WILLIAM (SENATOR) DONELLY
There used to be a man about Town when I was a boy who was quite a popular fellow. He was a handsome chap and sported a flowing mustache. Of course, he chewed tobacco, as did many of the men of his day. He kept a Livery Stable. What brought him to my mind at this time was a call from a young couple from Uncle Sam's country inquiring about a family named Donelly. He was a grandson of Bill Donelly, a son of Sarah Donelly who was a daughter of Bill. They wanted to locate the old family home, to which I was able to direct them. It is at the corner of King and Johnson Streets and is now the home of Mrs. Burns. The Donelly Stable was about where John Tiffin's house now stands, only close to the street and perhaps a little closer to the Burns' house. Mr. Donelly used to be known as Senator Donelly. How he acquired that cognomen, I never knew, but he was quite a swanky chap. He had quite a family, several of whom were schoolmates of mine; in fact, William Junior was my seatmate in both schools, so I knew the family very well. John was older, as were Mary and Sarah, then came Will and Addie. The Senator served in Council seven years in all between 1867 and 1884. The family left here about that time, the Senator staying behind. He sold his property in Town and bought a farm on the Road to St. Catharines and built a house on it. It is not far from Town and may be easily recognized from its mansard roof. The farm after Donelly died was still known as the Donelly farm. John Donelly and Will McClelland were pals and John often came here after the family left. Mary, too, visited here, and was very friendly with the May family who was in the Lake View House. I remember going to the rescue of Mary and Birdie May who with Johnnie Rousseau were endeavoring to cross to Youngstown in a rowboat one summer afternoon. It was blowing hard from the sou-west and they were making no headway. Johnny was a small man, whose ideas of prowess were not commensurate with his stature. In fact, he was not big enough for the job. However, my dad say their plight and he drafted me to assist him in the rescue. So I was put aboard their craft with orders to man the oars, so I spat on my hands and "bent to the oar, sailor", with the result that they "came to the haven where they would be." I was rewarded with a pecuniary compensation of the whole of twenty-five cents. Johnny Rousseau was at that time the owner of the Hotel and had part-time employment as a sessional Clerk at the Parliament Buildings in Toronto.

THE CLEMENT FAMILY
Among them, let us start with the Clements. Old Squire Clement and his son John were quite important members of the community. George A. was an old man as I remember him, bearded and dignified in appearance. He was a quiet man active in Church and Council, a good businessman, and altogether a fine type of citizen. His son, Johnny Clement, was a rather short, stocky man, active in Church and in Masonic matters. He stuttered, but was quite a clever fellow. Neither of these men was afraid of leaving business to do a bit for his community.

[From August 2nd - October 18th, 1951:]
A family that was prominent in the life of the Town when I was younger was the Clement family. They owned the building that Jim Connolly now has; here they lived, while they had a shop where Harold Boyle does business. George A. Clement as he was commonly known, was a quiet mannered man of average height and wore a full beard, as did many men of his day. He was a very useful man in the Community, serving on many of the public bodies of that time. He put in nine years in Council, between 1856 and 1874. He was an active member of St. Mark's Church. In his store, he sold about everything: hardware, groceries, books and school supplies. He was a nice man to deal with. He had one son John M., who was also a very active man in the Town, although he only served one year in Council, 1872. Johnny had one son, William Clement, who attended High School while I was there and who became a Civil Engineer and went to the Pacific Coat. Johnny's family lived in the brick house at the corner of Johnson and Victoria Streets, now the home of Miss Lansing. Johnny's daughter Lulu taught private school there, until after her parents died, when she joined her brother in the West. George A.'s widow sold off the properties after he died, he having owned the house where I live and also the small cottage on Prideaux Street next to Dr. Rigg's place. This was sold to Joe Sherwood and in it he lived until he bought the house next door.

THE FOLLETT FAMILY
Then there was the Follett Family. Steve Follett served the Town for 22 years in Council, as Mayor, Reeve, Councilor and he was Warden of Lincoln. It is true that none of his sons followed in his footsteps but he had two fine daughters, both active in Church work and Mrs. Follett was a very saintly woman, known for her goodness and piety. Certainly, here was a family worthy of our commendation.

[From August 2nd - October 18th, 1951:]
Next door to the Clement store was Steve Follett, who sold groceries and hardware and took a prominent part in public affairs. He served twenty-one years in Council altogether, between the years 1861 and 1886. He was Mayor in 1881 and 1882; Reeve from 1871 to 1878 and Warden of Lincoln in 1877; he was Councilor for 11 years also. Steve had two daughters and three sons. His elder daughter Jenny married Fred Best but the younger daughter Mary, though she had a lovely voice, died while comparatively young. The Bests had two girls and a boy, Bobbie, who died in the Exhibition Camp during World War One. He was a nice bright boy, but full of prankish fun. I taught him in Sunday school. The younger girl was for years in the local Post Office, later going to the Toronto Office. She died in Toronto a few years ago. Cassie is still living in Toronto. There is now none of the family in Town, the Follett boys having long since passed away. Walter Follett, the eldest, died in a runaway accident. Will Follett died out West and George died at Niagara Falls, New York, where he was a hack driver for years. Steve Follett had quiet manners, with a sort of dignity in his bearing.

THE CRYSLER FAMILY
Then the Crysler Family. Henry was a rather reserved, quiet man, who kept a grocery where the liquor store is now. He never made much of a splash in the Town pool, but he did serve in Council. He had two sons, one of whom was our Town Tooth Doctor for years. Frank, or Doc, as he was usually called, served on the School Board for some years, while his sister Emma taught in the Methodist Sunday school for a long while. She also taught in the old "Western Home," and was altogether a very useful person in the community. She married Walter Reid and departed this life quite a long time ago.

[From August 2nd - October 18th, 1951:]
Another of our merchant families that has passed away is that of W. Crysler. When I was a boy, he had a store where the Liquor Store is now located. He was a very quiet unassuming sort of man and one who was universally respected. He put in four years in Council, serving in 1861, 1884-5, and in 1889. Very few of our businessmen of those days failed to do a stretch in Council.

H. W. Crysler had a son Frank, who was a successful Dentist. He lived and had his office for some time in the upper flat of the Crysler Store building. There was then an outside stairway on the side next to the Town Hall. He later moved to the house at the corner of Victoria and Prideaux Streets, which had been the home of the Burks. His wife was a daughter of Tom Burk, who, when I was young, was one of four important businessmen. Emma Crysler, Henry's daughter, was very active in Methodist Church circles. She taught in Sunday school and also was for some time a teacher at Our Western Home. Walter Reid married Miss Crysler, after working at the store for a long time. Doc Crysler's daughter Moss was very active in War work during the first upheaval.

