150 years ago
Thursday April 24, 1873
DR. FORTUNE: Graduate of McGill University, Surgeon, Physician, and Accoucheur, begs to intimate that he has taken up his residence at Howick Village, with the view of practising his profession in the surrounding country.
STALLION FOR SALE: The undersigned offers for sale a Stallion, sired by the Huntingdon Society’s imported Percheron horse, Emigrant; his dam, a French mare. Weighs 1200 lbs., stands 15¾ hands, and is of a beautiful black colour. Is four years old this grass and has taken two first prizes at Agricultural fairs. For further particulars apply to Norman McPhee, Dundee.
125 years ago
April 28, 1898
ORMSTOWN: One of Guay’s Acetylene gas generators has been tested in Wm. Bryson’s tailor shop here. The light is powerful and perfectly steady. Tuesday evening it was witnessed by many and much approved. It is within the reach of all our shops, as the cost is trifling compared to electric light.
HOWICK: The season for fishing has not been extra favourable for our local sportsmen; still, several hooks have been bent or broken by some immense specimen of the finny tribe – according to reports.
VALLEYFIELD: Navigation is now open to and from Montreal. A large fleet of M.T.Co.’s barges arrived down here Sunday morning, loaded with grain for export. The market steamers Rocket and Garnet made their first trips down Monday and up Tuesday of this week. Robineault’s new boat has gone to Kingston, where her machinery will be placed. It is expected she will commence running from Valleyfield to Montreal about the middle of May.
100 years ago
Thursday, April 26, 1923
54 BULLS SOLD AT ORMSTOWN SALE: Light Bidding – Practically all Animals Bought by Government – $235 Top Price. … 32 head of Ayrshires and 22 Holsteins were sold. … The sale was held in the Ormstown Arena.
1923 SEED PRICES: Pine Tree Timothy, 99-65 purity test, per bush., $4; Blue String Globe Timothy, 99-80 purity test, per bush., $4.75; Red Clover, Ace, grade per lb., 25c.; Alsyke Clover, Ace grade per lb., 2.c.; Grimm Alfalfa per lb., 45c.; Seed corn from $1.75 to $3 per bushel. Nails, Barb Wire, Field Fencing, below market prices. Terms: 3 per cent, discount for spot cash. Canadian money at par. Farquhar Bros., Fort Covington, N.Y.
75 years ago
Wednesday, April 28, 1948
YOUTH ASSOCIATION BOXING FRIDAY EVENING: The Huntingdon Youth Association is sponsoring a Boxing Exhibition at the Youth Centre, this Friday evening, April 20. The boxers will be members of the Montreal Boys’ Club who are entering the Golden Gloves Competition and there should be a very good display of this manly art.
O’CONNOR THEATRE RENO-VATED: Modern Seats Installed. Auxiliary Sound System and Special Servicing Will Guarantee Reliable Performance. … the whole inside of the theatre has been renovated and re-decorated. The tip-up seats that were on the ground floor have been moved to the balcony and have been firmly secured to the floor as required by law. … As an added precaution a two-rail fence has been placed on the cap of the balcony wall. … The whole interior of the theatre has been redecorated in peach tint with pale blue trim and this makes the interior much lighter than before. … The screen and surroundings remain the same as formerly. … Two hundred new seats have been placed in the front part of the theatre … They are a deep-seated type with soft padded and full back, almost like sitting in an armchair at home, done in brown leather.
50 years ago
April 25, 1973
PIONEERS RECALL CURLING IN EARLY DAYS: The English River was in prime condition in the winter of 1825 when James Davies, a keen curler from Scotland, suggested to his neighbour William Miller on the Scotch Concession that they should have a curling game. Wooden blocks were shaped, and Mr. Miller won the game – the beginning of English River Curling Club almost 150 years ago. The Roys, Angells and McGregors were among many fine curlers who helped to establish this club as a recreational centre in the community.
