Photo- Mississippi Valley Textile Museum-Anglican Church when there used to be a cemetery there. Before the rectory was built. Also shown-Grieg’s and Illingsworth’s House. 1870-1871

Dec 4 1891- Read the Almonte Gazette here

A big scare was created in town last Tuesday night, shortly after midnight, by the vigorous ringing of the fire alarm bell. A few dozen citizens dressed hurriedly and rushed for the fire station. On asking where the fire was they were told that there was no fire—that a couple of skaters were supposed to be drowned up the river, and some young men rang the alarm in older to rouse a crowd and arrange to search for’ the bodies!

The action of those who rang the alarm were condemned on all sides as an unwarranted proceeding under the circumstances. Had Mr. Tosh, the caretaker, not been ill in bed he would not have allowed it. The facts are that a couple of the young folks were skating on the river, and, the afternoon being fine and the ice good, they glided along till Appleton was reached ; then went to Carleton Place and, being too late for the evening train, came home on the Winnipeg express.

Almonte 1879-Public Archives

Meantime their relatives got very anxious, felt sure an accident had befallen the absent ones, and began to talk of arranging a search party when the thoughtless bell-ringers got in their work. When the train arrived a little later with the missing couple aboard, the agony of suspense was relieved, and all repaired homeward, consoling themselves with the thought that “ all’s well that ends well.”

But the proceedings are not likely to be repeated.