The Huron Expositor, 1980-12-18, Page 9PHONE 524-7811
AII/ CONDITIONED,
i
Gold -a siren WI that has lured rnmiY a man and woman
'to toit in primitive conditions in the hope they'd be the, S * •
ones to strike' it rich. ,. .
Robert Govenlock, later a Harpurhey storekeeper, ,, eren iptty
didn't end up a millionaire after his timn the
e iCalifornia ,
by Alice Gibb
there was no escape. There was no law except miners'law,
There were meetings called In each locality, a vigilance
committee was appointed and all rules and regulations
. were laid down,'
But Govenlock, with mone in his pocket and suffering
•
from repeated attacks of fever, decided Canada called. So
he boarded a steamer running from Sacramento. to San
-Francisco and booked passage on another stearnet bound
for Panama. It took 20 days to make the trip to Panama,
but Govenlock wrote,-ike had a fine sail as the Pacific was
not nearly so stqrmy as Atlantic." The ship didn't stop
at any ports on the journey; since few towns had proper
wharves, but the ship would anchOr offshore and naives is
dugout canoes would paddle. out with produce and
livestock - including bullocks - for sale.
When the steamer arrived at Panama, which also lacked
a proper-wharfrthe-300-passen-OS-Wadialiiike their way
ashore by dugout:\ Then natives insisted on carrying them
on their backs the last few yards to shore. Govenlock and
some of the other passengers soon realized this was a ruse
to rob them of whatever money or luggage the natives
could seize, so they wisely drew their revolvers and kept
them drawn until they reached thesafety of the hotel.
RAILWAY ACROSS PANAMA
The Panama' Canal was only a dream at this time, and
even the railroad was only completed partway across the
isthmus - 18 miles to be ekact, but the men eventually
reached the other side, 'where they'd Catch the steamer to '
take them back to Ne, York.
Govenlock must have doubted by this time he'd ever see
McKillop Township again. Hes eyes had swollen "as big
as hen's eggs," and he was.in a high fever. Two men
, gold fields, but he did return to Canada more proSperous
than when he'd left. 1
He and his Partner hired three hands for the winter at a
OTT:iur dolIiirs per day and board. Then another
friend, Govenlock had met on his travels, happened along.
, to their claim, So he wat taken in as the third Partner.
, "I kept the company's purse, paid off all claims at the
end of the week and then divided the balance betiveen
pait'iers. We generally got three hundred dollars each, it
was very rich when we haPperied to stake a peice Of fresh
ground. I often scraped fifty dollars worth on the point of
my shovel."
But while the gold; often in fine particles that was
caught in quicksilver in a box where water ran through to
separate the gold from the dirt, was gradually adding to
the partners' coffers, Govenlock was still plagued with
Poor health.
ireverfelt very strong as tile fever was always coining _
back -on .me. The -doctor -adviaed itie` tor -go to the West
Indies but I stayed in California all winter. I hardly sawany
snow fortwo mars. One Morning about Christtnas, there
was a sprinkling of about half an itieli. You could scarcely
tell one day from another as fat:, as the weather was
concerned. It Was always very hot through the day and cool .
at night." -
Finally the fever forced Govenlock to give up his
panning for gold - and he sold his share in the claim for
,$500 to his two partners.
He started off for Sacramento - "we' had a good deal of
gold with us but were not much afraid of robbers as anyone
ea,t2ght stealing was hanged without mercy. There was a
place at the mines called Hang Town at which a great
many had been hanged but whilel was there I think there
was only,one case of hanging. The lasts were so strict thasmu
• ggled him onboard the ship, since the Captain would
.eoe le
Mr. E. C. Boswell has returned from Willmington,
Delware, where he visited his daughter Mrs. Mary Corm
and her family. Since returning home he has been visiting
in Ancaster attending a birthday party for a cousin Miss
May Inkster who -celebrated her 94th birthday.
