Ill the midst of Old Horne Week Activities, we cordially invite you to renew
acquaintances.gand, if so inclined, to browse at your leisure through our well
filled displays of English China of all famous makes. Gifts for any occasion
may be found amongst our wide selection of imported and domestic goods.
MAY THE PRESENT MILESTONE OF OLD HOME WEEK BE AN EVER
BRIGHT AND HAPPY MEMORY WITH THE PASSAGE
OF TIME, TO PERSONS ATTENDING.
For the Gifts you will give with pride,
let Filsinger's be your guide.
Goderich 1