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The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1953-10-08, Page 2Page 2 THE TIMES-ADVOCATE, EXETER, ONTARIO, THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 8, 1953 This journal shall always fight for progress, reform and public welfare, never be afraid to at­ tack; wrong, never belong to any political party, never be satisfied with merely printing news. THURSDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 8, 1953 Fire Prevention Week Now's The Time To Take Precautions Successful Mission Friday night’s bingo was the climax to a cooperative fund-raising program which paid for the installation of the trap rock floor in Exeter arena. Profits from the event totalled over $4,000. and this, added to the amount received in the spring canvass and other Lingoes, was sufficient to wipe out the debt on the addition to the arena. The project was the first attempted on a cooperative basis by major organizations in the town and its success indicates what can be achieved when groups work together towards a mutual objective. The men who spearheaded the cam­ paign and organized the events, along with the many who helped carry them out, de­ serve the community’s appreciation. One per­ son in particular, Andrew Bierling, vice- president of the Legion, deserves special mention for his extensive efforts during the campaign. The next project, we suspect, will be the development of Riverview Park in the spring. Now that the river pond has been dredged, the park can be built into a beau­ tiful recreation area. It would be unfortun­ ate-, indeed, if the opportunity were neglect­ ed. Girl Partners (A.R.F. in London Free Press) The women- are coming into their own. We were driving home the other night in a taxi and saw a big transport truck from Chatham with a sign on it: A. F. Privett & Daughter. It is common to see painted on the barns of successful farmers in large letters such signs as John Doe & Sons. Returning from Bayfield recently to London we drove along what is known as the Goshen Line, and on a huge red barn was the device George McCloskey & Girls. Evidently Mr. McCloskey had no s.ons, so he wanted the world to know that his daugh­ ters were helping him run his farm and were his partners. Newspaper Week This week, October 1 to 8, is Newspaper Week, a period set aside to remind readers of the importance of the newspaper to its community. Just what is a newspaper? It’s a public service: It serves its com­ munity with news, advertising, comment and entertainment. It promotes civic and humani­ tarian projects. It chronicles history, an­ nounces events, knits the community with the tale of progress and activity in all sec­ tions. It’s a manufacturing plant: It converts raw materials, ink, paper, metal and power into a finished product. It provides employ­ ment for local people and heads of families. It’s a business: It enjoys full status as a wholesaler and retailer. It plays its part .in civic enterprises and assists in the pro­ Fire can bring tragedy and financial ruin to the average farmer in a matter of hours, warns the All Canada Insurance Fed­ eration. Officials of the Federation, which re­ presents more than 200 fire, automobile and casualty insurance companies, said that fire is one of farmer’s greatest hazards and should be guarded against at all times. They recommended some safety measures that could be taken to cut down the possibility of fire: Lightning protection systems should be of approved make; be sure they are checked at least once a year. Wire fences attached to buildings should be properly grounded at the fence­ post nearest the building, Protect ground cables from being rubbed against by animals, particularly at corners of buildings. Radio and television antennas should be adequately grounded. Have electric -wiring checked regularly by experts, especially when new machinery or motors are added to the load. Never string electric wires over nails, through doors, or in any exposed place- Gasoline, kersosene, and other explosive liquids should be stored in well-marked safety cans. Have stoves, furnaces and pipes inspect­ ed and cleaned at least once a year. Smoke pipes passing through walls or partitions should be guarded by metal thim­ bles. Use metal screens in front of fireplaces. Never use kerosene to start or quicken fires. Portable oil heaters should be of ap­ proved makes. Fill them from safety cans with