Mrs. Ruth Knight who has been a patient in Seafdrth
Community Hospital has returned to her Market street
home.
Seaforth and District Pre -School Learning Centre draw
on an, oil painting was won by Mrs. Patricia Rodney.
A painting by Alfie Dale of Seaforth was the prize in a
recent Cancer Telethon 'raffle held in Mitchell. Mr. Dale, a
well known artist who is, a quadriplegic, donated the
painting, which was won by Ken Hopper of Kitchener.
Mention in a nationally syndicated column paid off for a
Seaforth business recently. When Nancy Martin of This
That and The Other Thing read in "Knit and Chat," carried
by the London Free Press, a reader's complaint that stores
, weren't willing th carOfOmemade crafts. Nancy wrote
that her store was always interested in seeing good quality'
items.
Her letter was published in the column, and Nancy
says "some days 1 got 20 and 30' letters."_ Craftspeople
from across Canada sent samples andlihotas of their work:
others dropped in. Now the Martins' stock iniludes
handicrafts from every province in Canada.
have .refused to take a passenger On board as ill as
Goverdock, and got him into, a berth without anyone
e:iltf
iceltige'ver, continuedand the Ship's doe* had so
MaoY Sick people on board, he didn't reach Govenlock for a
day.:That night. the MoKillop resident paid a waiter $5 for
a glass of ice water, and'then, still feverish, tied his bag of
.gold around his waist,' and crawled out . to.. the saloon,
where the temperatures were cooler. He discovered the
sofamac on the next had a face as red as fire. Concerned, '
.Govenlock asked the ship's doctor if he was in any danger
of catching.raeasles froth his neighbour. "He (the 'doctor)
burst our latighing.stiml told me I had them as badly as I
;sold have them -hw I have alit. v. !elt thankful 'flat
Om; tor on hoard. as 1 ani qu!se ...cruan I v.ouls.! hse.c.•
died .if I had left on the Istlibius."
Govenlock was over the crisis, but he was sick: for the
rest of the WI) to New York. Fortunately another
oassenger. named Ben Thompson, appointer! :himself
wortyhenbliosckch'
sargguea.
rdian and came all the way to 11,n•purhey
.• • •
Govenlock remarkedLI-Le was_not-much-of a toirS
he look-e'T art& my baggage and kept it all right."
Once Govenlock was on his feet again, the men headed
north for Buffalo and Niagara Falls, Eventually they made
their way to Stratford ona four -horse stage from Hamilton.
It was spring, and the roads were a sea of mud, the
passengers had to lend a hand on several occasions to pry
the stagecoach wheels out with rails
"VVhen we got to Stratford, the first man I met was
August Yan Egmond. Ile had been looking for some stolen
herses and had found thera,north of Stratford. After we got
our tea I got a horse from him and rode ahead to ,Sebach's
hotel, about seven miles form Stratford. it was nobyery
dark and I was all alone but was not afraid of robbers,
What a feeling of relief it was to know that I was in a
civilized country again where life and property were
safe." _
The trip from Stratford to Seaforth took 14 hours, but
What's.hcfferting?
What's happening is a weekly column, space donated by They
Huron Expositor. To list your event, call the Recreation Office at
527-0882.
DATE •EVENT
Thurs. Dec. 18 Men's Broomball
Fri. Dec. 19
Sat. Dec. 20
Sat. Dec. 20
-Sat. Dec. 20
Sun. Dec. 21
Sun. Dec. 21
Mon. Dec. 22
Tues. Dec. 23
Tues, Dec. 23
Wed. Dec. 24
PLACE
Arena
Mitchell vs Centen- Arena
aires
Story Hour Library
Public Skating Arena
Public Skating Arena
Exeter vs Centen- Arena
aires
I.H.L. Arena
PeeWee House Arena
League Tournament
PeeVVee House Arena
League Tottrnament
Thamesford vs
Centenaires
Free Public Skatln
Arena
g Arena ‘,
TIME
7:15 p.m.
