Our first look at the news comes from Volume Two , Number 13, dated August
6th, 1896, and is headed "YOUNG CANADIAN'S PLUCK" and tells of a young
Canadian's experience in the wild, wild west.
A band of desparadoes rode through the streets of Waco, Texas, in broad daylight
on Saturday, firing off their guns and terrorizing people generally. The band was headed
by by that daring, reckless and faerless border outlaw, Chicksaw Jack, Officers soon
gathered in sufficient numbers to show them fight, but before their rescue of the city from
these desparadoes several shots were fired into them from the outsiders.
Among the citizens who took part against the outlaws was a little Canadian by the
name of William G. Lewis, who gives his home as Stouffville, Ont., and who is a wood
workman in the carriage shops of Hopkins Bros. He was passing along the street when he
was hailed by one of the outlaws and made to stand with his back against the wall of
Dhuffit's Hardware Store while they practiced target shooting at the buttons on his coat,
etc.
This frightened him, so he says, into defending himself, but whether from his
native pluck and cool 3nerve, he whipped out a Colt 45 six-shooter and returned the shots.
This action seemed to nunplus the whole set, and they looked with wonder at the sturdy
young Canadian.
He continued firing, and his third shot brought the "Territory Kid", one of the
toughest characters that ever raided a Texas town, crashing from his horse to the paved
street below. The officers here interceded, and the outlaws fled, but not before young Lewis'
trusty pistol had brought a second man to grief. The two wounded men were removed to
the county jail, where medical assistance is doing all for them that science teaches.
-2-2-2- Mr. Lewis, who has heretofore been looked upon as a timid tenderfoot, in
whom no one ever expected to find courage, and was regarded rather as a coward, as most
Easterners are, is now looked upon as a hero, and is placed in the the front list of popular
town people. He takes this honour modestly, and says he was only scared, and did not know
what he was doing. Aside from the nervous shock and a few bullet holes in his hat and
clothing, he was not hurt.
------- From the same issue we note
- "Mustapha Bey, the new Turkish minister to Washington, is said to have a magnificently
stocked harem, but out of respect for envious Yankees he will bring only thirty or forty of
his wives with him.
From the issue of Friday, July 30th, 1897, we report a couple of stories relating
to the the lives and what have you of the residents of the town and area.
There was a large congregation present at both services in St. Stephen's Church
on Sunday last, when the newly appointed incumbernt, The Reverend R. Y. Overing
officiated. At the morning service Mr. Overing spoke very earnestly regarding the duties
of people and pastor and requested that anyone who might not be in accord with him,
either in his manner of conducting the service or in other matters, to come to him instead
of speaking to others, and he would always endeavor to satisfy them.
------------- There has been for some years in Buckingham a growing
demand for good houses to rent. Why do not some of our capitalists supply this want? A
good interest rate on their investment would be assured, as well as benefiting the town and
such industries as the planing mills and the brick yard. ------------- Mr. T. H. McCabe,
general merchant from Notre Dame du Laus, some fourteen miles from the end of the
Gatineau Valley Railway, has erected a handsome new store at that place. He states that
many Ottawa people are rusticating at present among the lakes and mountains of that
picturesque region. ---------- -3-3-3-3- Joseph
Carriere, son of Edward Carriere, received a bad kick in the face from a horse on Monday
of last week. Young Carriere was playing in a field with other boys when he took off his
hat and struck a horse that was grazing in the pasture at the time, with the result that the
animal dealt him a severe blow in the face, knocling his lower teeth all out, and a few on
the upper, besides bruising the face badly. His cheek was cut inside by the teeth.
Politics And Such With the mass of public opinion fast approaching the
critical point on both Federal and Provincial political fronts, I thought it might be a very
interesting exercise in human nature to take a look at the political scene as it was viewed
by The Post's Editor in 1896.
There is an old saying that goes "the more things changes the more they stay the
same" and after reading about the political scene, as recorded by Mr. Osborne, it becomes
apparent that the only thing that has changes is the names of the parties and the particular
issues of the day.
The first of these glimpses into the every-day political scene is taken from the issue
of June 4th, 1896 and reads as follows;- "Mr. S. R. Poulin, the Conservative
candidate in Labelle County, is making headway in the county. Buckingham has declared
itself strongly in favour of Mr. Poulin. In the town alone Mr. Poulin expects between 300
and 400 majority over Mr. Bourassa, the Liberal Candidate" "One of the strong
arguments of the Liberals in this section, which is being used to pretty good advantage with
the class that does not know any better is, that by voting for Laurier and by turning out
the Conservative Party at Ottawa, it would be the means of abolishing the office of liquor
inspector and collector of provincial revenue, which office our esteemed citizen, Mr. James
Martin holds here. What fools we mortals be!" Our next items are taken from the
issue of June 18th, 1896, in which Mr. Osbourne takes a look at the past record of the
Government In power and Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition - as they sat on both sides of
the Hose of Parliament. All one has to do is change the names of the issues and you would
think that this item had been written about our present Federal parties.
WHAT HAVE THE CONSERVATIVES DONE? "What has the
Conservative party done for Canada? "1. It has made us a nation.
"2. It has built the Canadian Pacific Railway and opened up the North West
"3. It has deepened the canals and made the St. Lawrence River a highway of commerce.
-2-2-2-2- "4. It has protected our industries and given the consumer a good article
at a reasonable price.
"5. It has developed agriculture and secured the home markets for the farmer.
"6. It has increased the savings of the people from $8,000,000 in 1878 to
$45.000,000 in 1895.
------------
WHAT HAS THE NATIONAL PARTY DONE FOR THE CANADIAN FARMERS?
"1. It has protected, steadied and extended the home market.
"2. It has assisted the farmers in perfecting their products, and on placing them
on the English market in the best of condition by means of cold storage.
"Would the Liberal Government adopt the same policy? "No, the
encouragement of an industry is contrary to the to the pronciples of Trade As It Is In
England".
---------- WHAT
HAVE THE LIBERALS DONE? "What have the
Opposition to the Dominion Government done that they should secure public approval?
"They opposed the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway".
"They opposed the construction of the Grand Truck Railway, by opposing the
public aid given to that enterprise.
"They advocated in opposition, a commercial union with the United States.
-3-3-3- "They were always ready
and anxious to discriminate against Great Britain.
"They increased our taxes, while they were in power, by three millions a year.
"They have changed their trade policies almost every year to try and get
into power, and have thus shown themselves to be demagogues.
"They have allowed American farmers to sell their products here without getting
a like priviledge for our farmers in the United States.
"They increased Canada's Natuional Debt by $40,000,000, or by $8,000,000 a year.
"They decreased Canada's foreign trade from $217,000,000 in 1873 to $158.000,000
in 1878 "They gave hundreds of contracts to their favorites without oopposition.
"They allowed the products of foriegn labour to be brought into Canada while our
own artisans were starving.
"While pretending purity, they had more members of their own party unseated
for corruption than were ever unseated before or since in so short a time.
"They spent millions on the "Canadian Pacific Railway "water stretches" and
accomplished nothing by these expenditures.
"They never reduced taxation by a dollor during the five years they were in office.
"They taxed the necessities of life, tea, coffee, etc, that are now free.
"They increased the expenditures in every branch of the Public Service.
"They never passed one law or resolution that could point to being in the interest
of the farmers.
-4-4-4- 'And finally they refused
to establish experimental farms for the purpose of aiding agriculturists in their calling".
From the Buckingham Post of July 2nd, 1896 we learn that the elections are now
over and that Mr. Bourassa's majority in Labelle county is officially announced as 469. In
the same edition we note "That during the course of the sermon in the RC Church here
Monday, His Grace Archbishop Duhamel said that those who did not follow the advice
given by their bishop and pastors were not worthy of being called Christians.
