Salem, Feb. 28-Rev. W.E. Dempsey, pastor of Salem United church had charge of services on Sunday morning. Next Sunday services will be at 3 p.m. when the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper will be observed, Sunday school at 2 p.m.
A number of West end members of the O’Reilly’s Bridge Women’s Institute attended the meeting at the home of Mrs. John Cosby and Mrs. I. Michener marking the 50th anniversary of the W.I. Mrs. Robbins read the history of the founding of the Women’s Institutes, and several other readings were given by Mrs. Amos Holmes. The delicious lunch included a birthday cake with 50 candles. Mrs. Green and Mrs R. Smith convened the lunch.
Mr. and Mrs Bill Grimwood of Niagara Falls were supper guests of the latter’s parents on Wednesday.
Miss Ruth Neale of Niagara Falls and Miss Audrey Neale of Dunnville were weekend guests of their parents, Mr. And Mrs T.F. Neale
Clarence Willford, Robert Willford and Robert Strawn spent Saturday afternoon in Toronto and attended the hockey game at Maple Leaf Gardens.
Mr. and Mrs Norman Misener and sons Graham and Ross and Miss Ruby Kent of Niagara Falls were Sunday guests of Mr. And Mrs C.E. Strawn.
Mr. and Mrs L. Swick of Welland and Mr. And Mrs Edwin Swick and son Ronald were in St Thomas last Sunday.
The World Day of Prayer was held at Salem United church on Friday afternoon.
Salem, Oct. 29- Cecil Chambers and family and the former’s mother visited at Roy Chambers on Sunday evening.
David Graham of Bridgeburg visited at R. Elsie’s on Monday.
Mr. Pratt and family of Buffalo visited Mr. And Mrs. C. Strawn on Sunday.
Ross Misener, who had been visiting his cousin, Garth Chambers, last week, returned home on Sunday.
Mrs. E. Cosby and Mrs Hayward and son Leroy, called on Mr. And Mrs F.L. Moore on Sunday afternoon.
Mrs. R. Chambers and family visited at Mr. And Mrs B.O, Saylor’s of Fonthill on Sunday.
Mrs. Cecil Chambers and Mrs Ambrose Misener visited Mr and Mrs Walter Brown at Welland on Monday.
Miss Simpson and Mr. Mustard of Bridgeburg visited Mr. and Mrs Cecil Chambers on Monday evening. Mr. Mustard is returning to his old home, Kasalina, Manitoba this week.
People can go and look the land right over
Now with all the snow there’s no four leaf clover
Do the Irish have luck no more so than other folk
And like the rest of us to win is a big joke
There’s a rainbow were told just hanging over the hill
But to find it you’ll have trouble not a big thrill
Its called the Emerald Isle as things are so green
Yes its a country by me that may never be seen
To increase our luck we are to touch the Blarney Stone
Then later we haven’t any luck were not alone
Their green clothing they wear can be worn by anyone
At home or at a party when they are having fun
People will attend parties singing songs out of key
Even though I had Irish ancestors its nothing to me
Drowning the shamrock is a custom from the Emerald Isle
Its put in a drink then its drunk with a big smile
Then swallowed or for good luck tossed over the shoulder
But you may as well toss a big Irish boulder
The unicorn and others may be prancing about
While the leprechaun will be singing loudly right out
On March the 20th spring does officially begin
And us folks in Canada for a while winter well be in
The weather can be snowy and ever so cold
Then warmer the next day with no coat we hold
Freezing at night feeling winter will always be here
As we build fires and the stove we always stay near
Animals awaken and come out of hibernation
Looking for food wherever they can across this nation
And with the change of seasons older folks pass on
Even though for a while we wish they wouldn’t be gone.
Winston E. Ralph
Bancroft, ON
[Article - submitted by Karen and Donald Young, daughter and son-in-law of Eric Waterfield.
Eric Waterfield was born in Woodstock. He graduated from the Pharmacy program at the University of Toronto in 1941. He trained as an officer for the Canadian army and was stationed in England, but never saw active duty.
