TOWN AND COUNTY FOUR DECADES AGO

Gleanings From A Welland Telegraph of 1886

By

OLIVER UNDERWOOD

             A good deal of water has gone under the bridge at Welland the last forty years. That strikes one in a look-back on the Welland of 1886 afforded in a copy of the Welland Telegraph of March 19 of that year. Old Wellanders of those days will doubtless be interested in recalling the times and events recorded in its columns, and the newer ones may care to glance back at the town that preceded the city of the present age.

             City Treasurer A.W. Jackson has graciously dug up the dusty archives of his office, and reports that the town then boasted a population of 1850 and that Richard Morwood was the incumbent of the mayor’s chair.

             The paper itself is an eight-page sheet of six columns, published by Sawle & Snartt and issued every Friday at $1 per annum in advance; otherwise $1.50.

             Column one of the front page is devoted to professional and business cards. The medical men are Dr. A.B. Knisley, Stonebridge; Dr. J.E. Hansler, Fonthill; Dr. McKeague, Wellandport; Dr. C.T. Krick, Marshville; and Dr. J.T. Carroll with an office at Main and Frazer Streets, and Dr. S.H. Glasgow office over Garden’s store, in Welland.

             Next comes the legal profession, and her one finds names of today-W.M. German and Harcourt & Cowper (Richard Harcourt and T.D. Cowper); the former with an office in the Frazer House and the latter opposite the court house. Also L.D. Raymond, father of our Col. Clarke Raymond, and A. Williams, rounding out the list of barristers at the county seat. J.F. Saxon had a law office at Fort Erie and Pattison & Collier maintained offices at St. Catharines and Thorold, and the senior partner was in Welland every Thursday.

             Hamilton Weller practiced dentistry in the Griffith Block, Welland, and H.G.A. Cook of Drummondville, visited the town on Wednesdays over H.A. Rose’s store, West Main Street.

             George Ross was a surveyor, and insurance agents were F. Swayze & Son and S.H. Moore of Welland, and Chas. Treble, Fort Erie.

             E. Box and E.R. Hellems were auctioneers at Welland and John Weiss at Stevensville.

             Hotel cards are the Queen’s Hotel at Welland, Wm. Early, “Best of liquors always on hand”; the Brunswick House, Niagara Falls; F.T. Walton, where “Driving or sleighing parties will find good accommodation and large rooms for entertainment at all times,” and the Durham House, Wellandport, L. Durham, which offered much cordial hospitality in the announcement that “A large barn and driving sheds have been added to the house, and an attentive hostle is always on hand.” The bar is supplied with the choicest wines, liquors and cigars.”

             Passing, more or less regretfully, from memories of these bonifaces, the local news is found. The old town wasn’t doing any too badly according to the following item: “We were informed by a gentleman of this town, a large employer of labor, that there was not an unemployed carpenter in town, and that he had a lot of work standing for want of hands.” “There is,” he added, “more work of all kinds than there are men to do it.”

             What’s this! Boy, page Billy Wilson, sometime of the Mansion House and now of His Majesty’s Customs. Tonight at the rink the five mile race for the championship of the County of Welland will be skated for a prize of $20 to first, and $10 to second. We are told the following entries have been made: W.W. Wilson, T. Holder and L. Asher, of Welland; D. Mitchell, J. Blout and J. Cook, Niagara Falls; and McIntosh of Thorold. The gentlemen entering have a local celebrity and a pleasant, exciting contest may be expected, that will be of more than passing interest.

             Not only sports were a part of life, but lovers of the Thespian art, had something to look forward to. For there was coming at Orient Hall for one week, Robert H. Baird, making this third annual tour of the province and his first appearance in Welland, in such sterling offerings as “Uncle John,” the Irish drama; “The New Cathleen,” that beautiful domestic drama; “Cast Adrift,” not to mention, “Hand and Glove,” and crowning all, that heart-throbber of old, “Lady Audley’s Secret.”

             And the sheik of this day, who has to wreck a five-spot for a night at the show with his favorite queen, may well look with regret at the era of the ten-twent and thirt, for the popular prices of 10 and 20 cents were announced.

             A cricket club was organized with these officers: Hon. Pres. R. Harcourt, M.M.P. President Jno. McCaw; Vice-President, Major Snartt; Secretary-Treasurer A.F. Crow and Sidey, Sears, Garden and Jackson on the management committee.

