Carleton Place Herald –Life in Lanark County

Looking down Hopetown road… Photo from Laurie Yuill

 

Life in Lanark County as I have said before was not easy. Their big day was New Years Day and included a “first footin”,–which was a tour of the neighbour’s homesteads on the snow-drifted concession lines. Then they quaffed in almost a competition style drinking home brew liquor, and danced to the mad music of the fiddles. The Carleton Place Herald of 100 years ago wrote about the harshness of the Lanark County frontier.  “Life was raw in our villages, but they managed to eat three times a day, but there was little of what we would call “fancy food”.

In the issue of December 1954 the Carleton Place Herald, Editor Jamie Poole ran  a column about the old Bytown markets in the 1800s. Our Upper and Lower Town merchants were then offering flour extra superfine, at 2 shillings per cwt. and Editor Poole did not hesitate to state that even this was too high even for a Christmas dinner.

 

No date– Photo from Laurie Yuill.. Hopetown Road

 

Oxen were being sold at a price that was around 25 pounds, and these creatures were the much needed farm tractors of one hundred or so years ago.  In the same issue George Blyth of Carleton Place, had opened a new store and his advertisement was captioned: “The Golden, Age”. Maybe he was right at that, as he offered the ladies plaids (for the proud beauties of the Scotch Line); and black lace veils (for the coy ones in crinolines) and mysterious chemises and corsets as woman’s figures needed no false build-up in those days.

In Renfrew the Bathurst Courier records: “There was a concert in the Grammar School House of Renfrew, the proceeds going towards the public library”. The Lanark Instrumental Club gave much help and a few got drunk and the whole school auditorium had a general row. Otherwise all was fine that day in the town of Renfrew.

They had their traffic problems as I have written about, as the roads were not “black top” and the vehicles were not high powered automobiles in those days. They just requested that all buggy drivers attach bells to their harnesses and keep right and share the road with all oncoming horse traffic.

In spite of their issues they managed to attend the many lectures of the Mechanics Institutes around the county and attend husking bees, barn raisings and quilting parties. And so– they lived without televisions, telephones and automobile transmissions. But, there were no fears of nuclear war or cold war bunkers, as they used those for root cellars. They were smart.

 

Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place and The Tales of Almonte

1. Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun  Screamin’ Mamas (USA)  and The Sherbrooke Record
2.  

    

   

One of the First Settlers of Drummond from the Massacre at Culloden

Some Cold Hard Facts- First Tailor in Ramsay and a Cow Without a Bell

Dear Lanark Era –Lanark Society Settlers Letter

Ramsay Settlers 101

Beckwith –Settlers — Sir Robert the Bruce— and Migrating Turtles

What is the Biggest Change in Your Lifetime? Ramsay 1979

Ramsay Settlers 101

What Was Smiths Falls Perth and Port Elmsley like to Joseph and Jane Weekes?

What Did British Immigrants Spend When They First Came to Canada?

The Cholera Epidemic of 1911

 

Rock the Boat! Lanark County or Bust! Part 1

It Wasn’t the Sloop John B — Do’s and Don’t in an Immigrant Ship -Part 2

Riders on the Storm– Journey to Lanark County — Part 3

ROCKIN’ Cholera On the Trek to the New World — Part 4

Thanks to Pearle Williams 1873 this is Carleton Place’s first newspaper

Thanks to Pearle Williams 1897

Thanks to Pearle Williams 1915

Pickwick’s Gossip Columns of The Grog Shops — Truth was Truth and Sin was Sin

 

 

A Grog Shop was a  saloon of bar room especially a cheap one. But,  it was there you found 9/10th of  the local population. But, it was also there that the local newspaper found its best gossip.

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  13 Dec 1952, Sat,  Page 24

 

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun and Screamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Tavern Licenses of Lanark County — names names names

Fake News or Just a Bad Fight? Shocking Cannibalism–Tales from the Tavern

Be Very Proud Carleton Place — Postcards and Booze

Memories of the Carleton Place LCBO

Nothing But the Cooler Left in Carleton Place

82 Bottles of Booze on the Wall – 82 Bottles of Booze

The Big Beer Store Heist in Carleton Place

Was the McNeely Bridge Funded on “Drinkin’ Fines”?

