STORY o THE 5TORY OP DUNDAS BEING A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF DUNDflS FROM 1784 TO 1904 J. SMYTH CARTER ., 03STT. With Portraits and Illustrations IROQUOIS : THE ST. LAWRENCE NEWS PUBLISHING HOUSK 1905 ERRATA Page 53, line 20. For "could only" read "only could." Page 68, line 18. For "half a mile" read "three-quarters of a mile." Page 68, line 31. For "five-eighths" read "three-eighths." Page 95, line 32. For "John H. Merkle" read "John H. Meikle." Page 103, line 25. For "Emma" read "Anna." Page 122, line 6. For "were" read "was." Page 128, line 13. For "Robert Naugh" read "Robert Waugh." Page 130, line 14. For "Jack" read "Zack." Page 133, line 25. For "double" read "divided." Page 136, line 19. For "69" read "68." Page 151, line 1. For "member" read "numbers." Page 158, line 11. For "Marion Goldsmith" read "Marion Gould Smith." Page 167, line 34. For "J. C. F. Ruff" read "Rev. J. C. F. Rupp." Page 170, line 3. Omit the words "after being pardoned." Page 187, line 22. For "1855" read "1885." Page 201, line 2. For "Rev. W. C. Oowell" read "Rev. W. G. Powell." Page 217, line 15. Page 245, line 38. For "retired" read "retiring." For "retreat" read "report." Page 297, line 33. For "of George" read "or George." Page 322, re Brinston's Corners, the name of B. "Wallace, undertaker, omitted. D-3C3 Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year 1905, by J. Smyth Carter, at the Department of Agriculture PREFACE THE footprints of Time like the sands of the seashore wash out with the lapse of years, and hence the work of gathering and preserving historical data must be considered no easy task, especially in the county of Dundas, with a history extending over one hundred years, and unusually rich in story, legend and romance. With the death of the original settlers much of his- torical interest passed away with them, thus making the work of preparation of this volume difficult, since accuracy has been the writer's chief endeavor. From a mass of material sought at great labor and expenditure the work of scrutiny and selection has been no sinecure, while the limitations of a single volume have made abridgment and certain omissions unavoidable. I desire to express my sincere thanks to those whose assistance I was fortun- ate enough to secure. To A. C. Casselman, of Toronto, I am indebted for the maximum share of the chapter on "Foundation and Settlement"; to Adam Harkness, for the chapter on "Drainage"; and to Arthur Brown, I, P, S., for the chapter relating to "Public schools." The work of each of these gentle- men will speak for itself. I am also under deep obligation to Thomas Mc- Donald, of the County Registry Office; to officers of the Crown Lands Depart- ment, Toronto; to officers of the Militia Department, Ottawa; to the local members of Parliament, the clergy of surrounding counties, and others, re- presentative of every section and interest in the county. To Ira W. Becksted, Iroquois, Ont., is due the credit of having photographed most of the views herein reproduced, including the designing of same. Since the pages of this book are not laden with unsightly foot-notes, an apology is due those whose works have been consulted. Many sentences and paragraphs have been selected from "Dundas: or a Sketch of Canadian His- tory, by James Croil, and frorn"Lunen burgh: or the Old Eastern District." by Judge Pringle. These volumes have been especially helpful. Among others might be mentioned the "History of Leeds and Grenville," by T. W. H. Leavitt; "Smith's Canada," 1850; works by Canniff Haight; old newspaper fyles and directories of the county, and many historical records and books preserved in the Library of Parliament and in the Department of Archives at Ottawa. In the prosecution of this task my object has been to present an unbiased record of one of the most historic counties in eastern Ontario, for the ac- complisment of which I have labored in all sincerity, although my ef- forts have been somewhat handicapped owing to the absence in many cases of official data. Whatever my short comings as a writer may be, or should censure fall on my efforts, I shall ever be proudly conscious of the fact that in this work I have endeavored to be just. Rowena, Ont., Dec 14, 1904. CONTENTS CHAPTER I Pag* Topography and Geology . . . 13 CHAPTER II The Days of the Indian 19 CHAPTER III Foundation and Settlement , 26 CHAPTER IV Domestic Life 43 CHAPTER V Agricultural Evolution . 56 CHAPTER VI Roads and Travel 64 CHAPTER VII Drainage , 72 CHAPTER VIII Municipal Government 90 CHAPTER IX Public Schools 110 CHAPTER X High Schools , . 139 CHAPTER XI Religious Life 162 CHAPTER XII Parliamentary Representation : • 207 CHAPTER XIII Bivouac and Camp-fire 228 CHAPTER XIV Courts and Officials . . 267 CHAPTER XV Books and Newspapers 283 CHAPTER XVI Boundaries and Neighboring Counties 293 CHAPTER XVII Williamsburg Township ,308 CHAPTER XVIII Matilda Township . . . . , 318 CONTENTS CHAPTER XIX Mountain Township 327 CHAPTER XX Winchester Township 339 CHAPTER XXI Iroquois 344 CHAPTER XXII Morrisburg 360 CHAPTER XXIII Winchester Village 374 CHAPTER XXIV Chesterville 383 CHAPTER XXV Miscellaneous ....... ..... 394 CHAPTER XXVI Biographical Sketches 401 APPENDIX A Notices of Early Settlers 421 APPENDIX B The First Families ..... ,449 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS T»ge Canal Scenes Frontipiece Sir Win. and Sir John Johnson, etc 29-30 Agriculture and Dairying . . ' 55-59 Counties' Buildings and Officials 89-90 Counties' Council at Morrisburg, in 1892 ...... 93-94 Cornwall and Stormont Members of Counties' Council, 1903-4 . 97-98 Dundas Members of Counties' Council, 1903-4 .... 101-2 Glengarry Members of Counties' Council, 1903-4 .... 105-6 School Houses ... . .... 115-10 Early Buildings . . ..... 125-6 Queen's College Group . . . 137-8 Iroquois High School . ..... 145-6 Morrisburg Collegiate Institute . ..... 155-6 Churches . . . ..... 175-6 Ministers . . . ..... 165-6 Churches . . . ..... 193-4 Early Members of Parliament . ..... 205-6 Recent Members of Parliament . ..... 213-14 Members of Stormont and Glengarry ..... 223-24 Crysler's E?arm . . ..... 233-34 Mel n tosh Tree— Prescott Windmill ..... 243-4 South African Veterans . ...... 253-4 Groups of Five Generations . ..... 263-4 County Court Officials . ..... 269-70 Barristers, etc. . . ..... 275-6 Pioneer Journalism . . , 285-6 Present Newspapers and Editors . , 289-90 J. Wesley Allison, and Island Views ..... 295-6 Residents of Cornwall and Vicinity .... .299-300 Relics of Ye Olden Days . ..... 305-6 Wiiliamsburg Officers . . ..... 309-10 Williamsburg Residences . . . . . . 313-14 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Matilda Officers . 319-20 Matilda Residences . ... . 323-4 Mountain Officers ... . 329-30 Mountain Residences . . • 333-34 Winchester Township Officers . 337-8 Winchester Township Residences . . 341-2 Iroquois Officers . • 345-0 Iroquois Residences . . . 349-50 Iroquois Water,Light and Heat Commissioners .... 353-4 King Street, Iroquois . . . 357-8 Morrishurg Officers . 361-2 Morrisburg Residences . „ ..... 365-6 Main Street, Morrisburg . . ..... 369-70 Winchester Village Officers . ..... 375-6 Views of Winchester Village . ..... 379-80 Chesterville Officers . . ..... 385-6 Views of Chesterville . . ..... 389-90 M. F. Beach, I. W. Becksted, Geo. B. Merkley .... 409-10 Dundas Physicians . . . .... 415-16 Early Williamsburg Settlers . . .... 429-30 Early Matilda Settlers . . .... 435-6 Early Winchester Settlers . . .... 439-40 Early Settlers of Mountain and Matilda . .... 443-44 Ice Bridge at Morrisburg . . .... 447-8 THE STORY OF DUNDAS CHAPTER I TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY the standpoint of the geologist the county of Dundas presents little of conspicuous significance. Its comparatively level surface, devoid of iiny elevations or depressions sufficiently marked to indicate the nature of the Underlying rocks, make it fittingly designated one of the "garden-beds of the St. Lawrence valley." Could we, however, read from Nature's infinite book of secrecy We would discover much to interest and inform us concerning the hidden strata which form the rock bed beneath. The physical birth and subsequent geological history of many places are qualified with serious ancient disturbances, such as earthquakes and volcanic fire, but after careful study, on the part of the geologist, it has been concluded that the physical changes in connection with the underlying strata of the county of Dundas have been of a more peaceful, orderly and gradual nature. There can be no doubt that when the lower rocks were formed they consti- tuted the bed of a very ancient ocean. Through subsequent ages this condi- tion continued, while succeeding strata were deposited until Dundas and vicinity finally emerged from its watery birth-place to form a part of the land area of North America. In the year 1868 a discovery was made which serves to strengthen our 'conclusions. In that year while laborers were engaged in cutting down a bank in the neighborhood of Cornwall town bones were found at a depth of twelve or fourteen feet beneath the surface. The late Judge Pringle (to whose 11 TEE STORY OF DUNDAS work we are indebted for this data) and the late Cha-rles Poole became inter- ested in the discovery and had the bones gathered up as they were disinterred. These were placed together and with the exception of one or two of the vertebrae, the whole skeleton was secured which proved to be that of a white whale. These and kindred discoveries combine to prove, without doubt, that at some pre-historic period this portion of the St. Lawrence valley was a submerged area. Our county may be described as the centre of a great trough or basin with the rim plainly visible in the neighboring counties of Carleton and Russell to the north ; in Leeds and Lanark to the west ; in Soulanges and Vaudreuil, to the east of Glengarry ; while a few miles to the south of the St. Lawrence the same belt of ancient rocks appears. The circumference of the basin seems to have either remained stationary or to have risen slightly, while the ex- posed strata is of the same formation as that hidden in the centre of the basin. Without further consideration of the surface character of the basin let us discuss the quality of the strata beneath. Our initial investigation reveals to us a characteristic peculiar in a large measure to central Canada. Our sur- face clays or sands properly belong to the Tertiary or Post-Tertiary periods of geology. Beneath these is found a deposit of the lower Silurian formation which forms the base of the whole system of stratified rocks. Between this strata and the surface clay or sand only minor deposits are found, while in other parts of the world these intermediate substances are more extensive. This is particularly true of the coal producing areas of the United States — the coal being found between the two layers to which we have referred above. The lower Silurian rocks appear to overlie the Laurentian ; these latter are found in the rim of the Dundas basin and quite possibly underlie our county, thus forming the foundation of all the other rocks. In ascending order the next formation is that of th*1 Calciferous Sandrock, succeeded in turn by the Chazy. The latter passes through the eastern part of Carleton and skirts the western part of Dundas. The limestone found in Dundas belong to this group. The Trenton group of rocks, in which is in- cluded the Chazy, comprises as wrell the Birdseye, Black River and Trenton limestone. These rocks are generally pure grey, blue or blackish limestone very regularly stratified. The county of Dundas rests upon this group although the rocks are here visible only in river channels and in quarries, but it is believed that they underlie the whole county to a depth of more than one hundred feet. By a careful examination of the different divisions of the Trenton series there are discovered the remains of millions of strange and peculiar animals. In fact it would appear that the waters in which those ancient rocks were deposited were literally teeming with forms of animal life TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 15 which are now extinct. Realizing this condition the residents of Dundas, S torment and vicinity may be said to be living upon the graves of extinct forms of life. Covering the rocks, in the county of Dundas, is a deposit of clay or sand constituting soil which is noted for its powers of fertility and productiveness. In the make-up of our soil geologists have discovered the remains of older rocks, which, by climatic influences, have been ground into various degrees of fineness and hence in our soil there must be present the constituents of those ancient rocks containing among others quartz, felspar, mica, garnet, lime, hornblende, iron, etc. All these surely lend virtue to our soil. In our brief survey of the geological conditions of Dundas we have retreated to the pre-historic ages and followed through the various stages of life and strata formation. In this our efforts appear meagre, and our picture can scarcely be designated an outline, yet it may enable us to form some concep- tion of the Infinite Power which carved the great earth structure, and of the ages necessary to lay the hidden foundations previous to man's appearance on the scene. In examining the work on "Geology in Canada, 1863," we find something of local coloring ; subsequent reports, however, seem not to deal explicitly with Dundas. The report 01 1863 says : "Black limestone occurs in the northwest corner of Williamsburg, about a mile from the right bank of the South Petite Nation river. Being the most westerly exposure of black limestone met with, connected with the southern division of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence, it is probable that it may belong to the Birdseye and Black River formation. There is nothing to contradict this view in the aspect of the rock, but no fossils have been obtained to confirm it. Farther down the river, at the eleventh lot of the second range of Winchester, similar beds hold Leperditia, but here also the formation is uncertain. Still farther down, at Armstrong's Mills, on the twelfth lot of the 4th range and in several places in the neigh- borhood, quarries are opened in black limestone beds, but there they are characterized by Trenton fossils . From this vicinity similar limestones occur at interyals all along the way to Crysler's Mills, in Finch, and nearly the whole of the township appears to be underlaid by such strata in a generally horizontal position. At Crysler's Mills, on the twelfth lot of the tenth range of the township, a section shows alternations of grey or bluishand black lime- stone, dipping N. 40° B. at an inclination of a little over forty feet in a mile. Lumps of iron pyrites occur in the beds, and the strata are intersected by a set of small parallel veins of calc-spar running about N. W. and S. E. Westward of the High Falls, at Cook's Mills, on the Castor river, in the 8th lot of the ninth range of Russell, which would be in the streak of the strata, 16 THE STORY OF BT7NDA8 at the High Falls already alluded to, there is a section of about five feet con. sisting of dark blue limestone, alternating with black shale. Several of the shale beds are very fossiliferous. On the south bank of the Castor, in the next range to the west, thick beds of dark blue limestone dip N. 40° W. 32% and farther west, at Louck's Mills, on the eleventh lot of the fourth range, the dip, which on the south side of the stream is S. 34° W. at an inclination varying in the distance of a hundred yards from sixty to five degrees, is on the north side N. 40° W. 17°. The primitive forest of Dundas numbered among its trunks nearly every variety of tree found in Upper Canada. These included several species of the lordly pine, the oak, elm, beech, birch, ash, maple, larch, spruce, balsam, hemlock, tamarac, cedar, hickory, etc. Of the hickory Mr. Croil remarks : "It is largely manufactured into hand-spikes, 20,000 of these in their rough state were shipped from Dundas in 1859." Many of the varieties of wood named haye almost, if not wholly, disappeared. In the extermination of this primitive forest what excellent timber was turned into ashes. The lofty pine and oak with their umbrageous tops must have been considered the princes of solitude. Other varieties of vegetable life, then and since, have abounded in countless forms, thus adorning our land. The botanist, as he traverses our beautiful woodlands, finds even yet ample compensation for investigation and research. Our county is well watered. The St. Lawrence and the South Petite Nation rivers, with their numerous feeders, serve as draining agencies. Swamps occupy a very disproportionate area ; few of these attain the nature of a bog, and by proper means of drainage each can be rendered tillable. A consider- able acreage has already been thus reclaimed. The Watershed dividing the basins of our two rivers is not distant from the St. Lawrence, as the Nation takes its rise within a mile and a half of the great river, where the elevation is only thirty feet above the surface of the St. Lawrence, or 252 feet above the sea, and falls but 144 feet in a hundred miles before reaching the Ottawa, in Plantaganet township. Its minimum fall, coupled with the fact that the greater part of the surface drainage of our county falls to the lot of the Nation river, accounts for the hitter's congested condition at certain seasons. Spec- ial artificial means have been employed to render the river more adequate for drainage ; but this portion of our subject is fully dealt with in a subse- quent chapter of this volume. During earlier days the Petite Nation, with its numerous creeks and feeders, afforded motive power to various mills which were of convenience to the farmers. These mills would generally operate for a few months each year. This river also afforded the principal means of getting the timber to market. The supply of pure and excellent water to be obtained is a source of comfort TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY 17 to the inhabitants of Dundas. Generally, at depths varying from fifteen to sixty feet, no difficulty is experienced in procuring an abundance of the precious fluid. Occasionally this depth has to be exceeded. Owing to the comparatively level area of our county surface springs are not so numerous as in more hilly districts. These we fancy lend a picturesqueness to the landscape, but the natural beauty of the level mead and stubble tracts of Dundas, dotted with an occasional fringe of forest, are our quota of charm. The famous Winchester Springs are deserving of special reference. An. analysis of the water proves that they contain iodine, bromine, iron, potassa, soda, sulphur and sulphide of carbon gas. This famous resort consists of two springs a few yards apart, one of which is more strongly impregnated with iron than the other, and medical men, who have had opportunities of studying the effects of water on the system, are unanimous in their verdict that for such diseases as rheumatism, dyspepsia, biliousness, scrofula, skin diseases and general debility they have no equal. The water, to some, is not pleasant at first, but the exhilarating and general beneficial effects of the gas in the water are so apparent that after a few draughts it is taken with a relish, more particularly when it is found to stimulate the most precarious appetite. These popular Springs, situated about the centre of the county of Dundas, therefore possess a certain attraction for many people. It might be interesting to note that the discovery of the Winchester springs was effected by a government surveyor, named Frazer, toward the close of the first quarter of the previous century. He at once reported his "find," but a number of years passed without any attention being directed thereto. Later, the government sent out an exploring party to locate the springs and report as to their value. At that time the springs were on the banks of the creek and the water then being high they could not be located. Since then the course of the creek has been deflected. The second discoverer of the famous springs was Thomas Armstrong, a lumberman. He and his men were afflicted with scurvy from the constant use of salt meat. By the use of the water their health recruited and they were entirely cured. These springs have for many years continued to be an attractive centre for visitors from different parts of Canada and the United States. In the year 1900 a spring was discovered on the bank of the St. Lawrence, opposite the residence of A. C. Casselman, Morrisburg. The water tasted strongly of sulphur, and visitors by the score made their way to the place . Great enthusiasm prevailed as to the possibility of establishing a sanitarium there, but apparently the wish was father of the thought. The spring, however, is still patronized. Another matter of local interest which has lately occurred is the discovery 18? TfiE STOUT OF DtftfDAS ef oil and gas in Dundas county. This discovery has not only engaged the attention of our citizens but has also brought to the scene men who are numbered among the rank and file of that great industry. Some time ago while engaged in drilling for water, on the farm of Luther M. Barclay, of Williamsburg township, a strong flow of gas was struck. At once the well was abandoned and some difficulty was experienced in stopping the flow. Expert geologists later examined the ground and were favorably impressed with the indications, endorsing the presence of both gas and oil. At other places in the vicinity similar conditions were found to exist. During the year 1903 the Great Northern Oil and Gas Company, Limited, secured an option on 1,500 acres in the neighborhood of the find and a drill was subse- quently placed for operation. This place of interest is located about midway between Winchester Springs and North William sburg, and since drilling has been begun by the Company scores of people have visited the place. The Great Northern Oil and Gas Company, Limited, are also operating in a district in Russell and Prescott counties, known as "The Brook, " and also at Manitoulin Island. The drilling at the former place began in July, 1903. As to the outcome of the industry in Dundas we are, at time of writing, unable to speak, but the presence of oil and gas in sufficient flow to warrant initial operations in that direction has already been demonstrated. CHAPTER II Alas for them! their day is o'er, Their fires are out from shore to shore*, No more for them the wild deer bounds — The plough is on their hunting grounds. —CHARLES SPRAGXJJB* THE DAYS OF THE INDIAN THE very early history of Dundas forms a part of the story of the " North American Indians." Tradition gives prominence to many incidents, enriched with the peculiar life of the red men as they roamed o'er the vast panorama of forest and river. Our county now smiling with beautiful homes and cultivated fields was once the abiding place of the Indian. Perhaps for centuries the swarthy race trod over our lands. While evidences of their abode, here, are perhaps not so striking as in some other portions of Canada, yet sufficient remains to prove beyond a doubt thac Dundas arid adjacent lands were occupied by those Arabs of the American wilderness. The historic Point Iroquois was one of their favorite resorts. Here, arnid the peaceful groves of pine and maple they built their camp-fires and held their pow-wows. Here, they revelled in the joys consistent with their natural tastes, and as they viewed the mighty river so picturesque at this spot what fancies must have thrilled them? What an ideal environment it must have presented to their minds, for they undoubtedly delighted in the belief that the land would ever remain to them. By the presence of the Indian an attribute of romance characterizes the Point, which may be justly considered one of the most beautiful spots along the St. Lawrence, In 1903 in the township of Edwardsburg, a short distance from the western border of Matilda, a discovery was made that is of considerable interest in this connection. On the farm of Rufus Froom is located a gravel pit. Here, as Mr, Froom was excavating gravel he unearthed 20 THE STORY OF DUNDAS a human skeleton, supposed to have been that of an Indian. The length of the skeleton exceeded six feet; the teeth were all sound and every bone in its place. It was found in a sitting posture. This memorable gravel pit was evidently the site of an old Indian burying ground, as this is not the first instance in which the remains of human bones have been discovered in that district. Mr. Froom sometimes finds pipes, tomahawks, flints, chisels and other articles used by the American aborigines. One peculiar feature possessed by these implements and curios is that in composition they are unlike any other relics found elsewhere in Canada, being formed from a hard variety of blue stone. This would indicate the presence at some pre- historic time of a race or tribe superior to the ordinary Indian in their mode of living. Indeed, in this ancient cemetery there might be discovered much unwritten history concerning the former inhabitants of the St. Lawrence valley, Another place in our border county has been making history. On the farm of Charles Spencer, two and one-half miles east of Spencerville, an interesting discovery was made during the summer of 1902. About eighteen inches below the surface was discovered a collection of Indian relics. There were human bones including pieces of skulls together with arrow-heads, pieces of pottery, and fine bones, fashioned apparently for use as needles. Other relics were also found and all were fairly preserved. The collection we believe was later taken to Ottawa to be inspected at the Geological Survey Department. The vicinity of Black Creek, in the township of Matilda, gives evidence of having been an early camping-ground of the red man. Some years ago John Johnston, now an ex-resident, discovered a tomahawk, and subsequent thereto many Indian relics were found. Flint darts and chisel-shaped instruments, used possibly for skinning animals or barking trees, have often been met with. As the substance from which these are formed is very hard one must look with wonder and question how the Indians accomplished sa perfectly their manufacture. Among other relics in possession of the resi- dents in this vicinity is a product of a coarse limestone very peculiarly but skillfully formed. It is about ten inches in length and its use is a puzzler. Each end presents a broad thick blade with rounded point; a defensive weapon was all the guess we could make as to its use . These relics have been found to be more numerous on the high lands near the borders of the creek. No doubt that at other points in this section of central Matilda evidences might be found to demonstrate the residence or presence of the Indian. Among the few remaining marks of pre-historic days no doubt the old mound in Williamsburg leads all others in this county. Situated on lots 30 and 31 in the fifth concession of Williamsburg, it must have been an inter- THE DAYS OF THE INDIAN 21 esting discovery for the early settlers in that vicinity. Very few of these tumuli are found in eastern Ontario, although they abound in other sections of Canada. The memorable William sburg mound was semi-circular m form and covered an area of four or five acres. The wall marking the spot, which in all likelihood was the site of an Indian camp, was about eighteen inches in height. How ideal was the choice for this early camp, situated on the bank of a stream known in later days as the Fritz Markle or Smith Creek. The best authority to hand tells us that when the mound was discovered trees which must have been growing for two centuries were found thereon. From this we must conclude that the camp had long years before been deserted. Hidden beneath the turf inside of the wall were found several skulls, some pieces of coarse earthenware and a quantity of decayed parched maize. Judg- ing from the shape of the skulls they were supposed to have been those of Indians. Several skeletons were also discovered, some of which exceeded six feet in length. We are told that this old aboriginal place of residence gained the silent admiration of many of the early settlers, some of whom believed that valuable treasures were concealed there. More than one search in this direction was made, and often at night. If they received any reward for their labors silence was surely maintained, as no pecuniary find was ever reported. A number of years after the settlement the timber was cut from the place, but up to 1830, or until the more regular cultivation of the land began, the mound was yet visible. Since then, however, the site year after year has continued to become less conspicuous. Perhaps in keeping with the present day order of things, we might note some of the surroundings of this historic spot. On the north side, and very close thereto, is found the village of North Williamsburg. In fact so closely do the localities coincide that it would not be amiss to say that the site of the village is that of the former mound. The Williamsburg gravel road crosses the spot, the greater portion of the mound area being on the east side of the road, on the farm now owned by George E. Merkley. For many years the present owner has resided there and the many interesting relics which he has unearthed add much color to the fact of aboriginal occupation. So common has become the discovery of human skulls and other bones, peculiarly fashioned pipes and odd and interesting instruments, the use of which would be hard to decide, that only to those more distant from the locality have the conditions ceased to be a "nine days' wonder." As recently as two or three years ago skeletons were unearthed, each of which bore evidence that the bodies were when interred placed in a posture possibly in keeping with the burial custom of those interesting people. The lower extremities of the bodies were bent backward and upward, so that the feet touched at or near the shoulders. The upper extremities were bent upward in circular form, the 22 THE STORY OF BUND AS fingers pointing toward the chest. Singular as it may seem the teeth were all in place and sound, the enamel being apparently imtarnished. These skeletons we have learned were closely inspected by some local and provincial antiquarians. While we can but refer to a few of the many interesting finds in the vicinity of this ancient camp, there is one other curio of which we must speak. This is a soft stone of irregular form somewhat flattened, and at its broadest part would measure from three to four feet. Several dips or undulations appear on the surface of this stone. These minor hollows are worn smooth and a close examination leads us to the conclusion that the stone was used for sharpening spears, knives, axes and other instruments. Surely the old Williamsburg mound has yet in its possession much untold history. Who is able to rise up and say what relics of interest may or may not be still hidden beneath the surface? Centuries have passed since this aboriginal neucleus teemed with activity, within the borders of the Dundas which was yet to be . Minor relics at other points in Williamsburg, and possibly in the rear townships of the county, might aid in touching up the background of this interesting pre-historic picture. War was one occupation in which the Indian apparently delighted. Some of their instruments of war and the chase were bow and arrow, war-club, tomahawk, stone-hatchet, scalping-knife and spear. If not in Dundas who knows but that within the limits of the old Eastern District battles of the red men may have to some extent been waged. At the termination of an engagement the claims of the victor were embodied in a sort of treaty. The characters used to express the agreement bore a close resemblance to the hieroglyphics of the ancient Egyptians. What interest might be furnished by a look at one of these ancient treaties. While we might prize the privilege of viewing the autographs of royalty, no doubt such would be for the moment dismissed from our desires if in exchange we could but secure a close exam- ination of one of those ancient oddities of peace or commerce. Yes, one of those time honored Indian documents would be a valued prize and its interest would be heightened, if in its interpretation it was found to express the transference of some stated right or area within the vicinity of Dundas county. But the red man has taken his departure and left few records that we can decipher, his history is, as it were, a sealed or partially opened letter of great interest. His residence here has left to his successors many points of interrogation which still remain unanswered. In our reference to the Indian we have not gone into the terrors of war which later so distressed the early colonists of America. It is a ray of satis- faction to know that the awful experiences which we regret were the lot of DAYS OP THE INDIAN 23 of the early white settlers in other parts of Canada, did not form a part of Dundas pioneer life. The coming of the TJ. E. Loyalists to our county was practically uninterrupted on that score. Indians, of course, then traversed our woods and Indian trails were discovered. That the Indians occupied this section is no longer a theory but their territorial limits were ever varying, their camps were itinerant, and hence the " Fathers of Dundas " were per- mitted to land in peace. The old trails familiar to the red men were, however, for many years thereafter travelled. Some of these were more remote from the St. Lawrence, and no doubt the various Indian routes which passed through Dundas served to connect St. Regis with their camp at Point Iroquois. Speaking of the Indians traversing the forests of our county, after its settle- ment, an incident is related which will we presume be vividly remembered by our oldest residents. The home of John Young, one of the poineers of Matilda, was situated on lot 3, concession 4. One Sunday afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Young left their home to make a friendly call at the residence of a forest neighbor, expecting upon their return all would be well. Shortly after their departure little Michael (commonly called Mickie) wishing to break the monotony of the situation started out hoping to join his parents. Arriving at the house, where he expected they had gone, he peeped through the cracks of the shanty. Not seeing his parents he likely made up his mind to return home again. Indians had often been seen passing through the forest settle- ment and on this oscasion they chanced to meet with Mickie. The bright, attractive countenance of the lad called forth their admiration, and they kidnapped him. We can imagine their journey and their arrival in camp with the intelligence that they had succeeded in bringing with them " a little white boy." Mr. and Mrs. Young returned home and soon dis- covered that Mickie had followed after them, but where he then was they knew not. A hurried search Was in vain made and the alarm was quickly sounded. People from the surrounding vicinity assembled at the Young home and then set out in search of the lost boy. For days and weeks the search continued, and as time wore on the mystery deepened. Every probable theory was advanced as to his disappearance. Some thought he had been devoured by wild animals which then held a premium on the forest. To strengthen this belief a little bone was long afterwards found which was thought to belong to the body of a child. The good mother is said to have treasured this bone for long years thinking it was all that remained of her boy. A year went by and closed with no tidings to cheer the parents. More than a score of years elapsed and after so long a time one would scarcely look for a revelation of the mystery. Along in the late 60's, about thirty years after the occurrence of the event, some Indians were camping along the front in 24 THE STORY 0$ DtTNDAB the vicinity of Point Iroquois. Among the number was a man whose general demeanor and features did not coincide with the attributes of the Indian. At the home of an elderly lady, not far distant from the encamp- ment, the Indians used to procure milk and other necessaries. The gentleman who did not appear to be the typical Indian often came on errands to this home . The old lady used to eye him closely and at length told him that she believed he was not an Indian but that he bore resemblance to a family named Young, living in Matilda. Mr. Welsh, a storekeeper living on the front, had also often told the lad a similar story, nevertheless he day after day con- tinued to reside with his captors, not knowing who he was. The repetition of the story to him, at length, made an impression, and Norman Lewis, the son of the old ladv to whom we have referred, volunteered to accompany him some day to the Young residence. A Saturday was selected and the journey made. Our readers unfamiliar with the story will likely have already concluded that this particular member of the Indian camp was none other than Mickie Young. Such was the case. On the journey homeward the two travellers met an elderly gentleman who had long lived near the Youngs , and who when asked if he knew the stranger, quickly recognized in him the features of the little boy who more than thirty years previously had disappeared. Upon their arrival at Mr. Young's they were courteously received, but the mother meanwhile was unaware of the identity of the stranger. "Well, Mrs. Young," said the man who had served as guide, "this is your son Mickie. ' The startled mother, by some mark, soon identified her son. We need not add that the meeting was a joyous one. Throughout the surrounding country the news of Mickie's return quickly spread and the residents for miles about came to congratulate the new guest, to talk with him, to learn of his years spent in camp and wigwam. Mr. Young, the hero of the story, could bring to mind many interesting reminiscences. The incident of his capture had however vanished from his recollection owing to his extreme youth at that time. He could recall the fact of the little Indians being unkind to him and calling him an Irish "bugger." A period of thirty years spent wholly with the Indians is an episode which claims the brilliancy of a romance. The parallel of thiss is not frequently recorded in local annals, but it nevertheless occurred in the town- ship of Matilda during the nineteenth century. On that period of his life Mr. Young no doubt often reflects. He later became a resident of Chicago where he accumulated considerable property and still continues to reside. While general evidences of Indian occupancy are not so plentiful in this district as in some others, yet after all the unrevealed might furnish a more complete record. As to the ages during which the Indians dominated this THE DAYS OP THE INDIAN 25 continent, or the probable periods of time spent in various sections, historians do not agree. Perhaps during their time great variations had passed unrecorded, for, as Parkman remarks, "Tribe was giving place to tribe, language to language; for the Indian hopelessly unchanging in respect to individual and social development was, as regards tribal relations and local haunts, unstable as the wind." The area embraced within this section of eastern Ontario was, however, a likely spot for their location* The St. Lawrence afforded many jutting points covered with clumps of pine and maple. The St. Regis reservation, southeast of Cornwall, now their neucleus of residence in this quarter, was close at hand, and in viewing the whole arena of conditions we have felt justified in attaching some significance to the days when the red men ruled amid the forests of Stormont, Dunda,s and Glengarry. Be their regime long or short an exit at length came. The Indian departed and time already reckoned by centuries has left unmarked his tomb. CHAPTER III Slow night drew on, And round the rude hut of the loyalist The wrathful spirit of the rising storm Spoke bitter things. His weary children slept And he, with head reclined, sat listening long To the swol'n Waters of the St. Lawrence Dashing against their shores, FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT LIFE is "moving music*" The coming of the first settlers to the county of Dundas was the implanting on our shores of a sturdy race of people, inured to hardships and privations, and whose pioneer life here should form an interesting link in this narrative. That bitter struggle between the French and English for the mastery of North America, the subsequent pro- gress of the land, the phenomenal growth of the American Colonies, and the unpopular War of American Independence, were conditions leading up to the time our county began making history. The story of the settlement of the U. E. Loyalists in this district, their transition from that "Garden of the South," the Mohawk valley, to their new Canadian homes, form a most fascinating story, but even then we are not satisfied. The circumstances which promoted their voyage from Europe to the State of New York deepens our interest as we view the heritage left us by the "Fathers of Dundas." For information on these very important questions we are indebted to Alexander C. Casselman in an able and excellent paper, entitled "The German United Empire Loyalists of the County of Dundas," The preparation of this article required much research and careful sifting, but Mr. Casselman's high ability and admiration for historical pursuits were equal to the task. The paper was read before the U. E. Loyalist Association of Toronto, and through the kindness of the author we are permitted to publish a portion of it, as follows : "On both banks of the Rhine where it is joined by the Neckar is a large FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT 27 district about 3,600 miles in extent, that from the middle ages to the begin- ning of this century was known as the Palatinate and Whose people were called Palatines. Its capital was Heidelberg, and within its borders were the cities of Mayence, Spires, Mannheim and Worms, all names famous in history. "Situated as this garden of Europe was, near to Wurtemburg and Geneva, its inhabitants soon embraced the Reformed faith. Some became followers of Calvin, and some of Luther. The Electors or rulers of the Palatinate for many years were Protestants, but in 1690, the Elector, John William, a de- voted adherent of the Roman church, tried to bring his people back to the old faith. "From its position the Palatinate became both the cause and the theatre of that long war between Louis XlVof France and nearly the rest of Europe. Louis wished to fulfil the desire and dream of every French ruler, — to make the Rhine the eastern boundary of France. Turrene, Louis' general, laid waste the Palatinate to the west bank of the Rhine. Two Electors, unable to bear such oppression, died of broken hearts. Louis claimed the Palatinate for his brother Philip. The League of Augsburg was formed against him, the soul of the combination being William, Prince of Orange. In this war Louis' generals again overran the Palatinate to chastise its people for receiving kindly the French Protestants who left France after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes. General Montclas, accordingly, gave the people three days to leave their homes. The villages and towns were burned, the castles and churches destroyed, the ashes of the Emperors in the tombs at Spires were scattered to the winds. Many of the people perished of hunger, but as Macaulay says : 'Enough survived to fill the towns of Europe with beggars who had once been prosperous shopkeepers and farmers.' The ruins softened by time, still remain as reminders of Louis' wrath, and as a warning to France that United Germany shall never permit the like to occur again. "This blow, although hard for the Palatines to bear, was really the means of their deliverance; for, while Louis was thus seeking a personal vengeance, William had become firmly seated on the throne of England ; and thus he brought in opposition to France the power that was to emanci- pate Europe, destroy the fleets of France, and drive her armies from every continent. Once more, during the war of the Spanish succession, the Pala- tinate was despoiled. But, in this instance, the greatest general the world ever saw taught not only the French but the people of Europe that France was not invincible. To Marlborough belongs the credit of making Britain feared by the sovereigns of the continent, and showing the oppressed that there they might find an asylum. During the time when he was all-powerful in England, was passed the Naturalization Act under which refugees from France and other countries found a home in England or its colonies. 28 THE STORY OF DTJNDAS "In the spring of 1708 fifty-two Palatines, led by their Lutheran minister, Joshua Kockerthal, landed in England and petitioned to be sent to America. The Board of Trade recommended 'that they be settled on the Hudson River, in the Province of New York, where they may be useful, particularly in the production of naval stores, and as a frontier against the French and Indians.' It was further recommended 'that they be given agricultural tools and be sent out with Lord Lovelace, the recently appointed Governor of New York.' They arrived there in due time and were located at Quassaick Creek, just where the city of Newburg now stands, a name which is probably a perpetua- tion of the name of the then reigning house of Newburg of the Palatinate. "About May, 1709, large numbers of people came down the Rhine to Rotter- dam on their way to London . They came in such numbers and so penniless that the people of Rotterdam were put to straits to supply them with the necessaries of life. The British Ministry consented to receive 5,000 of them, and to privide means for their transportation. Others followed rapidly, and by June the number in London reached 7,000. There was apparently no ces- sation to the stream of people. The English became alarmed. Queen Anne and the Government tried to stop them. Men were sent to Holland and up the Rhine to turn them back. The Elector Palatine, John William, tried to keep his subjeccs. All these efforts were in a measure unavailing, and not until October, when the number in England had reached about 15,000, did this strange emigration cease. "The question that now confronted the Queen, the Ministry, and in fact the best men of the Kingdom, was what to do with this large addition to the population. It was a new problem. It was fortunate for these poor people that their general demeanor and their devotion to the Protestant religion had enlisted the active personal sympathy of not only "good Queen Anne" and the mighty Marlborough, but also of the cultured Sunderland, of the cautious Godolphin, and of the fearless and broad-minded Gilbert Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury. For their present subsistence the Queen allowed them nine pence a day, and she ordered army tents to be supplied to them from the Tower . Warehouses not in use were given over by their owners as shelters. By com- mand of the Queen collections were taken up for their benefit in the churches throughout the land. After some days' deliberations the Board of Trade re- solved to settle some of the Palatines within the Kingdom. Accordingly a bounty of £5 a head was offered to parishes that would receive and settle the foreigners. While many were accepted on these terms because they were clever artisans, and doubtless became in a generation or two absorbed in the English population, a large number of those thus accepted merely because of the bounty were soon virtually compelled to return to Blackheath. An at- tempt to settle 600 on Scilly Island resulted in failure, costing nearly £1,500. 1 and 2, Copy of Discharge from Regiment, given by Sir John Johnson. 3 View of Johnson Hall, the residence of Sir Wm. Johnson. 4 Sir William John- son. 5 Sir John Johnson. 