His pharmacy career began in Toronto, and then he purchased the former Wyllie Theal Drug store at 30 Niagara Street in 1951.The pharmacy name was changed to Waterfield’s Pharmacy. He put in long hours at the store including evenings. He would come home for supper and then return to the store.
In 1975, he sold the store, but continued to work for another three years at the Lewis and Krall pharmacy until 1978 when he retired.
Eric lived with his family at 131 First Avenue in Welland. He died in 1991 in his 74th year, and is buried at the Pleasantview Memorial Gardens in Fonthill with his wife Beatrice who died in 1990. Eric and Beatrice had three children, Ann, Karen and Rob.
Eric was an active golfer and a member of the Lookout Point Golf and Country Club since 1951. He was a member of the Welland Rotary Club. When Wesley United Church was established, Eric was a charter member.
[TODAY’S SENIORS, June 1990]
By Peter Warwick
The roar of diesel engines has replaced the clatter of trolleys along the streets of Welland, but memories remain. From 1912 to 1930 streetcars operated in Welland under the name of Niagara, Welland & Lake Erie Railway Co. {N.W & E).
Organized in 1910 by C.J. Laughlin Jr. of Page Hersey Tubes Ltd. (now the Steel Company of Canada), which owned the company as long as it operated, the N.W. & L.E. was incorporated in 1911.
While it was to have been an interurban line connecting Niagara Falls, Port Colborne, Fort Erie, Dunnville and Port Dover, it never got out of Welland.
Had the Niagara Falls –Fort Erie part of the line been built, it would have been in competition with the Niagara, St. Catharines $ Toronto Railway, then being built through the same area.
A standard 20-year franchise was granted the railway by town council July 4, 1910, construction of the line started in fall of 1911, with the first spike being driven by Mayor Sutherland of Welland on October 4.
Operations began March 24, 1912 on 1.74 miles of track using three streetcars built in Springfield, Massachusetts. Car barns were located at 30 Main Street South. The line ran North along Main Street South {now King Street} from the Michigan Central Railway {now PC Rail} to Main Street East and along Main Street East to the Grand Trunk Railway (now CN Rail). The fare was 5 cents or 6 tickets for 25 cents and cars operated every 15 minutes.
When the streets the line operated on were paved with brick. In 1913, the N.W & L.E.. agreed to pay $3,000 annually to the town for 20 years, the estimated interest on the money Welland borrowed to pay for the company’ s share of the paving. It also relieved the company from paying property taxes except for school taxes.
Extensions were built in 1912-13 on Main Street West to Prince Charles Drive and on Main Street North (now Niagara Street) to Elm Street, but were not operated at this time due to weight restrictions on the Alexandra Swing Bridge over the Third Welland Canal. Other extensions were proposed on Main Street East to Rosedale, about one mile, and on Main Street South to Dainville, about two miles, but these were never built.
The weight restrictions on the canal bridge were overcome in 1922 when two new, lighter trolleys were acquired and the West and North Main extensions were operated for the first time, increasing the company’s mileage to 2.9 miles. Service was reduced to half hourly. Since the extensions were only a few blocks long, they proved a disappointment with the passengers and service was abandoned after only six months of operation.
While the line was primarily meant to transport people from one part of town to another, at least one mother used the trolley to babysit her young daughter. The child was put on one of the streetcars and placed in the care of the conductor who looked after her until her mother was through shopping or visiting.
The peak year for the N.W & L.E. was 1917, when 693.843 passengers were carried and for the net income of $16,262. Thereafter traffic and income declined and in 1929, the last year for which statistics are available, only 320.118 passengers were carried for $775. Despite the small size and the 5 cent fare, which remained in effect until abandonment, the company never suffered a deficit.
Efforts were made to sell the streetcar line to the city for $1 before the franchise expired, but this was turned down and on July 4, 1930 the last trolley ran. A substitute bus service was started by F.I. Wherry of St. Catharines, but it too ceased after operating only a couple of weeks. The National Trust Company of Toronto, which had held a trust mortgage on the company for all of its life, was appointed receiver.
Today nothing remains of the line except for a few pictures, maybe a few tickets and lots of memories for the people who rode the streetcars.
