The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Letters from Friends ; % | and Former Citizens po » with its surroundings as it appeared half a century ago. I now PORT PERRY THEN (1907) AND NOW (1957) As the Golden Anniversary of the coming into being of the Port Perry Star is now approaching, many minds are now remi- niscing on the times and conditions of our picturesque little town esteem it a pleasurable privilege to unite with my fellow citizens in hearty congratulations to the staff of the "Star" and to add a. b - L a few items of interest which may have appeared in our local paper in the years that lie behind us. One of the important events in Port Perry in the year of 1907 was the taking over of the local paper, the "Standard", by Mr. Samuel Farmer. He re-named it the "Port Perry Star" and be- came the owner and editor of this newsy paper through the long period of forty years. After a brief illness in 1948, Mr, Farmer passed away and Port Perry lost a true and faithful friend and a most worthy citizen, j kt fod" oA : Gertrude V. Stovin. Mr. and Mrs. Farmer will ever be remembered as lovers of the beautiful. Their well kept home on the hill, surrounded by trees and lovely flower gardens and decorative devices, their hos- pitable home where beautiful pictures adorned the walls, and their. works of fine art were admired by us all. : Mrs. Farmer will lives in our memories as a very gracious lady and an. earnest worker in the W.C.T.U.; a capable teacher in the Bible Class of the Sunday School and a valued member and worker in the Woman's Missionary Society. Mr. Farmer was al- ways firm in his conviction against intemperance and all other forms of vice. We who have known him for many years shall never forget his able services to the United Church in which he held many high offices through the years. The wonderful book "On the Shores of Scugog'", revised, enlarged, and illustrated, meant a tremendous amount of work for Mr. Farmer. It will always remain a source of historical and educational interest, not only to us, but also to future generations. - Upon the death of Mr. Farmer in 1948, the publication of the "Star" was taken over by the Farmer Family as a "Co-operative venture", with Mrs. Farmer as Honorary President until her pass- ing in 1954. The same staff, including Mr. George Davey, had worked in the printing office in the time of: Mr. Farmer and were well qualified to continue his high standard and courteous service to the subscribers of their publications. = After ten years of grati- fying advancement in their "venture" the staff will mark fifty years of publication 'by the Farmer family, over forty years of which Mr. S. Farmer was owner and editor. Fifty of our present day comforts, conveniences, and pleasures which were-unknown in Port Perry five decades ago:-- Hydro Electric power; new Public Library; running water on tap in homes; Community Hospital; paved streets; oil furnaces; power lawn mowers ; automobiles; electric kettles ; pop-up toasters, clocks, pumps, stoves, sewing machines, vacuum cleaners, and washing machines; plastic goods, nylon clothing, frigidaires, ra- dios, television sets, motels; garages; service stations; sun-rooms; built-in-cupboards; tile floors; garbage collection; bobbed hair; beauty parlours; tourist cabins: bungalows; restaurants; well paid school teachers; motor taxis; motor boats; ambulance: ser- vice; school buses; Medical Clinic; Bendix washers; married lady school teachers; baby-sitters; artificial ice, Memorial Arena; pre- fabricated homes; picture windows, pressure cookers; Daylight Saving Time, and Franchise for Women. : ge Business men with various trades for serving the people of Port Perry 'approximately fifty years ago. Mr. Samuel T. Cawker---Butcher for many years, Mr. Robert McKnight--Constable. Mr. William Ross--Dry Goods Merchant. William Willard and son--Grocers. William Brock and son--Dry Goods Merchants. John Stovin--Builder of houses, schools and churches. John H. Doubt---Shoemaker and mender. Albert Allin--Blacksmith. Swan Bros.