HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1979-03-22, Page 10THE .HURON "EXPOSITOR", 'iMAR0412i, 1979). •
ndipity.
by Alice Gibb
M ii I 40
g
trust? The Hug ar
IVI
Looking:back at the story of John, J. Huggard from the
safety of 40 years, the tale might simply be that of a man
who unwisely trusted some one he thought was a friend.
But in 193,50 when the Itatne Huggard was on the front
pages of the Huron Expositor for months, it's likely
few people in the area felt very charitable toward the man
who,had allowed himself to be fooled 13,),Tia friend -
The story began in May, 1936 with an unusually ,large
I headline in the day's Expositor -- John J. Haggard, Local
' Lawyer, is Sought By Police In A Continent Wide Search.
Mr, Huggord, a darkly handsome moo of 39 and
seemingly one of the town's outstanding citizens, had
taken over the John Rankin Insurance Agency in Seaforth
; .11 years before and operated the business in conjunction
with. a law practice. The Osgoode Hall graduate, one of the
founders of the Seaforth Athletic Association, was
considered . a reputable lawyer and had served as the
town's solicitor for a period. He was, quite simply a man
hisclients felt they could trust.
MISPLACED TRUST
Unfortunately, in the spring of 1936 it became startingly
clear that this trust has been misplaced. John Huggard
had gone on One of his many business tripk to Toronto antN,
telt' his wife he'd be back in a few days. The few days
stretched into two weeks and finally Joseph Grummet, a
Huron Road farmer, decided he had to check his safety
deposit box in the Huggard office. When the lawyer
couldn't be located. Prutnthett called Mrs. Haggard, and
she opened her husband'.s vault, Joseph Grummett was
shocked by 'what he found - $500 was missiag from his
savings and $1590 from the estate of the late Daniel
Gnunniett„ Word spread quickly and by Monday morning,
Mr. Haggard's other clients were crowded outside the !
office. Investigators called in by the- 0,p.p., invited the
clients into the vault one by one and began tallying the
. losses. By Wednesday night; the investigators had found
$125,000 worth of stocks, bonds and mone was missing
from safety, deposit boxes and, there were still 16 boxes
more to be opened. Many of the Huggard clients; hadn't
checked their boxes for two years -implicitly trusting the
lawyer'to handle their finances the best way he saw fit.
When they did open their boxes under the watchful eye of
investigators; ,many of the clients found their entire life
savings. hadvdnished,
ElIONT PAGE •
in Ibe weeks that followed,. John Huggard was front
„Page' news. His family received the pair keyt. and a, brief
letter from the lawyer, bearing; a Fort Erie postmark, The
searefi for Haggard intensified and in the meantime,
investigators continued to tally the losses. Two weeks,
later, the figure had 'reached S140;000. Also. John
Huggard wasn't the only one grabbing the headlines.
The two men who shared the attention of the press were
Robert Fletcher. 42 and Gordon. McLaren, 48 of Toronth,
partners in the brokerage firm of McLaren and Fletcher;
Until the early part of May, John Huggard and Gordon
McLaren had been inseparable friends. They had both
worked in the same office building in Toronto in the early'
part of their careers and continued the friendship. when
Huggard moved to Seaforth.
In the middle of May, the two brokers were picked up for
questioning and held as material witnesses, until they
agreed to put up 51,000 bail each. After a few days of
freedom. the ill-fated partners were arrested again and
this time charged with theft and forging an endorsement
on certain registered bonds which just happened to come
from Seaforth. The men raised 57,500 in bail and were
released following -the charge of theft; but both were
picked up again and taken to Goderich jail when the
forged bonds were discovered. One May 29, John
Huggard was charged with the theft of his clients'
securities.
Among, the Huggard, clients who lost all or part of their
life savings were the A. Cahill estate, which lost
516,400; Mrs', isabella McDonald, who lost 514,700; Ales,
Campbell who lost $1S,000 and Elizabeth Campbell who.
- • •
IloSt S9,000. Oth. ,ers wholot441444eY included Fred Eckert a'
McKillop fanner, Mrs. Agnes. ConAltt, and Mrs. Bella
13eCoursey, an Egmondville widow.