By David l. Blazetich, from the files of his grandfather George “Udy” Blazetich
[Date Unknown]
In 1913, the Laughlin realty Company produced an advertisement to promote its interest in selling land in Welland. Large and obviously designed to promote the company’s expansion in Welland, the circular nevertheless contained much information of historical value and some now-rare photographs.
Under very large, major headings such as: “Why Welland Grows”, “Railroads and Banks”, and $50,000.000is being spent on the New Welland Canal and Welland Has Made Good”, the circular gave detailed information and a map outlining industries and points of interest in Welland, a city that is today making history.
It goes on to praise the “factories that have sprung up and are running where a year ago were vacant commons. New paved sidewalks have been paid out and completely built up. Main business and residence streets are paved. A street railway was absolutely needed and built in several months-now in operation. And this growth will keep on. More homes are right now needed for workmen coming to locate.”
It confidently predicted “Welland is destined to become one of Canada’s greatest industrial centres,” and “with its several railroads connecting it with cities like Buffalo, Hamilton and Toronto clustered around it-with its power at rock bottom price-its cheap natural gas-with the new $50,000,000 canal, there is absolutely nothing to hold back Welland’s growth.”
Specifically promoting the Manchester Park development, it asked: “What would it have meant to have bought several lots in Toronto a few years ago as close to Young Street as Manchester Park is to the Post Office in Welland- -10 minutes’ walk? The article said, “Many men in Welland have grown rich during the past few years” and “A lot or two bought now will double in value in a very short time. There is no safer investment. There is no safer investment. There is no better buy.”
All you needed was 10 per cent of purchase price (cash in hand). When the price was $200 per lot, $10 per month on one lot, and $5 per month on each additional one. When the price of the lot was under $200, $5 per month would carry it.
Manchester Park was touted as the “most favourably located subdivision in Welland today-adjacent to the great Empire Cotton Mills, Bemis Bay Company, Canada Forge Company, Chipman Holten Knitting Mills, Supreme heating Co., Goodwillie and Sons Canning Factory, Lambert’s Planing Mills, Duck Fabric Company and Welland Machine and Foundry.”
A detailed street map was included with a “Key to Industries.” A guide to the “points of Interest in Welland’ directed the reader to 23 highlights, from the Water Works Pumphouse to the public school to the Laughlin Realty Company Ltd. Office, the turning basin of the Welland Canal and the Temple Club.
Although the article is a blatant {and probably expensive, for its time} advertisement of the company, the information and photographs present an emerging community of 9,000 with 25 operating industries and a Dominion government-financed canal with a $50,000,000 price tag and “work…now under way.” With seven railroads, Welland was absolutely the best town for shipping conveniences in Canada.”
Bethel near St Anns, Oct. 9- Mr. And Mrs Wm. Schwoob spent Sunday at Hamilton.
Mr. and Mrs. Sidney Heaslip and Mrs. John Hill spent the week-end with relatives in Toronto.
Rally Day Service was held last Sunday.
A number from this vicinity attended Welland fair last week.
The Eager Workers Bible class are holding a pie social in Bethel United church on Monday evening October 12. A good program will be provided.
Mrs. H.H. Scott of Toronto is spending a week at the home of her parents, Mr. And Mrs. Sidney Heaslip.
Mr. and <Mrs. Wm. Heaslip, Jean and Billy were at Tonawanda last Wednesday.
Special Thanksgiving services will be held in Bethel United church on Sunday evening at 8 o’clock. Sunday school in the morning at 10 o’clock.
Mr. and Mrs. Blake Putman of Crowland visited with Mrs. Eunice Robinson on Sunday.
Mr. and Mrs. Morgan Reece and family of Smithville were Sunday visitors at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Schwoob.
Bethel (Near St Anns), Dec. 5- Mrs. Wm. Schwoob has returned home after visiting friends in Toronto.
Mrs. Gordon Heaslip and Frederick and Marion spent several days at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Sidney Heaslip.
Miss Eunice Robinson has improved slightly.