Also in the same edition there was the following clipping from the Hamilton
Herald: "Grit and Independent journalists who keep up their Tupper-baiting betray the
spirit of blackguards. The old man is beaten; but he is bearing the defeat with dignity and
grace. He appears to better advantage in adversity than he did in prosperity. His enemies
who continue to kick him when he is down appear mighty small in comparison".
So, fellow taxpayers, thus endeth our lesson in political science for to-day. If we
have learned nothing else, it should now be plain that in politics it is a case of "as it was
in the beginning, is now and ever will be - - - -!" -30-
Gold In
Them There Hills With rumours of so much gold being discovered in the Yukon that a
person could allegedly walk along a creek bed and pick up a fortune in gold nuggets on
any sunny afternoon - it is no wonder that Editor George Osborne decided to capitalized
on this bonanza in the July 30th, 1897 edition of The Buckingham Post.
Along with devoting most of his editorial column to the topic of the possibility of
going west and striking it rich, he decided to try to strike it rich on his own and initiated
one of the paper's early major circulatuion drives.
Even some of the advertisers started thinking westward. H. J. Montgomery
announced that he had "Decided To Go To Alaska And Was Offering His Entire Stock At
Half Price. He added that the sale is no humbug and he meant to clear out the stock as
soon as possible". The Edwards Trading Co. proclaimed "The Klondike Craze Has Struck
Buckingham And Some Of The Friends Seem To Have It Bad. It's Quite As Contageous As
Whooping Cough Or Measles, And Threstens To Seriously Interfere With Business". Finally
there was The Estate Of The Late James Maclaren which announced "The West Ward. As
predicted last Autumn, the West is now the Banner Ward, and increasing in valuation and
population very rapidly. A few choice lots are still available. Why Pay Rent?" Next
we will look at a small item, hidden in the "Local & Personal" column which could have
had far reaching affects on the finances of "The Buckingham Post"; "A golden
opportunity opportunity for anyone desiring to go to the Klondike gold fields! The Post will
give a free ticket for transportation to the Klondike to the person who brings in 500 cash
subscriptions to "The Post" within the next four months Now is your chance. Anyone can
easily earn this by a little canvassing. Subscription is $1.00 per year in advance". I have
always been sorry that I did not have later copies of that year's papers to find out if anyone
had worked hard enough to win the promised trip to the Yukon or how many new
subscriptions had been obtained through this timely promotion.
In his editorial comment for the same week, Mr. Osborne had the following advice
for any resident of the Town of Buckingham who was contemplating going west to try to
find this "elusive pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" -2-2-2-2- "The gold
fever has taken a good hold on Buckingham citizens, with the result that not a few are
sitting on the ragged edge of uncertainty whether or not to brave the hardships of the
journey in the hope that they may be smiled upon by that fickle Dame Forture, while two
or three have made a firm resolve to set out for the famous diggings at the earlies possible
opportunity.
"The reports of the finding of gold in such large quantities and the apparent ease
in which the yellow metal is procured looks well on paper, and reads like a Monte Cristo
novel, but in consideration of the difficulties one has to contend with to get there and the
great probability of disappointment in not striking it rich after you reach there, leads us
to ask: "is the game worth the candle?' "Of the thousands who have and will still
rush to the Klondike district, there is no doubt that the greater number will meet with sore
disappointment, and having gone without properly considering the means of substance while
there, it is appauling to think of the ultimate end of numbers of the unlucky ones.
"A great many, however, have wisely put off going until spring, and ofcourse will
not have to suffer the privations and difficulties of an Arctic winter. The difficulties now
encountered en route will have been reduced to a minimum if the Canadian government
carries out the vigorous policy it has mapped out for the Yukon, which means that wagon,
telegraph and railway communication will be immediately constructed, so that within a year
or so we may be able to go to the now famous Klondike with comparative ease and luxury.
"In the meantime, our advice is, to keep cool, weigh well those inherent difficulties
which now perclude the average man from reaching the northern Eldorado".
In case you are not life-time resident of Buckingham you will be unaware of the
fact that one of our local boys who, like the caracters in storey books, left home to make
his fortune in the Klondike gold fields.
Mr. M. A. (Mike) Mahoney grew up on a farm several miles north of Buckingham,
at the bottom of Mahoney's Hill, and in 1898 heard stories of the Yukon Gold Rush and
immediately took off for the north to see if he could still get in on a piece of the action.
-3-3-3-3- Stories are conflicting as to the amount of the "yellow stuff" Mike found
after the hardships of getting there but ever afterwards he was known in the Buckingham
district as "Klondike Mike". I have memories of going to the old Larwill Hall to hear Mr.
Mahoney lecture on "The Trail Of '98", supposedly an accurate account of his experiences
in the Yukon and know that he authored a book entitled "Klondike Mike". I remembers
seeing this book but but unfortunately I have not been able to find a copy in my
grandfather's library and I imagine this book is long out of print.
Even though Mike may not have struck it rich on the gold fields, we remember
hearing that this man of iron made himself a large sum of money, as well as much fame,
when he successfully transported, by dog sled, the body of a rich man's son, from Dawson
Creek in the Yukon to Skagway, Alaska, during the dead of winter.
-30-
The World According To George Osborne Once again
we are going to turn the clock back and take a look at the news of the day as seen through
the eyes of George Osborne, founder and editor of The Buckingham Post.
In this weeks column we will take a look at what the editor considered worh
publishing during the week of July 2nd, 1896. In many ways Mr. Osborne had a much
wider viewpoint than most weekly editors of that time, publishing news about Ottawa;
clipping items from the Southern Ontario papers as well as carrying humorous stories on
the front page and consigning local news to the back page.
On looking over the back page of the paper we note that "The Maclaren Estate
is loading a vessel with lumber for shipment to England. The lumber is being loaded on
barges at the Baissin for shipment to the Port of Montreal".
Also noted that "The Maclaren Match Company's factory here has closed down,
and will remain so during the hot weather. About sixty hands are this thrown out of
employment. It is the intention to resume operations in the fall".
On a lighter note we learned that "Members of the town fire brigade wore their
new hats for the first time on Dominion Day. The caps are very neat and add greatly to the
appearance of the brigade. We understand that the firemen purchased these hats with their
own money, notwithstanding they receive only a mere pittance for their valuable services
in protecting our lives and property from fire. There is not enough encouragement given
our firemen, and we think that the least that could have been done, was to present these
caps free, by some means or another".
Anyone who thinks that Women's Lib. is a new phenomenon will be surprised to
learn that "A young woman was seen strolling quietly on Main Street, Wednesday
afternoon last, smoking a 'pogau' no less than six inches long in her mouth. The fact that
there are lady lovers of the weed in Buckingham, would lead us to the conclusion that 'shag'
is being used to a great extent in this part of the country".
Even though there was no traffic congestion in those day, even going to Sunday
devotion could prove hazardous as shown in the following paragraph, "While Mr. Henry
Berndt and his sister, of Mulgrave, were driving to church last Sunday, their horse ran
away, throwing the occupants out of the carriage and nearly killing Mr. Berndt". -2-2-2-
Looking at district news we note: "About a quarter to six o'clock on Thurdsay
evening last, a bad fire broke out in the Matthews' new pork packing factory in Hull. In
a few minutes part of the interior of the building was in a blaze. The fire brigade, soon
after arriving, had the flames in check, but a considerable quantity of machinery had been
destroyed incurring a loss of of about $5,000 which is covered by insurance. The building,
being of solid stone, saved its complete distruction".
Also recoded is the establishment of a graphite works in the City of Ottawa. "In
a few days there will arrive in Ottawa the first consignment of machinery for the new
plumbago works which are to be established at the Chaudiere. The ore to treated will be
from the extensive desposit of high grade plumbago in the Renfrew area, which is owned
and operated by Ottawa capitalists. A considerable quantity of ore is now at the Chaudiere
ready for treatment. Mr. Cirkel, the compoany's expert, recently returned from Germany.
