The Huron Expositor, 1980-11-20, Page 10• •
" 10
HE HURON EXPO
• ea,
TOR, NOVEMBER 20; 1980,
•
Arson AS. any fire man hall or inSuianee adjuster y
. ;011 yotrAs 040 of the mmt difficult erittieS,te 'prove, This
Dile relied true when the notorious 1s4rs, Oifflthi ONVAer of
the cntuly shop In. Nifich. $esforth's "'terrible 1.87k fire
originated, was hreughtto trial.,, •
On Monday afternoon, the clay the tire, Mrs'. Griffith '
• aliileated liefOre•the Mart'. and Justices Beattle,',Wilson
• and Sproat to answer the charge of 'arson. She pleaded
"MA gUillyr,.attd,fpt the nest three days a siring ,of lona,
businesSmen'were called testify' befere the bench.
Griffith h dd
' ',SeensOd Mrs; n lad w I a ihen to
her Candy a itodse less,than-geod repute,
(that'S. 4''tja4ful, t":1a)" Putti.11042 As; Wm. 'Whitney ,
testified 'during the trial', While. be had airi 'personal
knowledge that Mrs: Priittlt operated rue0 than a candy
• tihOlo."MYself and other MeMbers of our family have seen
..parties going and Coming from the house at unreasonable
• !tours:f? •
ey_al adde4Ae_dOmaiging-tgstini that
• When he arrived on the seelie early Monday morning; '
ant positAtilat she was talit giving any alarni of fire; 1 wo§
positive in my 'own mind that the defendant had set fire to
the premises, andsaidto her when she spoke to me that ft
was a pity She was not in the fire..." Mr. Whitney, whose
family lost a store andresidence, was obviously not a man
to mince Words!
Other witnesses in the case were more charitable.
Patrick Cooney, Working•in the nearby bake shop when the
fire broke out, said Mrs. Griffith came out to the sidewalk
and started to cry, but added "I could not say Mrs, Griffith
was not Sober." Many townspeople believed the shop
owner was slightly the Worse for wear when she dikovered
• the fire - the reason she didn't scream "fire" as loudly as
the -townspeople thought she should have.
Andrew Calder, owner of a photography studio and
home;destroyed in the blaze, testified he hadn't talked to
his neighbour for Some time, but had been warned by
4nmeoae else that "I had better move out of where I was
y ,Alice Gibb
or not ben sober when she Went to bed Sunday
night.
The tePOtter,. in'thp style of the: day, ,added his, own
editorial comment to theend of the'stOrY.'Pliethei or not
there is any truth to her statement IS a nuttier which' will
likely foreVer remain, a Mystery. The threats which she has
Veen provent to have made and her d'eterinined and
dissolute iataeter soon to indicate that her statement,
although plausible. is net much to be relied on."
While the courts didn't have enough evidence for a
verdict of guilty, the Expositor editor found the insurance
companies guilty of recklessness in accepting poor risks.
forwarded by -their agents.
living as she (Mrs. Griffith) had threatened.to burn me in
my bed; to my. knowledge I never gave her cause to use
Mrs. R.J. Doig was .host- friends" cm Thursday even -
such threats towards mp, but have always treated her
ess for Seaforth Women's ing November 27th at 7 p.m.
kindly."' - •
Institute last Tuesday even-
Donations were made to the
ing:li
— -- —Family Children's Service,
Thomas Stephens might ha -ye been the man'who passed . President Mrs. Eldon Kerr War Memorial Hospital, and
a.. the Warning to the photographer. He testified Mrs. opened the meeting. Roll call to the Santa Claus parade ,
Griffith told him she had insured her house and stock, andwas answered with .Your coming up in Seaforth. Sev-
?Finns Calder, "she would burn him up." Mr. Stephens '
favourite month of the year '-
eral members plan to go to
added, he thought Mrs. Griffith was in earnest when she , . and tell why." the Manor t� play cards with
made the,threat. Correspondence included the residents there on Nov -
rs. rt ti's property, the editor nfoid;Obviously
wasn't worth1800. He hinted that the insurance from the
ruined building was far more yaluable than the shop and
residence had been.
"If insurance companies would exercise more caution in
this respect, incendiary fires wuld be of less frequent
occurrence and their,losses would not be so heavy." The
editor suggested firms employ honest, respopsible, local
Men as agents. Where that left t. tson, the agent who
•sold Mrs. Griffith her policy and lo t his own office in the
fire, we don't know.
