April 10,1996
25 Years Ago
Ragged Chute Bridge out: After six years of requests from Bristol council, the provincial government has finally agreed to replace the Ragged Chute Bridge.
The old bridge was taken out March 21 and the new one is expected to be complete by . . .
June 10.
“The bridge was finished,” Mayor Jack Graham says. “The foundation was cracking.”
Bristol received approval for the bridge replacement just in time.
Due to budget restrictions, the new bridge will be built at the same height as the old one, but there will be other marked improvements. The new bridge will be paved and will be 32 feet wide, allowing two cars to cross at the same time.
High levels of gold and silver found in old New Calumet Mine: It’s been nearly 30 years since there was any kind of activity in the old Calumet mine. But a Montreal-based exploration company is hoping to bring life back to the island property.
Drilling done in the former mine in January and February by Q.E.X. Resources Inc. confirmed there are high gold and silver values, equivalent to .35 ounces per ton of ore.
The amount is significant, especially when compared to what the average mine produces – .17 ounces of gold and silver per ton of ore.
April 14,1971
50 Years Ago
Clifford Cone – barber for half a century: Everybody in Shawville knows Clifford Cone, barber but how many know his middle name is Henry and he can trace his ancestry through his mother right back to Henry Hudson and also to William of Orange?
The son of a blacksmith, young Clifford decided to take up the barbering profession, under the instruction of Willie Maitland.
This spring marks his fiftieth anniversary as his own boss in his own shop, shaving, trimming and cutting the hair of the people in Shawville. In all those years Mr. Cone says nothing much has changed except the prices.
Vet care and breeders’ grants in new agriculture program: The Quebec Minister of Agriculture has an elaborate program lined up for his department which he hopes will make the best of the economic effects of agriculture from production to the consumer.
Agricultural production is increasing at a constant rate in Quebec while the number of farms is decreasing.
During 1969 farm production was over $700,000,000, placing farming in an important position in the economics of this province.
To improve the health of animals, a condition essential to obtain the optimal use of the genetic value of breeding stock, the department will initiate a contributory health insurance plan for animals. The plan will make veterinary services more readily available and will reduce the cost of a treatment to the breeder.
April 11,1946
75 Years Ago
Local News: A number of interesting lectures were given in the Agricultural Hall last Friday on swine production.
L.A.C. Arthur Mayhew arrived from overseas on Friday, April 5th, aboard the Ile de France and is spending thirty days leave at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Mayhew at Quyon.
The wartime prices and trade board today announced an order regulating sales of lumber at retail. The order requires that no person may sell lumber at retail unless he operates an established retail yard capable of serving the public with assorted stocks of lumber and lumber products in a normal retail manner.
Cpl. John Byron who has been overseas for over a year, returned to Canada on the Ile de France, last week.
Trout fishing in Quebec province will open April 13 instead of May 1 this year, it was announced by Dr. Camille Pouliot, Quebec minister of game and fisheries.
In accordance with the government’s decision to increase creamery butter prices as an incentive to greater production during the coming year, and increase to all levels of four cents per pound in the price of creamery butter.
Maple syrup will remain on the ration list, R.W. Mayhew, parliamentary assistant to the minister of finance toll the Commons.
As in previous years, the coupon value of maple syrup has been doubled for the duration of the producing season until May 31.
President Truman said he would not object to a return to wartime food rationing if it became absolutely necessary.
With the potato planting season approaching, the prices board has issued a reminder to buyers that ceiling price regulations apply to all varieties of seed potatoes including Certified Seed.
From harvesting to seeding time, farmers must apply themselves to many kinds of labour such as ploughing, harrowing, draining in order to prepare the land and destroy weeds. After these many hours of toil in preparing the land they should not spoil their efforts by using poor quality seed, full of weeks and of a variety unsuitable to the district, states A.E. Ouellette, Dominion Experimental Farm, Lennoxville.
April 7,1921
100 Years Ago
Local News: People are wondering if the scheme of constructing the big power dam at the foot of the Calumet Chutes talked of last summer as almost an absolute certainty has fizzled out. It is hoped not.
