Perth Courier - Comings and Goings
supplied by Christine M. Spencer of Northwestern University, Evanston, Il., USA.
At the demand of Messrs. Gault Brothers, Mr. J. L.
Vineburg, merchant of
On Tuesday, Mr. James Watt of Darling, son of Mr. Alexander Watt, the respected clerk of that township, passed through here on his way home from the County of Perth where he had been pleasantly employed in securing a bride in the person of Miss Maggie Ann Miller of Hibbert Township, once of the Township of Darling, but who left for the west over 30 years ago.
At the late examinations of the Normal School students at
Mrs. Revington of Carleton Place and the young man Deachman of Lanark confined in the Perth gaol for insanity, were taken this week to Rockwood Asylum in Kingston.
Mr. S. P. Fraser of Kingston, once employed in the tailoring department of Messrs. Shaw and Matheson, Perth, died in the Kingston Hospital on Monday morning. He was about 26 years of age.
Mr. J. H. McKerracher’s store has been purchased by Mr. J.A. Ferrier at a low figure.
George Hughes and family left here on the 14th inst.
Mr. P. J. McKian of Chicago, foreman of the Evanston, Illinois University Printing Company, too a run home last week to see his parents Mr. and Mrs. McKian of Perth. He is one of the Courier graduates and left here for the west about ten years ago.
Elphin: We are sorry to record the death of Mr. Munro’s little daughter.
Elphin—Mrs. J. Blackburn of Middleville is visiting her sister Mrs. McVean of this village.
Middleville—Gabriel Peacock who has been dangerously ill for the past few weeks, is recovering.—John Blackburn, cabinet maker is very ill at present.—A child of Mr. T. Manson’s died on the 13th Jan., and was buried on Sat. the funeral service being preached by G. Lowe(?) in the Presbyterian Church.
Maberly—Mr. George Hughes and family left here on the 14th inst. Mrs. Hughes and the young members of the family are to live with her son in Toronto in the future and Mrs. Hughes, who has been a great sufferer for some months past, is to be placed in the hospital for treatment.
Clydesdale & Lanark—It was a “noble” act when Mr. Stewart McIlraith brought his “noble” bride to live in this our flourishing and “noble” village. The boom traveled right up through Hopetown last week and stopped at the residence of Stewart D. Craig where his daughter Aggie was married to that very popular gentleman Mr. T. R. Bulloch.
A dispatch from Brockville says that George Kearns, the 14 year old son of Thomas Kearns, formerly of Perth, lumber dealer, was drowned on Saturday while skating on the St. Lawrence River. Two companions witnessed his desperate attempts to save himself but could not help him. The Recorder of Monday says: “One of the saddest features in connection with the drowning accident on Saturday morning whereby Master George Kearns met his death in the river was the fact that both the victim’s parents were away from home at the time. Mr. Kearns, who is extensively engaged in the lumber business in the back townships was somewhere in the vicinity of Sharbot Lake and Mrs. Kearns was on a visit to her elder daughter Mrs. William Thompson of Kingston. Fortunately, however, V.R. Marshall, who happened to be in Deseronto, manages to let both parents know by telegraph and they reached home on Saturday night. Mr. and Mrs. Thomson also came down from Kingston this morning. The grief of the parents on receiving such bad news can be better imagined than described. The only matter for congratulations in connection with the sad affair was the fact that through energetic steps taken at once the body of the drowned boy was recovered before it had a chance to drift down the ice. It was recovered by Andrew Fraser and Frank Malitte by means of a pike pole the water being about 15 to 20 feet deep. The funeral took place this afternoon at 2:30- the remains being taken to the family burying ground at Westport for interment.”
Peter McCaffrey passed through today with the corpse of Maurice Nagle who died in the shanty.
On Sunday morning, 17th inst., Mrs. John McNaughton presented her husband with a rare gift and at the same time one was added to the female population of our section.
James Douglas, druggist, London, is suffering from illness. His sister, Mrs. Deffertel of this town left last week to remain with him and his family during his illness.
Teddy Chatfield, now pretty well known in town, was brought before William Butler, Mayor, this week charged with assaulting a young lady in town. The charge of single assault was proved and Teddy was fined $10 and costs or the alternative of two months in gaol. Not having the change handy the prisoner had to go behind prison bars for the time mentioned.
The friends of Miss Emma Thompson of Perth are happy to congratulate her on her success in passing the Civil Service exam held at Ottawa recently.
Watson’s Corners: Mrs. Richard Watt’s mother was buried Friday, 29th Jan.—William Bateson, an old and respected resident has gone to his long home. Mr. Bateson had been an invalid for a number of years but was waiting patiently for his Master’s call.—There has been an increase in our population lately. Mrs. John Machan is the happy mother of a fine young daughter and Mrs. James McQuat has presented her husband with a young son; mothers and children are doing well.