--Carriage makers. John Irvin--Pump 'maker. . W. L. Parrish, recently deceased--Hardware & Plumbing. A. J. Davis--Druggist. - Thomas Widden--Grocer. Samuel Jeffrey--Harness Maker. J. W. Burnham-=Postmaster. = William Letcher--Undertaker. W. H. McCaw--Jeweller. George and John Raymes--Excavators. William Jamieson--Liveryman. James Carnegie--Grist Mill & Saw Mill George Jackson---Auctioneer William Leonard--Photographer.. H. G. Hutcheson--Banker (retired but still active) Dr. William Sangster-Dentist ( retired but still active) Mr, H. Parsons--Editor of the Port Perry Observer, R. B. Smallman--Recently retired Blacksmith & welder. W. H, Harris--Barrister and Solicitor. It has often been remarked that if a person's thoughts and conversation are for the most part relative to olden times, friends, customs, and events, it is a sure sign that old age is creeping on. Doubtless the reading of the letters that will appear in the "Star", will recall many events centred around Port Perry half a century ago. Both men and-women contemporaries have memories stored with amusing tale of their school days and young adult years. The gales of laughter that usually follow the hearing and telling of these "yarns" are a good health recipe and a rejuvenator. ' With many kind memories of Mr. and Mrs. Farmer and hearty congratulations to their family in the success of their "Co-opera- tive venture", and sincere wishes for their continued prosperity. Myrtle, Ont., August 19, 1957. Port Perry Star Co. Ltd. at We wish to extend to you our heartiest congratulations on "your continued progress as a family project in success of "The AQ drive to "Port" by horse power and do our shopping. Star", Though your paper is not very large, it is chock full of interesting items and news. In the years back 1934-35-36, I had the honor of being your correspondent for Myrtle Station. I took over after the death of Mrs. Wilfred Graham, who had been the writer for some time. As I recall in those days of nearly fifty years ago, we used We used to shop in Brock's and John McClintoek's. - Dr. Murray took out most of my teeth and put in the top plate for $15.00, that included extracting. Dr. Bob Archer was in attendance. = We have been taking your paper for at least 26 years and would not be without it. Sincerely Yours, Mrs. Clarence Harrison, Myrtle, Ont, Lgl MR sg be APN SEY NEWS ITEMS of PAST 50 YEARS The Year 1909 Reeve H. G. Hutcheson. Council--Hugh Carmichael, James Forman, Geo. Gerrow, Jas. Stonehouse. JANUARY---Manager Roach deserves credit for way rink is run, FEBRUARY--Weber Co. 'fishing' for position in Barrie. The Weber Co, is negotiating for $40,000 without inter- est with free light and free water. MARCH--Vote to be takén in Barrie on April 12 re Weber Gas Engine Co. APRIL--Greenberg Bros. open jewel- lery business in Blong Block. (store formerly occupied 'by Miss Walker, Millinery). -- Urge' cleaning up lake front so citizens could enjoy nature. Suggest that band be asked to play concert at lake front now and again, concerts now given in town hall, -- Old papers offered for sale, suitable for putting under carpets, MAY--St. Charles hotel loses tavern license. Given 3 months to sell (E. Allward, prop.). -- C. Percy Rolph opened cleaning and pressing shop.-- 0. Diesfield, selling silverware.--Run. dle Bros. carriages, cement. -- Currie Block is being renovated. A new brick facing being made. -- Steamer Cora brought in tow of logs consist- ing of some 20,000 pieces for Carne- gie's mew mill. Their new boat the "Scugog" is also giving good service, --D. Corbman, greenhouse. JUNE -- 21 carloads of stock were shipped from Port Perry during month of May. . Total value about $25,000. --citizens band hold Moonlight cruise on Scugog. JULY -- R. M. Jewell, photographic work. of any description. AUGUST--Mr. Arthur Wales, Toron- to, has purchased the St. Charles House. -- A new cement culvert is built across the main street just east of the Methodist Church, The road has been closed for some time. -- G. T. R. is building a new water tank at the station yard. -- Fire destroyed ten buildings at. Little Britain. Special train with two hose sections sent from Toronto in response to telegram, -- Wes. Collins, Barber shop opposite Carnegie Hardware. -- Rural mail delivery has been granted to Colum. bus, Raglan and