The annual Christmas entertainment of the Bethel United Sunday school will be held on Tuesday evening, December 15th.
Miss Flossie Reece spent the weekend at the home of her parents, Mr. And Mrs. C. Reece.
John L. Heaslip of Vancouver, B.C. is visiting with relatives and friends in this vicinity.
Miss Hazel Vaughan spent the weekend at the home of her parents, Mr. And Mrs. H. Vaughan.
Mrs Blake Putman of Crowland spent several days at the home of Mr. And Mrs. Sydney Heaslip.
Mr. and Mrs. William Anderson, Miss Hazel Vaughan and Miss Mabel Hill attended the hard-time social last Thursday evening at the home of Mr. And Mrs Clifford Vaughan, Elcho.
Services will be held in Bethel United church on December 6th-Sunday school in the morning at 10 o;clock; evening service at 7.30.
Mr. and Mrs. Emery Gee, Edith and Alfred Williams, spent the week-end in Hamilton with their daughter, Mrs. George Barry.
Mr. and Mrs. Erford Robinson and Mrs. Charlie Brown of Dunnville visited Mr. And Mrs. Sidney Heaslip on Friday.
A Coleman of Winger was the guest of his father on Sunday.
E. Misener of Buffalo is the guest of his brother, J. Misener of Robins Bridge.
J.W. Swayze intends to start a general store in the house lately vacated by B. Rodgers.
The many friends of Mrs. Calvin Traver will be sorry to hear that she is not improving in health as they would like.
All the young men of Boyle that never received any municipal honors have been appointed overseers of highways and poundkeepers.
N.F. Johnson of Robins Bridge is so he can walk some without the aid of his canes. It is four months since he has been able to walk, his limb being broken.
Boyle can beat the two counties for mud and water. If the Council would take as much money as they spent in the Bradley law suit they could make a nice dry place of it.
[Welland Tribune February 4, 1947]
Boyle, Feb. 4- The January meeting of the Women’s Association was held at the home of Mrs. William Cutler with a large attendance. The president Mrs. W.J. Anderson conducted the meeting. Reports were given by the secretary, Mrs. Amos Beamer and the treasurer, Mrs. Gordon J. Robins. Several items of business were discussed. It was decided to hold a quilting at the home of Mrs. Cutler to complete the quilt that is being sold to one of the members. Another lady is hiring the society to make three quilts for her, and it was decided to meet weekly to complete these. It was also decided to close the church for the winter months, as the attendance was so poor due to illness and road conditions. It will reopen Easter Sunday, April 6.
The offering was received by Mrs. G. J. Robins and the flower fund donations by Mrs. J. Jamieson. Mrs. Beamer conducted an interesting contest which was won by Mrs Anderson. The program for the February meeting will be arranged by Mrs. Gordon J. Robins. The hymns will be selected by Mrs. Roy E. Overholt.
Refreshments were served by the hostess Mrs. Cutler assisted by her sister Mrs. Judson Jamieson and Mrs. Cecil Gracey.
Social Notes
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Heaslip were recent guests of relatives at Tonawanda, N.Y. They also visited the latter’s brother Harris Robins who is a patient in hospital at Buffalo, following a serious operation.
John Hill and Mrs. Mary Reid spent Tuesday at Welland.
Mr. and Mrs Thomas Holt, St Ann’s and Mr. And Mrs W.J. Anderson were recent guests of Mr. And Mrs Leonard E. Cocks, Fenwick.
Friends of Emery Gee will be glad to learn he is convalescing at the home of his son and daughter-in-law, Mr. And Mrs Clifford Gee, following an operation at St. Joseph’s Hospital Hamilton. He spent a few weeks with his daughter, Mrs Flossie Barry at Hamilton before coming home.
Attend C. Misener’s Funeral
Mr. and Mrs. James Hill, sons Cameron and Murray, Clifford C. Hill, Mr. And Mrs Arnold Reid, Wainfleet, and Mr. And Mrs. Murray B. Misener and son Horace, Bismark attended the funeral of their brother and uncle the late Charles Emery Misener which was held from the Dell and Merton Funeral Home, Port Colborne.
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