He proposes to treat Canadian ore by a new process of his own invention. If successful it
will not only prove a bonanza for the Ottawa Company, but will, by its cheapness, prove
a great benefit for the graphite resources of the Dominion".
Finally we will conclude this week's column with a front page story entitled "The
Drawbacks of Elevators" which Mr. Osbourne included in this week's edition.
"A lady walked into a warehouse the other afternoon and took an elevator to the
top floor. Her husband saw her from across the street, and hurrying over took the next
elevator. He went to the department where he knew his wife had business and found that
she had stepped in and out again.
"In the meantime his wife had gone down and the elevator-man said: "Your
husband just went up in the elevator; I think he is looking for you". The lady took the next
elevator up. "Just then her husband arrived down. He looked all around, then inquired of
the elevator-man: "Have you seen my wife here?" The elevator-man replied: "Yes, she just
went up this minute".
"The man took the next elevator, and he was no more than out of sight when his
wife came down again. "Your husband has just gone up again", said the elevator-man. "I
suppose he will wait for me this time, so I'll go up". And away she went. -3-3-3-3-
"Down came her husband a second afterwards. "Did my wife come down again?" he
inguired. "Yes". said the elevator-man, "She thought you would wait for her".
"Well I'll wait for her", the man said. He waited about five minutes, and then,
growing impatient, took the elevator upstairs. His wife, had also grown impatient and came
down again just as he disappeared.
"Well I will wait for and catch him this time", said she. After standing in the
corridor severalminutes she decided to go upstairs again and find him. As she whisked out
of sight he stepped out of another elevator. "Your wife has just gone up", said the
elevator-man.
The husband swore a little under his breath and started to leave the building. At
the door he hesitated, changed his mind, and took another elevator up. Down came his wife
at the same moment. "He's just gone up again," was the elevator-man's answer to her
anxious enquiry, "and he is as mad as a hornet". "Then I had better go right up and catch
him", said she. Up she went and down he came. "Just went up", remarked the
elevator-man.
"I'm dammed if I'm going up again", said he. "I'll wait right here", and he sat
down on the stair. Half an hour later he was still sitting there, and his wife, equally
determined, was waiting for him upstairs.
"I hope that they will meet in heaven", remarked the elevator-man.
-30-
Looking At The District Over the past weeks we have been examining the
news as seen through the eyes of Mr. George Osborne and we thought that it might be an
idea to take a "Neighbourly News" kind of look at the goings on in the Buckingham
district as reported by Mr. Osbourne's many area correspondents. Even though this column
will be primarily composed of "Personal Column" type of items we will attempt to use
mostly those concerning families which we think still reside in the area. June 4th, 1896 St,
MALACHI Messrs Mike Rowan, Frank McDonnell and Eddie McAndrew returned home
on Friday after so join of ten months at Deux Riviere.
Mr. John P. McNulty is spending a few days with his parents here after an
absence of foutreen years in the United States.
MASSON NEWS Last Monday about 200 pilgrims from Ottawa
came to honour the church of Notre Dame Des Neiges. They spent all day admiring the
beautiful rapids on the Lievre River and attended the different religious services.
Rev Father Routhier is organizing a choir for the 28th of June which will be the
visit of His Grace Archbishop of Ottawa; also the festival of the St. Jean baptiste Society.
June 18th, 1896
SILVER CREEK The Misses Roy and Matilda Ross have been appointed delegates to
attend the County Convention of the W.C.T.U. at Aylmer on June 6th. Mr. Fred Ross, who
has been laid up with a sore hand is able to resume work again.
GLEN ALMOND Last week was one of picnicing and dancing, the
picnic held on Wednesday was a success. A programme was rendered consistiing of songs
by school children; recitations by Miss Grace Stephens and Miss Jennie Brewer; song by
Miss Alice Bolam; recitations by scholarars and Miss Alice Bolam.
The closing exams of Newton's school will be held on Friday, afternoon, June
26th. We trust that trustees and parents will attend and find out whay has been done
during the past ten months, it will encourage the teacher and the pupils.
-2-2-2- LAKE
DONALDON Mr, Wert has started to saw lumber for the farmers and expects to start his
graphite mill soon. Messrs W. J. Martin and John E. Gagnon spent a day recently fishing
on the lake.
Friday, February 26th, 1897
PORTLAND PICKINGS Mr. and Mrs Dan Wiseman were the guests of Mr. and Mrs Code
on Sunday.
All the houses at High Rock have been put up for Sale. Thomas Bigelow purchased
the extensive building at the Duguay.
MASSON MATTERS The drawing for the bicycle is over and the
lucky man is Mr. MacCallum of Cumberland. Cumberland is in the luck this winter.
Some of the Masson euchre players would like to arrange a match with any
Buckingham professionals. The first match to take place here.
Mr. Alfred Belisle has secured a very handsome greyhound. He claims it is the
fastest runner in Buckingham area.
Friday, March 5th, 1897
BLANCHE BUBBLES The young ladies of this place are paying particular attention to Mr.
M. J. Welsh on account of his sudden relapse of health and he is encouraging them and his
manly appearance shows it.
Mr. William Knot, culler for Messrs W. C. Edwards & Co. Ltd., passed up this
way on his return from Rockland. Also Mr. D. Cameron, agent for Messrs W. C. Edwards,
has been visiting his camps and finds on account of the beautiful winter we have had that
he will come out most successful in the spring.
Miss Maggie McCoy will be married to Mr. Frank Trench shortly after Lent.
Both are from this place.
-3-3-3- Thursday, July
2nd, 1897 CUMBERLAND CRUMBS
Several wheelmen from Ottawa, who rode down here, were in a
pickle how to get home through the rain. However they walked with their wheels some four
miles and then the stome road was passible.
Friday, July 30th, 1897
EAST TEMPLETOn The McLaurin & McLaurin sawmill
is going ahead very fast now, they have about 30 teams, twenty-five stone masons and
twenty carpenters employed. The mill is being erected under the management of Isaac
Kendall. (It is interesting to not that several men from this mill were later transferred to
the company's Buckingham operation) A short time ago two young men fought at
the C.P.R. Hotel over one of the fair sex of our village. The man that came out vctorious
is soon going to be bound in the bonds of hemlock to the one he so bravely fought for.
The wedding that should have come off on Monday last at the White house on
the front has been postpone on account of the groomsman rising too late in the morning.
Early bird catches the worm.
An Era In Retrospect In this, the final article based on material gathered
from the Osborne era in the history of "The Buckingham Post", we have decided to publish
items, chosen at random, from the few copiess we still possess from this six year period.
What better place to start this trip through time than on Thursday, May 16th,
1895, and re-read part of Mr. Osborne's maiden editorial as it appeared in Volume 1 -
Number 1.
"We have come, of course, to 'fill a long felt want'. Every well regulated town
has its newspaper. The rapid growth of Buckingham and its importance as a manufacturing
and commercial centre has prompted us to cast our lot with her enterprising citizens. With
them, we believe there is a grand future in store for the town, possessing as it does such
great natural resources, the surrounding country being exceedingly rich in forest, field and
mine.
"And with the co-operation of the people, we shall at all time strive to have
Buckingham attain that greatness which she is surely destined to attain, by advocating such
projects and legislation as will calculate to advance and enrich.
"We shall pay particulat attention to local and county matters, at the same time
give a general epitone of the world's doings. Our polict is independence -- a sturdy
independence, characterized at all times by equality and justice. We owe allegiance to no
particular party, sect or creed, and shall always endeavour, to the best of our ability, to
mete out justice to all".
The above statemment of the aims and objectives of "The Buckingham Post" by
Mr. Osborne, became the standard for all future editors and publishers and is still as true
to day as when it was originally put to paper eighty three years ago.