pour spouts attached. Never leave heat-’ ers going all night. Keep grass and weeds cut short around buildings. Never store damp hay in loft. Be sure lofts are ventilated. Trash and manure should not be stacked against the barn. Light bulbs in barns should be protected by glass or metal guards. Approved fire extinguishers should be placed wherever there are fire hazards. Most of these recommendations can be applied to the town and village residents as well; and since this is Fire Prevention Week it’s a good time for all of us to investigate these safety measures right now. gress of the community. It's a service establishment: It gives in­ formation, advice and guidance through its columns and departments. It gives help through its advertisements, classified col­ umns and reading matter. It’s 100 percent home institution. It is for Exeter and the surrounding community first, last and always. Its payroll remains entirely at home. Its taxes help support church as government. It is a large consumer of power, fuel and other elements supplied locally. - It’s a bulwark of freedom. It is the ex­ emplification of our way of life. Truly it is the voice of freedom and the guardian of democracy. €xeter ®imes>=$fobocate Times Established 1873 Amalgamated 1924 Advocate Established 1881 Published Each Thursday Morning at Exeter, Ontario An Independent Newspaper Devoted to the Interests of the Town of Exeter and District Authorized m Second Class Mall, Post Office Department, Ottawa Member Of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association Member of the Ontario-Quebec Division of the CTWNA Member of the Audit Bureau of Circulation Paid-in-Advance Circulation as of March, 1953 — 2,494 SUBSCRIPTION RATES Canada, in advance, $3.00 a year —* United States, in advance, $4.00 a year Single Copies 7f Each J. Melvin Southcott - Publisher* * Robert Southcott FLORENCE CHAPWICK BREAKS another man-made RECORD THIS CRAZY WORLD KNIGHT IN WINDSOR STAR As the "TIMES" Go By Jottings By J.M.S. Wm. May First Usborne Settler Two weeks ago I made refer­ ence to the store that for so many years was known as Jones & May. The members of this firm have their roots in the early settlement of this district as their great grandfather, William May, has the distinction of being the first settler in the Township of Usborne. For four generations the farm has remained in the May family and at present is owned and occupied by Hedley May. Incidentally, my children and grandchildren have the same heritage as Mrs. Southcott first saw the light of day on this same farm. It was on June 21, 1832, that William May, a native of Devon­ shire, Eng., settled on a farm a mile and a half south of Exeter. From the Huron County Atlas of 1879 we quote: “William May, now living on the London Road, a short distance south of Exeter, was probably the first settler in the township — although some give the claim to Thomas Lamb, who settled two or three miles north of Exeter. The date of Mr. May’s settlement was June 21, 1832; that of Mr. Lamb’s is not authenticated, but it is certain that a child born in the latter’s family was the first in the whole section of the Huron Tract be­ tween London and Goderich.’’ The Devonshire Settlement It was Mr. May’s brother-in- law, John Balkwill, who per­ suaded Mr. May to come to'Can­ ada. He came out in the spring of 1831, cleared about four acres of land and was so pleased with the country that .lie returned to England and persuaded a num­ ber of friends to come out and settle here. It was the beginning of what for many years was known as the Devonshire settle­ ment. Mr. May’s first shanty wa’s erected beside the creek about a mile south of town. Early settlers usually selected a spot near a stream as water was of extreme importance. Later, a log house was erected on the May fa.rm south of the present dwelling, which was erected in 1867. It is interesting to note that where the first log house stood for so many years there is a noticeable improvement in the growth of the grain planted in that area. Following the death of Wil­ liam May the farm passed to his son, Thomas, who in turn pro­ vided each of three sons, George, Joseph and John with a 100-acre farm each'. A fourth son, William F. May, oldest of the family, did not take to farming and became one of the early school teachers in this district, finally settling in Mitchell. His two sons, William and Fred A. May, are now re­ spected residents of