THE BISHOP FAMILY
Now we come to the Bishops. I find that no less than six of this family served in Council and collectively put in 56 years in Council. Jack Bishop himself served 24 years in Council, as Mayor, Reeve, Councilor and County Warden. He was a canny, shrewd man, successful in business. He served in the Militia during the Fenian Raids. A good, solid, worthwhile citizen. Two of his sons served in Council and two of his brothers served also, Bill for one year and Bob for 2l years. Bob was a trader or so he called himself for voting purposes. He dealt in fruit and fish and was quite successful at his business. He was a shrewd trader and was fond of sport, as was Jack. Both of them belonged to the old Curling Club. Bob was fond of shooting. There was game to be had in his day. Bob's son Archie and Jack's sons, Jim and Tom have served in Council. None of them were stayers in it like their fathers. Archie is carrying on the Fish business like his father and with a good bit of his father's shrewdness. Peter, Jack's son, is in the Grocery business on King Street, so here we have a family still carrying on as useful citizens. Frank Bishop, another brother of Jack and Bob, had a poolroom for years and passed on many years ago.

[From August 2nd - October 18th, 1951:]
A man who played a large part in the affairs of the Town for a generation was Jack Bishop. He served one year as Mayor, 1875, 8 years as a Councilor; 15 years as Reeve and 2 years as County Commissioner; 26 years in all. He was Warden of the County in 1888 and part of 1887. His term of service extended from 1872 to 1900 with the exception of the odd year when he was not in office. He somehow found time to conduct his business of Butcher and Grocer and to raise a large family. A host of his descendants are with us so he should not easily be soon forgotten. He was a genial man, rather stout in build and wore in one corner of his mouth, a large, fat cigar. Yet, he very seldom smoked, but I can see him now with that cigar. He was a man whom you couldn't help liking. He must have had something that appealed to the people or he could not have continued in public office for nearly 30 years. He was a Veteran of the Fenian Raid, and was for years a member of Niagara's No. One Company of the 19th Regiment. He had a great fund of shrewd common sense and a wonderful knowledge of the genus Homo that served him well in his public career. He sets us a fine example of public service. There must have been plenty of times when he has asked himself if it were worth while. His family should be proud of his record.

[From February 28th, 1952:]
A family that played a prominent part in Niagara affairs for many years and is entitled to a place in our memories is that of the Bishops. Altogether, they served forty-eight years in Council. There seems to have been a large family of males in the generation that I first knew; Bill, George, Jack, Bob and Frank. I did not know Bill and George as they lived in Buffalo and were in the Butcher Business there.

I knew a daughter of George, for she used to visit in Town. I know Bill's wife and son Tom. We used to call him Fatty Tom to distinguish him from the Tom Bishop who is with us. Fatty served in the old 19th Regiment with me and was a nice, good-natured chap. His mother, Jane used to spend the summers here. She owned the property on Regent Street, including Bert Taylor's house and extending to Johnson Street. There was a house of stone, a low place of one story, near the corner of Johnson Street and there she made her summer home. It has since been taken down and a modern cottage has replaced it.

I shall have to tread warily about those members of the family who lived here in my time. They have so many relations and connections that their name is legion. I should say that Jack was the most prominent of the three, and I knew all three very well. Jack had a large family, all of whom married and had families of their own. But more of that later. Jack Bishop spent twenty-six years altogether in public service, all in the space of twenty-nine years, having only missed three years in all that time. His service was eight years as Councilor, fifteen years as Reeve, one as Mayor and two as County Commissioner. He was Mayor in 1875 and in 1888 and part of 1887 was Warden of the County of Lincoln. During the time of his service, he was in Council when we got our Waterworks and Electric Light. Jack Bishop was a forceful and a wise man and played his full part in the improvement of our Town. His own business was Grocer and Butcher. His place of business was in the building now occupied by the Niagara Advance and I venture to say that much of the Town business was also done in that same building. I do not say this in any derogatory sense, but anyone knows that not all the discussion of Town affairs is carried on in the Council chamber. He was a likeable fellow, plain spoken, and was altogether a worthwhile citizen and one of which any Town could be proud. Of his family of eight, five were girls and three were boys. The boys, being born after the girls, are still with us. Jim and his wife raised a fine family, most of who have made their homes elsewhere, only Bill being a resident. Jim Bishop is a carpenter and a good one, but has found time to put in seven years in Council. He is fond of a quiet joke and has a keen sense of humour. Tom Bishop married Jenny Allen and their family runs to the distaff side, his wife being one of a large family, all girls. Tom has busied himself in various ways. He helped his father in the store and later, he and his brothers carried on a canning business. He put in one year and part of another in Council and has acted as Town Auditor several times. He was later on in the Government Liquor Store. In all of these activities, he showed marked ability.

Pete Bishop is the only one of the boys who stayed with his father's business. With an eye to business coming to Town by Trolley, from St. Catharines, he leased a lot from the Town on the corner of King and Johnson Streets and thereon he built a store in which he still does business. He lost his wife some years ago, and a very nice woman she was, and so far has managed to escape the snares of predatory females. In fact, he seems satisfied with his lot, and after all, it is his business. Of the girls, Lillian has just lately passed on. She married Bob Cumpson and left a son and a daughter. Louisa, her twin, married Mike Greene and also left a son and a daughter. Ida married Walt Campbell and left two sons, twins Elwyn and Merle. Nina married Herb Walsh and they raised a very nice family, most of them still here. Aggie married John Pickwell and they moved away from Town.

Frank Bishop used to have a Pool Room over his brother's store, where Harry Sherlock now lives. He was rather an odd character and we kids got to know him very well, as he quite often went out fishing with us in the Bass season. He used to carry a small flask of "Liver Medicine" with him, from which he occasionally took a small dose whenever he felt the need. He was quite ready to share his medicine with my Dad. One day, my brother Fred opined that his liver was bad too, but he was curtly told that it wasn't good for little boys. Frank's wife died while quite young and left him with small children who had to be taken in by relatives. One boy Willie lived with the Jim Doritty's and was usually known by their name.