We will now pass on to August 6th, 1896 where we read "Mr. Walter Williams
is busy these day renovating the old pulp mill property which he has purchased, and getting
ready to go ahead with the construction of his Chemical Works. He is at the present time
having the flume rebuilt and making other improvements to the property. When completed
the mill will operate night and day, and it is expected that three shifts will be employed,
allowing eight hours for each gang. The principal chemical to be manufactured is
phosphorous. These we believe will be the only chemical works in Canada". -2-2-2-
Little did the readers of the above article dream that from this humble beginning,
employing 50 men by 1898, this industry would grow to become the Electric Reduction
Company of Canada Limited, which by 1965 would employ 360 persons at its Buckingham
operations and pay out close to $2,000,000 in wages and salaries.
From the same edition we read the following account about an industrial accident
at one of the town's lumber mills. " Mr. Duncan Hayes, employed in the Estate Maclaren
Mills, was seriously hurt yesterday. As he was shutting off the water to stop the mill at six
o'clock p.m., he was struck in the face by a crank masticating it in a horrible manner.
Blood escaped from his mouth, nostrils and other places, rendering it impossible to see
where he had been struck. Mr. Hayes was unconscious for a while and after he had
recovered his senses was bought home. Dr. Sicard was called to attend the the wounds. It
was feared that he would not live the night, but this morning we hear that he is getting
stronger".
It would appear the the newspaper game has changed very little over the years,
as accounts of accidents, injuries and tragedies still seem to dominate the news colums while
very little space seems to be devoted to the activities of the average town citizen. This should
not be taken as a criticism of either Mr. Osborne, or present day editors, as the same
situation prevailed during the time our family guided the destiny of Buckingham's weekly
newsaper.
We did find several interesting items in the few1897 issues at our disposal. In the
March 5th, 1897 edition we found an interesting account of an encounter with an otter as
well as some kind words for The Post.
"A shantyman from up river passed through Buckingham last week and related
a strange experience he had with an otter while chopping in the woods. He said he chase
the animal with a stick and when close enough to strike, it turned and jumped on him,
grabbing in a vital spot, and he could not shake the animal off. His shouts for help
attracted his companions who were working some distance away. When they arrived on the
scene the man was almost exhausted. Had he been alone in the bush he might not have
escaped so fortunately". There must be a motto somewhere in this story, but can not think
of it at the present time.
-3-3-3- The March 5th, edition contained many kind words from weekly
editors as far away as Lachute and North Bay. These kind messages of congratulations were
the result of Mr. Osborne's last edition having been printed on a new Taylor cylinder press.
Some of the messages were as follows; "We are pleased to note progress as G. R.
Osborne announced in his last paper that it was printed on a cylinder press which he had
just put in his office. - North Bay Times "We notice that our esteemed contemporary
The Buckingham Post has placed a Taylor Cylinder in their office.We congratulate they on
their success. The Post is one of the newsiest weeklies that comes into our office, well
printed and altogether a credit to the manager. -- The Lachute Watchman.
"We are glad to notice that the Buckingham Post is now being printed on a Taylor
fast cylindar press. Evidently The Post is being firmly fixed in the affections of the people
of Buckingham. - Pembroke Standard." The same Taylor cylinder press was still
being used to print The Buckingham Post when the paper was sold to Dr. Jean Drouin in
1971. The press and the rest of our printing equipment was later sold to the Museum of
Science and Technology in Ottawa.
Technicials at the museum completely rebuilt the press and it was installed in the
museum's demonstration area, but it could not be used as apparently no one knew how to
put a tympan on this kind of cylinder and make the final adjustments to the machine.
During my last trip to Ottawa in 1986 I spent two days working with the man
who had rebuilt this old Taylor press and, when we were finished, the press was
completely operational and was printing four of the pages from our final edition dated
September 24th, 1971. Thanks to Jeoffe Ryder, who was in charge of dismantling the press,
the chase on the press was saved and brought to Ottawa with the rest of the equipment and
now makes it possible for the present genaration to see an extince printing process as it
actually operated in 1971.
Other Farewells- Both Humorous & Sad The week of May 9th, 1902 seems to
have been quite a time for farewell parties in the Town of Buckingham. In our last column
we told about the departure of one of the town's medical fraternity for an unmentioned
destination.
In the same edition two other farewell celebrations were recorded for posterity.
The first story concerned the arrangements for a party in honour of one of our departing
citizens. Even though those in charge forgot to invite the guest if honor - he got there
anyway.
And finally we have an account of the farewell presentations to Mr. John M.
Lough who, by the number of parties and presentations he received prior to his departure,
he would appear to have been very well known and admired in the Town of Buckingham.
Mr. Lough was also an extensive world traveller and I have memories of hearing both my
mother and her sister, Miss Edith Parker, saying that this gentleman had appointed himself
as their tour guide when their respective groups went to the old country prior to the first
world war.
As both the following articles mention that the person featured in these stories was
going to reside on the other side of the Rocky Mountains, there is a very distinct possibility
that both of these stories concerned one and the same person - but only an expert
spiritualist might be able to confirm the above assumption. But on to our first story;
THE INVITATION THAT FAILED "And it came to pass that a certain man in
a certain town decided to go to the land that lies on the other side of the Rock Mountains,
his friends took counsel to show what they would do to show their regret.
"Lo", they said, " these many years he has been with us, eating what we eat and
drinking what we drink, shall we not give him a parting supper?' "No." said the
others, "he loved the ladies and the ladies loved him, though it is not written that he goes
away encumbered, let us give him a shin-dig, a ball as it were, so that all may partake of
the festivities".
And it was so ordained, and a scribe was appointed to write on the scroll the
names of ye people to be bidden. And it came to pass again that the scribes's matter, which
is called gray, played out before ye list -2-2-2- was finished. Ye name of ye certain
man in a certain town who had decided to go go beyong the Rocky Mountains being left
out -- but he got there just the same".
Our second story describes the many parties and presentations which were
extended to Mr. John Lough prior to his leaving Buckingham for Harrison Hot Springs.
Wish I knew who the Mr. Simpson was who was mentioned in connection with the Hockey
Club presentation, but I am unable to place this gentleman.
PRESENTATIONS TO MR. LOUGH
"Mr. John Lough, who left this week for Harrison Hot Springs, B.C., was presented on
Thursday evening with a pair of silver cuff links by the members of St. Andrew's Church
Choir. The address was read by Miss M. Edith Higginson, while Miss Marjory MacLaren
nade the presentation.
"On the same evening the members of the Hockey Club presented Mr. Lough with
a handsome cane by way of a parting reminder of his connection with it as president. In
this instance the address was read by Mr. Simpson and the presentation made by Mr,
Grenier. In both instances Mr. Lough made a suitable reply.
"In the Lodge-roon on Monday evening. Rt. W. Bro. J. M. Lough, D.D.G.M., was
presented by the Brethern of Acacia Lodge, A.F. & A.M.. #41, G.R.Q., with a gold Past
Master's Jewel. Rt. W. Bro. Walter A. Williams, in handing the emblem to the recipient ,
in a few words expressed the lodge's indebtedness to him, and the sincere regret with which
the Brethern viewed his leaving Buckingham. After Bro. Lough had returned thanks for
the gift the gathering adjourned to the Club House where supper was partaken of, after
which music and a few songs brought the evening to a close.
"On Friday evening. May 2nd, a number of Mr. John Lough's friends detained
him at Dr. Pennoyer's home, where Mr. Jack F. Higginson, after expressing the feelings of
his friends at his departure, presented Mr. Lough with a gold watch and chain. Mr. Lough
replied feelingly." And so the Town of Buckingham said good-bye to two upright
citizens whose loss it could not well afford. Although many good men came to live in our
town the loss one outstanding citizen was an event that saddened all other residents.