6 Copy of old receipt given by Sir Wm. Johnson. FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT 31 A contract to place 500 on Barbadoes, in the West Indies, was apparently not carried out. Ireland absorbed 3,800 of them who formed prosperous settle- ments in Munster. The Oarolinas received 100 families. Death claimed I,0u0 on Blackheath ; about 800 were returned to their homes, and many enlisted in the English army. While they thus appeared as clay in the potter's hand, there is no doubt that the unanimous desire of these exiled people was to reach America, and strangely enough a complete solution to the problem was not to be given by the concensus of the intelligence and Christian devotion of England. It so happened that about this time the four Mohawk chiefs that form the subject of one of Addison's pleasant papers were in London under the guidance of Peter Schuyler and Col. Nicholson, and in their sight-seeing tour they were taken to see the foreigners of Blackheath. Touched by their misery, but more probably eager to appear generous, they inyited the Pala- tines to America, and gave the Queen a grant of land on the Schoharie for their benefit. " The idea of sending them to America was favored by Robert Hunter who was coming out as governor of New York. Ten ships with 3,200 Palatines on board set sail in March, 1710; nine of them reached New York in June and July, with a loss of 470 lives. One ship was wrecked on Long Island. This incident gave rise to the legend that the ship, lured on shore by false beacons, was robbed, burned by pirates, and all on board killed. A light is said to be sometimes seen from the eastern part of the Island, which from its fancied resemblance to a burning ship is called the Palatine ship. This furnished Whittier a theme for one of his poems. " It is from this New York colony that the German U. E. Loyalists of the counties of Dundas and Stormont are descended. There were some additions to the colony from Germany from this time till 1774, but they were of an individual character. No U. E. Loyalist from any other German source ever came to these counties. It has been the prevalent error both of historians and of the people to believe that the founders of these counties were the descendants of the Hollanders who were the original owners of New Nether- lands (now New York). There is scarcely a name of Dutch origin on the roll of the King's Royal Regiment of New York. In fact, nearly all the Hol- landers of the Hudson were rebels. " The survivors of the Atlantic voyage were domiciled at Nuttan Island for five months, until lands could be surveyed for them. Before they left for their new homes eighty-four orphan children were apprenticed to the people of New York. It was the intention of Gov. Hunter to employ the Palatines in producing tar from the pine for the use of the British navy. There was very little pine near the Schoharie and the Mohawk, so the government bought 6,000 acres of land from Robert Livingstone, on the east side of the 32 THE STORY OF DCJNDAS Hudson river, and placed some of the refugees there, and some on the west side on 600 acres of crown lands, possibly because both of these sites were nearer New York. Huts were built and the next spring some commenced the production of tar, while a number enlisted for service against the French in Canada. The invasion was a failure owing to the loss of the British fleet under Sir Hovenden Walker in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, consequently the land troops did not march beyond Albany. *' During the summer the Palatines began to murmur, and after a time quit work. They had got the idea that they were to be made slaves and were not to be allowed to till the soil. Their excuses were, bad food, poor clothing and no pay for their military services . Moreover, they found that the land was unfit for cultivation. Governor Hunter came and pacified them, they agreed to fulfil the contract they had entered into, but he had no sooner gone than the discontent manifested itself more plainly than ever. Hunter returned, sent for troops from Albany and disarmed the few that had arms. Under fear they returned to work, at which they continued till winter. By the next spring the Governor, who had expended his private fortune in the mistaken idea that tar in paying quantities could be made from the northern pines, found that the government in England, now under Harley and St. John, would not countenance the projects of their predecessors nor recoup him for his ex- penditure of over £20,000. There was nothing to do but abandon the tar project. The Palatines were informed that they would have to shift for themselves, the Governor advising that they seek employment with farmers in New York and New Jersey to support their families until they were recalled to fulfil their contract. They were not to be allowed to remove to any other province unless they wished to be treated as deserters, brought back and imprisoned. Notwithstanding these orders only a few stayed on the Livingstone manor. Thirty families moved south on some land they purchased in fee from Henry Beekman. There they founded the town of Bhinebeck, which bears the name to-day. A few went to the ' West Camp ,' the name of the settlement on the west side of the Hudson. The greater portion had their hearts set on the lands of the Schoharie, granted to them by Queen Anne. They waited patiently to hear from the seven deputies they had dispatched secretly to look for lands there, to make arrangements with the Indians and to find out the best means of getting to what they called their 1 promised land.' The report was favorable, so a small party in the winter of 1712-13 stole away and arrived in Schoharie where they were to experience hardships and annoyances almost equal to those they had known in the Fatherland. Without food or shelter they must have perished but for the kindness of the Dutch of Albany and of the Indians who showed them where to find edible roots. In the spring a second party of about 100 families joined them. No sooner had they arrived in the valley than the Governor, soured FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT 38 by the failure of his pet theory, for which the Palatines were in no way to blame, ordered them not to settle upon their land. From necessity they refused to obey. Then commenced the long fight with Schuyler, Livingstone, Wileman and Vrooman, the large land owners in Albany. For ten years the fight went on. Some bought their land, others became tenants, and some moved to adjacent lands on the Mohawk. " Since 1710 the emigrants from Germany had been going to Pennsylvania, no doubt because of the unfavorable reports from the New York colonies. In 1772 Sir William Keith, Governor of Pennsylvania, accompanied Governor Burnett, of New York, to Albany to meet the Indians in a great council. While there Governor Keith heard of the dissatisfaction of the palatines. He knew their value as colonists and being compassionate as well as politic, he invited all to settle on grants beside their German countrymen in Pennsylanvia, where they would be accorded ' freedom and justice.' Fully two-thirds accepted the offer. This was their third immigration. Is it any wonder that 175,000 Germans of Pennsylvania, half the population in 1775, remained neutral or took the rebel side ? It may be put down as one of the mistakes of the British that they did not cultivate by kindly acts the friend- ship of those German settlers, and furnish them leaders in whom both Britain and Germany would have confidence. This would have been comparatively easy, as subsequent events have proved. Many years after the struggle was over hundreds of Germans in Pennsylvania, after a trial of republican government, found homes in Upper Canada, where they could enjoy the bless- ings of British institutions. " But how fared those who remained on the Schoharie and the Mohawk ? For nearly forty years they were unmolested. Only those who know some- thing of the thrift and energy of their descendants in Eastern Ontario along the St. Lawrence can form any idea of the progress made by their ancestors in the Mohawk Valley. Situated on the rich alluvial flats, the finest and most fertile lands in the Province, they soon became rich and prosperous. The gently sloping hills and winding river formed a picturesque scene that must have reminded them of their old home on the Rhine. But the spoiler of their vine-cottage in the Palatinate, finds them even in the valley of the Hudson. England and France were soon to engage in the final struggle for the possession of this continent. In November, 1757, Belletre with his French and Indians swept through the valley, and burned every house and barn on the north side of the Mohawk. The majority of the settlers saved their lives by crossing the river and entering the fort, but forty were killed, and more than a hundred carried away as prisoners. The south side was visited next year by another wai party . In this raid fewer were killed but the destruction of property was as great. 34 THE STORY OF DTJNDAS "It was fortunate for Britain that a .man of the ability and integrity of Sir William Johnston lived on the Mohawk. He secured and retained the good will and devotion not only of the Indians but also of the Palatines. After Canada was taken by the British, quietness and happiness reigned on the Mohawk for twelve years. But there were signs of the coming storm that was to devastate this beautiful valley, and again drive the Palatines from their homes when the fortunes of war went against them. " United States writers with characteristic unfairness have hinted that if he had lived Sir William would have sided with the rebels. Sabine hints that he committed suicide rather than take the Loyalist side. It was wholly due to Sir William that Northern New York produced more Loyalists than any other similar section in the thirteen colonies. Again, it may be said that it was owing to the apathy of his son, Sir John, in the early days of the struggle, that the rebels gained an advantage around Albany that was never recovered. " The Palatines were divided in their opinion but the majority were loyal. For years the enemies of Britain were busy sowing the seeds of dissension among them. A few years previous to the war Sir William settled on his estate about 500 Scotch emigrants, a large number of whom were Roman Catholics of the Clan MacDonell. The enemies of Sir William went among the Palatines and told them that it was the intention to use the Highlanders and Indians to drive them from their lands. To some of the Palatines anyone not of the Reformed faith was hateful, and by these the stories were believed, because the Highlanders when appearing in public wore the full Highland dress, including dirk, pistol and claymore. Many meetings were held, yet little impression was made by the rebel emissaries in the settlements. The leaders of the Loyalists must be silenced. A bold stroke was resolved upon. In December, 1775, Philip Schuyler with 4,000 New England troops was sent to disarm the Loyalists on the Mohawk, and to exact assurance of neutrality from Sir John Johnston and his friends. Sir John granted everything; arms were given up, and he agreed not to leave the country if his property and that of his friends were not touched. Some Palatines and Highlanders were taken as hostages and sent to Connecticut. Although Schuyler got all he asked for, still the rebels must be fed in a way that would not cost them anything. Under pretense that all arms were not given up, since the Highlanders kept their dirks, he declared the agreement broken and gave free license to his followers to plunder. The cattle, horses, pigs and poultry needed, belonging to the Loyalists, were taken; the church was looted; the vault cantaining the remains of Sir William Johnston was broken open and the lead casket stolen and melted into bullets. For this Schuyler received the thanks of Congress. "Thus in direct violation of a solemn agreement was the destruction of property on the Mohawk begun by the rebels. Could the authors of such FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT 35 outrages expect any mercy from Sir John Johnston, from John Butler and his son, Walter Butler, and their followers, when they swept down on this valley again and again during the war, when they returned to their old homes simply to despoil the spoilers now in possession? " Sir John after being subjected to petty annoyances all winter, heard from his friends ?n Albany that Schuyler intended to release him from his parole, and at the same time take him prisoner. Losing no time he hurriedly buried his papers, and trusting to a negro servant to bury his plate, gathered about 200 followers and started by an unfrequented route to Montreal. They arrived there during the last week of June, the day after the city, recently evacuated by the rebel invaders, was entered by Sir Guy Carleton. On the journey they had suffered severely from hunger, as they could not in their baste prepare supplies for nineteen days; and soon their principal food had been leeks and the young leaves of the beech. During the last days of the toilsome march many from exhaustion fell by the way. The Indians of Caughnawaga were sent out to the rescue. All were brought in safe to Montreal. " Properly to understand the hardships of the Loyalists on the Mohawk it should be borne in mind that they knew of no safe means of escape. On the north all Canada except Quebec was in possession of the rebels, and the Con- tinental armies controlled the old frequented highways leading to the British headquarters to the south. Imprisonment or death from hunger or frost was the only alternative for all that would not forsake their allegiance to their King. " As soon as Sir John arrived in Montreal scouts were sent out to the Mohawk to show the way to those who wished to come to Montreal and the British posts, Chambly and Ile-aux-Noir, on the Richelieu. On July 7th Sir John Johnston was granted the privilege of raising a battalion from among his followers and the Loyalists around Johnstown on the Mohawk. This battalion was called * The King's Royal Regiment of New York,' or 'The Royal Yorkers,' or ' Royal Greens.' Recruiting went on and in the fall the battalion was complete. In 1780 another battalion was formed. A very large number, in fact the majority, of each of these battalions were Palatines. Butler's Rangers also contained not a few Palatines. A very moderate esti- mate places the number of Palatines who served in the various corps and who settled in Dundas and adjoining counties at about 600. This does not include those refugees unfit for service, or those who would not enlist, or those who came here after the peace. It is an estimate of the able-bodied soldiers who survived the various campaigns of six years border warfare and garrison duty at the several posts. How many lost their lives in the hazardous enter- prises that the corps took part in, or how many died in prison or were hanged 36 THE STORY OF DTJNDAS as spies, is not known, but the number must have been considerable. Most of the officers were English or Scotch. This is accounted for by the fact that the Highlanders who had recently settled on the Mohawk had before emigrat- ing seen active service in various grades in the British army. The Palatines had had no such military training. " In the spring of 1784 the several regiments were settled upon the lands allotted to them along the banks of the St. Lawrence, from Charlottenburg in Glengarry to the Bay of Quinte. The future homes of these vigorous pioneers were not determined by chance. The Highlanders longed for a high- land settlement. The Scotch Presbyterians and the Palatine Lutherans and Palatine Presbyterians asked to be placed in separate communities where they might enjoy the consolations of their own religion. Accordingly in acceding to this petition the authorities with a wonderful foresight so arranged the several conflicting interests of nationality and religion that the utmost harmony has prevailed. The Highland Roman Catholics were placed farthest east beside their French co-religionists ; west of them the Scotch Presby- terians; then the Palatines — some Lutherans, some Presbyterians, speaking a different language and forming a barrier between the English to the west, and the Scotch and French to the east. Thus was laid the foundation of the Ontario that was yet to be, the common bond being the love of British institutions, which is as strong to-day in their descendants as it was in those who risked everything for a * United Empire ' so that Britain should be the controlling power in America. " The Palatines were not novices at clearing away the forest and bringing the land quickly under cultivation. They had readily become the most serviceable and reliable of soldiers ; cut off from home and family, they had under Sir John Johnston and the Butlers for seven years held the rebels at bay in Central New York and swept the country in raid after raid from Oswego to the borders of Pennsylvania — yet now they showed that they had not forgotten the arts of peace. They returned to the implements of hus- bandry and won in a new field victories not lers splendid than their triumphs amid the ruins of their old homes. They were aided for two years by supplies from the government and in the third year were not only self-sustaining but actually had grain for export . 'Although settled in the wilderness far from centres of population, they knew something of the advantages of older settle- ments. To acquire such advantages as soon as possible was their aim from the beginning. "It is worthy of note that the first Protestant church in the Province of Canada was built by the Lutheran Palatines on the banks of the St. Lawrence about three miles below the present village of Morrisburg. It was commenc- ed in 1789 and finished the next year. The first pastor was Rev. Samuel FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT 37 Schwerdfeger, who along with his family was imprisoned by the rebels for his persistence in exhorting his flock on the Mohawk to retain their allegiance to their King. "The hardy Palatines now after four migrations were forced to hew new homes for themselves out of the primeval forests of North America. The growth of the settlement, the individual experiences, the persistent and effect- ive defence of their new homes against their invading enemy in 1813, their wise and loyal efforts for constitutional reform in 1837, all form important chapters in the development of that happy, prosperous, progressive and in- telligent people that now enjoy and prize the privileges so dearly bought by their ancestors more than a hundred years ago. "An article on 'The Loyalists of the American Revolution,' appeared in the Quarterly Review of October, 1898, and received notice in an annual publica- tion of the library of the Provincial University. Therein the statement was made that the U. E. Loyalists were 'drawn from the official, professional and commercial classes,' and that they were a 'melancholy procession of weeping pilgrims.' To say that position or wealth or profession, or any other selfish motive determined the choice of the Loyalists is far from the truth, and we should not allow it to go unchallenged. It was principle, not place, that caused their adherence to the old order of things. Loyalists were found among all classes, all occupations, all denominations, and all nationalities represented in the colonies. To refute the charge that it was the classes that remained loyal our attention is directed to the German, Scotch, English and Irish of New York who were prosperous artisans and farmers on the Mohawk and who became in a short time the prosperous artisans and farmers of the St. Lawrence and the Bay of Quinte. Moreover, the U. E. Loyalists were not a ' melancholy procession of weeping pilgrims, ' but a determined band of the most stout-hearted, upright, incorruptible people of the provinces, conscious of the righteousness of their choice, and relying on a faith in themselves that no adversity of fortune could shake. Does anyone acquainted with the history of this country believe that a nation like Canada had as a foundation 'melan- choly weeping pilgrims?' We do not hope for American writers to say anything very praiseworthy of the U. E. Loyalists, but Canadians hold- ing prominent positions, which add effectiveness and respect to their opinions, should, at least, be fair." Previous to the settlement of the U. E. Loyalists in the front of these coun- ties the land had been surveyed, and the lots numbered and placarded. The hardships experienced during the route into the Canadian wilderness we have merely touched upon. Its incidents were thrilling. Arriving at Montreal the soldiers with their families continued their course to New Johnstown (Corn- wall) where they met the Government Agent and at once proceeded to draw 38 THE STORY OF DUNDAS by lot the land which had been granted them. The lots were numbered on small slips of paper placed in a hat when each soldier in turn had his " draw. " The system worked fairly well and by exercising a spirit of mutual exchange it frequently resulted that old comrades who had in battle stood side by side secured adjacent lots. The boats laden with "pioneer freight" proceeded up the river; as each soldier arrived at his lot, he disembarked with his family and his small belongings, and thus the first settlers landed in the County of Dundas on the 20th of June, 1784. The scene of their landing was not a pleasant one. Before them was every- thing to dwarf their ambitions. The gloomy, uninviting forest, the forbid- ding shore, the unbroken turf, and the ever recurring recollection of their good old Mohawk Valley homes must have brought a tear to many a maiden's eye. But full arrangements had been made for the settlement of the Loyal- ists in Canada. Each field-officer received five thousand acres of land; each captain three thousand; each subaltern two thousand; each non-commissioned officer and private two hundred in addition to fifty acres more for his wife and each child. Besides this each of the latter was entitled to a grant of 200 acres on attaining the age of twenty-one years. In this way the greater part of the townships of Mountain and Winchester was drawn by children of the U. E. Loyalists. Although the Loyalists had a rough thoroughfare to travel yet they were unremitting in their labors, and in October, only a few months after their landing, statistics show that they had not only built habitations for themselves but had cleared about two-thirds of an acre of land for each man. While we do not desire to be over lavish of sympathy yet we owe much to the United Empire Loyalists of our county. They labored cheerfully. Al- though they had not the extremities of hardship to endure yet if we had their toils doled out to us to-day we would deem ourselves the most miserable, the most oppressed of the human race. They had formerly been used to snug homes, well stored, roomy farm houses, or perhaps those stately old colonial nmUsions wherein reigned a hospitality all but princely. Now many of them had descended to the log shanty with its rude furniture and fixtures. But even amid their primitive surroundings they prospered. True indeed was this to a large extent among the U. E. Loyalist settlements in Canada, but the rule has, however, some painful exceptions. Among other authorities in this regard we might refer to Charles G. D. Roberts who in his history of Canada, speaking of the hardships of the Loyalists in the Lake Region in the year 1788, when the crops were a failure, says: " Its memory comes down to us under the name of the "Hungry year." The people had to dig those wild, tuberous roots which children know as ground nuts. Butter nuts and beech nuts were sought with eager pains. Men sold their farms for a little flour or even the coarsest bran. The early basswood were gathered and boiled with a weed FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT called lamb-quarter and pig-weed and the wild Indian cabbage. Game of all kinds was abundant, but powder and shot were scarce. Gaunt men crept with poles striving to knock down wild pigeons, or angled all day with awkward home-made hooks for a few chub or perch to keep their families from starvation. In one settlement a beef -bone was passed from house to house that each family might boil it a little while and so get a flavor in the pot ot unsalted bran soup. A tew of the weak and aged actually died of starvation during these famine months, and others were poisoned by eating noxious roots which they gathered in the woods. As the summer wore on, however, the heads of wheat, oats and barley began to grow plump. People gathered hungrily to the fields to pluck and devour the green heads. Boiled, these were a luxury, and hope stole back to the starving settlement." Though the pioneers of Dundas toiled hard, we are glad that no such period of extreme want as that pictured by Mr. Roberts was ever recorded in our local annals. Then, as a rule, the Loyalists were men of great physical endurance. We are told by one historian that nothing in their history was more remark- able than their longevity. Several lived to enjoy their half-pay upwards of half a century, and so common were the ages of eighty-five, ninety and ninety-five that the saying, " Loyalist half -pay officers never die, >f was oft repeated. Not long after its first settlement the christening of our county is recorded. The County of Dundas was named in honor of Henry Dundas, Viscount Melville, son of Bt. Hon. Ro.bert Dundas, born 1741, died 1811. The Dundases of Arniston were descended from George Dundas, of Dundas, sixteenth in descent from the Dunbars, Earls of March. Macaulay tells us that Henry Dundas, the Lord Advocate of Scotland, was an able and versatile politician; he was created Lord Melville, and shortly afterwards returned into private life. Although the pioneer usually constructed his house of logs, yet several of the U. E. Loyalists who settled along the front of Dundas departed from |Jaat custom and built for themselves substantial homes more in keeping with their former dwellings. Along the St. Lawrence a few of these stately old houses still remain. A historic charm surrounds them and a resurrection of forgotten incidents would furnish stories of interest. The following article, a description of a U. E. Loyalist's house, was taken from the columns of the Morrisburg Courier, the writer appearing under the nom de plume of " Will Lee:" " People who delight in antiquities and are fond of viewing and inspecting articles and implements in use before the dawn of the nineteenth century cannot find more of them or find them in a better state of preservation in any part of the Province than in the County of Dundas. When the first settlers took up their abode here so wide was the choice of building material and so 40 THE STORY OF DUNDAS superior the timber used that many of those old houses still stand, with the exception of a few alterations and repairs the same as when they were built, over 100 years ago. Prominent among these is one situated midway between the village of Morrisburg and the battlefield of Crysler's Farm, on lot 21, con. 1, township of Williainsburg. It is a large, substantial frame house, painted White, and known among the friends of the genial owner, M. D. Willard, as the 'White House.' The farm lot upon which it is built was drawn in 1784 by Daniel Myers, a U. E. Loyalist, and in the year following he built the house mentioned. He however made it do duty for many years after as an inn, and it was known to the traveller as the 'Halfway House,' being locat- ed centrally between Cornwall and Prescott. Here on 'the banks of the St. Lawrence it stood when the Bastile fell. It was not a new house when the Irish were in open insurrection in 1798. It was a well known inn when the army of Napoleon was overthrown at the battle of Waterloo. At the time of the Rebellion of 1837 it was looked upon as an old house, and when in 1842 Charles Dickens passed down the St. Lawrence in a steamboat it was 57 years old. Although the furniture in it now is modern and not different from that in the houses of the people living around about, there are preserved in the attic numerous books, pieces of furniture, harness, trunks, safes, a poll-table, newspaper files, cutlery, etc., that were manufactured and did service in the eighteenth century. Here in one corner is a quaint old signboard, measuring 2£ by 3| feet, swinging in a frame, and upon which are the words painted, 'D. Myers' Inn, 1815.' Hanging on a rafter over 100 years old is next observed a lady's side-saddle, purchased by the father of the present owner of the house eighty years ago from a lady in Montreal who had long before that time acquired it in France. It is hand-made, chiefly of alli- gator skin, and of the best quality, as were mostly all the manufactures of the last century. Cumbrous eel-skin pocket-books tied up with leather strings similar to those now used with moccasins, are here to be seen, all of them bulging out with old manuscripts. These are found in a curious old-fashioned safe, about two and a half feet square, opening from the top, and containing a hidden lock. Its key is immense. If it would not bother a professional burg- lar much to ascertain how the safe looks inside, I am of the opinion that it is fireproof. We were interested in a large chest which contained many books, most of them modern, and also in an old ledger, kept by J. M. Willard, containing many familiar names of old residents, all of whom have passed away. The newspapers in the files were printed in Montreal early in the 18th century and a perusal of them cannot fail to be of much interest. The farm property in connection with this house is valuable, as the land is fertile with plenty of good timber, some of which cut off this farm is actually used at present as pillars in the French cathedral at Montreal. This cathe- FOUNDATION AND SETTLEMENT 41 dral is one of the greatest attractions to American tourists visiting the city. The timber was cut and forwarded to that place by Col. John Crysler." Along the St. Lawrence in the front of Matilda another historic house is found by the wayside. In early days it was termed the " Blue House, " on account of its color, and was a conspicuous mark for river men when ascend- ing the dangerous Rapid du Plat. In later years this building became known as the " Findley House." Although erected shortly after the first settlement of the county it is still standing, and when removed in 1891 on account of the canal enlargement the frame work was found quite sound, thus showing that the U. E. Loyalists were as staunch in the construction of their homes as they were in the idea of giving up all their worldly property in defence of a principle of right in which they believed they were serving their God, their country, and their King. The occupants of the "Blue House " dispensed a liberal hospitality. At one time it was owned by a Mr, Patterson, a Scotchman, who had formerly grown rich as a fur trader in Western Canada. He married a daughter of the late Hon. John Munro, who was among the first in Upper Canada to receive the title of "honorable." After the death of Mr. Patterson his widow became the wife of Col. Thomas Frazer, father of Col. Richard Duncan Frazer. Later the property came into the hands of the Findley family, Mrs. Findley being a niece ot Mr. Patterson. The stage-coach, which first made its appear- ance in Upper Canada in 1798, passed the old " Blue House, " and many distinguished Canadians and Europeans oftened journeyed from Montreal to Upper Canada, and during such a trip the "Blue House" was usually made a stopping place. The location of this historic house, at the head of Rapid du Plat, increased its attractiveness. It was a famous centre for tourists, a sort of rendezvous for the aristocracy who came " up country, " and letters received there were frequently addressed, " Blue House, Rapid du Plat, Upper Can- ada. " The furniture of this place was also antique, and some of it to-day is zealously preserved in the beautiful Farlinger residence at Morrisburg, while other pieces we believe were taken to Toronto and presented to a his- torical society of that city. The " Munro House, " on lot 7, con. 1, was another historic dwelling. It was built in excellent style by Col. John Munro. Here also many prominent individuals were entertained, among whom was a member of royalty, none other than the Duke of Kent, father of our late beloved Queen. He remained one night at the "Munro House." The presence of His Highness in Upper Canada was an event of interest, and preparatory to his visit at Col. Munro's 42 THE STORY OP DUNDAS special appartments were placed in readiness for the Royal guest and his attendants. Many other ancient buildings and quaint and rare relics are laden with memories rich in interest. The front of the county was especially favored in that regard, and it is to be regretted that a museum was not established here fifty years ago, or a historical society founded even now, to gather and preserve these historic articles before they are lost forever or suffered to decay for want of proper care. CHAPTER IV. Who, that in distant lands has chanc'd to roam, Ne'er thrill'd with pleasure at the name of home ? — J. T. WATSON. DOMESTIC LIFE. THE settlers of Dundas in "the old days" were surrounded by all the vicissi- tudes of pioneer life. The land was clad with the sturdy oak and pine, the stalwart elm and ash, and trees of many other varieties, including our own national tree, the stately maple. The first task in connection with settlement was to clear sufficient space for the erection of the rude dwelling, which was devoid of exterior adorn- ment, yet happy was the settler when it was completed, for then he had ahome. The primitive shanties were all quite similar in architecture but of various sizes, according to the number of members of family. Many of these struct- ures were about 20x15 feet, one story, and some even smaller. The walls were formed of logs, roughly notched at the ends, and piled one above another to the height of seven or eight feet, while the spaces between the logs were chinked and carefully plastered within and without with clay mortar. Open- ings for a door and window were provided. Smooth, straight poles were laid lengthwise on the walls to serve as supports for the roof, which, at first, was thatched, but later was composed of strips of elm bark four or five feet in length by two or three feet in width. These were placed in rows over-lapping one another and fastened to the poles by withs. A s successor to the bark roof we find the trough or concave-convex roof, formed of pieces of basswood split and hollowed, and when properly placed formed a covering which was considered weatjier-proof. We have said that openings for door and window were left. This was easily arranged, but the difficulty arose in procuring material with which to close the openings. The window, however, was small, and for a time was covered until four glass panes, 7x9 inches, were put in. The absence of a door 44 THE STORY OF DUNDAS was unpleasant. Perhaps for a time a blanket suspended from the inside served the purpose until by the aid of the whip-saw enough lumber was manufactured to make a door. An instance is related of an early settler of Mountain township, afterwards prominent, whose coat served as a door for some time. The shanty chimney was indeed unique, made of rounded poles notched at the ends, placed together and well plastered with mud (clay), which, when dried, formed a fire-proof coating. Chimneys of rough stones soon came into use; many of these still occupy a place in the houses which they both serve and dominate. The floor of the shanty was composed of logs split in two and flattened so as to make a tolerably even surface. The whole interior constituted but a single room, at the one end of which was the huge fire-place, constructed of flat stones, with a fireback of field stones which was carried up as high as the walls to the base of the chimney. Chairs and table were rudely constructed by the aid of an axe. Holes were made in the walls and wooden pins placed therein to accommodate the various articles of clothing, as well as pans, etc. If the shanty was high enough the attic was made use of, and a ladder in one corner provided means of ascent. Between the fire-place and the angle made for the stairs the recess was used for storing hearth utensils, commonly called the pot-hole. At the end of the room distant from the fire-place were the beds. The bed- steads as first constructed were attached to the wall, a sort of stationary deyice. Following these we find the high, moveable bedsteads, the posts towering towards the ceiling. Many of the older residents of to-day can vividly picture those old time sleeping racks. The bed proper being a good distance from the floor, sufficient space was secured underneath for the children's crib (trundle bed) to be stowed away during the day. Hanging about the base of the senior bed was a curtain. These beds were generally good, but owing to their height some ingenuity was required in order to get into them. The bunk came in as an article of utility, being useful as a seat by day and a bed at night. Notwithstanding the improvised bedsteads what sweet rest and solid comfort followed the close of the day in the home of the early cottager. The following rhyme, recalled by a Matilda resident, portrays the situation very well: " With a three-legged stool and a table to match, And the door of the shanty locked wi' a latch, Some grog in the cupboard, some praties and male, A cow and a pig, and that's worth a good dale." Cooking utensils then used would now be a curiosity. The long handled frying-pan came in for special favor. Did the good housewife wish to prepare DOMESTIC LIFE 45 pancakes or bacon? If so she used the long handled frying-pan, and to turn the pancake with a toss without letting it fall into the fire was a feat requiring some skill. The baking of bread formed an important part of the duties of the manipulator of the pastry board. Various methods were employed, earliest among which was the bake-kettle. In this large kettle, fitted with a tight cover, was placed the huge lump of dough. The kettle was then deposited in a hollow made in the ashes and over and about it were drawn the live coals from the fire-place. Then the bread would bake. How delicious a flavor it possessed when the cover was lifted and the large brown well baked loaf removed! The bake-oven next came into use. Brick or stone was used in its construction, stone more commonly; brick being used for that purpose by the more well to do. The ovens were more commodious and the work could be better executed than by means of the bake-kettle. The great batches of bread, hop-yeast or salt-rising, and the wholesome and appetizing cakes and pies were delicious, we are assured by many of the grandmothers of Dundas. The fire-place was an important factor in every home. By its aid was performed the various styles of cooking and baking. To some of these we have already referred. The large crane which looked down on the glowing hearth could be swung to or from the fire. From the crane would be suspended the great iron pot, or perchance, following the precedent of the red men, a piece of meat was hung thereon to roast, to be served upon the return of the weary bread-winner from his day's toil. There were no matches in those early days, and hence fire was obtained in a peculiar manner. Pieces of flint and steel properly manipulated produced the original spark which quickly ignited a piece of punk or dried fungus usually found in the hearts of decayed beech or maple trees. Often these fire appliances were carried on the person of the settler. Then again the fire on the hearth was hardly ever allowed to die out. Upon retiring some ashes were pulled over the hardwood coals and these would remain alive all night. This plan sometimes failed; and an old settler remarks that when he was a boy he often had to crawl out of his warm bed and run through the frosty air for quite a distance to fetch some live coals or *• borrow fire," as we might term it, from the house of a neighbor. Later, the introduction of thelucifer match was welcomed. As a means of light the fireplace was also useful. The great blaze rising from the antique hearth would light for some time the room sufficiently for the members of the family to read or sew. Other means of light were also available. Among these was numbered the cotton wick in the saucer of oil or melted tallow, the protruding end of the wick being fired. This primitive method was succeeded by the tallow candle. The big brass candlestick with snuffers and tray was not only useful but ornamental 46 THE STORY OF DUNDA8 on the clean, white table. "Snuff the candle " was a common expression, and with the absence of snuffers the fingers were dexteriously used, although the plan required rapid action in order to get rid of the burning wick. The grandmother of the home could perform this feat with deftness. The candles at first were prepared by dipping the wicks in the hot tallow and then allowing them to cool. The repetition of this practice would place consid- erable body of tallow about the wick. These candles, which were sometimes called dips, were the best, although the process of manufacture was tedious. Later the candle mould came into use and the good housewife ever after- wards had an ample supply. Still later the kerosene lamp displaced the candle, and the dawn of the electric age has induced our villages to discard even this latter luminant. And in a few years who knows but that the farm houses will be lighted by electricity. The regime of the fireplace at length closed. The earliest stoves we believe were constructed of tin, and when a fire was placed therein would heat the room very quickly. " The Yankee Notion " was one of the early cook stoves in Dundas; many others are also mentioned. Interesting would one of these now be — great clumsy things, capable of consuming large quantities of fuel. The wooden age, for such we might term the pioneer period, possessed many interesting devices, Strips of moosewood bark were often used in hanging a door and sometimes even that was abandoned and the door just set in place. Those were not the days of robberies or other later day annoyances and hence the locking of the shanty door was little thought of, and in most cases a log rolled against the door from the inner side kept the inmates secure from the attack of wolves and other animals which were the chief cause of alarm to the inhabitants of the forest. The old wooden latch was, however, well devised. It was lifted from the outside by means of a leather string which passed through the door. The rap of the visitor gave rise to the trite saying, " pull the string and walk in." To find the string on the latch, remarked an aged Mountaineer, was indeed a happy discovery. At night the string was pulled inside and thus the door was fastened while the inmates slept. One of the greatest inconveniences of the early days was the absence of mills. When the U. E. Loyalists settled along the front the British Government did everything possible to assist them in overcoming the disadvantages then existing. Boats were placed at their disposal so they might be accommodated by taking their grist to Cornwall, but this, however, was a hard task, owing to the turbulent waters of the Long Sault. Again the Government furnished the settlers portable corn-mills. These were operated by hand like the turning of a coffee-mill, but heavy was the labor and slow the progress. Then, again, this was generally the work of the women, which re- minded one of the Hebrew women of old of whom we have the touching 4? Scriptural allusion: "Two women shall be grinding at the mill, the one shall be taken and the other left*" If the modest wives and maidens of to-day, in preparing the family meal, will reflect on the time when the grinding of the Wheat or corn was a part of the duties of those early grandmothers, how happy they should be with their present conveniences. Then they had not the necessaries of life; now we have the luxuries. But our ancestors invented improvements along the line of wheat and corn grinding* Some of them we will endeavor to describe* On a forked upright post well sunken into the ground a long pole Was balanced* To one end of the pole was attached a block of wood so shaped and rounded as to fit into a hollow in a large stump or wooden block. To the other end of the pole Was attached a rope. The corn being placed in the hollow block or stump and the pole being Worked by means of the rope, the descent of the upper block cf ushed the corn or wheat* This method no doubt Worked fairly well, but a simpler method myolving the same principle was to place the grain in the hollow of a hardwood stump, and by means of a heavy wooden mallet, crush it by pounding, The front settlers soon grew more accustomed to the river a&d they made frequent trips to Cornwall and Gaaanoque. At times several parties together would take forty or fifty bushels of wheat* with five or six men to work the boats against the rapids. On their return they often brought other food supplies. By hand-sleigh as well many trips were made to Cornwall and Montreal* When the winter rations were found to be insufficient a trip was made on the ice along the shore . The return of the cargo of provisions and other family necessaries was an occasion of joy to the settler's family* to whom necessaries were luxuries. "Bees." as they were called, seemed to be necessary for the success of the^ early settlers. Logging-bees,, paring-bees, husking-bees and barn-raisings were of frequent occurrence* The first of these was of great importance, as the settler was anxious to increase his tillable acreage* During the autumn the underbrush and saplings were cut away so as not to interfere with the wood- man's axe or impede freedom of movement from place to place later* With the approach of winter the heavier work began. The great trees were now felled and cut into logs from 12 to 16 feet in length. Some of the men became very skillful at this work and at times considerable rivalry existed among the choppers* Much skill could be displayed in felling the timber by causing as many trees as possible to fall beside or over one another so as to form what were called "plan heaps.." The work so- far could be accomplished by individual effort, but to do the logging the farmer must invite his neigh- bors. The response would be general. From all about would come the settlers, many of them bringing their oxen, and the work of forming the immense log:-heaps was soon, ttndret Way* As the logs wetre to be burned soaafc 48 THE STORY OF DUTTDAS tact in arranging the piles was required so that they might burn freely. Willing hands soon had the logs and brush piled . Great heaps of choice timber were scattered over the area and after a good burn the clearing was ready to receive the seed. The work which would have been impossible to perform without neighborly aid was now completed. The happy owner was delighted and loud cheers from the husky workers announced that their gratuitous labors were ended. The work having been completed the men repaired to the shanty near at hand where the good housewife, assisted by some of her neighbor friends, had prepared a sumptuous supper. After partaking freely at the family board the evening was an occasion for mirth-making and a jolly good time, and heartily enjoyed by everyone present; and if they didn't sing "He's a Jolly Good Fellow, " they at least had an exalted opinion of their host. Often the logging-bee was linked with the quilting-bee and the two known as a double-bee, followed by the usual dance, which lasted until the "wee sma' hours." Considerable sport characterized these occasions. When the men ar- rived for supper it was customary that some luckless wight be caught and tossed up and down in a quilt. At the close of the social evening each gang or party bound for different settlements made a torch or flambeau by taking dry cedar bark tied in a bundle after being pounded. This furnished good light for hours and hence the fear of wolves fled. Raisings or raising-bees were, however, not of so frequent occurrence; but, on the other hand, required more skill. The construction of every log shanty required the assistance of a number of men, while the putting up of log-barns required a large number of willing workers. Often the methods employed were very primitive. An instance is related of a Matilda pioneer whose barn, 36 x 24 feet, was insufficient to accommodate the season's crop. Accordingly our friend determined to build an addition thirty feet in length at the end of the log barn. The latter was unroofed and in order to connect the new portion with the former structure pieces of timber sixty-six feet long were secured as plates. From the wood near at hand these were secured, hauled by