Bob Bishop was the best known by us around the Waterfront as he for many years, did the fish marketing and also he dealt in fruit, so that he was one of the most widely known men of his time. He served twenty-one years in Town Council altogether, his period of service extending from 1876 to 1900, four of these years as Reeve. Bob had a family of five sons and one daughter. His wife was Janet Long, sister of William Long, the hotelkeeper and Auctioneer for many years. His boys grew up among us. Charlie the eldest married Julia Ball, who bore him two sons. He was a very nice young man, but died while yet a young man. He was a member of our first Hockey Team and was a very popular fellow. The other boys, Bob, Harry, Archie and Eddie all went to British Columbia where they all played hockey and all were good at it. Bob came back east some years ago, and you will remember his oldest son as Dr. Bishop who practiced as a tooth doctor over the Post Office for some years. Harry was killed in a bomb explosion on a train in the west, the bomb being meant for Peter Verogin, a leader of the Doukobors, who was seated nearby. Archie is with us and does business at his father's old stand and I think he is the only one of the boys still living. His only sister Anna married Bill Ball and is still with us. They raised a large family of three boys, only one of who is living in Town, Goring Ball by name.

Sizing up the record of the Bishop Family, one must realize that they have played a great part in the business and welfare of the Town of Niagara and have earned a place in our memoirs. They sure "done their bit." And don't forget that Jack Bishop has a great-grandson in Council at the present time.

THE WALSH FAMILY
The Walsh family, too, is a well-known one. Jim Walsh in my early days, kept a hotel in the building where the Carnochans are now located. He was a quiet man who minded his own business. I went to School with several of his family: Clary, Herb, Fred and Mary. Mary was known for years as a successful Music Teacher and she played the organ in St. Vincent Church for years. Herb Walsh is probably the best known to the modern people as he only passed on a few years ago. He was a Telegraph Operator by profession. He was in the Customs Service for a time and served as one of the Town Auditors for several years. His last employment was at the McClelland Store as Cashier and Bookkeeper. At all of these things, he surely was efficient. His quiet, gentlemanly demeanor was all that could be desired. Altogether, he was a fine type of citizen. Herb's eldest brother Simon Walsh was much like Herb. He had the same quiet manner and was fond of music. He, when I first knew of him, was in the employ of McGaw and Winnett in the Hotel business. This firm had three Hotels: the Queen's Royal here, the Queen's in Toronto, and the Tecumseh House in London. Simon Walsh served in all three at different times and in his latter days, took over the Tecumseh House and ran it until he finally retired from business. Herb's family is still with us in the persons of Agnes at the Bell Telephone, Mrs. Russell Carr and of course, Jerry, who is now Superintendent of the Niagara Hydro System. He should know his job, for he has been with the Hydro for about a quarter of a century. By the way, the real name of our local Hydro is "The Niagara Hydro Electric Commission," and not as designated on their bill.

THE McMILLAN FAMILY
The next business family that we come to is that of the McMillans. John McMillan, the first of these was a shortish, stout man, with a bluff hearty manner. I have seen a picture of the building that is now occupied by the Frys, with a sign John McMillan and Son. Here they did a wholesale grocery business. When I first remember them, Dave McMillan was managing the store, while John and his other son Jim, ran the American Hotel at the Dock. Dave resembled the old man in appearance. He had a good tenor voice and sang in St. Mark's Choir when it was located in the gallery. Dave had several sons, the oldest of them, Will, was a chum of Clary Walsh, whose deskmate he was at Public School. They were a pair of prankish boys and were the bane of Gussie Winterbottom's existence, until she promoted them to get rid of them. Dave McMillan ultimately went to Toronto and started a Cartage business, which is still being carried on by his family on Queen Street East in Toronto. I remember word being brought to Town via Steamer Chicora of the death of John McMillan in a hotel bedroom in Toronto, where he had gone to supply Dave with funds to start a business.

Jim McMillan, or Windy Jim, as he was usually called, was quite a card too. He, too, sang in the choir, as did most of his family after him. He was a witty, prankish fellow, but kindhearted and good to his family. Jim had one son Will, usually known as Millan, sometimes as Sloppy, with whom I was always a close friend. We played together as kids and knew each other all our lives until he passed away a few years ago. In his latter years, he came into the Choir while I was Choirmaster and I was glad to have him. He was an Engineer and served for years on steamers plying between Buffalo and Chicago. In later years, he became the first engineer at our local electric light station when we had a steam plant. Then he was engineer on the Corona for several seasons and later engineer on a steam yacht in Toronto. His last employment was as Foghorn Engineer, from which position, he has not been long retired when he passed away rather suddenly. John McMillan served nine years in Council, Jim one year and Will was in his first year when he died. Two of Jim's daughters were in St. Mark's Choir and one granddaughter. They all had good voices. I think we may safely say that this family did their bit for their Town. Will has two sons and a daughter living in Town, each of them having a family.

THE WOODINGTON FAMILY
Harry Woodington had a grocery business in the store, now occupied by the Magder establishment. I remember Harry very well, but he did not seem to have done much in a public way.

MRS. SWIFT'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR
In where the Home Bakery is now there once dwelt Mrs. Swift, the pioneer in the ice-cream business in our Town. She began over the way where Bill McKenzie is now. Those were the days when one had to make one's own supply and a great deal of actual labour was required to produce the ice cream. Mrs. Swift had been a Mrs. Gurvine before she married James Swift. She was the mother of a large family of Gurvines, one of who was lately mentioned in the columns of the Advance. Harry Gurvine was at one time Police Chief in Buffalo and I remember visiting at his home in that city. A brother Bill, was at one time conductor on the M. C. R. R. on the Buffalo-Niagara run.

JAMES MacPHEE
After the Swifts passed on, the property changed hands several times, the most notable of the owners being Jim MacPhee, who built the Bakery in the rear and carried on for a long time. Jim was a member of Council for ten years, as Councilor, Mayor and Reeve and was Warden of Lincoln in 1929. He was a good, sensible man in Council and was highly regarded by all who came in contact with him.

THE DAVEY FAMILY
We must not overlook the Davey family. Albert, the first of the family whom I knew, was well known about here. He was a Fenian Raid Veteran and was for a time Provincial Policeman at the Dock. Two of his sisters married into business families, one to John Bishop and one to William McClelland. Albert assisted at both of these business places at different times and was a quietly efficient person at whatever he undertook. One of his sons, Vernon was in business here for years in the restaurant business. He served one year in Council and was Assessor for several years besides serving on the Hydro Commission. His elder brother Albert was in Council for two years and was a painter and paperhanger by calling. He was in the Liquor Store for some years and is now retired. We may assume that this family was a useful one in our community. Vern, by the way, is now in the coal business in Uxbridge.