Wemyss—The funeral of the late Maurice Nagle which took place on the 26th Jan., was as sad a one as every took place in this vicinity. He died up in Deep River, 250 miles from home from inflammation of the bowels; and his two comrades Peter McCaffrey and John J. O’Neil deserve credit for the way they braved the storms and brought the remains home.
A telegram received in Perth on Thursday, 21st Jan., told of the death of Maurice Nagle who had been suffering from a severe cold when he left his home in Bathurst. Being of a robust nature he had no idea that it would prove fatal and therefore took no particular care of himself on his way to the shanty. He had only been there a short time when his sickness became serious so much that he was urged by his companions to get medical aid and there being no such thing in or about the shanties he was obliged to hire a team and go to where he could get a doctor, a distance of 40 miles. His pain was so severe that all that all they could make was 20 miles the first day and had to take lodgings in a house on the road. The next morning they started and got within four miles of the end of their journey when he turned to his companion and said “I am dying my poor heart is broken” and died soon after. This was on the 17th ult., when they arrived at Cicero, his companion who knew where he lived met with one of his comrades with whom he had worked two years ago. These two men did the best they could in procuring a rough box in which they laid his body just as he had left the shanty without removing any of the clothing. In this way the remains were left in a shed from the above date until the 21st ult. on account of the foreman keeping the death secret his object being to retain all the teams in the shanty but by chance his comrades heard of its being there and they immediately left the shanty for home bringing the body with them to his brother in Bathurst. His remains were interred on Tuesday, 26th Jan., in the Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Peter McPhail, Reeve of Lavant, has sold his farm to John Wilson, a neighbor and is preparing to remove to Manitoba soon. Mr. McPhail has three brothers and four sons and a daughter in the Prairie Province already.
Auction Sales of Farm Stock and Implements:
Peter McPhail, Lot 1, Concession 2, Lavant
Jeffers Pitcher—Lot 10, Concession 3, North Sherbrooke at Elphin
Hudson Payne—Second Line Drummond
Auction Sale of Farm Stock and Implements: Alexander Murphy, Lot 26, 6th Concession Bathurst.
John C. Anderson of Fallbrook left on Tuesday for Hamilton, N.D. where he intends working on a farm with his brother.
Robert Finlayson and family of Drummond left for their new home in the County of Grey on Monday.
Miss Clara Demera of Ottawa is at present visiting her uncle David Young of Glen Tay.
Mrs. John Smith of Smith’s Falls is at present visiting her sister Mrs. T.B. Moore of Drummond.
Auction Sales of Farm Stock and Implements:
Francis Troy, Lot 17, 8th Concession N. Burgess
Richard Murphy, Lot 14, 3rd Concession Drummond
John Grierson, Lot 5, 6th Concession N. Burgess
This week the will of the late Dr. McEwen of Carleton Place was admitted to Probate in the Surrogate Court. No executor was named in the will and a letter of administration with the will annexed was granted to the widow. The estate is valued at $20,000 and the real property at $9-29,000 altogether. The deceased’s legatees were his wife and daughter, their only child.
Mrs. John McIlquham of Drummond has sold her farm known as the “Christie farm” to William Hunter, livery man of Carleton Place, formerly of the 2nd Line Drummond. Mrs. McIlquham intends removing to Carleton Place to live with her mother.
Thomas D. Munroe makes an announcement in this issue that he has opened up a carriage shop in Weber’s old stand. Repairing will be his specialty.
Farm For Sale: Daniel Watson, Lot 2, 11th(?) 13th (?) Concession Bathurst.
Farm For Sale In Manitoba—Full section of 640 acres of best land for mixed farming within three miles of a railway station. Dr. Grant, Perth
Watson’s Corners—John Murray of Darling who is on a visit to his daughter Mrs. James white, was taken ill on Saturday. Dr. Scott of Lanark was summoned and he is doing better.
Watson’s Corners—Mrs. William McChesney presented her husband with a young daughter on Friday last. Mrs. David Boyle presented Dave with a young son on the 19th Jan.
Perth Courier, March 11, 1892
Edward Farmer of this town who has been under treatment in Toronto for a time for decay of the bone of the foot had the foot amputated on Tuesday. He is doing well after the operation.
About two weeks ago Joseph Dockrill, a deaf mute well known over the Ottawa Valley, was found dead one morning in back of the house of a farmer near Bennie’s Corners named Graham, who had kindly given him shelter during the night. The deceased came from the Township of Ramsay in this county and was about fifty years of age. He was possessed of some limited means but had no settled house and wandered from one part of the county to another for many years back, finding food and shelter at any convenient farm house. He haunted the township of Drummond near Perth very often and was well known all about here. Occasionally, he took a drop too much when anyone was base enough to give liquor to him and about two years ago while under its influence fell down in town and hurt himself. He could read and write fairly well.