oxen to the scene of operations, and drawn in position a short distance from the building in anticipation of the raising which was soon to follow. In these days of modern mechanical skill those large sticks of timber would be dressed to proper shape before occupying a place in the building, but not so then. At the raising, when the time arrived for placing the great stick, it was hauled up to its place in the building by main force, several teams of oxen also being employed in the work. Soon the log barn was succeeded by a frame structure and invitations were extended to the "raising." A large attendance generally resulted. Two DOMESTIC LIFE 49 of the best men Were selected as captains and after choosing their assistants the work started with a vim. The rivalry was keen. As the work continued the concert tones of "he-o-heave I" might be heard for some distance. Racing Was to some extent indulged in, and before the shades of night had fallen the frame was in its place. Often at the conclusion one of the men would mount upon the plate and taking a bottle would swing it three times around his head and then throw it a distance in the field near at hand. The bottle Was quickly picked up and if unbroken Was considered an omen of good luck and enthusiastic shouts followed. During the progress of the work the "grog boss" Was quite busy "dispensing his favors, and very few declined his calls. Unfortunate as it may appear, it is nevertheless true that in those days whiskey was present at almost every bee. The practice had become general, and those who bravely took the lead in opposing its use did not escape the ill favor of the "crowd*" Their fight for the right was, however, fruitful ; their numbers increased and in this direction Dundas in later years made a creditable temperance showing on several occasions, especially in the Referendum vote of Dec. 4, 1902. The paring-bee which appeared at a latter date was generally attended ex- clusively by the youth of the neighborhood. Each of the boys, accompanied by his peculiar home-made paring machine, would bring his best girL Xii the large, comfortable kitchen the work was performed. The boys tossed the peeled apples from the machines, which were caught by the girls, who quickly completed the work. At the close of the bee supper would be served, following which a social time was spent. Sometimes this latter innovation assumed the form of a country dance. The good, old-fashioned country "hoe-down" afforded recreation and pleasure like nothing else in those primitive times. If the old folks objected to dancing, a series of games were re- sorted to, which necessitated the giving and redeeming of forfeits, intro- ducing the science of kissing. These old games and customs have been con- signed to history, except in the case of backwoods settlements. The frequent gathering at bees served to foster the true friendships and neighborly interest which made pioneer life tolerable. Those were days free from arrogance, pride, envy and ill-will which in the social world of to-day are unpleasant factors, A community of families was then as one family. A sort of Free Masonry seemed to prevail and each took pleasure in assisting the other. Outside of their toils the early settlers shared one another's joys and sorrows. Their visits were mutual and sincere. Separat- ed, perhaps by miles of forest and with limited means of communication, they nevertheless appreciated the sanctity of true brotherhood. Over roads tough and at times almost impassable the settler often travelled many miles 50 THE STORY OF DtTSTDAS to visit some distant neighbor who welcomed him right royally to his forest home. Brothers, indeed, they were ; perhaps not by family ties, but none the less brothers, for were not their hopes and toils identical, their feelings and aspirations akin ? While the moral principles of the early residents must be regarded, yet their reverence for the Sabbath was somewhat lacking. Of course churches were few and church services not frequent and in this way the Sabbath in many neighborhoods was a day for visiting. At service it was customary for the men and women to sit apart on opposite sides of the church. This old rale seems to have been almost sacred in the minds of the early settlers. After meeting it was a common practice with some to go to the homes of their neighbors and spend the remainder of the day. Speaking of Sabbath observance, one of our oldest residents who to some extent went the limits of "bush life," tells us that he has often attended Sabbath school in the log school house where old and young congregated. Later in the day, however, the youth would engage in a game of ball, while the old fellows grouped around telling stories, and "keeping tally" of the game. What reliance these early residents placed in their compatriots may be under- stood when we say that many of them bought, sold and traded purely upon honor. Sometimes a note was taken for debt, but oftener it was not. The vigilance now necessary was not then exercised. Perhaps in the purchase of a piece of land the deed would remain unrecorded for months. There was no haste, each trusted the other, and the bond of brotherhood continued. Before the establishment of the first postoffice in Dundas county the settlers received but little mail and then often had to pay a considerable sum when receiving it, as the sender had not advanced the postage. That was the pre- vailing custom. Often the payment of postage would be an unpleasant call but a letter from the "auld country" was always welcome. Later the establishment of a postoffice on the St. Lawrence in Matilda and other subsequent offices introduced some newspapers into the homes. Yet many of the settlers were miles from the office, and often the paper would be a week reaching its destination, being read as it passed from house to house. The progress was slow, but there was no fault finding and if anything had occurred of extraordinary significance, the news usually travelled faster than the paper. Viewed from the conditions of to-day, how striking is the contrast ! Then a letter to the old country cost one dollar; now it costs two cents. Then the mail service was tardy ; now daily papers are received in the majority of Dundas homes, while rural mail delivery is almost in sight. Money was scarce in the pioneer days. The store-keeper bought the DOMESTIC LIFE 61 settlers' produce but would give them only trade in return, or what was known as "store pay," Potash was the only cash article on the list. Then, in selling his goods the store-keeper had a monopoly. There was the "cash r>rice," "trade price," and "trust price," and often it was unhappy for the settler if he resorted to the last named. Still after all these farmer store- keepers were a necessity. Their stores were a sort of commercial neucleus and they did their best to advance with the times. Along the front of Matilda and Williamsburgh these trade centres were especially numerous. Maple sugar making in the early days required much labor. The mere sug* gestion of the term carries with it the memory of the old log sugar-camp, the wooden spiles, the sap troughs, (large and small,) the huge back-logs, the blazing camp-fire, as well as the social incidents of the Work. Happy were the experiences of " sugaring-off, " when the youth from the neigh- borhood, the boys and the girls, assembled at the sugar-camp to have a good time. To-day the scene is changed. The mechanical means of sugar* making from start to finish are now so complete as to rob the industry of its former picturesqueness. The keeping of sheep was a primary necessity. The preparation of the wool, the picking, dyeing, carding, spinning and weaving were all done by hand labor. For coloring the cloth various kinds of plants were employed. For brown, butter-nut was used; for yellow, onion skins or golden rod, and so on for a variety of colors. The carding mill later came into use and this to a considerable extent lessened the work. The wool was then made into rolls and the remaining work performed at home. The latter was associated with the time-honored spinning-jenny, first the large and then the small wheel. Yes, anil the bright, cheerful girls of those days assisted their mothers in the work, and as they sang and worked the music seemed to keep time with the rhythmic humming of the old wheel. Many a fond maiden about to depart from the parental roof helped to spin the delicate thread which was subsequently woven into her bridal robes. As the fall approached clothing for the family was to be made. The large web of cloth was taken down and the work began. Perhaps this labor fell to the lot of the busy housewife, but occasionally a wandering tailor happened in the neighborhood and did good service. The arbitrary rules of fashion were not then respected. If the garments were new, warm and comfortable, the bill was filled. The after-church-post-mortem on new suits was not then practiced, since the maidens were satisfied with new clothes although made from plain home-made flannel. The sons of St. Crispin were chiefly itinerants. Their arrival at the home was preceded by a general preparation to get shoes made for each member of 52 THE STORY OF DtJKDAS the family. The work was done roughly but strong. In exceptional cases the father served as cobbler for his family. While discussing a few of the various customs relative to home life it has not been hard for us to discern the great difference between the labor in- cumbent upon the people of those early days and those of the present. With due appreciation of the efforts of the pioneers of Dundas, we must in sincerity hold true their memories. Nevertheless, let us be candid and not allow our modesty to deter us from asserting that we are truly glad that the labors of to-day are not so arduous as then, that we have profited by the experiences of our forefathers. A certain elderly lady of Matilda, reviewing ye olden days, brings to mind many toils and hardships which fell to the lot of the women then. Among other incidents she remembers often to have taken on one arm a basket of eggs and on the other a pail of butter and with that load walked to Morrisburg, about five miles distant, over roads rough, crooked and unfit for travel. After disposing of her produce at the store of James Holden, receiving the regular market price for eggs, about five cents per dozen, and for butter, about twelve and one-half cents per pound, she secured such pur- chases as were needed and then with her new load returned on foot to her forest home, where a multiplicity of toils awaited her. This and similar experiences prove to us that their domestic lot was no sinecure. Before closing this part of our subject, perhaps it may be well to refer to the present up-to-date farm houses, the clever house-wives and maidens, which help in a material sense to brighten Dundas homes. With a view to convenience and comfort the modern farm house has been adequately planned. In this respect Dundas has kept well to the front. Brick, frame and stone dwellings, from those of small proportions to the more elaborate, many really commanding in appearance and grandeur, now occupy the land of former log-house fame. As one drives through the county the general appearance is very inviting, and in some instances the homes are ideal. Parlor, sitting-room, dining-room, spacious bed-rooms, with clothes-room off each, wide halls, good cellar with walls and floor cemented, and a kitchen bright, airy, roomy and possessing every convenience, might be said to be generally characteristic of the majority of Dundas farm houses of to-day. Cisterns, furnishing an ample supply of soft water, are among the essentials of almost every home. The general equipment is in keeping with this most flourishing agricultural county, and in some instances much in advance. It may also be said of Dundas home-life that musical instru- ments are in general favor, pianos and organs leading. Retrospection is appreciated by all, and especially by the men and women of DOMESTIC LIFE 53 to-day who have occasion to visit "the old home" where their fathers were reared and where they too spent many happy days. Although the grand- children of those settlers may now occupy positions of prominence, yet in re - viewing the past nothing affords them sweeter pleasure than thoughts of the old home — the place they sometimes chanced to visit when they could persuade father and mother to take them to grandfather's. Here was joy and sunshine, while a sort of hallowed simplicity characterized their welcome. Many a day in the mind's fancy we see grandma working at the old wheel, spinning the fine flaxen thread for family use. Yes» and she kept everything in order about the cheerful hearth, where she would sit and knit day after day, turning out scores of thick mittens and warm socks for her grandchildren. Surely the old home was a heavenly retreat, and in the work, entitled "Life in Canada Fifty Years Ago," by Caniff Haight, a picture is presented in the following paragraph: "The old home, as it was called, was always a place of attraction and especially to the young people who found good cheer at grandmother's^ What fun, at the small place called home, to have the run of a dozen rooms, to haunt the big cellar, with its great heaps of potatoes and vegetables, huge casks of cider and well-filled bins of apples, or to sit at the table loaded with good things which grandmother could only supply. How delicious the large piece of pumpkin pie tasted and how toothsome the rich crullers that melted in the mouth! Dear old body! I can see her now going to the great cupboard to get me something, saying as she goes, 'I'm sure the child is hungry.' And it was true he was always hungry, and how he managed to stow away so much was a mystery. There was no place in the world more to be desired than this and no spot in all the past the recollection of which is more bright and joyous." The story of social and domestic life in Dundas might form an entire volume. We have endeavored to refer to some items relative thereto, but as we proceed the field is ever widening and as our space is already overdue we must close. The old days, the old homes, the old customs have gone. A new era has been ushered in. Our present benefits are the fruits of the labors of those early pioneer workers and their successors. May we be worthy of our heritage and zealously profit by its blessings. And oh, the atmosphere of home! how bright It floats around us when we sit together, Under a bower of vine in summer weather, Or round the hearth-stone on a winter's night! BENJAMIN. CHAPTER V AGRICULTURAL EVOLUTION. How blest the fanner's simple life ? How pure the joy it yields 1 'ar from the world's tempes Far from the world's tempestuous strife, Free, 'mid the scented fields I — C. W, EVEREST, BUSH- WHACKING \ Farm-making ! These were terms well descriptive of farming in pioneer times. The crude conditions lingered long, for even after the woodman's axe had conquered the forest and the fire had swept along, leaving great heaps of ashes, the huge stumps stood ift apparent defiance* Fortunately the soil was rich. The implements or means of husbandry Were of the most primitive type. By hand the seed was scattered and then among the blackened stumps was trailed the huge brush or small tree-top. Sometimes: in autumn the wheat was hoed in by hand. Wooden drags of various designs were later used. The first ploughs were constructed of wood, with perhaps a rough iron point made by the local son of Vulcan. Old residents in various sections of Dundas speak of the one-handled plough. Shortly after the spring seeding the farmer arose with the sun and quickly heralded the news, "the grain is up." What a picture for the artist. Over the landscape the blackened stumps stood out still blacker against the back- ground of pleasing green. Swiftly the summer months sped and soon the harvest was ready to be garnered. The sickle was taken from its silent place, sharpened, and the work began. The cradle and the scythe were implements of later years. By means of a hand-rake the grain was gathered, while the forked-end of a sapling peeled and dried in season served as a pitchfork, and in case of breakage these implements were easily replaced from the neighbor- ing forest* The village blacksmith was not then consulted. Various methods AGRICULTURAL EVOLUTION 57 were employed in removing the grain from the field. If the distance was short, the farmer's back bore the burden, or perhaps a tree-top laden with grain was drawn to the barn or stack-yard by means of horses or oxen, while the wood-sleigh formed a sequel to this primitive means. This latter article of antiquity lingered long as a memento of this period. Wagons subsequently came into use, and their construction at first was in keeping with the age. A certain resident of Dundas, who to some extent went the rounds of brush-harrow days, relates his amateur attempt at wagon-making. Although hopeful of his genius, the lad's father laughed him to scorn. Nevertheless the youth set to work. From a hardwood log he secured four circular blocks . Leaving the bark thereon, holes for the axles were made. These and other fixtures were soon in place and the wagon was completed. Its use held such prominence over that of the wood-sleigh that the father was compelled to acknowlege the genius of the young wheel- wright. For many years, even after better wagons were introduced, this particular one was used as a truck, the chief deficiency being the absence of boxings which caused the axle holes to become too enlarged. Not every settler at once erected a log barn. Perhaps for many years the grain was stacked. If he had the requisite thrift and skill, he would erect one or more "barracks." These consisted of four straight cedar posts about the size of telegraph poles, set in the ground so as to form a square sixteen or eighteen feet each way. Around these a light frame surmounted by a thatched roof was placed, two inch holes about two feet apart were bored in the upper halves of the posts, and stout pins provided, on which the roof rest- ed, and could be raised or lowered at will. This seems to have been a device of our Dutch or German ancestors, and1 these "barracks" may still be seen or could a few years ago, on Staten Island, near New York city, though these latter were shingled. The handflail was the means of threshing, and in- stances are related of the grain being pounded out on the level sod. Soon a threshing floor was constructed near the stack, and in time the log barn arose- Sometimes but one threshing floor was found in a settlement and there most of the threshing took place, the neighbors bringing their grain thither. One of these threshing centres was on the farm of John Marsellis, in the fourth concession of Matilda. The cleaning of the grain was accomplished by the "hand fan," assisted by the friendly breezes. All these and sundry methods of threshing at length were discarded. About 1835 the first portable threshing mill came into use. Of this mill Mr. Croil says: "It was one of the American eight-horse power threshers without any separator whatever, the whole power was expended in turning the cylinder of two feet diameter at an enormous velocity of 1,500 revolutions per minute. It literally devoured 59 THE STOKY OP DtJNDAS the sheaves, required ten or twelve hands to attend it, and left the barn in a state of confusion." According to the same authority the first tread mill in Dundas appeared about 1840 It was worked by one horse and at the primary trial a sort of John Gilpin episode was enacted. The belt escaped from the wheel and away went the steed. The men frightened by the tremendous rattling of the machinery left the barn. Meanwhile the speed of the horse was increasing until finally the moorings gave way and a hasty departure followed. According to Mr. Croil there were two hundred threshing mills in Dundas in the year 1859; these were manufactured chiefly by Paige & Johnston, of Montreal. Tread mills, some driven by two and others by three horses, are to-day chiefly used. An occasional steam thresher is found in operation, but their number in Dundas is not legion. Although the first settlers arrived in 1784,yet their spirit of conquest was so evident that viewing the district about 1825 well cleared and well cultivated farms skirted the St. Lawrence, a good type of buildings were exhibited, while the back concessions of Matilda and Williamsburg showed the fruits of manly and persevering effort. Some circumstances then and later had possibly a reverse effect. The lumber and timber business was to some extent encour- aged and that industry did not promote the agricultural interests. The timber season included the winter and spring months. As a rule those who engaged in that sort of life found it fascinating, especially during the rafting season. Many of our early farmers made considerable money in this way, while others paid well for their experiences. The earlier part of the previous century presents a legion of contrasts. The stock of cattle then kept was not large; milk was manufactured into butter which brought a small price. The cattle possessed great freedom as they roamed through the forest, and ate the various varieties of plant life, among which was the leek, its odoriferous constituents tainting the milk and butter. It was customary to attach a bell to the leader of each herd of cattle. Often the youth of the home in his search for the cows became estranged, possibly like the Indian, who, terrorized by being lost in the woods, shouted, "No Injun here; wigwam lost." The progress of agricultural evolution was indeed gradual. Oxen were in time replaced by horses. The old triangular wooden drag still tried to con- ceal its demerits, but the country blacksmiths began to vie with one another as to who could turn out the best harrow. Better vehicles were soon secured; buggies were yet to come ; but a comfortable wagon with its erstwhile spring-pole seat was considered good enough. Breaking away from of these old associations and passing onward through the vista of succeeding years we arrive at the conditions of to-day. AGRICULTURAL EVOLUTION 59 111 this march the various points of contrast are too numerous to dwell upon. The old fashioned plough and the primitive cultivators have vanished, while the best grades of sulky ploughs and other improved forms of machinery now govern the tillage of our lands. No longer does the sower go forth with basket in hand to scatter the seed, but for that purpose excellent machines, both broadcast and drill, are employed. Steel has taken the plac<j of iron in the manufacture of implements, thus rendering them lighter and stronger. Hand tools including spades, shovels, hoes and forks, are not so extensively used. First class mowers, reapers and binders are at the disposal of nearly every farmer. The binder is annually growing in favor through every section of Dundas. The introduction of improved breeds of stock has interested many of our leading farmers. Mr. Croil states that a precedent in this regard was established by Jesse W. Rose, a parliamentary representative in the early fifties. About the farm an air of prosperity and contentment prevails. Excellent residences with modern conveniences; fine roomy, well constructed barns and outbuildings are characteristic of our rural settlements. For many years the almost universal sale of grain and hay had a tendency to impoverish the soil, but the great dairying industry of to-day is putting back in the soil the essential constituents, while the cheese and butter factories are conveniently distributed in the interest of the farmer. The system is superb. While the farmer's bank account increases the soil of his farm grows richer. Closely allied to the interests of the farm was the early introduction of agricultural societies. Mr. Croil tells us that as early as 1830 a society was established in our county. One Bartholomew Tench, a Matilda merchant, seems to have been instrumental in its organization. The first president was Peter Shaver, the first secretary-treasurer John Flagg. In 1852 it was decided to do away with the smaller societies and form one grandsociety for the whole Eastern District. The first exhibition under the new arrangement was held at Cornwall in October of that year, with Hon. Philip Vankoughnet, president. The Dundas County Electoral District Agricultural Society was re-organ- ized in February, 1853, with Jacob Brouse, president. Since then the Society has continued to exist with varying success. No records of the early fairs have been kept intact but far some years the place of exhibition was at Maria- town, in a fiald of Jacob Hanes'. The site at Morris burg was subsequently chosen. A. G. Macdonell was secretary-treasurer for a number of years previous to 1880; John H. Munroe served one year, his successor being George Dillon, who continued in office until 1895, when George F. Bradfield, was appointed. Since the latter date a new grand stand and other buildings have been erected and a general revival of interest has been manifested. The County Fair board for 1904 are: President, W. K. Farlinger; 1st Vice- 60 THE STORY OF DUNDA8 President, Fred McRobie; 2nd Vice-President, Thomas Campbell; Directors, Thomas Irving, Reuben MacDonell, A. 0. Casselman, Dr. E. McLaughlin, F. B. Robertson, George W. Reddick, J. S. Hickey, James Barry, and W. T. Armstrong. The Matilda Township Agricultural Society was organized about the year 1861. Conspicuous among the active promoters of the association were the late Captain John Strader, Simon Barkley, James Bell, John Graham, John Marsellis, James Donaldson, Josephus Rose. The first president was Robert Lowery; the first secretary, Adam Harkness. The early advertisements were hand written and the first fair held in an open field just north of Dixon's Corners. For three or four years the society flourished, large crowds were in attendance, but the sources of revenue were insufficient to erect suitable buildings and fence the grounds . Finally, through the direct agency of Dr. John Harkness and Thomas McNulty, then president and secretary respect- ively, the sum of §600 was raised by notes sold to farmers and others interested in the Society. A small field was rented from George Thompson, the needed funds were secured, and the fair entered upon an era of prosperity that knew of no abatement for twenty years. At length the growth of the institution demanded larger grounds, and a site was chosen half a mile to the west, where some good exhibitions were held, but the interest soon began to wane and finally the Iroquois Driving Park was chosen as the place of exhibition, the first fair being held there September 16th, 17th and 18th, 1898. Surrounded by one of the best agricultural districts in Eastern Ontario, and possessing such an ideal site, there is no reason why this exhibition should not continue to flourish. The following are the officers and directors for the year 1904: President, A. Harkness; 1st Vice-President, R. Gibbons; 2nd Vice-President, A. D. Harkness; Directors, Charles E. Tuttle, Amos Sellers, E. M. Dakin, W. M. Merkley, Fred McRobie, James Collison, J. H. Currie, George Reichardt, Fred Everett; Auditors, G. H. Davy, B. A., W. A. Coulter; Secretary-Treasurer, James Flanagan. Mountain Township Agricultural Society was established in 1857. Among the promoters of the movement were Reuben Shaver, Alexander Rose, John Fraser, Joseph Hyndman and Samuel Rose, the last named serving as presi- dent for several years. Itinerancy characterized this early fair, being held at South Mountain, Inkerman and Hallville alternately. For a time the new ven- ture flourished, but finally ceased to be. In 1893 the fair was re-established, a good site was leased close to South Mountain, suitable buildings were erected, and since then the Society has flourished. The officers for the year 1904 are: President, Elgin Montgomery; Vice-President, Benjamin Storey; Secretary- Treasurer, Martin Kavanaugh ; Directors, Thomas Eager, Dr. Porter, James AGRICULTURAL EVOLUTION 61 Hesst Hugh Marquette, William Timmins, William Shaver, Andrew Redmond, B. P. Anderson, George Keys. Winchester Township Agricultural Society was also founded in 1857, and has since continued. Among the early presidents was C. J. Fox, with J. D. Laflamme secretary. For several years the exhibition was held alternately at Winchester and Chesterville, but about 1876 the former place was chosen as a permanent location. Grounds were rented from David Christie until the purchase of the present site from Thomas Irving. This Society has always carried with it a fair share of success, by showing an improvement both in the number and quality of the exhibits. As recently as the year 1903 a considerable sum was spent in improvements. The board tor the year 1904 are: Honorary President, J. P. Whitney, M. P. P.; Honorary Vice- Presidents, Andrew Broder, M. P., Adam Johnston, W. G. Smyth; President, J. F. Ault; 1st Vice-President, J. W. Bogart; 2nd Vice-President, Ira Christie, Directors, Patrick Kirkby, D. J. Kennedy, W. J. Mulloy, Frank Parker, Thomas G. McLean, John Jordan, Charles Dwyer, G. E. Earl, Ira Christie, J. W. Ault, Alex. Cameron, Merrick Durant, sr., R. L. Suffel, G. Hutt. E. Beach; Honorary Directors, D. F. Sutherland, Wesley Hamilton, James Drinkwater, Robert Fraser, J. F. Cass, J. S. Ross, N. W. Morton, D. B. Oliver, S. S. Reveler; Auditors, F. S. Manning, S. S. Reveler; Secretary-Treasurer, W. J. Laflamme. For several years an agricultural society exhibited in Williamsburg township. The place of exhibition was east of North Williamsburg. Success crowned the efforts of the promoters for some time, but a few years ago the project was abandoned. The country fairs of the past and present afford considerable contrast. In form- er years the morning of the fair was a time of unusual stir about the farm house. The lumber wagon was laden with varieties of grain, beets, mangel- wurtzels, the spreading heads of cabbage, huge pumpkins, large shape- less potatoes and other products, while the good housewife contributed her quota of home-made linen and flannels and perhaps a display of old-fashioned rag carpet. The farmer and his family then secured quarters in the wagon and all set off in a jolly mood for the fair. But these pioneer customs have greatly changed. The exhibitor and his wife and children no longer sit in the high wagon amid the sheep and cattle pens enjoying their noon-day lunch. Even the three-seated family carriage has suffered eclipse by the present handsome top buggies which convey the farmer and his family to the exhibition. The attention of the visitors is engrossed by horse- racing, trapeze and high wire performances, the crazy clown or the strong man; no time apparently to glance at the products of home labor, the display of fat 62 THE STORY OF DUNDAS cattle, the lazy pigs or the innocent sheep. In fact the event may be classed as a great visiting day, friends meeting friends. What changes Time has wrought 1 The Dundas County Farmers' Institute originated at a meeting held at Iroquois January 16th, 1886. The first officers were: President, John Hark- ness; 1st Vice-President, Dr. Anderson; 2nd Vice-President, M. D. Willard; Secretary-Treasurer, W. A. Whitney; Directors, Thomas Morehouse, James Collison, William Decks, A. Van Allen, J. P. Fox, Thomas Hamilton, Alex. Rose, George Lannin. In addition to the regular June meetings, mass meet- ings are conducted annually in each township, at which subjects closely connected with the science of agriculture are ably handled by both college professors and practical farmers. This institute has been productive of much good; the interest is growing, while a government grant of $25, a county grant of a similar sum, and an annual membership fee of 25 cents, afford ample funds, there being at present over $200 in the treasury. The present official board consists of: President, H. J. Whitteker; Vice-President, Ira Christie; Secretary-Treasurer, J. P. Fox; Auditors, A. Kennedy, W. J. Mulloy. The Directors for Matilda are, William Clark, James Collison, A. D. Harkness, W. G. Smyth, W. G. Robertson; Williamsburg, M. J. Casselman, G. E. Merkley, F. E. Farlinger, C. F. Whitteker, Alex. Thorn; Winchester, W. H. Casselman, A. Allison, J. W. Bogart, P. Mclntosh, J. P. Fox, Wilbert McElroy; Moun- tain, Andrew Kennedy, H. Marquette, J. Render, J. Christie, W. Brown, R. Mulholland. Ploughing matches were instituted in many parts of the province where the people were anxious to overcome the slip-shod methods peculiar to pioneer agriculture. In an old issue of the Morrisburg Courier there appears a report of a contest held Oct. 10, 1877, on the farm of Capt. Farlinger, under the auspices of the Agricultural and Arts Association of Ontario. The judges for the occas- ion were William Eadie, Russell; Major McLennan, Lancaster, and G. Dalglish, Augusta. Among the prizes were a gold medal donated by Dr. Brouse, M. P.; a silver medal by A. Broder, M. P. P.; ploughs by J. F. Millar and John Allison, respectively, and several cash prizes. In order of precedence the successful contestants in the senior class were, John McEwen, Russell; Robt, Sangster, Lancaster; Thos. Irving, Winchester; Jas. Watson, Osgoode; Christopher Johnston, Williamsburg; George Bentley, Lancaster; Roderick McLennan, Lancaster; John Campbell, Osgoode; Robert Vallance, Osnabruck. In the junior class, Duncan McDougall, Russell; Alex. McConnell, Winchester; Alex. Malloch, Osgoode; John Mclntosh, Winchester; Wesley Gallinger, Osnabruck; John McLeave, Osnabruck; Charles E. Tuttle, Matilda. In the boys' class, John Johnston, Williamsburg; Thomas Deeks, Williamsburg; William A. Tuttle, Matilda; Sidney Helmer, Matilda; Allen Graham. This AGRICULTURAL EVOLUTION 63 county has been the theatre of other similar trials of skill. Surely the art of properly turning the soil is a primary step in successful agriculture and worthy of emulation by successive generations. The society of Canadian husbandry constitute the bone and sinew of our fair land. Although agricultural evolution in the past has been extensive yet there is no time for idling. The goal is not yet reached. Let every farmer truly appreciate the dignity of his calling. From the ranks to which he belongs there are continually being drawn men to fill the noblest positions both in the business world and in the councils of the nation, those who possess the strength and prowess of aspiring manhood. May the farmers of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry in common with their brethren through- out the length and breadth of this fair land remember that they stand on the threshold of opportunity, and may with spirit undaunted go forth and achieve still greater things for Canada in agricultural development . The twentieth century has been ushered in. What secrets will it re- veal? What wonders in store ? The development of electrical science is sure to figure as the industrial star of the present century. Perhaps it is more than mere fancy to picture our farmer riding along on his horseless plough or cultivator, but such is marvellously possible. The automobile, now so expens- ive and rare, is yet destined to carry the agriculturists of Canada to church or to market as does now the time-honored steed. The infancy of the electrical age is all we see; the alphabet only has been recited. The method of lighting and heating rural homes will be an additional wonder when old Father Time comes to close the books of this century December 31st, A.D. 2000. Princes and lords may flourish, or may fade; A breath can make them, as a breath hath made; But a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed, can never be supplied. — GOLDSMITH. CHAPTER VI It is one thing to see your road, another to cut it. — GEORGE ELIOT. ROADS AND TRAVEL IF in this story we are to have a comprehensive history we must not forget the primitive and circuitous roads of Dundas. Along the St. Lawrence the earliest means of travel and transportation was by water, while in the back country settlements the "blazed path" through the woods extended from house to house and from settlement to settlement. These paths followed the course of the higher ground. If the pedestrian sought horseback riding as an easier mode of travel, the boughs of the trees were cut away and the paths thus rendered more open. The progress of the county demanded an improvement in this regard. In low places there were constructed "corduroy roads," so called on account of their resemblance to the King's corduroy cloth. In building these old cross- ways logs cut into lengths of eighteen or twenty feet were placed parallel in the roadbed from which had previously been removed stumps and other obstructions. In placing the logs care was exercised; the interstices were sometimes covered with mud but the swampy soil was of little use in that way and at best such a road was rough and dangerous. Even yet the frosts of winter raise some of these old logs from their peaceful bed. During spring and fall the "earth roads" were muddy to excess. Often threading their way among stumps over the circuitous road, the oxen hauled the sled laden with a few bags of wheat bound for the distant mill, or a cargo of black salts to be left with the country merchant, in exchange for household necessaries. Not only the ill-conditioned paths but likewise the presence of wolves ren- dered travelling unpleasant, and many incidents are told of the ROADS AND TRAVEL 65 dangers overcome. An old resident of Matilda relates some personal remin- iscences of an amusing character . Speaking of the existence of Cupid, our jovial informant stated that the young man on courtship bent usually made the journey to the humble domicile of his lady-love on foot or on horseback, carrying with him a quantity of dry cedar bark, and if any danger of wolves appeared the bark was set on fire. Under such circumstances it may be assumed that he "made hay while the sun shone." Journeying on foot was the common mode of travel, even to outlying places, such as Kemptville, By- town (Ottawa) and Cornwall. Besides, the "corduroy road" didn't offer a congenial alternative. The young people especially enjoyed the "country walk," and an elderly Williamsburg resident relates that often on Sunday morning all the boys and girls from the vicinity of his home would flock to- gether and walk to North Williamsburg to attend Sunday school, their numbers augmented as they proceeded. While the back country roads were poor, the front road along the St. Law- rence river was in better condition. From Montreal westward goods were conveyed by what were termed "Canadian trains," being composed of a num- ber of short sleighs with long runners, each drawn by one or two Canadian ponies. In his interesting description ef these trains and their drivers, Mr. Pringle says : "The men dressed in blankets or etoffe du pays, capotes and trousers with sash begirt waist ; feet shod with beef moccasins, and head cov- ered with a bonnet rouge of bleu, trudged along behind their loaded sleighs, occasionally cracking their short-handled long-lashed whips or calling out 4march done' if a horse appeared to be forgetting his duty." The mixed cargoes replenished the stocks of the country stores. The conveyance of passengers and mail was another problem. The stage route from Montreal to Toronto passed along the front of Dundas. At the famous "Blue House," the "Myers' Inn," and at other places regular and fre- quent stops were made, but it was at the old Williamsburg stage-house where the chief interest centred. Here a change of horses was made, and passen- gers taken aboard. This historic house, near Stata's Bay, is now a com- fortable dwelling. The old stage coach, long since put out of business by the introduction of steam railways, was indeed an interesting vehicle. Mr. Pringle says of it: "The stage coach was strongly built, the carriage part of it adapted to go through rough roads if necessary. The body was closed at the front and back and covered with a stout roof. The sides were open but protected by curtains that could be let down if rain came on ; there was a door at each side fitted with a sliding window that could be lowered or raised as the weather was fine or stormy. There were three seats inside, each of which was intended for three passengers; those on the front seat sat with their backs to the horses, those on the back and middle seats faced them ; the back seat was the most comfortable. Outside there was the driver's seat and another €6 THE STORY OF DtTNDAS immediately behind it on the roof, each of these would hold three persons, At the back of the coach body was the baggage rack for the trunks which were tightly strapped on and protected by a large leather apron. Lighter articles of luggage were put on the roof, which was surrounded by a light iron railing. The coach body, including the baggage rack, was suspended on strong leather straps which were stretched on the elaborate frame work of the carriage. The whole affair was gaudily painted, and with its team of four line horses, with highly polished harness, looked very attractive and was by no means an unpleasant mode of travelling when the roads were good and the weather fine, * . * * The best seats in fine weather were those on the outside of the coach, as they commanded a good view of the country on all sides. A traveller who could interest the driver and get the seat beside him might get a good deal of information regarding localities and events along the road." In winter covered sleighs were used, and in spring and fall strong open wagons. The latter at times mired, when the passengers were obliged to alight, often in the darkness, and assist in the work of extrication. When the roads were good the stage covered from 60 to 75 miles per day, and thus a trip from York (Toronto) to Montreal was covered in five days. As the country opened up and became more thickly peopled, the roads re- ceived more attention. The rear townships were anxious to establish com* munication with their more favored neighbors to the south. Before there was a good road from Mountain to the St. Lawrence, a forest route, circuit- ous indeed, was traversed. Along this road the residents of Mountain often came to the front to trade at the store of Harry Steacy and others. Through Matilda this old route curved away to the east of the present gravel road, and in that vicinity, at the homes of Charles Rose, James Locke and other resi- dents the Mountain settlers frequently stopped. Early in the previous century the opening of a road at the eastern boundary of Williamsburg was discussed. The following is a copy of a document dated July 2, 1827, and signed by Levi Bancroft, surveyor of roads for the county of Stormont. It reads : "The subscriber hereby gives notice that agreeable to a petition from twelve freeholders of the Township of Osnabruck requesting the nine mile road to be laid out through the first concession between the townships of Osnabruck and Williamsburg, leaving the commons to the west, he has viewed the ground and laid it out as follows : Commencing at the southwest angle of lot 37, thence north 24 degrees* west to the rear of said concession, that being the eastern line of said road, and to be forty feet in width* Any person or persons having any objections to the aforesaid road are requested to appear at the next general Quarter Sessions of the Peace, to be hold en in the town of Cornwall, and there make their objections known." ROADS AND TRAVEL 67 The foregoing was read and approved of in open session July 12, 1827, and tha signature of Joseph Anderson, chairman, was appended. An old minute book of the District Council contains a by-law passed under date of 1843, which states that in each township there shall be appointed a "Board of Superintendents of Highways," the number of members composing such board to be regulated according to the representation which the town- ship shared in the District Council. The board was to divide the township into sections, to hold four meetings annually, and to direct pathmasters in the construction and improvement of the roads. Each Board of Superintend- ents was to report to the District Council yearly as to the condition of the highways, the needed improvements and probable cost of same. As remun- eration for their services the members received exemption from high- way assessments, while the chairman, in addition to this, was awarded the sum of seven shillings and six pence. In the construction of any bridge» causeway or road, it was lawful to procure timber or stone from any un- enclosed or unimproved lands adjacent thereto, carefully avoiding, however, any unnecessary waste. Such were the conditions of highway building back in the 40*s, before the days of township councils. There is, however, another side to this rather interesting narrative. For four months in the year the roads were almost ideal. As soon as the ground was frozen and the snow began to fall, you could go almost any where with ease and comfort. Every lumber trail that had been cut through the bush, and every stream large enough to ensure an opening between the trees on either side became a highway. There were no blizzards in those days and no drifts except in the clearings, and these were not large enough to seriously affect the situation. Those of us who have had to brave our storm-swept roads in the open country, and who have felt the grateful shelter of even a small strip of woodland, should not be too severely censured if we feel disposed to envy rather than pity the lot of our grandsires. What is now termed the Matilda gravel road was in early days an unworthy thoroughfare. Being the principal road from the north leading into Matilda village the travel thereon was extensive and the road was annually becoming worse. A short distance north of the present residence of James Fisher was one of the places which gained notoriety. Finally in 1851 a by- law was passed by the Matilda council which provided that the road should be graded and planked. The contract of constructing the southern portion was awarded to Malcolm McGruer, a Scotchman, at the price of $1,200 per mile, while from Dixon's Corners north the work was done by Alex. Mac- donell and George Brouse for $1,000 per mile. Closely associated with the execution of Mr. McGruer's work was the late John Armstrong, who could relate many amusing incidents which occurred during the construction. 