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Jul5
Comments –What was it Like Being German in Lanark County 1915?
Yesterday I wrote about something I had no clue about. The early part of the war witnessed a substantial backlash against many elements of the German presence in Canada. Public schools removed German language instruction from their curricula. Some orchestras refused to play German music– and the hysteria continued in the media as seen below.
Here are some comments to the story —What was it Like Being German in Lanark County 1915?
Steven Robert Morrison Even in the 1950’s when Mom and Dad were dating. My grandmother Morrison would say things like, “Bill’s girlfriend Marie is a nice girl, but she is G-E-R-M-A-N”. She did not want to say the word GERMAN.
But then on the other side of the coin, a great-grandmother on Mom’s side, very Prussian lady, died refusing to believe the Holocaust happened, because the German people would never have done anything like that. Gran Morrison was from Cobden, G-Gram was in Eganville.
Noreen Tyers Hi Linda, just a short note to say, you do stimulate this old brain. I began to remember stories from my childhood good or bad. Your article on Germans in Lanark County, made me think of my Grandmother’s family who was born in Germany. As a child growing up in Eastview, now a part of Ottawa, the stories came back onto the scene. Her parents, sisters and brother were all under detection of the Government.
I had a school friend that her family name was on the list and near the top so they were under heavy scrutiny. My problem is I do not know the details, it was stories my Grandmother passed on to me. I was born in 1939 and grew up with the fear of the Second World War and do not know if my feelings were from fright or from the stories. You may use the comment. My Grandmother’s Family were hard working farm people and the area they lived in there was a few families of German descent and all were treated the same way. Noreen
Marilyn White My great grandparents came from Germany and settled in Pembroke. My grandfather and grandmother then moved to Smith Falls and during the Second World War he worked for the railroad. They never taught the kids German as they wanted to stay under the radar.
If you have any memories PM me on Facebook , send a message here or email sav_77@yahoo.com
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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 and The Tales of Almonte
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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
Did the Germans Start the Fire at the Portland School in 1915?
Was it the Germans Or UFO’s that Invaded the Ottawa Valley in 1915?
What was it Like Being German in Lanark County 1915?
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Jul3
What was it Like Being German in Lanark County 1915?
I come across stories that shock me all the time and this is one of them, but it’s history.
“I can tell you one thing,” said a Canadian farmer out of Lanark County to The Journal. “A Conservative won’t stand a ghost of a chance in this part of this riding at the next election, the majority of the Germans are so sore on the government for having sent Canadian troops to the front”.
I’m a Conservative myself,” he continued, “and I have been from end to end of the county quite recently, so I know what I’m talking about”. The Germans are quiet, so far as any demonstration goes, but deep down this antagonist feeling exists, and there are times when they don’t hesitate.
Conversation with an old country farmer in another portion of the area brought to light that fact that the British and French residents do believe that actual attempts have been made by certain Germans to accumulate stocks of arms and ammunition.
The case of a storekeep in a neighboring town was cited. A story was circulated that a “Frenchman” had accidentally discovered nineteen rifles in a case of hardware in the store. That story wound its way throughout the county, and The Journals Informant heard it from a dozen sources including from the original source. He questioned the German about it, and received a vigorous denial and said that if he could find the man who originated the yarn he would sue him. He was supplied with the name; but despite his threats of suit not a word has been heard of the matter, though some weeks have elapsed. “So you see.” remarked the farmer, “It looks as if there was something in the charge after all.”
An escort of Canadians went back to his farm with him, and ran up a Union Jack in front of the house. The flag still remains, though somewhat the worse for its winter’s wear
One of the larger farmers in Lanark County is one of the collectors for the Patriotic Fund in the district. He told The Journal that most of the German farmers had contributed small amounts, but that the collections were in cash this year, and the totals were not nearly so large as last, when grain was accepted. He expressed the opinion that such farmers had withdrawn money from the bank and had buried it until the end of the war in fear of confiscation.
I’m a Conservative myself,” he continued, “and I have been from end to end of the county quite recently, so I know what I’m talking about”. The Germans are quiet, so far as any demonstration goes, but deep down this antagonist feeling exists, and there are times when they don’t hesitate.
