Tag Archives: leslie building

Sep9

Leslie China Hall Fire

Posted on September 9, 2020 by lindaseccaspina

he Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
24 Sep 1913, Wed • Page 1

This building started out as Leslie’s China Store operated by Mrs. Leslie circa 1890. There was a fire in 1913 and later R.R. Powell operated a grocery at this site. I finally found the clipping about the fire which happened in September of 1913. The first of two Powell Grocery locations opened and chose the Leslie Building, next to Comba’s furniture store.

Mr. Powell was the Sunday School Superintendent and he had three main interests in life: his business, his family, and the Methodist Church (Zion Memorial), which he attended regularly and was a lay preacher. It was a family run store and each helped in the store and he also employed Roy Whyte of Lake Ave East as a delivery boy. The oldest girl was Gladys. (Mrs. John Lashley and her sister Olive was a very popular CPHS teacher) Fern worked as a civil servant and Bert went to college and never returned to Carleton Place. Read more at: Carleton Place Then and Now–Bridge Street Series– Volume 4- Leslie’s China Shop to Rubino’s/Giant Tiger

McRostie’s store– Photo Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

A china hall was quite popular and McRostie’s–The grocery store of Bowland and McRostie was located at 215 Bridge Street had one too. It usually comprised of dishware and other things From figurines to cups and saucers, porcelain was an important part of entertaining.

“A large table is spread with a white cloth with fine china; at one end is a tea service with a kettle of water boiling over an alcohol lamp, while at the other end is a service for chocolate. There should be flowers on the table and dishes containing bread and butter cut as thin as a shaving.”

“Thin slices of bread and butter, sandwiches, fancy biscuit or cake, tea, coffee, or chocolate, ice-cream, and bouillon are offered. Punch and lemonade—but no wine of any kind—may be added if desired; and also salted almonds, cakes, candies, and other dainty trifles.”

The Ottawa Journal
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
10 Dec 1919, Wed • Page 3

Update on Miss Powell from CPHS- John Edwards

Glory Days of Carleton Place- Dear Miss Powell by Terry Kirkpatrick

Glory Days in Carleton Place-Sherri Iona (Lashley)

Carleton Place Then and Now–Bridge Street Series –Volume 13

Oct19

Carleton Place 1913- A Fire in the China Shop and…

Posted on October 19, 2017 by lindaseccaspina

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Carleton Place 1913- A Fire in the China Shop and…

November 3 1913–Almonte Gazette

It was thought that this fire occurred in 1915 but it was 1913 as I found out yesterday. The china shop was located in the same location Kiddytown was.

November 1913–Almonte Gazette Carleton Place news

Chief Wilson has telephoned to the surrounding towns for a piano tuner who rented a horse and rig a few days ago in Carleton Place and has since failed to return. The animal is a small black mare and was attached to a top buggy.

An Indian arrow head of copper was unearthed by the water works excavators
at the corner of Victoria and Allan streets a few days ago, and is now on exhibition in Dr. McIntosh’s drug store window.

Mr. W.S. Healey, specialist in motor mechanism, packed up his household effects on Tuesday and moved to Stittsville, a mile and a half from which he has discovered a
grotto in a spruce and balsam woods, where he has erected a little cabin.
There, all alone, he will put in the winter in the hope of curing a deeper seated case of asthma from which he has been a sufferer for some years. He hopes to emerge- in the spring with a recast breathing apparatus, and resume his work in Carleton Place.

Mr. Richard Finners started out this morning on his regular rounds for Mr. Stevens, in apparently good health. He delivered goods at Mr. William Moffatt’s and on the way to
his rig passed some jocular remarks with Mr. R. Dowdall; then stood and watched the engine and spoke with the engineer, Mr. Playfair, when he suddenly lurched forward and fell on his face. Mr. Playfair hastily summoned Dr. McIntosh, but before he arrived
life was extinct. The body was conveyed to Patterson Bros. parlors. Deceased was about twenty-six years of age and was married but a short time ago.

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 24 Mar 1913, Mon, Page 1

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 05 Feb 1913, Wed, Page 3

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 20 Jun 1913, Fri, Page 1

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 05 Feb 1913, Wed, Page 3

Clipped from The Ottawa Journal, 28 Jul 1913, Mon, Page 1

This building started out as Leslie’s China Store and was operated by Mrs. Leslie circa 1890. There was a fire in 1913 but later R.R. Powell operated a grocery at this site. The first of two Powell Grocery locations opened and chose the Leslie Building, next to Comba’s furniture store.

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.

