HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1970-11-26, Page 2009D- cff , 'Si.ONALzSTAR, `ZUUR►
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The house tanner
Gottfried
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Ma Adel built at J enniitIer,
Sketch by Jack McLaren
M�edei tannery was part
of Benmilier industry
BY,JACK McLAREN
Benmiller is a small, quiet
hamlet in Colborne Township,
Huron County, four miles east
of Goderich and two miles
northwest of Highway. 8.
On Sharpe's Creek .at the
Place where it flows into the
Maitland River, it was known as
"The Hollow." This tightly knit,
self-contained centre was left
behind in a jostling new world of
global activities.
A . hundred years ago,
Benmiller was a bustling,
thriving, classic example of a
pioneer village with its
water -powered woollen, grist
and saw mills. Sharpe's Creek
was a , prime social influence
since `it gave power to those
mills. ` There was a tannery,
cheese factory, blacksmith shop,
shoe and harness maker, .wagon
maker and. repair shop, a plant
and seed nursery cooperage,:
cradle scythe shop, lime kiln,
carpenter, tailor, dress -maker,
aeneral store, hotel,school,
church, post office, tavern,
livery stables and sheep dip. •
Practically everything those
early settlers used was made in
the community. They were an
-odd assortrfient of English, Irish,
Scottish,. German and Dutch.
There was also an encampment
of Ojibway Indians. Bear and
deer roamed the area; there. was
a great assortment "of bird life
and excellent fishing on Sharpe's
Creek and the Maitland River.
Wild fruits — raspberries;
elderberries, cherries and plums
were plentiful. The forest
pharmacopoeia included
peppermint for cholic, bonelet
as a tonic and nettle roots to
alleviate dropsy.
Gottfried Maedel was born in
Tennstaedt, Germany in 1819;
he served his apprenticeship at
the tannery trade in his native
district of Thuringia and came to
Canada when he was 33 in 1852~
He established and operated a
successful tannery business on
the banks of the Maitland River
at Benmiller.
The tannery was served by a
year-round free-flowing spring of
water, whose ample volume gave
a copious supply •' for all the
tanning operations. Gottfried's
eldest son, William, driving a
horse and wagon, collected hides
from the butchers and farmers
within a 25 -mile radius. The
hides came mostly from cattle
and horses.
Hides and skins were salted in
a limestone cave on the river
bank and hung into a vat of
flowing spring water,- to wash
and soften by soaking. The
soaked hides were then laid into
another vat, made of cedar
wood, which contained slaked
lime and wood ashes. Every day
• the process was punctuated by
removing the hides while more
lime was added, and then they
were returnee for further
soaking. This : repeated daily
GOTTFRIED MIAEDEI,
for a couple of weeks to loosen
the hair, which could then be
scraped off the hides -with a dull
knife.
The latter operation was
carried out on a length of tree
trunk which was cleaned,
smoothed and propped up on
end, at an angle of 35 degrees.
The dehairing completed, the
hide was reversed and the flesh
side cleaned with a sharp knife.
The cleaned hide went into
another vat of fresh lime -water
for a few days, then was rinsed
again with spring water.
For tanning, the hide was put
first into a weak solution of old
fermented bark liquors; then
into a stronger solution and
finally into a vat of strong bark
liquor and ground -up bark. The
bark came from oak, hemlock,
spruce, pine and birch. Bark was
stripped' from felled trees, air
dried, chopped and ground. The
tanned leather was cleaned by
washing and scrubbing with.
brushes, and treated with neat's
foot oil; soap and hot tallow and.
hung to dry in a dark place. -
Sheep's wool was ' washed,
dried and sacked for the local.
Gledhill Woollen nil. -
Processed on a special sewing
machine for leather, were- calf,
dog and racoon skins which
Gottfried's wife, Christina, made
into gauntlet -type fur mitts for
winter. At harvest time, she
made plain leather. mitts for the
24 men who operated and
serviced the threshing machine.
Horse hides were lined with
green or red felt and the edging
pinked to make a colourful
decoration to hang over the back
of a -cutter or to tuck around
people in cold winter weather.
Gottfried . Maedel, built a
house, near his tannery, .for•. his
German bride, Christina Frankel.us
It still stands — a small hoe
with a living room and two
bedrooms off it. Up a steep,
winding, narrow stair is a
good-sized attic bedroom and
two smaller bedroorns off it,
with roughhewn floor planks 17
inches wide. All clothes hang
exposed on hooks — there are no
cupboards. In this small house
the Maedels raised a family of
seven — two girls and five boys.
The house, modest in size and
architectural pretensions,. was
possibly built by Scottish
Andrew Heddle. It has rusticated
outside corners to give it a sense
of strength and outer walls of
poured lime, paced with cattle
and horse hair from"the tannery,
and' set on lath and .wooden
frame, with a field stone base.
After all the long years of
exposure and buffeting by the
elements, the house fell into
disrepair, but, fortunately, it was
restored. two years ago and now
stands as a prime reminder and
example of the early Benrniller
days. ,
The house still has the original
furniture. There are two ornate
beds downstairs -and a rope bed
upstairs.