THE DOYLE FAMILY
We must not forget the Doyle family either. Jimmy Doyle occupied a rather unique position in the Town. While his business was keeping hotel, he was also the unofficial banker for the Town and the businessmen. Jimmy began his career as chore boy for Mrs. Moffatt at the grand salary of four dollars per month. He died a comparatively wealthy man. He kept what was then known as a Family Hotel and families came there year after year to spend their summer vacations. His elder son Johnson Doyle, or Jay as he is usually called, is in business in St. Catharines while Harold, his younger son, had the Liquor Store after his father died. This business was terminated by the Wartime Prohibition and Harold is now living retired in Grimsby. One of Harold's sons Jimmy served with the Army throughout the late war and is now in the Insurance Business in Toronto.

THE McCLELLAND FAMILY
The McClelland Family played a large part in the life of our community. No less than five of them served in Council. The father, usually known in my day as "Old Bill", spent 19 years in the Council. Young Bill served three years as Mayor during the first War and as I was Reeve at that time, I know something of the many knotty problems that Council was called upon to solve. Besides this, he served four years as Councilor and two as Reeve. Both of the Bills belonged to the old Curling Club, as did Bert the next son. Bert McClelland served one year in Council and died while still a young man. His wife is still with us as is his daughter Mrs. Warner, while his son Bert is in charge of Queenston Park. Young Bert was a Councilor for one year. He is a Veteran of the First War and also served in the Second, being badly wounded in England. Bert and Harry Irvine built the curbs on Picton Street when it was paved some years ago. I might mention here that Tom Holahan and John Bissell built the curbs on Queen St. in 1914. Fred McClelland, who passed away recently, served six years in Council, besides serving on School Boards of the Town. Fred left one daughter, Mrs. Fred Marsh, and his wife, who was Lou Short. Thus there has passed off the stage, a family prominent in business and community life for a whole century. A record to be proud of indeed.

[From August 2nd - October 18th, 1951:]
A family of merchants that is worthy of our mention is the McClellands who have been an important part of our Community life for about a century. Their business is one of the oldest in Town, dating from 1815 and the McClellands have had it for over a hundred years; they have been a useful family, serving the Community in various ways. As a family, they have served thirty-seven years in Council, besides service on various other bodies. I remember the family from my early days.

The first of them, usually known as Old Bill, to distinguish him from Young Bill, served nineteen years in Council, and was known for his sound common sense. His period of service was in the years 1873 to 1896, with several years when he was not in Council. During that period, trees were planted and we had Waterworks and Electric Lights added to our conveniences, also the Telephone. Three of Bill's sons and a grandson also served in Council. Will, the oldest son, was Mayor in 1916 to 1918, a very important time, as the First World War was raging. As I was Reeve during that time, I came to know Will very well and we were always close friends. I remember accompanying Will and Jack Black to the Exhibition Camp at Toronto in the early days of 1916, to confer with General Logie and his staff on Camp matters. We were met by Col. Clyde Caldwell and had a preliminary talk with him, he being Divisional Engineer. We were escorted by him to an upper room where were assembled, all the big wigs of the Army. After our conference was over, we were taken down to Caldwell's office again.

As we passed along a corridor railed off from a large room where a lot of men were standing around, I was following the Mayor, when a man reached over the rail and grabbed the Mayor's arm. I ducked around and went on into the office. The Colonel asked where the Mayor was and on being told that he was being buttonholed, he said in alarm, "Oh, for the Lord's sake, get him out of that." So Black went out and brought him in. When asked who it was he was talking to, he said it was a newspaperman whom he knew. "Oh, I didn't tell him anything", said the Mayor. But when we were on the way to the train some hours later, we purchased papers to read en route home and there on the front page was a half column story of our delegation being in the City to confer with the Military Authorities. Will felt very annoyed and maintained that he had not told the paper man anything about our mission and of course, we believed him and he was only a moment with the man. But Mr. Man was no fool and he did a little simple addition added to a certain amount of intuition, and built up a remarkably accurate account of our errand at the Camp.

Will, later on, served two years as Reeve and previously had four years service in Council. Bert McClelland, Will's younger brother was a Councilor in 1897, but he died while quite a young man. His son, Bert, Jr. was a Councilor in 1929 and 1930. He is a Veteran of both World Wars and was badly wounded in the Second. He has been in charge of Queenston Heights Park now for a long time. He is a very likeable chap and was quite popular while living in Town.

The third of old Bill's sons, Fred passed away not so long ago, leaving one daughter, Mrs. Fred Marsh. Fred was a fellow who loved a joke. He had a pleasant manner and a cheerful grin and many a laugh we had together. Fred was the last of the family to go over "The Great Divide," and it was he who managed the business after the rest of the family had gone. Charlie Hall was his able, active manager for a long time, but he too has gone and is succeeded by his son Bert. And the business goes on. I have a picture of the Council of 1930 and there are three McClellands in it, Will, Fred and young Bert. Altogether, a family worthy of a place in our book of memories.

Before going on with these reminiscences, I should like to make it clear that they were never intended to be either historical or biographical. My intention was simply to give a series of chats that would be interesting to the readers of our local paper, based on things and people who have passed off the stage. I have had many nice things said to me about them, things that have encouraged me in their compilation. The other day, however, I received a letter from a lady resident of New York State, in which she found great fault with some of my reminiscences and accused me of gross ignorance about the old families. Of course, all of us know that there is a tendency among descendents of some of these old timers to greatly magnify their importance. They should remember that they have passed off the stage and gone into the limbo of forgotten things. What I have tried to do is to write from my memories as I have seen or known them. Some of my remarks about people have been based on what was common talk current at the time and generally accepted as true. I shall not resent being put right if I make mistakes, as long as it is done in a nice way.

THE PLATTS FAMILY
One of the business families that have passed off the scene in our Town is that of the Platts. To most of us, they are forgotten. But, at one time, the Platts were quite an important part of our business life. The one whom I remember was Willard, who passed away long ago. The family had a carriage-making establishment and hired a considerable number of men, including four apprentices. Willard was a very conscientious, pious man with gentle manners. He taught in the Methodist Sunday school for years and always began the day at the Factory with a Prayer and Scripture reading. Of course, Willard Platts did not begin the business and was only one of a family. But I think the family is worthy of our notice.

