150 years ago
Thursday, July 6, 1871
Hotel to sell or to lease
The Hotel situated in the thriving village of Durham, Ormstown, favourably known for the last thirty years as “McEachern’s Hotel,” together with yard, sheds, and stables, is now offered for sale on favourable terms to suit purchaser; or may be leased for a term of years. It is located on the banks of the River Chateauguay, in the most thriving part of the district of Beauharnois, and upon the route from Montreal to Huntingdon, making it a very eligible property for any one desirous of doing a profitable business. Apply upon the premises to the undersigned proprietor. – E. McEachern, Durham, Ormstown.
120 years ago
July 4, 1901
Hemmingford
About 10:30 Saturday night, Wm. Dwyer, returning from Saint-Chrysostome, noticed that the house of Albert J. Orr at Corbin was on fire. The family, who had retired for the night, were aroused, and the neighbours, being alarmed, [assured that] assistance was speedily on hand, so that most of the furniture in the front part of the house was secured; but the house, a large two-story frame building, well finished in every part, as well as the commodious outbuildings, were destroyed. From there the flames spread to a vacant house on the adjoining property, owned by Albert Williams, which, together with a block stable on the same property, were speedily consumed. The house of Wm. Corbin and his barns and stables were saved with much difficulty, but Mr. Corbin’s carding mill, though distant 3 acres, was burnt. A quantity of wool was, however, saved from the mill. Mr. Corbin had no insurance. Mr. Orr had insurance through Mr. Larche on buildings and contents, aggregating $1,700. No suspicion of foul play is entertained.
90 years ago
Wednesday, July 1, 1931
One of the Worst Heat Waves Ever Recorded in District
The district experienced one of the worst heat waves in its history on Wednesday, Dominion Day. Speaking to a few old residents of the town they said they had never remembered weather the like. The Dominion Meteorological Service maximum and minimum thermometer recorded 98 F (36 C) and 72 F (22 C) degrees in the shade. The temperature in the sun was well over 110 F (43 C) degrees. Although the Gleaner is dated July 1 it is being printed on Thursday, July 2. Despite a thunderstorm and some rain last night the temperature hovered about 94 F (34 C) degrees at nine o’clock this morning.
60 years ago
Wednesday, July 5, 1961
Legion Festival on July 1 Most Successful Event
Huntingdon Branch No. 81 of the Royal Canadian Legion held their Annual Dominion Day Festival on Saturday evening July 1 at the Legion Hall. The evening’s program opened with a half-hour concert by the Huntingdon Citizens’ Band, followed by a half-hour concert by the St. Joseph Air Force Cadet Band. This young group of musicians was only formed last November and played very well considering the short time of learning to play their instruments. At 10:30 p.m. there was a pie eating contest, with the usual dirty faces following the eating of the pies. The president of the Branch, John Thompson, reported he was very pleased with the night’s entertainment and wishes to thank the public for their wonderful support and his legion comrades who worked so hard to make this a very successful evening.
30 years ago
July 3, 1991
Seven-foot-high blueberry bushes
Such giants are growing at the farm of Ivanhoë Faille just east of Franklin Centre and the blueberry picking season is just around the corner. The producer says it was his father, Gerard, who first brought the blueberry industry to this area 25 years ago and since then several others have followed his example. Ivanhoë took over the original plantation 1987. Another blueberry producer, Lise Lapointe of Saint-Chrysostome, was an original participant in the Quebec Government’s program “Demonstration Farms in Ecological Agriculture” because the production was organic. Blueberries from South-Quebec reach the Montreal market the same day they are picked, and the best way to get them fresh is to stop in at the farm.