Balderson—On the eve of their departure for Manitoba where they intend to make their future home, Mr. and Mrs. John Milton were waited on by members of the Presbyterian Sabbath School who presented Mr. Milton with a large family bible containing the condensed notes of Hendry’s and Scott’s commentaries and Mrs. Milton with a beautiful silver butter cooler—tokens of the esteem in which they were held as laborers among the young for the Master. Mr. and Mrs. Milton have taught for a number of years at the Balderson Sabbath School.
Mr. Elliott of Delta visited his sister Mrs. McDonald of this village last week.
Returns for the Quarter Ending 8th December, 1891
James Free, Insane, Committed to Gaol
Vagrancy:
William Harper, 6 months
Robert Bradley, 3 months
James Oyer, 3 months
Charles Doran, 4 months
John McIntyre, 4 months
Assault and Battery:
Thomas McLean, $10
William Sutherland, $1
William Stubbs, $2
David Walsh, $1
Media Price, $1
Robert Hilliard, $2
William Jenkins, $5
Alfred Barnwick, $2
Jennie Majeury, $1
Assault:
Thomas McCarthy, $1
William Balfor, $1
Patrick Tucker, $10
William Houston, $1
Christopher Jackson, $1.45
Louis Leclare
Drunk and Disorderly:
Patrick Tucker, $5
Alden Mather, $1
George Cook, $2
Albert Noonan, $2
Samuel Emerson, drunk and disorderly on the streets,$1
Richard Huddleston, drunk and disorderly on the streets,$1
Abusive Language
John O’Toole, $4
Breach of the Liquor Act:
Samuel Dunfield, $20
Michael Dixon, $10
Insulting Language:
Peter Archambault, $1
Breach of Master and Servant Act
James Clint, $4
Violation of the Gaming Law:
Marshall Jackson, $5
Abusive Language:
Esther Crawford, $1
Margaret Crawford, $1
Unlawful Injury to Private Property:
Robert McCulloch, $5
Threats and Abusive Language:
William Hartwick, 50 cents
Perth Courier, March 18, 1892
Middleville—Messrs. G. James and R. McInnis left for Manitoba Saturday. James is to find employment out there as a house carpenter.
Middleville—Messrs Lewis Bowen, Robert Rodger and David Roger have departed for Dakota. Each of them is taking a fine stallion.
Hopetown—Mr. and Mrs. James Denny and their children left about three weeks ago to visit the parents of Mr. Denny at Seelley’s Bay. They were there only a few days when their eldest child Edna, 5, was taken seriously ill.
In bed she moaning lay
Till God released her of her pain
And then she went away.
Her remains were brought to Mrs. Denny’s father’s, Mr. Boyd of Boyd’s Settlement and interred in the cemetery. Although the parents feel the loss keenly they can take comfort in knowing that their darling is
Safe in the arms of Jesus
Safe on His gentle breast.
Hopetown—John Lochead left on Monday for Manitoba taking with him a carload of horses.
Chief Wilson of Carleton Place brought in to the gaol in Perth on Wednesday a man who gave his name as Max Zoelx, charged with begging without a clergyman’s or magistrate’s certificate of inability to work. His term was 15 days. Probably the terrors of his last name had something to do with his incarceration.
Miss Joynt having had good experience intends doing dress and mantle making in first class style. The ladies of Perth are invited to give her a call.
On Tuesday last Phillip McGown, Scotch Line, Bathurst was driven by his son Daniel to a neighbor’s, Thomas McKinley for a visit, the old man being in apparent good health. They took an early meal and Mr. McGowan ate heartily. In the course of the meal Mrs. McKinley asked him some question, while answering Mr. McKinley’s head dropped forward and death came to him then and there. Heart weakening from extreme old age was the cause. The deceased was a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, born in 1804 and came to Canada when 12 years of age, first living in S. Sherbrooke. Many years after he bought the Consitt farm on the Tay River, Bathurst, and after that purchased his present farm on the Scotch Line, Bathurst, two miles from Perth. He married Mary Buchanan, daughter of Sgt. Buchanan who with a number of children survive him. He lived to the grand old age of 88 years leaving behind him the esteem and respect of his friends and neighbors. He was a Roman Catholic in religion and in politics an unfailing Liberal.
James Ravel, picked up in the streets of Perth by Chief Constable in a semi dying condition and committed to the Perth gaol for safe keeping about a month ago, died in the gaol last week. His age was about 83. He refused to make any part of his past history known or his antecedents.
The house and acre and a half lot in Caroline Village belonging to the estate of the late Duncan Campbell has been sold by Messrs. Elliott and Rogers to Joseph Fleming of Bathurst for about $1,000.
