The Huron Expositor, 1979-08-23, Page 10I -- THE HUSCN= ,XPOSiTOi#
UST 23',,19,
•der
by Alice Gibb:
,Newspa rs.,liRke women" have "co mesa
long way* ;siert. John Bushnell of Halifax
erlinked put the first Canadiannews sheet
#
1792 *painful process in toe. ,days when all
the type was set by hand,
Today, many a researcher who wants; tp
piece together the social history of .an era
uses old newspapersto catch, a glimpse of
the ordinary« everyday: lives of our
predecessors. Stories andadvertisements
which: seemed mundane at the time may,
prove valuable clues to our lifestyle and
interests when scrutinized SO years later.
Now although the city of London has been
a one -daily PneWs ap er town for over 50
years,' for years ,many southwestern. Ontario
readers, particularly. if they claimed, Grit
leanings, depended on the London
Advertiser for their view of the world.
The daily, whichh billed itself as "a bright.
readable newspaper'" offered its subscribers
complete telegraphic dispatches from "the
old and new worlds.'" as well. as "news of the
day, political and general, family reading,
etc."
For example, if you Ricked up the Oct, 1"
1$8t edition of the paper you'd discover the
Western Fair was in full swing, the city's.
weather was changeable with a report of the
first few flakes of snow falling near the
fairgrounds and extravagant advertisements:
which promised cures for everything from
nervous ailments to fatal diseases.
STORIES.
The stories themselves were .shorter
than today's reports and in the fashion• of the
day, were printed in; long. columns, mixing
advertisements haphazardly with the news.
When you think that many readers were
•
r • s
likely. using either.eandies or lrerosenelamps,
to read the fine print,: yea ,can understand: it
took real perseverance tPlteep posted on the
events of the :days.
One of the lead stories, of the day is a,
sharp reminder that: in 1886, Canada was
still: very much the frontier.
Under a .screaming headline.,
"Bloodthirsty Bloods", the article reported.
"The editor of the Fort MacLeod Gazette
telegraphs that no massacre by Indians. has
occurred in the Northwest as reported.
Everything .is: quiet here, the Bloods, being;
on their reserve."' Obviously some
overzealous reporter had .tried to create 4
front page story without checking his. facts,
The .massacre runs our squelched, the
paper's editorial space was given to news of
London and precincts. a regular; column
devoted to everything from; the death roll.
police news and reports from the eourts'to
the latest entertainment playing. at the
Grand Opera House.
COUNCIL DEBATE •
One article, which seems startlingly
contemporary considering the recent FAB
debate in Seaforth, reported a city alderman
replied to a letter in the previous day's:
London Advertiser; assuring readers
intend to demand at the next meeting of city
council a committee to fully investigate the
workings of the fire department and more
especially by whose authority certain
members were taken away from their duties.
on several occasions to do private work."
The workings of council really haven't
changed so much over the years.
The same column noted, due to the infle*
of out -of --town visitors, "Governor Kelly of
the county jail says that institution is
t
Su
LIM
5
swarmed with visitors these days. They
often mine, in batches. of 20 or more blit
never asked for permanent lodging..,
Damsels in distress were also featured le.
that particular edition. For example,.
• Western Fair attraeted one Madame
Cawley, in a dubious financial state, who
reported she lost her pocket book with
savings of $20 and her return ticket to New
York and "has,noplace to go and don't know
what to. do."
The court. in; turn w as;;approached by one
Mies Pitfieid, :suing the township of
Westminis.ter for their negligence in
permitting a "defective roadway" which
upset her rig, injuring her and tier .horse,
SvCCESSFUL SUilT
The following; day the Advertiser
announced Miss Pittfield' was: awarded S600:
in damages for the accident.
The advertisements also offer a
fascinating glimpse into life .in the 1880's.. In
a day when employment for women was the
exception rather than the rule, the following
two notices appeared under Female Wanted.
"Lady agents actually clear $20 dailywith
my wonderful, entirely new, patent
undergarment for females. A minister's wife
sold, 13 the first hour."
Women who weren't captivated by the
chance to peddle corsets could consider this
ad -"A good .general servant wanted, in a
small fam.ly, good wages paid to a first class
girl,,
" ,'
For those feeling a bit under the weather,
patent medicines offered ,hope -from Moxie's
Nerve Food, the great South American.
remedy for a prostrated nervous system to
the more mysterious cure for "delicate
diseases of either sex" described in large
illustrated treatise which e„4id be purchased
for 10 cents.
