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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1951-01-04, Page 1Zurich, Exeter, Station Cetralia, Clint- Fire still smoulders in the ruins of tlie two grain ele­ vators which were destroyed in a spectacular four-hour blaze at Hensall Thursday night. ’ Most recent estimate of the loss is over $200,000 hut officials at the W. G, Thompson mill are still unable to make damage. Grain EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY 4, 1951, Fire Still Smoulders In Wreckag Of Two Hensall ELEVATOR BURNS — This mass of twisted, steel shows intensity of the heat of flames which demolished the two Hensall grain elevators owned by W. G. Thompson. Icicles and snow in the foreground indicate the biting cold weather in which firemen from the district fought the blaze. Smoke, which rises in the background, poured out of the ruins for days after the fire. —Jack Doerr, Exeter How They Stood At The Polls Candidate Poll: South Middle North Total Mayor Sweitzer ................................. 102 151 172 425 TUCKEY ............................... 157 249 224 630 Majority for Tuckey—205 Reeve Bierling ................................... 86 175 219 480 SNIDER ................................. 164 211 157 532 Majority for Spider—52 Deputy-Reeve COCHRANE .......................... 133 22S 198 559 Hevwood ................,............... 99 132 157 388 Majority for Cochrane—171 Council BEAVER ............................... 183 317 239 739 Brady ........................................ 123 230 147 500 CAMPBELL ............. 130 226 197 553 DINNEY ............X.,........... 189 286 223 698 McKENZIE ........................... 152 239 A6O 651 SNELGROVE ..................... 146 240 194 580 ‘ WEBSTER ............................. 139 243 .267 649 (Elected—Beaver., Dinney, McKenzie., Webster, Snelgrove and Campbell Tuckey Mayor By 205 Margin Snider Reeve, Cochrane Deputy Benson W. Tuckey, one-time reeve and a former warden of Huron County, became Exeter’s first mayor in the muni­ cipal election New Year’s Day when the status of Exeter was raised from village to town. In the mayorality contest Mr. Tuckey defeated J. A. Sweitzer who for the past two years was reeve of the village. His plural­ ity was 205 votes. The standing: Tuckey 630; Sweitzer 425. In the race for the reeveship Larry Snider, last year’s deputy­ reeve, defeated Henry Bierling 532 votes to 480. iMr. Biering has been out of municipal poli­ tics for several years although in the past he served 13% years on the council under five reeves. For deputy-reeve W. G. Coch- was elected over Vernon member of last His majority was •Snider he at Huron will re­ County Exeter this as a village three councillors, a town six councillors the six at the the first was Eu- rane Heywood, a year’s council. 171. With Mr. present Exeter Council. While elected year as were elected. Five of will take their seats at the council table for time. Heading the polls gene Beaver, a Crediton boy, now an accountant with the Exe­ ter Co-op. He polled 739 votes. Next with 651; Andy bell 553 and Edward Brady, de­ feated, 5W. Workers were out with their cars and a little over 61 per cent of the available vote was polled The returns were received at the office of Clerck C. V. Pick­ ard. One of the first to congra­ tulate the new mayor was the defeated candidate, A. J. Sweit­ zer. As soon as the results were known the Exeter band paraded the Main St. followed by a pro- cesion of cars with the newly- elected members. There was considerable horn blowing. In front of the post office Mayor­ elect Tuckey mounted a truck and ing bers the who The inaural meeting will be held Monday next at 11 a.m. One of the first things to be consid­ ered will be a new table to seat the members now increased from 5 to 9. in line were R. C. Dinney 698; William McKenzie William Webster 649; Snelgrove 5 80; Roy Camp- gave a short address thank- the ratepayers. Other mem- of the council followed with exception of Reeve Snider was absent. Exeter, Lucan Lodge Officers Installed The officers of Lebanon ge A.F. and A.M. No. 133 an accurate assessment of the Fire hoses are kept in con­ stant readiness for new outbreaks of flame as the thousands of bushels of beans and wheat smoulder away in the maze of de­ struction. Even two days of rain this week failed to douse the burning embers. Firemen of six brigades fought and finally controlled the blaze in near zero weather as hundreds