The Huggard creditors could do little' shore than file a
petition of bankruptcy and accept the appointment of E.F.
BMW of Guaranty Trust Co. of Canada as, the custodian of
the Huggard finances,
•
JAIL,
The to brokers.were rentanded for a week after thew
first aPPearance Goderich court and only McLaren
managed to raise enough bait this, ,thne ,to be reolgased
from jail.
By the middle of May, further investigation showed that
'John Huggard has managed to disappearwith 5150,237.12
of his clients' money and police were still trying to trace all
the stocks and bonds that were reported stolen,
The Depression had already strained many families
finances to the breaking point, and now John Huggard and
his co-conspirators had, succeeded in wiping'out the life
savings of many Seaforth residents who believed their
investments guaranteed them at least a comfortable old
age. - •
On June 19, ' with, Huggard still missing and the
ithiestigati94 cOntinains, the creditors thet in the Seaforth
town, hall. to plan the next move.
Miss Isabella Campbell and Dr. P,J. Bechley were'.
elected thspectors by the creditors and the trust comPanY
delivered the unhappy news that no more papers or
documents could be retrieved from the safety deposit
boxes without court order. In this case, the order would
take many weeks and the clients that did still have savings.
left in the deposit boxes were forbidden access to them.
With John Huggard still missing, and. assumed to be
somewhere south of the border, the insurance agency part.
•of his business was sold to Watson and P.-•cl.
Next Week: A dramatic surrender, t!u. %lois of the men.,
and the puzzle -nos Huggard a criminal or just the dupe of
a manhe believed' wa' iis friend? .
THE HANDSHAKE = George Campbell, Legion Zone, Commander,
Oakes. hands With the new associate members of the Seaton,/ Legion -•
Grant Cheney, Doug -Fraser and Jim Glew. These; were among 22 new
members who joined the Legion on Saturday night, to' bring the total.
. , .
membership in. Branch 56 to 411 people. -
For UNICEF ,
Variety show planned
(Expositor impto)
If you are looking for a way of clearing
away those post -winter blues, the Variety
Show planned for Wednesday, 28th of
March at Blyth Hall should be the ansWer.
An evening of music, song and • dance,,
presented by several talented young local,
people, in aid of promises td .
be well worth attending.: Jim Lawrie will'
MX. the show, wich offers' performers of
such calibre as Danny Lear, Kiln Craig,
Darlene Wesselink, ,'and many others.
• The variety night had originally, been
Fireside plans
designated as a fund-raising night by Blyth
Centre for the Arts to help out in financing
the summer program. However, as this is
the International Year of the Child, the
directors decided to turn over all profits to
U.N.LC.E.F, as part of this . community's
contribution to the needs of children
elsewhere, . ,
• ' The organizers are hoping t� Nee
a packed hall in support, of both U. N.1. C. E. F
and the young performers who are offering
their talent,
rtimtnag,e sale:
Mr. and. Mrs. F.R,Cosford William Brown, the— the Lawsons in charge of t• he
•
were host and hostess to the president. program. A letter was read •
N-----annucill Meetin riamesE1,ston evlast. There vvere • discussed which will be held the ro +,...th h •
Fireside Group on Tuesday The rumrna '
•
The 68th annul with a slide presention of including Board members,
meeting of the Perth -Huron South and East Africa by nursing staff, membersfrom
branch of the Victorian Order John Conroy who has Government agencies such.
of Nurses was held March '13 travelled extensively as Home Care and a local
• • at St, Paul's Anglican throughotit the world. • Homemaking, agency, and
•'Church .in Stratford. • The meeting was attended other guests from the public
• Everyone was entertained by Perth -Huron residents sector.
I •
irth ays. at Kilbarchan; . ille."--Perth 1°3°' Hui"'
Private Patients - Perth,
•
ge sale was from Carol Carter thanki•ng
„ • . . • fifteen present.. Lorne on April 7, 1979. The next gowns which were given to
•
•
The Board of Directors
announced that the V.O,N,
• fee schedule will remain at
512.25 per visit with some
individual flexibility as. for
1978. The source of payment
for 1978 was as 'follows.
