YESTERDAY'S MEWS TODAY

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1926 Pheasants released

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Marmora Herald April 15, 1926

Pheasants to Be Released

Last year a flock of nearly fifty pheasants were raised in the 'village as a result of action by the Booster Club. The birds were wintered in a coop and, in a large wire cage, which was erected at Mr. Robt. Nayler's. - The birds wintered well and have been a big attraction this spring to citizens of the village and. others, There are three golden pheasants,  a male and two females, and the others are .ring-necked pheasants. Most of them will soon he released in the bird sanctuary west of Crowe River, where it is hoped they will thrive and multiply. About ten of the hens and sufficient males  for breeding purposes will be  retained,   and the eggs from these will again be I used  for breeding purposes. It is I hoped in that way to have another  flock to release again next year, The pheasants are the most beautiful game  birds to be found in Ontario, with  their brilliant plumage and graceful shape. A few flocks of them in the  woods adjoining the village and around Crowe Lake will be a great attraction  and in a few years, if they thrive, will be quite an asset to the community. Let everyone help to protect them, as far as possible.

( June 28, 2015 - Jim Chard  added:  There were some free range Ring Necks in North Marmora and Vansickle 10 years ago. A good flock in both locations. They are no longer there. I think the increasing turkey population over run them.)

SEPARATE SCHOOL CREATED 100 YEARS AGO TODAY

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YESTERDAY'S NEWS TODAY

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO TODAY - SEPARATE SCHOOL CREATED

Marmora Herald,  June 10, 1915
"The Roman Catholics of Marmora have decided to establish a Separate School in the Village and a notice has been forwarded to the chairman of the Public School Board and signed by Reverend Thomas Murtagh (1863-1920), Captain John O'Neill (1833-1919), Michael O'Connor (1838-1917), William Flynn (1865-1942), Patrick Marrin (1845-1926) and John McCullough. Stanislaus Bertrand (1860-1957) was awarded the contract to build the new one room stone school in August 1915."

The school was opened at the end of October of the same year. The first teacher hired to teach children, from grade one through to grade 8, was Miss Brennan of Tyendinaga.

The one room school was started on July 12, 1915,  and finished five months later for the sum of $2,600.00.  All the funds came from private donations.  A Richard Connell of Madoc, contributed $2,000.00,  Mrs. Ellen Byrnes/Gehan gave $400.00,  Archbishop Spratt gave $50.00 and a friend gave $100.00.

The contractor was Stanislaus Bertrand.  The limestone used in the construction of the school walls was taken from the rock quarry located near St. Matilda's Church on the west side of the Crowe River.

A Second room was added in 1922 at a cost of $4,254.56

For more pictures of Sacred Heart School,  click here

CIGARETTES FOR SOLDIERS

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ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO TODAY,  on June 3, 1915,  the Marmora Herald reported:

Walter Watts, Manager of the Dominion Bank from 1913 through to 1915 forwarded the proceeds from the Patriotic Tea and a letter from the British American Company, London, England stated that 7,500 Players cigarettes have been distributed among the soldiers and labelled as a gift from the Village of Marmora.

For more Marmora World War One stories  CLICK HERE

ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO TODAY

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Marmora Herald May 1915

Archbishop Michael Joseph Spratt of the Kingston Diocese visited the Sacred Heart Church, Marmora, on May 31,1915. There were 46 boys and girls in the class for Confirmation that Sunday. Each of the children took a solemn pledge to abstain from the use of alcoholic drink of any kind until after their 21st birthday. His Grace also took a strong stand in regard to some of the modem fashions and dances. He denounced the wearing of short sleeves as a return to barbarism. He said that some of the dances caused people to act like wild people and this was displeasing to the Almighty.

Click here for more history of the Catholic Church in Marmora

Town Hall Tonsillectomies

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TONSlLS AND ADENOIDS                     Nov. 13, 1919   
A successful clinic was held yesterday in the Town Hall for the benefit of the school children of Marmora and district. A total of 27 operations were performed for the removal of tonsils and adenoids and proved very satisfactory. The auditorium of the hall was fitted up with cots and the operations commenced in the morning. The stage was used for an operating room and Dr. Mackechnie was the operating surgeon, ably assisted by Drs. Thomson and Crawford. Miss Campbell, graduate nurse and Miss Watt, of Deloro made efficient nurses and a number of practical nurses  from Marmora's Women's Institute. Lunch was served at noon by the W.I. for parents and assistants. In the evening the doctors and nurses went to Deloro and operated on 6 children in the hospital there.

HELP BUILD THE GALLERY
We're collecting photos of public events at the Town Hall. Check your old albums and send us yours. In the meantime, visit our gallery as it is so far, at the foot of this page.......
http://www.marmorahistory.ca/1913-the-finest-town-hall-for…/

MISTAKES CAN HAPPEN

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It was 1955,  and excitement was running high at the prospect of the Marmoraton Mine opening soon.  It had been rumored since the '40s that the Canadian Government & Bethlehem Steel were working together to  increase the iron stockpiles  and now it looked like a mine in Marmora would really happen.

