A view of Almonte from Bay Hill.
1900
Almonte– Mill of Kintail Files
Do you remember ?
When the Almonte Gazette printed a Carrier Boy’s Address and sent us carriers on our rounds New Year’s morning? I happened to be one of the kids, and out of about 125 papers which I delivered each Thursday evening, on one New Year trip I picked up about $75.00, a great deal of money about 1900.
When Frank Secord came to Almonte to foremanize the Gazette composing room? Well, the writer was printer’s devil then, I had a long letter from Frank a few weeks ago. He is retired in Meaford, Ontario, and wanted to be reminded about some of the lads of his day. He said Art. Flanagan (of Bassano, Alberta), and the late W. G. Kelly were on the lacrosse team in his day.
Talk about unpainted houses. The ex-AImonter who recently went back home and complained about unpainted houses, stirs a memory. Do you remember Tom Brown and his brother, Teddy? They were painters and both played in the town band, good cornet players, both of them. They went out to Winnipeg a long time ago and I understand both have passed away.
Do you remember the late Father Foley at St. Mary’s Catholic Church? He had been pastor and parish priest since ever so long. When I was a kid, I used to take the Gazette to his rectory, and always got a warm welcome from this kind hearted little priest.
When the Highland Cadets came up to put on a show on the 24th of May, a long time ago? Well, these young fellows from Montreal took the town by storm, and Almonte young women had a field day with them. I am sure there are some of the older girls who swanked around with a kiltie that day. The payoff was when the late E. W. Smith took down his flags and bunting because he misinterpreted the pipe music of the Highlanders who were playing Cock Of The North,” when E. W. thought they were playing “The Protestant Boys.”
1900 Lacrosse Team
Almonte– Mill of Kintail files
When Sarce Nagle and Percy Greig came home from their university terms and gave us great help on the lacrosse field? Those were the days of field lacrosse, and we were often hard pressed to get a win over the Perth Crescents, what with Kelly Douglas and “Tug” and Johnny Wilson and a couple of other stars from Perth.
When Jimmie Morrow and some of the other fellows used to jump off the freight cars into the flum over at Wylie’s flour mill, when the cars were standing on the little siding getting a load of flour? We paid 10 cents for a pair of swimming trunks.
When the notorious Peter Kelly “Slingcod” used to stir up the down town section once in a while when he decided to make the rounds? From the top to the bottom of Mill Street, Peter had to take the gaff from us all.
Do you remember the late “Priest” Williams? He was the school janitor for the public schools. Every morning, summer and winter, he was up at 5 o’clock and went to the “far” school for getting things in shape.
Do you remember the late Robert E. Knowles? He was a Presbyterian clergyman, and became a famous Canadian novelist. He could put up a wonderful prayer with abundant literary technique, and he had a habit of opening his eyes at times during the invocation, maybe to get an eyeful on the unrepentant who hesitated to bow their heads.
G.A. Clarke stops for a break in front of the Young Farmhouse.
1900
Almonte Mill of Kintail files
When Dugald Campbell was born on May 9, 1886, in Lanark, Ontario, his father, Donald, was 48 and his mother, Christinia, was 41 he lived in Almonte in 1901. He married Sarah Garret Johnston on September 10, 1913, in Vancouver, British Columbia. They had four children during their marriage. He died on August 17, 1973, in Vancouver, British Columbia, at the age of 87, and was buried there.
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