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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-08-09, Page 5The building.... CONTINUED FROM P. 4 present day St. Augustine parishioners (and of those who moved farther a field) put in many long, hot afternoons hauling stone for the church. They received no financial remuneration. Why did they do it? They wanted to do something for their church. It may haves taken more than one summer to complete the hauling of the stone. Mr. Sam Cooper of Clinton had the contract to build the Church. Mr. Cooper and his crew of stone masons were rated as master craftsmen. It is related that the Stothers Bros. from Nile built the stone work foundation. Mr. Raymond Leddy says that, as a boy, he sat in the schoolhouse one winter and watched the construction of the new stone church. At first, he could see little. But, later, as the stone walls were raised, he could see the church itself rise above the tree tops. In May 1903, the corner stone was laid. Later, in the fall of 1903, the corner stone of the present Kingsbridge church was Laid. Sam Cooper had the contract there also. Father J. A. Hanlon was the pastor at St. Augustine during the building of the stone church, and took a very active part in it. In 1904, the new church had itsofficial opening. Later that year, Father Hanlon was - replaced by Father Laurendeau. Anyone entering St. Augustine Church would note the many beautiful stained glass windows which commemorate the names of several former pastors and former parishioners. This substantial and rugged church still stands firm and strong today (1976). Father Time has proven how wrong were the skeptics of three quartors of a century ago. The final cost of the new stone church was $18,000.00. August 4, 1978. The Lucknow Sentinel, Lucknow, Ontario. Dear Madam, Lucknow is alive. We enjoy that. There's not much life in a community whose spirit ought to be listed in an obituary column. But Luck - now is alive and well. Almost, anyway. Almost well, I mean. There's one thing wrong with Lucknow. We have a real concern about our town which others surely share. That's why I've been asked to write you. Our problem is with the scheduling of community events and social activities. Many involve the Sunday. Very frankly, we object to that: For us Sunday is a day .especially consecrated to God. By such scheduling we are isolated. Our participa- tion in those events and activities is ruled out when done on Sunday. We would like to be more and more part of the life of Lucknow - not less. Lucknow is alive. We ask that Lucknow be kept well. Let Sunday be reverenced. Let the scheduling of all Community events and social or sports activities be done on the other six days of the week. We're not asking for blue laws. We want Lucknow to honour God and respect those who worship Him. Sincerely, Rev. L. Van Staalduinen, Pastor of the Christian Reformed Church. Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, August 9, 1978 --Page 5 When young Norman Parker, the only son of our community leader, was arrested on serious charges, I had both a hot story and a hot potato thrust into my hands. To a "daily", the incident would have been relatively unimportant and relegated to the back pages, but to the Grunt and Thunder it was front page news. The charge was drunk driving and failing to remain at the scene of an accident. Norman Parker senior owned the Silver Dollar Grocery store and half of the real estate on the main street of Redtrees. As reeve of the township and a member of all the major committees, his financial power and influence was second to none. He was also my largest advertiser - a major contributor to my existence. Although I believed my editorials to be honest and unbiased, I had often irritated Parker and his council. I was their unwelcome guest at every meeting - the stinging fly in their political ointment! It was no surprise when Parker paid me a visit immediately after his son's first court appearance. He came to test the theory that "every man has his price" and to bargain for my silence; his prestige and family pride was at stake. "I like you," he lied. "you run a neat little paper - a credit to the community." His eyes roved around my shabby establishment, absorbing the obsolete equip- ment and the stained walls which cried out for paint. "But of course, you must have advertising to stay alive!" He searched my face to see if I got the point - I did! Parker was playing his cards carefully and one at a time. I looked at the expensive suit and the diamond which flashed from his finger - the power and the glory! "Of all your advertisers, I have been the most generous. Week after week, faithfully and consistently - nobody has supported your newspaper more than I have." "Yes indeed," I said, trying to adopt an appreciative tone. He looked at the floor whilst he selected his next card, and absently trod down some threads of worn carpet with a polished shoe. When he spoke again it was a whisper, and more �f a plea than a question. "You know about my son I guess - the court proceedings I mean?" As a. special favour to me, would you leave it out of the paper?" It was difficult to believe that I was listening to the main pillar of our pious community. I. remained silent and he continued his game. . "I know you're strapped," he said in a coaxing tone. "I could help you out and you do need help don't you?" It was common knowledge that I was up against the wall. The bank was breathing down my neck. I hadn't paid the printer for the last two editions and my wife was hard pressed to make ends meet. I couldn't find the right words to reply and Parker realized he hacl played his final card. He walked to the door and paused with his hand on the knob. "Think about it," he said. "Keep quiet and I'll pull you right out of the mess you're in." He wagged a finger at me menacingly. "But _you print one word about'my son and I'll never give you a nickel's worth of advertising again!" When 1 returned to the Hungry Hundred