You Can’t Touch This?…Taking the Vanilla Out of History

If anyone has not caught on I became obsessed with documenting those that had passed so they could be remembered for future generations a few years ago.

Do we think that serious textual stories are better, more “literary,”  whereas something lighter fare is for the under educated? If so, then we have a problem. Today’s generations are not interested in facts, and to get them or a lot of other folks to read about history it has to be interesting. I don’t know about you but reading traditional text really doesn’t inspire me to want to know more, so I decided to take the ‘vanilla’ out of history. I mean what would you rather read–

“A faintness came over him, and together with the evacuations his bowels protruded, followed by a copious hemorrhage, and the descent of the smaller intestines: moreover portions of his spleen and liver were brought off in the effusion of blood, so that he almost immediately died.”

Well, maybe that is a terrible example–but today, one of the younger generation would ‘text’ that sentence something like this:

“Hey! That man just %^&* out his internal organs and I will never eat Pigs In A Blanket again”.

What about the local lad who was so popular that the crowd at one of our local fairs threw so many various items at him out of adoration that he died of asphyxiation? What will you remember? Pie Winners? I don’t think so. But, interesting tidbits helps you remember the rest of the story.

 

Of course we all remember Brothel Bertie  (King Edward the VII) who probably exercised his prowess around the local area. When he visited in 1860 he might have ended dying from bow chicka wow wow when he had a drink at Bennie’s Corners if a certain lady from the Metcalfe farm had caught his eye. I don’t know about you, but reading about those “old community spirits” keeps my interests up and makes me want to know more.

Ice Ice Baby, Ice Ice Baby
All right stop, Collaborate and listen

On the 18th of 1897 Carleton Place was advertising for someone to introduce military drills and exercise in the public schools. For $600 a year the individual they hired was to instill serious discipline into the local school child. It was mentioned that 15 minutes a day would increase the brain function from all that sitting sideways and slouching forward that a normal child does during the day.

Really? Really?

As Maestro Fresh Wes once said: “Let my backbone slide!”

 

 

The Central Canadian newspaper wanted the school system to hire Joseph McKay, son of James McKay, Carleton Place Bell Street baker for the position. He rose in his long militia service here from lieutenant of No. 5 Company in the late 1870’s  to lieutenant colonel of his regiment at the turn of the century. The Rifle Ranges at Carleton Place were constructed during Lieut. Colonel McKay’s command and the newspaper said it would be hard to find a more efficient man for the position.

 

Tiffany Nixon in front of the “50 Shades of Grey’ apparatus at Hamsa Yoga in Carleton Place.

 

So what did I immediately think of when I read this? All I could see was the yoga trainers at Hamsa Yoga  next to the  Ginger Cafe . God only knows that I have embarrassed poor Tiffany Nixon enough calling them her ’50 shades of grey’ section on numerous occasions.

So what else did I remember when I read the newspaper article?

I saw Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Mackay who had risen to Major by that point in time looking something like Black Jack Jonathan Randall from the hit TV show Outlander instructing those Carleton Place children with a snap of his crop.

I don’t think there is a “chance in Inverness” that I will ever forget this story now–nor will you.

Ice Ice Baby, Ice Ice Baby
All right stop, Collaborate and listen

Black Jack Jonathan Randall- Outlander with a little photoshop

Newspapers seemed to control our local towns and it wasn’t hard to sway the townsfolk into some sort of rabble rousing. Take in point some fine fowl, over 325 to be exact, that resided in Appleton belonging to the Herald’s Mr. Sam Allen. The joke was that Mr. Allen’s chickens were so well esteemed they had taken their fair share of prizes at the Almonte Fair. In fact too much so– as there were a few dozen articles about his chickens!

The “opposite side” joked that maybe a visit to “the Appleton hood” by some could relieve him of some of his fair feathered friends. Was this a warning to Mr. Allen that his poultry should enter the KFC Witness Protection Plan? Or, was it to be soon a Winner Winner Chicken Dinner for all in Lanark County? In everything– the rooster, human or fowl made and still makes the most news. It has been proven many times in the Almonte Gazette and the Carleton Place Herald. Trust me!

Anything less than the best is a felony
Love it or leave it, You better gain way
You better hit bull’s eye, The kid don’t play..