The Winners of The Lanark Fair 1913

It’s Your Balderson News 1913

Just Like Internet Dating?— Circa 1913

Join us and learn about the history under your feet! This year’s St. James Cemetery Walk will take place Thursday October 19th and october 21– Museum Curator Jennfer Irwin will lead you through the gravestones and introduce you to some of our most memorable lost souls!
Be ready for a few surprises along the way….
This walk takes place in the dark on uneven ground. Please wear proper footwear and bring a small flashlight if you like.
Tickets available at the Museum, 267 Edmund Street. Two dates!!!
https://www.facebook.com/events/1211329495678960/

OCT 28th
Downtown Carleton Place Halloween Trick or Treat Day–https://www.facebook.com/events/489742168060479/

Here we go Carleton Place– Mark Your Calendars–

October 28th The Occomores Valley Grante and Tile Event–730pm-1am Carleton Place arena-Stop by and pick up your tickets for our fundraiser dance for LAWS. They also have tickets for Hometown Hearts event at the Grand Hotel fundraiser

Mar1

Comba’s -The Scariest Building in Carleton Place?

Posted on March 1, 2016 by lindaseccaspina

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All photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

In the early days the school children used to cross over to the other side of Bridge Street to avoid the Leslie Building as it always had a certain mystique about it. Before Comba’s the building housed a series of funeral directors. Alan Barker, one of the funeral directors and furniture store owner, used to tease the kids by standing outside the building and inviting the kids in as he rubbed his hands together. Those delivering flower arrangements would also endure his dark humour as he would stand behind the door and as they opened it, Barker would yell “Boo”!

Comba Furniture began in the furniture business as a second hand store and at one time had one of the largest stocked stores in the Ottawa Valley. They used to carry Vilas Furniture (that was made in my hometown of Cowansville, Quebec) and ran credit for his customers. Gemmil Comba was a veteran of the first great war and his son Stewart was also a veteran of the second world war. Daughter Joan married William Collie Jr. of Appleton in October of 1940, and daughter Bev looked after the Record and Drape dept.

The local kids shopping with their parents used to love running up the creaky stairs to the third floor and remarked that it always seemed spooky up there. Maybe that was because the embalming had always been done on the third floor when the building had been in the funeral business.

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Photo-Linda Seccaspina

In 1948 they carried Glidden paints and many lines of goods from records, drapes, novelties, rugs, bedding ,refrigerators and electrical appliances. From all the ads I found in the newspaper archives, Comba believed in Canadian made products and he carried the Canadian made Spartan Televisions and Addison appliances. They sold everything ypu needed for the home, and their personal belief was always giving good service to the people of Carleton Place.

orioles The Carleton Place Orioles were: Leader was: Clinton Drader, H.A. Gill, Fanklin Boyd, Clyde Emmerson, John Ball, G.W. Comba– Photo by Canada Hardy’s Studio- Carleton Place 1932. Photo from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

Gemmil was also a member of The Carleton Place Orioles, past president of the Canadian Legion Branch 192 of Carleton Place, and installed his son Stewart as president in 1952. Stewart retired as a past Legion president in 1959, and was instrumental in getting the new Legion building built in 1960. Gem was also mayor of Carleton Place, and in April of 1957, he went to Germany and England for two months to seek out industrial contacts for the town of Carleton Place.

Comba’s became Stewart’s briefly in the late 1980’s before being purchased by Joyce Murray and then becoming “Murray’s Furniture”.

What do you remember about Comba’s?– Photos from the Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum

combapage

combadd

Eva Smith

Thank you, Linda, for posting the history of this building, especially the part about it being used by funeral directors in the past. My husband and I were in Carleton Place recently doing photographs and were both fascinated by this beautiful historical building. While we stood there admiring it, we got into a conversation with a tenant of the building who saw us taking the pictures. After describing the high ceilings and pleasing living space of his apartment, he also happened to mention that going into the basement of the building was a bit unnerving as he sensed that “something” — a presence is what came to my mind — was down there. I guess he’s not imagining things! Again, thanks for your terrific history! I have posted the picture I took on my flickr account and included a link to your blog.

Related reading:

Walking With Ghosts — The Accidental Addiction

Do You Know What I Found?

Win a House in Carleton Place!

Smooth Criminals in Carleton Place –The Robberies on Bridge Street

The Emporium of Life — Joyce Murray

Blaine Cornell-I remember Comba’s being located in the building where The Blossom Shop is at the corner of Mill and Bridge. This was in the 1950’s.