Both Sides Of The Coin! During its ninety and more years of existance
"The Post" has never been shy about voicing its opinions on almost any topic which it
thought migh effect the life, liberty and the persuit of happiness of its many readers. On
the other side of the coin the paper always opened its columns to the views of its readers
on topics ranging from early street lighting to the necessity of a bridge over the Ottawa
River to connect Masson and Cumberland. As the topic of the "Bridge Over The River
Ottawa" is still a hot topic in "The West Quebec Post" we will leave this crusade to those
who are presently expressing opinopns pro ans con on the topic and contines to expend
paper and ink on the stories that made news in the distant and not so distant past.
Street Lighting Anyone? "And now gentlemen ratepayers of this
bailywick, are you in favour of having the streets lighted by electricity? You may speak
singly, in bunches, or collectively, or in any old way you like. Say "Yes" or say "No"; that
is your proud privilege. No one gainstays your right to say either one way or the other.
"If you do not want electric light for fear it will hurt yout eyes or your pocket
book, come out man-fashion and say so right out loud, and you will have the respect due
one who has opinions and is not ashamed of, or afraid to voice them.
"And you who think, and feel we need this improvement, let the public know it
also. Do not speak as if you have just got over a great sickness or as if you are fearful
someone will overhear you; shout it out loud; let the people know you are a man of
progressive ideas; back up those who wish to see the place getting its measure taken for city
dress, do not be content with being in favour of it yourself and saying so; make it a point
to urge an undecided ratepayer over to your way of thinking.
"You are doing a public duty when engaged in persuading such a one to take a
step so consistant with a live citizen's course, and when street lighting is an accomplished
fact, the feeling that your efforts has hstened the consumation will be ample reward for
your labours." "At Almonte last week two citizens had a row over the electric
lighting question. When we have, by our advocacy of electric lighting, brought out
townsmen to such a pitch of excitement over it we will be -2-2-2- quite satisfied, as the
climax will not be far off, and besides we will have a thumping item for our column.''
Supporting Tariffs The Post is in favor of a tariff which will be the means
of cheapening the cost of living, increasing the population, wages, commerce and
manufactures of the country, and establishing a firm and permanent market for our farm
and factory products.
If protection is a failure, and judging by the consensus it is, but whether in
principal or application we are not prepared to say. There must be a fiscal policy suited
to the needs of the Dominion and political economists should strain their energies to the
breaking point to discover it.
--------- Notes How is it that the poor editor
gets small sympathy in his greatest trials? His wife may be run off her feet looking after
her children; at her wits end and economizing in every possible particular; wearing her
hands out washing, ironing and scrubbing; torturing her soul devising means to humor a
bear of a husband; getting up early in the morning to light the fires; splitting the wood and
hauling her sleepyhead of a husband out of bed in time for breakfast. These and many
other greater or lesser troubles beset the editor and he has to meet them without the pity
or compassoion of his neighbours. Poor chap! -30-
Meet The Pacific Pilotage Authority In
somewhat the same manner as an old time shepherd, and his specially trained dogs, made
sure that a flock of sheep did not come to harm, the Pacific Pilotage Authority, and its
hundreds of trained pilots, annually guide thousands of deep sea ships safely in and out of
British Columbia's many coastal ports.
In the City of Victoria, just east of the Ogden Point Ship Terminal, where the
Pacific Princess, and many other famous cruise ships dock during the summer, is a small,
unpretentious, two storey building which is one of the key links in the pilotage service, and
its purpose for existing is to provide pilot service, on a 24-hour basis, no matter whether
the weather be clear or stormy.
Located at 211 Beach Drive, the Pacific Pilotage Authority's Victoria Depot
provides the pilots to guide the inbound ships to either Robert's Bank Coal Terminal or
the Port of Vancouver, and is the drop off point for the men of the service who have
brought ships out of the Port of Vancouver and have them safely on their way to the open
ocean.
The daughter of Captain Thomas Thomson, one of Victoria's old pilots told us
that this is the second building that Victoria pilots have called their home port. The first
one, located slightly to the east of the present structure, was a small, dingy, one room
structure and was replaced a number of decades ago by the present two-storey structure,
complete with all the most modern equipment obtainable.
On entering the ground floor of this building you are met by a door marked
"Pilots' Lounge, Private" a flight of stairs leading to the second storey and a crudely
lettered sign bearing the following message: "No Public Toilets, nearest one half mile east".
But should you have legitimate business with members of the watch, and take the
trouble to climb the flight of stairs, you find yourself in a large, airy room, with huge
windows on three sides and a magnificent view of the waterfront, the Straits of Juan de
Fuca and the Olympic Mountains back of Port Angeles, Washington.
When you look behind the large desk you quickly see the reason for the maze of
antennae which bristle from the building's roof. Coming from another room you can hear
the crackle of ship to shore radios, while one of the two duty men sits at a desk, either
studying the read-outs on a computer terminal, or punching keys to enter his own data or
get -2-2-2- additional information, on
the movement of shipping in his area, from the Authority's computer system.
The Pilotage Authority, as we new know it, is comparatively new, as Federal
Government Agencies go. Originally the Victoria and Vancouver pilotage were completely
separate operations, which lead to a great deal of competition and a race to see whose pilot
boat could get to the in-coming ship first, to claim the prize as well as the accompanying
fee. It appears as though the radio watch in both these ports were on constant standby -
and as soon as word was received that a ship was starting down the waterway between
Washington and British Columbia, the race was on.
It was not too many years before the wastefulness of this practice was recognized
as being detremental to smooth, efficient service and we understand that Captain Thomson
was one of those who worked for the establishment of the Royal Commission which was
instrumental in establishing the present Pilotage Authority.
The Authority must have pilots on stanbdy duty at all times, and on the day we
dropped by for a preliminary conversation, there were six vehicles beside the building.
Allowing two of these for the duty men - four pilots must have left Victoria that day for
Vancouver. Did not ask whether or not these men would be returning the same evening.
Getting a pilot to and from a ship can be a
ticklish job, depending on the weather conditions. To accomplish this operation the Pacific
Pilotage Authority operate a number of specially constructed ships which seem to be able
to function no matter how rough the weather conditions happen to be. These ships give the
appearance of being nearly all engine, as when they are running at top speed, they leave
a white plume in their wake - resembling that of a speed boat.
At the present time there are two pilot boats on duty with the Victoria Pilotage
authority. The largest and most modern is the "Vancouver II", which is in regular use. On
stand-by, in case of an emergency, is the "Vancouver Six" noticably smaller and quite a few
years older.
Not enough can be said for the courage of the men who actually have to do the
piloting of incoming and outgoing ships. There are not elevators or escalators to get one
from the safety of a freighter to the tossing deck of the pilot boat. No matter whether you
are coming or going, -3-3-3- a pilot's
route is either up or down a steel ladder slung over the side of the ship.
Never having made a trip on the Pilot Boat, we do not know from personal
observation, but suspect it is probably easier to get from the deck of the pilot boat onto
the ladder than off the ladder and onto the front deck of the pilot boat, especially on a
very rough day. Watching the operation through a pair of powerful binoculars, we noticed
that the pilot always wears a life preserver. Although we have never seen one get an
accidental dunking we would not be the least bit surprised to learn that this has happened
on more than one accoasion.
Although the law does say that all ships, while sailing in Canadian waters, must
be under the control of a pilot, but like all laws, there are exceptions. Firstly there are the
two B. c. Ferries ships, the "Princess Marguerite" and the "Vancouver Island Princess",
which make make alternate trips daily to and from Seattle, as well as the "Victoria
Clipper" a jet foil running between Victoria and Seattle.
Farewell Supper for Dr.Pennoyer Although
farewells are usually a sorrowful time this is not always true -- as "The Post", in its May
6th, 1902 edition reported a goodbye supper for Dr. Pennoyer as having been a "Pleasant
Time, Jolly Fellows, Good Cigars.