             Lenten services at Holy Trinity Church were conducted by Rev. R. Gardiner.

             Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Shotwell, from which family the name of one of our streets is derived, gathered to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, proceeding to the Shotwell home from the residence of M. Beatty. The honored couple were presented with a silver cruet, butter knife and mustard spoon, a crystal shell plate, and, of course (for no function would have been complete in those days without one) a silver and crystal pickle dish. “When ‘twas nearing midnight, or had perhaps reached that hour, the guests departed for their homes, well pleased with an evening well spent.” The explanatory and somewhat apologetic reference to the breaking up hour indicates that our elders kept better hours than the present generation with whom midnight is but just the spank of the evening.

             An ice race was pulled off the previous week. The footing was soft and slushy. C.F. Dunbar’s “Victor” was the winner over C. McNeil’s “Little Gertie”and W. Best’s (our own Billy, maybe) “Nellie Grey.”     

             Fire destroyed the planing mill of Rounds & Sons and O.E. Rounds, with a loss of $7000. The mill was originally built by Ebenezer Seeley in 1848. It laid idle from 1859 to 1870, when it was reopened by the Rounds’. The location was near the old Beatty plant on North Main Street.

             In the Personals the following names are noted: Rev. P.K. Foot of Port Colborne, who was to hold service at the Welland Baptist Church and Grand Trunk travelers reported by the agent, O.H. Garner: J.C. Page, Colin Campbell, James Sayers, James Farr, H.A. Rose, J.B.Brasford, Geo. Cowper, J.H. Burgar, J.V. Strawn, John Hill, E.W. Damback, Richard Foster, W. Michner.

             A column is devoted to the police court proceedings in the case of a couple of Wainfleet cut-ups who drove to Welland, got all lit-up and were charged with “defaming the Lord’s Day and with drinking in a riotous manner through the streets;” the riot including firing a revolver in the course of the joy ride. Fine and cost of thirty days. Fine paid. Which was the end of a perfect day.

             The old burg must have been one grand little fashion centre. It is recorded that J.E. Whalley had gone to Europe to buy his stock of gent’s furnishing goods.

             These names are mentioned in a report of annual meeting of the Niagara District Division Pomona Grange: John A. Ramsden, James J. Moore, Elliot Henderson, E.F. Leidy, E.W. Fares, S.W. Hill, Jonas Sherk, Duncan Schooley, Alexander Servos, David Fritz, John Scholfield.

             There is a column and a half editorial about the raceway, in which the paper takes issue with The Tribune, and another editorial hands the following can of raspberries to an esteemed contemporary of the present day: “If Niagara Falls Review is not meeting with as much success and patronage as desired, it is not to be wondered at. Its pages are sicklied o’er with the bilious hue of jealousy, and its time appears to be devoted to continued mournful plaints of the ill treatment it receives from its neighbors. There is nothing tries the patience of the public more than a man with a grievance. A more admirable method and a mere certain road to success for the Review would be to stick strictly to business and not waste so much valuable time pulling other people to pieces.”

             Ho Hum. Journalism is more peaceful nowadays. Likewise, decidedly tamer. It would be difficult to picture Bro. Duff thusly walloping Bro. Leslie or the latter countering in like manner.

             At Niagara Falls: “The mud and soft roads have surrounded us.” “Arrived the first robin of the season, on Wednesday, a.m.” (March 17).

             Divertisment of the cognoscenti at the cataract. “Buckley’s roller rink was well patronized Tuesday evening, and every visitor was well satisfied that Buckley had furnished the curiosity of the day and hour. At 9 o’clock the trained mare, “Dolly Stone,” was led into the circle and the performance commenced. She selected the colored ‘kerchiefs, picked up the half-dollar, walked the six-inch plank and balanced on it to the satisfaction of everybody. But her great feat was skating on rollers-genuine, graceful skating, without either tumbles or mishaps. We can not describe the performance, for to have a knowledge of Dolly’s wonderful acts, they must be seen.”

             Those were present at a meeting of the offices of the 44^th Battalion: Col Morin, M.P.P. Majors Bender and Tatters all, Surgeons Oliver and Glasgow, Adjutant Brennan, Captains James, Greenwood, Raymond, McMicking and Barwell; Lieutenants Vandersleuys, Bradley, Abbott, McKenzie McIntyre, and Skinner.