I couldn't hope to mention all the Families that have been important in our midst and I hope no one will climb my coat collar over some omission on my part. I would much prefer to have them tell me of my sins of omission. In reminiscing about the places in the Town, some few have rather accused me of omitting mention of their particular homes. I had no intention of expatiating on the merits of the newer houses that have sprung up like mushrooms all over the landscape, nor have I had any wish to slight anyone. I have been asked several times, how I am able to remember so many things, to which I have had to answer that its just "one darn thing after another."

THE PAFFARD FAMILY
I suppose only us oldsters remember the Paffard family. I have mentioned Henry Paffard elsewhere in my various articles. A man he was, who did much good in a quiet way. He served 26 years as Mayor but this was only part of his services to the Town. He was Treasurer of our Library for nearly half a century. I found an entry in Library records wherein he personally paid ten years rent of the premises occupied by the Library. He was on the Board of the Western Home for many years and served St. Mark's Church in various capacities for many years. His daughters, too, were useful women, his eldest daughter being organist for a long time. Both the oldest girls taught Sunday school for years. This quiet, unassuming man conducted a drug business that was most successful. In those days, Doctors did not make up their own prescriptions and there were not the patent medicines, nor the many toilet accessories that now adorn the shelves of the modern drug store. But I must be careful or I may tread on someone's corns, and received cold looks from Jack Bates or Erl Field. As far as I am concerned, they could peddle fish if they took the notion to do so. That's all for Drug stores.

HENRY PAFFARD [From August 2nd, 1951]
One little man who did a lot for our Town was Henry Paffard. He was a quiet, reserved man, rather small of stature, not a glamorous figure by any means, but a dapper little man who believed in doing whatever his hand found to do. He was our much-respected Mayor for 26 years. He was not a Politician and never sought votes or position, but even the practical politician (and in his day, they were not angels), found it easy to support him. There was something about him that inspired respect and confidence. It was under his regime that our Park was planted. I remember it as full of small trees and people used to laugh at it. I also remember seeing in the Town Records where the Council let a contract to a man from Youngstown to plant a hedge around it. And there it was in my boyhood days, fenced in by a wire fence with a fine hedge inside it. Of course, the fence was to protect the hedge from the roving cattle, which ran at large. No one ever dreamt of going into the Park. There was a protected gate on the Picton Street side and one on Byron Street. Who removed the fence and hedge, I do not remember. Joe Bottomley was the Chairman who had the path laid out through the Park. I well remember the row in Council over leasing the Park to Dick Taylor. Mayor Randall put it through over the protests of the businessmen. That was in 1913, my first year in Council and it cost Randall the election for the following year. He died however, early in 1914, after being defeated by Bill Harrison. To get back to Henry Paffard - he was Treasurer of the Public Library for a matter of 32 years and on one occasion, he paid up ten years back rent for the premises then rented by the Library. Besides that, he served St. Mark's Church in various capacities and was altogether a most useful citizen of our Town.

Henry Paffard had one son, Arthur, who was a schoolmate of mine at High School. He had been a pupil of Charles Camidge, at the York Academy on Johnson Street, now the home of the Lyalls. Arthur went to Toronto where he was in the wholesale firm of Armstrong and Paffard. He it was, who gave the main doorway to St. Mark's Church in memory of his parents and his wife. Alice, his sister was Organist of St. Mark's for quite a long time; afterwards she married and went west. She and her sister Bertha, taught Sunday school at St. Mark's for years. They were altogether a very useful family.

A brother of Henry was Fred Paffard who used to live in the Gooderham house on Queen Street. His daughter, Mrs. Wilkinson is still with us, her husband Russell Wilkinson was Town Clerk, later moving to New York. He was a nice, genial man, very gifted with his pen and was quite a loss to our Town when he left it. His son-in-law, Fitzroy D'Arcy served the Town as Mayor, Reeve and Councilor. He too was a fine man, a good man to work with and one whom I was glad to call a friend. Altogether, the whole Paffard connection has been a credit to our Community.

THE SHERLOCK FAMILY
Of course, the Sherlock Family has been well known here for many moons. I remember old Bob Sherlock, the first of the clan, along with his sons, Dan and Dick. Its a funny thing that neither of the sons was known by his real name, for Dan's name was Albert, while Dick's was Charles. Dan was a Fenian Raid Veteran, a very quiet man, who spent his life working about the waterfront. He ran the boathouse at the Queen's Royal for years and was known far and wide by the many patrons of that ancient hostelry. His wife was a fine woman and did quite a bit of midwifery in her day. They raised a nice family, Mrs. William Thompson being a daughter as well as Mrs. George Gibson. Doed, as she was known, was in charge of the Bell Telephone Office for years before she married. The younger son, Danny, was drowned some years ago while crossing the Lake in a motor boat. The elder son, Ed is still with us. He was engaged in a piscatorial capacity for years in partnership with Eddie O'Melia and left that occupation to become Chief Constable of the Town, which office he filled very capably for many years. He gave up that job to go into the Hotel business and is now living quietly. He is now a Councilor, being in his fifth year in that capacity. Ed was quite an oarsman in his younger days, and once cleaned up the elite skiff oarsmen of Toronto in races on their odoriferous Bay. Of course, as there is no boat running, I feel safe in poking a bit of fun at the Ambitious City. Oh, I beg Hamilton's pardon. I should have said the Queen City. Then, Dick Sherlock had a family, well known hereabouts, as several of his grandchildren are living here. Dick and his wife, when I first knew them, lived in the building where the restaurant is now and they had a store, where the Marino's are now. Previous to that, they had lived in a building below the hill in the Queen's Royal grounds opposite the Elliott house. Here they were burned out. Dick died while comparatively young and left a family of wife, three daughters and two sons. Mrs. Sherlock carried on the store for some years and then bought the property at Ricardo and Melville Streets, where she had a boarding house. Her oldest son Charlie, or Grinny as he was called, married Ada Hindle and left two sons when he died as a comparatively young man. He and his wife ran a restaurant on Queen Street where there is still a restaurant. They afterwards bought the house on Gate Street, known as Cornella, where they kept a boarding house. His brother Steve Sherlock is too well known to need any introduction from me. He was so much in the public eye that he deserves more than a passing mention. He began his public career while still a young man and served 17 years altogether in Council. Steve was not always the easiest fellow in the world to get along with, but he had progressive ideas and was never afraid to speak when he saw fit to do so. Steve had a lot to do with road improvement in Niagara, and was in a large measure, responsible for the improved roadbeds on Melville, Ricardo, King and other streets. It was I who moved the motion that made Steve Sherlock Chairman of the Board of Works in 1913, my first year in Council. Steve often consulted with me in his plans for improving our streets. While I never served on the Board of Works at home, I was the first Chairman of the Lincoln County Good Roads Committee. I attended many Good Roads Conventions and thus learned a lot about road building, some of which knowledge I was able to pass on to Steve when asked by him to do so. Steve passed on not so long ago, and he has two sons who carry on good work for the Town. Don, the younger, is Fire chief, and Harry is high up in the Fire Company too, so that the family is proving its usefulness to the Town. Before leaving this family, I should like to mention that both Grinny and Steve played hockey in the old days of seven man teams. Grinny was a member of the Team that won the Championship of Southern Ontario many moons ago. Steve's business was the livery, first horses, and then he had the first auto livery in the Town. A very useful family and an asset to any town.