Personally I just remember having heard Dr. Pennoyer's name mentioned aroung
my home but the guests attending his farewell supper read as a "Who's Who" of
Buckingham society. Many of those present were still living in Buckingham when I was
growing up and I have memories of attending teas with mother at many of their homes.
The "Saint's Rest", mentioned in the following account of a farewell supper, was
the boarding house for many of the Town of Buckingham's bachelors. This establishment
was located on the Joseph Street, directly across the road from the house in which I grew
up. Over the years this property changed hands a number of times and was finally
purchased by Dr. Gilles Allaire when he moved to Buckingham.
One of the residents of "Saint's Rest" has already been mentioned in our column
on the late Fred Dunscombe and his run-in with a wood pussy. Actually his group of young
men played an intrigal part in the social life of the Town of Buckingham and their annual
"Bachelors' Ball" was said to be the main social event of the season. But on to the account
of the supper for Dr. Pennoyer:- "Tuesday eveing, May 6th, 1902, will be one long
remembered by those who were present at the farewell supper to Dr. Pennoyer on the
occasion of his leaving Buckingham. About 25 guests sat down to the excellent supper which
Caterer Perrier had provided, and by the way the good things disappeared, it was plain to
see that everybody had brought his appetite with him. After supper had been done justice
to the chairs were pushed back, cigars lighted and everyone settled down for a night of
enjoyment, and they were not disappointed.
Mr. John M. Lough was called to the chair and made a very neat and witty speech
after which he called on everyone to drink the toast to "The King". Mr. M. A. Middleton
was then called on to propose the toast to "Our Guest" which he did in a few well chosen
and kindly words. Dr. Pennoyer replied by thanking all his friends for this honor.
After a song by Mr. Drynan, Mr. F. J. Hambly rose to propose a toast to "The
Medical profession" and did so in his usualy happy manner. -2-2-2- Drs. J. D.
Sicard, J. Cornu and McConte replied in short speaches. Dr. Cornu gave his speech in
French and there were some who thanked their stars it wasn't of a too humorous character,
as they might have been caught laughing in the wrong place. As it was those who did not
understand just sat and loked wise.
Dr. Pennoyer here favored the crowd with one of his inimitable songs and
everybody joined in the chorus. After some of the younger members had been called to
order the chairman called upon Mr. Albert MacLaren to propose the toast to "The Pulpit
and Press". Mr, MacLaren rose to his feet amid cheers and clapping of hands and in a few
sentences proposed the toast which was replied to by the Rev. Patterson and Mr, Drynon.
Dr. Pennoyer was again called on for a song and was forced to sing an encore.
The next toast "Trade and Commerce" was proposed by Mr. A. O. Anderson in
a very thoughtful speech and Mr. Alex MacLaren replied. In his speech Mr. MacLaren
regretted the losing of two such good citizens as Dr. Pennoyer and Mr. Lough.
Mr. F. J. Dunscombe was called on for a solo but told one of his funny stories
instead. After everyone had recovered from the effects of Mr. Dunscombe's story, the
chairman called upon Mr. Hurst to propose the toast to "The Rod And Gun" which he did
in a manner which did credit to "Saint's Rest". Captain N. Bothwell replied to it and no
one could have done it in a happier style.. His speech will long be remembered by those who
heard it.
The last, and probably the most important toast of the evening to "The Ladies"
was proposed by Dr. Sicard and replied to by Mr. George MacLaren. Mr MacLaren, in a
few elegant words, expressed his fondness for the fair sex. After Mr. George had concluded
his remarks about the ladies, which took him some time, the chairman called on everybody
to join in the singing of "Auld Lang Syne". This brought the evening's enjoyment to an
end.
It is rumored that captain Bothwell has been secured by Major Pond for a lecture
tour, the subjects to be "Wild Animals I Have known" and "Life On The Ocean Wave.
-30-
PENNY READINGS If time travel was finally a reality, and young
people from our modern day era were able to visit Buckingham of the middle 1800's, it
probably would not be long before you heard them complaining; "There Is Nothing To Do
Here", and, from their point of view, they would have been correct. These young people
would have found a place without automobiles, motion picture theatres, telephones, stereo
sets and television, where people usually went to bed early and arose before the sun had
risen. Possibly a few of the less sophisticated of our time travellers would take the trouble
to look below the surface and discover that the people in this small rural settlement were
very self sufficient and were able to provide their own means of entertainment. A case in
point would be the "Penny Readings". According to "The Post" of February 13th, l931,
"Penny Readings", which were a weekly feature in the Old Town Hall (the original one)
in the late sixties and early seventies were inaugurated by men desirous of placing at the
disposal of their fellow citizens entertainment of a varied character at a nominal figure, Ÿive
cents was the charge, the proceeds going to defray fixed charges including rent, lighting and
so forth. The talent was purely local. Among the principal contributors were Rev. John
Rallitt, of St. Stephen's Church, Rev. Mr. Anderson, of St Andrew's Church, John F.
Higginson, Senator E. W. Murray and Thomas Ritchie. Occasional contributors were G. L.
Parker and Macpherson LeMoyne. The most of these men were of literary bent. Thomas
Ritchie was particularly so. In fact was a writer of more or less note, and had at least one
volume to his credit: "Recollections Of A Chequered Life", was popularly supposed to be
incidents of his own life. Mrs. Ritchie was what can be described as a "majestic woman"
and was fully as intellectual as her husband. A son, Arthur, youngest of the family, got
too fond of the bright lights in the city (Montreal) and his brothers, bringing him to
Buckingham, induced the manager of a lumber firm to send him up the river for a spell.
The bush, on account of the difficulty in reaching and returning, being considered a cure-all
for an indisposition, which had habit as a base. Arthur Ritchie was fairly tall, had a well
knit figure and was not behind the rest of the family in intelligence. He was a good
conversationalist and quick on repartee. At a home where he occasionally spent an evening
"l'enfante terrible' of the family asked Arthur his intentions. Quickly and with an engaging
smile he replied: "strictly honourable, but not matrimonial". The Penny Readings were
very enjoyable for the older ones. It was enjoyable for the younger ones also when the
readings, recitations or declarations had a droll side, but they beame restive when long, dry
selections predominated in the program, and occasionally gave the one holding forth a sorry
time of it. Several contributors were of the heavy kind. Among these was a Mr. Garnet,
geologist, miner and a man of fine appearance and engaging manners. In fact, a regular
gentleman, though an indifferent business man as his ventures in operating in mineral ore
in McNaughton's Creek proved. He had a strong particularity for the Muse, had some of
his pieces of local interest printed, including his conceptions of our falls, and rapids, in
which the words: "roaring, tumbling, seething waters of the cataract" appeared. Mr.
Garnet's selections, like the majority of his lines, were of the ponderous variety. One of his
favorite pieces was "The Charge Of The Light Brigaade". He revelled in the dramatic.
When he said "forward the light brigade" gesture and action corresponded with the words,
the grimness of visage suited to one about to undergo baptism of fire. Heavy as it was, the
boys enjoyed it. Mr. Garnet loved little ones, and they returned the affection. The older
people had their opinions as to the entertaining powers of Mr. Garnet, but as Tennyson was
then quite the vogue, they affected to enjoy the piece, just the same as some years later
there was a craze for Browning by people whose knowledge of the poet was confined to
hearing of him. Mr. Donald Urquart, store manager for LeMoyne and for the Ross
Company, was another entertainer. He was a good reader of Scottish dialect, and
occasionally gave seclections from "The Lady Of The Lake" imperishably associated with
the Scottish Lakes. Rev. John Rollitt, afterwards to become a Canon of his Church, was
a popular man at the Readings. His selections were occasionally from Tom Hood. One "The
Lost Heir" was immensely enjoyed. The rueful countenance which Mr. Rollott maintained
throughout the selection never failed to throw the house into convulsions. He was less
successful on one occasion -- a beautiful piece of imagery in blank verse descriptive of the
release of souls. The reading, over the heads of the youngsters and without a single
enlivening feature, palled on them, and manifestations of impatience became so loud that
Mr. Rollitt closed the volume and, glancing in the direction of the racket asked: "Shall I
stop". There was silence for a second or two, then Mr, Murray, sitting in the front row
of benches with his bowed head supported by one hand murmured: "Go on", and Mr.