Perth Courier, March 25, 1892
On Monday last some 20 or Arnprior’s citizens among whom were Messrs. George Craig and R. G. Moles, R.V. Stafford and E.K. Johnston, escorted the remains of the late Mr. Denis McNamara from that town to Perth for interment in the Old Burying Ground of the Roman Catholic congregation here. Mr. McNamara many years ago taught school in the township of Bathurst and was married to a sister of Timothy Doyle of Drummond and her remains and those of her child lie in this cemetery. Mr. McNamara had been troubled with dyspepsia for some years and to aggravate his troubles a few weeks ago fell and broke his shoulder blade in consequence of which he died last Friday at the age of 72. He did a large grocery business in Arnprior and left an estate worth $60,000 of which his widow is heir. The deceased provided in his will that $1,500 be expended in erecting a monument over his remains.
Messrs. James McGregor (son of James McGregor) and James McNaughton both of Balderson left for the Northwest Monday. The latter is returning to British Columbia from a visit here but the former is going out for the first time probably to return in the fall.
Perth Courier, April 1, 1892
We are glad to learn that Alfred S. Wade of this town has passed his final medical examination at McGill University with honors and is now a full fledged doctor. He intends settling down for the practice of his profession at St. Lambert near Montreal.
Among those who are likely to go from here to Manitoba or further west this spring are Messrs. Robert Lillie, Henry James, William Soper, and William Potter, all good citizens. It is likely most of them will go to stay.
Malcolm McPherson, the well known freighter of Balderson has sold out his horses, vehicles and house at the “Corners” to William McEwen of the first Clyde bridge beyond Lanark who will do the freighting hereafter. Mr. McPherson with family will join his son William who is station agent at Chelsea, Quebec 9 miles from Ottawa and will reside there in the future.
Watson’s Corners: Mrs. Alexander Park presented her husband with a young daughter on the 18th.
Watson’s Corners: The meeting of the Christian endeavor on Monday evening was largely attended. Thomas Deachman took charge of the meeting and spoke in his usual forceful and earnest manner. Special meetings will be held all this week.
Perth Courier, April 8, 1892
Donald McPhail of Drummond, a student at Queen’s University has received a call from St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at Picton to take effect when Mr. McPhail passes his final exam in divinity this month. He will probably enter upon his main duties in May. Mr. McPhail is one of the most promising graduates of Queen’s and when preaching in St. Andrew’s Church here last summer gave evidence of a great deal of power, speaking ability and originality in the pulpit.
Fancy Eggs For Sale: Thomas Bothwell. Pure Brown Leghorn and Plymouth Rock Hens.
#5 Raymond Hasher for Sale. As good as new. John Code
Seed Barley for Sale. Carter’s Prize Prolific English Barley. Reuben Steadman, Drummond
At the recent medical exams at Royal College, Queen’s University, Kingston, T. H. Hall of Smith’s Falls and Isaac Wood, came out even for the Gold Medal; and for the Silver Medal Messrs. R. G. Smith, North Elmsley, R. S. Minnes of Kingston and J. S. Murphy of Newborn were all even also.
James Williams, liveryman of Almonte left for Gilby, North Dakota on the 29th March, with his brother John Williams of Drummond, taking a carload of the choicest heavy horses, bought in Fitzroy and Huntley. He had made a sale of his effects on Saturday, the 26th March at Almonte and almost everything was sold at good prices. He may and may not remain in Dakota depending upon how he likes the country and meantime his family will remain in Almonte. Mr. and Mrs. Williams came from this section not far from Armstrong’s Corners. He was a member of the Almonte Town Council but resigned his position before leaving.
We regret to learn by telegraph of the death of Robert G. Croskery of North Bay from hemorrhage of the lungs yesterday. He was the eldest son of Thomas Croskery of Perth and a son-in-law of James Dick, late of this town. He was a Master of the Masonic Lodge in North Bay and was in all respects a good citizen. The body will be brought to Perth for burial tomorrow and the funeral will take place from the C.P.R. Station on the arrival of the 1:45 train.
Return of Convictions for the Quarter Ending 31st March:
Vagrancy:
Robert McCoy, 4 months in gaol
Robert Ravas, 6 months in gaol
Donald McLean, 2 months in gaol
John Thomas, 6 weeks in gaol
Daniel C. Watson, 6 weeks in gaol
George Wylding, 3 months in gaol
Disturbing a Public Concert
William Balfour, $5
Peter McCullough, $5
William McCullough, $5
John McDonald, $5
Christopher Forbes $5
Drunk and Disorderly:
Robert Bell, $2.00
Drunk and Disorderly and Using Profane Language on the Public Streets
William Smith, $2
Assault
Edmund Chatfield, $10
Joseph Duncan, $1
Furious Driving on the Public Streets
Duncan Ferguson, $2.00
Alex Hunter, $2
John McArthur, $3
Selling Liquor During Prohibited Hours:
William Flett, $20
David Dowling, $25
Disorderly:
Peter Perault, $2
William Jackson, $1
Negligent Driving Whereby Damage Was Done
David Dowling, $25
Breach of the Liquor Act:
M. Dixon, $10
Lanark Links: The house of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Gallinger of this village was the center of a pleasant gathering when the members of the family gathered to celebrate the golden wedding of the old couple. This day was the 50th Anniversary of their marriage. They were presented with many valuable mementos and letters of congratulations and it was rather singular that for the last 48 years they have not had a death in their family neither of the children nor the grandchildren and they are still in perfect health.