Taunton. SEPTEMBER -- Town water tank: is repaired and float installed. The tank was built six years ago and this is first repair. OCTOBER--Messrs. Rose & Co. open branch store in Lindsay. -- The Bowl- ing Club. have secured a mew Plot which: will be levelled and made ready for next year. : NOVEMBER~--J. W. Collins, Barber shop and tobacco business move to the Purdy Block. DECEMBER--Vote on by-law to res- trict sale of spirituous, fermented and other manufactured liquors. -- An old building at the back of the St. Charles House, known as the Railroad Hotel should be torn down. -- Now that the round house has gone the cattle pens stick out like a sore thumb and the railway should remove them. Years ago the engine used to remain in Port Perry over night and the round house was built for it then. When the rail- way authorities moved the engine to Lindsay the round house was used as pump house for a time. It was re- cently removed. The Year 1910 Reeve--H. G. Hutcheson. Council--Geo. Gerrow, Hugh Car- michel, Jas. Forman, Jas. Stonehouse. JANUARY--Local Option ig defeated. --Mr. A. Orchard has purchased the coal business of Messrs. Flavelle and Clemes. -- Howard Tummonds has re- turned home and is opening an office in his home as Veterinary Surgeon.-- The old Foundry building is to come down at last. 40 years it has stood and years ago was a thriving business of Mr. Paxton who later had a part- ner, Mr, Tait. Mr. Madison Williams operated the foundry for a number of years, ' turning out turbine water wheels, -- Cawker Bros, have purch- ased the Livery Stables of Jamieson and ' Dennison and are: prepared to supply first class Turnouts, -- Mr. Currie and. Mr; Raymes have resigned from. their work at the powerhouse. Mr. J: Tinsely; recently from England is the new engineer. His salary will be $60.00. per month. FEBRUARY:Dr. G. Coates has pur chased the bakery and confectionery business of Mr. Chas. Pearn. <-- Newly decorated Methodist Church; at Wood. ville was almost completely wrecked by an explosion of gas from the acety- lene : gas plant, which lighted the church, Mrs, McKee wife of the sex. ton was seriously: burned as she had gone to see what was causing: the lights to go dim -- Locks at Lindsay to be finished early in the season. MARCH--Miss Diesfield is giving up her 'business, (jewellery, silverware, china). -- Capt. Bowerman sold his RS A steamer "Cora" to Carnegie Milling Co. The Alligator "Scugog" has been shipped by train to Kingston. ° Mr, Bowerman will purchase a new launch for this season. -- R, M. Jewell, pho- tographer, over T. J. Widden store. --Mr. Benj. Smallman has bought the blacksmith business of Mr, 8. Graham. APRIL -- The Carnegie Milling Co. have purchased 8000 acres of timber in Arkansaw, oak, gum, cypress, hick- ory and elm. -- Stewart M. Graham, auctioneer, -- Last week 3 men were tried in court for perjury in connec- tion with the Municipal elections, -- Dr, Coates who has recently purchased the Pearn Bakery, wished to purchase Mr. Orr Graham's business but had to wait until he sold his business (bak- ery) to Mr. N. Ingram. Dr. Graham's departure from Port Perry will be keenly felt when ice racing time comes again. -- The balance of Miss Diesfield jewellry, etc. has been pur- chased by Greenberg Bros., who will continue the business here. MAY--The Agriculture Soclety has handed $750. to council for its share of Fair Ground Purchase money. The old Fairgrounds are now the property of the town. The success of the Agr. Society in collecting 'for the fair grounds is due in no small measure to J. C. Brown. JUNE--The bowling green has been put in excellent shape. Mr. Wm. Mills has furnished the dressed fence posts which are used in front of the lawn. --Mr. Jos, Bigelow is enlarging the Big Red Apple Evaporator. -- David J. Adams, J. P.,, of Port Perry, died. JULY -- G.T.R. tied up with labor troubles. - "Word has been received that no tickets are to be sold until further notice. JULY--Jones, Dunk & Co. to become The Dunk, McIntyre Co. ' AUGUST--Mr. John Nott hag retired from furniture business, after sixty years. SEPTEMBER--Dr. R. L. Graham has purchased the dental practice of Dr. F. D. McGrattan, who may go west.