Jan. 21,1998 – 25 Years Ago
Trans Canada snowmobilers ride in Pontiac: Fifteen snowmobilers participating in the cross-Canada run passed through Pontiac County Saturday.
The riders, part of the PowerStreak Rendez-Vous ‘98 began in Newfoundland and will finish in British Columbia near the end of February. The 8,000 kilometer ride is to launch the Trans Canada Snowmobile Trail.
Randy Pitt, past president of the Pontiac Snowmobile Drivers Association, says the corridor was ready for the riders when they passed through Saturday.
Pitt says volunteers helped groom the trail. About 80 per cent of the region’s 550 kilometers of trails are open.
Automobile theft foiled: Two car thief wanna-bees picked the wrong car to steal on Main Street, Shawville on Thursday.
While the owner of the 1995 red Mustang was in Hursty’s getting a coffee, the car went missing.
Mick Eades noticing his car was not parked where he left it, went back in the restaurant and was told by Reuben Stewart that two men drove away in the Mustang only moments before.
Eades decided to pursue the car nabbers and borrowed a friend’s van. Eades was told at Pirie’s the car was headed towards Bean’s garage. Blake Pirie notified the Sureté du Quebec while Eades continued the chase.
Eades spotted the car on Centre Street and tried to block the getaway, but the driver turned the car around and headed east on Hwy. 148. Lee Laframboise noticing the attempted block, decided to join the chase.
Meanwhile the SQ in Campbell’s Bay notified the police in MRC des Collines who promptly pursued the stolen vehicle which was clocked doing up to 104 mph on the snow-covered roads.
The vehicle took the ditch near Stanton’s garage in Quyon. Eades and Officer Fournel of the des Collines police chased the suspects on foot through a field, catching and arresting them.
Jan. 24, 1973 – 50 Years Ago
New centennial coin struck in Bryson: As part of the decorations, ten gold coloured coins have been made measuring about two feet in diameter. The raised surface of the coins bear the centennial dates along with the name Bryson and 100th Anniversary.
After the carnival, these coins will be offered to the Centennial Committee by the R.A. to be used as decorations during this year.
Towards the end of the year, they will be auctioned and the profits will go towards the R.A. for expenses on behalf of centennial.
Roads main topic at Quyon banquet: Mr. Bonin of the National Capital Commission speaking last week in Quyon, stated that for him the most important needed development in this area was the road system. He said he was particularly able to realize this on his way to the banquet.
Mr. Bonin stated that the road network had been, for a period of several months, subject of disagreement between the province and the NCC. He said that regardless of rumours to the contrary, the federal government through the NCC intends to pay 50 per cent of the total cost of 135 million dollars which will be spent in this region in six years.
Jan. 29, 1948 – 75 Years Ago
Local news: Shawville senior hockey team under the able guidance of Dr. Frank Cowley maintained their winning streak in Friday night’s game at Shawville arena by blanking Campbell’s Bay by the score of 4 to 0. The score was not a fair indication of play, as time after time, the Bay team was in good scoring position, only to be denied by the brilliant blocking by Dale Thomson in the Shawville nets.
Quebec was given its own flag today by a sudden order-in-council announcement by Premier Duplessis to the Legislative Assembly which was met with roaring applause. Quebec joins Nova Scotia in the distinction of being the only two Canadian provinces to have their own provincial flags. While the fleur-de-lys flag would be flown on provincial buildings, the Union Jack or the Canadian Ensign would be flown on federal buildings in Quebec.
Prime Minister Mackenzie King tonight announced his retirement as Liberal Party leader and asked the National Liberal Federation to summon a national convention to select a new political head. The 73-year-old Prime Minister made his long-expected announcement in a speech to more than 800 party supporters gathered at the annual dinner of the Federation’s Advisory Council.
The meeting of North Clarendon Farm Forum at the home of Mr. and Mrs. E.C. McKay on Jan. 19 produced animated discussion on the need of a National Marketing Act.
Jan. 18,1923 – 100 Years Ago
Local news: Extending over a period of two years, Zion congregation has been remodeling and rebuilding their church. With a splendid basement, new furnishings and equipment, it is today one of the coziest and brightest places of worship. Dr. Lennon, former and much beloved pastor, will preach at the opening services on Jan. 28.
Pneumonia, of which there are a number of serious cases in the district just now, claimed another victim on Sunday evening.
Mrs. Isaac Anderson is well again after an operation performed by Dr. Wood of Westmeath.
General conclusions of physicians at Washington University who have been experimenting with insulin as a cure for diabetes, are that no one need die of that disease, it was announced today. Washington is one of four United States Universities at which the new substance is being prepared.
In connection with the Short Course for men and boys which was held under the auspices of the Incorporated Wool Growers Agricultural Society, in Lennoxville, there was a short course arranged for the girls by the Women’s Institute organization in that county. A great deal is being done to interest the boys but very little for the girls.
Jan. 20,1898 – 125 Years Ago
Local news: The Moran farm on Chats Island has been purchased by Mr. D.J. Campbell of Arnprior from Mr. H.S. Burritt formerly a clerk in the Bank of Ottawa at Arnprior and now running a farm in New York State. The property is a good one and is surrounded by a first-class cedar fence.
Mr. Henry McDowell is at present suffering from an attack of quinsy.
Mr. Chas. Stewart has been appointed as first singer in the Litchfield Choir.
Quite a number of the young folk from this vicinity attended the entertainment in the English Church at Quyon on Wednesday night and report it second to none this season.
Most of the people in this neighbourhood are busily engaged in taking out pulpwood.
A heavy snow storm struck this section on Saturday. Snow fell to a depth of five inches.
Owing to the large number of jobbers in this vicinity of Upper Thorne Centre, our blacksmiths, Messrs. Stienke and Holt are unable to keep up with the rush.
On Saturday of last week, Mr. Thomas Somerville, of Pembroke was trying a new Marlin rifle in the back yard of the firm’s premises, when by some unaccountable way or other, he got a 32 shell into the 44 magazine of his new rifle with the consequences that the small shell got turned around in the large cavity and prematurely exploded, throwing the charge of powder into Mr. Somerville’s face singing his eyebrows. Fortunately, none of the grains of powder entered his eyes.