HISTORY BOOK
In Elizabeth Willmot's book, Where's the Fire, the
author traces the history of several Ontario fire brigades,
from the day of volunteer brigades armed with leather
• "• •
IOC JACK EISLER P R 9
and mentheis,vvonld like, to
After last weeks busy
schedule, things,. are , just
• about back to normal around
buckets to today's modern firefighting , techniques. Fire •.
was once a dread spectre that hung over any striall town'.
and in the 18011's the combinatton of frame buildings and +,
inadequate firefighting equipment wiped out at least part.
of tnany, downtown business areas.
• While there are severatenjeyable talesIn the book, one
story is particularly Mernorable„
In 1904, the London fire chiefs horse Delaware was >
derneted (or retired) front the hectic life of the. fire Y`
department, and given to the4Board of Works'', for light
hauling duty, ••
One day, the horse was dozing in harness in front Of ihe
Market Square, while a Workman lea ed thewagon.
Suddenly firefighters from the Central fire. station raced
by, on their way to a call and Delaware's 'ears petted up.
The horse after the fire engine and Managed to reach
the scene at the same dine as the brigade, out of breath
but With a pleased smile on his face. Needless to say, he'd ,
_left a trail
the Legion. . ThePresident
take this ePPortettity, thank
-
the citizens of Seaforth and
surrounding . area fel'. their
°
support In the poppy drive
which increased by 15% over
1 st year
At eur next general meet-
ing on Thursday,''Nov. 20 the
executive has decided to give
Where's The Fire is an interesting glimpse into the -Seafelifh Rebe
origins of firefighting techniques. I wonder had Elizabethi
Willmbt known one of the stories about °tn. own
brigade, if she might have included Seaforth in the book as
well. It seems in 1891 the Seaforth brigade had Oa stand
helplessly by as you guessed it - their own firehall went up i
in flames. AlLthey saved was the brass nozzle from a hose,
But at least it was one time nobody had to ask,
"Where's the fire?"
•
Where's The Fire by Elizabeth Willmot is published by
Macmillan of Canada, sells for $17.95 and is available at
Larone's bookstore.
Do I g hosts Seaforth.W1
When the trial was adjourned, one of the first witnesses • an invitation tftattend the ember 20th.
called the next day was the insurance agent for the 4-1.1 Achievement night in Highlighfs of the County
Statacona Insurance Company. W.N. Watson told the the Seaforth Public School Rally held in Gorrie in Oct -
!
court a policy for S600 worth of insurance would have to be for the projectt("Food for ober were given by Mrs. L.
represented by at least SI ,000 worth of property. He then
added what townspeople already knew - that the S600
• policy on Mrs. Griffith's building was "a very high
insurance" considering the state of its repair.
H. McGregor, another of the defendant's neighbours,
testified the candy store owner didn't have more,than S.50
to -S100 stock an her premises. But, in Mrs. Griffith's
favour, he admitted he hadn't heard the lady make any
threats. to burn her more or anyone else's property.
When court resumed Wednesday, more witnesses
testified 'to Mrs. Griffith's "disreputable character" and,
the fact "her house was a resort for abandoned
characters." The article doesn't elaborate on exactly who,
or of what sea, these abandoned characters were.
When Mrs. Griffith wa.s called to take the stand. she told
the court she lit her lamp as usual, placed it on a stand
near the „kitchen wall and lay down oh the sofa to sleep.
After retiring, she slept soundly until she was wakened by
" the -choking smoke. When she op-ened the kitchen door,
the room was filled with flames. and she concluded the
lamp had exploded.
CRIED FOR HELP
"She then opened the door leading to the alleyway and
cried for help': according to hei testimony. returning to
her room to seize whatever clothes and bedding were at
!land.
It wasn't ptil she came out of the house the third time.
after salvaging all she could. that she saw anyone else on
the street. She also told the court quite definitely she
assutned her insurance had expired and that she hadn't
renewed it. She declined to answer the question whether
Seaforth Minor Hockey Association
DANCE
November 2 Tst
9-1 pm
Seaforth COmmunity Centre
MUSIC BY: FREE SPiRIT
$6.00 PER COUPLE
Age of Majority Cards only
LADIES PLEASE BRING SANDWICHES
• COMMERCIAL
HOTEL
TIES ViEEK'S ENTERTAINMENi
Wednetclay to Saturday
and Saturday Matte 4 pat..to 6 p.m.