 

February 6 1920, Almonte Gazette

Many cisterns in Almonte are now dry and there is water famine in many country places. Also the long dry cold winter has been serious for those residents of Almonte who depend upon rain water for their domestic supply as many cisterns have gone dry. Others have burst and the water is being teamed from the river to many of our homes.

How do you convey to today’s generation how important these cisterns were to basic human needs in years gone by? Heck, I didn’t even know what one was until a year ago. How do you get someone to remember what they were?

Van you take do you take the vanilla out hard facts to a generation who says: “I’m cleaning out my car today in case someone needs 27 empty water bottles”.

Easy– Without a cistern and water they would have had no coffee. I guarantee you everyone will remember that now. No cisterns= no double double.

I could be wrong, but history argues that taking the vanilla out of writing will always be in fashion. How many of these local stories have you remembered?

Let Me Entertain You!

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read. Also check out The Tales of Carleton Place.

Ice Ice Baby, Ice Ice Baby Lyrics- Vanilla Ice

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  15 Nov 1897, Mon,  [First Edition],  Page 2

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  07 Oct 1899, Sat,  Page 6

Cisterns I Have Known

Taking Sexy Back with Brothel Bertie aka Edward the VII

Maybe We Should Film Oak Island in Carleton Place? The Day the Money Disappeared

Early Newspapers- Accident of John Devlin

 

Newspaperman 1860

 

WARNING GRAPHIC!

September 2 1898-Almonte Gazette

 

Terrible Accident Occurred on the C.P.R. track here last Saturday night (August 28). John Devlin, the seventeen-year-old son of Mr. James Devlin, Carleton Place, in company with a couple of younger boys, was stealing a ride from the junction town to Almonte on what is known as the *“blind baggage” of the Winnipeg express, and while the train was speeding along opposite the Church street crossing, about two hundred yards from the station, young Devlin jumped off between the tracks and, according to some boys who were eyewitnesses, he bounded back with his head across the track.

A wheel passing over his head, smashing the skull and crushing the lower part of his face into a pulp. Death must have been instantaneous. The probability is that deceased never knew what happened him. A couple of his toes were also cut off. The face presented a horrible sight, and was totally unrecognizable. Some young men identified the unfortunate young man by his clothing. Coroner Burns was soon on the scene, and communicated with the relatives and the railway authorities with as little delay as possible, but the ‘body remained on the ground for some time before authority was given for its -removal, the decision in the interval being that no inquest was necessary.

Undertaker Donaldson then took the body to his “ morgue,” where it was dressed and coffined, after which, at the request of two brothers of deceased, he drove it to the home at Carleton Place, whence the funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon, to St. James’ church and cemetery, and was very largely attended.

The Herald says: “ Deceased was an employee in the Hawthorne woolen mill, a weaver, and was a steady and industrious young man. The parents and brothers and sisters have the sympathy of the whole town in their sudden and heavy bereavement. He was 17 year old.

From 

St. James Anglican Cemetery – Block A-to-J,
230 – 8th Concession of Ramsay Twp, Carleton Place
Lanark County

 

Why would anyone publish anything this graphic?

Once upon a time, newspapers were a primary source of information. In the early 1800s, newspaper publishing bore little resemblance to the business it is today. Most newspapers had a small circulation, and were staffed by a very small number of workers. Division of labor in the newspaper publishing process – news gathering and reporting, editing, and printing–was uncommon, though it became more so as the period progressed. Even in the larger, urban newspapers, the owner of the paper would usually serve as the reporter and editor. Apprentices often assisted with printing and delivery.

Their principal function was not necessarily to inform, but to make money for the publisher, which they did by selling copies of the paper to readers and selling advertisements to businesses. Nineteenth century newspapers, unlike urban papers in our own multimedia universe, often carried very detailed coverage of a much broader range of activities – lengthy transcriptions of evidence given in court, for example, or the minute by minute happenings of a municipal council meeting, or an accident similar to the above newspaper article. The hunger for news and the lack of well-researched stories often meant that rumour and hearsay were published as fact. Then, as now, sensational stories helped sell newspapers, and checking the facts did not always take priority. So don’t believe everything you read in the newspapers:)

 

 

*blind baggage
:  a railway baggage, express, or postal car that has no door or opening at one end

 

 

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal,  11 Oct 1929, Fri,  Page 22

 

When Newspapers Gossiped–David Kerr Innisville

Local Newspapers–Yellow Journalism

What Happens When Newspapers Finally Die and the Internet Reaches Capacity?

