Compiled by Bonnie Chevrier

Jan. 19, 1994
25 Years Ago
Fires destroy three buildings in Pontiac: Fire has taken its toll on three Pontiac families this week.
Since Sunday, three fires have destroyed property in Campbell’s Bay, outside of Quyon and in Pontiac Station.
The barn fire at Sutton property on the Wolf Lake Road started early Jan. 17. Quyon Fire Chief Leo Ladouceur reported that when the fire trucks arrived 20 minutes after receiving the call, all that was left of the barn were beams and a shell. Firefighters are blaming electrical problems. The barn was completely destroyed in the blaze and 13 beef cows died.

The Bristol Fire Dept. responded to a call at a garage in Pontiac Station early Jan.18. When fire fighters arrived on the scene, the garage was destroyed. Two vehicles in the garage were destroyed. No injuries were reported.
On Sunday, fire tore through a Campbell’s Bay home completely destroying the building.
Batteries tested: Cold weather wreaked havoc with Pontiac drivers on the weekend when temperatures dipped to -50 degrees with the wind chill factor. Local tow truck operators were kept busy assisting motorists who were unable to start their vehicles.
Lee Laframboise of Bean’s Service Station said the trucks were kept busy all weekend.

Jan. 22, 1969
50 Years Ago
Consulting service for farm owners: The scarcity of labour on Canadian farms is increasing from year to year much faster than the availability of agricultural engineers to design structures and systems for more efficient utilization of the labour remaining on these farms.
A large percentage of the available professional Agricultural engineers in Quebec are located on university campuses and much information has been given by professors to individual farmers, groups of farmers and professionals of other disciplines on a gratis basis.
The requests for information have reached such dimensions that the Agricultural Engineering Department at Macdonald College has found it necessary to add to its staff to answer the demand and relieve its professors to allow them to devote their efforts to teaching and research.
Hilton Mine ‘68 was accident free: The employees of the Hilton Mines have again achieved an accident-free year. During last year, on 15 Oct., they passed one of the targets set by industry as a measure of effectiveness of a safety program, when they worked 1,000,000 man-hours without a disabling injury.
To celebrate this event, the pit employees and their wives enjoyed a dinner-dance in the Lions Community Centre.

Jan. 20, 1944
75 Years Ago
Local news: The Yarm section of Clarendon township lost one of its oldest and most widely known citizens on Monday evening in the person of Mr. James Belsher, the the advanced age of 87 years.
Mr. Belsher had been in failing health for the past three months. He was a life-long resident of Yarm section and was born on the farm where he died, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. William Belsher who were pioneer settlers from Ireland.
The municipal elections in this district created very little excitement or unusual stir. Nominations were held on Jan. 12 and after several withdrawals in Shawville and Clarendon, all were elected by acclamation.
In Shawville, Messrs. Hilliard Hobbs, Edgar Hodgins and Arthur Horner replace retiring councillors Messrs. John J. Caldwell, Harper Rennick and George Prendergast.
In Clarendon, the three retiring councillors, Messrs. Ira Hanna, James Judd and James Whelen were returned without opposition.
The Shawville Women’s Institute met at the home of Mrs. Edgar Hodgins for their December meeting. Letters were read from boys overseas including Bert Swartz, J. Morrison, M. Morrison and Melvin Hodgins thanking the institute for the Christmas boxes received.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Campbell have received word recently that their son, Neilson, has arrived overseas with a unit of the Cameron Highlanders.
Mr. and Mrs. Fred Richardson have received word from their son, Elmer who arrived overseas recently with an Infantry Unit.
On of the largest crowds to file into Shawville Arena for several years witnessed the exhibition hockey match between Rockcliffe Service Police (R.C.A.F.) and Shawville Wildcats on Friday night. Fans were on hand from Quyon, Campbell’s Bay and Fort Coulonge.
As the high score of 7-8 indicates, the game was wide open. In the first period the locals set the pace, scoring four times to the visitors once. Most of the counting plays of the winners were set up by the veteran players, Myre and Behan. Six of the Shawville scores were made by Hubert Dale, veteran right winger and Grant Gibson got the other one from left wing, most of the scoring plays being maneuvered by Rev. Wm. White of Portage du Fort with borrowed skates and outfit, who filled in the centre position on their line very cleverly.
The pattern for the Allied air attack in 1944 is clearly demonstrated by the heavy assaults on what remains of Berlin within the first week of the new year. As the capital and nerve centre of Germany, Berlin has already been knocked out, says the New York Times. Some 25,000 tons of bombs and incendiaries dropped or burned half of it, driving most government offices into the provinces and another 20,000 tons are expected to finish it as Germany’s industrial capital as well.

Jan. 16, 1919
100 Years Ago
Local news: Citizens of Cobden have approved of a by-law to raise $1,500 to provide for the erection of a town hall.
A report has come to THE EQUITY that there is a probability of the water power at Calumet Falls being developed this year but like the many reports regarding this proposition that have gone by the boar, for years and years past, there is nothing very definite to construct even an aerial edifice upon.
Yet a realization of hopes long deferred may be nearer than we think. The waters of the Ottawa are not destined to tumble over the rocks at Calumet forever without some day being put to good use.

Jan. 18, 1894
125 Years Ago

Local News: A new dock is being built opposite the Ottawa House, Portage du Fort.
A number of teams passed through here on their way to Mattawa on Tuesday morning.
As Mr. P. Grace of Pakenham was driving into this village on Saturday last, one of his horses dropped dead on the road. He purchased Mr. Alf. McGuire’s “broncho” and proceeded on his way home.
Mr. J. Kilgour of Ross had his sleigh and a fine team of horses drown while on his way up the river a few days ago.
Mr. G. Brabazon of Portage du Fort has the contract of supplying Gillies Bros. with 500 barrels of flour for their shanties on the Coulonge.
The skating rink is proving a popular resort with the young folk during the evenings now.
On Saturday night, there was scarcely room for the large number who turned out.
There are about 200 men working on the railroad here at the upper lakes and there is some talk of a large force being put to work on the bridge across the Ottawa.
Quite a number of our young men have gone to the woods. Some of the fair sex are very melancholy in consequence.