that evening, I tried to analyse the situation. Perhaps Parker would change his mind about pulling his advertising, but I doubted it. On the contrary, I believed he would use his influence to kill my already sick little newspaper. Clearly, my chance of survival depended upon my financial assets, but what did I have immediately? There were a half a dozen pigs just about ready for shipping and soon I would harvest about an acre of— tomatoes f_.tomatoes contracted to a soup company with a very familiar name. There was no use counting on any egg profit from my three hundred hens - there just wasn't any. I stayed outside a long time that evening, reluctant to burden my wife with my problems - she already had more than enough! As I stood by the rail fence watching the edge of a red sun disappear behind the hills, a sad helpless feeling crept over me. I was like a soldier with a bayonet facing a tank! A child had come to find me and he slipped a little hand into mine. I looked down on the blonde head, scuffed worn shoes and patched pants. "I came to say goodnight, Daddy." I lowered my. head to his level and wet lips brushed my cheek. There was a lump in my throat. Did I have to sacrifice my family because of my stubborn pride? It could all be so easy if I played old Parker's game. At that moment I needed a strong influence to guide me. The strong influence came in the form of Angus, forcing his rheumatic body to carry a bucket of cream from - the barn. He limped over to me and lowered the bucket to the ground. For a few moments we leaned on the fence together without speaking. He knew my problem and eventually he met it head on. "I know wots on . yer mind," he said with a characteristic jerk of the head, "It's that Parker an' 'is fat slob of a son, ain't it?" He gripped my arm and thrust his chin forward as if he were about to fight the world. "Thinks 'e can sit on yer - don't ,'e?" "It's not really Parker - it's the newspaper - I'm fighting a losing battle." Angus studies for a moment: "You ain't licked yet - yer gonna keep goin'? This was the spirit I' needed. It came from the blood of the pioneers who had carved a country out of wilderness. "Right to the end of the line," I said decisively. "An' you'll write about that Parker kid - thats what newspapers are supposed to do ain't it - print the truth?" I laughed out loud. Angus was like a shot in the arm. "I'm going to print every cotton picking detail - there'll be 'tent of space now that Parker has pulled his ad!" LOOKING BACKWARDS THROUGH THE SENTINEL FILES 75 YEARS AGO The other day a team of horses belonging to Thom s Scott of Ripley fell into a well conta' g 20 feet of water. The one horse saved. The drowned animal was worth S175. At the recent entrance examinations to the High :School, the Lucknow Public School made 'a clean sweep. Allthe pupils sent up, 22 in number, have successfully passed the examination. One night recently some party or parties broke open the two doors leadingto the Council Chamber of the Wawanosh Township Hall, near St. Helens, and ransacked the Clerk's office, throwing the papers, etc. on the floor. We understand the Council intends offering a liberal reward for the conviction of the guilty parties, and if they are discovered will be severely dealt with. 50 YEARS AGO definite change in the rather wet weather which set in about the middle of June. At the time, the- rain greatly promoted the growth of field crops, but the conditions which were good in June and early July have proved bad of late. There has been great difficulty in saving the hay crop and many fine fields of oats have been flattened, nearly all theflax is badly- down, and the fall wheat has been drenched by heavy rain since being cut. At the same time the weather has continued warm, which will cause sprouting in wheat and will rot the grains that are down. Thomas Congram of East Wawanosh and his son were hauling in hay last Thursday when a swarm of bees settled upon the horses ' and began stinging them. As the horses became frantic the men 'tried to unhitch the horses and were attacked by the bees. They succeeded in freeing the horses and ran to a nearby pond and plunged in, freeing themselves of the attacking swarm. The men were dreadfully stung and the horses which suffered thous- ands of stings lapsed into unconscious- ness. Veterinary surgeons from Blyth could do nothing for the animals, the heads and bodies of which soon became greatly swollen. Duncan MacRae who has been teaching at Lochalsh for the past several years has taken a position with the, Milverton school board to teach science and upper school work. 25 YEARS AGO Quick thinking by an Elma Township woman saved her husband's life when he was attacked by a bull. Elmer Johnston, formerly of Ashfield, was rounding up a bull, which' had broken out of a pasture field, when it attacked. He slipped and fell under the enraged animal and would have been gored to death if his wife had not distracted the bull by setting their dog on the animal. Elsner suffered a broken collarbone and broken ribs. Archie MacQuillan, 15, son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred MacQuillan, West Wawanosh, stole the show at the piping competitions at Port Elgin Highland Games on Civic Holiday. In the solo class he placed first in the march and first in the Strathspey and reel. He won two gold medals for these firsts and the trophy for scoring the highest points. A hand -carved pine ' cradle that possibly rocked the first child born in this village, is to be seen at Garfield MacDonald's second hand furniture shop - that is if he hasn't sold it. The I cradle belonged to Eli Stauffer, first settler here over 100 years ago. Memorial gates and ornamental ' fencing that have enhanced the beauty ' of historic century -old South Kinloss Cemetery, were dedicated in an impressive ceremony conducted on Sunday. Under bright summer sunshine on the hill at South Kinloss, fitting tribute was , paid as the inscription', (reads. "In Memory of Our Pioneers"..