-- The general store at Manchester which has been run for the past two years 'by Jas. Munro has been sold to A. D. Ferguson. -- Mr. J. A. Ross of Raglan has sold to Mr, W. H, Brent. OCTOBER--Mr. Wales has sold the St. Charles House to Mr. Proctor.--A fine cement vault has been completed in Pine Grove Cemetry. -- Willard & Co. sell coats for ladies. NOVEMBER--Train off the track at Highpoint. It ran into a cow. . DECEMBER--Messrs. John Bradley and Dorman Corbman are putting the skating rink in order. The Year 1911 Reeve--Geo. Gerrow. Council--Jas. Forman, H. G. Hut- cheson, Hugh Carmichael, Jas. Wad- dell. JANUARY--Robert McKnight, town constable for many years, dies. FEBRUARY--A. Ross & Son are clo- sing out the drygoods, groceries, Boots and Shoes. Mr. Wm. Ross will re- tain the grain and seed business. MARCH-=--A. Orchard coal and wood business. -- Geo. R. Davey announces purchase of the stock of Oke & Mac- Gregor. -- Claremont & Ashburn Tele- phone Co. secure franchise for tele- phones in Port Perry. The Bell Tele- phone had -an exclusive franchise which was not renewed. -- Green- berg's Jewellery Store closes business. APRIL -- Electric light plant to be shut down at 11 p.m. as so few people use it after that hour it is considered a waste, MAY -- Marshall Stonehouse retires from furniture business, -- Mr. Fred- erick A..Kent purchase the Gimby property. -- Mr, Dorman Corbman has bought the skating rink. -- The cow is again permitted to roam the streets. --Talk of Church Union. -- Transfer of license for St. Charles Hotel from Mr. Proctor to Mr. Dunham. JUNE--Coronation Day Celebration, June 22, -- Cawkers Livery, good hor- ses and rigs. -- Dr. Mellow ran his auto into a light pole with some dam- age to both, -- Mass Meeting to dis- cuss Reciprocity, A resolution was passed condemning Reciprocity, -- F. W. McIntyre announce that he has purchased the Dunk-MecIntyre business and will continue in the old stand. -- Town & Spears, undertakers and fur- niture dealers. JULY -- County Council has granted $600.00 to buy right of way and build road around Ham's Hill. This is the hill on the end of Scugog Island over which the road to Cartwright climbed, and we do mean climbed! -- The Bowl- ing Club have had electric lights in- stalled on the green so that they may bowl in the evening. -- Attempt is made to clear out the lake weeds at lake front, Gravel has been laid at end of Queen St, -- Mr. Art Dowson has cleaned up the lot where the Rail. way Hotel was located and built a modern, well - equipped blacksmith shop. Stables are connected with the blacksmith shop where horses can be purchased or exchanged. AUGUST--Mr. Wm. Ross sells seed business to James Lucas. -- Mr. Thompson has sold hij interest in Se- bert House to Mr, McKee who now runs it alone. -- 15,000 bushels of ap- ples wanted at evaporator. SEPTEMBER -- After running the telegraph office for the Great Western telegraph Co. for 28 years, Mr. A. J. Davis is severing connections with the Co. -- Town Hall gets new metallic ceiling, new paint and other improve- ments. -- W. L. Parish Store, -- Nine hole golf course has been made in Fair Grounds. -- Turner and Robert- son, coal dealers. OCTOBER--W. H. Letcher and Son bought the furniture and undertaking business of Town and Spears. NOVEMBER-----Independent Telephone Co. are installing poles for line from Brooklin to Port Perry. -- Two game preserves in this locality, The Scugog Game Preserve and the Cartwright Game Preserve. Both have right to forbid hunting on their property. DECEMBER--Another factory wants to locate in Port. Wants $35.000 on usual mortgage conditions, free water and a railway switch. -- Contractor Trick of Oshawa has the work of building the Post Office well in hand. It is proposed to work all winter, us- ing a fire to keep the mortar from freezing. -- Messrs. Chas, and Geo. Cawker, sons of S. Cawker, Port Perry purchase hardware business in Tor- onto. The Year 1912 Reeve--Geo, . Gerow. Council by acclamation--Jas. For- man, Hugh Carmichel, H. G. Hutche- son. JANUARY--Geo. R. Davey, rubbers, groceries, FEBRUARY -- Turner & Robinson coal, (opp. Matthew-Edwards Ware- house). MARCH -- Mr. Jos. Britton intends starting