Clarendon Station: Mr. Arthur and Miss Annie Robinson are leaving for Manitoba today. They take with them the best wishes of a large circle of friends.
Brooke: We see Robert Blair on his old place again. This does not look like going west, Bob.
Perth Courier, April 15, 1892
The Pembroke Observer has learned lately of the death of John Doran at Los Angeles on Thursday, 7th April. We are grieved to learn of the death of our old townsman though it was well known that deadly disease had years ago fastened upon his lungs. Mr. Doran was born in Perth and went to Pembroke to fill the office of Judge of Nipissing District about twenty years ago. Being attacked by consumption he left Pembroke for California some hears ago and lived there most of the time until death took him away. No further details have reached us.
We see by the Toronto Irish Canadian that Mrs. Edward Byrne of Pittsburg, County Frontenac, died at her home at the advanced age of 86 years. The deceased’s maiden name was Margaret Stanley and in her youth she lived in Perth and was a soloist in the choir of the Roman Catholic Church here in those days.
John Gardiner of Scotch Corners has bought a farm on the 7th Line Drummond near Balderson from Alex Campbell.
On Wednesday Mrs. R. J. Drummond of this town left for Toronto on account of the death of her sister there Mrs. T.D. Lodyard.
James W. McDonald who kept a general store at McIlquham’s bridge, Drummond, has made an assignment for the benefit of his creditors. Too much expansion for the amount of capital, his liabilities are over $6,000.
Miss Ward, 1st Concession Drummond has handed us for perusal a number of papers from Australia received from her brothers John and James Ward of Burke’s Flat, Victoria. The papers are very large and got up after the style of the British journals. Miss Ward’s brothers left this county many years ago for Australia and have prospered there. They may return to Canada to visit or to stay before many years.
Frank Farmer, son of William Farmer (once of Perth) has recently graduated with highest honors from a veterinary college in Chicago.
Probably the oldest lady in Canada resides in Montague in the person of Mrs. Mary Copeland, better known as Polly, who is 106 years old. Mrs. Copeland who is one of the pioneers of Canada resides with Frederick Weedmark of N. Montague and is well and hearty today. Her intellect is clear, her appetite good and her eye sight very fair.
William Croft has gone to Huntersville to start a woolen and carding mill. He intends to have it in operation by the 17th of this month. There will be about ten employees in the factory but when running at its fullest capacity it employs sixteen. He will make the wool of the rolls, yarn or cloth.
Perth Courier, April 22, 1892
John Pounder of Forrester’s Falls was drowned by upsetting a canoe. He was 21 years of age.
R. C. Archer died at Pembroke a few days ago. He was a leading citizen. He formerly resided in Renfrew.
On Tuesday Chief Constable Wilson brought in from Carleton Place a woman named Mrs. Martha Bennett, insane, under commitment by Mr. P. Struthers the well known Carleton Place magistrate. The unfortunate woman came from Montague township and had a small family. She will be kept in the Perth gaol until a place in one of the asylums is provided for.
The house and lot of John Rae, Craig Street, has been sold to R.A. Nixon of Montreal for $1,100. It is intended as a residence for Mr. Nixon’s parents who have since come from Toronto to live in it. We are glad to see old citizens coming back to Perth to make it their home.
A. H. Sinclair of the Bank of Montreal here left on Tuesday for Scotland to see his parents. He goes by steamship Sarnia of the Dominion line sailing from Portland to Glasgow.
Auction Sale of Farm Stock and Implements:
John Glen, Lot 2, 2nd Concession N. Sherbrooke, also auctioned will be the farm
Frank Lambert, Lot 22, 5th Concession Drummond. Mr. Lambert will be retiring from farming and everything will be sold without reserve.
Lanark Links: (not transcribed in full, just summarized) Disastrous Fire—The greatest calamity that ever fell on Lanark Village happened on the night of the 14th April when Messrs. A. Caldwell & Sons sawmill and the Clyde Milling Company’s flour mill were wiped out…………….the total loss is estimated to be about $30,000. The Clyde Milling Company held insurance to the amount of $6,000.
Farm to Rent: James Anderson’s farm East ½ Lot 25, Bathurst.
Perth Courier, April 29, 1892
Mr. W. S. Bilton, his three sons, his son-in-law H. W. Hunt and family and Maxwell Bilton left Westport Tuesday morning for Red Deer, Alberta in the Canadian Northwest.
Watson’s Corners: William McQuat has taken to himself a life partner in the person of Susan Blakeley.