Nice 'n Easy
NEXT WPEX'S ENTERTAINMENT
Wednesday to Saturday
and Saturday Matinee 4 p.rn. to 6 p.m.
•
. Bestir Vailey Bind._ f
FINE FOOD
FINE ENTERTAINMENT
aering for Constance
th
MARY MERNER
482-7143
Conti Constantine LI842
held their meeting on Thurs- •
day evening November 13th.
Committee reports were
made -an Ladies Night, the
'Hallowe'en party and 'the
Fan dance.
The Activity committee are
to plan for a Forester family
gathering.
The December meeting will
be held as a regular meeting
0.ith the election of officers to
be made, also a gift ex-
change.
Best wishes go out to
Sister Anna Dolmage who
has returned home from
Ismdon hospital following
surgery.
Mr. and Mrs. Jack Owlet
of Huron Ridge. Kincardine
called oh Saturday with her
mother Mrs. George
McLiwain. $ •
Mr „ and Mrs. Andy
Thompson and Jeffrey of
Oakville spent the weekend
with his parents Mr. and
Mrs. John Thompson and
Bob. Mr. and Mrs. Terence
Hunter of Colborne Town
ship were Sunday visitors at
,the same home.
• Mrs. J. Merrier Of Kit-
chener visited on Saturday
with Mr. and Mrs Cnil
Mettler. Sandy. Julie.
Mkhael & Shelley.
Carl and Michael accomp-
anied Mrs. Merner when
p they travelled to Owen gnind
to visit over Saturday night
till Sunday with Mr. and
Mrs. Tom Merner. Jason and
Jeffrey.
Jim Thompson was lucks
Bowling
scores
SENIOR cif (LENS
Ladies high • Rachel Reihl.
Second - Win Murphy.
Men's high Bert Walters,
Second • Chas. Mul-phy.
High Lane • Florence Kay.
Stella Warden. Jack Sinclair,
John Shea. Ted Dovle, Chas.
Murphv.
100F Lodge
is holding a
DANCE
Sot.,Nov. 22
at tie Legion Hail ,
TR:AE.6 AVAILABLE
PROM ANY MEMBERS
Proceeds
for welfare
. work.
and shot a deer while hunt-
ing up north. Others'in the
hunting party were Gordon
Dale. Bill Millson and Gary
-McClure.
Lawson. She also gave a
report from the fall Board
meeting for Huron South
District held_ in Novemb_er.
Mrs. Eldon Kerr gave the
report Of the Area Conven-
tion held on October 27th and
28fir-in St. Marys at which
Mrsr. G. Papple was elected
President for the coming
year.
Program convenors were
Mrs. H. Hugill and Miss
Belle Campbell. Mrs. Hugill
opened The program with a
poem "Grandma." Mrs. E.
Heist entertained with sever-
al lively tunes on the mouth
organ. The motto "To be •
remembered, forget your.
self" was well given by Miss
Campbell.
FARMERS.: This Is Your Invitation 16 Attend
FARM PREVIEW "81"
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCitESSFUL. CORN
PRODUCTION IN 1981
PROGRAM 9-20 p. — 3 CO p no (Nor Linuct, nnoviort)
GUEST SPEAKER:
.C11)P4AL 0 o. cueing allana;•.
2TMAtZt COMPANY LONDON ONTAMO
c•00,-,, atIrtir, 10(!b* Ca, ut‘ • •
SPONSORED BY
£11.15 CHALSAVID E.04.1MPAHT
CEKALO CANADA
elEHIEN CATERS a STORAGE 4MNS
C4*,UN NC
POYAI SANE Clit CANADA
PLAN NOW TO ArrENo THE FOLLOw040 MEETUO
Thurs., November 27, 1980
EXETER
SC,T).4 HURON E C RE CENTRE.
VICTORiA $T E
Courtesy remarks were
'given by Mrs. A. Crozier and •
the meeting was adjourned.
A social time followed with
lunch served by Mrs. C.
Turnbull, lvtrs. F. Kay, and
Mrs. L. Pipe and the hostess.
•and Ruffle.$
Christmas time ts er'.‘rne„ for
lace and ruffles andpretty
link girls
Christmas prints in poltester cotton
in sizes 2 - 3x. •
° 814.98
Brushed nyloh sailor dresses in reds and blues.
-
Sizes 4 - 6x.
