compiled by Bonnie Chevrier
Jan. 11, 1995
25 Years Ago
First to arrive in ‘95: 1995’s firstborn Quinn Germain O’Brien was the first baby born in 1995 at Pontiac Community Hospital. Although he was due . . .
on New Year’s Day, Quinn delayed his arrival a few days until Jan. 4 at 6:28 a.m. weighing in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce. Quinn is proudly welcomed by parents Louise and Thomas and big brothers, James and Phillipe, all of Vinton.
Waltham renovating town hall through infrastructure program: The municipality of Waltham is planning to renovate its town hall at a cost to the municipality of about $63,000.
The federal and provincial governments will help out on the project with each higher level of government contributing $22,213. The total cost of the renovation is estimated to be around $108,000.
Council hopes the job can be completed by August of this year.
Jan. 14, 1970
50 Years Ago
The big igloo at Pontiac Mill: The landscape has been changed down at the Pontiac Mill in Litchfield. As you approach the main plant area, the first thing you see is this enormous white dome which, situated as it is at this time of year in the midst of snowfields, looks for all the world like a gigantic igloo.
On Dec. 22, the area was cleared of snow and ice after which the two sections of the bubbledome warehouse were unrolled and spread out. Two thousand and four hundred tons of pulp will be stored in this warehouse, brought through an enormous set of sliding doors and a powerful air curtain from the present warehouse which is adjacent to this structure.
Pontiacs in winning streak meet Panthers here Friday: In Renfrew last Friday night, Shawville Pontiacs beat the North Stars 6-4 in a hard fought game in the Intermediate A League series. The final goal scored by Bill Keuhl was a reflection off the stick of Earl Powell.
It was a battle of “survival of the fittest” in the Sunday afternoon game as they shaded the Kemptville Royals 6-5, getting the winning goal at 15:30 of the third period off the stick of Barry Murray.
Jan. 18, 1945
75 Years Ago
Local News: Former Shawville boy shoots down two German planes in first flight: Flying Officer Blake Smiley of Perth was mentioned in recent press dispatches as having shot down two German fighters in his first flight over Frankfurt.
F.O. Smiley is the son of Mr. and Mrs. P.E. Smiley of Perth and was born in Shawville.
The 22-year-old airman got his first victim when he fired a couple of bursts into a Messerschmidt 109 and saw the pilot parachute.
Election day on Monday created considerable interest in the village of Shawville and township of Clarendon as it was the first contest in several years in the township and in the village the slate of candidates was made up of an entirely new list of names.
In the village, W. Clifford Schwartz and J. Peden Wilson were nominated for mayor but the latter retiring, Mr. Schwartz secured an acclamation.
Bill Gibson’s junior hockey team played their first game of the season on Friday night last against Trojans of the Junior City Hockey League. Although defeated by the city boys by a score of 9 to 5, local fans were well pleased with the game, which was the initial performance for several of the Shawville team.
Men of a Canadian regiment in Holland are living in trenches built for a static warfare.
National Selective Service in a move to assist in filling its call-up quota of 5,000 men a month for the army is expected to announce new regulations affecting the calling up of R.C.A.F. dischargees this week. Under present regulations, members of the R.C.A.F. who have had overseas service or more than three years service in Canad are not subject to army call when they are discharged from the air force.
Jan. 8, 1920
100 Years Ago
Local News: Following the hockey match on New Year’s night, a dance was given at the Russell House by Mr. Wm. Turcotte at which a goodly number of the “fans” rounded out the night in a pleasant manner.
At a meeting held at the Pontiac House Dec. 24, of the Shawville Hockey Club the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Thos. Shore, G.A. Howard, H. Imison, Dr. S.L. O’Hara.
The first of the series of home and home exhibition matches between he local squad and Campbell’s Bay (old rivals) came off at the rink here on New Year’s night and was won by the locals in a score of 6-3 in presence of a fairly good crowd of spectators.
Neither team showed much form but as this was practically the first try-out, prime hockey could hardly be expected.
According to the Advance, a strong agitation is on to have a bridge built across the channel to connect Campbell’s Bay with Calumet Island and thus afford the people of the latter municipality a better means of railway communication during the summer month and during those periods when traffic is impeded by the unsafe condition of the ice.
A driving party, composed of Shawville young people, drove down tot eh home of Miss Clara Dods in Bristol on Friday evening and had a good time, despite the zero weather which prevailed.
Anti-vaccinationists up in Toronto are blaming vaccination for a rather alarming outbreak of diphtheria and investigation of the charge is being considered.
Herr Erzberger, German Minister of Finance, has announced that a great part of the twenty billion marks payable to the Allies under the terms of peace has already been delivered. This is welcome news. The money itself should go far towards paying for the restoration of devastated parts of Belgium and France and mending the shattered economic life of others of the Allied powers.
Jan. 10, 1895
125 Years Ago
Local News: On Saturday morning, Mr. Thomas G. Somerville, an old resident of Fitzroy was found dead in his chair beside the kitchen fire, which he had lit a few minutes previously. It was his custom to make the porridge for breakfast and when found he still retained the porridge stick in his hand.
Mr. B. McGrath, school inspector was in town on Monday and Tuesday last.
Mr. D. Kennedy has left for up river to begin his contract hauling supplies from Deux Rivières. Messrs. John Horner and James Armstrong with a number of men and teams from this neighbourhood have also gone to Mattawa with the same object.
There is a new drug store on Main Street, Shawville with a choice assortment of drugs and chemicals constantly on hand. Also a full stock of patent medicines; horse and cattle medicines of all kinds. Dr. R.H. Klock.
Judge St. Julien, revising barrister for the electoral district of Pontiac is at present engaged holding courts of revision throughout the county as provided for by the terms of the Dominion Electoral Franchise Act.
Murrell’s settlement still thrives. Diphtheria has made its appearance in this locality proving fatal in one case, the seven-year-old daughter of Mr. John A. Cameron.
Our patrol lodge here is in a flourishing condition with Mr. John Stewart as president and Mr. L.W. Hodgins secretary.
Mr. J.H. Shaw began the removal of his stock into his magnificent new store on Thursday last.
Miss Bella Armstrong of Ramsay, aged 25, was killed in jumping from a moving train at Almonte Station on Monday of last week.
The concert held in Walsh’s Hall in Bryson on New Year’s night proved quite a success.
Mr. R.W. Ralph, forest ranger, left for the Keppewa county this week to commence the season’s work.
Large quantities of wood and hay are daily coming into the village.
The remains of the late premier, the Right Hon. Sir John Thompson were laid to rest at Halifax on Thursday last with the most imposing ceremonies. The funeral was witnessed by over 50,000 people, representing all classes of citizens from every part of the Dominion.
The Hon. Louis H. Davies, M.P. says that the Dominion elections will be held before the winter is out.
Ad: Beaver Tobacco, the gentleman’s chew is the finest made. For sale by J.G. McGuire of Shawville.