8:30 p.m.
1130-2:30
1:30-3 p.m.
8-9:30 p.m.
2 p.m.
7 p.m.
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• - 610a.m.-4 pm.
8:30 p.m.
.1-3 p.m.
THE Himont EXPOSITOR, DEceogs,
coVenlock was thrilleato be back on native soil. His, fever
, disappeared onch he was back in th rthern elintate, ark' '
(pt.)
he discovered the area was in the mi1st of a btiont,
The Government had thrown all the northern
townships open for sale and settlement at one dollk and a
half an acre and as the Canada Company was holding their
lands at sixteen dollars, there was grand rush for die
cheap Government lands.."
In later years, Govenlock opened a general store in
Harpurhey, selling his good in exchange for' farm
products. The nearest railroad in those days was in
Woodstock, so dove. nlock teamedup his produce there to
sell, did teamed back goods for the store. In addition to his
store, Govenlock also won the contract for building some
eight or nine miles of the new county 'gravel road north of
Seaforth. Eventually tiring of business, he retired to a fine
farm in -McKillop, about l'A miles north of Seaforth.
. in 1910, Robert Govenlock died. at 84, He was Survived
by nine children, scattered all over Canada from Yonda,
Saskatchewan to West Hall, Montreal,
Although Robert Govenlock intended to complete his
--biography, and -tell -the sta-ty-Tarhislife after he returned .
from the' California gold fields, it was never completed.
But. as he said when his earlier adventures were
published, "If my rambling notes of early experiences
have afforded any of your readers pleasure. I am amply
repaid. The preparing of them occasioning a re.view ,of .
early life and associations, although bringing' ti
sometimes painful memories, have been a' source of
., pleasant mental 'exercise -to me." -
Rober Govenlock's tale's as exciting as anything the'
imagination of Zane Greay or Daniel Defoe could create.
Even today, a century after the tale was written, it's as
fresh aliclexeiting as if Mr. Govenlock was relating it in,
, person'.-
' I would like to thank Marg Sharp and members of the
Scott family for bringing in the manuscript "In The Gold
Fields of California" which ad ds an exciting chapter to
the story of one of Seaforth area's pioneer families!
Early birds dues are
expected by Legion
The
') Legion
News
BY JACK EISLER
Members from the branch
were saddened to learn of the
pasing of Cecil Rickard, the
District C. Secretary.
Ccc was well known in
Legion circles, and often was
guest speaker at many of otir
banquets. He held many
positions -at all levels of the
Legion and he will be greatly
missed at future meetings.
Membership chairman Al
Nicholson informs us there is
Busy year planned for HuronFof
BY RHEA HAMILTON
1981 is going to be a busy
year for the 'Huron Federa-
tion of Agriculture if the
plans of its sarious commit-
tees materialize. At a ork-
shop meeting in Belgrase.
Thursday night. committees
met and planned activities
and policies for the upcoming
STARTg DEC. 17th & lath
ONE SHOWINGS:60 P'M
ADULT
VW* 4414*
JESUS
—the man you thought you knew.
Starts FRIDAY!
SHOWTIME:
DEC. 19-20
"ENTER THE DRAGON" 7:10 PM
"CADDY SHACK" 8:43
STARTS DEC. 21-23 .
ONE SHOWING MO P.M.
The 1,4051 TERRIFYING _
NIGHTMAIIEo DiitotloOD
IS ABOUTTO RETURN!
The
STARTING DECEMBER 25th
PARK
GODIERICH
PROGRA SUBJECT T 'CHAN EN
rii
year.
In the past committees
have been formed and left td
meet on their own. This
workshop was to get every-
one started on an even keel
and help committees get
organized and ready for their
'next meeting. explained new
president Gem Fortune.
After committees met for
an hour they gave reports to
the president.