THE BLAIN FAMILY
When I was small, Tom Blain had a Dry Goods Business in what is now the Stewart Block. He was active in Community life and served eight years in Council, two of them as Reeve. He was appointed Keeper of the County Gaol and the family moved to St. Catharines. A sister taught in Public School for some years and was my teacher for a time. Tom had four sons, all of them nice chaps, Colin the youngest being in later years, Collector of Customs at St. Catharines.

[From June 19th, 1952:]
I missed a couple of names of those who used to be in the Dry Goods Business in the list that I had in a former article. They were T. P. Blain and Tailts of St. Catharines, who had a branch store here after Mr. Blain had left. Several of the Blain family were quite prominent and active when they were here. The chief of these was Tom Blain who had the drygoods store in what is now the Stewart Building. It was then known as the "Warden Block." Like many of the merchants of his day, Mr. Blain did not confine all his attention to minding his own business but made himself useful in many ways. He served as Town Councilor for eight years, the last two of which he was Reeve. His period of Service was from 1876 to 1883. This was not his only public service for he was Secretary of the Fire Company for a long term of years. Besides that, he was an Elder of St. Andrews Church for many years. A good, honest, upright man he proved to be, respected and liked by his fellow townsmen. He had a brother William, who was musical and I remember him as having a good bass voice. He belonged to most of the musical organizations of his day and in the days when the Presbyterians had no "Kist of whustles," he served as presenter of his Church and led the singing. One of my early schoolteachers was Miss Bella Blain. When I first went to school, I had for my teacher Miss Bella Flanigan. But the Roman Catholic Separate School, which was situated on Davy Street, was closed up and the children then came to the Public School, which necessitated the opening of the fourth room of which Miss Blain became the Teacher.

Tom Blain's eldest son Perry was a classmate of mine at High School. Mr. Blain Sr. became Keeper of the County Gaol and the family moved to St. Catharines. The youngest son Colin, became Collector of Customs at St. Catharines. Altogether, the Blain family proved to be a talented and useful family and while they have been gone from our Town these many years, yet a few of us old timers remember them. The Tait Store came in after the Blains left and was here for a number of years.

THE ROWLAND FAMILY
Another family that was prominent in our public life years ago was that of the Rowlands. There are none of them here now, but Tom Rowland was a very successful businessman and a good man in Council. I used to hear him spoken of as a very wise man, whose judgment could be trusted. He served five years in Council and was Mayor for part of one year owing to a vacancy occurring in that office during the year. He moved to Toronto, and made a success of business there, too. In later years, his son Fred came here and took over the Drygoods business after Bob Burns moved away. Fred Rowland was a schoolmate of mine at High School and was a very fine man. Kindly and jovial, he was a good man to know. He served three years in Council, from which body he resigned on receiving an appointment to the Liquor License Board for Lincoln. I got to know Fred very well as he and I served together as Churchwardens of St. Mark's for several years. He went to Toronto and took over his father's business when the old gentleman passed away. A good family and a loss to the Town when they left it.

THE BURNS FAMILY
Bob Burns took over the business from Tom Rowland and ran it very successfully for many years. He had a good tailoring establishment in the flat over the store and always had good tailors. He usually kept two tailors and three or four tailoresses and found enough business to keep them all busy. Two of the girls who worked there are still living in Town. Bob was a very fine man, and like the rest of the family, he was fond of music. He ran the Methodist Choir for years, while his sister Salome played the organ and taught music pupils. Joe, too, had a good voice and as a family, they were a fine musical asset to the Town Society.

Joe was his bookkeeper in the store, until Bob moved away to Brantford. Joe then was appointed Town Clerk in succession to Russell Wilkinson. He held this position until 1910, when he resigned to accept an appointment as Collector of Customs. Joe was quite a sport and I remember him as a member of the old Niagara Curling Club and later as a great lawn bowler. He and Watts Lansing won many trophies in single and double competitions against many of the best bowlers of the province. Bill Inkster and H. W. Clark both had this business after Fred Rowland moved to Toronto, neither of them staying very long. Bill was in Council for three years while living here and Mr. Clark served two years in Council. After Clark left, Fred Rowland sold the property to William Greaves. [See BURNS, TOM and JOE]

THE MISSES PETLEY
One of the businesses which were burnt out in Niagara's big fire was that of the Misses Petley. Dressmaking and Millinery was what they engaged in and after the fire, they were located in a small store situated on the site of Tranter's Tonsorial Parlour. These good ladies were aunts of Tom Mulholland, whose mother inherited the business from the Petleys. The business grew under Mulholland regime, and a new store and dwelling have been erected and the business is now a credit to any Town. Tom Mulholland and I were classmates in High School and years after our school days we sat together on the High School Board. Tom was one of the nicest fellows I have known. I remember his wife too, in Public School. Tom had a good tenor voice, sang in St. Vincent's Choir, and quite often sang at entertainments in Town. His son Joe is musical too, and has a voice much like his father's. I consider this family to have been a decided asset to the Town.

THE CAMPBELL FAMILY
The Campbells did come, after all. There have been several families, all related. The first of these of which I wish to reminisce were the ones who lived in Irishtown; Sam was the one of these who seemed to be important. Sam was very tall, well over six feet and quite thin. I knew him best when he was bookkeeper at the wharf, which job he held down for a long time. He used to get me to relieve him once in a while when he wanted a day off. Sam used to beat the big drum in the Town Band and he used to officiate as Clerk at Auction Sales. He was a well-known and very much respected citizen. He had a brother Bob who was quite a simple fellow and worked at one time on the railway section. Then there was Bill Campbell who lived on Prideaux Street where the Caughills now live. Bill was a Blacksmith, having served his time with the Platts. He fished with my Dad for a time and had a boathouse of his own on the Beach. He also worked for Big Jim Cantwell for some years. He raised a family of four sons and one daughter. At another time, he pumped water for the railway in a tankhouse that used to be beside the track near the wharf.