Dr.Preston Was in the House — The Case of the Severed Foot

This Ram was Ten Yards Long Sir and His Horns Reached the Sky

November 10 1871–Almonte Gazette

A three-year ewe by Mr. John Gilmour,  the local butcher was just killed and dressed and weighed over 147- lbs. Considering that the average weight is about 80 lbs., this specimen of a dead giant sheep ls worthy of a special mention in our paper. It was reared on the farm of Andrew Cochrane, of Ramsay, and was of the Leicester variety.The sheep apparently was as ‘large as the famous *Derby Ram whose praises are sung in story. Cochrane’s ewe has supplied our citizens with “chops” and “roasts” on Tuesday last.

 

 

 April 2 1897–Almonte Gazette

Smith’s Falls is bound to outdo Carleton Place. The news tells of a freak owned by Mr. J . H. Gould—a calf with five legs, four ears and three eyes. Four of the legs are where nature intended they should be, and the fifth is growing just near the root of the tail. The ears are placed where they should be, but two on each side, and the additional eye is just behind one set of ears.

 

March 28 1873–Almonte Gazette

On the 16th a ewe belonging to Mr. John Sutherland, 7th concession of Ramsay gave birth to a ram lamb having six legs—all perfectly developed. The lamb is of unusual size and very woolly. The two extra legs protrude from the front shoulder, one of them being turned backwards. A large number of people have visited Mr. Sutherland’s farm to see this modem wonder, and have expressed their astonishment at such an unusual freak of nature.

April 30, 1897-Smiths Falls Recorder

A cow belonging to Mr. John McLeod, Smith’s Falls, gave birth to a calf with two heads.

April 2 1897–Carleton Place Herald

Dr. McGregor, of Carleton Place has secured a freak—a calf with two distinct heads and two necks. He will have it taken care of by Pete and Jimmy Garvin who did a  lot of taxidermy on High Street. See also-Shades of The Godfather in Dr. Preston’s Office in Carleton Place

April 30 1897-Almonte Gazette

Mr. John Lindsay, of Blakeney, has a Plymouth Rock hen that laid an egg for the Almonte Gazette competition that measures 7×84 inches —and it wasn’t a good day for laying, either. She is understood to be reserving herself for even a greater effort. The egg can be seen on the editor’s desk.

1873-Almonte Gazette

Mr.William *Devlin, of Perth, blacksmith, has in his possession a young eagle caught in a trap in Drummond township, about two months ago, by his brother, Samuel Devlin. The bird measures, seven feet from tip to tip, and is still vigorously growing. When caught it was manoeuvring around the carcass of a horse, whose attractions were too powerful to be withstood by the bird of liberty, even with an ugly looking trap placed in a leading position in the middle of the equine remains

*Derby Ram The Derby Ram or As I was Going to Derby is a traditional tall tale English folk song (Roud 126) that tells the story of a ram of gargantuan proportions and the difficulties involved in butchering, tanning, and otherwise processing its carcass.

Perth Courier, March 21, 1890

*Devlin–On Wednesday last the remains of Mr. William Devlin, Sr., of Drummond were brought to Perth and interred in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Rev. Father O’Donohue conducting the burial service.  The late Mr. Dodds died at the age of 94 years having been born in the town of Castlebar, County May, Ireland about the year 1790.  He came to Canada in 1821 settling at once in the Township of Drummond.  He had a family of 9 children, 6 of whom with his aged widow survive him.  Mr. Devlin was a man of sterling character and a firm Liberal.  He had many connections in Drummond, Perth and other parts of this section of Ontario and being widely known in the locality his funeral was a very large one.  The infirmities of old age were aggravated by an attack of La Grippe which was the immediate cause of his death.

 

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun

Related reading

Shades of The Godfather in Dr. Preston’s Office in Carleton Place

The Mules of the Number 1 Mill?

 

Photo from Almonte.com

Almonte Gazette 1871

Sir—

You will obliged by inserting the following in the Almonte Gazette. Having seen a letter by Mr. “O” of the Carleton Place Herald— first to the employers of the No. 1 Mill  and secondly in the interest of the workpeople. I think it should not pass unnoticed.