a blacksmith shop in A. W. Allin's shop, Perry St. He will have a wood working department, A. W. Allin in charge. -- Last week Port badly need coal, 8 carloads have been sitting at Whitby, some since Feb. 12. It finally arrived on Fri, March 1st. --The harness business known as Jef- fery & Courtice for the past 2b years will become S. Jeffery & Son. Mr. C. C. Jeffery of Montreal, who has been connected with the Bank of Commerce for 7 years is going into partnership with his father. -- The Bell Telephone Co. have bought Drs. Bascom and Mec- Clintock private line. APRIL--Water tore out a great piece 'of the railway embankment at Beaver Meadow Creek, some 30 ft. deep and 60 ft. wide. The G.T.R. Crew have been busy all week replacing the bridge. MAY--Mr. F. A. Kent is making ex- tensive improvements in his property. Waterworks to be installed, a house to be built for the caretaker and fam- ily, lawns levelled and a bowling green constructed. -- Shut your gates, the cows will be on the streets soon. Those who require tags for same muy obtain them from Mr. Cassidy at the usual fee. JUNE -- Edw. B. Flint has sold his drug business to Orval Byers. -- The new road round Ham's Hill south end of Scugog at Causeway was opened last week. AUGUST--Mr. W, H. Palmer who has the contract to lay cement sidewalks hag been too busy and several block: are being put down by Jas. Waddell. --Douglas Adams, died. OCTOBER -- Adams and Hutcheson, successors to David J. & Douglas Adams. -- Geo. R, Davey, moving to Blong Blk. -- J. Cassidy reports to council on the weight of bread sold at bakeries in Port Perry. NOVEMBER---Dowson's Livery, A. G. Dowson, Prop. -- Speedsters even then; team of horses driven at high speed by young fellows crash head on into Dr. Coates horse. - He tried to avoid them by pulling well over. One horse killed, another badly injured.-- Mr. Jas, Carnegie is leaving town, DECEMBER -- Propose canning fac- tory, Flavelle property, Water and Cassimir, -- Mr. J. W. Meharry has received an appointment in connection with Immigration Dept.' which will make him resident of Ireland for some time, = > Wilh ianghagiiner 2 é We offer congratulations to the Port Perry Star on the occasion of their 50th Anniversary in business in Port Perry. May they continue to serve the people of Port Perry and district for many years to come. CARNEGIE HARDWARE PHONE 61 PORT PERRY r---e ----- --- rr Congratulations - | We take pleasure in offering our hearty congratulations and sincere best wishes to the Port Perry Star <o. Ltd. unon reaching their Fiftieth Anniversary in business in L'ort Perry. MASTER FEEDS PHONE 1 PORT PERRY © I PP CP SNL AONE ROP BEANS AAAIRARAARARAANARRARRAICCR ASN ARS AN A A% ey' LAR BEE AE DE DEDEDE NE AE AE AX BCAA ME AE 0) Ea A A Congratulations - To The Port Perry Star ON YOUR FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY. Long may you continue to serve this community. ~ EPA os Ta ar a eT ee ed a ao Edda a EES ER SE AE EE IE SE BEAL SE ATA AE SPARS N NT RAS AS AAPA SE SCN ASAT AS : We have been here since 1930 when we succeeded the : . ir . . ] 3 : . 5 " . *, : late Mr. A. J. Davis, in the business he established in 1880. : : ad $ . . * . . 1] f | : . . . * . * b 4 * ~~ I 0.0. 9°90.0. 0.0.0 0 00 t etetete e620 % otetete LA BOARASANSHAANANRARSARAARRAX RRL ARARXAN GD | | |) _--) | |) |) 1 | PORT PERRY FUELS i | | are happy to join the throng of well wishers upon the ! occasion of the Fiftieth Anniversary of The Port Perry Star. | | sto ences A b. | r b r hl hd | PORT PERRY FUELS | | READING ANTHRACITE DEALER i COAL WOOD : OIl / | | A Phone 289 Port Perry D1 AD.) BD) ED {) MD () (|) SC) A} WE { _( _--) _-- _----) _-- ---------- -- Co EN We take great pleasure on this very rare occasion to offer our congratulations and good wishes to the Port Perry Star and the Farmer family on their 50th Anniversary of - serving the people of Port Perry and district in the Printing . and Publishing field. TAYLOR'S 5c. to $1.00 STORE RR em SC ee Hy se A Fie - Bri cat Siler a 10 : wi eal YD pA ph Pes ee Ta oe ---- ge = Ci PP Te Nn A a AR Pd lars Wn pel oe ri Th ns se AH! nd 5 re" " yr on 4 ry Ets in ' a bg oF ee EIN ly mh Ri vr ro -- » bb v, ~ od