of spectators watched from the sidelines. As the alarm spread through the district, fire brigades from " “ R.C.A.F. on, and R.C.A.F. Clinton rushed to help the Hensail brigade. The bitterly cold night may have been responsible for the blaze getting out of control. As Hensail firemen reached the scene, the fire seemed confined near the office between the ewo elevators. A frozen nozzle and hose prevented immediate spray of water although chemicals were brought into use quickly. But whether water would have stopped the fire at that time is questionable as smoke and fire had already spread outside the office according to Lloyd Vennor and Jack Anderson who was first on the scene. Other resi­ dents said smoke was coming from the top of the elevator be­ fore firemen arrived. Nine-year-old Geraldine Har- burn, returning from skating saw the smoke and turned Jn the alarm. It was shortly after nine p.m. Hensall firemen were de­ corating the firehall for a New Year’s eve dance at the time and wasted no time getting to the blaze. Fire-glow in the clear, cold sky attracted spectators from miles around. As air reached the stifled blaze, brilliant sheets of •flame roared into the sky. The north elevator burst into flames first and, although seven hoses pumped streams of water from Hensall’s modern water’ supply, the blaze could not be extinguished. The fire was firm­ ly entrenched in the tons of grain stored in the elevator. As heavy timber supports and beams gave way, the steel walls crumpled into a twisted heap. By the time the blaze subsided only part of a wall of" the south mill was standing. Around midnight the flow of water was reduced as the supply became low. Unable to stop the fire, the brigade’ efforts devoted mainly to keep it spreading. Water from the hoses hard on firemen’s capes hats, on the roofs ings was not intense heat. As men into the morning, Auxilliary sandwiches in the Legion hall. Neighbouring brigades did not leave until three and four o’clock in the morning. Most of Hensall firemen worked all night keeping f|the smoke and blaze under control. Among them were Chief Fink, Dave Sangster, iBryon Kyle, Tom Lavender, John Traquair, Fred Peters, Leonard Noaks, and Jim Sangster. John Sangster, athough not a member of the fire bri­ gade, worked until noon the next day. Howard Skien, who is employed at the mill, stood guard throughout the night and part of the day. Exeter Couple Sued Over Crash Acquitted in September of a motor manslaughter charge aris­ ing from an accident July 14, 195 0, Mrs. Joan Butterfield, of Exetei’ is now being sued in a civil action over the same crash. She and her husband, Butterfield, are John M. Brookfield, as defendants in Court suit launched firm of Siskind, Buchner, London. Plaintiffs are Mr. and James G. Lind, of London, injur­ ed in the collision on No. 4 Highway, about six miles north of London. Deputy-reeve-elected of West­ minster Township, Mr. Lind is suing on his own behalf and al­ so as “next friend” of his child­ ren Beverly and Darryl Lind, passengers in their father’s car at the time of the accident. Amount of their claim has not yet been disclosed. ■ Mrs. Butterfield was charged with manslaughter over the death of Joe Mitocher, of Port Stanley, who was killed in the accident. Mitocher was a hitch­ hiker riding in one of the five cars involved. were from froze and such was the cold. Snow build- by the Lod- and _ _ A.F. and A.M. Lucan were duly in­ stalled in a joint ceremony at the Exeter lodge rooms Wednes­ day evening of last week. Rt. Wor. William 'Cann acted as in­ stalling master and was assisted by several Wor. Masters. The retiring Master, R. E. Pooley, spoke briefly on masonry and the benefits he had derived from it. He also thanked the officers and members. for the splendid support that had been given him V. Wor. Bro. W. E. Middleton, recently appointed Grand stew­ ard by Grand Lodge, was pre­ sented with his apron by Past D.D.G.M. Thomas Pryde. Officers installed were as fol­ lows: Exeter Lodge: W. M. A. M. Easton; 1,'P.iM., R. E. Pooley; S. W., W. G. Cochrane; J. W., C. S.r MaoNaughton; chaplain, B. D. Field; treasurer, J. <P. Bow- ey; secretary, C. L. Langford; D. of C-, F. J. Dawson; S.D., A. L. Snelgrove; J.D., G. A. Bor­ land; I.G., W. A. Fraser; S.S., G. E. Johns; J.S., L. Hodgson; tyler, C. M'awhinney. Lucan Lodge: W.M., Cecil Car­ ter; I.P.M., M. J. Simpson; S.W. Clarence Haskett; J.W., Ray Elson; chaplain, D. E. Chowen; treasurer, U. F. Stanley; secre­ tary, J. T. Murdy; D. of C., J. R. Murray; S.D. George Paul; J.D. Robert Murray; I.G., C. B. Culbert; S.S., Charles Corbett; J.S., H. A. Chowen; tyler, Lome Beatey. Transferred To Victoria Mr. Thomas Fisher who has been an inmate at the Masonvil--rGf Irving Lodge No. 154 le Hospital, London, was sudden­ ly taken ill Sunday and has been transferred to Victoria, Hospital. His condition is not good. Messers Clark and Charles Fisher were down to see him Tuesday. The inaugural meeting of Exeter’s new Town Council will be held in the council chambers, Monday, January Sth at 11 o’clock. The meeting is open to the public. of adjacent even melted J ack named with of Centralia, a Supreme . by the Gillies legal and .Mi’S. blaze of the fought the early hours ladies- of the Legion served them coffee MAYOR TUCKEY Dashwood, Granton Winners, Thaw Upsets Hockey Schedule Opening sallies in the district intermediate hockey group saw Dashwood whip Exeter 6-2 in Zurich Arena while Granton pul­ led a surprise 7-6 win over Hen­ sail on their home ice Friday evening. While ice conditions were ex­ cellent for the openers, mild rains forced cancellation of gam­ es during the forepart of this week. Postponed games will be played at a later date. Mr. and Mrs. Weston Horne Celebrate Golden Wedding The golden wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Weston Horne Was held on Tuesday, December 26, at their home in Elimville when friends and neighbours .gathered to wish the happy couple best wishes and good health. Fifty years ago, Anna Rebecca Whiteford became the bride of George Westoii Horne at the home of the bride’s parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. William Whiteford, of Zion On the farm owned by Mrs. Ehos Herdmah. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. J. Waddell and Mrs.the bridesmaid was the late George Earl, sister of the groom, and the groomsman was Mr. John Whiteford, brothei* of the bride. The bride and groom farmed at Zion for some years then moved to Elimville £orty years ago where Mr. Horne was a carpenter. They have One daughter, (Elva) Mrs. W. j. Routly and two granddaughters, Anna and Grace Routly. In the afternoon and evening, Mr. and Mrs. Horne? received in —Please Turn to Pago Ten Dashwood 6, Exeter a The Dashwood six took ad­ vantage of a disorganized Exeter Squad to chalk up their first win. Although Derry Boyle’s crew outskated and at times out­ played their rivals they toouldn't find their scoring punch. A good effqrt by Dashwood goalie, Ross Haugh, also temps. Dashwood of the first, and clinched two more in ____ Hayter brothers, Jim and Bob, led the scoring with two goals apiece. Bud Schroeder and Lor- ne. Kleinstiver netted the other two for Dashwood. Ross Tuckey and Charlton scored for Exeter. Pete Ellis was particularly effective on defence, plhying 60 minutes of good hoc­ key. DASHWOOD—Goal, Hopcroft, Haugh; defence, Kleinstiver, H. Hayter; centre, J. Hayter; wings, J. Willard, Schroeder. Subs, R. Hayter, 0. Tieman, W. Willard, R. Regler, E. Houlihan, D. Reg- ier. EXETER—Goal, Ebel; defen­ ce, Ellis, Hdrton; centre, H. Brintcil; wings, D. Brihtell, Law- —-'Please Turn to Page Ten hindered their at- led 2-0 at the end 4-2 in the second their victory with the third. GOLDEN WEDDING -— Mr. and Mrs. Weston Horne, Elim- villeA celebrated their golden wedding recently when they re­ ceived friends and neighbours at their home. More than a hundred guests attended to wish the couple continued health and happiness. » —Jack Doerr, Exeter Two Saved As Gas Fumes Kill Grand Bend Woman Quick work by Grand Bend residents in securing inhalators saved the lives of two persons from asphyxiation Saturday morning, but Mrs. Annie Ridley, 84, died from the coal gas-fumes that spread through the house in which three were sleeping. Mrs. Ridley’s son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Edward •Stewardson, have returned home in a weak but “satisfactory” con­ dition. They were rushed to hos­ pital soon after they were dis­ covered in the gas-seeped cottage on Eric McIlroy’s farm “Merry­ wood”, near Grand Bend. The presence of the inhalators and a quantity of oxygen in the police villiage was credited with saving the couple’s lives. Oxygen was supplied soon after they were discovered and was given continually as they were rushed to hospital in the ambulances of T. Harry Hoffman, Dashwood. Coroner Dr. A. iM. Calder, Forest, said there was no neces­ sity for an inquest. He