$17,98
• Larorie s
SEAFORTH
527-1960
4_, 4.. 4.- 411•4•1941iii..40,9•9,•••a,41.•19•4a,.i.--490 .1ef:1•1.
qiki•••••• 4w 49, .4
•
si3tne lucky meMber a free
yeas dttes. Only those in
attendance will have a
chance to win. Whether you
are. paid up or not, why not
Iry to attend and, enjoy an
evening of Comradeship.
Speaking of du, the Early
Bitd,CaMpaign is iitill 'uoder-
way and if you want to get in
on the November draw you
had better 'hurry. • Last•
inonths',. WinnerS Were Too),
Phillips; .Poairnc Mpin,nspit,
Elmer Rivers and Dave .,Cor-
nish. Conte out to the'
meeting- • and who • knows,
maybe you will be an Early
Bird winner.
Last night was the start of
the Stag Euchre series.
While I don't know the
results it will entirely slepend
on the attendance as to
whethcr the series will
continue. ,.
„ nITatnlitolin:e libtOo4ttlifiae.sapoetiettos.
Inge an. alternate Wednes-
days,
,.
. alloott there were
etiOUgh players 'intereatet"i'
Maybe some of there4'
Skilled players front the neon
limit- club '0111(1.'lend"4 band
and get things tailing. Thet'O'
should be at ,least ;two:front.;
Legionneagte eg °A. e wH011i overdue,it s. :1 gn lobc14E bfbeen 0thanks.
c"04:iernsItniette for
the
et effortpreP,,e;o:;
ty
ttr:eaiernigtshthseet_rwLioh:iee4mps4pieelitnctiptrii.::,..411:T;i
kahsinvited to - There are still a tiuMber of
Grey Cup tickets left which',
may be purchased at iey.eitif
places in town, as wellas
the Legion. Hurry, the game
is on Sunday.
A special ell note to
all the rnemb s 'n hospital;
and to the ones convaleiing
at home. May we wish them,
a speedy recovery.
CQMING EVENTS
Thurs. Nov. 20 -
General tmeeting 8 p.m.
Friendship night in Stratford
Edelwiss Rebekah lodge
met Nov. lath with Noble
Grand Irene Smith in charge'
assisted c):_(t Vice grand
Margaret ar er.
Visiting committee report
was given by Margaret Car-
ter. Cards had been sent to
Lillian McKellar and Anne
Henderson and a little gift to
Jennifer Hugill.
Thank you notes were
invitation was received from
'Ruth Rebekah lodge Strat-
ford for friendship night on
Dec. 2nd at 7.30 p.m. at their
lodge rooms.
A donation was sent to
Huron Perth lung association.
Euchre is to be held on
Nov. 20th at 2 p.m. instead of
of
the
110.019air
NOV. MU
soovrtuatintt. &SAT.*
THUM sootrnuo so
MATINEES
SAT. & TUN
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Nov. 19. Lunch Committee
for November is Olive Varley
convenor. Margaret Smale,
Dores Hugill, Anna Mal-
colm, Ruth Campbell, Ruth
Papple, Mabel Handy.
The Past Grand's club is
having Bake Sale and craft
sale on the afternoon of Nov.
26th in the lodge rooms.
AbS Mt/144470101N
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• • • •• •
- •
•
•
,,L4P CHRISTMAS BAZAAR •
_
e Sponsored by Vanastra 84BIsttict lioness •
•
• Saturday, November 22 :
..
s from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. s
•
at the Vanastra Recreation Centre
•
•
•
•
• l`pitp4
• • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Art Bell's frultfarqb ',rood carving,
HuronvIew day care, sawhig etc.
Tea
St. Columi?an
%my
BINGO
Sunday, Nov. 23,
8:00 p.m.
St. Columbon Church Hon
C6' .4v,c„p
Everyone
Welcome
If it's
from
Anstett's
it says,
'you're
special'
ANSTETT
JBAif I E Pe\,.
aitacart St can
So,,Palrytth
,a4 Maar, 51 r•-•cP Naar
,,Ca 1 Da rthartl f WaikPrtnn
...••••••••aa.......••••=•••••
er
Naturally be.out,tul opals cmd gold
Opal Earrings '118 50 Opti eendant '106
Opal Broach '245 14K yellow gold
Bracelet '83 Matching Lariat Chain with Knot '219 ,
both with box link chain Matching Earrings '72.45
10 K yellow gold
•
•••••••,••••••••••••••••411•4111k1111W11411/1111191111411 • .
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