Merle Gunby reported on
the plans for the absentee(
Foreign • nership of farm-
land • mmittee. It was sug-
ge ed that the group take a
h der tank at the absentee
p rt of the problem but be
Fridqy, Dec. '26
MUSie BY IAN WILBEE
Diming 9 P.M. TO 1 A.M.
S4.00 per person
COUNTRY
MUSIC
BENEFIT
IN MEMORY
OF THE LATE
aware of the danger of
diffusing the focus .of their
program
One of the points to watch,
the group decided. is the
'concentration of owtership
which could create vertical
integration.
The committee agreed to
look into , more &momenta •
tion concerning the effects of
absentee ownership on com-
munities.
The interest in the problem
is to be expanded to take in
'more than Huron county and
begins with a Rural Learning
Association seminar in
Guelph in January and the
matter is to be discussed at
the Rural Ontario Municipa
Mies Association convention
in the spring.
The properties and laud
use cornordttee is really a
service committee, reported
Gordon Hill and plans to
remain alert and aware for
requests or directions frorn
the local feeeration to attend
to spec -die rzatters. "This
would be better that looking
for a topic to champion" said
Mr. Hill
. A reselution was prepared
by the committee asking that
the 0E4 study the aggre-
gates hill and inform the
federation of advantages and
disadvantages and report on
the progress made, 'This
resolution will be made to a
directors' meeting in Toronto
M January.
The program committee
has several meetings
planned in advance with
topics and speakers lined up.
The January meeting will
evolve around the new Pits
and Dowries Act. and at th.e
Februars meeting the paper
The Farmers Right to Farm
will he discussed. A paper on
the topic was presented at
the recent OFA convention.
The public relations com-
mittee has sponsored
another public speaking sem-
inar January 24. 31 and Feb.
7 in cooperation trith Cone-
stoga College and any -one
Interested in learning more
about public speaking may
meet at the OM4iF office in
Clinkers.
The P.R. cornrrouee mvit-
ed more feedback from the
membership about courses
they would like to see offered
or any other ideas
The membership cornmit•
tee agreed to took into having
someone from the msurance
committee meet with each
tow rtship and protect a more
hard sell approach to the
msorance program
The energ:•l• committee has
planned for, a questionnaire
for the inpnicipahries cern
cerntuR the possibility of a
waste disposal plant serniliar
to the one On Colborne
BILL COLE -
Decansger 21, 1114.
Continuous concert 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Mitchell
Dstriet High School, Mitchell, Ontario. Come
for o while or stay all day. Over 46 country
singers and musicians coming from all over
Ontario. Catering by friends. All proceeds and
donations for Blirs family.
SPONSORED BY:
Seaforth Royal Canadian Legion
Branch 156
New Year's Eve
( Dec. 31
‘ THE MinHELLADVOCATE I
2.1, ..e.
.,
0WII"Ii/Ilift1/11/1,0749/11/AWM/1/11/11:91:tr
Social 7-8
Buffet Dinner 8-9
Dancing to Solid Ivory
• 9-1 a.m. $10.00 per person
TICKETS AVAILABLE:
Jack Muir, Gary Betties, Jack Eisler, Gary Osborne,
Dos Jegar)4a.
only about 70%. Early bird
dues in so far, and with time
running put, it is hoped they
will meet their objective of
100% before the end of the
year. It would be a great
stocking staler for pose not
yet paid. and also give the
recepient a chance on the
draw. Any member of the
membership committee will
be only to glad to play Santa
and write you out a receipt.
Last months winner s were
Angus MacLean, Cecil
Lemon, Ray Pettitt. and Roy
McGontgle.
Don't forget Santa will be
visiting the Legion this
Sunday. A short program
will _ proceed his arrival
starting at 2 o'clock. They
,could still use scime talent
from the children. so if you
know of any one who would
like 16 , take part. please.
contact Baibara Scott.
Don't forget Boxing Night
dance an Dec. 26 with Ian
Wilbee Orchestra also there
are still a few tickets left for
the New Years Eve dance,
ntit hurry they are going
fast.