said Mrs. Ridley died of asplixia caused by coal gas from the furnace which had been fired but checked too fast. The cottage was sealed tightly and Mrs. Ridley’s r o, o m was directly over the furnace.' Her head Was only two feet away from the hot air register. The Stewardsons were in a roOm farther away from the fur­ nace. The three were found lying in their beds by Mr. McIlroy and Joe Mannon, a hired hand. They decided to investigate when Mt. Stewardson failed to appear fbr Work. Surviving Mrs. Ridley besides Mrs. Stewardson are one daught­ er, Mi*9. W. J. Oliphant, of Bur­ lington; four sons, Langford, of Parkhlll, Verne, df Stephen, and Earl Oliver, of Michigan; and two brothers, Robert Pollock, of Ldndoh, and James Pollock, of Saskatchewan. Provincial 'Constable Robert Kenn, of Grand Bend, was called around 9 a.m. as Were cordnef Calder, Dr. Donald Ferguson, Dashwood; Dr. J. C. Dunlop, Exeter; and Dr. Fred Mooney, Parkhill and the Grand Bend fire department. Inhalators were supplied by Mr. McIlroy, Harry Hoffman, Grand Bend fire department and Fred Walker. A largely .attended funeral service for Mrs. Ridley was held Tuesday in Grand Bend United Church, after a prayer service took place at the home of her son, V,ern Ridley, Stephen Town­ ship. Rev. K. Wood conducted the service and interment was made in Grand Bend cemetery. The pallbearers were William Eagleson, 'William Hicks, Joseph Carrothers, William Love, Colin Love and Mansell Hodgins. Fred Darling Heads Exeter Legion Fred Darling is the new presi­ dent of the Canadian Legion af­ ter an election of officers was held by members in their new hall Thursday night. Other officers are: past presi- Bert Ostland; vice-presi- Larry Snider, Harvey sergeant-at-arms, Lloyd Reynolds; executive, Cliff Brint- Vernon Heywood, William Eric Clias, Pool- EX-REEVE SWEITZER Plans Incomplete For New Mill “We’re undecided about build­ ing yet,” said George Thompson, resident manager of the W. G. Thompson elevators in Hensall which burned Thursday night, when contacted Wednesday ‘night by the Times-Advocate. M r. Thompson said “We haven’t ibeen able to make definite plans.” Temporary offices have been opened near the smouldering ele­ vator to carry on the business. Contents of the safe were sal­ vaged intact Friday morning. Previously, W. G. Thompson, Blenheim owner of the mill, was , reported to have said that con­ struction would start immediate­ ly on a *$150,000 mill. George Thompson said Wednesday, how­ ever, that plans were not defin­ ite. Beans and wheat are being purchased and trucked to plants at Rodney, Kent Bridge and , Blenheim. ! The business was established ) over 20 years ago. Most of the buildings and contents were cov- |ered by insurance. dent, dents, Pfaff; nell, MacLean, Bert Borland, Sutherland, William Sims, Snell, Laverne Wells, R. E. ey and Bert Ostland. Mild Weather Hits Following on the blustery Christmas New Year week-end delightful winter weather but no sooner had Father Time ushered in the New Year when Jupiter Pluvius began the time-honored January thaw. A drizzling rain fell most of Tuesday and roads and sidewalks arouhd town were covered with slush ankle deep, There was skating at the Arena last week but this week the ice has been soft. District heels of a season the saw some Credits Water System, Brigades For Saving Adjoining Buildings Hensall’s new water system, installed only one year ago, and fast work iby neighbouring fire brigades in getting to the blaze, were credited with saving the many ‘buildings surrounding the elevators Whicli burned Thursday night, by Fire Chief Ed Fink. “I don’t think We’d have that block of buildings how if we hadn’t had a good supply of water,” lie said. “The amount of water it produced surprised everyone,” he added. The year-old system, one of the most modern in the country, fed seven hoses with a constant stream of water for hours. Not Until after midnight did firemen buildings caught to firemen for their from quick Chief what they only i restrain the flow to save water in case other fire. Giving credit district centres response to calls for help, Fink said “I don’t know would have happened if hadn’t come”. * He said through the efforts of the six brigades was the fire prevented from spreading, Firemen fought doggedly from nine O’clock until early in the morning, sometime after mid­ night, ladies of the Hensall Legion Auxiliary and other or­ ganizations made coffee and sandwiches for the men in the Legion hall.