Conversation with an old country farmer in another portion of the area brought to light that fact that the British and French residents do believe that actual attempts have been made by certain Germans to accumulate stocks of arms and ammunition.
The case of a storekeep in a neighboring town was cited. A story was circulated that a “Frenchman” had accidentally discovered nineteen rifles in a case of hardware in the store. That story wound its way throughout the county, and The Journals Informant heard it from a dozen sources including from the original source. He questioned the German about it, and received a vigorous denial and said that if he could find the man who originated the yarn he would sue him. He was supplied with the name; but despite his threats of suit not a word has been heard of the matter, though some weeks have elapsed. “So you see.” remarked the farmer, “It looks as if there was something in the charge after all.”
An escort of Canadians went back to his farm with him, and ran up a Union Jack in front of the house. The flag still remains, though somewhat the worse for its winter’s wear
One of the larger farmers in Lanark County is one of the collectors for the Patriotic Fund in the district. He told The Journal that most of the German farmers had contributed small amounts, but that the collections were in cash this year, and the totals were not nearly so large as last, when grain was accepted. He expressed the opinion that such farmers had withdrawn money from the bank and had buried it until the end of the war in fear of confiscation.
Did You Know?
During the First World War, Germans in Canada were considered “enemy-aliens.” Over 8000 German Canadians were interned in camps. During this period, German language instruction was abolished and the German press was no longer allowed to publish in German.
German immigration to Canada resumed after the end of the War. Between 1915 and 1935, over 97 000 German speaking peoples arrived in Canada from Germany, the Soviet Union, Poland, and Czechoslovakia. It was not until 1950 that Canadian restrictions on German immigration were removed.
During this period Canada also took a more aggressive approach to recruit craftsmen from abroad. As a result of these changes, over 400 000 people migrated to Canada from Austria, Germany, and Switzerland between 1950 and 1970.
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 and The Tales of Almonte
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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
Did the Germans Start the Fire at the Portland School in 1915?
Was it the Germans Or UFO’s that Invaded the Ottawa Valley in 1915?
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Apr26
Did the Germans Start the Fire at the Portland School in 1915?
When the white wooden schoolhouse in Newboyne and the Harlem schoolhouse were both burned to the ground in 1915, it was rumoured the Germans were behind the arson. The brick schoolhouse was erected on County Road 5 in 1918. It closed in 1936 due to a lack of students, and the few who remained went to S.S. No. 1 Newboyne. In 1956, S.S. No. 1 closed and the students were transported to S.S. No. 2 Newboyne, which finally closed its doors in 1966 when Rideau Centennial School opened. Shortly afterwards, the old schoolhouse was sold to the Anglican Church Women (ACW) for $1 and became St. Peter’s Anglican Church Hall.
The Germans burned down the school? 1915 was a busy year for things being done the Germans in our area it seems. In February 1915 it was said that some of the folks in Brockville and the surrounding area were returning from church and spotted something lit in the sky on February 15, 1915. When the mayor of Brockville and three constables also witnessed this alledged incident word quickly spread up and down the valley that the Germans were invading Canada. Read more here: Was it the Germans Or UFO’s that Invaded the Ottawa Valley in 1915?