Linda Gallipeau-Johnston— I have 78 records from over 60 years ago purchased at Stewart Comba’s furniture store. There was a place at the back with a wall of records with manilla covers. My Mom used to take us there and we could listen to the record in the store before buying. (She also remembers it being on the corner of Mill and Bridge)

COMBA, Stewart Wesley 1919-2009 Furniture Store Owner– Veteran WWII Peacefully at the Carleton Place Hospital, on Wednesday March 25, 2009 at the age of 90. Beloved husband of the late Edith Comba (nee Giles). Dear father of Carol (Richard Scott). Much loved grandfather of Leslie Huber, Martin Puckett and David Puckett. Cherished great-grandpa of Anna, Caitlin, Emily and Matthew. Survived by sisters Joan Collie (late William) of Toronto and Beverley (Ron Salisbury) of London, Ontario. Friends may call at the ALAN R. BARKER FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 19 McArthur Avenue, Carleton Place on Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m., and on Friday from 12 noon until the funeral service in the chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Fr. David Andrew officiating. Interment later in the spring at St. James Anglican Cemetery. For those who wish, a donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family – See more at:

Jul24

Walking With Ghosts — The Accidental Addiction

Posted on July 24, 2015 by lindaseccaspina

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In 1895 Jacob Leslie built what is known as the Leslie Block on Bridge Street in Carleton Place, ON. to house his furniture and undertaking business. The ground floor was strictly a showroom for furniture, but samples of coffins were on the second floor with a preparation room at the back. The deceased were embalmed and made ready for presentation in the building and the funerals took place at private homes or inside the white frame house on Beckwith Street. In 1915, the business was run by W.H. Matthews, and was taken over later by Alan R. Barker.

Emma Myers had been a very young nurse on various Civil War battlefields, and after the war she emmigrated to Canada with what was left of her family. Emma had survived the hardships of war and had become addicted to morphine, as it was given as a pain killer to the officers. Almost all addictions at the turn of the century were accidental. People became involved with drugs they had no idea what they were taking and ignorant of the impact associated with them.

During the Civil War, President Lincoln requested the Army physicians to develop a method of embalming soldiers who had died so their bodies could be returned to their families. Dr. Thomas Holmes was notable for perfecting embalming during this time and Emma was chosen to work with him.

When preparing deceased soldiers, physicians first buried the soldier, then notified family, then disinterred and embalmed the soldier with a hand pump, and then shipped him home. It was soon discovered that relatives would pay well for the return of officers, so the procurement of officers’ bodies became an issue of conflict between the good doctors.

Most people would not know how to get access to this substance, let alone fully understand the embalming process. We know that embalming fluid is very popular among the dead; I am just having a hard time understanding why the living insist on smoking it– because that is what Emma was doing while she worked there. Smoking a cigarette with a touch of embalming fluid is similar to an egg exploding in a microwave and can cause a person to become extremely high for up to 3 days, depending on the amount smoked. Emma did not last long working in the Leslie Block building, as exactly 30 days after she began work, she fell into a coma on the second floor and died later that day.

Clipped from

For 10 years a used furniture shop in that same building was run by Joyce Murray and she sensed a lot of odd noises and motions. Murray often felt cold pockets of air on the second floor, and doors would slam shut for no reason. Many times some would complain of feeling uneasy and seeing shadows out of the corner of their eyes. Many a person would get “locked” in the bathroom on the 2nd. level so Murray decided to stop using it. Murray’s dogs, who spent their days at the store, absolutely refused to go up the stairs. The furniture dealer’s son-in-law set up a surveillance camera to monitor activity, and one day the camera showed a long-skirted figure quite prominently. When someone went up to check, there was no one there.

The entire back (east) side of the building suddenly collapsed in 1953 and an overpowering smell of formaldehyde wafted through the town. Buildings all along Beckwith Street were evacuated, including the Bell Telephone exchange at the corner of Albert Street – the only time in their history they stopped work! It seems that the embalming fluid had been slowly leaking down the back wall, eating away the mortar and stone, until the entire wall collapsed. Could it have been young Emma who was still a ‘wet-user’ even in death? Was she still siphoning off the embalming fluid and forgetting to shut off the valve? After all, invincibility and forgetfulness are also common side effects of smoking the fluid — or was she just one overly happy phantom that was tub-thumping and no one was ever going to keep her down.

Dr. Watson: [as he watches Sherlock drinking Formaldehyde] You’re drinking embalming fluid?
Sherlock Holmes: [exhales] Yes. Care for a drop?
Dr. John Watson: You do seem…
Sherlock Holmes: Excited?
Dr. John Watson: Manic.
Sherlock Holmes: I am.
Dr. John Watson: Verging on…
Sherlock Holmes: Ecstatic?
Dr. John Watson: Psychotic. [Pauses] I should’ve brought you a sedative.

Photos-Linda Seccaspina– Colour photo- Murray Family

Notes:

Emma Meyers would have been age 14 at the time of the Civil War and in her 50’s when she died.

Dr. Thomas Homes– The Embalming King

The back wall of the Leslie Block building did indeed fall down due to rotting walls from leaking embalming fluid.

Carleton Place fact–The Alan R. Barker Funeral Home is part of a Carleton Place and area tradition with roots dating back to 1875. In 1875 Jacob Leslie started a funeral business on Bridge Street beside the present day St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church. The Leslie business was continued by Jacob’s son George Leslie in 1892 until its sale to W.H. Matthews in 1919.