D. B. Mulligan, brother of H. D. Mulligan of Pembroke, was drowned in the Black Chute Rapids of the Ottawa River last week while in the employ of the Pier and Boom Company. He was 27 years old.
Maberly: The infant son of Jas. Morrison was buried on the 22nd April. He died of convulsions.
An old man named George Welding, harness maker and bull frog catcher, who had only been released from gaol a few weeks ago, was returned to that domicile on Saturday last for vagrancy. He will take up quarters there for six months. Not being inclined to work and with a weakness for laying around in out buildings when night fell, complaints were made which led to his arrest and incarceration.
About a fortnight ago a man named John Willis, living in Drummond near Balderson, brought his mother, Mrs. Jane Liddell, in for commitment to the Perth gaol as an insane person. In his information, he made an oath that the old lady was insane and dangerous and pending examination by the doctor, Mr. Rice, J.P. made out the commitment to the Perth gaol. He, however, had grave doubts of an old woman whose aged numbered between 80 and 90 and who was enfeebled by age being a dangerous person. He stated his doubts to the medical examiner Dr. Kellock. Thursday last week was fixed for the medical exam and on that day Willis appeared again this time to take the oath necessary to establish insanity and danger on her part. Dr. Kellock, on examination, could find no insanity in her case though the dotage of old age was more or less apparent and the old lady was discharged. Willis was Mrs. Liddell’s son by her first marriage and was given the farm by her on covenanting to pay her a life annuity of $40 per year which he evidently thought would be cancelled by getting the old lady lodged in gaol as an insane person. He claims that his wife is sick and unable to care for his mother and is now looking up another place for her.
Alexander Sutherland, son of Mr. James Sutherland, grocer, died in the city of Buffalo last Friday and his remains were brought to Perth for burial on Monday. The body was escorted to St. John’s Church by the C.M.B.A. and the Citizens’ Band both of which he had been a member. Afterwards interment took place in the Catholic Cemetery. He leaves a widow and three children.
William Robertson, Pilot Mound, Manitoba, last week renewed his 48th subscription to the Courier.
Preston Vale: Isabella Forsythe died on the 17th April, at the residence of Joseph Horricks.
The Watchman records the death of H.J. Tripp of Fitzroy at the age of 61 years. He was born in London, England and was a member of the Church of England.
The Pembroke Observer tells of the death of John Hamilton of the Township of Alice on Friday, 15th April in his 86th year. He came to Canada in 1833.
Middleville: C. Dodds went to Drummond to attend the wedding of his brother James Dodds.
Perth Courier, May 13, 1892
T.A. Code’s Knitting and Woolen Factory is now lit by electricity. Mr. J.M. Campbell of Kingston, agent for the Edison Company, has just placed in the factory a 30 light dynamo lighting every part of the mill and with far less risk than coal oil lamps. The machine and apparatus are very nice specimens of mechanical workmanship and invention. Mr. Code employs at present about 60 workers and is working his factory to its fullest capacity. His goods, especially those from his own patents are catching the trade without any trouble.
Maberly: Mrs. George Killens from Hutchinbrook Station is visiting her father Matthew Marks.
The prisoner Edward Gingras, charged with committing forgery and obtaining a dollar under false pretenses from Matthew Ryan of Smith’s Falls, came up for trial before Judge Senkler on Wednesday and finding him guilty sentenced him to three years in the penitentiary at Kingston where he will be taken next week.
Miss O’Donnell, teacher of Smith’s Falls was married on the 2nd inst. to Thomas Power of Grafton (?), County Renfrew.
Miss Spalding has been appointed organist of the St. Andrew’s Church in place of Lizzie L. Walker, resigned.
Middleville: Mrs. J. Rodger, Jr., presented her husband with a daughter last week.
Perth Courier, May 20, 1892
The Schools of 50 Years Ago
By “M”
After spending several years in the old stone school house and mastering Walkingham’s arithmetic and getting a fair insight in Lennie’s grammar with somewhat of the feeling that the Rugby students entering Oxford, a number of us were transferred to the grammar school taught by teacher Kay. Here after the manner of the high institutions we were subjected to a slight hazing which consisted of dragging us through a luxuriant patch of thistles which grew at one corner of the grounds. We were somewhat dispirited in the building for it was as rude and cheerless within as the one we had left and in the winter we suffered with the cold. In the old school we could go unshod and coatless but here we had to present a somewhat respectable appearance. Our teacher had more than a local reputation and had his house full of boys from distant places. The teacher had the task of keeping us to work until our bodies were tired and our minds wearied and how we anxiously watched the appearance of the old Frenchman (his name is unknown) who distributed the Courier and rang the Catholic bell morning, noon and night. It was a great loss to the town when Mr. Kay was called to a larger sphere and more lucrative position. After his departure the school was run by various teachers but did not regain its former status. The school house was quite retired as it was situated outside the line of travel and it was quite rare to see a vehicle pass by. The grounds were ample but we had St. Andrew’s Church yard and the court house yard if we chose to climb the fence. A large frame building adjacent without windows in the end was used for a peculiar game of ball which I have never seen since. Sometimes in our sports we decorated the cemetery in the neighborhood and became familiar with the rude headstones and boards that marked the graves only one of which I remember. It was the grave of one who fell in mortal combat (duel) and was often a subject of discussion among the boys, many of us wondering at the barbarity of the code which blotted out a promising life, brought untold sorrow to two worthy families and must have been a cloud on an otherwise honorable and useful career. We often came in contact with the old ghost story teller Sexton ‘Jimmy Smitherman’ on whom we went to play our pranks and with the stern jailer William Matheson. We always called him ‘Bill’ who never denied the boys the privilege of the court house grounds. We will never forget the pompous high bailiff Anthony Wiseman and his portly wife. Their candy shop was the daily resort of the scholars and our palates still crave their pungent ginger beer. I will not trouble your mind with an account of the schools under Malcolm McPherson, carpenter and the unsightly fame building erected where the new and I trust creditable edifice now stands.