             Every countryside correspondent makes passionate and bitter mention of Mud! Mud! Mud!!!

             At Fonthill, “Another pleasant party was held at D’Everardo hall, under the management of Dr. Emmett.”

             That’s about all on the four pages carrying stuff of local interest; the inside four being made up of clips.

             There is a goodly volume of advertising, Pursel Bros., Welland, tell the world that business is booming in their men’s clothing, furnishings and hats and caps. Menno House is in his new quarters at Stevensville with a large stock of general merchandise. Sundry legal notices bear the name of Sheriff Geo. J. Duncan; D.W. Horton, President, and W.T. House, Secretary, call the annual meeting of the Horse Bleeders’ Association at the Mansion House, Welland. J.H. Stanley of Port Colborne tells the femmes about some perfectly grand spring millinery.

             Mr. Vanderburgh informs the great unwashed of Welland that he has employed a first class barber, and also that he had “fitted up a nice bath room, which is constantly supplied with hot and cold water, and hope to receive patronage of the general public for the same.”

             Welland market reports quotes fall wheat at 76¢ and spring at 70¢, oats 28¢, eggs 14¢, butter 16¢, potatoes 50¢, pork 5 and 6¢, beef 4 and 5¢. Bran was 70¢ and middlings 75¢ with corn meal at $120 to $2 and chop $1.

             Lookit, lookit! Coal, egg and chestnut, $5 and $5.25. (Business of regretful sobs from the householders).

             F. Macoomb, at the Beehive, Welland, advertised some grocery snaps, and H.B. Hyatt was prepared to supply furniture. C. Swayze was an “Instantaneous, dry plate” photographer, besides stocking some nifty Chromes.

             Thomas Griffith, dry goods, etc. had a “holiday announcement” the same being a trifle stale along in March. H.W. Hobson, Palace Drug Store, also offered photograph albums with which to entertain callers. Brown Bros. paid cash for wheat at the feed store next to their liquor store, thus saving the farmers many steps. J.H. Burgar, chemist and druggist.

             O.H. Garner must have conducted sort of an antediluvian five-and-ten what with “Vases, with or without flowers; photo albums, large and small; ladies and gents’ companions; picture frames, cabinet, plush and easel; poets, 75¢ to $4; miscellaneous and toy books; autograph albums, gold pens and pencils, ladies and gents pocketbook companions and plush looking glasses, views of Niagara Falls; violins, accordions and mouth organs.”

             J.F. Hill, general insurance. B. Bridges, “The finest stock of groceries in Welland,” and pure wines and liquors. T. Best’s clothing house, Port Colborne, Geo. Stalker, the Glasgow Grocery, Welland. Imperial Bank, with eleven branches throughout Canada, M.R. Detenbeck, Stevensville, J. Brasford, leather store, McCleary & McLean , planing mill, Thorold.

             J. James, merchant tailor, International Bridge-“Try James’ First Prize Pants, only $4, made to order.” C.J. Page, groceries, hardware, crockery; Orient Hall, Welland. Thomas Cumines, druggist AND pure wines and spirits, Ross Co., mantles, shawls, etc., etc., including ladies shirts, but no mention of any for gents.

             And last, but not least-decidedly not, in view of their then importance in the scheme of things: Perry Davis Pain Killer, Campbell’s Cathartic Compound, Campbell’s Tonic Elixir, Burdock Blood Bitters, Hagyards’s Yellow Oil, Freeman’s Worm Powders, McGregor’s Speedy Cure, Hayyard’s Pectoral Balsam, Ayer’s Sarsaparilla, Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, Putman’s Corn Extractor, Ayer’s Hair Vigor, Hall’s Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer.

             And C-Saw Consumption Cure, which appears to have the revolutionary discovery of a county inhabitant out Amigari way, and of which it was asserted that, “Nothing on earth has ever been heard of so wonderful in its effects for the cure of consumption and cough.” Strange that the world has not worn a path to the door there of R. Moore.

             But then, Emerson wrote about mouse traps and not about consumption cures-mouse were the only traps he mentioned.

The Welland Tribune and Telegraph

21 October 1926