But for the Peterborough Examiner on March 4, 1955,  the excitement was too much  and the photo got printed upside-down.  Read all about the founding of the Marmoraton Mine.  Click here

The Steamer "Otonabee"

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In 1865,  after the collapse of the Rice Lake Bridge,  John Dumble drew up plans for the delivery of Blairton Iron Ore to Cobourg,  including the use of  scows to be  towed upstream to Harwood,  where a steam conveyor belt loaded the ore into the Cobourg bound trains.

The steamer "Otonabee" (built by entrepreneur par excellence, James Gray Bethune) was used to tow such  barges across Rice Lake.  Although her contract ended in  1873 when she was sold off and replaced by the  the paddle steamer "Isaac Butts",  the Otonobee made the news again in 1909,  in the Kingston Whig:

"The steamer Rainbow, bound for Peterboro with an excursion party of Indians, was struck by the steamer Otonabee, at a bend in the Otonabee River. The escape from a great calamity was fortunate.   A hole fifteen feet long was torn in the side of the Rainbow and she ran aground hard and fast. The excursion party was taken back home."

Read more about the transporting of Blairton Ore to Cobourg.  Click here.

100 years ago today -FIRE IN THE SCHOOL!

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FIRE IN THE SCHOOL!
Marmora Herald April 21, 1915 A very serious fire occurred on April 21, 1915, which resulted in the destruction of Marmora's eight room Public School. The fire started in the basement of the school and spread so quickly that most of the children lost their books and some of their coats and hats. Mr. C.S. Haigh, principal of the school, after investigating and finding the cellar a mass of flames, returned to his room, sounded the fire alarm and had all the students march out in perfect order before they realized what was wrong. The value of the building together with furniture and equipment was approximately $15,000.00 and there was $7,500.00 covered by insurance. Arrangements were made for accommodations for the various classes as follows: Miss Campbell's class at the White Hall Miss Vaughan's class at the Masonic Hall Miss Shea's class in the Town Hall Miss Moran's class and Mr. Haig's classes at the red building at the fairgrounds. David Simmon was awarded the contract for the building of the new Marmora Public School
Read about the Public school's history at http://www.marmorahistory.ca/marmora-public-school

100 years ago today - No speeding!

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 A special meeting of the Village Council was held on Tuesday evening April 20, 1915 for the purpose of regulating motor vehicles in the municipality. The speed limit for cars and motor cycles was fixed by By-law at 12 miles per hour. The By-law also provides that Forsyth Street cannot be used by motorcycles except when necessary to pass over them in ordinary course of travel.

Road Hogging 1946

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Load of Pigs in Collision

Marmora Herald Oct. 17, 1946
An accident occurred on the south end of Forsythe Street on Monday evening which resulted in heavy damage to two trucks and caused a lot of commotion and excitement, especially for a number of boys. A truck was coming north on No. 7 Highway loaded with forty-one pigs  ready for market at Peterborough next day. A truck going south hogged the road and side swiped the truck carrying the pigs. Three little piggies were injured so badly they had to be killed and when the others reached the stock yards at Peterborough the next morning it was found a number of others were lame or injured. There was a wild chase and a lot of fun and excitement before all the porkers were recaptured. Chasing a greasy pig at a sporting event used to be a big attraction, but chasing nearly forty of them was some job. The damage to the one truck was estimated at around $800.00 and to the other from $250.00 to $300.00. Fortunately both trucks were insured. We understand a charge will be laid against the one driver.
 

Near drowning April 23, 1965

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April 23, 1965    Ontario Intelligencer

Three Boys Rescued After Homemade Raft Capsizes

MARMORA (Special) - "For God's sake help us - we're not fooling".   The desperate cry came from  three teenage boys clinging to their home-made raft floating  in "The Cove"  on the south side of the Crowe River yesterday afternoon.   An hour later Brian Monk,  13; Paul McTaggart, 13 both of Marmora and Brock Cooper, 11 of Peterborough were taken  to safety soaked and chilled by the cold  water of the river.    Mrs. Roy Barker heard their cries and called her son, Jack, 15, and Dave McManus,  who  rushed to a nearby boathouse to secure a boat.  The Marmora Fire Department raced to the scene and assisted in bringing the boys to shore.   The youngsters set out in the raft for an hour's fun. Suddenly it  capsized throwing all three occupants into the water.   Cooper, it is stated, went down twice before he was hauled to safety by his friends.   Authorities here say it is a miracle the trio did not drown.   How the boys got back aboard the raft is still a big question .   They lost rubber boots and raincoats when the raft upset,  also the single paddle they took with them.  The water of the river is very deep at this point.  Except for the shaking and  chilled bodies,  the boys are none the worse for their misadventure.   Jack Barker and McManus were forced to carry the rescue boat some distance before they could launch it.

Council considers Fire Truck, July 9, 1908

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From 1900 to 1908,  the Marmora Business Section had suffered  more than 5 major fires,  destroying great sections of the street,  and causing heartbreaking losses for the owners.  These setbacks were a result of lack of fire equipment in an age when wood stoves were the main source of heat. In 1908, council met to look at how the town could improve the protection.