That the modern generation
has grown taller is evident as all
beds had to have extra pieces
added to them to lengthen them.
The desk — sometimes oiled
"the most useful piece of
furniture" has green glass knobs.
The upper part is fitted with'
small drawers and" pigeonholes
and the writing space i$ a hinged
slab covered with green felt,
supported on two runners; it
served the double purpose of a
writing table and a storehouse
for the tannery books, records
and diaries.
There is a wide assortment of
that most 'varied and familiar
articles of all domestic furniture
— chairs. Now there are. two
kinds of chairs — we sit. "in" anm '
a -chair and • "on" •other kinds.
One sits "on" the Maedel chairsbut there is ample relief in the
supply of comforting cushions
emblazened with hand
embroidery.
In one corner, there still
proudly stands erect a once
popular musical pleasure giver —
"the talking machine" — a Made
in Canada Symphola, wind-up
cabinet gramophone. The long
ago musical marvel, which
Thomas Alva Edison developed
in 1877, still works.' •
Lying neglected on a shelf is a
Galvanic battery, which was the
once popular " `cure-all' of all
disease at ' the turn of the
century.
It promptly dispelled 'all
hypochondria' that plagued the
human race. The accompanying
handbook, with full directions
for home treatment, claimed, if
properly used, it was a . safe
remedy that could be placed in
the hands of 'any person of
ordinary intelligence'. Here are
just a few of the 142 diseases
listed, that could be 'cured',
shown in the Electro -
The rapeutic handbook -
apoplexy,' asthma, bed scores,
change of life, carbuncles,
diabetes, earache, rheumatic
fever, goitre, hiccough,
pregnancy, miscarriage,
ringworm, stammering, shaking
palsy, worms and weak ankles.
s Chnstrncis•
a delight or a danger?
Toys are tokens of love. It is
fitting that they should be
chosen with care, But children
change and toys change and
.. parents .are often faced with
confusing and glittering choices:
Common sense in..buying toys
is important but the following .
general guides should be kept in
mind.
1. A toy should be suitable
for the age and ability of a child.
Every child is an individual. A
parent
Every
take into account
the mental and physical ability
of .a child in selecting a toy.
Toys that are too complicated
for the child's stage of growth
may be disappointing.
Parents should keep toys for
older children away from
infants. Even' some toys for
older children, like chemistry
sets and wood -etching sets,
should have some parental
supervision at first.
2. Durability and ruggedness
are important.
Children are destructive.
Some toys are going" to be
chewed or dropped or banged
about. They should be ,made to
take punishment. For some
others, washability is important.
3. Toys should tickle a child's
fancy.
Toys are often a part of a
world of make believe. Colourful
and simple things will sometimes
open up a delightful world of
play and fantasy.
4. The design of toys should
be appealing.
Children learn about - colours
from toys. They also learn how
things fit together. Attractive
colours, and good- design will givechildren some appreciation of
artistic harmony.
5. Toys should function
properly. °
Children expect functional
toys to work.' When a toy is.
supposed to make a noise, to
move on wheels or fit together
in some way, a child is going to
be frustrated if it doesn't. •
6. Careful shopping for toys
is sensible.
Prices of toys often vary from
store to ' store. By checking on
prices, it is often possible to save
money. The child won't care but
the parents should.
. 7i Quantity • is : not a
substitute for quality.
Children should not .be
overloaded with toys. It is better
to buy carefully a few selected
toys of high quality (not
necessarily expensive) than a
large hit or miss collection.
8. Above all, toys should be
safe. •
A toy which can maim a child
is a disaster. Again, common_
• sense is vital. Sometimes, the
dangerous qualities of toys are
hard for a parent to detect. To
deal with this problem, the
government has just issued the
Hazardous Products (Toys)
Regulations on the
recommendation of the
Honourable Ron Basford,
Minister of. Consumer and
Corporate Affairs.
These regulations prohibit
immediately the sale of toys
which have excessively
dangerous features. For
example, any toy which might
contain any poisonous substance
'is banned. The regulations also
provide for other rigorous safety
standards and warning labels for
other toys which go into effect
on November 1, 1971.
TOYS FOR DIFFERENT
AGE GROUPS .
Here are some suggestions
about toys suitable for different
age , groups which have been
made by the Canadian Toy
Testing Council:
Birth to one year: (The senses
of hearing, touch, sight and taste
are developing), teethers, rattles,
rubber squeeze toys, crib
mobiles;
Seven months to 15 months:
(The child is on the move), large
balls, simple wheel toys,
washable plush toys, large shapes
which can fit together;
One to two years: (The child's
co-ordination is . developing)
push-pull toys which make
noises, bingo beds, simple dolls
or animals which can be dressed,
toys that nest and stack,•simple
blocks, sand and water toys;
'Two to four years: (The playof the child becomes chore
vigorous), climbing toys, 'riding
toys, swings, ladders,
teeter-totters, simple
construction sets, cars; crayons,
chalk, paints with large brushes,
picture books;
Five to six years: (Creativity
and independence are developing
in the child) skipping ropes,
balls, scooters, skates,
toboggans, more complicated
construction sets or puzzles, art
materials; •.-
Six to eight years: (This is a
period of physical, social . .and
educational development) more
realistic toys, dolls' clothes,
construction sets, games, hand
puppets, junior handicrafts,
athletic equipment, books;
Nine to 12 years: (This is an
outgoing, social group), sports
equipment, hobby equipment,
musical instruments, senior
construction sets, beginner
science sets, model kits, knitting,
woodworking, drawing, painting
sets, games;
Twelve and up: (This group
considers itself nearly adult),
toys for this age group will
depend on their special hobbies
or interests about which they
should be consulted.
