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PAGE EIGHT THE OSHAWA DAILY TIMES, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 1937 * Minute Book of © Beaver Club Is Historical Find : (By The Canadian Press) Montreal, Jue 2.--An important historical find of a document that has been lost for a" number of . years came as a result of the ex- hibition of things a hundred years old which is now being shown at the McCord National Museum at MeGill University. The find is the minute book of the Beaver Club, fur trading organization which dominated the social, political and commercial life of Canada for over 40 years. The minute book starts from February, 1807, and continues to 1816, when there is quite a gap. Yhe last entry is 8n March 5, 1827, and this probably signified the .. end of the club, When the museum authorities at McGill were re- questing Montrealers to send in- teresting articles to help in the exhibit, this old minute book was one of the things that arrived, and McGill authorities hope that fit will never again have. to leave. The Beaver Club has a unique history that typifies the very life of the country in the years when it was in existence. It was formed in 1785 by the partners of the fam- ous Northwest Fur Company, so long as it existed. The men who followed Sieur' Verandrye and the early French fur traders were + mostly Scotsmen, who saw the pos- sibilities that lay untouched in the far north of Canada. Such men as the McTavishes, Frobishers, McGills, organized the Northwest Company and pushed vigorously into the northland. Mc- Gill University was one result of their sucesses, although all the partners did not spend their mon- ey as well as did James McGill When the company was at the hel ht of its activity, the pariners, eading men in Montreal, decided To form a club which turned out to be as interesting from its so- cial importance as it was notable for the immense power it wielded hoth commercially and politigal- ly. . The object was to bring togeth- ar, during the winter months men of social standing who had spent many of their days in the savage north country on behalf of the fur trade. The membership was very exclusive and no one could belong who had not spent at least one winter in northern Canada. There were 55 members and 10 honorary members, and the privileges were apparently greatly cotered. John Jacob Astor, founder of the for- tunes of the family of that name, was a frequent visitor from the United States; Thomas Moore, the Trish poet, was guest of honor on one occasion; Alexander Macken- zie and Sir John Granklin, explor- ers, were honorary members. The meetings were largely so- apparently greatly coveted. John around the peace pipe and pro- reeded with a round of toasts that was not short. Informal conven- sation was engaged in. The meet- ings would start at four o'clock in the afternoon and would continue till four in the morning, although a2 rule was passed that married men could go home at nine in the evening. No member was allowed to make any other engagement or attend any other function what- soever on the days when the meet- ings were planned, and the rules of the club were always strictly enforced. It is rumored that there was much hilarity at the meetings. The Northwest Company and the Beaver Club opposed Lord Sel- kirk's attempts to found a settle- ment on the site where Winnipeg now stands. Their support of the Indians did not prevent the latter from committing several massa- cres. Many of the members of the Beaver Club refused to support such a policy, and the gnce hon- + pred club came to a quiet end, sup- posedly in 1824 but apparently from the records in the old min- Atte book, in 1827. BANDIT ROBS BANK AND ALSO STEAL TROUSERS Montreal, June 2.---Suppressed mirth which occasionally expanded into broad smiles Thursday provid- "ed atmosphere in the usually aus- i Court of King's Bench. Wil- id alias Paul Emile Matte, ac- sed of holding up the branch of ' Bank of Montreal on Mount yal avenue east on March 3 last on trial. According to the evi- nce given by witnesses, Matte had not only robbed the bark, but had compelled the manager, Arthur Ha- mel, to take off his trousers in or- : der that the accused might be cer- tain of getting away from the scene of the crime. Since it is generally admitted that any man suffers a loss of dignity by being compelled 'to appear in public minus his nether ghiments, If 'the description of the pre- it of the bank manager with a lady customer-in the office, at the time of the hold-up, caused even the accused to smile. Assistant Inspector of Detéctives : Armand Brodeur, who arrested Matte stated that the accused had come to his office and asked the detective to do him a favor, "If 1 return the money. to the bank, will the bank withdraw the charge of hold-up against me?" is a question which accused is alleged to have 'psked. Albert Germain, K.C, who is defence counsel pointed out that + mccused had not been put upon his guard by the detective, therefore the alleged question was inadmis- sible as evidence. Eugene Joly and M. Sauve, em- glavees of the bank identified a ght overcoat wlich Matte wore at the time of his arrest as the same as the one worn by the hold-up man. Sauve stated that when a ng man had stood in front of is cage and ordered him to "stick 4 a) up," he laughed an and turned his Back, thinking somebody was play- Ing a joke hen he heard a shot fired at the ceiling, so he quickly "stuck "em up." EN Madame Dorais, with = whom the © accused had roomed on i of ih street stated that on the day of t hold-up Matte had paid her five weeks room rent, which - he was Bg The Crown closed its cose shorily Er e noon and the jury was only. out five minutes, bringing in a ver dict of guilty. Va Rae COME PREPARED TO BUY BARGAINS OF A LIFE- TIME. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! ; "HEAR YE HEAR YE Good News For All «Uh Men iw li "PURCHASED THE STOCK OF FASHION-CRAFT 2d leir TOWNSMEN woot Suits-Goats Street i po Over 500 This Season's On the Garments From Which To Choose at 3 Oc to 5 Oc Dollar FY THE ROD WEIR STORES ALWAYS SOLD THE BEST MEN'S CLOTHES MADE : FASHION-CRAFT. HAD NO OLD STOCK. EVERY GARMENT UP-TO-DATE. THEIR LEASE EXPIRED AND THEY DECIDED TO SELL THEIR STOCK EN BLOC AT AT A SACRIFICE PRICE. WE BOUGHT IT. LLIN, Opening Super Special- Come Early Note This Well Come Tomorrow Morning For A Feast Of Bargains ! 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