 

Mr. “O” says that girls have been placed to work as mules in one of the mills, and undoubtedly-he means instead of the boys, to save expense. This is positively an untruth, but suppose it had been true, where is the wrong; every man is justifiable in running any business as cheap as he can, as long as his proceedings are just and honest.

Again Mr. “O” says in the Herald— the girls have been worked nearly 14 hours per day. This only occurred once, and then by the girls’ request, and if this had not been the case, we think it quite out of place at this time when shortness of water has caused such delay, to mention the working of one quarter of a day overtime as a means used by the employers to find a living out of the poor.

Again Mr. “O”  refers to the fine of one dollar, deducted from the boys’ wages for absenting themselves from work without permission, and says that in some cases it amounted to nearly three day’s pay-(including the half day’s time lost).

This of course is another way whereby the rich live at the expense of the poor. Does Mr. ‘‘O” suppose that if a lad neglects his work for one half day, that three days’ pay makes up the loss, if the machine he runs stops one-half day, is not invariably the next process injured, and the third and fourth and so on; through the whole mill the delay is felt and the goods late in market and perhaps thrown on the sellers hands.

Where is the common reason of the thing, or the foolish parent who would encourage his children to pursue such a course?  Nothing but ‘‘ill will,” I think, could have induced M r. “O ” to. write such a letter. First, he tried the editor of the Almonte Gazette, but with an invisible success, and then came out in his true colours, manifesting a fair share of the avaricious spirit he speaks so much about, and resembling, in a slight degree, the principles of the Societe Internationale, as mentioned in the Almonte Gazette and injurious to the working classes of Almonte, generally.

How can the employees attempt to ask any favours of their employers, when such treatment is practised upon them, as to be publicly exposed and to have statements made in reference to them-which- is wholly untrue in a public newspaper, it is unnecessary. to ask to which side does the avaricious spirit belong, but does it not rather suggest to us how liable we are to err, and how many of us are there who have not committed actions and found the silent rebuke of conscience a sufficient punishment, and what we have done in haste we, have grieved over at our leisure.

Much more might be said, but we would be sorry to lie too personal or severe in our remarks: rather let us examine ourselves and see first if there is not a beam in our own eye to be removed, before we attempt to”take the note from our brother’s eye”, and if not let us so walk that the light reflected from our good deeds which shall show others the way wherein they should go.

“The D”

Author’s Note- So why was there such a furor? Why was Mr. O’s letter printed in the Carleton Place Herald and not the Almonte Gazette?  Did Carleton Place still had bitter grapes about Rosamond leaving Carleton Place in 1866 for Almonte? Towards the close of their lease with  Mr. Boulton in Carleton Place Rosamond wanted to buy or rent the water power. The owner Mr. McLaren of Beckwith would do neither and the town council of Carleton Place was on the side of McLaren. Rosamond left Carleton Place in a huff for Almonte and it appears the media battle began. This letter was  obviously written by someone with great education and an instigator to be sure.

 

 

 

The Mississippi Valley Textile Museum (MVTM) is located in the annex of the former Rosamond Woolen Company in Almonte, Ontario. History click here

August 11 1871– Almonte Gazette- The employees of No. 1 mill had a gala day, on Saturday, their employers giving them a free trip to Ottawa. Two years ago they were treated with a trip to Brockville ; and last year they were taken up ‘the Ottawa as far as Portage-du-Fort. The excursion party consisted of about 350 persons, and was composed principally of the operatives of the firm, their relatives and a few invited guests.

Upon arriving in Ottawa they walked from the railway station to the Parliament buildings, and here, through the kindness of the Hon. Alex. Morris, they were shown every attention, and were taken through the chamber of the House of Commons, the Speaker’s Room, Library, Senate Chamber, and other places of interest about the buildings. Many of the excursionists visited the Chaudiere, the mills, factories, and other sights worth seeing in the capital, and altogether a most pleasant day was spent in ‘‘ doing” Ottawa. All present enjoyed themselves with the trip; and nothing occurred to mar the general pleasure.

 

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun

 

Related reading:

Was Working in One of Our Local Mills Like Working in a Coal Mine?

Babies in the Textile Mills

The Drought of 1871 and the Mills on the Mississippi River

What Do You Know About the Burnt Lands?

