Clinton News-Record, 1985-6-26, Page 511'AW r ' ENTY-SIX
Braceztield
Minute book tells story...
were instructive and gave the chief some
idea of what the outfit would (do) and these
trials were very satisfactory. The chief was
also pleased with the progress that has been
made with regard to organization of the
smoke eaters."
From page 25
pole and Thos. Wheeler and H. Dalrymple
were appointed to get an estimate on the
cost of making a drum."
By November the purchases were approv-
ed. The minutes from the November 13, 1939
minutes read, "H. Dalrymple reported that
none of the telephone company's poles
would be suitable. Attempt was made to call
R. Reid on phone. Line busy as usual. Call
put in to Bart Lewis at Clinton No. 189J with
more success. Prices of $5.50 for 35 feet,
$4.50 for 30 feet were quotes green stock and
seasoned pole 30 feet long with crook at bot-
tom but okay if put in ground four feet, pric-
ed at $4.00. If accepted at once to inake
delivery with other poles going to J.
McNaughton's. After discussion of this of-
fer, it was decided by motion of H. Dalrym-
ple, seconded by A. Patterson that this
seasoned 30 foot pole be purchased at $4.00.
Motion carried."
January 4, 1940 "The pole from Bart
Lewis was bought for $4.00 and paid for.
W.H. Dalrymple decided the pole was not
suitable and moved that the pole be sold at
cost. Seconded by Robert Dawson. Motion
carried."
The committee agreed to buy another pole
from H. Dalrymple, 35 feet at the cost of
$8.00.
There were equipment replacement costs
to deal with. The minutes from the July 10,
1939 meeting approved the purchase of two
pails from H.F. Berry "to replace the pails
left at Wm. Clark's fire." Mr. Clark was bill-
ed for the purchase in this instance.
Approval was given at the March 11, 1940
meeting for payment of five gallons pf gas
costing $1.35.
Firefighting efforts were also discussed.
Equipment repairs and updates on the fire
engine's condition was frequently dealt
with. Reports usually showed that all was in
order.
The March 25, 1940 report read that the
outfit was in "good order and ready for the
emergency."
At that meeting Chief Dalrymple
"reported that we had several practice runs
and while they were not well attended, they
Further accounts regarding fires were
reported at the July 8, 1940 meeting. "Letter
of secretary to A.G. Calder re fire m hotel
barn, advising him of the fire and the
necessity of having the place cleaned up,
also of the condition of the front part of barn,
as being a fire hazard and badly in need of
a clean up. This matter under discussion
and after an endeavour to contact Mervin
Reid on the phone without any success a mo-
tion was made by J. McCully seconded by
H.F. Berry, that J.K. Cornish be authorized
to call Mr. Reid tomorrow and find out what
steps have been taken by Mr. Calder re the
clean up, and if no satisfactory reply has
been received, he be further authorized to
notify the provincial fire marshal re the con-
dition as is. Carried."
"Considerable discussion took place re
the Hotel Fire and all concerned were com-
mended for their fine work and the excellent
condition of the equipment, engine and
pump at the fire which took place about 4
p.m. on Tuesday 25th day, of June, 1940. The
fire chief reprimanded the firemen for.tak-
ing too much on themselves re what should
be done and how, and thought that if the
firemen would take their orders from the
chief that there would not be so much confu-
sion and better results."
The chief announced that another fire drill
would be held. He asked that, "everyone
endeavour to be on the job and a good show-
ing made on this practice trip."
Last, but not least, one other colorful nota-
tion warrants mention from this booklet. It
was made at the March 11, 1940 meeting.
J.K. Cornish was secretary. Mr. Cornish
opened the meeting's minutes by writing of
his appointment, noting, "J. Cornish be sec.
for the meeting as, he is a good
Sesquicentennial
Greetings to
all our friends
in Tuckersmith
Township
from: Mary
Irene
Marie
Shirley
Muriel
Marita
"THE WEDDING
SPECIALIST"
&ttott,
Brucefield gets name from major
While some residents in Brucefield live in
the Township of Stanley, others live in
Tuckersmith. The dividing line for the two
townships puts those living on the west side
of Highway 4 in Stanley and those on the
east side in Tuckersmith.
The Ross name has been connected with
Brucefield for many years. One of the first
settlers, in September of 1830, was Neil Ross
and the first white baby to be born in the
Township of Tuckersmith was his son,
Donald. Another early settler was Peter
McMillan who built a store at the north-west
corner of what is 4today the main in-
tersection and is located in the Stanley
Township portion of Brucefield. A post of-
fice was later opened in the store by Donald
McMillan.
Brucefield
received
its name from
Samuel McCowan who named the village
after Major Bruce of Scotland. Mr. Mc-
Cowan was Brucefield's first storekeeper.
Travellers began to build their homes in
Brucefield once the road was put through
and, in turn, the business section of the com-
munity grew. Among the many stores,
taverns and other places of business were
the doctors. Brucefield had a doctor as early
as 1863 when Dr. John Birtch, Dr. Munroe
and Dr. Swan established practices.
One of the later doctors, James Stewart, is
said to have made only 25 cents over a three
month period. Dr. Glanville was the las®
resident doctor in Brucefield.
The business section of Brucefield is not
as large as it was in the early years but the
friendliness of the village still lives on.
Early merchant played role
in Brucefield development
By Susan White
( From the Huron Expositor, October 31,
1968.)
The village of Brucefield was first settled
in 1832, William Scott came there from
Scotland in 1854 and the Scott family has
been in business in the village ever since.
William Scott established a general store
in Brucefield in 1854 with his partner, David
Campbell. In 1857, he bought out Mr. Camp-
bell and founded Scott and Company. His
general and hardware store was later run
by his son Andrew. After William's death in
1917, Andrew's son Ross worked with his
grandfather and father in the store and later
operated the business as part of his father's
estate.
Ross Scott now represents the Sun Oil
Company in Brucefield and has a valuable
collection of mementoes and information
about his family and village.
• According to Mr. Scott, William Scott left
his family's tenant farm near the Scottish
town of Green Wells ( which is within the
sight of the English border on a clear day)
"Your authorized White-Elno Sewing Machine Dealer"
17 VICTORIA STREET, CLINTON 482-7036
with two brothers and a sister. They stayed
on the farm of Andrew Beattie in
Westminister Township, just behind the pre-
sent site of Westminister Veterans' Hospital
Mr. Scott said. William later married Alice
Beattie, Andrew's daughter.
The old Scott and Company store was a
frame building, just north of the present
location of Dalrymple's Garage. The early
store sold almost everything, Ross Scott
says, "whiskey, boots and shoes" as well as
groceries, dry goods etc.
In addition, after the London, Huron and
Bruce Railway went through Brucefield in
1870, William Scott operated a grain
elevator beside the tracks. His general store
bought grass, seed and hides from area
farmers and shipped them to Ontario cen-
tres via the London, Huron and Bruce.
William Scott also had a contract to buy
wood which was used by the L.H.&B. Coe
pany engines in huge quantities.
Mr. Scott has two of the early day books
used in his. grandfather's store and says that
Turn to page 27
Congratulations
to our Township
TUCKERSMITH SESQUICENTENNIAL
1835 -1985
Thank your for your
continued patronage and
confidence in our company.
MacLELLAN
WELDING LTD.
Brucefield 482-7967