Perhaps the best known of the Campbells was W. J., who had a Blacksmith shop on Queen Street where the Theatre now stands. He was quite a public character and served twelve years in Council, besides being on the High School Board. He was Truant Officer for the School Board for several years. He was also an Elder for St. Andrews Church and was a very much-respected citizen. He had opinions of his own and was not afraid to voice them. He was very much interested in his native Town. I was looking at a picture of him and John Thornton and Jim Holahan, seated in an open car at one of our public celebrations. They were the last remaining members of the Niagara Company that turned out for active service at the time of the Fenian Raids. They have all long since passed away. I sat in Council and on the High School Board with William Campbell and came to know him very well. He had quite a family, two of his sons being still with us, besides grandchildren and great grandchildren. His oldest son Walter, was a Carpenter and a very good one. It was he who built Curtis' Barber Shop and the Home Bakery. He later made his home in the West. One of Walter's sons is the one who has been in the Dairy business of which he and his boys have made a great success. Another son is an Electrical Contractor and he too is making a success of his business. One of William's sons, John married Sophie McMillan and after her father's death, he ran the American Hotel for a time, later moving to Toronto, where he still lives. Another of William's sons, William Jr. was in the druggist business for quite a while. He had bought out the business of Bert St. John, which was then located where the Liquor Store is now. He later bought the Harrison Building, now the Stewart Building, and moved his business there, but has since retired. Will has a son, Gordon Campbell who is in the Provincial Police Force. Mrs. Campbell was a member of St. Mark's Choir. Will served one year in Council. Herb, the youngest of the family of William Campbell Sr., is a Carpenter and has served five years in Council. Altogether, the Campbell Family has made quite a contribution to our community life and is deserving of our commendation.

THE HARRISON FAMILY
As we reminisce about our business families, we could not possibly overlook the Harrisons. I suppose I'll have to be careful what I say, as Bill Harrison will probably smile that wry smile of his and suggest that anything could be expected from that man Masters. But here goes anyway. I first knew Bill in our High School days. He was usually known there as Bill Gunn, as he lived with his grandfather Gunn on a farm in the Township on Pancake Street. This name, by the way, was no euphonious enough for Bill's taste, so he managed to get the name changed to Progressive Avenue. Its original name came from the prevalence of its inhabitants' eating of the buckwheat variety of that breakfast dish. Bill wasn't satisfied with that one upheaval however, but he had to tackle the drainage problem with the result that there is still a drainage system in that locality known as the "Harrison Ditch." Not many have the unique distinction of having so useful an undertaking as a ditch named after them. Such is fame. Then too, Bill had ambitions as a debater and quite prided himself on his ability along that line. However, life on a farm became to hum drum for our William, so he came into our Town. Here he joined the Presbyterian Choir and married Annie Blake the organist. Bill did pretty well for himself in this, as she was a handsome, accomplished young woman. Bill organized a Men's Club at St. Andrew's and I remember that he challenged St. Mark's Men's Club to a debate. The late R. E. Denison was head of our team of which I was a member, while Bill Harrison in person headed their team. And, believe it or not, we won the war. With a man like our Bill, he had to keep out of mischief, so into the Council he must go. And here he spent twenty years altogether, eight of them as Mayor and seven as Reeve. During his first term as Mayor in 1914, he was instrumental in having Queen Street paved from King to Simcoe. There was a rather curious irony in this piece of work being carried out under the Harrison regime, as it had been a pet project of John Randall and was one of the planks in his platform when he ran for re-election as Mayor. However, Harrison defeated him and then proceeded to carry out the same work. Of course, this was not the only or the most pressing question before the electors. The main difference between the two as to the road project was that Randall submitted the question to the electors who defeated it, while Harrison, notwithstanding the defeat of the project by the ratepayers, called a meeting of the property owners on the street. The result of this meeting was that the said property owners presented a petition to Council to pave the street as a local improvement. Council, of course, proceeded to carry out the work and as unemployment was becoming burdensome, the work was most welcome. Not many years afterwards, our Bill and Joe Mussen fathered a scheme to relieve the ratepayers of the unpaid balance of their assessments on the work by having the County road through the Town diverted from Johnson Street to Queen. I pointed out to them that if this were done, the diversion I mean, the ratepayers would not be relieved of their assessments and we would lose control of our Main Street. I will say this for William Harrison: he made a good Mayor. He never begrudged the time he devoted to the Town's business and never got many thanks for his devotion to the interests of the Town. He served it well and certainly has earned a good word from those who served with him and from the public at large. It is not all fun serving the public. You often get "monkey's pay, more kicks than ha'pence"

THE CARNOCHANS
Most of our businessmen have served the public in various ways and all have added their bit to the civic structure. If some of the men who served years ago could come back and see their town, they would no doubt see a wonderful change in it. A man came into my office some years ago that I had not seen in many years. We had played together as boys when his family was our neighbours, but he had been in the States for some twenty or thirty years and he said that when he came in on the bus, he didn't know the place.

I have covered most of the business families in these reminiscences, but a have a tentative list of families to mention that should prove interesting to our people. There are many that serve our Town in humble unobtrusive ways and it is a pleasure to me to mention a few of them.

The Carnochans come into our mind. Of these, Janet is the best known. She was a splendid example to our teachers of today and to all of us in fact. I personally was privileged to know her very well indeed as she was my teacher in High School and in later life, we were closely associated in Library matters. She has her own niche in the Hall of Fame as an Historian. St. Andrew's Church knew her for many years as a fine, faithful Sunday school Teacher. She certainly was a fine person. She never made much money. Salaries were pretty small when she taught, but she never seemed to measure her services to the Town and its people in dollars and cents. One does not find the teacher of today doing as she did. Mostly, they are birds of passage. Not all, by any means. I have no right to tell our young teachers what they should or should not do and if I step on anyone's toes, it is unintentional. But Janet Carnochan was a fine example to us all. "Nuff said."