Weird and Thrilling Concert in Carleton Place? The Fisk Jubilee Singers of Tennessee University

Jubilee singers, Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn.

• Repository: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA

Shouting Soprano

The Jubilee Singers of Tennessee University under the auspices of the Carleton Place Mechanics’ Institute, in one of their Weird and Thrilling Concerts.  Plantation Melodies in the true Southern Style.  Miss Piollie Johnson, The Great Shouting Soprano.  Admission 25c, 35c, children 15c.  Tickets at MacLean’s Book Store.

September 1883 Carleton Place Herald

“The wild melodies of these emancipated slaves touched the fount of tears and grey-haired men wept like little children”.

Photo –Family Tree Circles

A singing class organized by George L. White, 1838-1895, gave the first of a series of public concerts in spring 1867. Eleven singers toured Ohio as `a band of Negro minstrels’ in 1871. Originally known as the Fisk Free Coloured School, Fisk University was established in 1865 to educate newly freed slaves.

The Fisk University Jubilee Singers was the first group to publicly perform the songs of slaves and they shared them with the world. When the Fisk Jubilee Singers first performed in the late 1800s, they sang ballads and patriotic anthems; it was their director, George White, who suggested that they sing the songs of their ancestors.

The group was hesitant at first to expose this sacred music but agreed to add a few spirituals to their program. The music was well-received, often moving audiences to tears. With their performances, the Jubilee Singers were able to keep alive these songs of the past and reveal the emotions and strong faith of the African American slave.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers on. Tour Early 1900-Photo AfriGeneas

They broke racial barriers in the U.S. and abroad in the late 19th century and entertained Kings and Queens in Europe. At the same time, they raised money in support of their beloved school.

The Fisk Jubilee Singers continue the tradition of singing the Negro spiritual around the world. This allows the ensemble to share this rich culture globally, while preserving this unique music.

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 08 May 1893, Mon, Page 6

Photo January 1900 CP Herald

Found by Josh Greer- and property of Lisa Occomore and Brad Occomore of Valley Granite & Tile.)

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News and now in The Townships Sun

Murder in Carleton Place –Peter Cairns

Perth Courier, August 26, 1870

We just learn by telegraph that a shocking murder was committed at Carleton Place yesterday morning.  A little boy, son of a widow woman the name of Low, aged about 12 years, was shot dead by a man named Peter Cairns a boarder in the house.  Later we learned the following additional particulars of this melancholy affair from Constable McFadden of Carleton Place who brought the prisoner from there and lodged him in the Perth jail.

Yesterday morning a son of widow Low, aged 12, having hurt his foot sat crying on the door step of his mother’s residence.  Cairns demanded that he should desist but the boy did not heed the order.  When the prisoner renewed the demand and told him he would shoot him if he did not stop, the boy had no idea that the prisoner anticipated putting his threat into execution and he bade him no attention.  Cairns then pointed the gun at the boy, drew the trigger and the gun went off sending the contents—a charge of pigeon shot—into the left side of the poor boy, the whole again going out under the right arm, making a frightful wound, tearing a hole in the abdomen nearly 2 inches in diameter.

The mitigating circumstances are:  Cairns had lent the gun to a person working on the Canadian Central Railway who had returned it unloaded.  This was ascertained to be the case on Friday evening last.  The dead boy’s brother had taken the gun on Saturday to hunt pigeons and had replaced it where he had taken it, loaded.  Cairns was unaware the gun had been used since he hung it up and took it down as he says, to frighten the child, pointing it at him in a threatening manner.

An Englishman standing beside Cairns observing that the gun was (illegible word), hastened to point the fact out to Cairns but the warning came too late for at that instant the gun went off.  It is the opinion of nearly everyone in Carleton Place that the deed was not intentional.  A coroner’s inquest was held on the body of the deceased boy yesterday afternoon when a verdict of manslaughter was returned coupled with the conclusion that the prisoner did not intend to take the life of the child.

Cairns is a young man rather pre-possessing in appearance about 19 years of age, small in stature, light hair and complexion.  He was very much depressed after the awful occurrence.  After his arrest yesterday afternoon by Constable McFadden, he frequently requested that the constable shoot him, so overwhelmed did he feel.  He said that he could scarcely bear to know that his parents should learn the fearful facts.  He was until about three months ago a resident of the city of Quebec.  Since his arrival at Carleton Place he had been working in the new factory of Mr. McArthur’s.