Exeter and were members of the Jones & May firm for many years. John was not particularly at­ tracted to the' farm and follow­ ing his .father’s death, sold his holdings which adjoined the or­ iginal farm, and moved to Clin­ ton and finally to Toronto, where as a cabinet maker he found greater satisfaction. His son Rus­ sell is now a minister of the United Church and in his early ministry pioneered in the west. Two daughters, Carrie and Min­ nie, reside in Toronto. Joseph May was the third oc­ cupant of the farm until he re­ tired to Exeter to spend his re­ maining days. His brother George remained a bachelor. There were three daughters of Thomas May, Lavina, who mar­ ried J. G. Jones, survived by J. Hubert Jones and Miss May Jones, of town; Minnie, wo was married to Harry T. Rowe. Fol­ lowing her death Mr. Rowe mar­ ried another sister, Meretta, mother of Mrs. W. C. Allison. . My own connection with the May homestead was in my court­ ing days when on more than one wintry night I made the journey on foot. I recall wearing a pair of moose hocks. They were pur­ chased from an Indian and were- originally from the feet of a moos© and made into moccasins. No cold ever penetrated them. Itinerant Ministers Welcome The May home was the first to be visited by many of the pion­ eers on their introduction to a new land. It was always open to the itinerant ministers who, on saddle-back, visited the commun­ ity. Rev. Edwards, one of the first Bible Christian ministers, made his home with the May family for a number of years. Peculiarly, too, on this farm was one of the first illicit whisky stills which provided the liquid refreshments at many a logging bee or barn raising. It -also sup­ plied the hotels at 25<£ a .gallon. One of the early labor-saving devices on the farm was a power- driven saw for cutting wood. As many as four teams were hitched to a revolving contraption that operated the saw. Early mail from England was sent out without postage stamps and the amount due for postage was collected when the mail ar­ rived at its destination. United Church Selects Huron To ■#The fall meeting of Huron Presbytery of the London Con­ ference of the United Church of Canada was held at Brussels United Church on Thursday, Sep­ tember 24. Nelson Trewartha of Wesley Willis Church, Clinton, chairman fit the Presbytery, pre­ sided. Rev. R. A. Brook, Blue­ vale, . was secretary. The 35 charges of the Presbytery were well represented by lay and ministerial delegates. Special visitors at th© Presbytery were: Rev. C. D. Daniels of Ingersoll, president of London Conference; Dr. A. M. Stuart, of London, and Rev. Clifford G. Parkes of Chat­ ham. The president of the Confer­ ence addressed the court on “Joyous Religion.” He stressed the need of being happy Christ­ ians so that the tidings of Christ­ ianity might be "Glad Tidings.” It was imperative to engage in our work with a contagious cheerfulness for we cannot be good followers ‘ of Jesus unless joy is in our souls. Joyous re­ ligion makes us winsome and our faith and work is the gospel is a recommendation and bound to be a success. The address was thought - provoking, challenging, and well received. Dr. A. M. Stuart spoke on the great opportunity and challenge facing the Christian Church in the new housing areas through Canada and particularly in Wes­ tern Ontario. Citizenship build­ ing by the Church was urgent in’- these rabidly growing districts, if the tide of paganism was to be checked. Many of our fellow Canadians are not able to build their own churches without the Conduct Evangelistic Drive aid of churches already • estab­ lished. A bird’s eye ..view was given of the developments in the London area. The people of the city and the adjacent charges were praised for the efforts made to meet the challenge, assuming glady the responsibility of rais­ ing $60,000 for Extension work. The hope was expressed that the Presbyteries of the London Con­ ference, including Huron, would raise their allocations in full, so that the vast numbers of United Church people in these housing areas would not be denied the spiritual and pastoral care which they need. Rev. C. G. Parkes spoke after the report of the Missionary and Maintenance Committee had been presented. He took as his theme, "Keeping the Church’s Banners Flying.” The need whs stressed for all the church members to take an active and sacrificial part in this task Of building up the Kingdom of God. Valuable