68 THE STORY OF DUNDAS The road was completed about the close 1852, and was a very fine driveway for a few years, but decayed so rapidly that in 1858 the work of gravelling Was well under way and three years later it was a gravel road. Gravel not proving altogether satisfactory stone was resorted to, and in 1875 a crusher was purchased, This seemed to be what was needed and resulted in a great improvement on this and other leading roads in the vicinity . The Flagg or Robertson road, extending north from Flagg's Bay, between lots 6 and 7, Matilda, is one of the oldest roads in Dundas. A few years after the first settlement of the county a circuitous route was marked out and travelled for several years until the present road was surveyed, about 1820. This has always been one of the leading roads to the front of Matilda. The Williamsburg gravel road, extending from Morrisburg to North Williamsburg, was many years ago built by a company of local financiers. Two toll gates were placed thereon. The undertaking proved a public benefit and also well repaid its owners. Although the road passed into other hands it continued as a toll-road until recently purchased by the municipalities con- cerned, and since then the tolls system has ceased to exist in Dundas. The Eastern Ontario Good Roads Association constructed half a mile of model road in this county during the year 1901. A grant of $300 was made to the Association by the Counties' Council, wijbh the understanding that one mile of road was to be built in each of the three counties. The selection of the road was also made by the Counties' Council, and in Dundas the southern portion of the Carman road was chosen. The Association was to furnish the machinery and experts to direct the work ; the cement was to be furnished by a company manufacturing that product, while the municipalities concerned Were to provide for labor and other material. It was expected that Iroquois and Matilda would co-operate in this arrangement, but Matilda withdrew, with the result that only three-quarters of a mile was built, the cost of which was borne by Iroquois. The system of roads in Dundas corresponds with the general thrift and pro- gress. In the front townships the lots are one and five-eighths miles in length, but at several places cross-lot roads or given roads are found. These add greatly to the convenience of the farmers. The rear townships, however, possess an advantage, the length of the concessions being three- quarters of a mile. Scanning the county, only a few of the regular nine-mile or headline roads, or portions thereof, are yet to be opened. The presence of good roads even in the few marshy places is also worthy of mention. While our county can boast of a number of good roads there is still room for improvement in many sections . Stone and gravel roads are being con- structed and improved yearly. But like the city directory of fifty years ago, ROADS AND TRAVEL 69 our system of statute labor remains unchanged. In the interests of uniform, systematic, permanent road-making, it is questionable if our municipal coun- cils are not making a mistake by continuing the present more or less tempor- ary, wasteful and unsatisfactory system, dominated to a considerable extent by incompetent and self interested pathmasters. Proper drainage, uniform- ity and permanence should be aimed at, and this can best be accomplished by contract labor, constructed under duly qualified county inspectors, and paid for out of the general funds. In many places the supply of gravel is limited, and hence broken stone is used instead. In Matilda a. road grader is used which puts the road in con- dition to receive a covering of harder material. The use of a stone crusher in Williamsburg has effected considerable change and the township takes pride in adapting means to ends. With both a grader and crusher and a fair supply of good gravel the prosperous township of Winchester is also forging ahead. An excellent gravel pit is located at Maple Ridge on the farm of Isaac Fulton. In concession three, Mountain, along the road between South Mountain and the station to the north, a gravel pit is found. A road grader and stone crusher are also owned by Mountain township. Two railways intersect Dundas. The Grand Trunk Railway, the construc- tion of which began in 1854, passes through the front of the townships of Williamsburg and Matilda, with stations at Morrisburg and Iroquois, re- spectively. Through the townships of Winchester and Mountain a branch of the Canadian Pacific Railway was constructed in 1884. The Dundas stations along the line are Chesterville, Winchester, Suffets and Mountain. The open- ing of this road has done much for the industrial development of the northern townships and villages. Leaving the various roads, we now come to river navigation, with which Dundas county is also favored. The grand old St. Lawrence river marks the southern boundary of Dundas county; a truly magnificent sheet of fresh water, 700 miles long, and from one to two miles in width, and navigable for vessels of fourteen feet draught its entire length. Rafting was an early means of navigation employed by the early settlers to convey their produce, principally grain and potash, to Montreal, Batteau and Durham boats were crafts of a later period. A batteau was a flat-bottomed boat about thirty- feet long, with a sail and movable mast. It was propelled by means of iron- shod poles used by the members of the crew. It was customary for several batteaux to go in company and if a very strong current was met with a num- ber of the men would go ashore and by means of ropes would assist in pulling the boats along, while the captain of each remained In the stern and by means of a large paddle piloted the craft. A Durham boat, with rounded bow and square stern, was larger than a batteau and was steered by a rudder. On each 70 THE STORY OF DUNDAS side of the boat was a gangway from which the men directed operations, as in the case of the batteau. With one end of a stout pole under his arm and the other on the river bed, the boatmen walked from stem to stern pushing the craft along in this laborious fashion. An extensive carrying trade was done by means of batteaux and Durham boats, as steamboats, railroads and even good wagon roads did not then exist. A trip up the river from Montreal to Kingston required several days, and Mr. Pringle, referring to the voyage, says : "Each night the boat's crew bivouacked on the bank of the river, cooked and ate their peasoup and pork, and slept in the open air." The run down the St. Lawrence was both speedy and pleasant, and the happy crews, chiefly French-Canadian, enlivened the journey with song. A good cargo was generally aboard, principally of grain and potash. Keen vigilance was required and some skill in running the rapids, but the river men had become so schooled in this work that few accidents occurred. While the transportation of goods was attended with some success, it was the traveller who suffered most during the river voyage. A trip on a batteau was not without its dangers, which is borne out by the testimony of travel- lers. A voyager writing from abroad, after noting the beauty and grandeur of the great river, remarked : " 'Tis a sad waste of life to ascend the St. Law- rence on a batteau." In order to get on board a small boat was run out to meet the batteau, which received the voyager with his food and blankets, as none of these conveniences were provided, but otherwise everything possible was done by the crew to promote the traveller's comfort. The appearance of steamboats on the St. Lawreace was gladly hailed, as it ensured quicker travel, safety, and more comfort. The "Accommodation,' a small craft built by Hon. George Molson, of Montreal, was possibly the first steamboat to ply Canadian waters. She plied between Montreal and Quebec. On the upper St. Lawrence the "Ontario" was among the first ; but as early as 1820 the "Dalhousie" was running between Prescott and Kingston. About 1828 the "Neptune" ran between Cornwall and Coteau, and later the "High- lander" covered the trip. The first steamer, we understand, doing service along our local frontier was the "Iroquois," which appeared about 1830. This boat was strongly built, but was unable to stem the strong currents. At Rapid du Plat and other points posts were sunken on the bank and as the "Iroquois" proceeded she was from time to time made fast until enough steam could be raised to enable her to reach the next post. After a couple of sea- sons she was replaced by the "Dolphin," a larger boat, constructed by the Americans, and by them called the "Black Hawk." Speaking of the "Dolphin" Mr. Croil tells us of her descending the St. Lawrence during the fall of '38, having on board a number of rebel prisoners. Ascending the river the follow- ing spring she encountered great difficulty in passing the Long Sauit, and it ROADS AND TRAVEL 71 was only after much labor and with the aid of twenty yoke of oxen that the task was accomplished. The "Jack Downing," with headquarters at Wad- dington, was another steamer of those days ; but perhaps the most peculiar- craft of all was the "Rapid," constructed about 1835 through the enterprise of some of the front farmers . The hull of this boat consisted of two hollow cigar-shaped cylinders, between which a large wheel operated. She was fitted up with the engines of the "Jack Downing," but she proved a failure, her first trip down the river being her last. The "Gildersleeve," the "King- ston" and the "Brockville," were other early boats which figured prominently. About the year 1866-7 a boat, named the "Experiment," was constructed at Weaver's Point by Dr. Gasselman without the aid of a ship carpenter. While lying at the Point it attracted considerable attention. Before the construction of the St. Lawrence canals boats had to be towed at certain points by horses and oxen . At Rapid du Plaut, Pine Tree Point and at Point Iroquois the current is particularly strong. Many of the farmers often earned four dollars or more per day when thus employed. Considerable rivalry existed in this work, and great hasta was often made from the harvest fields when the boats were observed ascending the river. Favor with the captain was a condition eagerly courted by those seeking employment. The present system of St. Lawrence navigation is superb. Beautiful steam- ers grace our river, possessed of every convenience and comfort, making travel a luxury. The Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company's palace steamers run tri-weekly between Montreal and Hamilton, from May till Nov- ember, calling at intervening ports, including Morrisburg and Iroquois. Other lines of boats also make regular trips and calls during the season. Some idea of the gross tonnage and popularity of the St. Lawrence route may be had from the fact that 1,700 vessels passed through the Long Lock at Iroquois during the season of 1903, exclusive of many vessels which passed up the river outside. Millions of dollars have been expended by the Dominion Govern- ment in canal and other improvements of the St. Lawrence river route, and millions more could be profitably expended in further dredging, deepening and widening the canals so that ocean going vessels might load at Port Arthur and unload at Liverpool without breaking cargo. Until this has been ac- complished the great problem of Caadian transportation can never be properly solved. CHAPTER VII DRAINAGE A LARGE part of the surface of the county of Dundas is slightly rolling or undulating. That is it consists of a succession of low hills or ridges with in- tervening hollows or flats. The general trend of these ridges is from north- east to southwest, and they are composed of glacial clay boulders, gravel and sand. The hollows are not so uniform in character, and except in the extreme western part of the county the clays predominate. The ridges were the home of the hardwoods, maple, beech and birch, while basswood, elm, ash, soft maple, cedar and tamarac flourished in the lower lands ; and hemlock and spruce on the drier sandy soils. Pine and oak were more catholic in their taste and were to be found on the heavy clay ridges near the St. Lawrence as well as on the flatter lands in the interior. Oak is found in greatest perfection on the alluvial deposits near the Nation river. The first settlers located on these ridges. They were most easily cleared and fittest for cropping. They made the best building sites and required lit- tle drainage. Nearly every farm touched low land, swamp or swale at some point or points and to these the surface water was conveyed. It was not un- til near the middle of the 19th century when the country had been settled about fifty years that co-operative draining was found necessary. In a country divided up, as this was, in farms from three quarters to a mile and a quarter long, and from forty to sixty rods wide, it is obvious that no considerable drainage could be effected without co-operation in some form. To provide for this there was embodied in our municipal institutions, which took their present form in 1850, two statutes which with slight modifications and extensions are still operative. These were "The Ditches and Water- courses' Act," and "The Municipal Drainage Act." By the first it was enacted that when a drain affected more than one farm each owner was to do a part in proportion to the benefit received, and if the adjoining or adjacent pro- DRAINAGE 73 prietors interested in the drain could not agree among themselves the dispute was to be settled by three fence-viewers of the municipality. Since 1883 an officer, called Township Engineer, not necessarily a professional, has taken the place of the fence-viewers. This was intended only for small drains not af- fecting more than five or six proprietors. The second, or Municipal Drainage Act, was designed to cover larger areas, and to ensure more permanent and costly work. By this a majority of the owners of lands in any locality that required draining could petition the Coun- cil of the township, and if the Council approved an engineer or provincial land surveyor would be instructed to make a survey and report, giving particulars respecting the character of the land to be drained, the outlet required, the estimated cost of the drain, and the proportion each separate holding should bear. The Council could then, after properly advertising the report and re- vising the assessment, go on, do the work, issue debentures therefor, running not more than twenty years, and collect equal annual payments sufficient to cover principal and interest. In addition to these two Acts what is termed the Ontario Drainage Act was passed in the session of 1869-70. This ran on lines similar to those governing the Municipal Drainage Act except that the Government made the prelimin- ary survey and did the work, and it might be initiated by petition or by ap- plication from the Council of the municipality chiefly interested. As intimated in a previous chapter, the height of land or dividing line of water between the Nation river, which is an affluent of the Ottawa, and the St. Lawrence, is, on the western side of the county, about two miles from the latter ; and though, as it goes east, it turns north in sympathy with the trend of the glacial ridges, there is still left more than four-fifths of the country which finds its outlet through the Nation. This river rises in the county of Leeds, traverses the most of that county, the counties of Grenville, Dundas, Stormont, Russell and Prescott, and joins the Ottawa near Plantagenet, Its principal tributary until it passes Dundas is the South Branch, which rises on the west side of Grenville and unites with the Nation about seven miles east of the western boundary of Dundas, where the river is also joined by another tributary, the North Branch, the junction of the three streams being called the Forks, The incline of the country through which the Nation and South Branch pass is considerable until the flat alluvial lands in Matilda and Mountain are reached. These begin on the Branch about four and on the Nation about two miles above the Forks. From the west side of these to Chesterville, a, dis- tance of from fifteen to eighteen miles, the fall is very slight, in fact the gener- al level of the country through which the river passes immediately west of Chesterville is higher than that of the flat lands; in Matilda, Mountain -and 74 THE STORY OF DUNDA8 the west side of Winchester and Williamsburg, the river having cut its way through these higher lands, leaving gravel ridges or shoals in the bottom only a few feet below the level of much of the land ten or fifteen miles west. From two miles west of Chesterville to one mile east the incline in the river was nearly fifteen feet, and in 1827 a dam was built at this point which with its attendant mills no doubt proved a boon to the surrounding country, and as to the flat lands along the river to the west not having been settled no objection was offered. There is little doubt but these flats were always subject to flood- ing in the spring, partly on account of the inadequate fall in the river and partly because it runs to the north, thus favoring ice jams. The fertility of the land, however, has tempted settlers ; the spring freshets though very in- convenient did little harm, and summer floods sufficiently severe to destroy the crops did not occur very frequently, and were compensated for by the superior productiveness of the soil. It was said of the occupants of these lands that they could lose one crop in four and then do as well as their neighbors on higher and poorer farms. But as the country surrounding the sources of the various streams that feed the river was cleaned and cultivated and the swamps or reservoirs between the hills or ridges drained the difficulty increased until in many cases farms or parts of farms were abandoned. About 1854 or 1855 James and Thomas McOuat, two young Scotchmen from near Lachute, in the county of Argenteuil, Quebec, purchased and settled on a large farm in the 8th concession of Matilda, near the Forks. For a few years they did very well, but a series of wet seasons beginning in 1853 so dis- couraged the younger brother, Thomas, that he abandoned his share and went to Minnesota. James seemed to be made of sterner stuff. He had a fair education, considerable facility of expression, was capable of taking a comprehensive view of any question that engaged his attention, and was gift- ed with a persistent and untiring energy that refused to recognize defeat. He studied the river wSth a view to improving the outlet. He knew that he and his neighbors had the best land in the country if it could be properly drained, and during forty years he has never flagged in his efforts to effect the desired purpose. In this he was ably seconded by another Scotchman, Robt. W. Weir, who came in a few years later, and bought a farm on the South Branch. Mr. Weir was shrewd, resourceful, a good judge of character, and an adept in playing on the weaknesses and foibles of men of mark or influence who were in a position to further his aims . Prominent among others who promoted the work were Wm. Bigf ord, one of the first settlers at the Forks, and Pe ter Macintosh, of Cass Bridge, on the Nation, and Henry McQuaig and Bernard Brown, on the South Branch. After the war of 1812-14 the British Government desired to open an inland DRAINAGE 75 waterway so the lakes could be reached by vessels without using the upper stretches of the St. Lawrence which for fifty miles washed United States ter- ritory. There were two possible routes, the one by the Nation and South Branch to Prescott and the other by the Rideau to Kingston. The latter course was chosen, but it was said the work would have been much less diffi- cult by the former. Indeed, it was contended that the Nation was lower than the St. Lawrence, and that it was feasable to Jet the water from the lake at Prescott into the South Branch and by deepening it and the Nation effectually drain the low lands in Dundas while creating a series of waterpowers on the lower rapids of the river that would eventually compensate for the outlay. In pursuance of this and at the solicitation of Mr. McOuat and his friends, in the early sixties, the matter was brought under the notice of the Old Parlia- ment by J. S. Ross, the then member for the county, and an engineer, T. S. Rubidge, was sent on to make a survey, but for some reason never reported. The friends of the scheme continued to press the matter on the attention of the Matilda and Mountain Councils but nothing was done until 1872. In that year a comparatively young man, Adam Harkness, had entered the Matilda Council. He had been many years Clerk, was familiar with the Acts govern- ing, and inclined to favor the undertaking. On his initiative the Councils of Matilda and Mountain joined in asking the Ontario Government to make a survey under the Ontario Drainage Act. The request was granted and the survey made by Mr. Molesworth, the engineer of Public Works, the following year. At the time this was made the dam was temporarily away and it was thought it would not be rebuilt, and Mr. Molesworth recommended a cutting through the shoals from Brown's bridge on the South Branch, two miles west of the junction of that stream with the Nation, to Chesterville, sixty feet wide and about six feet deep on the highest points of the ridges. The dis- tance covered was nearly fourteen miles, the average incline or grade was a little less than one foot to the mile, and the estimated cost something over $34,GCO. The survey threw light on the situation but it was not followed by an appropriation. The Government had practically ceased operating under the Ontario Drainage Act. Locally we had not gone beyond the Ditches' and Watercourses' Act, and the large expenditure required had a deterrent effect. In 1875-6 an attempt was made to proceed under the Municipal Drainage Act, but it was found impossible to procure the necessary petitions although the Councils and the parliamentary representatives were continually being urged to further the contemplated work. In 1882, however, the Dominion Parlia- ment granted $1,750. Soon alter Mr. Boyd, C. E., was sent from Ottawa to examine the river. His report recommended the removal of the dam at Ches- terville which had been rebuilt. In the meantime Messrs. McOuat and Weir had been at Toronto, prevailed on C. F. Fraser, Ontario Minister of Public 76 THE STORY OF DUNDAS Works, to come down and look the river over, with the result that the Local Legislature in 1883 granted §7,000 to assist in doing the work in accordance with the recommendation of Mr Moles worth, on the condition that the bal- ance required to complete it be supplied from local or other sources. In the previous session the Municipal Drainage Act had been amended so it could be operated through County Councils. An application from one of the town- ships interested, and the Dominion House by request of Dr. Hickey, the sit- ting member, and on the report of their engineer, Mr. Boyd, had added $2,000 for the removal of the dam. Armed with these grants Messrs. McOuat and Weir came to the Matilda Council just before the June session of that year with a very numerously bigned petition asking that body to take such action as might be necessary to afford relief. The Council that year consisted of Adam Harkness, Reeve ; Kichard Hanes and Thomas Brinston, Deputy Reeves, and Richard Anderson and Robt. Bouck, Councillors. To lessen the cost which still seemed large, Mr. McOuat suggested that the cut be made two feet four inches shallower and thirty feet wider, thus giving a width of ninety feet and a depth at the highest point of three feet eight inches. This would reduce the area of the outlet from 360 to 339 feet, but it would pass entirely over some of the low shoals and so shorten the cuttings on the others that it was believed the whole work of excavation could be done for $20,000. This was assented to and the Coun- ties' Council petitioned accordingly. The petition came up at the June ses- sion of that year and on motion was referred to a committee of the Reeves and Deputy Reeves of the four interested townships. These were : Adam Harkness, Richard Hanes and Thomas Brinston, of Matilda ; James Dickey, J. Colquhoun and Geo. E. Merkley, of Williamsburg ; Reuben Shayer and Geo. Walker, af Mountain; and John McKercher, M. F. Beach and Thos. Hamilton, of Winchester ; in each case the first named being the Reeve. The committee reported favorably and the report was adopted, only three members of Council, Hamilton, of Winchester; Colquhoun, of Williamsburg, and Alex Stuart, of Kenyon, voting against the adoption of the report. The committee was then authorized by the council to select the engineer, procure an examination and survey of the river and locality as provided by the Municipal Drainage Act, and take such further action as might be neces- sary to enable the council at its October^session to pass the requisite by-laws. The Ontario Government was then asked by the committee to make plans based on the Molesworth survey, modified as suggested by Mr. McOuat, with the addition of a cut in the centre twenty-four feet wide on the top, twelve on the bottom, and as deep as the original proposed cut, and to send an engineer to take charge of the work. R. McCallum, the engineer of Public Works of Ontario, came down, looked over the grounds and prepared the plans and DRAINAGE 77 estimates requested. The estimated cost was $19,000 for the upper, and $6,000 for the narrow centre cut. The committee adopted the former, but modified the latter by starting it the full depth at Brown's bridge, the. upper end of the works, and gradually diminishing it until it ran out at the lower end of Gray's rapids in Winchester. As the Dominion Government had in the meantime agreed to remove the dam and shoal at Chester ville, this was also left out, bringing the estimated cost to something over $21,000, or about two dollars for the ratepayers to one for the Ontario Government. As no work of this kind had yet been done in Eastern Ontario it was thought best to get an experienced engineer, and on recommendation of B. McCallum, engineer of Public Works, W. G. McGeorge, of Chatham, was selected to make the assessment. This was necessarily confined to this county, because of a clause in the Act governing, which provided that where more than one county was included any ten ratepayers effected might demand that the matter be submitted to a vote of the parties assessed. At that time the obligation to contribute for outlet only was not generally recognized, and it was thought better to forego the assessment on Leeds and Grenville than to risk submission to popular vote . Mr. McGeorge reported at the October session. He had found 105,000 acres within the county liable to assessment. About 20,000 of this was subject to flooding and was assessed at thirty cents per acre or $6,000; 70,000 acres was high land assessed for outlet only, at eight cents an acre, or $5,600. This left about $3,000 to be provided for, making an average of twenty cents or thereabouts per acre on the intervening 15,000. The committee refused to recommend the adoption of this report because they regarded the high land assessment ex- cessive, and as Mr. McGeorge would not modify it to meet their views, Francis Jones, of Kemptville, an engineer and ex-member of Parliament, whose views were found to accord more readily with those of the committee, was employed and instructed to make a second survey and assessment. He followed similar lines practically, in fact used McGeorge's roll, slightly enlarging the interven- ing or flooded lands and placed 45 cents per acre on the flooded and four cents on the high lands. In round figures he made the flooded and what he termed periodically flooded lands 18,000 acres each, and the high lands 64,000; his total assessment, including roads, was $14,714.47. This report was pre- sented at the January session, 1884, adopted, and the by-law providing for the work provisionally passed. A committee of the representatives of the four interested townships was again appointed, the only changes from the previous year were that Henry Wallace, of Mountain, replaced George Walker, Wm. Moffat, Winchester; M. F. Beach and B. H. Hayunga, of Williamsburg, James Dickey. The members appointed as a Court of Revision were, John McKercher, 78 THE STORY OF DUNDAS Winchester; Reuben Shaver, Mountain; B. H. Hayunga, Williamsburg; and Adam Harkness and Richard Haines, Matilda. As slightly over half of the assessment fell to the latter township it was accorded the odd member, and Mr. Harkness was appointed chairman. In the interval between January and June the assessment was revised, and at the June session the by-law came up for its final reading. In the meantime an active opposition had developed, and notwithstanding the con- cessions made the highland men were dissatisfied; they did not appear to understand that unless a better outlet were secured all drainage to the Nation river west of Chesterville must cease; and several gentlemen, prominent among whom was Matthew Carlyle, a farmer from Williamsburg, appeared before the Council in opposition to the scheme . When the third reading was moved by J. J. Colquhoun, and seconded, Thomas Hamilton moved in amend- ment that it "be laid over until the next session of this Council to enable parties interested to procure skilled evidence, and show cause why said by-law should not be passed." The vote on this was: Yeas — Colquhoun, Hamilton, Hayunga, J. G. Mc- Naughton, McKercher, McKenzie (Morrisburg), Merkley Moffatt, Shaver and Wallace— 10. Nays — Ault, Baker, Brinston, Campbell, Duval, Edwards, D. A. Fraser, A. Grant, J. A. Grant, John Grant, Harkness, Hanes, Mclntosh, J. M. Mc- Donald, McDiarmid, H. McKeuzie (Lochiel), McNeil, D. A. McDonald, John A. McDonald, D. R. McDonald, Tait— 21. The motion to read was carried on the same division. A sufficient majority, but the unpleasant feature about it was that all the members of the com- mittee, except those from Matilda had placed themselves on record as in opposition, nevertheless they were re-appointed, given full powers and instructed to go on and carry out the work as conteinptlated by the by-law. Early in July the committee met in Morrisburg, and the engineer of Public Works attended for the purpose of arranging for the supervision of the work; but the antis were there in considerable force, headed by David Rae, of Win- chester, an ex-warden of the counties, and Frank Tyrell, a barrister of Morrisburg, employed to conduct their case. This strengthened the hostile element in the committee so that they refused to take further action. The chairman with one or two other members then sent a requisition to the warden to call a special meeting of the Council. This meeting was held in Cornwall on the 1st of August, and a by-law passed rescinding the resolution appointing the old committee, and appointing a new one consisting of Adam Harkness, reeve of Matilda, chairman; Reuben Shaver, reeve of Mountain; John McKercher, reeve of Winchester; J. J. DRAINAGE 79 Colquhoun, deputy reeve of Williarnsburg, and F. D. McNaughton, warden of the Counties. The intention was to place the reeve of each of the townships interested on the committee and associate with them the warden, but Mr. Hayunga asked to be relieved as he did not propose to remain in the Council, but at the re-appointment of the committee each subsequent year this rule was followed, and Mr. Harkness remained chairman until the work was finished, in 1890. The committee at once advertised for tenders, and requested the Govern- ment to send an engineer to make necessary specifications, etc., preparatory to letting the work . On the 9th of September the committee met at Morris- burg, all the members being present but the warden. Five tenders had been received, the lowest being that of William Whitetread, of Wallaceburg, 29| cents per yard for earth including hardpan, and $1.00 for rock. As the plans indicated an excavation of about 65,000 yards this seemed to be within the estimates. The Government, however, declined sending an engineer or at this stage taking any further responsibility. In the meantime the opposition had not been idle. Michael Merkley, a gentleman who lived in or near Morrisburg, and owned a farm in the rear part of Williamsburg, and several others had canvassed the outlet or high land men and secured a large subscription to contest the validity of the by-law. This action known in the courts as "Carlyle vs. Stormont," had just been entered, Mr. Tyrell acting for the plaintiffs, who were asking that an injunction be granted and the by-law quashed. In the absence of the warden, on whom the papers had been served, it was decided to adjourn and meet at Dixon's Corners on the 12th. All the members were present at that meeting. The tender of Mr. Whitetread was accepted and Mr. McGeorge was appointed engineer. The chairman and warden were also instructed to wait on the Minister of Public Works at Toronto with reference to the purchase of the debentures, the application for which had already been sent. They were also to make arrangements for counsel to act with their solicitor, J. P. Whitney. From the way the suit had been commenced it was suspected that one object sought by the plaintiff was the putting off of a decision until the foil ow- ing year. This made the sale of the debentures to the Government an important move in the game, because if once accepted their validity could not afterwards be questioned, When the representatives reached Toronto they found that the matter of the debentures had been referred to the Attorney General's office. They could not prevail on him to purchase them, but he agreed to notify the plaintiff that he would do so soon if they did not bring the action to speedy trial. This was done and resulted in an agreement between James Methune, the plaintiff's counsel, and Samuel Blake, who had been engaged by the committee, and the Attorney General, that the case be 80 THE STORY OF DUNDAS disposed of at the Ottawa sittings of the High Court, in the first week in December. At this court Chancellor Boyd presided. Mr. Bethune was unable to be present and the plaintiffs were represented by D' Alton McCarthy, assisted by Mr. Tyrell; while Samuel Blake, assisted by his partner, Mr. Lash, and J, P. Whitney appeared for the counties. The investigation was very exhaust- ive, some twenty of thirty witnesses being examined. Mr. McCarthy ably presented his side of the question in an address that lasted nearly two hours, but the case had so utterly failed that Mr. Blake was not called on to reply and it was dismissed with costs. The debentures were immediately purchased by the Government, and the following week the contract with Mr. Whitetread and his sureties, Patrick EL and James Clancy, of Wallaceburg, was signed. At the next session of the Counties" Council the warden, William McKenzie; an ex-warden, J. K. Ault, and the chairman of the committee were deputed to wait on the Minister of Public Works, Ottawa, and to, if possible, procure the early removal of the dam as per agreement. The Minister, however, refused on the ground that it was a local work; that the owners were unwilling to sell, and the Government did not wish to forcibly expropriate, but he would still endeavor to procure $3,000 to assist in the work of dredging. This promise was kept. The following spring Mr. Whitetread and P. Clancy, one of his sureties who had joined him in the contract, built a dredge at Brown's bridge, the upper end of the works. While this was being done Mr. McGeorge cross-sectioned and remeasured the earth to be excavated. The Molesworth survey had been made twelve years, and the marks on the ground were obliterated so that it was necessary to run a series of levels from the upper end of the work to Chesterville. These revealed a long low shoal in Winchester, which being a few inches lower than the one east of it, was always covered with water and had been overlooked in making the previous survey. In the South Branch it was found necessary in order to get an outlet from the depth indicated at Brown's bridge by the Molesworth survey to take out some 15,000 yards more than had been estimated from the bed of that stream. The township of Matilda alone was interested in the Branch, and the repre- sentatives of the other townships not being well disposed towards the work objected to its being done. After taking out three small shoals, the dredge passed out to the Nation. The balance of the work in the South Branch was done two or three years later, but as it had to be done with plows and scrapers the contractor was allowed a thousand dollars over contract price for what had been passed over. The dredge had been constructed with a 45 feet crane with the view of be- DRAINAGE 81 ing able with this to deposit all the excavated material outside of the ninety feet cut. This did very well in the Branch and upper end of the Nation, where there was little but the narrow centre cutting, but when Winchester was reached and the heavy work began it was found insufficient, and daring the winter of 1885-6 two dump scows were built and a small tug procured. From this east the centre cutting was deposited in the deep stretches between the shoals and the outside ones as far back on the bank as the basin would reach. The dredging was completed in December, 1887. The total quantities excavated were 91,345 yards of earth and 340 of rock, at a cost of slightly ever $27,000, but the river was widened to relieve curves in two or three places. Several very shallow cuttings that were not on the original plans had to be made; some additional work was done in the Branch and at Cass's Bridge, besides the allowance made for not being permitted to do the Branch work with the dredge, these with the law costs, etc., brought the total expenditure up to about $40,000, so that after expending the original appropriation and the grant from the Dominion Government it was necessary in 1889 to levy on the lands affected the further sum of $14,428.52. Before the work began top of dam was very nearly at the same elevation as the bottom of the river at Bogart's Rapids, two miles up stream, therefore it could effect the level of the water further west only by reducing the current at this point. Now, that this rapid had been lowered four feet, and forty per cent, of the material taken out east of the Forks came from below its crest, the necessity for removal became obvious. It had also become very much more difficult. When the work was initiated in 1883 the value of the dam and water privilege which it was said was avail- able for only four months in the year, was estimated at from two to three thousand dollars. Soon after that the short line C. P. R. was built giving good shipping facilities at Chesterville. Munro & Barrie, the owners of the dam, had put up a very good roller mill and secured a contract for supplying water to the road, and the dredging had so enlarged and extended the pond at reservoir above that the water was available for seven or eight months. Added to this a very lively opposition had developed in and about Chester- ville. Munro & Barrie refused to sell, and a considerable effort was made to throw doubt on the right of the counties to expropriate without their consent. The Dundas members of the committee outside of Matilda had always been lukewarm friends, and although B. B. Osier had given it as his opinion that the Council had a right to remove the dam as at first contemplated, the eastern members were unwilling to incur the risk of litigation. There now seemed but two ways open to the friends of the undertaking, to apply to the courts to compel the Council to complete the work in accordance 82 THE STORY OF DUNDAS With the application on which the whole proceedings had been based, or to proceed against the owners of the dam for flooding the roads. The latter course was adopted. The whole of 1888 had been consumed in fruitless efforts to get the Counties' Council to proceed, so nothing definite was done until early in 1889. In that year the Matilda Council consisted of A. Harkness, reeve; Carmi Locke and P- P. Everett, deputy reeves; and J. E. Tuttle and J. W. Gilson, councillors . The dam had been in the river sixty years, so it could be held by possession as against the riparian proprietors, but as time does not run against the Crown,, it was open to the Council of the promoting township to bring the action, but in the name of the Attorney General, and after giving him a bond for $5,000 as indemnity against costs. To strengthen the Council a petition was presented at the March session, signed by Levi Montgomery and seventy others asking that proceedings be taken, and giving the personal guarantee of the parties for $2,763.50 of the costs in the event of failure to succeed. On motion of Mr. Tuttle, seconded by Mr. GilSon, it Was decided to enter the action, and on the 15th of April the necessary bond was given. The case came up for trial in June following. B. B. Osier, representing the plaintiffs, and Mr. Lount, the defendants. It was explained by Mr. Osier that the township was not trying to deprive Messrs. Munro & Barrie of their property, but to compel their consent to expropriation, the value to be de- termined by arbitration, The judge suggested a mutual agreement, the parties conferred and the required consent was given. At the October session the necessary preliminary steps were taken for the passing of the by-law and the appointment of arbitrators, Judge Carman being appointed by the Counties; James Rayside, the local member for Glen- garry, acted for Munro and Barrie ; and R. Pringle, of Montreal, as third arbitrator. They brought in an award allowing $17,000 for the dam, Judge Carman dissenting. The committee regarded the award as excessive, and it having become known that Pringle was or had been a brother-in-law of Bar- rie, appealed against the decision. At the January session of the Council in 1890 the matter was arranged on a basis of $14,500 for the dam, and $400 for the costs of arbitration, each party paying their own costs in appeal. The case for Munro and Barrie had been well presented by Irwin Hilliard, a young barrister from Prank Tyrell's office, Morrisburg, while James Leitch, of Leitch & Pringle, Cornwall, performed a like service for the counties. As several important drains leading into the Nation and South Branch West of the dam had been commenced or projected, and the by-law could not be completed before October without a special session, arrangements were made whereby a contract was soon after let to Win. Payne, of Brinston's Corners, the lowest bidder* This was subsequently transferred to James R* DRAINAGE 83 Smith, of Rowena, who did the work. D. R. Brown, 0. E., of Cornwall, was employed to make the plans, estimates and assessment, and the committee instructed fco put in a claim to the Dominion Government for assistance on account of their failure to carry out the previous understanding. The committee soon after waited on Sir Hector Langevin, Minister of Pub- lie Works, and presented their case, claiming that they were put to at least twelve or thirteen thousand dollars extra expense due to their relying on the understanding with the Government, and not including the dam removal in the first by-law. This was not disputed, and Sir Hector agreed to place 89,600 in the estimates provided that the additional amount required be supplied from local sources. This was accepted, but only $5,500 were voted that year ; the reason assigned being that the Minister of Finance cut out the $4,000. This latter amount, however, was subsequently paid, The Local Government had also been appealed to and granted $3,000. Mr. Brown's estimates placed the cost of the work at $20,430.14, making the levy on the lands $11,930.14. This with a small surplus that yet remained from the second by-law proved sufficient to remove the dam and lower the shoal at Chesterville, cut down three or four small shoals that the subsiding waters had left exposed, and im- prove the cut at Cass' and in the Branch. The season was a good one and the whole work was completed within the year, Mr. McGeorge, reporting on it, said : "I have inspected the River Nation from the head of the drainage works to the site of the dam at Chesterville and have pleasure in reporting that the work has been completed in a very satis- factory manner, both as to the work first contracted for and as to the remov- al of the dam at Chesterville, and the trimming up of the river bed to conform to the improvement at the site of the dam." The effect of the work was to lower the general level of the water in the river from three to four feet, to improve all the adjacent lands, and to render cultivatable considerable spaces hitherto devoted to willows, black alder, and such grasses as find their home in swamps . Its effect on the surrounding country was to enormously stimulate drain- age, especially on the slopes leading to the Nation river, and the people in the vicinity of the stream soon realized that unless something more were done the rapid inflow of the water would during excessive rains destroy their crops on the lower areas. To obviate this it was necessary to devise some means to enlarge or deepen the outlet. H. H. Ross, M. P., interested himself in the matter and succeeded in getting the assurance from the Ottawa authorities that if a dredge were built the Department of Public Works would see that it was operated. There was still in th e Counties' Treasurer's hands between 84 THE STORY OF PtTNDAS two and three thousand dollars of the last four thousand that was given on account of the dam removal. And largely through the efforts of Messrs. Weir and McOuat the Local Government agreed to contribute $4,000 provided the assurance from Ottawa proved satisfactory. The drainage committee had been continued in a modified form. James Collison, of Dixon's Corners, having succeeded Mr. Harkness as Reeve of Matilda, became chairman for a term. In 1895 the members were: Wm. Banford, Reeve of Matilda ; Charles T. Whitteker, Reeve of Williamsburg ; Francis Elliott, Reeve of Winchester, and Charles Middagh, Reeve of Moun- tain ; Mr. Banford being the chairman. These gentlemen co-operated, and the dredge was built that summer, and commenced work in the fall, and con- tinued in operation a couple of years. In the meantime the Government changed, and Mr. Tarte, who was not favorably disposed towards the work, refused to continue after the second year. A local deputation Waited on him at Ottawa but were powerless to persuade. It was here the genius of Mr. Weir shone forth. When his friends were about to return discouraged he said, "I will go and see Mowat." Mr. Mowat Was then Minister of Justice and had been Premier of Ontario when the grant to the dredge was made. It will be remembered that it was on assurances from the Ottawa Government that it was given, and it seems that Sir Oliver had been rather exacting and insisted on having them so full that there could be no doubt about their binding nature. When Mr. Weir started for Sir Oliver's office his friends were afraid to ac- company him, though a few of them plucked up sufficient courage to follow him at a respectful distance. The minister received them standing, or rather Walking, with his thumbs in the armholes of his vest. Mr. Weir, after mak- ing an irresistable obeisance, began : "When I first came to thie coun- try I heard on every hand what a fine lawyer Oliver Mowat was. When disputes arose about Provincial Rights and the Boundary Award, he proved himself more than a match for the great Sir John A. Macdonald. In the Streams Bill affair he showed he knew more than either Blake or McCarthy. When we went to him at Toronto with our papers from the Ottawa Government, and he told us that we were safe, our docu- ments bound the Dominion Government to keep the dredge running. We came away satisfied, feeling that there was now no danger. We had Mowat's word, 'Man, man,' he continued, 'if it bound the Tories, don't it bind the Grits?'" Sir Oliver turning, clapped him on the shoulder, saying, "Go home, Mr. Weir, the dredge will run." It did run for a time, but Mr. Mowat retired from the ministry; Mr. Weir died; the work was done in a perfunctary manner, and ceased before it DRAINAGE 85 had reached an outlet, or gone far enough to make any marked difference in the river. Not so, however, with drains flowing in; these have been prosecuted with vigor until the acceleration of the incoming waters is at least as great as that of the outgoing. The completed drains in Matilda find an outlet in the Nation, the Munro* Wallace, Barkley, Thorpe & Ellis, Devlin, Cook, Toye and Ault, The smallest, the Barkley, being nearly two miles in length, and costing $1,400.00; and the largest, the Toye, eight miles and a quarter, costing over $8,000.00V The aggregate length of the eight being thirtyfour miles, and the cost $30,000, to which should be added $2,500 for outlet to drain in Mountain and Williamsburg. There are also in course of construction or projected the Brown, Doyle, Hanes, South Branch and Smith, twelve miles, at an estimated cost of $10,200. In Williamsburg the drains pointing Nationward, and either completed or in course of construction, are, the Marsellis, Weager & McMillan, Whittaker & McMillan, and Barkley. The smallest of these is the Weager & McMillan, five and two-thirds miles, costing $2,300; and the largest, the Whittaker, the same length, but costing $8,500* The Weager & McMillan is a branch or tributary of the McMillan, the two being over ten miles in length and costing nearly $10,000. The total length of the five, in round figures, twenty-five miles, and cost $25,000. The Winchester drains leading direct to the Nation are the Kittle Creek, Dillabough creek, Lough drain, McMillan, Summers & Baker, Savage & Jeffrey, Barkley creek and McKay creek. The largest of these is Kittle creek, four miles, costing nearly $6,000, and the smallest, Barkley creek* three miles, costing $1,100; the aggregate, thirty miles, costing about $20,000. In Mountain the completed drains on this water shed are the Steinberg, Miller and Inkerman dam, covering six miles, and costing $8,000; and the Van Camp, which is a deepening of the North Branch that enters the Nation at the Forks, the estimated length and cost being about nine miles and $10,400. Thus within the area included within the Nation river assessment we find thirty drains constructed, or in course of construction, aggregating 116 miles, or an average length of nearly four miles, and costing in round figures $117,000. Fully two-thirds of these are completed, and not one of them could have been made had not the Nation river been deepened to afford an outlet. When we add to this an area twice as large in the counties of Leeds and Grenville, which sends its waters through this channel and in which considerable work of the same nature is being done we may readily conclude, as the fact is, that the inflow has been increased as much as the output, and that during excessive rains the flood in the immediate vicinity 86 THE STORY OF DUNDAS are lessened very slightly, the principal relief from the mere rapid flow of the water being that they are of shorter duration. The original work on the river was projected when the water flows in the road ditches or through the shallow and imperfect drains made under the Ditches and Watercourses' Act. It was done in advance of public opinion and was probably all that could then be successfully undertaken. Now that these matters are better understood, that the work throughout the county is being completed under the direction of skilled engineers, and we are making deep and carefully gradient drains, it should be possible to improve this river sufficiently to meet present conditions. There are fully 300,000 acres within the watersheds that lead to the Nation west of Chesterville. An average of eighty-five cents an acre, or five cents a year for thirty years on this, would supply $250,000. This annual levy would be very little if any more than many farms have already paid or are paying for drains leading in, and would, if properly applied, render flooding extremely rare. As was noted early the St. Lawrence watershed widens as it goes east, so that a considerable part of Williamsburg is on the southern slope, and that township has four considerable drains that have their outlet in that river, the Gogo, Casselman & Dawley, Mattice and Saddlemire, the latter of which is partly in Matilda. The aggregate length is nearly twenty miles, and their cost a little over $13,000, nearly $2,000 of which is contributed by Matilda. The northern half of Winchester and Mountain drain largely to what is called the Castor, a stream that joins the Nation about twenty miles northeast of Chesterville, as much of the land on that slope is swampy, several large drains are projected or in course of construction . In Winchester they have the Black creek, five miles long, costing $12,500; Henderson creek, four miles, $3,250; and the Petite Castor, eighteen miles, costing $75,000; a total of twenty-seven miles, and $90,750. This latter drain passes into Russell county. Mountain has the Silver creeek, thirteen miles, costing $22,000; Castor extension, six miles, $8,000; Eighth Concession, two and one-quarter miles, $4,000; and the Allen or Canal, eleven miles, $13,700, a total of thirty- two and one-half miles, and costing $55,700. All these drains find their outlet through the Castor to the Nation, except four miles of the last mentioned, which runs from the northwest corner of the township to the Rideau. It seems to cross the height of lands between this river and the Nation, draining both ways. Much of the work on these northern drains is not completed, some of it scarcely begun, but the Gilbert Dredging Company have been working at the Petite Castor drain two or three years, using a suction dre^e ancl steam ditcher; considerable progress has been made on DRAINAGE 87 others, and it Is probable that the whole watershed will be effectually drained in the near future. Since the inception of the Nation river drainage twenty years ago, and includ- ing that work,about 200 miles of drains have been laid out under the Municipal Drainage Act, the estimated actual cost of which exceeds $300,000, It is doubtful if any money or effort expended in the public interest has given or will give better results. The law is a somewhat difficult one to administer, local interests conflict and are not easily reconciled, but it is scarcely possible to impoverish a people by taxing them for drains and roads. The most of the money raised is paid back to them for labor. It simply stimulates to greater effort, and in addition to making their farms more productive and valuable, beautifies the county and strengthens local patriotism. CHAPTER VIII. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT WHEN the Quebec Act was passed in 1774 Canada constituted but one province, divided into two districts. The western district, which embraced a section of what later became Upper Canada, was designated "Montreal." In 1788 this district was divided into four districts, the most eastern of which was Lunenburgh, comprising the townships of Lancaster, Charlottenburg, Cornwall, Osnabruck, Williamsburg, Matilda, Edwardsburg, Augusta, and Elizabethtown. Each of these townships extended north to the Ottawa river. In 1791 the country was divided into two provinces,Upper and Lower Canada, respectively, and by an Act of Parliament, Oct. 15, 1792, the district of Lun- enburgh became the 'Eastern District. A division occurred in 1798, when the Johnstown District was set apart, thus limiting the Eastern District to the counties of Stormont, Dundas, Glengarry, Prescott and Russell. In 1816 the last two counties were withdrawn and framed into the Ottawa District. The boundaries of the Eastern District suffered no further change, being the same as that now defined by the United Counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glen- garry. Until the year 1841 the magistrates in Quarter Session, in addition to their judicial duties, controlled the affairs of the district, such as the collection and expenditure of the revenue, the decision of all questions relating to county property, and the construction and repair of roads and bridges. This method was modified in 1841 by the establishment of district councils. The members of the new governing body were elected by each township at the annual meeting in January. Any township, in which the number of voters exceeded three hundred, was entitled to two representatives, while those not so popu- lous in that regard sent but one. The warden received his appointment from the Government, and four annual meetings of the council were held. The members were elected for a period of three years, one third of their number to retire at the close of each year. The retiring councillors at the close of the MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT 91 first and second year were determined by "drawing lots" at the last meeting of the first ytear and thereafter, those longest in office dropping out. The members of the first Eastern District Council were : John Flagg, Matilda ; James Conway, Mountain ; John Archibald and John W. Baker, Osnabruck ; Adam Cockburn, Finch ; Donald A. McDonell and Adam John- ston, Cornwall ; Duncan McCallum, Roxborough ; John Cameron and Ken- neth McLauchlin, Charlottenburg ; John McLennan and Duncan Mclntyre, Lancaster ; Alex. Chisholm and John Stewart, Lochiel ; Donald Cattanach and John McRae, Kenyon. The system of district councils soon passed away. The term "district" was abolished ; the province was more properly divided into counties, and muni- cipal institutions were created by an Act passed in 1849. By the new plan the several municipal councils in each county were annually elected, the reeves and deputy reeves of which constituted the county council. By the latter the warden was chosen, and the clerk, treasurer and other officers ap- pointed. The collection and expenditure of local revenues and the manage- ment of municipal property was placed in the hands of the several munici- palities, while to the County Council was allotted the control of the county revenues and property, and of such roads and bridges as lie between or con- nect townships. The following is a list of the members of the first Counties' Council for Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, elected in 1850 : Donald Mc- Pherson, John Harkness, Duncan McCallum, Henry Merkley, Alex. McDon- ell (Lochiel), Adam Cockburn, Hugh Mill, George Fitchell, Charles LeClair, Alex. McDonell, Geo. J. Dixon, Donald A. McDonald, Samuel Ault, John S. McDonald, Donald McDonell (Cornwall), Owen Quigley, D. E. Mclntyre, William Swayne, Hon. Alex. Fraser. Those who formed the last Council for these counties, in 1896, under the privileges of the Act of 1849, are as follows: Charlottenburg township, William McPherson, D. J. McDonald, Angus A. McDonell; Lancaster township, Duncan C . McRae, John B. Snider; Kenyon township, James Fraser (deceased, his successor being D. C. Campbell,) Donald A. Campbell, John A. Campbell; Lochiel township, A. R. McDougall, John A. McRae, R. F. McRae; Alex- andria, D. A. Me Arthur; Maxville, James Burton; Lancaster village, Neil McGillis; Roxborough township, Alexander Fraser, Thomas Dey, John Craw- ford; Finch township,' F. D. McNaughton, Simon Hutt, Hugh A. McMillan 5 Osnabruck township, James Martin, I. O, Shaver, George Kerr; Cornwall township, Donald McDonald James Groves, James Myers; Cornwall town, William Hodge, Robert Conroy, Peter E. Campbell; Winchester village, Mahlon Bailey; Winchester township, Frank Elliott, Jeremiah F. Cass; Mountain township, George W. Steacy, M. D., Isaac Kinney; Matilda town- 92 THE STORY OF DUNDA8 ship, Carmi Locke, Edward Foster, Samuel Smyth; Iroquois, Charles E, Cameron; Morrisburg, John H. Meikle; Chesterville, Wesley B. Lawson; Williamsburg township, Charles T. Whittaker, Riley M. Beckstead, Robert Cunningham. After being memorialized for several years in reference to certain desired changes, the Legislature passed what is known as the Counties' Council Act of 1896. By this Act the counties were divided into thirteen divisions, each having two representatives, who are elected every two years, thus reducing the membership from forty -two to twenty-six, and yet the largest Counties' Council in the Province. The plan of these divisions is as follows: Stormont — First County Council Division, consisting of the town of Corn- wall, and designated "Cornwall;" Second County Council Division, consisting of the town of Cornwall and designated "St. Andrews;" Third County Council Division, consisting of the township of Roxborough, and designated "Rox- borough;" Fourth County Council Division, consisting of the township of Finch.and designated "Glenpayne;" Fifth County Council Division, consisting of the township of Osnabruck, and designated "Osnabruck." Dundas — First County Council Division, consisting of the township of Wil- liamsburg and village of Morrisburg, and designated "Williamsburg;" Second County Council Division, consisting of the township of Winchester and the villages of Winchester and Chesterville, and designated "Winchester;" Third County Council Division, consisting of the township of Mountain and polling sub-divisions Nos. 5 and 6 of Matilda township, and designated "Mountain;" Fourth County Council Division, consisting of Iroquois village and polling eub-divisions Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 of Matilda township,and designated "Matilda.'' Glengarry — First County Council Division, consisting of the township of Charlottenburg, and designated "Charlottenburg;" Second County Council Division, consisting of the township of Lancaster and Lancaster village, and designated "Lancaster;" Third County Council Division, consisting of the township of Lochiel and the town of Alexandria, and designated "Lochiel;" Fourth County Council Division, consisting of the township of Kenyon and the village of Maxville, and designated "Kenyon." As to the general merits of the Counties' Council Act of 1896 opinion is divid- ed. In justice to the new arrangement we may say that a considerable reduction in the number of members has resulted, while the minorities now have a chance to secure representation under duplicate system of voting. A political equipoise is also maintained, for much as it is to be regretted, party politics have a strong voice even in municipal matters. The personnel of the Council may in some counties be effected, as mamy capable men who could not give the time required for both township and county affairs can find time to serve the latter. On the other hand, public opinion to some extent MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT 95 cherishes the old municipal system. Many claim that the members as now elected are not in touch with the requirements of their townships, as they seldom attend the meetings of the municipal councils. Other objections are also raised. Upon learning of the change the warden of a certain western county thus expressed himself : "Gentlemen, we have reached a period in our political life which is almost revolutionary." To meet the objections to the new Act, the Legislature in 1903 added an amendment which enables any municipal council, at a special meet- ing called for that purpose, to pass a resolution declaring it expedient that the Counties' Council be composed of the reeves of townships and villages and mayors of towns not separated from the county. And if such resolution is passed by a majority of the twenty municipalities in these counties and fyled with the county clerk on or before the first day of October in any year immediately preceding a year in which county councillors are to be elected, the clerk shall certify the facts to the county council, and shall on or before October 15th of the same year insert a notice of the passing of said resolution in some newspaper published in the county town, and also in one newspaper published in the county. After the publication of such notice it shall not be necessary to hold an election for county councillors, but the county council shall thereafter be composed of the reeves and mayors. A further amendment was passed in 1904, which provides that if a majority of the municipal councils pass resolutions as before described, the matter shall be referred to the people and a vote taken on the question. This provision appears to be a judicious one, as the disposition of the matter now remains with the people instead of in the hands of five men from each municipality. Since the introduction of the Act of 1896 the following have been members of our Counties' Council : Stormont— 1897-8— Division No. 1, Jas. T. Kirkpatrick, Edward O'Calla- ghan ; 2, Donald McDonald, Peter H. McDiarmid ; 3, John McLaughlin, Alex Fraser ; 4, Hugh McMillan, Alex. Stark, M. D. ; 5, James Martin, James Connolly. Dundas— Div. No. 1, John H. Merkle, James Dickey ; 2, Frank Elliott, Thos. Hamilton ; 3, Geo. Steacy, James Shaw ; 4» Jas. Collison, Thos. S. Edwards. Glengarry— Div. No. 1, Alex. J. Grant, John M. McCallum ; 2, Duncan C. McRae, John B. Snider ; 3, Alex. R. McDougall, Duncan A. McDonald ; 4, James Clark, A. D. McRae. Stormont, 1899-1900— Div. No. 1, James T. Kirkpatrick, Edward O'Calla- ghan ; 2, James L. Groves, Peter H. McDiarmid; 3, Duncan McDiarmid, Emer- son Warner ; 4, Hugh McMillan, Alex. Stark, M. D. ; 5, Wm. A, Munro, M. D., Alex. A. Weagant, M. D. 96 THE STORY OF DUNDAS Dundas — Div. No. 1, Michael J. Casselman, Jas. Dickey ; 2, Frank Elliott, Christopher Irving ; 3, Geo. Steacy, M. D., Jas. Shaw ; 4, Win. G. Smyth, Thos. S. Edwards. Glengarry — Div. No. 1, Wm. McFherson, John McCallum ; 2, John A. Me- Dougal, John B. Snider ; 3, Donald A. Me Arthur, Duncan A . McDonald ; 4, James Clark, Alex. D. McBae. Stormont, 1901-02— Div. No. 1, Wm. Gallinger, Edward O'Callaghan ; 2, James T. Groves,Philip J. McDonell ; 3, Wm. J. McCart, Duncan McDiarmid ; 4, Hugh McMillan, Alex. Stark, M.D. ; 5, Jas. H. Bredin, Wm.A.Munro, M.D. Dundas — Div. No. 1, Michael J Casselman, James Dickey ; 2, Wm. Faith, Frank Elliott ; 3, Geo. Steacy, M.D., John M. Christie ; 4, Wm. G. Smyth, Thos. S. Edwards. Glengarry — Div. No. 1, Hugh A. Cameron, Ewen Dingwall ; 2, John A. Mc- Dougal, John B. Snider ; 3, Wm. D. McLeod, Donald A. McArthur ; 4, Alex. D. McBae, Murdock McRae. Stormont, 1903-4— Div. No. 1, Wm . Gallinger, Edward O'Callaghan ; 2, Jas. L. Groves, Philip J. McDonell ; 3, Jas. Begg, Duncan H. McDiarmid ; 4, John D. Mclnnis.^tugh McMillan ; 5, Geo. Kerr, Wm. A. Munro, M. D. Dundas — Div. No. 1, Michael J. Casselman, James Dickey ; 2, Jeremiah F. Cass, Wesley Hamilton ; 3, John M. Christie, Geo. Steacy, M. D. ; 4, Thomas 5. Edwards, Wm. G. Smyth. Glengarry — Div. No. 1, Hugh A. Cameron, Ewen Dingwall ; 2, John A. Me- Dougal, John B. Snider ; 3, Donald A. McArthur, John R. McQuaig ; 4, Alex. D. McRae, Murdock McRae. William Gallinger, one of the representatives of the town of Cornwall, is of U. E. Loyalist descent. He was born in the township of Cornwall, but for a number of years has been a resident of the town. His municipal career covers a period of 13 years in the Town Council and 9 years in the Counties' Council. Edward O'Callaghan, also a representative of Cornwall, is a resident mer- chant of the town. Mr. O'Callaghan is of Scotch and Irish parentage. His experience at the Council board dates back to the 80's. He has also been con- nected with the municipal affairs of the town, and was mayor one year. James L. Groves, one of the representatives of St. Andrew's division, was for a number of years a member of the township council, three years of which he was reeve. His labors in the Counties' Council covers a period of ten years. Mr. Groves' ancestors were U. E. Loyalists ; his grandfather was in action at the battle of Lundy's Lane. P. J. McDonell, Mr. Groves' colleague for St. Andrew's, is a resident farmer •o or A. . 'V.v -x \ Y . I -, ... 1--V- 'A' o,-,7/» ,-\.-v,» >v".v r ,,..., v- -xv. c-.-o. ;». v.- . v •'' '•' IV • •"•-" »'•-"'• •' •'••«• ,'•...-.,.., XX •>*,}»- "••>, .- r- - - • u,.. ^-,rljt > .v »,^.. • :> O-,AC . ft ***>, *%fc4i < ,>te**^ .f$Sfctei^!&tf^^ V^Sto******^^^ <*f>fc«*i «^^ lV ', , . "r * > ' v " >. ,y , ,, x- ' , > "V- -r^,, - ^-x'xvv-^-i •> rV "CW^tV^WJ^?. YR *vTFHT% :IO"CxS xK* *IXMQC\Y^vt. lL.*TTl*\ \^WCK7V^9n^ XJl '^nOWW^M^KVB| vR^fv •** V ** V , i-7) q IPHHPM - ;S. • ' I *'V v\-.r»v u r», i r. w ^c.iv«. rv> --v — SMM^,V t^lM^^ VWM^ '• \Hii-X I^M^- t^^/A^^ feiA %l^ik kXjMJ^^iM*. ' w \XM>MKj^il )9^ ^t^^l^HVi ItA • , » . « • - t * ' * ' ^ * ' -^r . *7 'i >• » ' . » »"V > 4 -.**, ^IPH } ^^. ' * « *< T J - ,"* r iN * V^f X a%x *^*^<> z* r^rfck k&» «^*^^- "W xTMENVOH* ^r^vH «Do K9CH^* fcix jkA ti n'tf lUb ikhu. riJ* ¥S*^v- ^^- WikyiirMi fryj ifcitlfc VitfJl^Ari Xa'-. , T ' t f • - *t^A 'Wf'wj *^ ^ »i*n >^<\»t> frr > •• VViyt** I* % i-tVife*s f^r <&^vvr . Mv^b^^^r^XV. ^Svt. \\ '. , - V -. . j. .- • »",", >'«v. V"S~, -,'.•. »v, s io -,-.>-, . ,- .--,v- M .*,:,.', -^,-,-,'5.t1 ; f .^Tv ^^^ R.i"*^ W^i <t M> V-"4' .O\>N>> V»"»> T1tv91'i\ ! j ftmt^s ^ t^MJto^ ^T NX ^-.-,-.10 >^ T V*&$«** AVrAtV - v M Ifefe M^ftt^dt yitfft^feft tl»^ • 1^-ir.fc .-. I VV.-a.Li.kAiA. <Vk 1^V\ \k\'« t^tfiks ^A1* W^^kk U^ktAM^k 1A^- ^W^N ^^WR ^^wra^ fMn wvGvra wfW.Hi'Ufi m «j^' V'^TT note TWCTI uni*1^!! v S^tttoMl MtJfefcV*** >«A^^N NX V M ' K-; Ui* xvovk , . ft^^^* v >- 100 THE STORY OF DT7NDAS twenty years at Newington. He is at present located at Cornwall, where he enjoys a lucrative practice, and for the last six years has been a coroner for the united counties. In the Counties' Council the Doctor and Mr. Kerr represent the township of Osnabruck. Michael J. Casselman, who resides on lot 35, concession 1, township of Wil- liamsburg, and close to the village of Morrisburg, was born in Matilda township. His parents were of U. E. Loyalist descent; his father being John W. Casselman, his mother, Nancy Garlough. Mr. Casselman was first elected to the Counties' Council in 1899, as representative of the Williamsburg division, and in 1903 was chosen warden. James Dickey, who has continuously represented Williamsburg div- ision since the operation of the Act of 1896, had previously sat at the Counties' Council board, and was warden one year during the 80's. He was a member of the municipal council of Williamsburg for about twelve years. Mr. Dickey's father emigrated from Ireland; his mother, Jane Purvis, was a native of the township of Yonge, where the subject of our sketch was born in 1835. Later the family moved to Williamsburg, and located on lot 36, concession 5. J. F. Cass, son of the late Joseph Cass, of U. E. Loyalist descent, was born in Winchester township. J. F. is at present resident of the village of Win- chester, his occupation being that of drover and dealer in farm produce. He is now serving his fourth year in the Counties' Council as one of the repre- sentatives of the Winchester division. Wesley Hamilton, colleague of the previously named representative, was born in the township of Winchester in 1864. He is a successful farmer and speculator, residing near the village of Chesterville. His entrance into public life dates back to 1896, when he became a member of the municipal council, and during the three subsequent years was assessor of Winchester township. In 1903 he was elected as representative to the counties' parliament at Cornwall. Mr. Hamilton has been a member of the Methodist church and secretary of the Chesterville Sunday school for a period of twenty years. John M. Christie, farmer, also general agent for B. Bell & Son, of St. George, Ont., was born in the township of Mountain, which division he now represents. His father, D. W. Christie, a native of Scotland, served fifteen years in the Mountain municipal council. Mr. Christie was first elected to the Counties' Council in January, 1901. Thomas S. Edwards was born in the county of Grenville, and went to the front at the time of the Fenian raid in 1866, as a member of Merrickville Rifle Company, for which service he received a medal and certificate for 160 acres of land. Subsequently he spent several years in the city of New York, and MtTNICIPAL GOVERNMENT 103 about twenty-five years ago came to Iroquois, Ont., where he opened an office as conveyancer, which calling he still pursues. Mr. Ed wards has always been successful in business. Several years ago he erected a very handsome residence, just east of the village, commanding a splendid view of the St. Lawrence. He was reeve of Iroquois in 1883-4. In 1897, on the introduction of the new Counties' Council Act, he was elected a representative of his division, and in the year 1900 was chosen warden. A perusal of the minutes of the Counties' Council, of which he is still a member, will show that he has been prominent in that body. He has taken strong ground on the temperance question; for many years was President of the County Prohibition Assoc- iation, and it is generally believed the large majorities recorded in Dundas county in favor of Prohibition were to a considerable measure due to the energy displayed by him. In Sabbath school work his record is on a par with his temperance work. He was the only delegate between Kingston and Ottawa to the World's Sabbath School Convention, held at Jerusalem in 1904. For many years he has not only been a most consistent member, but likewise an efficient officer of the Iroquois Methodist church; but his interest does not cease there, since he is always ready to give a helping hand to anything that will advance the interests of the community in which he resides, either morally or materially. Politically, Mr. Edwards is looked upon as an Inde- pendent Conservative, but is not in sympathy with extreme party politics, and votes accordingly. William G. Smyth is the third son of the late William Smyth, a native of Ireland, who emigrated to Canada in 1834. His mother, daughter of the late Alexander Rose, was Emma Rose, whose family settled early in Matilda. William G. was born Nov. 1, 1860, on lot 6, con. 3, Matilda township, the farm upon which he still resides. He was educated at the public school and Morris- burg Collegiate Institute. A progressive and successful farmer, he has always taken an active interest in the Farmers' Institute and in the dairying industry of this county. His indentification with the Patrons of Industry movement led to his selection jas candidate for that organization in the Federal election of 1896, but with the consent of the county executive he resigned the candidature some time previous to the election. In 1897-8 he was deputy reeve of Matilda town- ship. In 1899, 1901 and 1903 he was elected to the Counties' Council as one of the representatives of the Matilda division. His interest in politics was early evinced and he soon became one of the leading Liberals in Matilda. At the provin cial elections of 1902 he unsuccessfully contested the county in the Liberal interest, his opponent being J. P. Whitney, leader of the Opposition, In February, 1900, Mr. Smyth was married to Zipporah Barclay, daughter of James Barclay, of Irena, the union being blessed with two children, a daugh- ter and a son, the latter deceased. He is a member of the Methodist church at Rowena, a prominent Sabbath school worker in both a local and wider 104 THE STORY OF DUNDAS sphere ; was secretary of the Matilda and Iroquois S. S. Association, and also of the county association, and was the county's delegate to the Provincial Sab- bath school convention at Hamilton in 1897. H. A. Cameron was born in Charlottenburg township, not far from Williams- town. His municipal career includes four years in the council of his native township and four years in the Counties' Conncil as representative of Charlot- tenburg division. Mr. Cameron is enthusiastic in military matters, being at present senior captain of No. 6 Company, 59th regiment. Ewen Dingwall, colleague of Mr. Cameron in the representation of Charlot- tenburg division, has served twelve years at the Counties' Council board. He is a son of the late John Dingwall, a U. E. Loyalist* and was born in the year 1848. In addition to his agricultural interests, he carries on a successful milling business at Williamstown. John A. McDougal, born on lot 34, con. 4, in the township of Lancaster, which division he now represents, is a descendant of a U. E. Loyalist family. He has been connected with the township and Counties' Council for a period of fourteen years, and during that time has always been returned by acclama- tion. In 1866 he entered the military service as a private, and was advanced from time to time until promoted lieutenant and later captain of a militia company, his connection therewith covering a period of ISyears. Dur- ing the Fenian troubles of '66 and 70 Captain McDougal saw active service for which he holds a medal, also a certificate for a grant of land. The organ- ization of the Glengarry Fire Insurance Company was brought about partly through the efforts of Mr. McDougal, who had the honor of being elected president of the Company at the first meeting of the executive. In this capac- ity he had the additional repute of signing the first policy issued by the Company. Mr. McDougal is also a J. P. John B. Snider, the present warden of the united counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, is a descendant of German and Highland Scotch U. E . Loyalist families, who left the American Republic at the close of the revolutionary war to settle under the Union Jack in the Canadian backwoods. His father, the late Benjamin Snider, was one of the old settlers of Lancaster township, where the subject of this sketch was born 69 years ago. Mr. Snider has had considerable experience in municipal politics. He served a number of years in the Council of his native township, and during the greater share of that time occupied the position of reeve. For over twenty years he has been a faithful member of the Counties' Council . His recent election by acclamation to the warden's chair is a fitting recognition of his worth as a public servant, who is now nearing the three score and ten mark. Donald A. McArthur is of Scotch parentage, and was born in Charlotten- burg township. In 1885 he was elected reeve of Alexandria; in 1886 was warden of the united counties, and has since then, with the exception of four GLENGARRY MEMBERS OF COUNTIES' COUNCIL, 1903-4. A. D. McRae. J. B. Snider. D. A. McArthur. J. R. McQuaig. J. A. McDougal. M. McRae. il. A. Cameron. E. Dingwall. MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT 107 or five years, been a member of the Counties' Council. At present he is a representative of Lochiel division. Over forty years ago Mr. McArthur came to Alexandria, and has since been interested in mercantile pursuits. He was a director of the Canadian Atlantic Railway, was a member of a sub-com- mittee consisting of iour of the directors who assisted in making a contract with D. C. Lindsay for the construction and equipment of the road. At the Provincial elections of 1882 he contested the county in the Conservative interests, but was defeated by a narrow majority by James Rayside, who represented Glengarry for several years. John R. McQuaig, who is serving his first term as one of the representatives of Lochiel, was born at Dalkeith, on the farm where he resides. For years he has been closely identified with advanced farming, and has taken an interest in rearing thoroughbred cattle. Mr. McQuaig has frequently been mentioned in connection with Legislative honors; is prominently identified with several fraternal societies, being a member of the I. O. F., A. F. and A. M., and head of the Orange order in Prescott and Glengarry for a number of years. A. D. McRae was born in the township of Kenyon on the farm where he resides, part of which lies within the limits of the incorporated village of Maxville. In 1882-3 he was a member of the Kenyon township council, and in 1892, when Maxville was incorporated, he had the honor of being elected reeve. Ever since the inception of the Act of 1896 Mr. McRae has represented the Kenyon division. In 1901 he was elected warden by acclamation. Murdock McRae, colleague of A. D. in the representation of the fourth division of Glengarry, was born in Kenyon township, on lot 30, concession 7. About twenty years ago he came to Greenfield, bought grain and produce for a time, and since then has been successfully engaged in the general mer- cantile and lumbering business. Mr.McRae was one year councillor and three years reeve of Kenyon, and is now serving his fourth year as County Councillor. Annexed is a list of wardens, clerks and treasurers of our counties from 1842 to the present, together with the length of time each has served: Wardens— 1^2-1860, Hon. Alexander Fraser; 1850, D. E. Mclntyre; 1851, William Mattice; 1852, Samuel Ault; 1853, Jacob Brouse; 1864, Alex. Mc- Donell; 1855, William Colquhoun; 1856, D. A. McDonald; 1857, Alex. McDou- gall; 1858, William Elliott; 1859, James McDonell; 1860, George McDonell; 1861, Alexander G. McDonell; 1862, James Craig; 1863, Alex. Mclntosh; 1864, Philip Carman; 1865, James Fraser; 1866, A. James Cockburn; 1867, Asaph B. Sher- man; 1868, Arichibald McNab; 1869, Angus Bethune; 1870, David Rae; 1871, Peter Kennedy; 1872, John G. Snetsinger; 1873, M. F. Beach; 1874, A. E. Mc- Rae; 1875, John Brown; 1876, Adam Harkness; 1877, James Clark; 1878, Will- 108 THE STORY OF DUNDA8 iam Mack; 1879, T. F. Chamberlain, M. A; 1880, D. A. McDonald; 1881, I. R. Ault; 1882, James Dickey; 1883, A. J. Grant; 1884, F. D. McNaughton; 1886' William McKenzie; 1886, D. A. McArthur; 1887, Frank Anderson; 1888, J. F. Gibbons; 1889, P. A. Stewart; 1890, George Kerr; 1891, Thomas McDonald; 1892, Alex, A. Stewart; 1893, John Bennett; 1894, Thomas Hamilton; 1895, Donald N. McNaughton; 1896, Donald McDonald; 1897, John H. Meikle; 1898, Duncan C. McRae; 1899, James T. Kirkpatrick; 1900, Thomas S.Edwards; 1901, Alex. D. McRae; 1902, Hugh McMillan; 1903, Michael J. Casselman; 1904, John B. Snider. Clerks— 1842-51, James Pringle; 1852-56, Peter J. ^Donald;1857, D. Heenan; 1858-65, J.F. Pringle; 1867-8, G.S. Jarvis; 1869-70, W.Bethune; 1871-74, J.Bergin; 1875-6, H. S. McDonald; 1877-84, Charles Poole; 1885, A.Macdonald.C.J.Mattice; 1886-7, C. J. Mattice; 1888-9, Henry Carpenter; 1890-1904, Adrian I. Macdonell. Treasurers— 1842-9, Alex- McLean, Roderick McDonald ; 1850-1884, Roderick McDonald ; 1885-7, ^Eneas McDonald ; 1838-1902, C. J. Mattice ; 19J3-4, Geo. Steacy, M. D. A. I. Macdonell, the present clerk of the united counties of Stormont, Dun- das and Glengarry, was born of Canadian parents at Chicago, 111., in 1868, and has been a resident of Cornwall since 1872. He attended the Separate and High schools at Cornwall, matriculating for Queen's University in 1883, and the following year entered the law office of the late H. S. Macdouald, after whose death, in 1886, he entered the office of Maclennan, Liddell & Cline. In November, 1889, he was admitted to the bar. In June, 1890 he was appointed clerk of the united counties, the duties of which office he has ably discharged ever since. Mr. Macdonell married in December, 1891, Miss Christina Crevier, their family consisting of two children. George Steacy, M. D., son of the late Joseph Steacy, was born in the town- ship of Elizabethtown, ten miles from Brockville. He was educated at the common school and Grammar school at Brockville, and obtained a first-class teacher's certificate at the age of 14. He taught school for some years ; stud- ied medicine at Trinity Medical School, Toronto, graduating from that insti- tution in 1872 with first-class honors, and opened an office at South Mountain where he enjoyed a lucrative practice for thirty years. For some years was Reeve of Mountain, which township he also represented for some time in the Counties' Council, resigning in 1903 to accept the treasurership of the united counties, which position he holds at present. The Doctor is a member of the Church of England, and in politics is a staunch Conservative. The Council for the united counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry convenes regularly at Cornwall, the counties' seat, where suitable buildings have been erected. But few times in the history of the Council has MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT 109 the migratory plan been followed. In June, 1850, the Council met at Broeffle's hotel, Williamsburg ; in October of the same year at Ronald McDonell's hotel, at Williamstown ; and lastly at Morrisburg, in October, 1892. The originator of this movement was C. D. Casselman, then reeve of Williams- burg. At the Morrisburg meeting, at which a large number of visitors were present, Mr. Casselman presented an address of welcome in behalf of the townspeople, in which he welcomed the Councillors to Morrisburg; referred to the days of forty years before when the people of Stormont and Glengarry came to Morrisburg on foot or by stage ; spoke of the growth and possibilities of the village ; eulogized the spirit of unity prevailing in the three sister coun- ties, and heartily recommended that the Government be memorialized to erect a monument at Crysler's Farm battlefield, a worthy project accomplish- ed a few years later, A pleasant and profitable week was spent by the Coun- cillors, closing with a grand banquet at St. Lawrence Hall. For nearly a century these united counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glen- garry have constituted a municipal unit, and there is no apparent desire for separation. The student of municipal economy will readily discern that in any union of counties there are advantages and disadvantages. One of the advantages of union is the financial saving as a result of the business being done at one centre by one set of officials, instead of each county maintaining a separate establishment. Again, if any needed work of a public character makes it desirable to memorialize either the Ontario Legislature or Federal Gov- ernment, the voice of three counties might be expected to exert greater in- fluence than one. On the other hand, it is sometimes difficult for the members of one county requiring local legislation to enlist the support of the other two. A few years ago the question of county separation was up for discussion and received some notice through the press, ably led by the Morrisburg Herald. The contention was that Dundas would be the gainer by having a county seat and keep within itself the money expended in connection with the county government. The many years during which the counties have been united and worked together more or less harmoniously may be ac- cepted, however, as indication of the satisfaction the present system is giving. CHAPTER IX PUBLIC SCHOOLS •% THE details of school matters in this county prior to the year 1850 are meagre. An Act was passed in 1807 by the Legislature of Upper Canada to "establish Public schools in each and every district" and to appoint trustees. The "Public schools" so established were the infant Grammar schools. The Eastern District comprised the counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry, and the Eastern District Public school was located in Cornwall. The trustees were Samuel Sherwood, Neil McLean, Samuel Anderson, Joseph Anderson, John Crysler antf Alexander McMillan The Public School System seems to have originated in 1816 when an Act was passed for the organization and support of Common schools throughout the province. By it "the inhabitants of any place were to meet and appoint three fit and discreet persons as trustees, and these trustees were to collect subscriptions, to build school houses, to examine into the moral character and capacity of any person willing to become a teacher of such schools." The trustees were to report to the District Board of Education, which at that time for the Eastern District was composed of Donald McDonald and Archibald McLean, M. P. The Act provided for a grant to the respective districts, that to the Eastern District being £800, and the Act was to continue in force for four years. In the returns of the Common schools for 1827, we find that in the Eastern District there were 46 schools and 1,169 pupils, and that Joseph Anderson, D^ McDonell and A. McLean were members of the district board. In 1828 there were reported in this district 53 schools and 1,395 pupils, and the average annual salary of teachers was £41, 10s. 5d. In 1844 Rev. Edgerton Ryerson was appointed Assistant Superintendent of Schools, and published his first report in 1847 on the "Normal, Model and Common Schools of Upper Canada." In the preface to this report he says j "Four-fifths of the statistics contained in this report are entirely new in this Province." From those statistics we get the earliest definite ones for the different municipalities of this county: PUBLIC SCHOOLS 111 O i-H CO IO IN pp 00 JO 00 stooqog SST?IO puooag jo Suiippij^ jo (M poo£) jo Xq CO 00 CO -JOIJ^SIQ Xq j<BaX Suijnp CO fH O5 CO CO 1-1 O 00 CO SO 1-H ~s~s jo & 1 2 * r-0 0 0 0 * at SJOoq£gj[O saoi^oeg g jo 5! a t> rH 00 CO * 112 THE STORY OF DUNDAS The Toronto Normal school was established in 1817. The annual report for 1848 is out of print, and although that for 1849 is available, unfortunately the statistics are given only for districts and so serve no purpose for local com- parisons. We note, however, that it contains selections from the Report of Rev. Win. Fraser, Superintendent of Common schools for the Eastern District. The Common Schools' Act of 1850, the embodiment of the views of Rev. Dr. Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Education, gained by experience and travel, introduced practical organization and system, and from that time we may properly speak of the Common School System. This Act defined the duties and powers of County Councils, township councils, of County Boards of Public Instruction, of trustees, and of teachers, and specified what constitut- ed qualified teachers. The schools might be supported either by subscription , by rate-bills, or by assessment, or by two or more of these methods. Trustees might either appoint their own collector, or require the township council to collect. County Councils were to appoint a local superintendent for each township or combination of townships, and the local superintendent was to visit the schools in his district every quarter. The local superintendents and the trustees of the Grammar schools were to constitute the County Board of Public Instruction, and were to meet quarterly to examine teachers an d grant certificates. All clergymen, judges, members of the Legislature, magis- trates, members of County Councils and aldermen were school visitors in their respective localities. The report for 1850 contains 576 pages of most interesting matter, and the statistics are this time again given by municipalities though not so fully as before. The more interesting of these will be found in Table "B." M 2 School Houses PUBLIC I3C Soq HOOLS ainvj^ 8UO^g Schools SJOOqOg 88,1^ JO *O^ '.''.'. 88<BIO PJ8 -10 *GIjajui J° *°X[ CO Tti O OS 06 rH S8«13 pug JO 8uifpplJ\[ 'ONJ O C<1 O <N O SSTqQ ^Sf JO pOO£) JO '0^[ »O CO O O 55 Certificates SuiJiiQ pa^impuj^) "ojyj a , M a s SctlJUQ p8^1?npT?J£) 'O^ rH C6 » O a 1850 'Teachers Sd^'BU18kJ 00 iQ 00 IO a S8{t?J\[ »H fH a s ^ 8 § | sndn<j jo *oj»^ 1" i^ Q) ^^ CC o M li-E ll i!^ 1 I1 fdo o o o CD O IS) © O <*§! a ° s 1" Si PcC , QJ -4J *4 a £& 1 l| r^O O O O «»0 000 4^ ' o r.ii p f i H^ rdCO t> rH -^ rH »t* O5 C<1 CO =s§ S S 5 rH r~4 UOl^T?J8dQ UT S[00lpg JO 'Oft l> C<J OS i— 1 rH rH ^ i— 1 g suoi^oag |ooqog jo 'o^ 2 J2 ?Q S eg 1 ^i J 2 ^ .5 •§ *^3 p s c ^H M > > j£ f!^ ^ 'p* 113 114 THE STORY OF DUNDAS Among other matter is the programme for the examination of teachers ; a perusal of that prescribed for third-class teachers will show that it was very considerably lower than is now required from High school entrance candi- dates. Among the selections in the report from remarks of local superintendents appear those of Rev. J. McDowell, of Mountain ; Emerson Ross, of Williams- burg, and George Laing, of Winchester. Among the amendments made in 1852 were some providing for Separate schools, sharing in the Legislative grant, and improving their administration; making local superintendents' term of office expire April 1st, and reducing the number of visits annually to two, and providing a superannuation fund for teachers. Under the head of "Inspection" will be found lists of many of the local superintendents of the county, and under the heading of "County Boards" the names of examiners. The School Act of 1871 may be said almost to have revolutionized the school system of the province. Free schools which had become increasingly popular were now made compulsory. As far as Dundas was concerned the schools were already practically free, the amount collected by rate-bill during 1870 having been only $34.55. The office of the local superintendent was abolished and a system of inspection by permanent Public School Inspectors introduced. Local superintendents appointed annually by County Councils had been subject to such frequent changes of personnel, to say nothing of the character sometimes of the appointment, that the efficiency of their adminis- tration and supervision was far from being in many cases as vigorous and beneficial as was desirable, though probably Dundas suffered as little in this respect from the system as most counties, as may be judged from the number of years that some of those respected and useful officers held their positions. The Public School Inspectors were still to be appointed by the County Coun- cils, but from among those holding certificates of qualification from the Edu- cation Department. County Boards of Examiners replaced the Councils of Public Instruction, the Public School Inspector being ex-officio chairman, and the members appointed by the County Council from those who held first-class teacher's certificates. The standard for the examination of teachers was con- siderably advanced, and the examination papers were prepared in Toronto by a Central Committee appointed by the Education Department. The papers for second and third-class candidates were read by the County Board, while those of first-class candidates were sent to Toronto and read by the Central Committee. (Later the papers of second, and still later those of third-class candidates were read in Toronto also, and the County Board valued only those of the professional examination at the close of the Model school term.) Winchester (Village). North Wiliamsburg. Irena. Dixon's Corners. SCHOOL HOUSES. Morrisburg (Model). Chesterville (Public). Grantley. South Mountain. Morewood. Chesterville (R.C.). Mountain. East Williamsburg. PUBLIC SCHOOLS 117 Until 1871 pupils had been admitted to the Grammar schools (now called High schools) by the head masters, but now the Public School Inspectors were associated with the head masters for the admission of pupils, and the examination papers for that purpose are prepared in Toronto, and reports of results forwarded to the Department for confirmation. This plan not only secured uniformity in the standard for admission, but gave increased efficiency to the teaching in the Public schools, as they were now mimed, instead of Common schools. Hon. Geo. W. Ross, in his "School System of Ontario," remarks in this connection : "Perhaps the most satisfactory test of the effic- iency of the Public school system is the annual departmental examination required for entrance to High schools * * * usually taken at the end of the fourth form. In 1877 3,836 pupils, as compared with 10,049 pupils in 1895, were successful at this examination." The accompanying table shows the number of successful entrance candidates in the county from 1883 down to the present time : Entrance Examinations for county of Dundas from 1882 to 1903: 3 Winchester Chesterville S. Mountain Morris burg Iroi 1882 36 9 1883 56 21 1884 42 32 1885 62 51 1886 62 43 1887 59 33 1888 30 30 1889 46 37 1890 58 38 1891 62 49 1892 33 27 1893 24 28 1894 50 40 1895 62 37 1896 49 36 1897 50 37 1898 37 27 1899 52 39 1900 54 18 1901 53 40 1902 64 35 1903 38 45 11 23 58 55 38 45 67 70 37 53 57 47 56 55 74 58 50 62 69 67 34 16 11 23 13 17 Totals 45 77 85 136 163 147 98 128 163 181 97 105 147 146 141 142 138 149 135 178 215 183 1079 752 1052 50 66 2999 In 1888 the falling off corresponds with a similar decrease for the Province. Commencing with 1891, there has been but one Entrance examination in the year. But the outcome of this was that parents and children came to think that when the latter had passed the entrance examination they had done with Public school work, and they dropped out of school before gaining such a knowledge of language, composition, and commercial arithmetic as would be 118 THE STORY OF DUNDA8 of practical use to them afterwards. This resulted in practically closing up the fifth form in the Province. In 1890 the pupils enrolled in the 5th form in the Province (omitting the cities and towns) were 8,755 out of a total enroll- ment of 335,814, or about 2}£ ;per cent. To correct this tendency to leave school upon passing entrance the Public school Leaving Examination was in- stituted, the standard covering the 5th form work. A grant of $5.00, to be duplicated by an equal amount from the County Council, was given to the schools for each successful candidate. This had the desired effect and more; the number of the 5th form pupils had increased in 1899 to five per cent, of the total enrollment, and there was a strong temptation for teachers, often tacitly encouraged by trustees, to turn their best efforts to the training of pupils for this examination, to the neglect of the rest of their pupils. The number who passed this examination for the succeeding years will be found in the follow- ing table : PUBLIC SCHOOL LEAVING CANDIDATES. No. who Wrote No. who Passed 1892 11 4 1893 26 12 1894 61 27 1895 85 49 1896 67 31 1897 73 36 1898 84 24 1899 78 50 1900 69 44 1901 21 1902 15 A remedy had to be devised, and thus "payment by results" on a small scale discontinued. Continuation classes were established, at first only in Public schools that had been preparing their pupils for teachers' examinations, but afterwards extended to any> Public school having the required number of pupils in the 5th form. These classes were arranged in four grades, accord- ing to the number of pupils in the class, and equipment as to teachers and appliances. The grants also graded, running from $30 to $200, including both legislative and municipal appropriations. This was a most excellent ar- rangement, for the grants were contingent upon maintaining the efficiency of all the forms of the school, and greatly improved work was being done. But now a new difficulty arose. The work of the Public school overlapped that of the High school, and the 5th form of the former and its Public school leaving examination, and the 1st form of the High school and its examination were almost identical, and this state of affairs met with disfavor in quarters where there was influence sufficient to secure the discontinuance of the ex- PUBLIC SCHOOLS 119 animations, with the year 1902, and the ultimate result for obvious causes will be the closing of the Continuation classes in all but the larger villages. A list of the Continuation classes is given below : 1898-9 Principal No. in Class Grade of School Winchester P. S E. Maude Hill. . ...35.. ..A Chesterville P. S Sidney W. Hill 20 A 1899-1900 Winchester P. S E. Maude Hill. . . . . A Chesterville P.S Sidney W. Hill A N. Wiiliamsburg P.S. .Eli Robinson 0 Inker-man P. S Lome D. Mclntosh C Grantley P. S Eliza Robinson D Ormond P. S L. Minnie Kerr D Winchester Sp'gs P.S. . . Wm. N. Wright D S. S. 14, Wiiliamsburg.. Wm. King .... . . . . D S. 8. 