Home Care, Perth, 9,331
Visits; Huron, 7,281;
"March winds,' April
showers, bring forth May
flowers". An old, saying! but
so full of hope. '
Our healthy snow is
getting to look a bit grubby.
It will be good to see the
fresh green grass again.,
Sally Sillery and her room-
• mate, Gladys Brightrall,
celebrated birthdays the
same day March. 4, Mr, and
Mrs. Peter Sillery,. Toronto,
came and took Sally out to
dinner in Stratford. Mr. and
• Mrs. J.C.Crich , Seaforth,
called to wish the recipients a
Happy Birthday. •
Visitors with Gladys Bright -
rail, for her birthday, her
family,' Mr. and Mrs. Don
Brightrall ; Mr. and Mrs.
Paul Nicholson; Shelley and
Tracy.
On Monday the day after
• the birthdays, the residents
" met for a sthg-song, a belated
celebration. , Mrs.
J.A.Stewart kindly came and
played the piano for tit. Mrs.
Hattie Johnston and. Beth
Bechely also came and
• helped us with the singing.
We' sang from a book called
Sing Out", Which is published
by 'Ministry of •CornmanitY
Services for Senior Citizens,
Rene Brunelle; Minister. We
sang by personal request;
most of. the contents of the
bookwhich included old time
favourites, •songs such as
'Tilly Boy", Clerneritine!.%
'Silver Threads .Among the
Gold'', ''Easter ,'Parade",
"Home Sweet Home",
"There's a Long Long
Trail", "Love's Old Sweet
Song", "I Wonder What's
Become of Sally", "I'm
LOoking .Over. a Four Leaf
Clover","VVhen You Were a.
Tulip", "1 want a
Do these • songs bring
feelings of nostalgia to My
readers? . •
• We rnay have niissed some
of your favourites. I haven't
.recorded our ,full repretoire.
Friday afternoon our
nighbour Miss • Gladys
Thompson, joined Sally
Sillery and ladys Bright-
ra41. 1 also joined them in a
foursome of bridge. This
time Gladys Brightrall and I
had, high score. Vire even had
O 'little Slam' but sad
didn't bid it. It helped our
score however, I enjoy bridge
and fonner skills in the game
seem to be returning to rne.
As,a result, I enjoy it to the
• full. Special thanks to Glad
Thcimpson for her patience
and kindness. • „
George Pethick visited his
mother and Oliver McKay.
Dr. C. •Toll who has •
returned from Florida visited -
Jack Tiernay.
Mr, and Mrs. Ed. Spiers,
Oakville, visited. Mrs. Olive
Muir and Called on M.
Turnbull for a chat.
Miss Marilyn Hillis, Till-
sonburg, visited her aunt M.
Turnbull over the weekend.- ,
•
1,099, Huron 59. Dept of
Veteran's Affairs - 118,
Insurance 53, Contact
• (Paramedicals) .
• Newly elected officers for
1979 include President W.J.
Brooks, 1st Vice President,
W.J. Elston, 2nd Vice
•President Elsie Karges,
Treasurer K.W. Thrasher,
Secretary, Jean Whilhelm
and Representative tit United
Way Judy Horsey.
Staff nurses in Huron
County include Full time- S.
Lancaster, VVingham; M.
Smith, ,Goderich, L. Swan,
Londesboro and Part Time -
L. Knight, Belgrave; D.
SPeers; ' Goderich; D.
Beuerman, 'Exeter; and S.
Dolmafge, Seaford' :
Lawson was in the chair meeting will be held in the the boys and•girls of the
ow ng to the Ow ce of church with the Browns and junior choir.
• THE
You are invited to attend
SPECIAL GOSPEL -SERVICES
continuing nightly (except Saturday) 8:00-9:00 p.m.