A boy named Edward Derosier under 12 years of age was sentenced last week by Judge Deacon to five years in the Penetanguishene Reformatory for burglarizing W. A. Hunter’s store in Pembroke.
Lanark Links: Mr. and Mrs. T.B. Caldwell left this morning for the old country where they intend visiting for two months.
Lanark Links: The members of the football team in Lanark will be sorry to hear of the death of Bruce Scott, who died on Sunday last at his home in Snow Road. Mr. Scott was among the young men who came from Snow Road last summer to have a match with Lanark. We understand that he was suddenly taken ill with inflammation of the lungs and only lived four days after. He was buried in Galt on Sunday.
Middleville: Mr. D. Blackburn’s little boy died on Thursday, 12th May and was buried in the Middleville Cemetery on the following Saturday. The funeral service was preached in the Congregational Church by Mr. Donaldson.
Arthur Wellington Chester (Cheater??), harness maker, Smith’s Falls, has made an assignment.
Ephraim Code, Beckwith, left last Thursday for Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.
W. H. Bone of the Pembroke Standard will leave on the 21st on a trip to Great Britain to visit relations.
John Fairgrieve, having finally concluded the purchase of John Code’s woolen mill and machinery at Innisville, has taken his son into partnership with him in the business and the firm will be known as J. Fairgrieve and Son. Mr. Fairgrieve is an old and experienced woolen manufacturer and understands every department of the business. The firm will do all kinds of custom work and farmers can rely on getting satisfaction.
Mr. J. M. Brownlee, merchant tailor, Smith’s Falls, is removing to the Pacific coast.
50 Years Ago
My youthful days of happy memory were mostly spent in Perth but not until a few years lager than the time referred to by ‘M’ and therefore I cannot remember Mr. Kay of whom he writes so kindly. However, some other persons he mentioned were still there during my time and his mention of them has called them to my memory almost as distinctly as if they were yesterday. ‘Bill’ Matheson, Anthony Wiseman and the sallow faced, somewhat wizened looking little Frenchman were indeed ‘characters’ in their way. I do not call them ‘characters’ in any unworthy sense for they were all most worthy men. Each fulfilled his special sphere and attended to his duty in a manner that might well be emulated though not surpassed by officials today or even fifty years hence. Old Bill was by nature somewhat robust and a very austere man. At least we youngsters held him in some dread but it may have been that his austerity was magnified in our imagination owing to his being the jailer. Underneath his rough and ready sort of speech he was said to have a kind heart for those unfortunates placed in his charge. I have seen him in milder moods for he enjoyed a joke but in repartee he always hit right from the shoulder. Anthony Wiseman I can only remember when martialing his under constables, the ‘knights of the blue stoves’ as we boys called them, at the opening of the Assizes and Quartersessions and his pomposity was only exceeded by the redoubtable Chief McNab, whose occasional visits to the town headed by his piper was one of the ‘events.’ The old Frenchman, the town carrier for years for the Bathurst Courier, whose name I never knew other than ‘bonjour, bonjour’, he was the very embodiment of politeness and a favorite with the young and old both. He could not have passed, I do not think, even a dumb animal without his usual bow and salutation. He was not the bell ringer in my day and that duty was faithfully performed by a person named ‘Hare’ and there were not those who distrusted the name owing to its similarity to that of the then much talked of Edinburgh murderer who supplied the college ‘meds’ with subjects for the study of anatomy.