If you have some free time
in the next week drop into
the branch and live a look at
the way Frank. Phillips has
the rooms decorated for the
festive season. If you are
there in the afte(noon early.
you may even be tr-ated to
some of Frank's roasted or
boiled chestnuts for which he
is famous.
Thursday Dec 18 will be
the last regular meeting of
the year and it would be nice
to have a good attendance to
finish out season .
BY COLIEEN !MALONEY
POOT ecortoratt (ondattons
!lace kad to a 34 per cent
sweresperadiacire fe. the Penh
Comm Stu:tall SE'r% 6CCS (om
melee. said past c hariman
Reese Fisk. Karges ast
ow el
Mans people requiring So
snail Sersice Department aid
are. -ems ras aisle people are
experienting a gread deal of
diffitultis m finding work.
-
said a report 1st the commit-
tee presented to Perth Coun •
ouncs1 Dec
The total oterexp•e.nditure
sitt beabout S25.000. The
proN ince ill pas an RP per
cern sobsnly . leating about
S5.000 to he paid by the
county. Karges said
As this will be the last
write up tell the New Year,
The • President officers and
menibers of Branch 156 wish
each and everyone a Merry
Christmas and a Happy New
Year.
GOMM EVENTS
Dec. 18 General Meeting
Dec. 21 Xmas Party 2 p.m.
Dec. 26 Boxing Night Dance
4
lopsFor
Deanna Barry Bulbrook of
Seaforth, a 1980 graduate of
the Stratford Health Sciences
Division of Conestoga Col-
lege, has received the high-
est mark in Ontario' on the
provincial examinations. The
examination, which was_giv-
en in August. confers the
status of Registered Nurse in
the Province of Ontario on
those who Successfully com-
plete it.
Mrs. Bulbrook placed first
among 1,961 Ontario Nurs-
ing program graduates who
wrote the examin'ation. She
is currently employed at St.
Joseph's Hospital in ,London
intheneo-natal intensive dare
unit.
A graduate of SDHS, Mrs.
Bulbrook is the daughter of
Mr. and Mrs. Ken Barry of
Egmondville.
All 33 Stratford graduates
who wrote the examination,
achieved passing scores. In
fact. the aggregate scores
reveal that of 37 Nursing
programs whose graduates
participated, the Stratford
graduates ranked eighth.
With regard to employ-
ment. the Stratford graduat-
es have also done well. All 33
are currently employed, six
at Stratford General 'Hospital
This is indicative of the
much -improved employment
situation for Nursing pro-
gram graduates in Ontario.
The exodus of graduates to
the United States. so preva-
lent two years ago. has
significantly subsided.
Results at Seaforth
Curling
Club
COMPETITIVE DECEMBER 9TH
Cornish over Hetherington
Pryce over Wilson
Jarmuth over Gilbert
Campbell over Gilbert
LADIES CURLING DECEMBER 9TH
Fleming over Brown 8-4
Pryce over Deighton 9-5
Beattie tied Smith 8-8
MIXED CURLING DECEMBER 10TH
Campbell over McKay 5-3
Deighton over Hodgson 6-5
MIXED CURLING DECEMBER 11th 7 p.m.
Dolmage over Roberion 6-4
Beattie ov.er Denomme 7-5
Brown tied Patterson 4-4
Rowat tied Hilderly 4-4
MIXED CURLING DECEMBER 11th 9 p.m.
Jarmuth over Cunningham 11-5
Thomas over Forbes 7-5
Trerneer over Fotheringham 7-5
Lobb over Wilson 7-5
MEN'S CURLING DECEMBER 15th 7 p.m.
Cornish over Longstaff 7-2
Brown over Beattie 11-4
Patterson over Rowatt 12-4
DECEMBER 15TH 9 P.M.
Jarmuth over Rowcliffe 5-1
Ste Marie over Thomas Default
Coleman over Pryee 7-3
Campbell over Lobb 10-8
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Seaforth
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