••••- at. SEAFORTH DIST*T:=HIGI-1. SCHOOL -
1-tifftiitiittttttttttttttftttttttffitttttittttttifitttttfttttttttttttttt
•--Speakers: MR. JOHN SLABAUGH = Uniontown, Ohio
MR. GARY SHARP — Midland, Ontario
tlIttlilttttrtIttttliffittttttttttttttttttttitttttttttttttOtttttttfittt,
The time-honoured historic Christian Gospel is still relevant to our '
times. In our age of uncertainties, the Bible's message still meets
mankind's basic- need for forgiveness and peace.
The Gospel is good news. Christ, the son of God, .entered this world '
to bring us a real and eternal salvation. He died for our sins, and He
•roseagain to make good all of His promises to those who trust Him. --
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; that nit of yourselves: it is
the GIFT OF GOD" [Ephestans 28).
• . .. • •• • . • , . • .
. • ,
. „
c •
Scott's
Flowers
Winner of the draw
Ticket No. 49
M. TURNER
Brodhagen, Ont.,
Lady that drew the
lucky ticket
JANE VANDEBAN
R.R.1, Seaforth, Ont.
Scott's Fbwers
'Seaforthr 'AL
; 527-1924 0°
Closed Wed.
Open Mon. to Sat.
9-8 •
Lions
BINGO
Every
Saturday
at
Blyth
Memorial Hall
i2 reg. - 10 each
3 share the wealth
$150 jackpOt 60 calls
every Sat at 8 p.m,
- • '
• •• v •
f:44'
• ,.
AO. ,i, - ,- •,
In most cases, filling your own
income tax return is easier than
you may think.
It's largely a matter of simple
arithmetic. You don't have to pay
someone to do something you
can do yourself.
Just follow the six basic steps in
the Guide you received with your
income tax return. Don't forget to
attach all the proper receipts, and
double check your return before
mailing it. \
It's that easy. So go ahead.
Surprise yourself.
You can
do it!
Revenue Canada Revenu Canada
19r 'taxation Imp6t
Hart .Antrititlyd. Abbott' ,L'hon, Anthony C. Abbe*
Mahar Irtlatre
HURON - BRUCE LIBERAL ASSOCIATION
cordially invites
•
EUGENE WHELANL NIGHT
GrOBIBB POO •
Buron-Bruce Liberal. Candidate : • .
•
Wednesday April4.1979
Brussels, Grey & Morris Community Centre
-Brussels,-Ontario
Reception fi pin. • Dhiner p:m.
Tickets $12.50 each
• Advance Tickets only
• call .
Audrey Cardiff, Brussels„ 887-6457
EMU Hendrick, Exeter, 23S-2595
JIth Love, Zurich, 236-4031 •
Gordon Smyth, Auburn, 52967190
aarenee Denornme„ . Clinton, 482,9004
George Townsend, Seaforth, 527-1629!
Murray Elatort,„..Whightin4I357:,2753' '
:Marphy,::GtodetiCh; .524-7913
Tony Jeltrietone, L'icknow, 528-2822,
Mac Inane -Behnore 367-2043 •
9
or your Township chairmen .
Conestoga College Certificate Programs
yOt.t like to upgracie\your lob skIIIs?
Get back in the work force? Or move aheod
•In the work. force? •.. • •
You can do it Clinton
Conestoga College, Clinton Campus, offers the following' Certificate
Programs on a coninuous entry basis throughout the year.
1
•SECRETARIAL/CLERICAL .
. , Clerk Typist
. Bookkeeping Clerk
Stenographer General.
ACADEMIC UPGRADING,
. Brig I isho Mathematics and Science
to College entry level •
'Progranitt are Offered on' cOntinueut intake bailS thrOughottt the
year. • •,
*L-..MtaCt the Clinton Campus forth* date Of the next' Openings.
*Testing and counselling are available to help you select e program.'
*Funding assistance may be available. Check to see if you are
eligible.
Call' or write to arrange an interview, or drop 10 to the 'Clinton
Campus on Vanish.* Read, 482-3458, for more infOrtnation.
Conestoga College
of Applied Arts
and Technology
144I've gots lotto share.
' t