Rollitt finished. It is not remembered if he read anything of a solemn nature after, -- at the
Readings. Mr. John Higginson, who lived on Joseph Street, knew what the majority of the
patrons of the Penny Readings liked and generally gave it. A bit of a humorist himself, his
selection always has an acceptable spice of fun. One of the pieces which tickled the
audience was Tom Hood's "Here She Goes and There She Goes". The king-pin in this
galaxy of entertainers was Mr. W. A. Murray. A resoundant voice carried with ease to the
corners of the hall. When he started reading the entire audience came to attention, there
wasn't a dry minute while he was on his feet. While he kept the hall laughing most of the
time, there was never a suspicion of merriment in his eyes or features. Apart from his
readings, Mr. Murray seldom let a suggestion of a joke escape him. He wasn't of a
humorous nature, though he made people laugh through his interpretation of the fun
handed down by others. His "piece de resistance" was "Paddy The Piper". A contrast to
Mr. Murry in size and manner of entertaining, was a man who shall remain nameless.
(Possibly Mr. A. H. Parker). He was as small as Mr. Murray was big. Mr. Murray always
looked on the funny side of life in his readings. The other man was by turns grave and gay,
and, strange as it may appear, was entertaining in both. He was so tickled with the
rendition of his humorous selections that he beat the audience to it in laughing, or roaring
in unison with the small boy. His sober pieces were delivered in the stilted fashion which
too much crude attention to action engenders. He was always entertaining -- if the laughter
was not with him - it was at him. After a while the Penny Readings languished to the point
of death, were revived for some time and, finally passed out altogether. The readings had
been inaugurated by people of a literary bent for the purpose of giving the general public
entertainment at a nominal rate. Alturism was at the back of the idea, no one made any
money by the Readings and some were out of pocket.
-30-
NO MORE PHOSPHATE MINING
Even
though we have already discussed phosphate mining, as well as mining in general, during
the early days of the Village of Buckingham we recently came across an article from the
Aylmer Gazette of February 4th, 1898 which outlined the history of this industry as well
as its demise. Although we have never had too much interest in the mining industry in the
Buckingham area, we remember our grandfather talking about these mines, which were
located in the Notre Dame de La Salette area and how they had become ghost towns due
to changes in economic conditions. Remember hearing stories about the dieing days of this
industry during which time the shareholders were anxious to unload and cut their losses.
According to the story, it appears that at the end, no work was done at these mines and
mills until a prospective buyer hove on the scene then, on the day of his arrival, the site
suddenly became a hive of industry in an attempt to create the impression that the
operation was a literal gold mine. But on to the story as it appeared in the Aylmer
newspaper, ---------- Twenty years or so ago, the
discovery of valuable deposits of phosphates in the mountainous region of Portland
Township on the Lievere River started a mining business that caused the expenditure of
thousands of dollars annually for about 15 years and gave employment to over 150 men the
year round. The principal mines were: The High Rock, The Emerald and the North Star.
There were numerous others, but the whole of them together did not equal the three above
named.
The High Rock mine was sold to an English company for $150,000. They put in
compressor, engines and boilers of great power, erected a substantial and expensive building
to serve for business offices and dwelling apartments for the boss and chief men about the
works, and erected a group of over 40 comfortable dwellings for the men employed in the
mine.
At the commencement of operations phosphate of 80% quality realized $28 a ton
delivered in Montreal and second quality $14. During the fourteen years the operations
were carried on, the price steadily went down until it reached a bottom of $8 per ton for
first quality and nothing for second quality. As mining phosphate at High Rock cannot be
made to pay at any figure lower than $14 for first and $7 for second, it can be seen that
the last few years the company operated at a decided loss, hoping against hope for a revival
that never came and when they ceased there were over 2,000 tons of good phosphate on the
dump as well as a very much larger quantity of second quality lying there at this present
writing.
-2-2-2- It is over four years now
since the order was given to cease work, pack up traps and leave. Machinery of every
description necessary for the mining of phosphate was there and has all been disposed of
at various times; the removal of the large boiler from High Rock to Buckingham cost the
Company $130 and, after some delay, it was sold in Buckingham for $90.
In the early part of this winter Mr. R. D. Ross, of Portland Farm, made the
company an offer for all the buildings on the premises, numbering as above stated to over
forty. The offer was accepted, and Mr. Ross has been disposing of these buildings to the
surrounding settlers and others. Many of them have been removed as far as to Buckingham.
Whilst the best one of the group was carefully taken down in sections and carted to L'Ange
Gardien and there put together and now presents the appearance of a substantial dwelling
house for a person well supplied with the good things of life.
Before the winter is over, every building at the mine will be sold and carted away
and whilst the place will not be restored to its pristine condition of nature, the caves and
hollows from whence so much wealth has been extracted, will be a habitation for bears or
foxes, or owls and bats as the case may be.
The report is current that notwithstanding that the mine, during the last years of
working was operating at a loss, a fraction of their original cost, the Company can show
about $600 to the good over and above every dollar that has been expended in connection
with the enterprise and over and above all dividends and interest paid to the share holders,
The buildings at the North Star and at the Emerald mines have not been touched
and there is no word that they are to be; but High Rock Village is now only a tale of the
past - Aylmer Gazette, February 4th, 1898.
-30-
Post Offices & Place Names Actually the
topic for this week's column was born in 1977 when I happened to glance through the
Ottawa Citizen and read a column "About Stamps" by Ian Kimmerly in which he
suggested that a person could have an interesting hobby, and learn a lot of geography, by
collecting the various Post Office cancellations on the 1897 Map Stamp.
As this item was then beyond my budget, being on a picket line at the Ottawa
Journal, I did not give the item much consideration until I came upon a tie box full of
used three cent Queen Victoria Jubillee stamps and found these stamps had the same
cancellation Mr. Kimmerly had been talking about.
Soon learned that trying to identify the place names on Post Office cancellations
could be very frustrating, until a friend suggested buying a book entitled "Canada Post
Offices 1755/1895", and from then on I have been battling to identify town names from
partial cancels.
While checking the identification of some recent acquisitions I became intrigued
by the unique place names of early Canadian settlements and decided this would make an
ideal topic for one of my columns.
Imagine having your mail addressed to "Sea Cow Head", P.E.I.; "Old Barn",
Nova Scotia; "Yoho", New Brunswick; "St Louis de Ha Ha", Quebec; "Owl"s Head",
Ontario; "Gopher Creek", Manitoba: "Aaskana", Saskatchewan; "Olds", Alberta; "Van
Winkle", B.C. or "Rose Plain" in what is now the Northwest Territories.
Soon discovered that there are apperently more communities in the Buckingham
region that presently start with "Notre Dame" than with "St., Ste. or Saint" - but also
learned that back in 1895 there were only 18 communities in all of Canada commencing
whith "Notre Dame", while the book lists eleven pages of places starting with some form
of "Saint". (Approximately 60 communities to the page.) Identifying postal cancels
is also complicated by the fact that some communities have changed their names two, three
or more times. An example of this is False Bay Beach, N.S. which was also known as Falls
Bay, McLeod's and finally Homeville after 1890. Town names also very in length - from
"Oka", (Two Mountains) Quebec to "North Shore Of St. Margaret's Bay" in Nova Scotia.
Later name changes included "Rat Portage", to Kenora; "Berlin" to Kitchener-Waterloo
and in more recent times, "Port Arthur" to Thunder Bay".