suggestion? were offered on the way of conducting an every member canvass. The ladies of Brussels Church served a delightful dinner, Dur­ ing the dihner hour Rev, W. H. Tonga, B.A., spoke of the funda­ mental work of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and urged a continuation of the generous support of the work, The- afternoon session opened with devotions conducted by Rev. *T. J, White, B.A., Londesboro. The ddmmittees of the Presby­ tery presented details and plans of the fall and winter work for the consideration and final de­ cision of the delegates. Five candidates for the 'Mini­ stry were recommended to Col­ lege: Harold Brockest Vodden, and Donald MacKenzie, Bly th; Leslie McSpadden of McKillop; Clifford Kelly of Belgrave, and Harvey Sparling of Elimville. The committee on Evangelism and Social Service informed the Presbytery that Huron County had been chosen as one of the areas of experiment in Rural Evangelism. The Home Mission Committee Will join with the Social Service and Evangelism Committee for this project. The program will be carefully plan­ ned. Schools will be set up. Preaching Missions and Teams for Visitation Evangelism will be organized. A Laymen’s Coaching Confer­ ence is to be held at Seaforth United Church Wednesday, Octo­ ber 14 at 8 p.m. Mr. Gordon Coburn, a Toronto businessman and son of Dr. John Coburn, will be the speaker, A Laymen’s Banquet will be held at Blyth Tuesday, October 20 at 7 p.m. A splendid Speaker will address the meeting and the Laymen of Huron Presbytery are urged to attend. Sunday, October 25 will be Laymen’s Suhday, when aS many laymen as possible will appear in the pulpits of the Presbytery to press the need of Missionary and Maintenance work. The nine camps held at the Goderich camp site during the summer were well patronised ahd very successful. Certaiii needed improvements 6n the camp property will be attended to at an early date in prepara­ tion for an even better season next summer. 50 YEARS AGO A telegram received at Toron­ to Mission Rooms reports the finding of the bodies of the Rev, J a m e s McLaughlin, Methodist Missionary at Berens River, and the six Indian children he was accompanying to Bi^andon In­ dustrial School. The boat in Which they were making the trip capsized in a storm. Mr. Mc­ Laughlin, who was 50 years of age, was well known here. The employees of Molson’s bank from managers to clerks re­ ceived a substantial cash bonus to celebrate the occasion of its bi-century. Dairy market reports list lib rolls of butter 17-18^; creamery prints 20-21^; eggs—strictly new laid 18^, fresh 17<f. The choir of Caven Presby­ terian Church took part in a musical program at a tea-meet­ ing at Cromarty. 25 YEARS AGO Mr. Chester Lee has leased the Central Hotel to Mr. Edward Lowry of Brussels who takes po- session November 1, The fourth annual convention of Y.P.S. of Huron Presbytery •met in Grand Bend with a regis­ tration of 155. Mr. F. Wildfong of Main St. United Church, Exe­ ter, was elected vice-president. Miss Rena May Hudson and Mr. Earl W. Mitchell were mar­ ried at the home of the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hudson, Hensail. They will re­ side on the groom’s farm in Us­ borne. Mr. Adam Doupe, 62, died sud­ denly while driving to his home on a stock wagon after leaving the farm of Mr. Garnet Miners. He was township assessor of Blanshard and active in Wood­ ham United Church. Three attempts have been made this season to wreck thresh­ ing machines in Usborne town­ ship, the zlast occuring when Joseph Creery was threshing for Alonzo Walker. The sheaves were being watched carefully and most of the iron and wood hidden in the sheaves was discovererd. 15 YEARS AGO Mr. Albert Efherington of Us­ borne got his right arm caught In the corn binder end it was dislocated at the elbow. George M. Grant, issuer of motor licenses for the past four years, has resigned to accept a full-time position .with Dominion Life Assurance Company. Mr. R. G. Seldon has been appointed to the position. The site for the new school building has been staked out. The Putherbough Company of London has the contract and the new school will be built on the cam­ pus of the old one and will face north, The South Huron section of Huron Presbytery W.M.S. held their fourteenth annual conven­ tion at Thames Road United Church. Mrs. Charles Johns, Exe ter, vice-president, opened the meeting. Mr. Nelson Baker, life-long resident of Stephen township, died at his home. He served on the Board of Stewards at Cen­ tralia United Church for 16 years. 