Eventually, like many a good newspaper
before and after', it, The London Advertiser
came to the end of its tether -unable to
survive it's economic problems, even though
owned and op aed by The Toronto, Star for
a period.
The death knell for a newspaper is always
sad. On October 30, 1936, the front page of
the Advertiser contained this notice.
"'The London. Advertiser ceases
publication today, Founded in 1863, The
Advertiser during the seventy-three years of
p. ubication hasup built traditions: 44d made
.
a place for itself in Canadian journalism. It is
.only after careful consideration that the
management makes this announcement.
Fpr the past twelve years and particular
ly during the 1 ast. five, The Advertiser has
been struggling against adverse economic
circumstances which have brought about the
discontinuance of dozens of daily papers,
even in the more populous centres, all over
the country. The closing of The Advertiser
today leaves only two Ontario cities. Ottawa
and Toronto, with: more than onedaily
newspaper."
Ironically, the management's decision to
change the Advertiser front an evening to
morning paper, to better compete with the
London Free Press may have been the very
straw that' broke the camel's back.
In the ensuing years, the pro -Tory Free
Press converted back to an 'independent
newspaper and today The London .Advertiser,
survives on microfilm in the London Public
Library and in the memories of its former
readers,
A GOOD CROWD—Over a hundred people showed up to view the.
displays and enjoy a few refreshments at the Seaforth. Horticultural
Society flower show held in the legion last Wednesday. (Expositor Photo)
Flower Show
Attendance at the Seaford' ,
Horticultural Society- Flower
Show doubled thisyear over
last year.as visitors came to
view .the• array of entries
offered by. Seaforth and area
members of the society.
"We were very. pleased
with the attendance, and
Gladys Doig, president of the
club, 'Well over 100 people
attended the show, which
was held at the Legion Hall,
on Wednesday,
The annual exhibition
drew 18 competitors from the
society's 170 members, 'They
hope to reach a membership
of 200, said Mrs. Doig, and;
,"welcome `anyone who : is
'interested ,in joining.
New at `this year were, `the:
categories for the Junior
Horticulturalists, a group
which' started this spring,
USE
EXPOSITOR.
WANT -ADS
Phone 527-0240
under the • guidance of Mrs.
Yee Woh Kennedy and Mrs.
',Mary. McLeod. For Si each
year, ,young people can, be-
long to the junior' club of the
society. At the first meeting;.
in February of :19"5', they had
25 members.
Despite the windy and
dampweather which took its:
toll on the flowers,entries
were well filled. saidsociety
member Mrs. Hazel Hilde-
brand. "
WLNNThiG ENTRIES
Winners at the 1979 Flo-.
wer Show were: Mrs. Marjor-
ie Broadfoot of ;R; R.-
,Seaforth, .:60 pts.; Steve
ifildebrand of Seaforth, run-
ner-up with 46 points; grand
champion gladiolus winner
was. Rose Ann Van Loon of
Seaforth; other winners were
Jean Durst, Annie Allen,:
Isabel Scott, Karen Whit-
more, Dr, Whitman, Jack
Van Loon, Sandy .Doig,
Gladys `Doig, Mary. Haugh,
Days Finnigah, Pat:Rodney,.
Hazel Hildebrand; Florence
Elford, and Ruth. Beutenmil
ler. •
Winners ie. the junior
division were: Robbie Van
Loon, Helen Van Loon, Joati
Dodds, Linday DeJong. Jack
Van Loon, Jason Rodney,'
and Tina Looman.
•
Mrs. Marjorie Broadfoot.'
was the convenor of this:
year's flower Shoe'.
WANTED..
LIARS
Brusseisfest . ..
Sept. 22, 1979
inthrop family, reunion
Correspondent
MRS. ROBERT.HULLEY
527-1856
Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Dol,.
mage, Hullet, hosted a 'fam-
ily reunion on Sunday.. A,
tieing other guests. were Mr.
andMrs; Stewart Love,
London, Ontario; and Mr.
and Mrs, Joseph Stephen
son, Coquitlam, B.C.
tilts. Dolmage '':and. her
brother, Stewart :Love, had
not seen their cousin . Mrs. 1
Stephenson or, all r : grand.
1
children of the late Mr. and
Mrs. Hugh Hamilten Tucker
smith, for . fifty years al- I
though they have correspon-
ded for :twenty-five years. I
Many old family pictures,
one about .125 years old,
provided interest in -their.
family tree. A bountiful salad
supper wasserved at the
Forester's Hall. Kinburn.