There were many phantom German air raids and war hysteria in Quebec and Ontario during the First World War. During the Great War vivid imaginations and wild rumours were the order of the day, and local politicians did little to ease fears. Nobody knows what started the fire at the Portland schools which totally destroyed tho building, doing damage to the extent of about $1500. No coal was put in the furnace after noon on the day before– so was it the Germans, or just schools needing much needed improvements finally succumbing to fire?\
Black and white photograph of school group in front of Portland School in 1895. The school was built in 1888. Photo Our Ontario
Black and white photograph of Portland School group in 1897. Teachers identified as Hattie Donovan and Rebecca Edwards with 47 pupils. Photo Our Ontario
Black and white photograph of Portland School group in 1902. Identified as Miss Cawley, Mina Bell, and 37 pupils. Photo Our Ontario
Photograph of the Portland Public School in 1936. Left to right (front row): Donald Hull, Wilbert Dowsett, Edwin Baxter, Janet Biggs, Betty Seward, Cyril Hull, Howard Atwood, Gerald Hull, ? Broadbent, Alvin Seward,
Second row: Ms. Lovina Cameron (teacher), Bertha Simpson, Gwenyth McKenney, Mary Simpson, Joyce Gilmour, June Biggs, Mary Polk, Sylvia Stevens, Mr. Thrasher (music teacher)
Back row: Arnold Rogers, Donald Byington, Everett Hanna, Gerald Hanna, Tom Strickland, Orville Seward.-Photo Our Ontario
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Portland is one of the early settlements along the Rideau. Although land was granted in the area of Portland in 1801, it was not until the early 1820s that a community started to grow in the location of the present day town. An 1818 map shows a trail leading to the location which is named “Old Landing.” An 1828 map also shows it as “Old Landing” with more of a substantial road leading to it (a road built in 1816). Local history credits the first settler on the village site as being Ami Chipman (b.1807, son of Heman Chipman). An 1830 map shows a “small settlement” in this location. The name of the small community was changed to Portland in 1833, in honour of William Henry Cavendish Bentinck, the 3rd Duke of Portland. The name Portland comes from the Isle of Portland, which lies off shore from Weymouth in Dorset, England.
Portland remained a centre of commerce through the 1800s, serving the commercial boat traffic that plied the Rideau. The business directory for 1866-67 listed coopers, hotel keepers, store keepers, blacksmiths, wagon makers, mitten makers, a watch maker, a miller, and a dentist. When commercial activity along the Rideau slowed down in the early 1900s, the main activity in Portland became a service centre for local residents, including the many people starting to cottage on Big Rideau Lake. This remains Portland’s raison d’être to this day.
There are several interesting buildings to see in Portland. These include the Emmanuel Anglican Church located on the height of land at the south end of town which was built in 1862. It was expanded in 1885 and in 1897 a tower with bell was added. Rideau Canal Info
The Smith’s Falls News in 1837 reported a case of smallpox at *Oliver’s Ferry in 1837. In that year an Irish woman with two daughters aged 12 and 13 were put off at the ferry from a steam boat. Many settlers came as far as Brockvile, then walked north about twelve miles and then west to Portland where they were transported on the Rideau to Oliver’s Ferry, coming thence to Pert
#006032-86 (Lanark Co): David WILSON, 23, blacksmith, Almonte, same, s/o Hugh & Mary, married Lizzie CHURCHILL, 23, Portland – Leeds Co., Perth, d/o William & Melissa, witness was Albert LANG of Almonte, Nov. 2, 1886 at Perth.
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.
Information where you can buy all Linda Seccaspina’s books-You can also read Linda in The Townships Sun andScreamin’ Mamas (USA)
Was it the Germans Or UFO’s that Invaded the Ottawa Valley in 1915?
Tales from Oliver’s Ferry
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Apr9
Carleton Place Boy Brings Down 10th Hun Plane — Daniel Galbraith 1917
The Ottawa Journal, 03 Feb 1917, Sat, Page 22
Daniel Murray Boyne Galbraith DSC (2)
He was born at Carleton Place Ontario (ON), the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert A. Galbraith. He was educated there and at St. Andrew’s College Toronto.
Along with at least two other Carleton Place young men (Stearne Edwards and Arthur Roy Brown), Galbraith went to Dayton Ohio and on 3 November 1915, obtained his private pilot’s licence from the Wright Aviation School there.
Later, in November he signed on as a Probationary Flight Sub-Lieutenant with the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). He arrived overseas in December, reported to the main RNAS training establishment at Chingford England, and later was posted to No. 2 Naval Squadron based at Dunkirk, France.
By 28 September 1916, Galbraith had destroyed two enemy aircraft and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) and the government of France decorated him with the Croix de Guerre.
Late in October 1916 he transferred to a new squadron, No. 8, known as the Naval Eight, based at Vert Galand, France, which was formed for reinforcing the Royal Flying Corps at the Western Front.
In November, Galbraith scored another three victories. The last of the three victories occurred on November 23rd east of Cambrai. He attacked single-handed six enemy aircraft. In the fight that followed, he shot the wings off one, drove another down out of control and forced the others to scatter.
For this achievement, Captain Galbraith was awarded his second DSC. Early in December Galbraith was posted to England for a rest.
