WELLANDPORT

[Welland Tribune, 22 February, 1889]

The past year has been one of progress for Wellandport, and the coming season promises to add materially to the business and “good looks” of our village….The Messrs. Heslop Bros., who have purchased the flouring mills here, are practical men who are sure to draw large patronage as soon as they get their modern machinery in position. They intend putting in a full roller mill of fifty barrel capacity. Work will begin at once and will be completed in about six weeks. The rolls are from the famous works of G.T. Smith, Stratford, whose name alone stamps the system as one of the best on the continent. ….Mr. Wm. Stewart has purchased from Mr. Eitle the machines used in the manufacture of cheese-boxes and fruit baskets, and is now engaged in the erection of a building with a view of carrying on that business in future. He will place a boiler and engine in position as soon as possible and expects to be ready for trade early in March, His factory is located just east of Heslop Bros. mill…..In the meantime, Mr. J.V. Eitle is by no means idle. He has successfully embarked in the manufacture of hubs and spokes, and already has secured large advance orders. No better timber can be found in Ontario for this purpose than that which grows in this vicinity. One wholesale firm will take all the spokes Mr. Eitle can turn out during the first six months….As soon as the building season opens the work of erecting a new manse for the Presbyterian church will be begun. This addition to our church property was much needed…Dr. McKeague, we believe, will erect a building in the early summer, to be used as an office and drug store. As the season advances other enterprising citizens are likely to contract the “boom” fever-and so mote it be…On this Friday evening the brethren of the Masonic fraternity hold an oyster supper and promenade at Bro. Cronkhite’s hotel. Friend Cronkite knows how to prepare a “spread” and the knights of the trowel will undoubtedly have a pleasant time…Mr. Rogers, conductor on Chicago & Northwestern R.R., left for his home Chicago on Monday, after a pleasant visit with old friends here….The attempted repeal of the Scott Act will cause another season of turmoil the coming spring. While many of the old supporters of the Act will again as heartily support it, and point to the prosperity of the village under its reign, the prevailing opinion is, I think, that the Act will go. The fact that liquor has full swing at St. Catharines (the heart of the county), and is licensed traffic in adjoining counties, gives the repealers strong grounds to work upon. At all events, the fight is likely to be a bitter one,…Last week we quietly noted the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks. It was in all respects a very elegant affair. The invitations were confined to relatives and a few very intimate friends, who, at the conclusion of the interesting ceremony, sat down to a superb wedding dinner at the house of the bride’s parents. Among the gifts to the bride were: set of bisque ware from Mr. Brooks, the groom; $100 in gold from father, mother and sister of the bride; toilet set from Mr. C.E. Horton; cruet stand from Mrs. S. Horton; silver pickle dish from Mr. H. Robins, etc. After the wedding trip Mr. and Mrs. Brooks will reside at Newark, Ohio, where Mr. B. is engaged in the cabinet business.