Photo McCord Museum- McArthur Mill

Perth Courier, October 28, 1870

The Queen Versus Peter Cairns—On the 21^st day of August last, the prisoner was playing with one Simmons and a young boy named Thomas Lowe, son of Mrs. Lowe who keeps a boarding house at Carleton Place. Thomas Lowe got hurt and began to cry, and the prisoner took down a double barrel shotgun from the wall and said he would shoot the boy if he did not stop crying.  Simmons told him to take care, the gun was loaded. Notwithstanding the warning, the prisoner raised the gun and fired at the child, the charge passing through his chest and he died in a few minutes.  There being no evidence of malice aforethought, but a clear case of criminal negligence, the grave charge of murder was withdrawn and the charge of manslaughter was returned.  Sentenced to 12 months in the common gaol at hard labour.

Credit and Depression

A. McArthur & Son, Carleton Place. –

Believing that too much credit has been one of the main causes of the depression which is now felt throughout the country, we are prepared to sell for Cash or Short Date on approved Credit, at prices to suit the times.

A. McArthur, W. B. McArthur, March 1, 1879.

August 26, 1870 – We learn by telegraph that a shocking murder was committed at Carleton
Place yesterday morning. A little boy, son of a widow woman the name of Low, aged about 12
years, was shot dead by a man named Peter Cairns a boarder in the house. The son of Widow
Low, having hurt his foot, sat crying on the door step of his mother’s residence. Cairns
demanded that he should desist but the boy did not heed the order. When [Cairns] renewed the
demand and told him he would shoot him if he did not stop, the boy had no idea that the
prisoner anticipated putting his threat into execution and he bade him no attention. Cairns then
pointed the gun at the boy, drew the trigger and the gun went off sending the contents—a
charge of pigeon shot—into the left side of the poor boy, the whole again going out under the
right arm, making a frightful wound, tearing a hole in the abdomen nearly 2 inches in
diameter. A coroner’s inquest was held on the body of the deceased boy yesterday afternoon
when a verdict of manslaughter was returned…

Come and visit the Lanark County Genealogical Society Facebook page– what’s there? Cool old photos–and lots of things interesting to read.

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News

Killed by Lightening -or Death by Bear Devouring

The Buck Lake Murderer

The Media Then and Now–Johnny Gillies Had a Gun

Snippets of the Illustrious James Poole

 

Photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

 

In this early private postcard of Carleton Place, the newspaper office for The Herald is located on the right. Started in 1850, James Poole was the editor and publisher. The paper is no longer in circulation.

 

Photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum CARLETON PLACE HERALD, weekly, James C. Poole, publisher.

n 1853, James Poole, editor of The Carleton Place Herald, wrote about the Chats Falls horse railway:

“Certainly this is one of the last things you dare to hope for in the heart of the wilderness far away from either a road or a cow-path – and you must almost doubt whether it is a reality, or like the palace of Aladdin, you are not under the mysterious influence of some kind genii for your present position.”

 

Photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

IN 1883 William H Allen with his brother S. J Allen took over the Carleton Place Herald from the late James Poole.

Photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

 

Officer in the 41st Brockville Rifle Battalion. Likely Capt. James Condie Poole–Photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

 

Clipped from

1. Ottawa Daily Citizen,
2. 29 Jul 1878, Mon,
3. Page 2

Clipped from

1. Ottawa Daily Citizen,
2. 20 Dec 1862, Sat,
3. Page 2

 

 

Some of James Poole’s headlines in the Carleton Place Herald

James Poole fonds
MG 24 K 49
Broadsheets of Notices which were to be entered in the Carleton HERALD
No. Description of Broadsheet Physical Description Page

1 “To the Independent Electors of the South
Riding of Lanark”, Smith’s Falls,
12 Dec. 1857, James Shaw.
Notation on reverse “to be inserted twice,
ordered by W. McCaine”.
Height & Width: 40.5 cm x
34 cm; blue paper.
p.
0000549

2 “St. James’s Church, Perth”. Statement “the new
church will be opened (D.V.) On Thursday,
November 14, 1861.”
Perth, Nov. 1861, Henry D. Shaw, A. William
Playfair, Churchwardens.
Height & Width: 35.5 cm x
53 cm; white paper
p.
0001104