1O YEARS AGO At a meeting of the Board of Education 140 were reported en­ rolled in Public School and 180 in High School. Representatives of the four churches in Exeter met to con­ sider ways and means of com­ bining services throughout the winter with a view to conserving fuel. The coal situation is so ser­ ious that the Prime Minister has called it a national emergency. Trivitt Memorial Church was the setting on Saturday Septem- ber 25 for the marriage of Flor­ ence Marie Dunsford to Ralph Ka*rl Genttner. Mrs. Ida Sanders, who recently disposed of her residence here, is moving to London where her two sons are students at Western University, Lewis Faist, former student of Exeter High School, received his wings and commission as pilot officer at the wings ceremony at Aylmer and is being posted to Trenton as an instructor. iiMiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiittiiiiiiiiiiiinfiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii’niiiniiiiii’iiiiiHit iiiiiiiiiitHUiiiitiHithiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiii News From Our NEIGHBORS Young Lad Dies Lyle Whiting, 15 - month - old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ellison Whiting, died in Victoria Hos­ pital, London, on Thursday, Sep­ tember 24, of injuries received a short time before when he was struck by the car as his grand­ father, Mr. Ross Whiting, was backing from the garage. Mr. Whiting was unaware that the child was in the yard. A tragic feature of the accident was that it was the second fatal accident to ,a child in the same family in four days. Mr. Ellison ‘ Whiting and Mrs. Stanley Hartle, mother of Carol Jean Hartle, who was fatally injured on Sunday, Sep­ tember 20,. when struck by a car while crossing Main Street Park­ hill, are first cousins. The sym- parthy of the community is with the fadiilies of the young victims. (Parkhill Gazette) At Fair Supping Cider According to last minute news by oui’ "Collegiate News” colum­ nist the students are going to sell sweet cider at St. Marys Fair next Wednesday t o help the school Athletic Society. The dispatch says: — "So, "Hot-Rod” Shirley loaded up her red fire engine with a mixture of students and we head­ ed for “Ye Ol’ Apple Tree.” Mr. Fletcher brought along another car load of boys to pick the apples that Ray Slater donated to the cause. Five bags of apples should make good cider (with the addition of worms, mud, rot­ ten spots and leaves, of course).” (St. Marys Journal-Argus) Accept Tender Last Wednesday evening the North Middlesex District High School Board accepted the tender of the W. C. Brennan Co. of Hamilton, to build the new high school here. This was the lowest of seven tenders and the quota­ tion was $305,315. The highest bid for the 12-room structure was $339,800. (Parkhill Gazette) Renovate Church Northside United Church's re­ opening service here Sunday will signify another milestone of pro­ gress in the 76-year-old history of the church, as its congregation celebrates the completion of a $22,<0'00 renovation program which has markedly changed the interior and exterior of the build­ ing. Under the guidance of an ener­ getic building committee, Sam J. Scott, James A, Stewart, Dr. Paul L. Brady Mrs. James M. Scott and Ross Savauge, the extensive program begun this summer is now largely completed. “ (Huron Expositor) High Wind A very high wind lasting only a few minutes ’passed 'over Sea­ forth about 1:40 a.m. Wednes­ day morning. Limbs of several trees were blown down, and on the west end of James Street falling branches disrupted hydro lines opposite Scott Memorial Hospital. A tree fell down in Harpurhey on No. 8 highway and at Alex McGregor’s farm, Tucker­ smith, a big tree fell on the garage roof. (Seaforth News) Open New School Dr. W. J. Dunlop, Minister of Education, Toronto, will be in Clinton on Thursday evening, Oc­ tober 8, to officiate at the open­ ing of the new Clinton Public School. Dr. Dunlop, who has been Minister of Education in Ontario for some years, received part of his education in Clinton schools, and aftei’ attending Model School in Clinton, taught for some time at S.S. 7, Hullett Township. At present only 12 rooms of the 13-room school are in u?e as regular classrooms, although all signs point toward an increase in enrolment before the year is com­ plete. (Clinton News-Record)