Some Yellowed Papers of A century Ago

By Louis Blake Duff

Recently there came to me as a gift from of Toronto a number of old papers; about the most interesting collection I have seen.

To list them:

• St Catharines Journal of December 28, 1843.
• St Catharines Journal of March 16, 1848.
• The Leader, Toronto, November 28, 1878
• The People’s Press. Fonthill C.W.  February 14,1861.

A curious catalogue of agricultural implements made by Albany Agricultural Works of Albany, New York. This is dated 1851, and is one of a yearly series that had begun in 1831.

Implements of a Century Ago

The Albany Agricultural Works list fifty different plows, most of which are shown in illustration, and the price range is from $3.50 to $14. Horse tread mills are shown, one for driving a threshing machine and one for driving a chopping mill. There is another tread for dog power to be used for light farming operations. The  picture shows a dog busily, and even merrily, trotting as he churns, and oddly enough the animal shows Rover actually enjoying the job. There are various churns, cheese presses, a sausage stuffer, grain cradles, fanning mill, the Clinton cornsheller, or yokes and bows. What did an ox yoke sell for? From $3.50 to $5.

The Fonthill Newspaper

The People’s Press of Fonthill,C.W. was in its second year. Very few of its issues are known.

This Fonthill newspaper enterprise arose out of the political ambitions of Dr Fraser who had his office in Fonthill. He was the first member for Welland County when it had been taken from the rib of Lincoln. The paper naturally, was violently Reform. The first issue was early in 1854 and it did help to bring about the election of the worthy doctor. In its first incarnation it was called The Welland Herald. Doctor Fraser soon had enough of newspaper publishing and sold the plant to Dexter D’Everardo

David Cooper announces that he has leased the Aqueduct Flouring Mills in the Village of Welland.

The Leader, Toronto of which more later, announces that since its founding in 1852 it has attained a circulation of several thousand more than any other paper in Canada.

Dr. Nicholas Dick with his infirmary pleasantly and healthfully situated opposite J. Steele’s Ridgeville, advertises his “Botanic Medicines” Culled from Nature’s Garden.” There at last, is a political doctor for you.

George Gamble near Lock’s Clothing Establishment, Upper Fonthill, advertises his stock of boots and shoes.

Ester Sherk, Point Abino advertises for creditors of the estate of the late Daniel Sherk.

J.S. Rich, Fonthill. Has the largest advertisement in the paper. A few of his prices might be of interest:

• Coffee sugar, 8lbs. for a dollar
• Porto Rica sugar, 12lbs. for $1
• Crushed sugar, 7lbs. for $1.
• Teas. 50 to 75c pound
• Coal oil, $1 per gallon
• Brooms 16c each
• Candles, 15c lb.
• Factory cotton, 8c per yard.

J.A. Cohoe inserts this notice “The members of Fountain Head Temple, No. 440 I.O. of G.T. (that stands for the Independent Order of Good Templars, I believe) intend holding a public meeting in Clarke’s School House on the Plank Road on Monday evening February 18. The members of Sweet Home Safe Guard Lodges are requested to attend and assist on the occasion. Several talented speakers are expected.

Henry Martin Giles of St Catharines will deliver a lecture in the concert hall, Fonthill

Before the Mechanics” Institute, on Saturday evening next at 7 o’clock. Subject:”The Origin and Progress of Letters.” Admission: Members and Ladies free, non-members 121/2  cents each.

The two rival papers attacked each other in language that could not be equaled in any other papers of the day. Here is a sample from The Reporter:

“Extract the venom from the vilest snake that ever on its belly crawled along the dust; take the quintessence from the juice of all the poisonous herbs that ever from the earth sought the genial rays of Heaven’s great luminary; then mix and with a quill drawn  from a raven’s wing, write—against truth and honesty principle and justice, morality and religion, and if you equal in virulence the article alluded to, then must the subtle poison have entered your heart also, and venom dictate the words with venom written”

That is drawing rather a long bow.

Now in this issue of the People’s Press on the desk before me the business notices include the following:

D. D’Everardo—Money to Loan

Peter Learn, Esquire, Point Abino—Marriage Licenses

Alfred Willett, Clerk of the First Division Court, Welland—announcing his office hours 10am to 4pm.

A, Murray, postmaster at Port Robinson—marriage licenses.

Wm Steele, Humberstone—marriage licenses

W.P. Brown, office in the County Court House, Welland—lawyer and conveyancer.

B.W. Price, Fonthill—watches, clocks and jewelry.

J. Brackbill, Fenwick, advertising a lot for sale in Fonthill, opposite home Dexter D’Everardo.

Wm. Cook, Fonthill—harness maker

Alexander Sinclair, Fonthill—merchant tailor

Wm Horne, Fonthill, announces that he is a senior member of the College of Veterinary Surgeons in Philadelphia and is ready for practice.

Wm Beatty of Thorold advertises a public meeting in Bald’s Hall Welland, T.W. Hooker was chairman, and J.S. Chipman, secretary Two motions were passed, one by A, Bald and Wm Thompson and one by J. Griffith and Moses Betts

The theme was condemnation of the ministry objection to the tariff and to the growing expenditures.

At another Beatty meeting at the Court House, Squire Hellems an early school teacher in Welland and later police magistrate, took a hand in defence of Cartier-MacDonald.

George Arnold and a man named Farley, both of St. Davids, got into an argument, when Farley pulled out a stake from a sleigh on which he was standing and struck Arnold on the head Arnold died in a few hours and a coroner’s jury rendered a verdict of willful murder.