Nov. 18, 1992

25 Years Ago

Wind storm uproots trees, topples barns: Early Nov. 13, high winds wreaked havoc all over the Ottawa valley, causing some serious damage and leaving many without power for up to two days.
Heavy rains and 130km/hr winds affected many areas of the Pontiac. Parts of Chichester and Sheenboro were without power for two days. Norway Bay residents saw a number of 70 foot pines crash onto homes and properties. Eric and Jean Beardsley’s home, where a tree crashed onto their roof, separated one room from the rest of the house. Another massive tree fell across the driveway of St. Edward’s Roman Catholic Church.

Pulp mill takes steps to reduce pollution: Stone Consolidated has undertaken a $30 million project to reduce pollution from their Portage du Fort mill.
Management is making improvements in three areas: to the mill’s bleaching process, to its wastewater lagoon system and to its on-site landfill.
The present landfill has been in use since the mill opened in 1967. It is nothing fancy, merely a deep pit located east of the Woodlands office. All the solid fibre that is collected out of the mill’s wastewater goes into this dump.

Nov. 23, 1967

50 Years Ago

Maple Leaf Hotel burns to the ground: On Sunday morning at four o’clock, the Maple Leaf Hotel in Portage du Fort burned down completely. This hotel used to belong to Reo Laplante but after he died it has been the property of Dave Brosseau of Portage du Fort.
The Country Folk Band under the direction of Jim McCalum of Pembroke had been playing in the hotel on Saturday night and was staying over and it was Noel Sheedy of that group who notified the town secretary, Mrs. Burns that the place was on fire at 4 a.m. By 4:10 the Portage du Fort Volunteer Fire Brigade was on the scene working in a very organized manner to confine the blaze to the hotel.
There was no saving the building because of the great start the fire had on the entire first floor of the hotel but the brigade was able to prevent it from spreading and received high praise from Mrs. Gordon Gibbons, Mayor of Portage du Fort.
Quebec C of C hosts West Quebec meeting: The regular meeting of the Quyon and District Chamber of Commerce was held on Nov. 8 in the Fairbanks Hotel at which time the Quyon C of C were hosts to the representatives of the Union of Chambers of Commerce of Western Quebec.
During the meeting, members discussed having a Ladies Night and it was also suggested that the Britannia Yacht Club be contacted concerning a regatta in Quyon next summer with the Quyon C of C donating a trophy.

Nov. 26, 1942

75 Years Ago

Missing from our files

Nov. 29, 1917

100 Years Ago

Local News: Pte. E.G. Amy, a former resident of Shawville, was among the arrivals on Friday evening last and all old friends were glad to see him looking so well after the ordeal he has gone through in doing his bit at the front. Whilst now in the enjoyment of good health, Ernest bears the evidences of the tremendous conflict in which he took part, first in Belgium, then at the Somme, where he was first wounded and latterly at the gallant capture of Vimy Ridge where he was permanently disabled by having the right foot smashed by shell explosion. Pte. Amy went overseas in March 1916 with the 45th Battalion of Brandon.
M.J. O’Brien Ltd. are taking over the flour mills at one time operated by the Renfrew Milling Co. The plant will be placed in up-to-date condition and the Renfrew mills will be one of three mills linked to the milling business.
Rev. Joseph Burton, the new Incumbent of North Clarendon conducted the services at St. Paul’s Church on Sunday.
British Third Army smash Hindenburg line: The report from Field Marshal Haig’s headquarters tonight on the British drive in the Cambrai sector reads: important progress was again made today west and southwest of Cambrai, though rain had fallen continuously. Reinforcements which the enemy hurried up to the battlefield to oppose our advance, have been driven out of a further series of villages and other fortified positions and many additional prisoners have been taken. The tanks have again given great assistance to the advance.
Eight Unionists and eleven Laurierites, the latter all in Quebec, were elected by acclamation on the 19th. Mr. Cahill and those who supported him on nomination day seemed to take it for granted that Mr. Bastien should naturally become responsible for all the shortcomings which they laid at the doors of the latter Conservative government.

Nov. 24, 1892

125 Years Ago

Local news: A very heavy fall of rain occurred on Friday last, this was succeeded in the evening by a blinding snow storm which however did not last long. More rain came the following morning, the result of which was that the roads were in a shocking condition.
On Saturday the 12th, the house of Mr. R. Harkin at Black River, Pontiac, was burned to the ground with all its contents. The house was known as Perrault’s Hotel. A correspondent of The Observer writes that when he arrived at the scene of the fire, it was a hard sight to see Mrs. Harkin and baby, Miss Harkin and Miss Taylor, all barefooted, having escaped from the building and they were carrying water in pails to try to save their outbuildings which were within nine yards of the burning building.
All too frequently it seems, we are confronted with the grave evidences of the fact that the pioneers of this county, the old landmarks, so to speak, which are identified with its early history, its primitive customs, its hardships and its disadvantages, are disappearing from our midst. The late James Hobbs, who entered into his rest on Friday morning, was one of those few men upon who fell the burden of the early colonization of this section of the country.
The young men of the village of Quyon have organized a debating society. The step is a commendable one.
Mr. Harry Craig, late of Fitzroy Harbour has bought out the blacksmithing business of Mr. Dave Cadieux. Harry purposes going into the manufacture of all kinds of conveyances such as sleighs, cutters, buggies, wagons, etc.
The many friends of Mr. Jas. A. Angus, formerly of Bristol, will be glad to learn that he has had much better health since taking up his residence in Southern California.
All the preliminary steps having been taken and the necessary application having been made to the Lieut. Governor for the issue of the proclamation erecting Arnprior into a town.
Jas. Hodgins and Son are now showing a full line of men’s fur coats in raccoon and other qualities which they are disposing of at a very low price.
An Ottawa gentleman down way Eganville says coal oil has been discovered on the new C.P.R. line to Eganville at a place known as the 4th chute. The railroad men were blasting for the road bed and when the displaced rock flew in the air, the petroleum flowed up.
It was tested and is stated to be the genuine thing.