COMMERCIAL.
HOTEL
SE AFt,R t'i
This week & Sat. Matinee.
Deacon York
lee -gin_ Brimstone Band
Next week & Saturday Matinee
Tk.:'Blfinty :Hooters: 1
FINE FOOD
F1\F: F.VTFKT k1\tiIF:\'1
$,T -TME AND CDNiINUINC EDUCATION
FALL 1979..
CLINTON CAMPUS
The following courses are being offered this Fail semester. Students
are .already enrolling,.. To ensure yourself a place in the course of
your choice, please telephone. 482-3458 Monday to Friday from 9:00
a,m, to 4:00 p.m. and Monday and Tuesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30
p.m. or visit our campus at V'anastra Road, Clinton, Ontario,
Home Study [Mathematics; and.;Eliglishi
Office Practice
Basic Bookkeeping
Advanced Bookkeeping
Do It Yourself Plumbing
'Do If Yourself:Carpentry 0
Bartending Techniques
,Driver Training .
A Systematic Approach to Patient Care Planning
Psychiatric Nursing for Registered Nursing Assistants
Part i
Basic Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
Dimensional Metrology
Tools, Jigs and Fixtures S33.00.
PICK UP ONE OF -:OUR FALL 1979 TABLOIDS FROM' OUR
CLINTON CAMPUS
$25.00
S27.00
S23.00
$23.00
S3300
S30.00
$48.00
527.00
532.00
533.00
520.00
$33.00
Final :. plays before a y.r.
appreciative local audiencee:
The foal band concern of
series presented .during, ;the
sun'tmer was given before an
appreciative audience at
Victoria Park Sunday eve-
ning. The series has been
sponsored' by a •Chamber of
.Commerce headed d . b y Pea
Chas. Toll,
and Mrs, Bill Flynn a , her
bands, "The Huron Ram-
blers" and "The Huron
Strings" supplied the music
and vocal .solo numbers were
given by Mrs. Flynn and
•
Hugh Hodges as Harold:
Black played on his electric
guitar, Several/ step dance
(umbers by Debbie Flyna
were much enjoyed by the
audience. Lorne Lawson
played: selections on the
, "HOW
including.
Great Thou Art". The :bands
b;
:concluded the .evening, .. y
playing, "Amazing Grace,
Bili ;F1 run was Master of
Ceremonies and Dr, Chas..
Toll thanked Mrs. Flynn and
Mr. and Mrs. Norman Speake and. son Sean, of
FredrictonMr. and, Mrs, Douglas Ord of London, spent the
past weekend with Mr. Leo Hagan and Paul and attended
the Hagan -McDaniel. , wedding on Friday in Goderich.
all those who took part in and
attended the concert..
,�-SteQfar>�i� Honks
ba
o.
: mm
��1
�T .
Y.
RO
U
,T
Tues 'u
Vanastra Arena:
7,9:
EVERYONE.
WELCOME
DONKEY BASEBALL
Watch the
Seaforth Beaver Oldtimers
vs.
CKNX Try Hards
SEAFORTH LIONS PARK 6:45 p.m..
Thurs. Aug.23rd
All proceeds: for Seaforth Minor Ball
Adults S2.O0 Children 51.00.
_..
B1 G.G EST MOTQ R CYCL-E AN D
ACCESSORY SALE IS THIS
WEEKEND AT HULLY GULLY'S
Save plenty; at our biggest sale; ever: Prices have been; slashed on '.
everything in stock making right clow the best time. to buy Dealers
welcome
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INCLUDES SUZUKI FACTORY REBATE
1979`SUZUKI GS 550
Reg 5.25,99 ''2299
.1979 SUZUKI A-100
Reg 5849 N O W 5699'
1979 SUZUKI DS 185
Reg 51349 s 1199- 199-
Bell Full Face
HELMETS
Req 599.95
NOW '59.00
• Griffin Metal Flake
CSA Approved HELMETS
Reg 532 90
NOW '19.00.
1978 YAHAMA'RD'
400
Reg 51459'
NOW'995
1976 C2-JAWA
26.0
Reg 5895
NOW •395
Nylon Moto Cross
PANTS
ONLY '49.95
1,977 YAMAHA Y2
• 125
Reg 5795
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1974 KAWASAKI
100 ENDURO
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1'973 HONDA CT
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