12, Mountain P. A. Mclntosh D S. S. 22, Mountain Wm. Beggs D 1900-1 Winchester P. S Hiram B. Fetterly A Chesterville P. S S. W. Hill A Inkerman P. S Phoebe Colborne C Morewood P. S Horatio Loucks D Winchester Sp'gs P, S... John A. Shaver D 1901-2 No. Teachers No. in Class Winchester P. S Hiram B. Fetterly ..7 A 28 Chesterville P. S Alice E. Timberlake. 5 A 26 Morewood P. S Horatio Loucks 4 B 15 OrmondP.8 GraceE. Low 2. C 8 N. Wiiliamsburg P. S. .David L. Collison... .2 C 7 S. Mountain P. S Howard C. Fader... 2. D 6 Inkerman P. S Eli Robinson 2 D 5 Winchester P. S John A. Shaver 2 D 4 1902-3 Winchester P. S H. B. Fetterly 7 A 88 Chesterville P. S Alice E. Timberlake. 5 A 38 Morewood P.S Horatio Loucks 4 A 31 N. Williamburg P. S...D. L. Collison 2 D 9 S. Mountain P. S Howard C. Fader. . . 2 C 11 Inkerman P.S Eli Robinson 2 C 8 Winchester Sp'gsP.S. . John A. Shaver 2 D Cass Bridge P. S Gideon D. Barkley... 2 .....D 5 COUNTY MODEL SCHOOLS The establishment of county Model schools in 1877 was an era in the teach- ing equipment of the Province. Thereafter no Public school teacher could enter the profession without four months professional training. (It originally had been two months, but was soon extended to four.) This training ensured some acquaintance with mental science, some study of child mind and the 120 THE STORY OF DUNDAS laws of its development, and some knowledge of improved methods of teach- ing based on scientific principles. This brought about decidedly better teach- ing, better management, and earlier usefulness of the young teacher. The Morrisburg Public school was selected by the County Board of Exam- iners as the County Model school, and the first Principal was Mr. I. S, Rowat, at present Principal of Simcoe Model school. He was succeeded in 1878 by Mr. Wm. Alford, now in the Civil Service at Ottawa. The Principal for 1879 was Mr. W. H. G. Collis, now Public School Inspector of East Kent. He was followed by Mr. L.Welsh, who, having received an appointment on the Ottawa Normal school staff, was succeeded in 1881 by Mr. H. F. McDiarmid, who re- mained during 1882 and 1883. Mr. McDiarmid has been for some time Prin- cipal of Ingersoll Model school. Mr. G. Broderick became Principal in 1885 and held the position for 1886 and 1887, removing at that time to take charge of the Lindsay Model school, of which he is still Principal. Mr. Alex. Wherry was appointed next, and had charge for two years, and then removed to Windsor, later becoming Town Inspector of Peterboro, which position he held till his death a few years after. Mr. Allen C. Smith was in charge during the term of 1890, resuming his Mastership afterwards in the Collegiate Institute. Mr. R. Charles Rose, B. A., was Principal in 1891. He is now Head Master of the Prescott High school. In 1892 Mr. W. B. Kayler, now Doctor Kayler, assumed the duties of the position, holding the same till 1895. In 1896 the present incumbent, Mr. A. E. Meldrum, was appointed, of whom a more extended notice is given elsewhere by another pen. Of the foregoing, Mr. Alford, Mr. Smith, Mr. Rose and Mr. Meldrum are Dundas boys, having been born in the county, and were graduates of Morrisburg Collegiate Insti- tute. They have all done honor to themselves and to their native county, the present one with more years of service to his credit than any of his predeces- sors, is held in esteem by the school authorities, and by a very large number of teachers who have received their first professional training under him. UNIFORM PROFICIENCY EXAMINATIONS. These grew out of Competitive School Examinations started in 1878, an d assumed their present form in 1883. Owing to frequent changes of teachers it had been found impossible to secure proper classification of pupils, promo- tions being made at any time, and on a reading basis, and even then too often prematurely by retiring teachers. To overcome this the County Inspector in 1882 introduced a uniform written examination, an experiment that promised so well that his colleagues, the Inspectors of Stormont and Glengarry, joined him in 1883 in the formal introduction of these examinations, the Counties' Council having given the movement their countenance by giving a grant to PUBLIC SCHOOLS 121 cover the expense of printing and distributing the papers. These examina- tions by the wise and liberal financial assistance given by the Counties' Coun- cil and by the loyal co-operation of teachers and trustees have become an im- portant feature in the school work of these counties. The examinations are held on the same days in the three counties, usually the last Thursday and Friday in November. The question papers are prepared by the Inspectors, the aim being to test the pupils' knowledge of the subject, and to discourage book teaching and "cramming." The teachers exchange schools for those two days, so as to put the bona fides of the examination beyond question. The papers are valued by a committee of teachers selected by the Teachers' In- stitute, each valuator reading one subject through for the county ; this gives uniformity to the results. The marks are sent to the Inspector, and the pa- pers, endorsed with the values, are returned to the pupils through the teachers concerned. Thus both pupils and parents have the means of examining the style and character of the work done by the pupils, and of discovering if there is either a weakness in understanding a subject, or in the teaching of it. Promotions are marked by the Inspector on a fixed basis, and exceptional cases are dealt with by the Inspector and teacher. Trustees and Inspectors have thus a chance to guage pretty well the work done by the teacher and pupils. Comparsion can be made from year to year between pupils, between classes, between schools, as all pupils in attendance in the second, third, and fourth forms are expected to write. The unique feature of this scheme is the pay- ment by the Counties' Council of $8 to each of these valuators as a moderate consideration for the heavy work done by them in reading the answer papers. Some of the benefits of these examinations became immediately apparent. The year preceding their introduction, the total number in this county who passed the Entrance examination was 45, which steadily and rapidly increased to 163 in 1882, and to 215 in 1902, although the Entrance papers are now of a much more difficult character than in 1882. Last year 1,894 pupils wrote in this county on the Proficiency examinations. ALL ABOUT TEACHERS As has been already stated the details of the early teachers and schools are few and far between. Those were the days of log houses, wide chimneys, broad hearths, huge fire places, big back logs, iron cranes, pot hooks. When the chimney corner was the seat of honor and comfort. When the resinous pine knots and tallow dips furnished the evening light. It was the age of homespun, of the little wheel for the spinning of flax, of the quiller, the loom, of home-made linen and woolen garments; when the wan- dering tailor and cobbler "whipped the cat" from house to house. It was when the hand-flail and the summer breeze sufficed to thresh out and winnow 122 THE STORY OF DUNDAS the grain; when the ox-team and wooden sled and stoneboat were in vogue; when corn meal porridge and rye and Indian bread were among the staple foods; when money was scarce, and books dear, and "barter" was king; when schoolmasters, (schoolmistresses belong to a later date) were few and peripatetic, and "boarded round," and schools were open only a few months in winter; when ink made of soft maple bark and coperas were in use, and when one of the essential qualifications of the teacher was the ability to make and "mend" a quill pen. When a schoolmaster came into a neighborhood a meeting of the people was called and subscriptions taken, the subscriber of two shillings and six pence being entitled to send one child, his own or a neighbor's ; five shillings giving such privilege to two, the schoolmaster being allowed to board for one week at the home of each pupil. (The writer was told as late as 1858 by a canny trustee, with whom he was negotiating an agreement: "I'd ruther board ye a month as pay a dollar.") Each patron was expected to furnish a load of wood for firing, to be cut up by the big boys at noontime. But though the people were primitive in their habits and lives, they were as the Emperor Maximilian once said, "like a peasant's frock, coarse indeed, but right warm," and they were possessed of a spirit of energy, endurance, independence, intelligence, patriotism, and a respect for learning that have made our country one to love and to be proud of. So it was that the school- master was respected, and paid to the very limit of their ability by the scat- tered settlers. An incident that occurred about the year 1828, in what is now the town- ship of South Crosby, may be given as illustrating the customs of the times . A schoolmaster, by the name of Johnston, visited the neighborhood with a view to securing a school, and a meeting of the settlers was called to consider his proposals. One John Pennock, a gentleman of some learning and some- thing of a wag, proposed that he would make a verse about the teacher, and if Johnston would cap it with another on Pennock, he should have the school. The conditions having been accepted, Pennock recited his verse as follows : "Up Johnston hops, And strokes his chops, And says he feels quite willing The school to teach, If you'll give each A six pence and two shillings." Whether Johnston was offended at the personal allusion to his habit of "stroking his chops," or was unable to make his portion of verse is not stated, but he flew into a passion, gathered up his belongings and left, and the school failed to materialize. The earliest information concerning the teachers in the county of Dundas PUBLIC SCHOOLS 123 is found in "Croil's History of Dundas," where it is stated that Mr. Donald Clark kept a private school in Matilda in 1788. Mr. Croil says : "We learn from Major Clark, now residing in Edwardsburg, that his father taught the first regular school in Dundas. * * * Mr. Clark remained two years at the Bay of Quinte, employed in teaching. In 1788 he came to Matilda at the in- stance of Capt. Frazer, who, at his own expense, purchased a farm for him at a cost of one hundred dollars. A few of the neighbors assisted in the erection of a school house, in which Mr. Clark taught for several years. He was a native of Perthshire, Scotland, and was universally respected." From records in the Education Department, and through the kindness of the oldest inhabitants, the following biographical notices, more or less com- plete, are presented. It is to be regretted that more ample sketches of these veterans in the educational ranks cannot be obtained : Andrew Lorimer was born in Nova Scotia in 1788, and began teaching in the Midland District, 10 miles west of Kingston, in 1816. He afterwards taught in what are now S. S. Nos. 10, 14, 12, 5, 3 and 6, township of Winches- ter, ending with S. S. No. 1, Russel, in 1854, eighteen years in all. Michael O'Kane was born in Ireland in 1802. He taught two years, 1819 and 1820, in Ireland, and, coming to this country, he began teaching in S. S. No. 3, Osnabrnck. His first certificate was obtained from Win. Millar, superintend- ent of Common schools, and dated 1833. He taught 21 years, only the last four of which were in Dundas, his last school having been that in S. S. No. 14, Winchester (Connaught) in 1855. Alexander McFarling was born at Schenectady, N. Y., in 1793. He came to Canada, took the oath of allegiance, and began teaching in what is now S. 8. No. 1, Matilda (Flagg's) in 1819. His first certificate was granted by Judge Anderson, of Cornwall, district superintendent, and his last certificate by the Board of Public Instruction for the County of Dundas, in 1850. He taught 9£ years in S. S. No. 1, Matilda ; 4 years in No. 1, Williamsburg (Mariatown) ; 4i years in No. 15, Matilda ; 2 years in No. 8, Matilda, and 1 year (1850) in No. 11, Matilda (Dixon's Corners). At the latter place the writer was one of his pupils. He is thus spoken of by one who knew him in the earliest years of his teaching. He was highly esteemed, and accounted a good teacher, and a strict disciplinarian. Benjamin Meeds was born in 1809, and began teaching in Dumfries, Ontario, in 1832. His earlier certificates were obtained in the Gore and Eastern Dis . tricts. He taught 23| years, all but the first three of which were in the town- ship of Williamsburg. The sections are not mentioned. His last teaching was in No. 11, Williamsburg, in 1871. Daniel Rose was born in Scotland in 1811, and began teaching in 124 THE STORY OP DUNDAS S. S.No. 13, Williamsburg, in 1832. His first certificate was given by Mr. McLean, of Cornwall, and the next was issued by the first Board of Public Instruction of the County of Dundas . He obtained a first-class permanent certificate in 1863. He taught in S. S. No. 13, Williamsburg, in 1832-3 ; in No. 1, Williamsburg, in 1842, 1849, 1850, 1852, 1853 and 1855 ; in No. 11, Matilda, in 1856 ; in the village of Iroquois from 1857 to 1863, inclusive ; in Morrisburg in 1864, and again in No. 11, Matilda, in 1867. He was one year County Super- intendent of Schools. William Park Huston was born in Ireland in 1785, and began teaching in South Gower in 1832. He taught afterwards in S. S. Nos. 8, 4, 6 (now Inker- man) and 13, township of Mountain, retiring from the latter school in 1854. John J. McLaughlin was born in Derry, Ireland, in 1813. He began teach- ing in Glengarry in 1833. His earlier certificates were given by Rev. Mr. Abbott, Donald McDonell, Mr. Greenfield, Samuel Hart, James Pringle and A. McLean. The last certificate was granted by Samuel Hart, and was dated 1848. Among other places, he taught two years at North Williamsburg, and three years in Morrisburg, the dates unascertained. His last school was No. 7, Williamsburg, in 1853. He taught in all 20 years, and served ten years as school superintendent of Williamsburg, as shown in table elsewhere. Thomas Flanagan was born in Ireland in 1798, and began teaching in S. S. No. 13, Matilda, in 1837. His first certificate was obtained from the Cornwall Board. He taught 20 years in Matilda and Finch. Among other places, he taught in S. S. No. 8, Matilda (Irena) in 1841 and 1842. His last school was No. 16, Matilda (S trader's Hill), where he taught about four years. His mantle fell upon his son James, who has for many years been a successful teacher in his native township, Matilda. William J. Ridley began teaching in the township of Elizabethtown, county of Leeds, in 1835. His earlier certificates were given by the Board of Educa- tion of the Johnstown and Eastern Districts . He taught in Elizabethtown, Bisley, Gloucester, Nepean, Ramsay, South Gower, Matilda, Mountain, Will- iamsburg. His last school was in S. S. No. 2, Mountain, in 1874. Reference is made elsewhere to Mr. Ridley. William Johnston was born in Ireland in 1821, and began teaching in S. S. No. 2, Williamsburg, in 1838. His first certificate was from the National Nor- mal School* Ireland. He taught in various places in Williamsburg, Matilda and Mountain for 18 years, his last school being in Mountain, in 1856. Mr. Johnston was a valued local superintendent of schools for Matilda for many years. John Irvin Ker was born in Killough, County Down, Ireland, July 31, 1792. He taught in Courtmacsherry, County Cork,. Ireland, in 1834, and began PUBLIC SCHOOLS 127 teaching in S. S. No. 3, Matilda, now Iroquois, in 1839. He held certificates from the late Rev. Beek Lindsay ; Samuel Hart and William Millar, superin- tendents of Common schools, Eastern District ; J. W. Rose, chairman of the Board of Public Instruction of the County of Dundas. His last certificate was from the latter Board, under date of 1852, and was of the first class. He taught 5 years in S. S. No. 3, Matilda (Iroquois) ; 7 years in S. S. No. 9£ and 15, Ma- tilda (Caughnawaga) ; 1£ years in No. 8, Winchester (Ohesterville), and half a , year in No. 3, Finch, 1853. William Millar was born in the County of Antrim, Ireland, in 1798. He be- gan teaching in Osnabruck in 1846. His first license to teach was granted by William Millar, then Superintendent of the Eastern District. He taught in various places, among others Morrisburg, 1854 to 1859 inclusive. His last school was No. 9, Osnabruck, in 1863. Geo. Rose was born in the county of Dundas in 1826. He was a son of the late Samuel Rose, of Vancamp. He was lame, which interfered with his going to and from school, and it was characteristic of the boy's pluck and determination that rather than lose the chance of an education he boarded in the school house. The late Simon Johnston, a man noted for his efforts in favor of education, and whose home was always welcomingly open to teachers and inspectors, related that many a night when passing the school house he would stop, and by the light of a pine knot visit, encourage and help George in his lessons. He began teaching in S. S. No. 10, Mountain (McTavish's), in 1845. His first certificate was given by the clergyman of the district. He took a first-class certificate at the Toronto Normal school in 1854. He taught in No. 6, Winchester, (Maple Ridge) in 1845; No. 5, Mountain, in 1846 and 1848; in Edwardsburg, in 1847; in No. 9, Williamsburg (Dun bar) 1849 to 1853. After his Normal school course, he was in request as a teacher in Tork county, and his last years of teaching were spent at Newmarket, concluding with 1884, after 37$ years teaching. The qualities exhibited as a boy were those that distinguished him as a man and a teacher. He was highly esteemed and re- spected, and the last years of his life were spent on his farm in the manage- ment of which, notwithstanding his infirmity of body, he showed as much energy and activity as most young men with all their limbs at command. Mrs. Julia A. Fetterly, nee Reddick, born in Dundas county in 1830, began to teach in S. S. No. 20, Williamsburg, in 1847, and taught in various sections in that township until 1866, her last school having been No. 13, Williamsburg (Elma). She is still living and enjoys a well earned pension, for the hardships endured by female teachers of the early forties were such as those of the present day know little about. Patrick Jordan was born in Ireland in 1820. He taught two years in the Irish national schools before coining to Canada. He taught 23 years in the 128 THE STORY OF DUNDAS county of Dundas, and one year in Edwardsburg. In the early fifties he was one of the leading teachers in the county, mathematics being his specialty. He retired in 1880 to his farm at Oonnaught, in 8. S. No. 14, Winchester, and was a J. P. and postmaster until his death, a few years ago. James C. Clark was born in Dundee, Lower Canada, in 1821. He began teaching in S. S. No. 1, Mountain (South Mountain), in 1847. He taught in that township 26 years, his schools having been in Nos. 1, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 17. His last school was No. 5, from which he retired in 1873 to his farm in the Mc- Tavish neighborhood. Andrew Quihton was born in Queen's county, Ireland, in 1827. He began teaching in the township of Augusta in 1847, and taught in various places in the united counties of Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry for 26£ years. His certificates were granted by Robert Naugh, superintendent of schools for Leeds and Grenville, dated 1847 ; Rev. Mr. Geigie, superintendent of Edwards- burg, 1850 ; Robert Dick, superintendent of Matilda, 1850 ; and later by the Dundas Board of Public Instruction. Edwin W. Pillar was born in Williamsburg in 1826. He began teaching in 1850 ; taught in various parts of eastern Ontario, including Winchester and Williamsburg, 30 years in all. He died about 1901, in Osnabruck. Margaret Dodge was born in the township of Mountain in 1832, and com- menced teaching in Ewardsburg in 1849. She taught 22 years, chiefly in Matilda, Winchester and Mountain. Catharine Carter, nee Plantz, was born in the township of Williamsburg, Sept. 2, 1837. She began to teach in 1851 in S. S. No. 20, Williamsburg, and taught in No. 6, Matilda ; No. 14 and No. 3, Williamsburg ; No. 9, Matilda ; Nos. 15, 6, 10 and 11, Williamsburg, ending with No. 7, Matilda (Rowena), in 1872, 20 years in all. What was said as to the hardships encountered by Mrs. Fetterly applies as well in the cases of Miss Dodge and Mrs. Carter. William Styles was born in Ireland in 1832. He began teaching iu S. S. No. 11, Williamaburg, in 1851. He taught in the county of Stormont in 1852, 1853 and 1855, and in the county of Dundas daring the years 1851, 1854, and from 1856 to 1896, inclusive, the last 28 years in Morrisburg as principal, until the establishment of the Model school, and thereafter as first assistant. This un- precedented long period of service in one school speaks volumes for his faith- ful, single minded devotion to the profession of his choice. He continues to reside in Morrisburg, carrying his years lightly, and takes a lively interest in, the welfare of the children now at school, many of them the children of his former pupils, and enjoys the veneration and respect of the community. Andrew Allison was born in the county of Dundas in 1834, and began teach- ing in S. S. No. 16, Williamsburg, in 1853. He later attended the Torontb PUBLIC SCHOOLS 129 Normal school, graduating in 1863. He then taught for a time in the vicinity of Toronto, but eventually returned to his native county and taught in S. S. Nos. 9, 13, 16, 17 and 24,Williamsburg ; No. 3, Winchester (Winchester village) and No. 8, Winchester (Chesterville.) He retired in 1878, after 19 years of teaching ; his last position being that of principal of the Chesterville Public school. He is at present living on his farm near Dunbar, and although his hair is whitened with the frosts of many winters he still evinces a keen and intelligent interest in agricultural, educational and political affairs. All the foregoing teachers we re on the pension lists, and the brief sketches concerning them have been gleaned from the records kindly loaned by the Education Department. The sketches of those that follow have been gathered from the recollections of the older residents in the county. The dates are sometimes approximations, but substantially correct. Among those whose memories have been drawn upon for these notices may be mentioned Adam Harkness, Iroquois ; Hiram Carman, A. E. Casselman, Geo. M. Merkley, Mor- risburg ; John Strader, Strader's Hill ; Wm. Bow, Winchester, and George Annable, Leonard. In 183£ George Tracy, afterwards a land surveyor, taught in a little frame school house that stood on the bank of the river, opposite the whirlpool, at Morrisburg. A school house was afterwards built farther east, near the present residence of Mrs. I. N. Rose, in which a Mr. Millar taught. In the same year, 1834, a Mr. Finch taught in a frame school house that stood on the river bank on or near the farm of the late Jacob Brouse, about two miles west of the present village of Irbquois. He was followed by three of his daughters successively. The construction of the canal necessitated the removal of the school house, and a stone one was built on the north bank of the canal, in which Miss Brouse, a daughter of the late Nicholas Brouse, taught. A few years later a school house was built east of Iroquois, near where stood the store of John Laing. A Mr. Mclntosh was one of the early teachers in that school house. About 1836 or 7 Miss Mary McLellan taught in No. 8, Matilda (Irena). She afterwards taught at Mclntosh's Corners (Dundela). She married the late Samuel Smith, and with him resided for many years on their farm near Chesterville. They later retired from active life and moved to Mariatown. When teaching at Mclntosh's Corners, Miss McLellan boarded with the late William Steed. His son. Joseph Steed, of Morrisburg, relates the following incident. Many years afterwards he and his mother visited Mrs. Smith at Chesterville, and the latter said: "Aunt Jane, do you remember my old hollow log bed? Well, I never have slept more comfortably since." The bed- stead was the half section of a six foot hollow basswood log, and was charac- 130 THE STORY OP DUNDA8 teristic of the rude furniture, and ready adaptation of means to an end in those early years. Thomas Johnston taught at No. 8 the following year, and later at Dixon's Corners, and in the Wallace neighborhood. He was a large man and was familiarly called, "Big Tom." He flogged severely sometimes, but was not a good disciplinarian; was a good reader and writer, and justly proud of his skill in arithmetic. One of his pupils, whose proficiency did credit to his mathematical training, years afterwards in his hilarious moments used to say, "Bob, who taught you arithmetic?" "Why, Big Tom, of course." Jacob Weegar, or "Little Jake," as he was called, was the next teacher. He was a native of Williamsburg, though his family lived in the 2nd con. of Matilda. He was a good singer, and during the fall and winter taught a singing school. Doubtless the Weegars living in the county are relatives. A brother by the name of Jack was living some years at the Osnabruck churches. About 1846 Miss Hannah Ker was teacher. She was a daughter of J. Irwin Ker, already referred to, and is a relict of the late Robert H. Rose. Miss Ker also taught some time in No. 8, Winchester. Either just before or just after Miss Ker's incumbency the school was taught for a short time by Thomas Smyth, father of the late Oliver Smyth, a well known resident of the town- ship of Matilda. Thomas was a native of Ireland, was a man of good attain- ments, and possessed a classical education. From this time on young teachers from across the line began to come in. Sophia Scarborough, her brother, William Scarborough, and Dudley Carleton Spencer, all of Fort Covington, N. Y., taught in succession; Spencer later became a doctor and practiced in New York. Miss Scarborough afterwards taught at No. 8, Winchester, and her sister married the late William Munro, upon whose farm the school house stood. Still later for three or four years a teacher by name of William Patterson taught in No. 8. He is still living in the township . About 1847 a school house was standing just west of the farm of Levi Casselman, in the 6th con. of Matilda. The teacher at that time was Thomas Flanagan, already referred to. The other teachers in succession, as nearly as can be ascertained, were Thomas Welch, Hugh -Montgomery, W. J. Ridley, J. J. McLaughlin, James Liudley, Alex. McDonald, George Deeks and a Mr. Vander Loo. At the residence of John Strader may yet be seen the teacher's desk (sold along with the school house when a new one was built) made for this school house more than sixty years ago by the late William Hill, of Elma. Like all the furniture of those years it was "built for keeps," is in a good state of perservation, and fit to last sixty years longer. There is a record of a log school house that stood on the farm of the late PUBLIC SCHOOLS 131 William Munro, south of Chesterville, in which Samuel Hart taught about 1842 or '43. He was succeeded about 1845 by a Mr. Ambrose. The first school in the vicinity of Cass' Bridge, was a private one kept in the chamber of Mr. Hogaboam's log house, taught by Miss Lois Hogaboam, about 1842-5. There were ten or twelve pupils, some of them grown up, and they paid a fee of 2 shillings and sixpence each. In 1846, at the request of Messrs. Mark Redmond, Mr. Patterson, Joseph Cass, Mr. Summers and others, Wm. Bow, then a resident of Bates' Corners, appeared before William Millar, Superintendent of the Eastern District, and after examination obtained a certificate and began teaching a government school, in the little house on the hill formerly occupied by George Fox, later by James Holmes. The school increasing and greater accommodation being needed, a school house was built at the corner of the adjoining farms of Mark Redmond and Samuel Beckford, near the present home of Moses Strader. Mr. Bow was an energetic, wide- awake teacher, an uncommonly good mathematician, delighting in solving difficult problems. The school flourished, Mr. Bow remained for five years, and was succeeded by Patrick Jordan . The first school house at Bates' Corners (Winchester village) as we learn from George Annable, who helped build it, was a log one, that stood not far from the present site of the Bowen House, and was put up in 1848 or '49 . The first teacher was Miss Hogaboam (a sister of Miss Lois Hogaboam), now Mrs . McMaster, of Metcalfe, who was succeeded in 1851 or 2 by John SuffeL In 1853 the school was taught by Miss Sarah Hughes, now Mrs. George Annable, of Leonard, Ont. The other teachers in order as nearly as can be ascertained were Mr. Watkins, Wm. Bow, Andrew Allison, Arthur Brown, James Irvine, Wm. Black. Wm . Bow, in some of these particulars, relates an incident that may well be mentioned. Some time in the forties a teachers' examination was held at Broeffle's Hotel, Morrisburg, and he and other teachers were up for examina- tion. Emerson Ross was likely presiding examiner. An old country teacher by the name of Emmons was present, and was expressing his opinion of his fellows by saying: "The ould country teachers could show ye something loike an examination. Shure, the Board had stuck all the teachers barrin' one (himself of course)." None of them could get the answer to the question in arithmetic. On being pressed to state the question, he replied: "Och, none of ye, barrin* Mr. Ross or Mr. Tuttle, needthry." This is it: "If 20 groats and fifty pince Buy 30 pints of wine, What is the price of 90 quarts, In British sterling kine (coin)?" • The records of the several local Boards of Public Instruction for a number 132 THE STORY OF DUNDAS of years are not to be found, but beginning with 1862 we are able to give a continuous record. TEACHERS' EXAMINATIONS AND CERTIFICATES A. WARDED At North Williamsburg, July 18, 1862— Second-class A— Ellen Smith, Geo. M. Froats. Second-class B — Isabella McNeil, Anne Weagant, Mary Marsellis, Elizabeth Dawson, Amelia Hanes, Melissa Watson. Second class C — Rachel Wylie, Bhoda Waller, Samantha Parkinson, Eveline Vancamp, Clara Tuttle, Jane Laing, Lucy McMartin, Helen McLean, Catharine Plantz, Henrietta Tyrrell, Mary Catharine Sipes, Mary Cameron, Anna Hartle, John Stevenson, Albert Vancamp, Anne Watson. At Chesterville, Dec. 29, 1862— First class— Andrew Allison. Second class A — Margaret Redmond, Helen Laing, Jane Laing, Jas . Boyd, Margaret Duvall, Andrew Quinton, John K. Roe, Margaret Chambers. Second class B — Jane Christie, Eliza Christie, Andrew Hunter, Jas. Irvine, Arthur Walker, Samuel Myers, Sarah I. Smith, Hugh Haggerty, Simon Hanes, Jacob Barragar, Helen Rae, Margaret Ulman, Martha Beckstead, Harriet Cryderman, Sarah Weaver, Wm. Tyndall, Jacob E. Summers. Second class C— Dorcas Weager, Maria Baker. Third class— Ellen Barry, Cornelius Barry, Wm. Moffat, Robt. Mc- Ewen, Samuel Dupras, Elizabeth Fetterly, Margaret Hunter. At Inkerman, July 6, 1863 — First class — John K. Roe, Joseph Merkley, Zoph- er Locke, John Shaver, Robt. Suffel, Geo. Bigelow, Owen McNulty, Henry Caldwell, Second class A— Sabrina Harkness, Thos. Forward, Henry M. Monk, Jas. C. Clark, Wm. Black, Mary Ault, Wm. Tait, C. Anna Hartle, Elizabeth Sipes, Catharine Plantz, Ellen McMartin, Jeremiah Gibbons, Hen- rietta Tyrrell, Thos. McNulty, Robt. H. Wilson. Secon d class B— Charlotte Ellison, Elias Bush, Miss Mulloy, Ellen Barry, Lucy McMartin, Mary Ann Barry, C. Rhoda Waller, Eliza Blaine, Margaret MacArthur, Elizabeth Cook, Eliza Hamilton, Louisa Bouck, Mary M. Shaver, Anne C. Melvin, Elizabeth Dawson, Amelia McMoyle, John Lynch. Second class C — Henry G. Brouse, Mary Weir, Margaret Collins, Amelia Jane Clothier, Susan Gray, Simon Studely. Third class — Jonathan Montgomery, Henry Toye, Anne Hyndman, Anne Wilson. At Dixon's Corners, Jan. 4, 1864— First class— Patrick Jordan, Wm. Stylos, John Jordan, Arthur Brown. Second class A — T. A. Wait, Dorcas Weegar, Catharine Frymire, Mary Marsellis, Margaret Chambers, Margaret Redmond, Eveline Vancamp, Jane Soules, Mary Soules, Stirling Wood, Andrew Quin- ton, Helen Laing, A. D. Hunter, Wm. Tindall, Samuel Dupras, Jas. Irvine. Second class B — Arthur Walker, Jane Laing, Margaret Ulman, Melissa Watson, Mary Flanagan, Emma Reddick, Henry Toye, Henry Coons, Robert Bouck, Robt. King, Jacob E. Summers, Alex. Wholehan, Albert Drappo, PUBLIC SCHOOLS 133 Catharine Wholehan, Nathaniel Knowland, Jas. Flanagan, Nelson E. Bush, Wm. S. Hughes, Emily Clarke, Amelia Hanes, Martha Chambers, Jacob Bar- ragar, Helen Rae, Elizabeth Christie, Nancy Jane Christie, Olive Keeler, Clara Tuttle, Chesley Hare. Third class— Sarah Rae, Elizabeth Fetterly, Elizabeth Kearney, Isaiah Hickey. At North Williainsburg, July 4, 1864r— First class— Helen Smith . Second class A — Margaret Mulloy, Peter Bogart, John Cry an, Henry Brouse, Henri- etta Tyrrell, Albert Vancainp, Henry Monck, Robert Wilson, Warner Bush. Second class B — Robert Bouck, Catharine Logan, Eliza Blame, Christina R. Waller. Edwin Pillar, Jeremiah Fitzgibbons, Agnes Scott, Sarah Weaver, Catharine Plantz, Amelia Jane Clothier, Margaret Hyndman, Elias Bush, Anne Hyndman, Robt. McEwen, Oliver Sproule, John Brouse. Second class C — Margaret Collins, Helen Thorn, Mary Ann Barry, Helen Barry. SCHOOL INSPECTION AND TEACHERS' EXAMINATIONS. As has been already mentioned, by the Act of 1850 the old District Boards were abolished, and County Councils were authorized to appoint a Loca* Superintendent for each township, and afterwards for each incorporated village, and these officers were entrusted with the inspection of the schools in their jurisdiction quarterly, (soon changed to half-yearly), and the Local Superintendents for a county were the board for the examination of teachers These boards were afterwards named Councils of Public Instruction. Below will be found the personnel of these boards in Duudas as nearly as can be learned from somewhat defective records: In 1842 George Laing was appointed School Superintendent for Winchester, and his first business was to doable the townships into School Sections. 1860— Matilda, no record; Mountain, Rev. J. McDowell; Williamsburg, Emerson Ross; Winchester, George Laing. 1851— Matilda, Rev. E.H.Plees; Mountain, Rev. Wm. McDonell; Williams- burg, Emerson Ross; Winchester, John J. Ker. 1852 and 1853— Matilda, Wm. John Ridley; Mountain, Rev. James Harris; Williamsburg, Rev. G. Jukes Boswell; Winchester, John Irwin Ker. 1853— Matilda, Wm. J. Ridley; Mountain, Rev. James Harris; Williams- burg, Rev. Wm. Shorts; Winchester, J. Irwin Ker. In 1854 Daniel Rose became Local Superintendent for each of the four townships. 1855 and 1856— Matilda, Dr. A Worthington; Mountain, Rev. James Harris; Williamsburg, John J. McLaughlin; Winchester, J. Irwin Ker. 1857— Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. James Harris; Williams- burg, John J. McLaughlin; Winchester, J. Irwin Ker; Iroquois, Dr. A. Worthiugton. 134 THE STORY OF DUNDAS 1858— Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. D. E . McDowell; Williams- burg, J. J. McLaughlin; Winchester, Rev. Wnc. Pattyson; Iroquois, Dr. A. Worthington. 1859 — Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. D. E. McDowell; Williams- burg, J. J. McLaughlin; Winchester, Rev. W. Pattyson. 1860 and 1861— Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. Charles Brown; Williamsburg, J. J. McLaughlin; Winchester, John Halliday; Iroquois, Dr. A. Worthington. 1862 — Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. Charles Brown; Williams- burg, J, J. McLaughlin; Winchester, John Halliday; Troquois, Dr. J. D. R. Williams; Morrisburg, Mr. Millar. 1863— Williamsburg, J. J. McLaughlin; Winchester, John Halliday; Iro- quois, Dr. J. D. R. Williams. 1864 — Matilda, Wm. Johnston, Dr. J. Harkness; Mountain, Dr. Jas. Fulton; Williamsburg, J. J. McLaughlin, chairman; Winchester, John Halliday; Iroquois, Dr. J. D. R. Williams, secretary; Morrisburg, Mr. Millar, Dr. T. F. Chamberlain. 1865 — Matilda, Dr. John Harkness; Mountain, Dr. James Fulton; Williams- burg, J. J. McLaughlin, chairman; Winchester, John Halliday; Iroquois, Dr. J. D. R. Williams, secretary. 1866— Matilda, Dr. John Harkness; Mountain, Rev. Christopher R. Bell; Williamsburg, J. J. McLaughlin, chairman; Winchester, Rev. Wm. Ferguson, M. A.; Iroquois, Dr, Williams, Dr. James Stephenson; Morrisburg, Thomas McDonald, secretary, Dr. J. Cowan, Edward Parlow, B. A. Two circuits were formed in that year, No. 4 including Matilda, Mountain, and Iroquois; No. 5 Williamsburg, Winchester and Morrisburg. 1867— Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. C. R. Bell, Andrew Broder; Williamsburg, J. J. McLaughlin; Winchester, Rev. Wm. Ferguson, M.A.; Morrisburg, Thomas McDonald, secretary. 1868 — Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Andrew Broder; Williamsburg, Rev. J. Davidson; Winchester, Rev. Wm. Ferguson, M. A.; Morrisburg, Thomas McDonald, secretary, Robert Toye» Edward Parlow, B. A. 1860 — Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. J. H. McKenzie; Williams- burg, Rev. J. Davidson; Winchester, Rev. Wm. Ferguson, M. A.; Iroquois, Dr. James Stephenson; Morrisburg, Thomas McDonald, secretary, E. Parlow, B. A., Robert Toye. 1870— Matilda, Wm. Johnston; Mountain, Rev. J. H. McKenzie; Williams- burg, Rev. J. Davidson; Winchester, Dr. C. E. flickey; Iroquois, Dr. James Stephenson, chairman; Morrisburg, Thomas McDonald, secretary, Robert Toye, Thomas Bailey, E. Parlow, B. A. PUBLIC SCHOOLS 135 January 1S71— Matilda, Edward Par-low, B.A.; Mountain, Rev. W. Cleland; Williamsburg, J. J. McLaughlin; Winchester, Andrew Broder. The School Act of 1871 abolished Local Superintendents, and provided county officials to be called Public School Inspectors, each having under his supervision a county or a riding. The P. S. I. with county examiners, con-r stituted the County Board of Examiners. At the June session of Counties' Council Rev. Win. Ferguson, M. A., was appointed Public School Inspector for the county of Dundas, and Dr. Miles Brown, Chesterville, and P. C. Mc- Gregor, B. A., principal of the Morrisburg High school, were made county examiners. At first teachers' examinations were held half -yearly, and the answer papers of the second and third class candidates were read by the Local Board, and the papers of the first class sent to Toronto to be read by the Central Com- mittee, but afterwards, the examinations were held yearly, and the second and first class papers sent to Toronto. Still later, all the non-professional answer papers were read in Toronto, and only the professional examinations at the close of the Model school confided to the County Boards, and the third class certificates awarded were made provincial in vadidity. At the January session of the Counties' Council, in 1872, W, A. Whitney, M. A., principal of the Iroquois High school, was added to the Board of Examiners, and at the June session there was the further addition of Rev. Wm. Cleland. In 1873 the Board consisted of W. A. Whitney, M. A., Wm. Elliott, B. A., principal of the Morrisburg High school, Dr. C. E. Hickey and Rev. Wm. Cleland. In 1874 the members were W. A. Whitney, M. A., Dr. C. E. Hickey and Wm. Elliott, B. A. In 1875 and 1876 the Board was composed of W. A. Whitney and Arthur Brown. At the June session, 1876, Edwin B. Parlow and H. H. Ross, B. A., were added, and the constitution of the Board was the same for 1877. In 1878 Arthur Brown was appointed County Inspector, and Edwin B. Parlow, H. H. Ross, B. A., and James A. Carman, B. A., County Examiners. The same examiners were appointed at the January session in 1879, but in consequence of a decision by Hon. Adam Crooks, Minister of Education, that as by the statutes county meant union of counties, there could be but one County Board for united counties, the Counties Council decided that Inspect- ors should constitute the Board, and since that time until 1900, Inspector McNaughton, of Stormont; Inspector Dr. McDiarmid, of Glengarry; Inspector Arthur Brown, of Dundas; Inspector R. B. Carman, M. A., of Cornwall, (now Judge Carman) made up the Board, In 1900 Judge Carman was transferred to Lincoln county, and from that time to the present the three County 136 THE STORY OF DUNDAS Inspectors have discharged the duties of County Examiners. During the time of Judge Carman's membership he was the valued and very efficient Secretary of the Board. The condition of the county as to teachers, pupils and school houses in 1847 has been shown by a table at the beginning of this chapter. It only remains to give some account of the present conditions. The last log school house dis- appeared in 1890, and the school houses of the county with very few excep- tions are now comfortable, roomy, well lighted, heated and ventilated, attractively painted, surrounded by adequate grounds, neatly fenced, and in most cases planted with shade trees. The advancement made in furniture and equipment has kept pace with the years. Modern desks, slate black- boards, globes, late maps, etc., are the rule. The school buildings and grounds at Winchester, Chesterville and Morewood would do credit to any city, and ranking in cost up to $14,000 at the first named place. The value of the school buildings and sites in the county of Dundas is now nearly $110,000, and the furniture, etc., over $14,000. The amount expended for teachers' salaries in 1903 was over $33,000, and for all purposes nearly $54,000. There were 109 teachers, 43 males and 66 females ; 4 held first-class certificates, and 37 second class. Of the remaining 69, 60 held junior leaving standing (or higher), the literary qualifications for second-class certificates. In only one respect can it be said that the county is behind, and that is in re- gard to salaries paid teachers. The average salary of male teachers in 1903 was $366, and of female teachers $270. No doubt one cause of low salaries is , due to the county containing both a High school and Collegiate Institute, doing excellent work, which with the continuation classes at Winchester, Chesterville and Morewood, also preparing candidates for teachers' junior leaving examination, the supply has been considerably in excess of local de- mand. But since the abolition of the primary certificate and the extension of the Normal school term to a year, the supply of teachers has been more limited, and there is an indication that salaries will improve and reach a point more in accordance with the importance of the office. Delightful task, to rear the tender thought, To teach the young idea how to shoot To pour the fresh instruction o'er the mind, To breathe the enlivening spirit, and to fix The generous purpose in the glowing breast ! — THOMBON. CHAPTER X HIGH SCHOOLS The clouds may drop down titles and estates, Wealth may seek us — but wisdom must be sought. —YOUNG. IN addition to our excellent and efficient Public schools, Dundas can boast of a High school and Collegiate Institute which compare very favorably with the best similar institutions in the province. IBOQUOIS HIGH SCHOOL To start from the root fibres of this school we must go back to the old stone school house, the first of its kind in the county, situated where now stands the shoe store of Z. Seely. One of the early teachers was John R. Kerr, through whose efforts in the community the desire for education was stimulated. On January 5, 1843, a letter bearing the signatures of Philip Carman, Geo. Brouse and Charles C. Rose was addressed to Rev. J. Murray, Superintendent of Education, Canada West, relative to the establishment of a Grammar school in Matilda. This effort, so worthily conceived, proved for the time being unsuccessful, but it left its imprint on the public mind, and it remained for John A. Carman to bring it to an issue. Mr. Carman, born in 1810, was the youngest of eight sons of Michael Car- man. He early engaged in business during consecutive intervals at Prescott, Brockville and Cornwall ; but failing health made it necessary for him to seek a milder climate. During his enforced retirement he travelled over a considerable portion of the United States, and about 1844 he returned to Matilda to take up his permanent residence. The canals were then in course of construction, local activity and signs of future progress were rife, and Mr. Carman foresaw the need of providing more liberal education for the youth of the vicinity. To meet this need he determined to erect a suitable school building if a proper site could be procured. This latter condition was soon met by James and Matthew Coons who donated an acre of land, lying about three hundred feet north of the front road, and during the summer of 1845 the 140 THE STORY OF DUNDAS building was erected. Under date of Nov. 29th of that year Mr. Carman ad- dressed a letter to Dr. Bond, of New York, asking the latter's assistance in securing a teacher for the new school. A portion of this letter furnishes the following description of the building : It is situated on the bank of the St. Lawrence, fourteen miles east of Ogdensburg, within fifty rods of the mail steamers landing in Canada. Building is 57x32 feet, two stories, stone, divided into twelve rooms : one dining, one kitchen, one sitting and two bed- rooms for family department ; one large school room, twenty-nine feet square, seated and ventilated after the plans in a book, entitled 'Schools and School- masters ;' one room twenty-two feet square, and one large teachers' or reci- tation room. The remaining four rooms are for boarders." Mr. Carman's efforts to secure a suitable teacher were unsuccessful, and finally he handed the building over to a board of managers, and appointed seven persons, including himself, as trustees of what was then called the "Matilda County Grammar School." The first board of trustees were : John A. Carman, Philip Carman, George Brouse, Jacob Brouse, John P. Crysler, J. W. Rose, Rev. William Shorts. The first teacher in the new school was W. N. Gates, B. A., and on June 10, 1846, the school was opened. Mr. Gates was assisted by Sarah A. Bailey and John L, Truax ; the latter, although blind, taught music. Even as early as 1847 the school enjoyed a considerable measure of local fame and popularity, the attendance during the winter term of that year being thirty-eight male and twenty-five female students. Among these were: James Ault, Cyrus Brouse, Albert Carman, Philip Carman, N.Knapp, Ormond Skinner, Mary Brouse, A. Gates, Elizabeth Wylie, L. Millar, J. Cook, Rufus Carman, R. Hickey, D. S. Hickey, Wm. Keeler, J. Mills, Nancy Brouse, M. Brouse, Uretta Coons, Emily Coons, A. Lever, M. Mcllinoyle, A. Mills, Char- lotte Parlow, Annie Wylie, Philip Keeler, John Suffel, H. J. Cook, J. S. Rat- tray, Colin Rose, M. Steacy, S. Ault, E. Gates, Guy C. Ault, Guy Brouse. Alonzo Bowen, B. Coons, G. Cook, N. Coons, William and Robert Elliott, W. H. Fraser, H. Hanes, E. Keeler, 8. Robertson, J. G. Skinner, Joseph Skinner, E. Selleck, L. O. Soules, James Wylie, James Wood, A. Dixon, John Parlow, Charlotte Ault, J. Ault, J. Bowen, Mary Carman, F. Carman, Maria Carman, Emma Carman, M. Carman, M. A. Coons, C. M. Ross, H. Steacy, A. Steacy, Rev. A. Dick, a Baptist minister, became principal in 1848, with Mrs . Dick as assistant, and for two or three years the school prospered, but unfortun- ately friction arose between the trustees and Mr. Dick, resulting in the latter's dismissal. In 1854 the trustees appointed by John A. Carman leased to the county trustees the building and equipment, but in 1857 a new lease was drawn for a term of ninety-nine years. HIGH SCHOOLS 141 Albert Carman was chosen principal of the school in 1854. He had barely reached his majority, was a recent graduate of Victoria College, possessed no previous experience in teaching, but yet during his three years stay the interests of the school advanced. In 1857 Mr. Carman accepted the Professor- ship of Mathematics in the Belleville Seminary, now known as Albert College. He soon became principal of the