-2-2-2- Halifax, Nova Scotia, had the distinction of being the first Post office
in present day Canada, while in 1860 Fort William had the honour of being Canada's most
western Post Office.
Father Point, near Rimouski, Quebec, was an important centre after 1863, getting
ship letters with late British news and telegraphing same to New York in order to save a
day in getting newspaper columns filled.
I was surprised and interested to learn that both "Detroit" and
"Michilimackinac", Michigan, had once been listed as Canadian Post Offices. Fort Detroit
officailly operated from 1789 to 1798, but continued to be listed in the "Quebec Almanack"
until 1801. It became an American Post Office in 1802. Michilimackinac was established
in 1789, but no evidence that it ever operated has been found, no postmaster noted, or no
revenue credited . It is now Mackinac, Michigan.
The Parker family seemed to have settled in many parts of Canada with
communities named "Parker" and "Parkersville", in Ontario; "Parker's Cove" in Nova
Scotia; "Parker's Ridge" in New Brunswick and "Parker's Creek" in Manitoba.
Masson, Quebec was one of the town's to have been served by two Post Offices.
In 1874 an office was opened at "Baissin du Lievre" to serve the lumber operations and
residents living on the West side of the Lievre River while the East section of the Village
of Masson did not get its Post Office until 1887. The book does not say when the "Baissin
du Lievre" office was closed.
The Buckingham Post Office opened in 1832 and has been in operation ever since.
We understand that the first Post Master was Levi Bigelow and at that time the mail
arrived three times a week by the Steamer Shannon. James Wilson, another of the town's
business men, held this post from 1853 to 1877 and was succeeded by by his son, Frederick
wilson, who married a sister of the Late Albert Parker. Then came three generations of the
Bisson family, starting in 1896 with Theodore Bisson, who was succeeded by his son T.
Abelard Bisson and finally by Marcel Bisson.
On going through old mail addressed to my grandparents, noted that their address
was "Blebo Cottage", Buckingham, Quebec. I was never able to get the significance of the
name, but remember mail arriving from England, with this address, as late as the 1950's.
Buckingham has been listed as being in both Lower Canada and Canada East. -3-3-3-
Postal service came to the Buckingham area between 1832 and 1888. Lochaber operated
from 1833 -61, while Lochaber Bay operated from 1867 on. Papineauville opened in 1855;
Angers in 1869; Plaisance 1882; Silver Creek 1885; Glen Almond 1886 and Poupore 1888,
to name just a few.
"Victoria" appears to have been one of the more popular town names, being found
in P.E.I., Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.
There were 6 actual Victorias and another thrireen ranging fron Victoria Beach, N.S., to
Victoriaville, Quebec.
Discovered another series of place names which is dear to the hearts of
honeymooners. From 1852-57 this romantic spot was known as "Suspension Bridge". In
1858 this town was renamed "Clifton" and since 1881 newly-weds have flocked to "Niagara
Falls", Ontario, for a romantic wedding trip.
When it came to christening their communities, the residents of the Maritime
Provinces came up with the most original names, with Nova Scotia leading the pack.
Although most of P.E.I's. Post Ofices were known by Lot Numbers (the equivalent
to Townships) there were places like "Rollo Bay Cross", "Village Green" and "Bumbury".
Nova Scotia communities range from "Ecum Sequm"'; "Zulu"; (3) "New
Canada"; (2) "Town Pilot"; "Owl's Head Harbour", "Upper Settlement Barney's River",
"Steam Mill Village", Doctors Cove" and "Doctors Brooke".
A look at New Brunswick revealed such places at "The Willows", "Waasis",
"Urney" and "Sea Dog Cove". Wonder if the latter was the home of pirates? Quebec
boasted such places at "Aubert Gallion", "Villa Mastai", "Venice", "Stoke Centre" and
"St Valentine" which finally became known as "Villeneuve".
British Columbia was not too far behind, with "Welcome Pass", "End Of Track",
"Antler Creek"; "Sea Island'; "Popcum"; "Quamichan and "Shuswap" Apparently many
localities in this province receeived Indian names. In Alberta we find "Stony Plain";
"Olds" and "Namao" - while in Saskatchawa there are "Onion Creek" and "Mistawasis".
-4-4-4- Finally we come to Ontario, which boasts "Owl's Head"; "Tyotown";
"Spry"; "Ingle"; Iron Bridge" and two communities called "Bridge End". Wonder if
theses two communities were locted on opposite sides of the province?
-30-
Politics - Active And Passive The idea for the following column was conceived
during those hectic days which preceeded the last Federal Election, but as practically
everybody was fed up with political matters at that time, I decided to write this piece and
hold it until "the tumult stoped, the shouting died and the captains and the kings
departed".
Although this column usually strives to be apolitical but at this time it might be
interesting to take a look at two of Buckingham's sons and daughters who have been deeply
involved in the political game - one as an active player and the other mainly in the ranks
of these who also helped with his hard work in the back rooms of politics.
Before going on with this "tale of two politicians" it might be worth noting that
the man who has spent most of his life working behind the scenes for the party of his choice
was the same person who took the lady politician we are going to talk about to her first
political meeting.
In case you have not already guessed - the male member of this "dynamic duo"
is none other than my good friend Patrick Philip Ryan. For all the years I have known Pat
he has always been a political person, even though his political viewpoint has changed a
couple of times over the decades.
In the years when both of us were much younger, and possibly not as wise, Patrick
was an ardent CCFer and was so dedicated to the philosophy of this political group that
he managed to organize a bunch of us teenagers into forming one of the early CCF Youth
Groups. Even though I was a member of this group at the time, I have very few memories
of our activities - except that we met in a vacant office in the same building in which Pat
Ryan now operates his business.
Even though the youth group may not have accomplished great things it was
partially responsible for Pat having a date with the former Marion Bell, and awakening her
interest in politics when theyattended her first political meeting.
Marion was a daughter of Mr. and M rs W. E. Bell and if I remember rightly,
the family originally lived in a big stone house at the east end of Church Street. "Bill" Bell
was the electrical superintendent at the James MacLaren paper mill. Along with marion,
the Bells had two other children, Olive and Ted. I still have memories of a gang of us
fooling on Mr. William Assad's bach verandah and having my nose come into violent
contact with Ted Bell's head, and still have a crooked nose as the result of this encounter
-2-2-2- The record shows that Marion took to politics in the same way as a fish takes
to water and some time after she married Ken Dewar and had raised a family, she ran for
the position of Mayor of Ottawa and became the city's second lady mayor. She later went
on to become the National President of the N.D.P. Party and then ran as an NDP candidate
for Hamilton in the 1984 election and carried this seat. Sorry to say she was not able to stay
in politics more than one term, as she lost out to the Liberal candidate in the October 21st
election.
All things being taken into consideration, Marion must have been a lucky person
as illustrated by this story taken from a 1980 edition of one of the Ottawa newapapers and
reads as follows:- MAYOR WINS CAR IN
DRAW "Seems Lady Luck was on the side of Ottawa's
mayor Wednesday.
"Not only did Ottawa lawyer and police commissioner Dan Cholcott decide to
drop out of November's mayoralty race, but Marion Dewar won a car for her 23-year old
daughter in the exhibition's daily Lotto Auto draw "Much to the surprise of the
entire Dewar family, who knew nothing about what their famous mon was up to, Elizabeth
was informed Wednesday morning she was the winner of a 1980 Chevrolet Malibu. It retails
for about $7,400.
"On Tuesday after attending the Ambassador Ken Taylor appreciation lunch at
the exhibition, Dewar bought four $1.00 for each of her kids." But back to Pat
Ryan. Pat was educated at St Michael's College and went on to St. Patrick's Patrick's
College in Ottawa where he earned a Bachelor of Commerce Degree. For his thesis he wrote
on the early history of the Town of Buckingham and this work has