His next posting was, in May 1918, to 66 Wing in Italy, which was engaged in attacking shipping in the Adriatic. In September 1918 he returned to England and was posted back to 11 (Irish) Group. He was there when the war ended in November 1918.
Before returning to Canada he married Miss Nora O’Brien in Ireland. After returning to Canada, he and his wife and infant son lived first in Carleton Place and then in Almonte ON.
Galbraith was placed on the semi permanent staff of the fledgling Canadian Air Force as a flying instructor at the School of Special Flying at Camp Borden ON. On the night of 29 March 1921, he was killed in a car accident on a sharp curve in the roadway, not far from Camp Borden.
Canada Veterans Hall of Valour
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Jan4
Was it the Germans Or UFO’s that Invaded the Ottawa Valley in 1915?
In 1915 it was said that some of the folks in Brockville and the surrounding area were returning from church and spotted something lit in the sky on February 15, 1915. When the mayor of Brockville and three constables also witnessed this incident word quickly spread up and down the valley that the Germans were invading Canada.
Vivid flashes in a minor lightening storm gave credence that German aircraft were possibly passing over the area. To make matters even more interesting the mayor of Gananoque also said that two invisible aircraft were heard flying overhead. Parliament Hill went dark at 11 pm that night and the city of Ottawa and most small towns in the outlying areas followed suit 20 minutes later. I have no doubt that many of our local citizens spent a restless fearful night.
Newspaper headlines of: Machines Crossed Over St. Lawrence River: Seen by Many heading to the Capital–Fireballs Dropped appeared quickly the next day. Explanations from government officials were demanded by the local newspapers. Was it really a few of the Morristown youths playing pranks some asked when a paper balloon was found on the ice of the St. Lawrence River near the town? What about the remains of a few more balloons that were found with fireworks attached to them near the Brockville Asylum? Soon after these items were found; the media that had been so intent on causing hysteria scoffed at their reader’s fear in print.
Opinions differed as to the nature of the mysterious objects. Of course Ottawa had to chime in to assure everyone that Germans aircraft had not flown their planes over Eastern Ontario as the headlines persisted. The Dominion Observatory agreed, adding information about local wind direction and added that everyone just had war jitters. But, in all honesty the generic comments from the Observatory and the government did nothing to quell the fear of the locals. As gossip spread and the story transfer expanded to new highs the German bombers became very real to the public. No matter what the media and the government had said in their morning statements the lights still went out all over the Ottawa Valley and guns were set up on various rooftops that next evening.
If you ask some today they will tell you it wasn’t the Morrisburg kids trying to be funny, but in reality it was UFO’s. This story which has appeared in a number of paranormal books says that as the Valley was “preparing for the arrival of Germans ” these strange lights were apparently spotted in towns all over Ontario and in provinces as far away as Manitoba.
When I was a kid I used to let balloons go up in the sky and I always hoped that maybe an alien would find it and it would make him or her smile. Maybe the pranks of those Morrisburg kids caught someone else’s attention in the sky– I guess we will never know will we.
Almost out of the X-Files isn’t it?
With files from The Almonte Gazette and the Ottawa Journal February 1915
In May of 1910 during the great fire of Carleton Place three young ladies residing in a house in one end of town were suddenly awakened at 3 am by the cries of fire and the illumination of the sky. They thought that Halley’s Comet had passed that night and had produced the end of the world. The three rushed outdoors in their night clothes waving their arms and crying in despair. They thought it the end of the time was near. It took awhile to get the ladies under control and understand what had really happened. No doubt they had read the newspapers that very day about the coming of Halley’s Comet.Then there was the phantom lights Sid Annable wrote about on Mississippi Lake. Were these all yarns or fact?
Related Stories—
When The Streets of Carleton Place Ran Thick With the Blood of Terror!
When The Streets of Carleton Place Ran Thick With the Blood of Terror!- Volume 1- Part 2
The Phantom Light on Mississippi Lake
Was it a UFO? A Meteorite or a Fuse Box? A Carleton Place Legend–Photos
Was it a UFO? A Meteorite or a Fuse Box? A Carleton Place Legend
Unsolved Mysteries — The Almonte Woman Abducted by a UFO (Part 2)
More UFO Sightings in Carleton Place!
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
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