Belleville institution; was elected Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church, and subsequently as head of the united Methodist churches in Canada, an honored and important position which he still occupies. Edmund R. Davies was the next principal of the school. He resigned in 1858, and was succeeded by Samuel Cowan, later Dr. Cowan, who for a time practiced in Iroquois. W. A. Whitney, successor to Mr. Cowan, as headmaster of the school, was born in the township of Augusta, September 5, 1834. He commenced teaching at the age of sixteen, and by diligence and perseverance obtained a college education. Just before coming to Iroquois he graduated in Arts at Victoria University. His connection with the school covered a period of nearly 26 consecutive years. The first board of trustees during Mr. Whitney's regime were James Croil, Dr. Sherman, Alex. McDonald, Wm. Elliott, J . S. Boss and Philip Carman. The principal's salary was $600, which was later increased to $900; there was no assistant, and about 25 pupils enrolled. The Government grant was small, being based on the attendance of classical pupils; neither the counties' nor village councils contributed a cent towards maintenance, and in fact the institution was scarcely paying its way. After Mr. Whitney had been in charge for a few months he proposed to the board that they hand over to him the Government grant and fees, and he would employ an assistant and pay all charges of maintenance, insurance, etc. The proposal was readily accepted and continued satisfactory for six years. In 1865 the establishment of the Morrisburg Grammar school caused a slight decrease in attendance. A terrible epidemic of typhoid fever visited the village in 1867, and many deaths resulted. The effect on the school was disastrous, the attendance dwindled down to two, when the board closed the institution for two months. The frequent change of assistants, caused largely by insufficient salary offered, was another disadvantage. Those who served with Mr. Whitney were Miss E. Bailey, Mrs. Whitney, Miss Weagant, Miss Stephens, Miss Holden, Miss Anna Carman, Miss Ada Lane, Mr. Ross, Jas. A. Carman, Philo. A. Whitney, Mr. Clough, Mr. Leslie, Mr. Creelman, Mr. Crosby, Alexander McLeod, Mr. Kinney, Mr. Montgomery and Mr. Potter. About 1880 the rivalry caused by the Morrisburg school was more keenly felt. At the Iroquois school Mr, Whitney's high reputation as a teacher was 142 THE STORY OF DUNDAS the main support. The equipment of the building was poor and the assistants, though many of them good teachers,remained so short a time as to afford little proof of their ability. The report of the High School Inspector for 1883, '84 aud '85 were favorable, but in 1886 Inspector John Seath, who evidently had no liking for sterotyped reports, applied the lash by strongly denouncing the equipment and condition of the premises. It is apparent that his remarks were timely, for to use the words of the school historian: "The institution had been starved; it was shabby and out at the elbows, and appeared to disad- vantage among neighboring schools." In 1885 Mr. Whitney severed his long connection with the school. His labors had been fruitful ; in fact the best of his life had been devoted to the in- stitution and the general good of the community, a record of usefulness which remains as a monument to his memory more enduring than stone. The new principal was James A. Carman, son of the founder of the school. From 1879 to 1884 Mr. Carman had been principal of Kemptville High school, Which position he resigned to accompany Mrs. Carman to Denver, where she went in search of health. Upon his return he accepted the head mastership of the Iroquois school, in the interests of which his choice proved indeed a fortunate one. A. C. Casselman, Mr. Carman's confrere, was born in the township of Finch, June 23, 1860. In 1877 while attending the Morrisburg Grammar school he obtained a third-class certificate; taught a Public school for a time; returned to the High school and obtained a second-class certificate; in 1884 he secured a first-class certificate at St. Catharines Collegiate Institute; taught the Haddo Public school for an interval before coming to Iroquois. In 1886 the present High school building was constructed at a cost exceeding $11,000. The contractor was Patrick Keefe. A third teacher was then required, and an excellent choice was made in Ralph Boss, an able and efficient instructor. In 1889 Mr. Boss was replaced by John S. Carstairs. This brings us to a new era in the school, commonly designated by the three C's — Carman, Casselman and Carstairs — under whose efforts the institution prospered. John S. Carstairs is the second son of Bobert Carstairs, and was born in Kingston in 1862. His boyhood days were spent in Iroquois until his parents removed to Arnprior. In 1879 he returned to Iroquois and resumed his studies at the High school; in May, 1880, he passed his Senior Matriculation at the University of Toronto; a month later secured his second-class cer- tificate and followed Public school teaching until his accession to a position on the staff of the Iroquois High school. At the close 1891 Mr. Casselman withdrew from the school to accept HIGH SCHOOLS 143 the position of drawing and writing master in the Normal school Toronto. The institution had so prospered that it now became a four master school. During the first half of 1802, T. K. Sedey, B. A., relieved Mr. Caistairs who left to complete his course at the University, while Bo bert Thompson succeeded Mr. Casselinan. A. H. Harkness, a student of the school, was engaged to take the drawing until the midsummer vac ation, and at the be- ginning of the new term Miss Ida Dillabough, of Dundela, was engaged. Miss Dillabough (now Mrs. Forward, Ottawa,) was a student of the Morr is- burg Collegiate Institute, where she obtained a first-class non-professional certificate; attended the School of Pedagogy at Kingston, after which the taught a year and a half in Norwood High school. R. H. Knox, Mr. Thompson's sccessor, was born in the town of St. M ary's in 1868. At the age of 11 years he passed the entrance examination; at 15 took his third-class certificate; at 16 his second class; and at 17 matriculated. In 1892 he graduated in Arts from Victoria University, and previous to his coming to Iroquois had been engaged at other High schools and Collegiate Institutes. In 1893 Messrs. Carman and Carstairs resigned and a new regime began. Joseph A. Jackson, the next principal, was born of English parentage. At the close of his Public school course he entered the Kemptville High school? graduated from that institution and the Athens Model school and taught for a time; in June, 1885, he matriculated at the Cobourg Collegiate Institute, and in 1889 graduated from Victoria University with first-class honors in Meta- physics, Logic and Civil Polity. He was a member of the staff of Gananoque and Kemptville High schools before coming to Iroquois. Mr. Jackson assumed charge of the school with assistants, Mr. Knox, Miss Nellie Ross and Miss Zella Hare. The two ladies were graduates of Toronto University, the former being a daughter of Hon. G. W. Ross: both resigned at the close of the year, and were replaced by Miss Ida Dillabough and James M. Warren, respectively. Mr. Warren is a native of Hamilton, where he attended the Collegiate Institute, and in 1890 obtained a first-class B n on- professional certificate. He subsequently graduated from Toronto University and School of Pedagogy, securing honors in the latter school. This staff was a good one. The Inspector's reports were favorable, and the school made progress. The trustee board in 1895 was composed of Dr. John Harkness, chairman; Edward McNulty, secretary-treasurer; J. N. Forward, R. M. Bouck, Howard Durant and N. G. Sherman. Up to the close of 1895 perhaps the only name we have omitted from the teaching staff is that of MissH. A. Snider, M. A., who during the last term of that year was engaged temporarily to give Miss Dillabough a rest. 144 THE S^ORY OF DUNDAS On September 2, 1895, the semi-centennial of the Iroquois High school was duly marked by a re-union celebration. This event was brilliantly suc- cessful, a red-letter day in the school's history. There were assembled from far and near many of the old boys and girls, whose voices once again mingled together on the old campus; scenes almost forgotten were recalled, and stories of school life, mellowed by years, were retold. At this point in the school's career it was deemed proper that a history of the institution should be written . The task was assigned to Adam Harkness, and his work was so well executed as not only to reflect honor upon the writer, but to enable those familiar with many of the scenes to live the old times over again. Mr. Harkness may well feel proud of the success of this work, from which we have been privileged to secure a maximum share of this sketch of the school. The memorial volume was published in neat form, well illustrated, and handsomely bound. To the institution the work is a monu- ment of greater endurance than marble, and is more and more prized as time advances. Since the jubilee celebration the staff of the school has been constituted as follows: 1896 — J. A. Jackson, B.A., principal; assistants, J. M. Warren, B.A., R. H. Knox, B. A., Miss I. F. Dillabough. 1897— J. A. Jackson, B. A., prin- cipal; R. H. Knox, B. A,, T. E. A. Stanley, B. A., Miss I. F. Dillabough. 1898— J. A. Jackson, B. A., principal; R. H. Knox, B. A., (1st half); T. E. A. Stanley, B.A., W. Dixon Craig, B.A., (2nd half); Miss M. H. Rose, (2nd half.) 1899— J. A. Jackson, B. A., principal; T. E. A. Stanley, B. A., W. Dixon Craig, B. A., (1st half); D. Whyte, B. A., (2nd half); Miss M. H. Rose. 1900— J. A. Jackson, B. A., principal, (1st half); T. E. A. Stanley, B. A., D. Whyte, B.A., (1st half); P. F. Munro, B. A., (2nd half); William Smeaton, B. A., (2nd half); MissM. H. Rose. 1901— T. E. A. Stanley, B. A., principal; William Smeaton, B. A., P. F. Munro, B. A., (1st half); W. G. Anderson, B, A., (2nd half); Miss M. H. Rose. 1902— T. E. A. Stanley, B. A., principal; William Smeaton, B. A., W. G. Anderson, B. A., Miss M. H. Rose. 1903— T. E. A. Stanley, B.A., principal; W. G. Anderson, B. A., William Smeaton, B. A., (1st half); Arthur Smith, B. A., (2nd half); Miss M. H. Rose. 1904— T. E. A.. Stanley, B. A., principal; W. G. Anderson, B. A., Arthur Smith, B. A., Miss M. H. Rose. The present trustee board of the Iroquois High school is composed as fol- lows : John Harkness, M. D., chairman ; Edward McNulty, secretary-treas- urer ; W. J. Sharra, Drt D. Johnston, N. Ci. Sherman, Samuel Landon, John McTavish. Like so many others who find positions in eastern Ontario High schools, Mr. Stanley, the present principal of the Iroquois school, is a western man, and IROQUOIS HIGH SCHOOL. 1 T. E. A. Stanley (Principal), 2 W. G. Anderson. 3 Miss M. H. Rose. 4 Ar- thur Smith, 5 I. H. S. Building, 6 I. H. S. Football Team, 1904. HIGH SCHOOLS 147 like two of his predecessors (Ralph Ross and R. H. Knox) is a graduate of St. Mary's Collegiate Institute. A native of Perth county, Ontario, his boyhood was spent on a farm near the village of Granton. He passed the entrance examination in December, 1883 ; obtained a second-class non-professional teacher's certificate from Granton Public school in 1836 ; Honor Matriculation from St. Mary's Collegiate Institute in 1888 ; graduated from Toronto Uni- versity in June, 1892, with honors in the double course of Mathematics, Physics and English ; obtained a certificate from the School of Pedagogy in Toronto in December, 1892, and in January, 1893, at the age of 23, became Mathematical Master of the Cayuga High school. In 1897 he received an ap- pointment on the Iroquois High school staff, and upon the resignation of Mr. Jackson in June, 1900, Mr. Stanley was promoted to the principalship. W. G. Anderson, B. A., was born in the 7th concession of Edwardsburg, Grenville Co., Ont., Sept. 25, 1871. His boyhood was spent on the farm and at the Shanly Public school. He entered the Iroquois High school in Septem- ber, 1887, as the gold medallist at the previous entrance examination. Three years were spent there under the regime of James Carman, B. A. In 1890 Mr. Anderson obtained a second-class non-professional certificate, and in the fall of that year attended the f rescott Model school. After spending some years in Public school work at New Ross and Shanly, he attended the Ottawa Normal school during the spring term of 1895, graduating with honors. He then spent a year at the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute in quest of a first- class certificate, and spent the remainder of the year 1896 at the Model school in that village. The beginning of 1897 saw the subject of our sketch enrolled as an Arts student at Victoria University, Toronto, graduating therefrom in June, 1900, as a B. A., with honors in Classics. The next academic year was spent at the Normal College, Hamilton, and in the fall of 1901 Mr. Anderson joined the staff of his Alma Mater in his present capacity of Classical master. Arthur Smith, B. A., was born in Morpeth, Kent county. He attended the Public school in his native town till he obtained a third-class certificate. He then enrolled at the Ridgetown Collegiate Institute, graduating in 1890 with a Senior Leaving certificate and Honor Matriculation standing in Mathematics, English History and Geography, French and German. After teaching for a time he entered the University of Toronto, and during the first year took ehe double honor course of Mathematics and Physics and Natural Science, and succeeded in getting first-class honors in both, but reluctantly gave up his Mathematics during the second year and graduated in 1900 with honors in Natural Science. He taught for a time in Essex a.nd Newmarket High schools before he was appointed Science Master in Iroquois High school, in Sept., 1903. Miss M. H. Rose resigned her position as Modern Language teacher in the Oampbellford High school in midsummer, 1898, to accept a similiar position in 148 THE STORY OF DUNDAS the Iroquois school. Besides holding a first-class teacher's certificate she has taken a course in Modern Languages at Toronto University, and is a qualified specialist in French and German. Miss Rose, a grand daughter of John R. Ker, who first taught Classics in Iroquois, belongs properly to Dun das county, and it is only recently that her mother left Morrisburg to reside in Iroquois. Students' societies in connection with the school are energetically carried on. These include Athletic Association, Basketball Club, Literary and Scientific Association (editorial staff, The Tattler) and Glee Club. The Iroquois High school stands very high among the High schools of the Province, and in some respects at, least surpasses many of the Collegiate Institutes. For a number of years it has been very close between the Iroquois and Berlin schools for the best equipment in the physical apparatus of any High school in the Province. At present each has about $1,100 worth of appliances. In addition to a liberal equipment for experimental work in Chemistry, Electricity and Magnetism, Sound, Light, Heat, Mechanics and Hydrostatics, the school possesses a modern Colt projecting lantern of the best grade, with which work is done that otherwise would have to be assigned to the University. The value of the Reference Library is over $600, and in this respect it is easily first among the High schools; only two have a more valuable set of maps and charts, and none other has so valuable a museum . In recent years the school has progressed in the matter oi attendance. It speaks much for the people of Iroquois and Matilda and adjoining section of Gren- ville county, when a school having Morrisburg Collegiate Institute so near on the east, Prescott High school on the west,Kemptville on the north,and the St. Lawrence shutting off the south, that such a large number of pupils from so limited a territory avail themselves of the advantages of High school education. In 1895 the average attendance was 95. In 1897 the number on the roll for one term reached 122, and the average about 103. In common with all Ontario schools the attendance suffered a temporary decline during the next few years, averaging about 89 in 1898, 78 in 1899 and 72 in 1900. From that time until the present the increase has been rapid. In 1901 there was an average attendance of 77, in 1902 of 88, and in the first half of 1900 of 95. During the fall term of 1903 the number on the roll reached 129, and the average daily attendance 116. The school has been favorably known among educational men throughout the Province for a number of years past, and of late it is acquiring even greater prominence. In 1901 Miss M. B. Moore won a valuable scholarship at the Honor Matriculation examination, Queen's University; and in 1903 Miss Margaret E. Carman won for the school the most coveted honor that falls to the lot of any of our institutions of secondary education, by carrying off one of the Edward Blake General Proficiency scholarships, awarded on the results of the Honor Matriculation examination for Toronto University. HIGH SCHOOLS 149 The board takes a pride in having the best available staff, and the equip- ment most modern and thorough. A new Karn piano, and the installation of electric lighting in the building are among the more recent evidences of progress. Before closing our reference to this important seat of learning it would afford us pleasure to refer particularly to the extensive alumini, but our limit- ed space makes it impossible. From this school have gone forth many who have since occupied high stations in life, who have played nobly their part in the world's march. Almost sixty years have elapsed since the birth of this grand institution, during which time its beneficent influence has been ex- tended to almost every quarter of the globe. The following list of successful candidates for Junior or Senior Leaving or Matriculation examinations, covering a period of eleven years (1893 to 1904) will serve as a partial index of the success of the school : Alton Anderson, Frank Armstrong, B. A., Frank Anderson, Kenneth Ander- son, W. J. Adams, Ethel M. Armstrong, W. J. Armstrong, Eunice Armstrong, Hester Bailey, E. L. Brown, M. DM Lome Bouck, Charles Bouck, Hattie A. Byers, Laura Coons, H. M. Collison, M. D., John Collison, M. D., David Col- lison, Albert Coulter, EffieM. Clark, George Clarke, F. G. Conklin, D. D. S., J. R.R. Cooper, B. A., Maggie Carman, R. EL Crobar, Addie Dixon, Sophia Dondaldson, J. H. Donnelly, W. P. Dillon, J. fl. Dixon, G. E. Donaldson, A. Nina Driscoll, Maggie L. Edwards, W. M. Edwards, Frances M. Edwards, May Ennis, H. C. Fader, Charles Forward, Gertie It Gibbons, Maggie Gibbons, J. A. Groleau, Delia Gallinger, J. M. Gibbons, K&te Harkness, Jennie L.Hark- ness, J. G. Harkness, George Hanson, Ada M. Harkness, A. L. Harkness, R. D. Keefe, B. A., W. S. Keefe, M, J. Keys, Rufus Keys, A. E. Lidstone, M. D., Mabel Landon, M. E. Leizert, A. W. Macalister, Bertha Millar, James Mont- gomery, E. S. Munro, Urcilla Macalister, B. A., Annie Merkley, Ella Millar, F. J. Mullin, I. A. Montgomery, Margaret B. Moore, Maggie B. Munroe, M. H. McQuaig, Gideon Mclvor, Mary A. McGinn, Lome Mclntosh, James Mc- Robie, MaryE. McMurray, P. A. Mclntosh, B. A., Bertha MacDonald, F. E, McQuaig, Jean Macalister, Ethel McCoy, G. R. Peterson, Anna L. Redmond, W. J. Raney, Grace Redmond, H. E. Reilley, E. J. Rylance, P. D. Strader, A. E. Shaver, L. D. S., Geo. Thompson, Nancy Thompson, E. H. Thorpe, Cora Vancamp, A. B. Vancamp, W. H. Wood, B. A., W. H. Wright, L. D. S., J. N.Wilson, John Wallace, LillieB. Waddell, R. T. Williams, E. Mae Will- iams, A. F. C. Whalley. MOBBISBUBG COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE This institution, originally known as the "Morrisburg Grammar School,'* was established in 1864 in connection with the Public school of the village. 150 THE STORY OP DUNDAS The first meeting of the Grammar school trustees was held at the Town Hall, on Nov. 26th of that year, the members present being A. G. Macdonell, I. N. Rose, H. G. Merkley, William Meikle, Warner Casselman and P. Gormley. In 1865 the boards of Public and Grammar schools joined forces to form a union board, with chairman I. N. Rose, and secretary A. Farlinger. J. R. Yeomans, B. A., was the first head master of the Morrisburg Gram- mar school. His yearly stipend was $700, but his duties also covered the work of the Public school. The tuition fees of the school were two dollars per quarter to pupils residing within the municipality, and four dollars to pupils residing outside. The class rooms were located in the upper flat of the Public school building. Rev. J. McClure, B. A., was appointed head master in January, 1866, but was replaced in November of that year by W. E. Scott, B. A., who remained during the next three years. The Grammar school trustees for 1866 were Dr. A. B. Sherman, chairman ; John Barry, Warner Casselman, Win. Gordon, Rev. Mr. Huntin and Rev. Win. Bennett. On Dec. 20, 1869, the union of the boards was dissolved, but on May 14, 1870, they again came together and have since continued a Board of Education. The next head master was a Mr. Lee, B. A., who remained but a few months, his successor being P. C. McGregor, B. A., who served until the close of the year 1871. During that year the institution was re-christened the "Morrisburg High School," with a staff of two teachers. Mr. Poole, B. A., became head master in 1872 ; W. M. Elliott, M. A., in 1873 ; E. L. Chamberlain, B. A., in 1874, and during those years Mr. Cheney, B. A., was assistant. In 1875 I. Stuart, B. A., became head master at a salary of $800 per annum. His assistants from time to time were Mr. Wholegan, of Matilda ; Alex. Stewart, B. A., Wm. Elliott, B. A., and Mr. Irvine, B. A. Mr. Stewart was a capable principal, had the interests of the school at heart, was appreciated as a citizen, and remained connected with the school until the close of 1880, when he tendered his resignation on account of failing health. Up to 1875 there was but one building to accommodate both High and Public schools. With the increased population of the village and the meritor- ious reputation which was current regarding the High school, the attendance at both had been greatly increased. This congested condition was remedied by the erection of the new Public school building, the upper story of which was reserved for High school purposes. In December, 1878, there appeared the first number of a local publication, known as The High School Journal, representing the students of the Mor- risburg High school. The joint editors were Irwin Billiard, Chas. B. Roe and HIGH SCHOOLS 151 Frank Plantz. Some of the members of this unique paper contain notes of interest. Among these, an honor roll for the year 1879 presents the names of Charles B. Roe, Irwin Milliard, James Wallace, Myron Cleland, Peter Mc- Laughlin, Lennie Fell, Frank Lyle, Esther A. Fraser, Donald Russell, Frank Plantz, Win. Nash, Wm. Gibson, John Dickey, Annie Castleman, Maggie Hunter, Wm. Johnston, Nina Brown. About a year geems to have been the limit of the paper's existence. John 0. McGregor was head master during 1881 and '82, and on December 18th of the latter year at a meeting of the board a resolution was passed which meant much for the future progress of the school. It read as follows: "Moved in amendment by W. H. Meikle, seconded by John Fetterly, that the appli- cation J. S. Jamieson be accepted, at a salary of $900." Mr. Jamieson began his labors as head master in 1883. In 1878 some effort had been made to erect a High school building apart from that of the Public school. Among prospective sites was one offered as a donation by Captain and Mrs. Farlinger. Building tenders were advertised for and received. J. P. Johnston, of Ogdensburg, was the chosen architect. Just there the matter dropped for a time, but in 1885 a pretty site was pur- chased, the building constructed by contractor James Gillespie in a most satisfactory manner, and in February, 1886, was ready for use. Daring an interim of a few months previous to its construction, school was held in the basement of the M. E. church (now the R. C. church). In 1888 the size of the building was found to be inadequate, and an addition was constructed as well as a spacious gymnasium 30x60 feet, which is supplied with the latest and best apparatus for physical culture including gymnastics. The erection of the fine new building, the increased attendance and the continued success of the pupils at the departmental examinations, led to the staff being increased from time to time until in 1890 the High school was raised to the rank of a Collegiate Institute, with a staff of six specialists. The proceedings in connection with this event were of a brilliant character and marked a progressive epoch in the history of the Institute. The chief guest on that memorable occasion was Hon. G. W. Ross, then Minister of Education; Friday, October 10th, was the auspicious day. The Collegiate Institute was most tastefully decorated, and at two o'clock p. m. a large representation from of every section of the county was present . A beautiful address of welcome, read by Miss Susie Millar, was presented to the distin- guished guest. In his fitting reply, Mr. Ross eulogized the members of the staff and the Board of Education; referred to the marked progress which the institution had made; but his most welcome words were, "Now, you cease being a High school and will hereafter rank as a Collegiate Institute." In the evening a most enthusiastic meeting was held in the Music Hall, thus 152 THE STORY OF DUNDAS terminating the eventful christening of the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute, which is to-day one of the foremost of its kind in the Province. Since assuming so high a rank every effort has been made by the board to perfect the equipment of the school. In 1894 an addition to the grounds was purchased, and during the following year uniform a were procured for the cadets. In 1895 Allen C. Smith resigned after a number of years of faithful service. His work as a teacher was highly successful, although carried on in the face of physical ills which few men would have borne up against for so long a time. His patient endurance and unflinching devotion to his work were attributes worthy of admiration. In 1899 a valuable case of stuffed birds was donated to the Institute museum in the name of A. G. Munro, a former pupil of the school. During the follow- ing year an excellent collection of minerals was donated by Prof. Wm.Nichol and Dr. Goodwin, of the School of Mining, Kingston, while Colonel J. Hamil- ton, American Consul, presented a superb map of the United States. Many other donations have been made from time to time, and it is needless to add that such gifts are much appreciated. The death of Wm. Whitteker in 1900, and Wm. Kilgour in 1901, removed two most worthy members of the board ; while in 1901 M. D. \Villard,for over thirty years a faithful representative, presented his resignation . Following is a complete list of the members of the staff for each year since Mr.Jamieson's appointment: 1883-4 — J.S. Jamieson, M. A., head master; Allen C. Smith. 1885— J. S. Jamieson, M.A., headmaster; Allen C. Smith, Thos. Jam- ieson, B. A. (part of year). 1886— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., head master; Allen C. Smith, Rev. G. D. Bayne, B.A. (part of year), Thos. Jamieson, B. A. (part of year), W. A. Whitney, M. A. (balance of year). 1887— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., head master ; W. A. Whitney, M. A., Allen C. Smith, R. C. Rose. 1888-^1. S. Jamieson, M. A., head master ; W. A. Whitney, M. A., Allen C. Smith, N. L. Massey, B. A., R. J. Holland, B. A. 1889— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., head master ; W. A. Whitney, M. A., N. L. Massey, B. A., R. J. Holland, B. A., Allen C. Smith. 1890— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal; W. A. Whitney, M. A., N. L. Massey, B. A., R. J. Holland, B. A. (part of year), J. Stafford, B. A. (part of year), Miss Mary Lennox, B. A., Allen C. Smith. 1891— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal ; W A. Whitney, M. A., N. L. Massey, B. A., J. Stafford, B. A., Miss Mary Lennox, B. A., Allen C. Smith. 1892— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal ; 'N. A. Whitney, M. A., Allen C.Smith, N. L. Massey, B. A. (part of year), A. W. Massey, B. A., J. Stafford, B. A., Miss Edith Kerr, B. A. 1893— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal ; W. A. Whit- ney, M. A., A. W. Massey, B. A., Allen C. Smith, J. Stafford, B. A. (part of HIGH SCHOOL8 153 year), A. H. D. Ross, M. A. (part of year), Miss Edith Kerr, B. A. 1894— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal ; Allen G. Smith, A. W. Massey, B. A., A. H. D. Rose, M. A., Miss Edith A. Teskey, M. A., Miss Edith Kerr, B. A. (part of year), Miss H. S. Albarus, B. A. (part of year). 1895— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal ; Allen C. Smith (part of year), A. W. Massey, B. A., A. H. D. Ross, M. A., Miss Edith Teskey, M. A., Miss H. S. Albarus, B. A., I. J. Smith (part of year). 1896 — J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal; A. W. Massey, B. A., J. Stafford, B. A., Miss Edith A. Teskey, M. A., Miss H. S Albarus, B. A. (part of year), J. 8. Lane, B. A. (part of year), I. J. Smith (part of year), W. B. Kay- ler (part of year). 1897 — J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal; A. W. Massey, B. A , J. Stafford, B. A., Ph. D., W. B. Kayler, J. S. Lane, B. A., Miss Edith A. Teskey, M. A. (part of year), J. K. Colling, B. A. (part of year). 1893— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal ; W. B. Kayler, M. D. (part of year), R. N. Davy, (part of year), J. K. Colling, B. A., J. Stafford, B. A., Ph. D., (part of year), W. S. Kirkland, B.A., (part of year), A. W. Massey, B. A. 1899— J. S. Jamie- son, M. A., principal; A. W. Massey, B. A., W. S. Kirkland, M. A., J. K. Colling, B. A., (part of year), R. A. Croskery, B. A. (part of year), Miss Bessie Nichols, B. A., (part of year), Miss H. S. Albarus (part of year), G. L. Weagar, B. A., (part of year), L. W. Taylor (part of year). 1900— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal; A. W. Massey, B. A., W. S. Kirkland, M. A., Miss H. S. Albarus, B. A., R. A. Croskery, B. A., L. W. Taylor (part of year), W. P. Dandy, B. A. (part of year). 1901 — J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal; A. W. Massey, B.A., W. S. Kirkland, M.A., Miss H.S. Albarus, B.A., R.A. Croskery, B.A., W.P. Dandy, B.A. 1902— J.^. Jamieson, M.A., principal;A. W. Massey, B.A, W. S. Kirkland, M. A., Miss H. S. Albarus, B. A., R. A. Croskery, B. A., W. P. Dandy, B. A. (part of year), J. A. Buchanan (part of year). 1903— J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal; A. W. Massey, B. A., W. S. Kirkland, M. A. (half year), Miss H. S. Albarus, B. A. (half year), R. A. Croskery, B. A. (half year), J. A. Buchanan, W. J. Saunders, M. A. (half year), Miss M F. Libby, B. A. (three months), P. C. Dobson, B. A. (half year), A. C. Burnham (one month). 1904 — J. S. Jamieson, M. A., principal; A. W. Massey, B. A., W. J. Saunders, M! A., J. A. Cooke, B. A., Miss M. F. Libby, B. A., J. A. Buchanan. The members of the Board of Education of the village of Morrisburg for the present year (1904) are: Adam Johnston, B. A,, L.L. B., chairman; Thomas McDonald, secretary; Wm. D. Meikle, treasurer; Charles E. Hickey, B. A., M. D., Edward McLaughlin, M. D., Willis B. Cook, Charles T. Whitteker, William Eage* Wm. H. Reddick, A. A. Whitteker, Charles Snyder, William Campbell. The record of the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute is indeed brilliant. Ex- students are found in every cliine holding positions of honor and usefulness, 154 THE STORY OF DUNDAS and who will ever retain a love for their Alma Mater. As a means of re- ference we furnish herewith lists of M. C. I. Senior and Junior Leaving graduates with the year corresponding to each. To avoid repetition the names of those who merit a place in hoth lists have been omitted from the latter: Senior Leaving graduates : Edith M. Adams, 1896; Grace Ault, 1895; A. E . Baker, 1897; E. B. Barber, 1897; J. M. Brown, 1903; I. N. Becksted, B. A., 1S95; C. D. Bouck, 1892; Archie Cameron, 1899; A. D, Colquhoun, 1897; Thos. Colquhoun, 1897; Chas. Colquhoun, 1899; E. S. Coons, 1898; Hugh Country- man, 1896; R. N. Davy, 1897; W. C. Davy, 1899; Florence Deeks, 1894; Ida F. Dillabough, 1890; Ed. J. W. Dillabough, D. O., 1890; Mayme Dwyer, 1903; R. R. Earl, 1894; H. B. Fetterly, B. A., 1893; Adam Fetterly, 1896; James Froats, 1890; Willis Froats, 1892; McKenzie Fulton, B. A., 1893; V. K. Greer, 1903; Philippa A. V. Hickey, 1898; Samuel Hitsman, 1896; J. E. Hughes, 1887; C. E. Jamieson, 1901; Edith C. Jamieson, 1903; Joseph Keegan, 1901; Samuel Keys, B. A., 1891; Horatio Loucks, 1899; Grace E. Low, 1900; E. J. Marcellus, 1891; A. B. Meldrum, 1894; A. J. T. Merkley, 1892; J. C. Milligan, B. A., L.L. B., 1891; Lulu Mulloy, 1900; Luella McAmmond, I9t0; Aggie Mclntosh, 1903; Mary McKercher, 1895; Florence McKinnon, 1903; Jennie McLennan, 1894; T. S. Nash, 1894; M. D. Perley, B. A., 1900; E. H. Relyea, 1894; Robert Robinson, 1896; Ada Rose, 1893; Cephas Rose, 1895; Nellie Rose, 1893; R. C. Rose, B. A., 1884; C. A. Shaver, 1898; A. C. Smith, 1886; Lillian Smith, B. A., 1896; Nellie Smith, 1889; Martha B. Stewart, B. A., 1899; Gilbert Summers, 1901; Jean C. Vanallen, 1897; James M. Warner, 1S99; Fred Weagant, 1899; Sarah Weegar, 1893; E. J. Wells, 1900; Hannah M. Wingard, 1897. Junior Leaving graduates : Gertie Adams, 1898; L. J. A. Allen, 1902; W. W. Algate, D. D. 8., 1897; Susie Annabel, 1886; Ella B. Ault, 1896; Dora E. Ault, 1900; Charles Baker, 1896; C. J. Baker, 1893; F. B. Barclay, 1901; G. O. Barclay, 1902; J. L. Barry, 1900; Gertrude Barry, 1901; Minnie Bartle, 1896; Wm. Bates, 1897; Esther Bates, 1897; Emma Bates, 1901; Maggie Beattie, 1895; Norris L. Becksted, 1883; Wm. Beggs, 1897; Omer Belisle, 1902; W. A. Bell, 1900; L. E. Bell, 1902; P, O. Berkley, 1901; Hugh Blain, 1878; Thomasina Black, 1891; Gordon Bogart, M. D., C.M., 18S8; Florence Bouck, 1898; Chester Bouck, M. D., C. M., 1885; R. W. Baker, 1903; Fred Broder, B. A., 1896; Ollie Boyd, M. D., 1897; Evelyn C. Bennett, 1903; Chapman Brown, B. A., 1887; James Brown, 1902; Clara Buist, 1886 ; H. B. Callendar, 1885; Cassie Cameron, 1889; Donald Cameron, 1903; Amy Cameron, 1902; Gertrude Cameron, 1902; Glen Campbell, 1897, Ethel Carman, 1897, Thomas Carr, 1898, Mary E. Carr, 1890, Ada Carr, 1897, W. E. Carruthers, 1902, W. J . M. Cass, 1900, Leonard Casselman, M. D., 1884, Salena Casselman, 1886, O. D. Casselman, 1877, Ephriam Casselman, 1878, C. A. Casselman, 1880, Annie Casselman, 1880, C. L. Casselman, 1899, Maud A. Casselman, 1900, Ida B. Casselman, 1901, S. B. Cas- HIGH SCHOOLS 157 selman 1901, Alice Chalmers 1880, McKenzie Christie 1901, Myron Cleland 1880, Mary Clement 1884, Agnes Colquhoun 1883, Bella Colquhoun 1888, Jean Colquhoun 1897, Alice Colquhouu 1888, Edith Colquhoun 1901, Edna Colqu- houn 1902, G. K. Casselman 1903, Wesley A. Cook 1880, George H. Cook 1901, E. B. Carruthers 1903, G. M. Colquhoun 1903, Minnie Corrigan 1902, Heber Coulthart 1897, Christina Coulthart 1883, J. H. Dalgleish 1887, Johnston Daw- son 1887, W.E. Deeks, M.D.,C.M., 1884, Alex. Dewar 1887, J. S. Dickey 1899, J. V. Dillabough 1898, Hattie Dillabough 1890, Allan Dillabough 1901, Clinton Doran 1897, J. R. Dow 1887, Charles Duprau 1896, Christie Earl 1893, Daniel Earl, B. A., 1887, George Elliott, B. A., 1886, EvaEnifl 1894, L. A. Fell 1884, J. A. Ferris 1886, William Petterly 1896, G. P. Fetterly 1885, P. B. Fetterly 1888, P. A. Fetterly 1900, John Flagg, M. D., 1878, E. M. Fulton 1900, J. H. Garrow 1886, Wm. Gibson, B. A., 1884, J. J. Gillespie, M. D., 0. M., 1896, J. H. Gilles- pie 1901, Annie Gordon 1884, Emma M. Gardner 1903, Jennie Gordon 1894 Jessie Gordon 1893, Thos. J. Gordon 1900, J. C. Gormley, M. D., C. M., 1900, Jennie Gilroy 1903, Helen M. Gordon 1903, Peter Hall 1890, A. J. Hamilton 1896, Ethel F. Hamilton 1902, Mabel Hanna 1897, Maggie Holmes 1903, Robt. Hanson 1893, Maggie Hare 1890, Gertrude Hare 1897, Frank Harrison 1890, Geo. Hayunga, M. D., 1884, Caroline Hazel 1884, Aggie Henderson 1895, Janet Hepburn 1884, Edith Hewitt, B. A., 1889, R. C. Hickey 1899, Irwin Billiard 1878, Abram Hoy, D. D. S,, 1887, J. I. Hughes, B. A., 1891, Alma Hunter 1899, Jennie C. Hunter 1900, Ella Hunter 1902, Mary Johnston 1884, Jane Johnston 1884, Wm. Johnston 1880, David Johnston, M. B., 1883, Robert Johnston 1878, William Kerns 1901, Gordon Kennedy 1897, A. B. Kennedy 1899, Kate N. Kennedy 1900, Hector Kennedy 1902, Bessie G. Kilgour 1900, T. P. King 1892, William King 1897, W. A. Kyle 1879, R. J. Kyle, M. D., 1884, Annie M. Kyle 1901, Justin Lannin 1900, Wesley Lawson 1877, Annie Lawyer, M. D., 1885, Hattie Lawyer 1883, Minnie Loucks 1896, Florence Loucks 1898, Daniel Lough 1884, Laura B. Larrnour 1903, William Lyle, M. D., 1888, Maggie McCallum 1886, R. A. A. McConnell 1895, Duncan McDonald, B. A., 1895, P. B. McDon- ald 1891, Cassie McDonald 1899, R. C. McDonald 1900, James McGowan 1896, Patrick McGowan 1887, Clem McGregor 1887, Jennie McGowan 1889, John Mc- Gregor 1900, Gertrude Mclntosh 1895, K. L. Mclntosh 1903, G. A. Mclntosh, B. A., B. D., 1886, Zita McMahon 1903, Agnes McMahon 1903, Aggie Mclntosh 1901, Florence McKinnon 1902, Daniel McLaren 1893, William McMartin 1903, Wilburn Merkley 1903, J. A. McLean, B. A., 1894, Peter McLaughlin, M. D., 1879, Robert McLaughlin 1901, Fred McMahon 1902, Roy McMillan 1902, Geo. McMillan 1892, Kate McPherson 1894, Ethan Marselis, M. D., 1891, J. E. Marcellus, Flora B. Marshall 1900, Laura Martin 1896, Charles Mattice 1896, George Mattice 1894, Ralph Maxwell 1877, Susie Miller 1895, Geo. Moffat, M. D., 1890, Stella Merkley 1900, Roy Merkley 1902, T. E. Moffat 1900, Maggie E. Moore 1886, Jessie F. Morgan 1902, Frank Mouthrop, D. 158 THE STORY OP DUNDAS D. S., 1894, Lome Mulloy, D. S. O., 1897, Frank Munro 1885, Willis Myers 1901, Lillie Nash 1888, Keith Nash 1903, Emma Ouderkirk 1905, Eva L. Ouderkirk 1902, Clara Perkins 1897, Lydia Poapst 1897, C. B. Rae 1879, W. A. Reddick 1902, McKenzie Render 1896. Sarah Ridley 1884, Maggie M. Robb 1902, Harold Robertson 1900, Eli Robinson 1894, E. J. Robinson, M. D., 1890, M. I. Robinson 1901, C. A. Robinson 1902, E. S. Rombough 1902, Myrtle Rose 1895, William Rose 1877, Donald Russell, M. D., 1880, W. J. Rutherford, B. S. A., 1896, Thos. Sayers 1896, Kelha Serviss 1896, Katheryn M. Shannette 1902, M. E. Shaver 1896, Kate Shaver 1897, F. T. Shaver 1898, Thomas Shaver 1895, P. A. Shaver 1891, J. A. Shaver 1897, R. J. Shaver 1902, Kate Sheats 1887, John Short 1889, Marion Goldsmith, B. A., 1896, Edith M. Smith 1900, Jennie C. Smith 1900, George Smith 1885, Maggie Smyth 1889, Rena Smith 1896, C. B. Selleck 1903, A. G. Snyder 1886, Lottie Southworth 1894, G. A. Stata 1886, Chas. Stewart, M. D., 1891, Nell A. Stuart 1903, Silas Stoodley 1893, Emma Styles 1896, Alva Sullivan 1887, Gordon Summers 1898, Christopher Summers 1901, Minnie Sutherland 1885, G.C. Swerdfeger, D.D.S., 1899, Herbert Thompson 1895, Alice Timberlake 1896, I.W. Tinkess 1899, Lizzie B. Toye 1884, A. D. Tracy 1885, Harry Van Allen 1893, Olive P. Van Allen 1900, George Weagant,B.A., 1893, J. W. Weagant 1899, Eldon Webb 1893, Sarah Wholehan 1886, Eleanor A. Wickware 1901, Charles Willard 1900, Minnie M. Wingard 1900, Kathleen Wingard 1903, Duncan Wood, M. D., 1891, Gilbert Wood 1896, J. A. Wright 1887, Jennie E. Young 1899, H. G. Young 1900, Alice Young 1900, Aggie Zeron 1885, Lindsay Zufelt 1883. Principal J. S. Jamieson, M. A., was born at Kars, county of Carleton. Aug. 20, 1844. His early years were spent on the farm, working in summer and going to school in winter. He obtained a second-class teacher's certificate chiefly by private study and then attended the county of Carleton senior Grammar school, Ottawa, obtaining a first-class certificate in 1867. After teaching the Public school at Glen Tay, county of Lanark, for two years, he went to Victoria University and obtained the degree of B. A., in 1875. He re- ceived the degree of M. A. from the same University in 1879. Since Janu- ary, 1876, he has been engaged in High school work, as follows : Three years as head master of Pakenham High school, three years as head mas- ter of Carleton Place High school, one year as Science and English Master of the Perth Collegiate Institute, and twenty-two years as Principal of the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute. Mr. Jamieson has proven a very capable Principal as is evidenced by the high standing of the Institute. Arthur W. Massey, B. A., Mathematical Master in the Morrisburg Colleg- iate Institute, was born in 1870, near Belleville. He attended Public school at S. S. No. 2, Sidney ; spent three years at Albert College, obtaining senior matriculation in 1887. From there he went to Victoria University where he HIGH SCHOOLS 159 graduated in 1890 with first class honors in Mathematics and English, being a silver medallist in the former subject. At the December examination in 1890 he obtained a specialist's certificate in Mathematics, English and History. During the year 1891-2 he taught in the Forest High school, and in August, 1892, he accepted the position he now holds. Besides being a successful teach- er, Mr. Massey is otherwise interested in the welfare of the village, being leader of the Methodist choir, a director of the Public Library, a member of the Masonic Lodge, and a Past Grand of the I. O. O. F. W. J. Saunders, M. A., a native of Kingston, received his early training in the Public schools and Collegiate Institute of that city. After spending some years as a Public school teacher he entered Queen's University, from which institution he graduated with first-class honors in Animal Biology, Botany and Chemistry, being University gold medallist in the two first nam- ed subjects and winner of the Gowan Foundation Prize in Botany. For some years before assuming his present position on the M. 0. I. staff Mr. Saun- ders was Science Master in Pembroke High school. J. A. Cooke, B. A., Classical Master of the M. C. L, was born at Cataraqui in 1861. He was a student at Kingston Grammar school; attended Queen's University, from which he was in 1884 an honor graduate and specialist in Classics. Principal Grant wrote of him that he took an excellent general university course, and that his record with all the professors was without spot. His first position was in Southern Kansas; later he taught in the Vankleek Hill Collegiate Institute; in 1891 he was appointed to the Dunville High school, remaining twelve years, the latter six years of which he was Principal. In 1903 he assumed the Principalship of the Bracebridge High school, which he resigned to take the Morris burg position. Miss Minnie Fennessy Libby, B. A., specialist in Moderns at the M. C. I., was educated at the Collegiate Institute, Cobourg, Nazareth Academy, Kentucky, and Victoria College; an honor student in Moderns (including English), and gold medallist of her year in that department. J. A. Buchanan, the present Commercial Specialist at the Morrisburg Col- legiate Institute, is a young man 26 years of age. After leaving the Publi« schools he attended Parkhill High school, and obtained a second-class certifi- cate in 1895. After graduating from Strathroy Model school, where he rank- ed third highest in a class of forty-three, he engaged in Public school teach- ing for three years. He obtained a first-class certificate at Parkhill in 1900 ; graduated from the Normal College, Hamilton, in 1901, and through the agency of the vice-principal of that institution was given a place on the teach- ing staff of the Uxbridge school. After remaining there a year he joined the 160 THE STORY OF DUNDAS staff of the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute, where in 1903 he obtained a Com- mercial Specialist's certificate. The Collegiate Institute building is a large, commodious structure, furnish- ed with the most modern school furniture and appliances for heating and ventilating. The waiting rooms and laboratories are amply supplied with pure water ; electric lights have been installed ; the library consists of choice books for reference, and supplementary reading is free to all students, in fact every modern convenience consistent with successful work has been secured. In the Science department excellent provision is made for experimental work, and additional new apparatus is constantly being added to the equipment. For Physical Science there is found the latest and most improved appliances for exemplifying the work in electricity, magnetism, light, sound, mechanics, hydrostatics and the properties of matter. The science room is also fitted with operating tables, apparatus and re-agents for individual work in chemis- try and qualitative analysis. For Botany and Animal Biology there are found excellent microscopes, dissecting instruments, charts, mounted and articulat- ed skeletons. A self-adjusting electric arc lamp of the most improved type used for lantern projection work is of excellent service in the science and other departments. Another popular and practical department of the Collegiate Institute is the facilities for imparting to the students a commercial education. The course includes book-keeping and writing, commercial transactions, business forms, stenography and typewriting. The inception of the Morrisburg Collegiate Institute Cadet Corps dates back to 1886, and it was chiefly through the efforts of Principal Jamieson and Dr. C. E . Hickey that this privilege was won to the Morrisburg school. From 1886 to 1897 a regularly qualified instructor was sent by the militia depart- ment and hence to many citizens and ex-students a familiarity surrounds the names of Corporal Morin, Statf-Sergt. Roberts, Sergt. Boutillier, Corporal Camm, Sergt. Brittain, as well as Sergt. Beattie, who since gave his life in de- fence of the Empire in the South African war. By a change effected in 1897 a master in the Collegiate Institute can give the required instruction after tak- ing a course in Stanley Barracks, and if, at the annual visit of the Inspecting Officer, the corps is considered efficient a grant of fifty dollars is given. Ow- ing to the high standing of the cadet corps the grant has been annually received for several years . The following have been captains of the Company since its formation : J. S. Jamieson 1986-91, N. L. Massey 1892, A. W. Massey 1893-4, W. C. Davy 1895-6, P. Shaver 1897-8, A. Flynn 1899-00, A. Dillabough 1901-2, C. B. Selleck 1903, W. E. Carruthers 1904. The cadet corps is surely a source of pride, not only to the people of Morris- HIGH SCHOOLS 161 burg but to every loyal citizen of Dundas. What is more befitting than the appearance of the corps on any national occasion such as the visit of a states- man or the return of an ex-student from a field of honor? At the unveiling of the monument at the Crysler Farm battlefield the presence of the cadets served to stimulate patriotic sentiment. The writer was then a member of the corps. On the other hand the moral side to military training is significant. The lessons and examples of youth form the basis of character. The cadet is drilled to obey with his mind and body the orders of his superior ; he is thus elevated to a higher plane of manhood. Even in many of our Public schools a junior corps might be taught some of the simpler movements. The effect would be permanent. Let us not forget that it is men Canada requires, and every in- novation which moves in the line of advancement should have a place in our educational system. Under the banner of military discipline, by which is en- gendered a feeling of pride, the youth soon learns the lessons of fidelity, obed- ience and manliness, and he will grow up a nobler citizen, to serve well his part in the land which we love. CHAPTER XI RELIGIOUS LIFE Each must in virtue strive for to excel, The man lives twice, who lives the first life well. — HEBKICK, THE LUTHERAN CHURCH ST. LAWRRNCE parish of the Evangelical Lutheran church comprises St. John's church, Riverside, and St. Paul's church, Morrisburg. The settlement of this portion of the northern shore of the St. Lawrence has already been referred to. No sooner had those German Loyalists (many of whom were Lutherans) landed on the shores of Dundas than they began to establish relig- ious institutions. Meetings for public worship were held, and in 1787 they sent a messenger to Philadelphia for a "Book of Sermons" and a hymn-book, both of which were used under the direction of a lay reader until they obtain- ed their first pastor. In 1789 they began the erection of a church, the first Protestant church built in Upper Canada. It was a quaint white edifice of the Dutch style of architecture. There was nothing especially peculiar in its appearance, noth- ing to arrest the attention of the passing stranger, nevertheless it possessed a history all its own. More than a hundred years have elapsed since its erec- tion. Generation after generation have grown up about it. Generations have come into this world, grown old and died, still the old bell in the low to war continued to call the worshippers together. The scattered inhabitants met here for prayer half a century before Morrisburg was born. The first pastor in connection with this early church was Rev. Samuel Schwerdfeger, a native of Saxony. He organized the congregation and dedi- cated the church "Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church." In 1792 the Luther- an congregation petitioned the Government for the lot, containing about seventy-five acres, upon which the church stood, as a glebe. They received a "license of occupation," with the furcher promise that a deed would soon be RELIGIOUS LIFE 163 issued. With this assurance they cleared a portion of the lot, built a parson age and made other improvements. In 1799 a description of the land was issued from the office of the Surveyor-General in place of a deed, as the gov- ernment was not yet in a position to issue deeds for such lands. In the mean- time the labors of the pastor were unremitting, and congregations had been organized in Osnabruck and Matilda ; both of these congregations have long since ceased to exist, the members having proselyted to the Episcopal or Methodist churches. Mr. Schwerdfeger's faithful pastorate closed at his death, in 1803. The second pastorate began in 1804 and extended over a period of three years. The pastor, Rev. Frederick Augustus Myers, was a son of Rev. Fred- erick Myers, first pastor of the Bay of Quinte parish. The third pastorate, from 1808 to 1811, was conducted by Rev. J. G. Weag- ant, a native of Hanover, a university graduate and a school fellow of Rev. F. A. Myers. In 1811 Mr. Weagant apostalized from the Lutheran church and was re-ordained in Quebec by Bishop Mountain of the Episcopal church, but remained in Williamsburg as a Lutheran pastor. When the fact of his apostasy became known the Lutherans feared that by the new arrangement they were to be absorbed into the Episcopal church and the indignation of some of them was undisguised. The invitation extended them to unite with the English Church was accepted by a few families, while the great majority stood aloof from the proposed arrangement. In the meantime, during the war of 1812-14, church affairs had been much neglected, and at the close of hostilit- ies some members of the disbanded regiments came to Canada. More than one of these German soldiers possessing a liberal education visited the Luther- ans in Williamsburg under the title of Lutheran ministers. Some of the people were greatly imposed upon, and one of these imposters especially proved himself to be "a wolf in sheep's clothing." The fourth pastorate began in 1814 under the direction of a former minister, Rev. F. A. Myers. Some difficulty then arose, as Rev. Weagant refused to vacate the parsonage and glebe and also prevented the Lutherans from using the church. Rev. Myers for a time preached in the homes of his flock unti^ by agreement the Lutherans secured the use of the church for a portion of the time. In 1817 Rev. Myers also apostalized to the Episcopal church. He then settled in Matilda (Iroquois) and continued to officiate there as an Episcopal minister till his death. On Oct. 7th, 1818, the church wardens conferred upon Colonel Henry Merk- ley the power of attorney to secure from the government the patent deed for the clergy land granted by license of occupation to Salem Lutheran congrega- tion, called since Rev. Weagant's apostasy St. George's Church, but their efforts were of no avail, and for nine years they were without a pastor. 