From the Archives
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From the Archives
Tillsonburg Observer and Tillsonburg News
Jan. 5, 1871
Tillsonburg Observer
During the year that has just closed we enlarged The Observer to 28 columns, and added to the length of each column, making the actual increase in size fully one half.
Last week we received from Thomas Leduc two parcels of Red River newspapers, addressed to his old friends in this village. Mr. Leduc promises us a long letter of information respecting the country in a short time. He and James Jeffery of Goshen are in partnership and had gone to the woods to get out timber for building purposes.
Jan. 12, 1871
We believe that the prospects are at present very favorable for the establishment of a bank agency in this village.
The directors of Molsons have the matter under consideration. Should they decide not to establish an agency here, either the Bank of Commerce or the Merchants Bank will do so.
1891
Jan. 2, 1891
Tillsonburg Observer
Owing probably to the lack of sleighing, Christmas Day passed off very quietly in Tillsonburg.
On Christmas Eve, midnight Mass was celebrated was celebrated in the R.C. Church here and was witnessed by a large congregation, including a goodly number of Protestants.
In Ostrander, S. Burn is busy getting out timber for a new barn.
In South Middleton, the evangelists opened fire on South Middleton with a full force of preachers – 13 in number – on Christmas Day and there was some excellent speaking, your correspondent was told, he not being present on account of ill health. Tillsonburg is the next place they will lay siege to, and if they fail to make it warm for the Tillsonburg folks it will not be their fault. You want to strengthen your batteries and post double pickets or else you will be defeated.
Jan. 5, 1891
The new vestry of St. John’s Church has been lengthened by the addition of a few feet. It will now serve as a parish room in addition to a choir vestry.
A number of young people of both sexes indulged in skating on the waterworks pond last Sunday.
William Parker and Son have moved their livery stable and office into their commodious new buildings adjoining the Sinclair block.
George Burke has had the veranda in front of his tin and stove store pulled down, this taking the initiative in the removal of these unsightly obstructions from the east side of Broadway.
Petitions in favor of prohibition were circulated in nearly all of the churches in Tillsonburg on Sunday.
New Year’s Day was a dull opening for 1891. It rained incessantly, increasing in weight towards the evening. The snow which covered the ground in the early morning had almost entirely disappeared before the day was over.
In Cornell, as men are scarce in this locality, the widows have adopted the plan of voting.
Jan. 16, 1891
Squire Durkee of Otterville cast his 62nd vote on election day.
In Ostrander, the farmers are taking advantage of the snow in hauling their logs to town.
1906
Jan. 4, 1906
Tillsonburg Observer
The North Bayham cheese factory finished its season on Saturday.
The new council will be composed as follows: Mayor W.B. Hogarth, councillors John McIntyre, CH Denton, A. Slater, CA Ostrander, Edgar Wilson, and Joseph Thompson.
Jan. 11, 1906
The prize of a pail of lard, offered by W.N. Burn to the customer guessing the weight of the fine beef exhibited in his meat market recently, was won by F.W. Vardon of Springford. The weight of the carcass was 879 pounds. There were 600 guesses.
William Bell, Springford, fed the animal whose weight was guessed.
Jan. 18, 1906
H.G. Coomber is adding an extension of 50 feet at the back of his furniture store for a warehouse.
In Straffordville, Weston Thomas sold his matched span of bays to Charles Bate for the fine sum of $300.
1921
Jan. 6, 1921
Tillsonburg News
The war memorial gun allotted to Tillsonburg arrived from Ottawa a few days ago and has been temporarily placed on the walk in front of the town hall. It is considerably larger than the one assigned to us, being a six-inch howitzer.
W. Gaetz has sold his barbering business to T. Fardella.
Jan. 13, 1921
The OHA season opened here on Tuesday night in a fast hard-fought game between Woodstock Juniors and the local Juniors. The visitors were skated off their feet by the local fans, but Dunlop in goal for the visitors was a wonder. The visitors won the game in 10 minutes of overtime. The local lineup: goal, Barkey; defense, Crossett, Cowell; forwards, Russell, Barrett, Conn; subs, McQueen, Jones.
1941
Jan. 2, 1941
Tillsonburg News
Two Cars Stolen
Over the weekend the theft of two cars was reported to police. Shortly after 6 p.m. on Friday, James Drake, who operates a garage on Simcoe Street and who collects mail from the mail boxes of the town, was sitting in his garage when he saw his car move away.
He called Acting Chief Constable Corbett, who immediately called Courtland and started in pursuit. The car did not pass through Courtland, however, and no trace of it was found.
The car was a model was a 1931 model coach, olive colored, with His Majesty’s mail insignia on both sides. Mr. Drake had just returned from securing his 1941 plates for the car and they were on the back seat.
The second car stolen was reported to police Saturday evening. Alex Cassells double-parked his car about 11 o’clock in front of H.A. Ostrander’s store on Broadway, where his is employed as a radio service man. He went into the store for a short time.
When he came out the car was gone. He did not leave his keys in the car and whoever took it must have cut the wires. In the car was all his equipment, several radio tubes, and a quantity of groceries that he was taking home.
The car was a 1935 coach, black in color, with red wheels license (1941) 3-C-999. Police were notified and they in turn notified police of the surrounding district.
1941
Thursday, Jan. 9
Dog Poisoned
‘Major’, the big black Newfoundland dog owned by Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Glover, Brock Street, died on Monday, apparently from poisoning.
Two local veterinarians were summoned, but they were unable to save the dog’s life. Major was about 13 months old, having been owned by Mr. and Mrs. Glover for about a year.
This is the fourth dog they have lost through poisoning within two years.
Jan. 16, 1941
B.P. Memorial Service Scheduled
A memorial service for Lord Baden-Powell of Gilwell, late Chief Scout and founder of the Boy Scout organization, will be held in St. Paul’s United Church on Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock.
Rev. M.H.H. Farr of St. John’s Anglican Church will give the address. District Commissioner W.H. Gibson will act as chairman, with Rev. W.L. Davidson, Rev. H.S. Cobb, Rev. A. Carr and Adjutant F.G. Bowers taking part in the service.
Similar services will be held in all parts of Canada, the British Empire and all sections of the world where Scouting has been organized. Lord Baden-Powell died last week at his home in Kenya Colony, East Africa.