Even in those early days Perth’s fall fair was something ‘immense’. Such days the streets were thronged with country people from surrounding townships. Even distant Sherbrooke, Oso and Dalhousie townships supplied their quota and ox carts were nearly as common on the streets as horses. Few farmers drove in luxurious cushioned carriages as at present. Lumber wagons or saddle horses were the rule. It was quite common to see the farmer on saddle with his wife or daughter sitting sideways at his back with her arms about his waist as the only means of keeping her equilibrium. They were good horsemen and horsewomen in those days and accidents were not often heard of. In fact, the farmer’s wife or daughter who could not spring into her saddle and carry a basket of eggs to market had not completed her education as a useful helpmate. The market square on this island would be crowded to overflowing with horses, cattle, buyers and sellers and always the irrepressible small boys. Butchers from Kingston, Bytown and as far as Montreal usually attended the Perth cattle fair. Towards evening after business was over the fun commenced with rough and tumble scrimmages. Of course this bloody nose business was the natural outcome of the well patronized tavern bars for temperance societies had not as yet permeated the public mind with their principles.
Sidewalks were very few and far between and therefore during wet weather the streets afforded plenty of mud. The postman and stage coach were institutions of no small importance in my young days. Jack Balance was the courier who carried Her Majesty’s mail on horseback between Franktown and Perth. This was the Bytown mail route. When I have since seen some newspapers adorned with a cut of the postman on horseback at full gallop heralding his arrival I am reminded of the Perth mail boy with his long tin horn which he blew upon the arrival and departure of the mail and the horse was expected to get up a fair gallop when the horn blew no matter how snail like his pace was before. Then we had the coach and four from Brockville to Perth. This was the only public conveyance for passengers. Merchants usually had their goods carried by wagons from Oliver’s Ferry. Traveling in those days was something to be seriously considered and talked of before for days and weeks.
The Queen’s Birthday
The weather on the regal holiday was simply grant and disappointed agreeably those who had only looked for a continuance of the wet spell of the past four or five days. Flags were flying all over town—at the court house, town hall, fire hall, and many private residences and a slight breeze blowing caused them to stream gaily into space. The celebration on the agricultural grounds in the day time did not come off. The constant rain had so soaked the soil that the grounds could not be got ready for games and though the 24th itself was a fine day it was then too late to prepare. The streets were also too wet and muddy for the bicycle races. The Citizens’ Band, with their extremely neat and tasty new uniforms of black and gilt played all day. In various parts of the town the Harmonic Band also discoursed. Captain Manion and Lt. Kellock had the two cannons brought down from the courthouse to the foot of Herriott Street and a royal salute was fired in honor of the day. In the evening the Citizens’ Band promenade concert was given in the agricultural hall to a large audience and the day’s proceedings would up with a dance under the auspices of the bands.
The escaped convict John Ferguson, the News says, has given the guards the slip and escaped into the swamp. He has crossed Bedford Township and when last seen was in the neighborhood of the village of Westport. He has now discarded his prison clothes and assumed an ordinary attire. He is a very cunning fugitive and has been doing his best to throw his pursuers off the scent but the chase is hot yet and the three guards who are still after him are bound to secure him.
W. J. Pink of this town, has concluded to visit his native land after an absence from it for over 30 years. He will sail on the Beaver Line steamship, Lake Ontario, on the 26th inst. His destination is Northfleet, a small town on the lower Thames a mile or so from Gravesend(?) England. He will remain about a month.
Last week the remains of Mrs. John McElliott (nee Katie McDermott of Perth) were brought to Perth for burial in the Roman Catholic Cemetery. Mrs. McElliott died from bleeding of the lungs and was not long following her husband who died within the past year in Perth from the same cause.
A cablegram was received from T.B. Caldwell on Tuesday last stating that he had arrived in Liverpool after a very pleasant voyage.
On Sunday of last week J. W. Motherwell, County Clerk, underwent an operation for the removal of the cause of his long illness and we are glad to say that the best results are likely to follow. Dr. A.E. Hanna, assisted by Dr. Frank Hanna of Perth and Dr. Scot of Lanark performed the operation.
William Devlin, son of our townsman Charles Devlin arrived home on Monday from the Northwest where he had been working on the construction of the C.P.R. telegraph lines. By over lifting, blood vessels were ruptured and his condition is very serious. (Since the above was in type we regret to state that Mr. Devlin died on Thursday morning.)
The Smith’s Falls News says that on Friday, 3rd June, Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Storie, three miles from that town on the Irish Creek Road, celebrated their Golden Wedding. Of their 13 children, ten are yet living. Mrs. Storie was born on the Scotch Line near Perth.
George Thurlow was found dead in the field by his sons who thinking he was too long in coming home went in search of him and found life extinct. Heart disease is said to have been the cause.
Hopetown: Mrs. Alexander Yuill is suffering severely from blood poisoning. – The remains of the infant child of Mr. and Mrs. George Thurlow were laid to rest beside six of its baby brothers and sisters in Hopetown Cemetery on Monday afternoon. Mr. Young, divinity student, preached a very impressive funeral sermon from Psalms 23:24. -- Last Thursday Mrs. Stewart Craig presented her husband with a young daughter.
Posted: 14 May, 2004.