HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 40c
BA JIII. IMPIcIN
Stages served Huron County
GSS/Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1986
Huron roads were snow-covered
and impassable in January
1895, and Jock Adams,
operator of the Goderich-Luanow
stage, had to carry the mail bag
his back from Port Albert t1 I
six miles each way, four day *::
succession.
So reported the Dunlop
correspondent of the Signal.%
quarters was completely 14
on Monday, and Jock Ada.
unable to make the trip to
circular city. F. Allen managed it,
however." i
According to George W. .
Armstrong, writing in the Lucirnow
Sentinel of July 30, 1858, "Jock
Adams first appeared in Luckhow as
contractor for carrying the mail
from Goderich, with passenger
service as a very remunerative
sideline. He was underbid on the
mail contract, and cut the passenger
fare to get that trade. It is recalled
that his business booster was the
cry's "Ahead o' the mail or no
charge."
Mrs. John Clark in the 1950
Colborne booklet recalled that
Adams and A.M. Polley were rivals
on the road, but "Jock was always
good-natured and in that way drew a
good business; although his
accommodation was very poor he
always had a full load,"
Jock Adams died in 1913 at
Walkerton. A.M. Polley, best
remembered as proprietor of a
•livery stable in G:oderieh, died here
hxi 1921. He had operated in the 1870s
a stage between Hay'fiel'd and
Seaforth.
1,1' re " r0 'Mary #ag+ss serving
Other districts in 4tiproil, fetid a '
Middlesex, e 4veiig inMarch,
1900, the Hurttb4iipOiAtHurn reported,
"the horses of the Zurich irlensalr
stage carne into town witboiut their
driver and minus sleigh and
passengers. Oh the other side of the
swamp the harness and whiffletrees
broke leaving the vehicle and a
large load of passengers sitting on
the road."
Henry Hoffman, of Dashwood,
started carrying express, passengers
and mail over the Exeter -Grand
Bend route in 1901, with a pistol as
protection from robbers. In 1909 he
retired his stage coach for one of the
first trucks in the area. It was not
until 1940 that roads were
snowplowed regularly, and many
winter trips were made with horse
and sleigh. Mr. Hoffman retired in
1946.
11.41
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edford
Goderich, Ontario.
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Pik
94
VA
'1;
7116,
wa
Jonathan I'liller, Proprietor
The above yell -known and popular Hotel is better prepared than ever to faith-
fully serve the reniny wants of the general public. Patronage is always solicited on
merit. Free Bus to and from all trains.
URGER
A
Providing quality
food and service
for Goderich and
area since 1971.
524-4852
37 Kingston St.,.
Goderich
Best Wishes
Champion
on your
100th Anniversary
Over 20 years experience in
helping you find your home
in Goderich.
30 KINGSTON ST. GODERICH 524-7373
Congratulations Champion On
104 years of Excellence.
ALEXANDRA MARINE &
GENERAL HOSPITAL,
HOSPITAL 52221-8323 AMBULANCE 524-2676