164 THE STORY OF DUNDAS In 1824 a minister in the person of Rev. I. L. Senderling was secured. He, however, declined the pastoral call on account of the idadequate salary, and during his brief stay labored as a missionary. The fifth pastorate of the church began in 1826 when Rev. Herman Hayunga accepted the call. Mr. Hayunga was a native of Denmark, who had received his education in Germany. He was a very active and successful pastor and during his stay St. Peter's Church, North Williamsburg, was founded. In 1837 owing to ill health he resigned his charge. His interest in the church was, however, preserved, and at several interims during succeeding years he was supply administrator. The disputed church property long continued a bone of contention until by act of parliament a division of the land was made, the Episcopals retaining the south half with all the improvements, while to the Lutherans remained the unimproved portion to the rear. This settlement was unfair to the Luth- erans, who later received a government grant of $2,000 to partially atone for the loss of their church and glebe. During the early thirties Mr. Conrad Frymire donated the congregation three .acres of land a short distance above the old church and there the Luth- erans rebuilt. The corner-stone of the new church was laid April 20, 1833 ; the last Lutheran service in the old church was held June 16th, and on July 14th, 1833, Rev. Mr. Hayunga consecrated their new "Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church.'* Between 1837 and 1839 is recorded the sixth pastorate of the church under the care of Rev. Simeon Dederick, a graduate of Hartwick Seminary. The seventh pastorate began April 21, 1840, when Rev. Sharts preached his first sermon in the field, where he remained during the next eighteen years, the longest pastorate in the history of the congregation . A new parsonage was erected in 1842, and in 1856 Rev. Sharts secured subscriptions to the amount of $3,070 for the erection of a new church, but for some years the work was held in abeyance. In 1858 Rev. Sharts resigned, and during the next three years Rev. Hayunga was again acting pastor. In 1858 the parish as then constituted of St. John's Church. Riverside, and St. Peter's Church, at North Williamsburg, was divided, the latter withdrawing from the ministerium of New York to enter the Hartwick Synod. Rev. J. H. Hun ton ministered during the eighth pastorate, from 1861 to 1872, and during that interval the present church at Riverside was erected, the dedication being held August 16, 1863. About that time St. John's con- gregation was dismissed from the ministerium of New York, and was received into the Canada Synod. In 1862 Rev. Hunton began preaching in Morrisburg, and later service was regularly held in the town hall there. RELIGIOUS LIFE 167 During an interim of one year, before the appointment of Rev. L. Hippie as pastor, Rev. J. D. Roth, of St. Peter's Church, North Williamsburg, supplied the congregation. By the resignation of Rev. Hippie in 1874 the ninth pastorate was concluded. The tenth pastorate was also brief. The paetor, Rev. Augustus Shultz, although remaining but one year, made a deep impression in favor of conserva- tive church life and practice. During his pastorate the erection of St. Paul's Church, Moriisburg, began. Rev. J. Fishburn, President of the Canada Synod, was pastor for about one year, and by him was dedicated St. Paul's Church, Morrisburg. In October, 1876, his son, Rev. M. H. Fishburn, became pastor of the parish, consisting of St. John's Church, Riverside, and St. Paul's Church, Morrisburg. He re- mained in charge until February, 1882. The twelfth pastorate en tended from 1882 to 1890, Rev. A. H. Kinuard being superintendent. In the winter of 1886-87 the parish was divided, Rev. Kin- nard remaining in charge of the St. John's congregation, while Rev. J. M. Long became pastor of St. Paul's Church. In 1890 the two congregations again united, and the thirteenth pastorate was entered upon under the care of Rev. W. L. Genzmer. During the latter part of his ministry he also officiated at St. Peter's Church, North Williams- burg, which pastorate had for a time been vacant. Rev. O. D. Bartholomew became pastor in 1893, and his resignation was presented in the spring of 1895, thus closing the fourteenth pastorate. The next minister was Rev. S. L. Keller, who, finding the parsonage at St. John's Church ill conditioned, tendered his resignation in May, 1898. He however made an appeal on behalf of his successor for a parsonage in Morris- burg. The need in this department was satisfied by Mrs. T. Dardis, who in 1898 donated the present parsonage, an ideal home, to St. Paul's congregation. Rev. Keller's resignation not being accepted he remained until impaired health caused him to sever his connection with the parish in the year 1900. Other changes were resulting. In 1899 St. John's Church was greatly repaired, and on September 17th of that year was re-dedicated. G. J. Cook, *»f Toronto, also added a beautiful fence to the cemetery at St. John's Church. The present and sixteenth pastorate began in 1900. The pastor, J. C. F. Ruff, is a native of Pennsylvania, a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Gettysburg Theological Seminary, and received ordination August 31, 1884. In August, 1902, there was bequeathed by the will of the late George J. Cook, of Toronto, the sum of $10,000 to St. John's Church, and $4,000 to St. Paul's Church, as a perpetual endowment towards the support of the pastor. Mr. 168 THE STORY OF DUNDA8 Cook's parents were members of St. John's Church, and in that vicinity the donor had spent his boyhood days, and his action in bequeathing so gener- ously will ever be deservedly esteemed. In September, 1902, the St. Lawrence parish was separated from the Canada Synod to join in the organization of the Synod of New York and New England for the prosecution of English work. ST. PETER'S LUTHERAN CHURCH, NORTH WILLIAMSBURG, AND DUNBAR LUTHERAN CHURCH Soon after the initial settlement of Dundas county a number of Lutheran families settled in the vicinity of what is now North Williamsburg. Among these were included the names of Berkley, Casselman, Schell, Merkley, Haries, Whittaker, and others. They worshipped at St. John's Lutheran church, Riverside. Finally the apostasy of their pastor, Rev. Weagant, and the fact of inter-marriages caused religious matters to grow somewhat intricate. In 1825 Rev. Sender ling put forth an effort to build a church at North Wil- liamsburg, on a site given by John Cook. After much labor in this direction the Lutheran and Presbyterian bodies decided to build a union church. Rev. Hayunga became pastor in 1826, preaching in a private house until 1827, when the proposed church was built. Both denominations used the church, but finally some difficulty arose between them in reference to the payment of the church debt; these unpleasant conditions continued until 1836 when matters were satisfactorily adjusted. Rev. Dederick became Lutheran pastor in 1837, and two years later Rev. Hayunga supplied at North Williamsburg. In 1840 Rev. Sharts became pastor, serving with some intermissions until the year 1858. Some difficulty arose about that time and Rev. Bridgeman caused a division in the congregation and built a church at Bouck's Hill, a short distance to the east of North Williamsburg. Rev. Hunton became pastor in 1863,and the following year Rev. J. Fishburn was placed in charge. In 1864-5 the present Lutheran church, a large and commodious house of worship, was built at North Williamsburg independent of the Presbyterians; succeeding pastors were, Revs. Hunton, Boyer, Fish- burn, Roth and Hippie. Some time previous to 1874 Lutheran services were instituted at Dunbar.and during Rev. Hippie's pastorate the present comfortable Lutheran church was built at that place. Rev. Prof. John Whittaker served th« North Williamsburg parish for a short time, and in 1884 Rev. M. H. Fishburn was the stationed minister. RELIGIOUS LIFE 169 His successors have been Rev. Genzmer (1890), Rev. Murray (1893) and the present able pastor, Rev. John Shunk. METHODISM IN MATILDA William Losee may be termed the apostle of Methodism in Upper Canada, although as early as 1778 a class made up of Paul and Barbara Heck and others had been stationed in Augusta. It appears that Losee's first visit to Canada was in 1790, when he came to see some U . E. Loyalist, friends, and on his way preached in Matilda, Augusta, Elizabethtown and the Bay of Quinte District. So keen a flame of revival followed his preaching that the settlers petitioned the New York conference to send them a missionary. The petition was granted, and Losee was appointed to Canada. He soon founded the Cataraqui circuit, in the Bay of Quinte district, the first quarterly meeting being held there September 16, 1792, in Mr. Parrot's barn, in the first con- cession of Ernestown. Losee soon formed another circuit, extending from Cornw.aH to Kingston, known as the Oswegatchie circuit. Itinerancy was a distinguishing feature of Methodism in those days. Some of the pioneer preachers were Darius Dunham, James Coleman, Sylvanus Keeier, Elijah Woolsey, Samuel and Michael Coate and Hezokiah C. Wooster. These arid others of their class endured unspeakable hardships, traversing forests, crossing streams and rivers, making their way over roads almost impassable, while as to worldly support they asked only to subsist. When night overtook them they often slept in the wood, or should they find a friendly settler their bed and fare would be of the rudest. But they toiled on for the welfare of men and the glory of God. Among the early preachers in the township of Matilda was Joseph Sawyer, of whom Playter in his "History of Methodism" wrote: "He began his labors in Canada in 1800. He was a man of strong mind, great energy,and a single eye. He was a useful man, and some of his converts became preachers of the Gospel. He was married, and after his location he settled down on a farm bordering on the St. Lawrence, in Matilda." Finally he was tried for per- forming the ceremony of marriage, and as a punishment was sentenced to banishment. In company with his family he was put into a canoe and ferried across the river. His pardon was soon secured, chiefly through the efforts of the late John Rose, of Dixon's Corners, who rode on horseback all the way to York (Toronto), carrying a petition begging for the reverend gentleman's reprieve. The writer is informed that the name of the couple whom Mr. Sawyer married were Frederick Bouck and Hannah Locke . After being pardon - ed,Mr.Sawyerreturned to Matilda where he for many years labored. Duringthat time he often preached in settlements distant from the front. Meetings were held in houses, barns, wagon shops or school houses, and in the third concessiou of 170 THE STORY OF DUNDAS Matilda in the homes of Edward Shaver, Robert Larmour, John Barkley, William Lavis, James Smyth and others. Many of the old people who have gone, and possibly a very few who yet remain, after beii-g pardoned were christened by Mr. Sawyer. In the autumn of 1834 he fell from his horse and broke his leg, but he bore his pains cheerfully. He died in the United States some years later. Mrs. Sawyer, the wife of the venerable preacher, was a wonderfully scrupu- lous woman. With her cleanliness was next to Godliness., It is told that when the soldiers came to her house for water she would not allow them to draw it out of the well, but would do so herself, and after their departure she would rub the long well-pole and scrub the bucket after they had dipped their pails into it or drank from its overflowing brim. The Oswegatchie circuit formed in 1792 was in 1795 divided into two circuits, and as settlement increased a further sub-division resulted in the founding of the Matilda circuit, which covered a considerable area. The first Methodist church in Dun das, a frame structure of humble style, was erected at Point Iroquois. In 1823 an early camp-meeting was held in the grove not distant from the church, and Mr. Harkness in his I. H. S. Semi-Centennial says : "This early meeting was under the supervision of William H. Williams, a youthful and zealous Methodist missionary, and was the first camp-meeting in the eastern part of what was then Upper Canada. The country folk for miles around gathered here from day to day and from night to night, some to scoff and some to pray, to break the monotony of their lives and mingle with their fellows. Many of them remained for weeks, returning home at intervals or leaving someone in charge of their premises. Whatever may have been their object in coming they generally learned to pray before they returned. The meeting left an impress upon the character of the people that is yet plainly visible and that has been far reaching in its effect. Nearly all the old men living at the middle of the century dated their conversion to that season of prayer and the vicinity has continued to be a sort of centre from which Methodism has radiated." In 1830 the primitive church was replaced by a larger and more substantial one of stone. Later the construction of the canal isolated the Point, and in 1855 a hew church was built on the site of the present one. Its dedication in 1856 was followed by a successful series of revival services conducted by Rev. James Gray. The old Matilda circuit, the parent mission of Dundas Methodism, was significant in many ways, and it is a matter of regret that the early records were not preserved . The minute books from 1841 are extant, and from these RELIGIOUS LIFE 171 we glean some notes of interest. For 1841-2 the stewards were: Matthew Coons, George Brouse, Daniel Carman, Samuel Shaver, Thomas Smith, John Hickey and John Fetterly; while among the leaders appointed were: Simon Ault, Jacob Brouse, James McDonald, C. M. Dillabough, Peter Adams, R. Cook, David and George Coons, Robert Redmond, Frederick Bouck, Samuel Cooper, Robert Crosby, Jacob Ault, Jarnes Stewart, H. W. Bowen, Philip Baker, Andrew Allison, Peter Brouse, William Munroe. At a meeting held April 16, 1842, it was resolved that Peter Brouse, Tinis Hickey, Jesse W. Rose, W. H. Bowen and Frederick Weaver be appointed to secure a deed of a piece of land from John Hickey for the purpose of erecting a chapel in Williamsburg, and on February 16, 1844, the following were appointed a building committee in connection with the Mariatown church: H. W. Bowen, Daniel Rose, I. N. Rose, James Doran. The records of the forties show that for supplying provisions for the "par- sonage house" the circuit was divided into twelve districts, each supplying one month's allowance of three bushels of wheat, fifty pounds of meat, fifteen pounds of butter, one pound of tea, ten pounds of sugar, five bushels of oats, 3s 4d in cash for sundries. In addition thereto hay was supplied for the parson's horse. The Matilda circuit extended into the rear townships of Dundas, and in March, 1845, a building committee was appointed in connection with the erec- tion of a chapel at Armstrong's Mills (Chesterville). The members of the committee were William Munroe, John Fetterly, Samuel Smyth, Thomas Killan, John A. Merkley and James Hanes ; while the following were appoint- ed trustees : Wm. Munroe, Giles Bogart, Wm. Merkley, Jeremiah Hanes, Gilbert Munroe, John Fetterly, John M. Merkley. One very interesting record in the early minute book is a list of furniture at the Matilda parsonage, June 1, 1847, which included 12 chairs, 2 French bed- steads, 1 long post bedstead, 1 cooking stove, 1 parlor stove, 2 tables, 1 bureau, 1 cow, 1 churn, 1 pair andirons. This was the chief equipment of the minis- ter's home and premises, now the site of the beautiful residence of H. H. Ross, Iroquois. In 1855 another list appeared as follows : Two short post bedsteads, 1 long post bedstead, 1 bureau, 1 box stove and pipes, 1 cooking stove and pipes, with furniture (injured), 1 rocking chair, 8 common chairs (pretty well worn), 3 common chairs (damaged), 2 half -leaf dining tables, 1 kitchen table (damaged), 1 beaufet, 1 book-case and desk, 1 large spinning-wheel. For the year 1849-50 the trustees of the Edwardsburg church (then included n the Matilda circuit) were Henry Bolton, Henry Armstrong, Thos. Smith, Geo. Anderson, John Adams, David Freece, James Mcllmoil, James Froom, jr., John S. Froom. 172 THE STORY OP DUNDAS For the year 1854-5 the second quarterly business meeting was held at Mariatowu, on Oct. 28th. At that meeting it was decided that Rev. Mr. Cole- man be allowed three dollars per month for keeping the junior preacher. Meeting May 28th, 1857: "Resolved that this quarterly meeting recommend that the Matilda circuit be divided as follows: the Matilda circuit to embrace Matilda, Wood's, Marshall's and Keek's; the Morrisburg circuit, Morrisburg, Mariatown, the brick and stone school houses, --.nd Mclntosh's; the Edwards- burg circuit, the appointments in Edwardsburg." At a meeting held Feb. 18, 1860, the trustees appointed for the new church in the 7th concession of Edwardsburg were: Elisha Adams, N. Wilson, David Froom, Richard Wallace, Alfred Adams, John Anderson, Richard Robinson, James Mulhol- land. The circuit expenses for 1876-7 -were divided according to the following plan: Village classes, $125; Wesley church, $80; Dundela, $150; brick church, Rowena, $150; Paul Coons' class, $55; Charles Mclunis' class, $55; Alex. Beck- stead's class, $60; M. Keek's class, $50. A list of pastors of the old Matilda circuit are here subjoined: 1826 Cyrus R. Allison; 1831-2 Solomon Waldron; 1833 Ezra Healey, Vincent B. Howard; 1834 John Carroll, Geo. F. Playter; 1835 Henry Shaler, Solomon Snider; 1836 Henry Shaler, George Goodson; 1837 Asahel Hurlburt, George Good.-on ; 1838 Asahel Hurlburt, George Ferguson; 1839 Geo. Ferguson, Benjamin Nankeville; 1840 Benjamin Nan kville, Thos. Harmon; 1841 Benjamin Nankeville; 1842 Daniel Berney, Ozias Barber; 1843 Daniel Berney, Robt Lochead; 1644 Thos. Bevitt, Jas. Elliott; 1845 Thos. Bevitt, Win. H. Williams; 1846 John Lever, James Armstrong; 1847 John Lever, Win. McGill; 1848 Jas. Musgrove, David C. McDowell; 1849 Jas. Musgrove, Win. Chapman; 1850 Asahel HurJburt, John G. Witted; 1851 Asahel Hurlburt, John B. Armstrong; 1852 Francis Colernan, David Robertson; 1853 Francis Coleman, Wm. Burns; 1854 Francis Colernan, Jas. Massou; 1855 James Gray, John B. Armstrong; 1858 James Gray, Henry H. Pardue; 1857 Jas. Gray, Geo. M. Meacharn; 1853-9 Robert Brewster, Richard Hay worth; 1860 Robert Brewster, Brock Ros-; 1^61 Wm. Coleman, Thos. H. Walker; 1882 Wm. Coleman, Josiah Greene; 1863 David C. McDowell, Wm. H. Rowson; 1864 David C. McDowell, Jas McCullough; 1885 David C. McDowell, Wesley Carson; 1863 Win. Scott, Elisha Tennant; 1867 Wm. Scott; 1868-70 Wm. Morton; 1871 Wm. R. Dyre, Win. Ryan; 1872-3 Win. K. Dyre; 1874 Marmaduke L. Pearson; 1875 M. L. Pearson, Geo. U. Poyser; 1876 Thos. G. Williams, Lewis Conley; 1877 Thos. G. Williams; E. W. Crane; 1878 T. G. Williams, David C. Sanderson; 1879 Andrew A. Smith, D. C. Sanderson; 1880 A. A. Smith, 8. N. McAdoo; 1882-5 Alfred McCann. IBOQUOIS METHODIST CIRCUIT In 1884 Iroquois circuit was organized. The present Methodist church RELIGIOUS LIFE 173 there was constructed in the year 1876, at a cost of $17,000. It is a fine stone edifice, excellently equipped, lighted by electricity, comfortably seated, and has lately been renovated at a cost of $700. The parsonage is a plain, comfort- able, substantial stone building possessing modern equipment, such as bath room, waterworks, etc. An Epworth League, Woman's Missionary Auxiliary, and Ladies' Aid are flourishing societies in connection with the church, while the Sabbath school is under the direction of Superintendent T.S. Edwards, assisted by a staff of excellent teachers. Two rural appointments, Keckville and the White church (con. 2), are included in the Iroquois circuit. At Keckvilie Sabbath school and preaching service are held in the school house; the congregation numbers from 50 to 70. The White church is prettily situated, comfortably equipped, and presents a neat appearance. Much interest is here taken in the Sabbath school and choir. Since the institution of the Iroquois circuit the following pastors have been in charge: 1884-5, Alfred McOann; 1885-8, G. G. Huxtable; 1888-91, W. H. Sparling, B A.; 1891-4, George Rogers; 1894-7, F. G. Lett; 1897-1900, J. T. Pitcher; 1900-03, John Webster; 1903-4, Richard Corrigan. Rev. R. Corrigan, B. A., B. D., was born in the village of Inkerman, town- ship of Mountain. He attended the local Public schools and the Kernptviile High school, and in 1890 graduated in arts from Victoria University,receivirig honorable mention in philosophy and obtaining the Clark prize in ethics. He secured the degree of Bachelor of Divinity from the same institution after its removal to Toronto and federation with the Provincial University. In 1893 Mr. Corrigan was ordained to the Christian ministry. He served three years at Mason ville, three at Magog and four on Inverness circuits, in the Eastern TownshipvS. In 1903, in accordance with a call extended, he was transferred to the Iroquois circuit. MATILDA CIRCUIT, 1884. This circuit as set apart from Iroquois in 1884 held its first quarterly official meeting at Brinstoa's Corners, Aug. 4th, 1884. The representative* present were : Rev. E. W. Crane, Andrew Henderson, R. S. Rose, R. Armstrong, W. Wood ; local preacher, Charles Munroe ; leaders, J. V. Wright, W. Waddell, J. Casselman, A. Coons, A. Gallagher, C. Adams, T. Briggs, T. Johnston; Sabbath school superintendents, G. Keys, J. J. Fader, R. M. Bouck, J. Hamil- ton, G. Shaver ; Stewards, M. J. Barkley, D. Hamilton, A. Coons, C. Locke, W. Marshall, W. Shaver, H. McQuigg, G. Shaver, W. Dodge, M. Murdoch, W. Fader, John Fader. The following ministers have been in charge : E. W. Crane, assistants 174 THE STORY OF DUNDAS Messrs. Henderson and McMullen ; W. T. Smith, assistants Messrs. Hartwell, Munroe, S. E. Sells, Skeat ; Rev. Reynolds, assistants Messrs. Warren, Ains- worth, Arthur Mills ; F. Chisholm, assistant J. V. Smith ; F. W. A. Meyer, assistants W. T. Brown, J. A. Dorman, Calvin Beeker ; J. K. Lidstone, assist- ants W. Brown, B. W. Thompson, J. I. Hughes ; Thos. McAmuiond, assist- ants H. Philp, A. E. Hagar, W. G. Connolly. The recording stewards have been Michael Barkley 1884-7, Joseph Payne 1887-90, A. Coons 1890, W. G. Smyth 1890-1901. At the close of the conference year of 1900-01 the circuit was divided into two separate charges, designated respectively "Matilda" and "Matilda South." MATILDA CIRCUIT, 1901. This circuit is composed of four appointments, to each of which we will refer briefly. The Brown church (Brinston's Corners) was built in the early 70's, during the ministry of Rev. J. E. Mavety, the site having been donated by William Locke. The initial meeting in connection with the erection of this church was held in Alonzo Shaver's carriage shop, and a considerable sum was at once subscribed to promote the project. Previous to this the congregation worshipped in the Locke, Dixon and Branch school-houses. The Brown church, still in use, is soon to be replaced by a new one. The Wesley appointment originally included two churches, the M. E. church, built about thirty-three years ago, and the Wesley, built during the pastorate of Rev. William Pearson. Since the union was consummated the united congregations have worshipped in the latter church, while a few years ago the M. E. church was converted into a Public school building at Hulbert. The Hainsville church was built one year later than the Brown church. It is a substantial brick building, and about two years ago was thoroughly re- paired, and the interior appropriately decorated. Glen Stewart church (Sandy Creek) was built during the summer of 1902, during the pastorate of Rev. C. J. Curtis, and dedicated by Rev. J. E. Mav- ety, chairman of the Brockville District. This church, very tastefully con- structed, cost about $2 000, and is practically free of debt. Rev. C. J. Curtis, the first pastor of the circuit as now constituted, is a son of J. W. Curtis of the wholesale firm of Curtis & Co., Liverpool, England. When a young man he entered the Wesleyan ministry, and for three years was engaged in city mission work as lay preacher. In 1878 he came to Can- ada, entered the ministry, and served as junior pastor at Guelph, Harriston and Aurora. In 1884 he entered the Montreal conference and since then has CHURCHES. Baptist Roman Catholic. Anglican Presbyterian (Winchester) (South Mountain). (Iroquois.) (P. Valley). Methodist (Iroquois). Holiness Movement (Chesterville) Presbyterian (Iroquois). Presbyterian (Winchester). Methodist (Dundela). Methodist (Winchester). RELIGIOUS LIFE 177 been stationed at Lawrenceville, Que.; West Brome, Que. ; Bedford, Que. ; Ul- verton, Que. ; Invermay, Ont. ; Newington, Storraont county ; Matilda, Dun- das county, and Nepean, Oarleton county. In 1904 Rev. Fred. Tripp succeeded Mr. Curtis on the Matilda circuit. MATILDA SOUTH CIRCUIT Three appointments, Dundela, Rowena and Glover, constitute this circuit. The first minister was Rev. W. A. Wilson, an able and forceful speaker. Rev. E. W. S, Coates, the next pastor, was born in Prescott, about 30 years ago. He was educated at the Public and High schools of his native town ; took a course at the British-American Business College, and for three years engaged in mercantile life at Ottawa and New York. Inspired by the needs in the ministerial field he left a very remunerative position in the latter city, entered Victoria University, Toionto, and at the close of his theological course engaged in the active work of the ministry. He travelled Lyn, Shawvilleand Hendersonville circuits before coming to South Matilda, where for two years he was a zealous and earnest pastor. Mr. Coates is now stationed at Hinton- burg, Carleton county. Rev. R. M. Thompson, who now ministers to the congregations of Matilda South, was born at Pembroke, Dec. 13, 1882. He was educated in his native town, and at the age of nineteen entered upon the work of the ministry. He is a fluent and convincing speaker. Dundela church was built in 1881. This appointment is the largest on the circuit ; the church is well supported, and as recently as 1903 repairs to the amount of $500 were made. The earliest church at this place was known as Munroe church, the name of Gilbert Munroe being associated with its found- ing. Many people can remember the old church with its quaint pews and the soul-stirring sermons preached within its walls . Rowena church was built in 1864 and dedicated the following year. In 1885 it was practically rebuilt at a cost of nearly $1,000, the re-opening being held in March, 1886. Glover Methodist church was built in 1888, estimated cost $1,500. Previous to that time services were held in the old school house. The present trustees of the church are : Nelson Tousant, Simon Merkley, Wm. Briggs, Byron Glover, Charles W. Serviss, Milton Cross, Robt. Hare. At each appointment good Sabbath schools are conducted, and a branch of the W. F. M. S. was organized in 1903, during the pastorate of Rev. E. W. S . Coates. At Rowena, the central appointment, the meetings of the quarterly official board are conducted. W. G. Smyth is recording steward. By arbi- 178 THE STORY OF DUNDAS tration the claims of this circuit upon the parsonage property at Brinston's Corners was recently determined at $400; the arbitrators were: T. S. Edwards, Iroquois ; Ashley Vancamp, Cardinal, and Joel Adams, Shanly. Possibly the question of constructing a parsonage will in time occupy the attention of the people of Matilda South. MORRISBURG METHODIST CIRCUIT This charge was originally embraced in the Oswegatchie circuit formed by William Lessee. Just at what time Methodist services were held in the vicinity of what is now Morrisburg is hard to determine, but as early as 1835 service was held in the house of Morris Beckstead. Later the school house at Mariatown became the rallying point of the Methodists and there a union church was built in 1857. Prom 1830 to 1857 Morrisburg formed a part of the Matilda circuit, but in the latter year was erected into a separate circuit with rural appointments attached. Rev. John B. Armstrong, the first pastor of the Morrisburg charge, encour- aged the building of the brick edifice on Church street, now owned by the Salvation Army. To accommodate the growing congregation and conserve the spiritual interests of the church the present edifice was erected during the pastorate of Rev. Alex. Campbell. In 1884 occurred the union of the several Canadian Methodist bodies, in consequence of which the Methodist Episcopal and Canada Methodist congre- gations of Morrisburg became one, retaining the Canada Methodist church as tbeir place of worship, and disposing of the M. E. church to the Roman Cath- olic body. Turning our attention briefly to the methods of former times, we learn that for the year 1861-2 the following allowances were made for the support of the pastor :Quarterage, $240 ; family allowance, $172 ; children's claim, $85 ; house-keeping, $50; fuel, $40 ; travelling expenses, $13; making a total of $600. The circuit appropriations were as follows : Morrisburg, $150 cash, $20 pro- visions ; Robertson's, $45 cash, $60 provisions ; Reddick's, $21 cash, $28 pro- visions ; VanAllen's, $16 cash, $20 provisions ; P. Ault's, $22 cash, $30 pro- visions ; G. Turner's, $23 cash, $30 provisions ; Munroe's, $23 cash, $30 provis- ions ; Cook's, $5 cash, $6 provisions ; total, $338 cash, $264 provisions. Following is a list of pastors who have served since Morrisburg became separated from Matilda circuit : 1857-9, John B. Armstrong ; 1860-1, William Andrews ; 1862-3, J. S. Youmans ; 1864, J. S. Youmans and W. H. Rowsom ; 1865-6, William English ; 1867-9, William McGill ; 1870-2, J. S. Evans ; 1873-5, Ebenezer Robson; 1876-7, R. M. Hammond ; 1878-80, Alexander Campbell ; Mr. Kines, W. J. Crothers, J. T. Pitcher, Dr. Hansford, J. E. Mavety, William Timberlake, W. H. Sparling, B. A., H. Cairns. RELIGIOUS LIFE 179 Win. Philp, B. A., B. D., the present pastor, is a son of the late Wm. Philp, and was born in the township of Darlington, county of Durham. He was educated at the Public schools, the Bowmanville Grammar School, and Vic- toria University, securing his degree of B. A. in 1887, and B. D. in 1889. Like many in the professional ranks Mr. Philp began life as a school teacher, and in 1872 entered the Methodist ministry, his first charge being Manvers, his home circuit. In 1873 he came east, and for the last thirty years has labored successfully on several charges. He has held almost every office in the gift of the church except the Presidency, and was twice elected Secretary of Confer- ence. The Morris burg Methodist church is a handsome edifice, finely equipped, and occupying a well chosen site. During the pastorate of Rev. Dr. Hans- ford the pretty cemetery west of the town was purchased. The present com- fortable and commodious parsonage was built while Rev. J. E. Mavety was superintendent of the circuit. About the year 1850 a Sabbath school was conducted in an old school house east of the residence of Mrs. I. N. Rose, but the story of this early school has almost vanished. About 1859 the Sabbath school was organized and held in the Methodist church. In 1862 C. De Castle was appointed superintendent ; since then the following have officiated : Mr. Porteous, Mr. Eacutt, Mr. Qumn, Arthur Brown, William Eagleton, Dr. Hansford, A. C. Smith, I. Hilliard, M. S. Logan, Dr. Kayler, and the present superintendent, J. S. Jamieson. WINCHESTER METHODIST CIRCUIT In Winchester as in other districts, the visits of the itinerant preachers were in early days looked forward to with a degree of interest difficult to real- ize by the present generation. The forests were then sparsely dotted with the homes of the settlers who by perseverance and zeal laid the foundation for the prosperity of the community, both spiritual and temporal. The earliest services within the bounds of what is now Winchester circuit were held from 1832 to 1839 in the homes of Andrew D. Summers, Mark Red" mond and Richard Bolton. The first regular preaching service in Winchester was held about the year 1838 in the home of Benjamin Bates, a log shanty which stood just west of the present Baptist church lot. This for many years was the headquarters of Methodism in the township. The Kemptville circuit was formed in 1840 and for eight years Winchester was attached thereto. During that period the ministers were: Rev. William McCullough, Simon Huntingdon, Benjamin Nankeyille, James Elliott. Services were held alternately at the homes of Benjamin Bates and Andrew D. Summers. 180 THE STORY OP DUNDAS In August, 1844, arrangements were made to hold the first quarterly meet- ing in a frame barn belonging tc Joshua Annable. For some reason the min- ister was unable to attend and the sacramental service had to be postponed. In 1848 Winchester was made a separate circuit, with Rev. Wm. McGill as first minister. The mission included all the township of Winchester and the northern part of Williamsburg, with headquarters at Armstrong's Mills (Chesterville). About this time the old log school house was built in Win- chester and for many years was used as a place of worship by the Methodists and other denominations. Rev. McGill's successor in 1850 was Rev. David Hardie, who in turn was re- placed by Rev. Robert Brewster, and during the pastorate of the latter the first effort to build a church was made, Wilson Forth offered a lot free of charge and a selection was made just east of the site of the old Presbyterian church. Materials were placed on the ground, but before the work of building began dissensions and it was finally decided to construct the church on the west side of what is now St. Lawrence street, some distance south of the present Public school lot. The materials were then hauled to that place and other preparations made, but later the plans were rescinded and the first site was re-chosen. The frame had been completed >and the. roof put on, but be- fore it was all enclosed a great wind-storm passed along and left the church a heap of ruins. The congregation continued to worship in the old log school house and no further efforts towards building a church were made for some time. From 1840 to 1850 the Methodist Episcopal body held regular services in Winchester, being supplied by ministers stationed in Matilda. Meetings were held at the homes of Joseph Cass, Andrew Summers and George Fleming. During the early fifties their ministers resided at Armstrong's Mills (Chester- ville), and preached in the log school house to which we have previously allud- ed. In 1857-8 the first church in Winchester was built by the Methodist Epis- copal body. The trustees were: William Bow, David A. Summers, Rufus Earl, John Brown and George Mulloy. In the Wesleyan ranks the ministers after Rev. Brewster were Revs. Erastus Hurlbert, William Pattyson, John Keirnon, with Mr. Sherlock as assistant; Andrew Armstrong, John Holmes, with W. G. Garnet as colleague ; Edward A. Ward, with assistants William Buchanan and Mr. Taylor. After the union of Wesleyans and Methodist New Connexion, forming the Methodist church of Canada, Rev. T. G. Williams, D.D., became superintendent, with Rev. Wm. Pearson, of Newboro, as nis colleague. In~1876 Rev. J. B. Saunders and Rev. Samuel Ellery were appointed, and in 1878 Rev. John Scanlon was superintendent, with Rev. George C. Poyser as his confrere. In 1878 Win" RELIGIOUS LIFE 181 Chester was divided and two circuits formed, known as Chesterville and West Winchester. Rev. John Wilson was the first minister sent to the latter cir- cuit. He was succceeded in 1882 by Rev. W. J. Crothers. At the Methodist Episcopal church, Winchester, the following ministers officiated: Rev. Messrs. Lane, Hill, Davy, Brown, Williams, Wright, Manson, McMullen, Sills, Bell, Osser, Robinson, Smith, Andrews, Caldwell, Brown, Manson, Woodcock* Hunt, Johnston, McAmmond, Phillips, Anderson, Graham, Cornell. After West Winchester was set apart as a separate circuit the ministers were: Rev. Thomas W. Mavety, 1878-81; Rev. William Serviss, 1881-3. In 1868, during the pastorate of Rev. John Holmes, the Wesleyan body built the brick church which was dedicated January 1, 1869. The trustees were: William Forth, Henry Mercill, Benjamin Bates, William Summers, John Hughes, James Hughes and George Annable. In 1878 this church was enlarged to nearly double its former capacity. In 1881 the Methodist Episcopal body commenced the erection of the pres- ent beautiful and commodious stone church, and in 1882 the Sabbath school rooms were finished and occupied for service, but the main building was not completed until four years later. In the meantime the union of the two Methodist bodies took place, and it was then decided to complete and retain the new church for the united body. This proposal was carried into effect, and on the first Sabbath of October, 1886, the new edifice was dedicated to the service of God. Since the union the pastors have been Rev. Messrs. Joseph M. Hagar, M.A., John Mavety, T. C. Brown, G. G. Huxtable, Foster McAmmond, B.A., F. G. Reynolds, S. J. Hughes, M.A., and Rev. David Winters. The union of the two Methodist bodies in Winchester has worked most har. moniously and the cause of Methodism has since continued to grow. In addi- tion to the church in Winchester the charge now comprises a small church five miles to the north of the village, known as Harmony Methodist church. The Sunday schools on the circuit are four in number. The village congrega- tion has one of the best Sunday school halls and set of class-rooms to be found. The others are the Summers school, conducted by David E. Summers, sup- erintendent ; a school in the Walker neighborhood, with James Brown super intendent, and another in the Melvin settlement, with Mr. Frith superintend, ent. The several church societies, including Epworth League and Woman's League, are loyally supported, while the contributions to missions and other funds speak creditably for the congregations. Rev. S. J. Hughes, M.A., late pastor of Winchester, was born near Windsor, N.S. During the whole term of his ministry he has been connected with the Montreal conference, having spent nine years in the eastern townships, P.Q., 182 THE STORY OF DUNDAS and the last sixteen years in eastern Ontario on various circuits, comprising Arnprior, Gananoque, Prescott, Ottawa, Perth and Winchester. CHESTERVLLLE METHODIST CIRCUIT The Canada Methodist church,a stone building 60x40 feet, was erected quite early in the sixties, its location being south of the present Public school build" ing. The original trustees were: Joseph Alford, Thos. Fulton and James Ed" gert m, sr.; while the ministers included William Patterson, John Howes. Andrew Armstrong, John Holmes, Dr. Williams, Dr. Saunders, John Scanlon and G. G. Huxtable. After the union of 1884 the church was torn down, the stones crushed and placed on the streets of Chesterville. The Episcopal Methodist church, a frame building, painted white, was built before 1850. It is still standing in the village and used as a furniture store. Some of the ministers who preached in the old church were: Revs. J. Smith, J. H. Andrews, W. E. Johnston and Thomas McAmmond. The brick church at present used by the Methodists of Chesterville was built in 1873-4 and dedicat- ed January 9, 1875, Rev. W. A Phillips being pastor at that time. Subse- quent ministers were: Thomas Mavety, A. Anderson, Samuel Briggs, W. H. Graham and A. H.Visser. This brings us to the union, since which time the pas- tors for the united congregations have been : G. G. Huxtable, H. W. Knowles, John Ferguson, James Richardson, T. B. Conley, W. T. Smith, William Pear- son and A. E. Sanderson. MOREWOOD METHODIST CHURCH About the middle of last century Methodism obtained a footing in the More- wood district, services being held in a typical old-time school house which stood not far from what is now Cannamore. Early in 1849 a great revival was held, a number were converted and a society of Methodists formed. Rev. Wm. Howse was one of the early preachers . Not many years passed before a frame church was erected near the site of the present church, but the new building was later destroyed by fire. About 1855 the Methodist Episcopal minister came to what is now Morewood and preached in a log school house, which is still standing but used for other purposes. There a Sabbath school was organized about 1863. Later a frame church was erected near the ceme- tery, while about 1874 the fine brick church at North Winchester was built. After the union of 1884 the Wesleyan and Episcopal bodies came together and selected the brick church as their place of worship, the frame church being afterwards removed to the Cambridge appointment. Rev. Mr. Beamish, the present pastor of the Morewood circuit, is zealous in looking after the spiritual interests of his three appointments, Morewood, Cambridge and Berwick. SOUTH MOUNTAIN METHODIST CHURCH The early Methodist meetings in this vicinity were held in the school house northeast of the village. Among the officiating ministers were: Revs. Me- RELIGIOUS LIFE 183 Ritchie, Philp, Ferguson and Stewart. About 1860 a wooden church was constructed ; some names identified with the project were Edward and Will- iam Gilroy, Joseph Smith, William Guernsey and Benjamin Storey. The pastors have been as follows : 1834-5, Rev. Hugh McLean ; 1866-8, John Howes ; 1869-71, Andrew Armstrong ; 1872-4, Jabez B. Saunders ; 1875-7, Sam- uel Teeson, with assistants Martin J. Bates, John Webster, Thomas J. Mansell; 1878-9, William Rilance ; 1880, William Philp and John M. Moore ; 1881, William Philp, Mr. McCunn ; 1882, William Philp, D. V. McDowell ; 1883, John Stewart ; 1884-6, John Ferguson ; 1887-9, T. B. Conley ; 1890-2, F. W. A. Meyer ; 1893-5, A. E. Lidstone ; 1896-8, T. McAmmond ; 1899-01, Fred Tripp ; 1902, William Wells ; 1903, W. Wells, E. Robson ; 1904, Lewis Conley, Thos. E. Burke. For a number of years this church was connected with Kemptville, but at present South Mountain, Heckston, Mountain and Hallville constitute one charge. The present handsome brick church at South Mountain was constructed in 1892, at a cost of $4,500. The trusiee board at that time included Charles Rob- inson, Francis Stewart, John Ennis, William Barkley, Henry and Addison Morehouse, William Grevel, Robert Mulholland, William Forrister, William, Edmund, Gilbert and John Gilroy, Thomas Gray, Harold Soper. About five years ago a brick parsonage, costing $3,300, was built. The Mountain church is a frame building, erected a few years ago. During the present summer (1904) it was rebuilt, rendering it a neat and coimnod" ious church, the dedicatory services being held on Sunday, August 28th. For many years service was regularly held in the Peter Smith school house, at the western boundary of Mountain township. The Hallville church is a comfort, able brick building. Small congregations are found at Mountain and Hall- ville. INKEBMAN METHODIST CIRCUIT Some years ago this district was supplied from Kemptville, which then em- braced as associate charges Heckston, South Mountain, Vancamp and Inker- man. A change was effected in 1864 by which Inkerrnan became part of the South Mountain circuit. After the union of 1884 the Inkerman circuit as now constituted was founded, including Inkerman, Vancamp and Bigford's. In 1855 a frame church, 30x40 fe«t, was erected at Inkerman. Some of the early church members were: Thomas Armstrong, Thomas Johnston, James Mulloy, George Suffel, Mrs. N. Conway, Michael Barkley, William Guy, James N. Johnston, Solomon Render, Mrs. John Rennick, Mrs. Henry Killough, H. M. Barkley, Robert Corrigan, Peter Suifel, Nicholas Johnston, Edmud Suffel and Richard SuffeL The present brick church, 56x40 feet, was 184 THE STORY OF DUNDAS built in 1883, and dedicated the following year by Rev. W. Galbraith, and the pastors, Rev. John Stewart and Rev. W. Barnett. This church cost $4,200, is well and comfortably equipped, has a fine spire, also a first-class bell of 1,027 pounds, costing $325. In the year 1900 a parsonage, costing $2,300, was erected at Inkerrnan. The interest taken in all branches of church work is worthy of mention. Ep worth League, Woman's Missionary, and Ladies' Aid