"The regular session of the village Council was held on Monday evening. Council members Warren, Mackechnie and Pearce being present. Councillor Warren occupied the chair.                 
Mr. Wiley, travelling representative of the International Harvester Co. of which firm Mr. Wm. Flynn is the local agent, was present and addressed the council in regard to the purchase of a fire engine for the town. He said they had placed on the market a six and eight horsepower gasoline engine with ·one of the most up to date pumps on the market. With these engines any well or cistern can be utilized and with 25 feet of suction hose and 400 feet of regular hose it will throw a stream almost equal to a town waterworks for any ordinary fire. The whole thing is mounted on wheels so that it can be used either with wheels or runners and as each part is stationary there would be no adjusting of belts or anything of that kind. The price would be almost $850.00 for the 6 horsepower engine.
On  a motion of councillors Mackechnie and Pearce, Mr. Wiley was requested to submit a letter giving full particulars as to work done by the engine, price etc. Council then adjourned to meet again on the 20th to take up the question of the purchasing of the electric light plant."
Marmora Herald

 

1915 FIRES IN BUSINESS SECTION

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THIRD FIRE IN THREE YEARS
For the third time in less than three years the business section of Marmora has suffered from fire. That all the stores on the east side of Forsythe Street were not wiped out is something to be thankful for. The fire apparently started in the stables or sheds back of the old Central Hotel. From there it quickly spread to Mrs. Sullivan's stable where F. N. Marett & Co. kept their horses, rigs and hearse, along with three horses and a cow which were burned to death. Several rigs were destroyed but the hearse was saved. The fire quickly spread to Dan Shannon's stable and store house, W D. Donnelly's barber shop and pool room and B. C. Hubbell's new brick block also caught fire but with the assistance of Deloro Fire Dept. equipment the building. was saved. The fire then swept south taking the livery stables, sheds, etc., owned by John Green,  Connor & Gray tin shop, Chas. Clairmont's blackshop shop all being burned down. It is impossible to estimate the cost at this early date.
March 25, 1915

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE BUSINESS SECTION OF MARMORA

1910 Deloro robberies

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SYSTEMATICALLY ROBBED
It is alleged that Deloro Works have been systematically robbed for some time. Three arrests have already been made and a considerable quantity of refined silver and silver ore have been found. The Crown is taking active measures to protect the property of the Company.
February 10, 1910

EXPRESSED $44,000.
On Wednesday of last week The Deloro Mining & Reduction Co. expressed $44,000 silver in 70lb bars on Central Ontario Railways. This is just an average weekly shipment. The arsenic by-product is also very favorable.
September 19, 1910

FOREIGNER ARRESTED
A foreigner, who went by the names of Hill and also Lappe, came up before Judge Deroche on Wednesday of last week for stealing a quantity of silver from Deloro Mining & Reduction Company. He was sentenced to the Provincial Reformatory for two years less a day.
February 3, 1916

STOLE SILVER FROM DELORO PLANT
At an early hour Wednesday morning of last week the local police placed under arrest two men named Charles Pask and Charles Brown. The warrant under which they were arrested charges "that they, at Deloro, in the months of January and February did unlawfully steal, take and carry away a quantity of silver and silver ore from the milling and reduction property of the Deloro Mining & Reduction Company Limited, the property of the said Company." They pleaded guilty and were remanded until the 15th for sentence.
After Brown and Pask had been arrested their trunks were searched and a considerable quantity of refined silver and silver ore was found. They are both Englishmen and had been working at Deloro for some time. It was their intention to leave this country and in fact had purchased their tickets for Liverpool and were to sail on the Empress of Britain on the 11th inst. Brown is a married man with a family in England and Pask is unmarried.
They came up for sentence and were given a severe talking to, given a suspended sentence of one year in jail and ordered to pay a fine of $20.00 each and $12.50 costs and enter a bond for their good behavior for one year.
February 17, 1910

Dec. 1984 Santa Shot!

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Picture from 1972 parade

Santa Claus  shot in the neck December 1, 1984, during the Santa Parade held in Marmora, December 1.

Madoc Detachment of Ontario Provincial Police said Santa was shot with a pellet rifle used by a 14 year old male living in the Marmora area. Corporal Rick Deering said the name of the youth could not be released, and charges were not laid.
"The matter was settled out of court, no charges were pressed on the child," said Deering.

Many Marmora residents watching the parade said later Santa Claus wasn't "himself" for the event.
Marmora Herald

April 1927 Fined for Peddling

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On Friday Benjamin Roberts, who has been selling paring knives and other articles without a license, was taken into custody under the transient traders By-Law. He appeared before B.C. Hubbell, J.P. and Reeve Airhart, and after pleading guilty was fined $10.00 and costs, on his promise to leave the village immediately. Roberts owed his trouble more to the fact he had been distributing Communist literature around the village and surrounding country than to any other cause. The articles and papers he was passing around were very, very strongly anti-British. Roberts is a Barnardo Home boy, and has apparently come under the influence of the radical socialist element. These extremists are not recognized by the great majority of the Labor Unions, and yet they always pose as the friends of the working man.