3 “Notice that Dr. Morton of Farmersville will be
in Carleton Place, Wed. 27th of this month,
where he may be consulted for one day only.
Merrickville, 11 July 1859.
The document contains handwritten corrections.
Notation on reverse.
Height & Width: 44.5 cm x
28 cm, white paper.
P.
0001022

4. “Large Supplies, Great Reduction”. Notice of
sale of dry goods and groceries with prices
noted.
Island Store, Almonte, Oct. 26, 1864.
The document contains handwritten corrections.
Height & Width: 42 cm x
28 cm, white paper.
p.
0001372.

5. “Farm Property to be sold by Auction”
Village of Carleton Place, H. McLean,
Auctioneer, with instructions from the heirs of the
late Rev. John Smith, of Beckwith, n.d.
Height & Width: 46 cm x
31.5 cm. White paper
p.
0001349.

6. “ The splendid young stallion ‘Jupiter’ will stand
for mares this seasons”. Includes picture of the
horse.
J. Dunnet, Pakenham, May 1859.
The document contains handwritten corrections.
Height & Width: 45.5 cm x
30.5 cm, white paper.
p.
0000958

7. “Smith’s Latest Improved Combined Mowing
and Reaping Machines”, selling implements to
farmers, John Smith, St. Gabriel Locks,
Montreal; Robert Carss, Agent, Arnprior, Frank
Sargent, Agent, Ottawa.
Montreal, June 1859.
The document contains handwritten corrections.
Height & Width: 45.25 cm
x 31 cm, white paper
p.
0001002

8. “Notice! To All Farmers & Mechanics”
concerning an invention by Lyman Judson for a
method of constructing slat and teeth for horse
rakes. Includes picture of implement.
Elbe, 6 May, 1857.
The document contains handwritten corrections.
Height & Width: 45 cm x
30 cm, white paper
p.
0000672

9. “Take Notice! Auction Sale!”
Arnprior, Ottawa House,
Dry goods, dress goods, prints. A. Rowe,
auctioneer, 22 Feb. 1865.
The document contains more information as well
as handwritten corrections.
Height & Width: 44 cm x
28 cm, white paper
p.
0001517

10. “Auction Sale!” 300 acres of land, 6th
concession, Beck Township, late Rev. J. Smith.
1 Nov. ____, H. McLean, auctioneer.
Height & Width: 41 cm x
28 cm, white paper
p.
0001366

11. “Great Panic in the Money Market!” Notice
offering the sale of British and foreign goods “at
unprecedentedly Low Prices…”
Groceries, hardware, drugs, stationery, etc.
James Dunnet.
The document contains handwritten corrections.
Height & Width: 42 cm x
29 cm, green paper
p.
0000503

 

Related reading

The Donneybrooks of Carleton Place-Number 3

The Loyal Village Guards of Carleton Place

Don’t Eat Yellow Snow? How About Erasers?- Ewan Caldwell

Lanark County Genealogical Society Website

Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in Hometown News

 

Lassie Come Home?

 

A dog jumped from the baggage car of a C . P . R . train at Carleton Place last week and hung around the railway track for several days. Later the dog reached Almonte and has been there since last Friday. On Saturday they tried to capture the animal, but he positively declines all advance that is in the direction of capitulation. He belongs to a Toronto gentleman who has a reward out for him.  Carleton Place Herald 1899

 

RELATED READING

Don’t Be a Bad Dog in Carleton Place! — Really!!! — SIGNS OF THE TIMES

Unknown Blind Civil Rights Leader in Carleton Place — Ken London

Watch Your Small Dogs! Local Predator Birds are Looking for Appetizers

The Funniest Anti-Dog Letter to the Editor–Almonte Gazette

Dogs on Film at Walmart

Pam Knowles – Who Lets The Dogs Out? Waggs’ n Whiskers

Dogs in The Pool – Girls and Boys Just Want to Have Fun!

The Banning of Hot Dogs — Must We Stand for This Too My Countrymen?

Roy Bates and His Dog Named Taffy— ahh Paddy

What Does your Dog’s Sleeping Position Mean?

Dumping in Carleton Place — Dogs Don’t Give a Crap!