Mr. A.H. Walsh of Quyon, who has been appointed one of the commissioners for taking the census in Pontiac, informs THE EQUITY that he will have an office at Campbell’s Bay for the purpose of his work in that behalf.
Andrew Young, son of the late Samuel Young of Moorhead section was drowned on the Pickanock River last Wednesday while engaged on Moore’s saw-log drive.From what we learn, the accident occurred about two o’clock in the afternoon, at a point on the river about a mile from Storie’s (formerly Way’s) stopping place. The body was recovered by the unfortunate young man’s brother-in-law and was brought down to Campbell’s Bay on Thursday.
It is understood that the Quebec government will assume the cost of the necessary repairs to Bryson high level ridge, which connects the county town with Calumet Island.
The vaccination restrictions imposed last January by the Quebec authorities on residents of, or people visiting the city of Ottawa, owing to the alarming spread of small pox in the city at that tie, were removed on Friday last. The disease is said to be well under control and the number of cases has greatly diminished. While the order was in force, a great many people voluntarily underwent the ordeal of vaccination and others who neglected to do so had to submit to it on the train or return to the city.
There were others too, who either jollied or bluffed the officiating m.d.. and got off without a scratch. Then there was the expedient of borrowing a vaccinated neighbour’s certificate and this is said to have worked like a charm. But the cause for worries and subterfuges having been removed, people may again travel hither and thither.
April 9,1896
125 Years Ago
Local News: Dr. Gaboury, the Liberal candidate was in town on Tuesday and spoke quite hopefully of his chances in the political contest. The doctor says he does not intend to be squeezed out of the field of any intriguing that may be attempted on the part of those in the ranks of the ‘faithful’ who have expressed dissatisfaction at his candidature.
A session of the Magistrates Court was held in Hodgins Hall on Tuesday morning, J.T. St. Julien, Esq., D.M. presiding. Only a few cases came up for hearing. Many of these actions were to recover house rent.
Dr. L. Mulligan, V.S. has decided to open an office for the practice of his profession at the Pontiac House.
Last Sunday, Easter day, three services were held in St. Paul’s church here, the extra service being for the children.
A syndicate composed of Messrs. James Hodgins, J.L. Shaw, Thos. Prendergast, J. A. McGuire and Hugh Hobbs have purchased the road machine, a trial of the working of which was made on Main Street near the exhibition grounds last fall. Mayor Hobbs’ interest in the machine is in behalf of the corporation. The road-maker, we understand, will be available for hire anywhere required.
Townsend, B.A., graduate Montreal college will commence holding regular Presbyterian services in the Masonic Hall here commencing Sunday.
By an act of the legislature, the right of voting at provincial elections has been extended to all British subjects of full legal age residing in the province and earning or having an income of $300 a year. It is quite probable that before another revision of the lists, the pro provincial elections will be held.
Mr. W.J. Poupore, the Conservative candidate, spent Wednesday last in this village on this return from a trip to the extreme western limits of the county.
The Buckingham Post reports: Mr. A. Page went through the thrilling experience recently while in one of MacLaren’s shanties under the foreman-ship of Mr. S. Miller. One extremely cold morning Mr. Page, with a number of other teamsters was driving along a road with a big load of logs when a bloodcurdling sound greeted his ears.
Shortly after a large deer emerged from the thick forest and with a bound, attempted to leap over the sleigh, but its strength having been about spent, the poor animal sank exhausted and rested just across the load of logs.
The deer was being pursued by a pack of hungry wolves. Mr. Page called to his companions, who were some distance behind. The wolves by this time had arrived, howling and fighting upon the scene and with the horses, teamster and deer, no doubt the ravenous pack expected a royal feast, but the timely appearance of the other teamsters frightened the beasts, and they scampered off through the woods.
After recovering from his fright, Mr. Page took an axe and dispatched the deer and it was found that the hind quarters had been eaten away by the wolves.