Much more detailed
information about toys is
contained -in -a book Toys: A
The RED CROSS
A�Trt WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS A SINCERE
THANK YOU
TO EVERYONE WHO HELPED'
MAKE THE BLOOD -DONOR
CLINIC SUCH .A SUCCESS
0
vi
l
ter
L"w
IT'S
COME TO LUCKNOW .AND SEE FOR YOURSELF
RON .MACHAN H • ME HARDWARE
LARGEST T4'Y SELECTIONS 'NONTAI�tID-WERIOSTERN
GIFT'S FOR EVERY MEMBER Of T E FAMILY
OUR, HOME
X*14� � ,... WEEKEND ��EC�AL� ENTERTAINMENT
DEPARTMENT
WEEKENp SPECIALS
• OfWE ALSO CARRY ...
•Beautiful recliner -rockers
paced from $'7'9:88 to
•
Stereo, Hi Fi, tape recorders,
radios and a large selection of •
records and tapes.
MODERN FARM c�T REG.$4.9,MODERN SET REG. $0.8) 3
ONLY
TOY TELEPHONES REG. 811c - ONLY
37
1.41
CARRIES .%3
••$129.88, chesterfield suites,, - -
attd a complete' range of AGGRAVATION OAME
REG. $2.57
t mattresses and Iiox Writgo (4 PLAYER) StiPOLY LuerED 7
-- ONLY
o
• Complete Line Of Wesfingh�ou"e $c Kelvinator Appliances
THE 'STAFF. AT OUR STORE .`WOULt LIKE TO WISH EACH
� j'`y.. AND E'1 a Y��"yC�W� E OP YOU A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND' PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR
,40,10:24.0*�^itr + • •'y-. • • +�Ar'r[• +. _'. • • :•.... ` ... ,.• .. j -. i + •, ..• • • i • • .• •..• • ni• • • •A. • ..` • + O .• • • • • 000"0 '4' ..
to,
toi•
.q7
Guide for Consumers written by
the Canadian Toy Testing.
Council and published by the
Department of Consumer and
Corporate Affairs.
This book describes several
hundred toys which have been
tested- by the Canadian Toy
Testing Council. It is available
from Information Canada,
' Ottawa, or from the Canadian
government bookshops in
Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa,
Toronto, Winnipeg and
Vancouver for $1.00.
Kingsbridge
• .Guide News
BY JOHANNA VAN DEEPEN
Last Thursday . the first
Kingsbridge Company of Guides
gathered in the church hall for
their regular meeting. •
Approximately 25 Guides
were present. The majority did
parol projects in patrol comers.
The new Guides were tested
on their tenderfoot and studying
for others. •
Canarys had campfire which
consisted of songs and games.
The meeting was closed with a
prayer by Lt. Caesar and Taps.-
IIIIIII111IIIIIIItltilllltnnu111pIIt1111tg11ulIIIIIIlttUhlt'
pamoiastaximemegstmticroirefsmstmcgsigmoire,A.xasigni
o •
DRESS UP YOUR HOME
WITH
•
WELCOME
SERVICE
would like to call on you with
"housewarming gifts" and,
information about your new
location: The Hostess will be
glad . to arrange your
subscription, to the
SIGNAL -STAR.
Call her at 524-9525
llHalllumnulitttlllutlnllnlltltllgfttttilullumon
And
ALLPAPER- I
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McARTHUR 1
MURALS
For The
iIOLIDA Y
SEASON!
3' x 12'
and REILLY Ltd..
fl YOUR COMPLETE HOME DECORATING CENTRE
36. WEST STREET GODERICt-i
First Choice:
•
Porq!
Who pig -tailed the 0 on to good old pork?
We did! PORQ stands for Pork from Ontario being Real Quality.
Now here's why:
Ontario researchers and farmers have top worldwide standing in
developing lean healthy hogs. '
Ontario pork, as processed in Federally inspected plants, meets
the -highest standards for protein quality and easy digestibility.
The variety of Ontario pork is so endless you can enjoy it often —
and in many regional gourmet dishes.
' A
PORK: a Good Buy
Becomes
Better!
Between 1960 and 1970 some pork prices in Canada rose while others
fell. Two which came down in price, even despite inflation, were pork
shoulder and cottage roll. In October 1960 the average retail price of
pork shoul4,er in Toronto was 60.4 cents a pound; in September 1970,
59.7 cents a pound, And in the same period, cottage roll in Toronto fell
from 76.9 cents a pound to 73.1 cents -9 pound." -
i
. • . c`hat's why the Huron County Section
of the Ontario Pork Producers says:
PER�
un WITH p�R01
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