When I first remember the Carnochan family, they lived in the house on Wellington Street now occupied by the Clark girls. They had a lumber business and the house now the home of Billy Richardson, was their workshop. They owned a good deal of the land round about them. I should like to remind my readers that the four blocks bounded by King, Picton, Wellington and Castlereagh Streets were granted to James Crooks instead of land on the Mississaugua Common when the government build the Fort there after the War of 1812. When I was a boy, the Honourable Adam Crooks was in the Provincial Government and on his health failing, a commission was appointed to wind up his affairs, which included the sale of his land holdings in our Town. John Carnochan told me that he made them an offer of $750 for the land he was renting, which offer was accepted. Included in this offer were the lots opposite the old Public School whereon now stands the houses of Will Lavelle, Mrs. Elliker and Harold Boyle, besides the land lying between the two schools and extending over to King Street and also the four acres between Davy and Wellington Streets. John Carnochan was himself a good Carpenter and built many houses in and about our town. I sat with him on the Public School Board and the Town Council of which he was a member for four years. He was a shrewd, canny man, with good judgment in most things.

THE GREAVES FAMILY
A family we could not pass over without mention is the Greaves clan. Although they have not been with us long, the head of the clan has served eleven years in Council and I found him to be an upright, kindly man, whose judgment could be trusted. He made a good Councilor and we could well do with more like him. He gave a son to his country in the late war and he was a fine young man too and a decided loss to his family and to this Town. Of course, we all know the present Mayor. He is a bit different from his Dad, but seems to be a real live wire and should make a good Mayor. There does seem to be a different conception of the part the Mayor plays in the Town's affairs. The Mayor is the executive head of the Community and is largely in charge of all its work and it is he who should see that all the various things to be done by Committees and Employees are carried out efficiently. A small Town such as ours does not need any addition to its staff if the Mayor and his Committees are on the job and each doing his bit. I hope no one will get the idea that I am suggesting that there is any neglect on the part of the Mayor or any other member of Council. But I must say this, that no man should sit in Council who is not willing to shoulder his share of responsibility in carrying out the business of the Town. I don't suppose for a moment that young Bill Greaves will shirk any part of his duty, but it will do him no harm to know that people are behind him and that after he has passed off the stage, he will be "remembered for what he has done." However, he has served three years in Council before becoming Mayor and should know the ropes. Personally, I have no misgivings about him.

THE PATTERSON FAMILY
In the building where the McKenzies are now located, there used to be a Bakery, that of Ned Patterson, about whose family some mention should be made. Ned himself was a quiet, unassuming sort of man, who did his business in a quiet way. His eldest son Eddy did most of the baking while the next son Billy did the delivering. They had a small one-horse wagon with a cover over it to contain the bread and all the bread was disposed of in less than two hours. In those days, you could buy a two-pound loaf for five cents. It was baked on bricks, not in a pan and nice palatable bread it was. Of course, in those days, most women baked their own bread, an art which few women now know anything about. Besides his bakery business, Ned Patterson dealt in fruit in the fruit season and also in fish. He was a good straight man to do business with. Many of my readers will remember Eddy, the oldest son. He was for a long time in the Dairy business and lived in the old Winterbottom house on the corner of Mary and Seventh Streets. Later on, he lived in the Whittaker house on Mississaugua Street and later still on Prideaux Street. His last years he spent in the service of the Canada Steamships, where he was well known to travelers. He was a nice, quiet fellow with good manners and was liked by everyone who knew him.

Of course, everyone knew Bob or Berry as he was usually called. Bob was a Fisherman and was rather a happy-go-lucky chap, quiet and jolly. For years, he managed the affairs of the Fishermen's Club which organization gave an annual dance, the proceeds of which were used in bringing cheer to families who needed help, especially at Christmas. Bob was the dispenser of the funds and was most discreet in his dealings with the recipients of the help so given. He was a Fireman for many years and was altogether a very useful citizen. He and his good wife conducted a Dairy business for years and were good people to deal with.

Jim, the youngest son, acted for a time as a Police Constable during the first Great War. There were two girls in the family, the elder of who married Will Ball, whose family is still with us. Julia the younger girl married Jack Hartley and went to British Columbia with him. As a family, they were an asset to the Community.

THE KEMSLEY FAMILY
I should like to write of the Kemsley family. It is not so easy to write of a family so personally represented among us but, the first of them whom I knew has long since passed from our ken and of him I can speak as I knew him. Perhaps my earliest acquaintance with Jerry Kemsley was when I joined St. Mark's Choir long ago. Jerry was in the Choir then and being of a musical disposition, he was in the Band for many years. He was a Carpenter by trade and found time to spend two years in Council. He was also a Fireman for years, and altogether was a useful citizen. He left behind him a family, several of who are dwelling in our midst. The girls of the family are most useful, being engaged in most of the public movements of the Town. Three of the boys have served in the Armed Forces. Arthur, the oldest boy went to South Africa with our forces and never came back. Clifford and Ernest served in the First World War. Since coming home, Ernest has served as Steward for the Legion and was Caretaker of the Schools for several years. Besides these things, nine of the family has served in St. Mark's Choir and several of the girls have taught in Sunday school. Three of the boys have served in the Choir and Ernest was Churchwarden for several years. I should say they were a family worth mentioning.

THE REID FAMILY
My readers may notice that most of the families I am writing about, are those that have been here for generations. One of these that I have in mind is the Reids. I knew the first Bob of this clan when he fished seine for Tommy Elliott at the Beach. As far as I know, he never did much in a public way but he raised a family that has been much in the public eye for many years. Young Bob, when I was a kid around the Beach, was fishing with Bob Taylor. They used a red skiff and were known locally as the "Bobbies".

Bob left this job when I was quite small to become our Chief Constable in succession to Bill Curtis. In this job, he served for many years and had much to do with most of the changes that have taken place in our Town. He served as Fire Chief and did the overseeing of our public works. He was a most versatile man and did most things well. I remember one Sunday when I was small, a Toronto man had skipped from his hometown and was at Lewiston, he having committed some offence for which there was then no extradition. This chap belonged to the yacht club and for several Sundays, he came down to fraternize with his cronies at the Queen's Royal. However, our Bob received from Toronto, a warrant for his arrest and when Mr. Man stepped off the boat, Bob placed him under arrest. His buddies made a determined attempt to rescue him from Bob's clutches, but Bob stuck to him like a brother, being actively assisted by the Fishermen. A lively time ensued, but Bob succeeded in placing him in jail, whence he was taken by Toronto police to Toronto via Steamer Chicora. The culprit, by the way, was acquitted of the charge against him and later was a frequent visitor to our Town. After Bob retired from his various public offices, he became caretaker of the Government property here and lived in Fort George where he ended a long and useful life. A book might be written about this man and he leaves an example of a useful, practical life. He left behind him a family, in fact two of them, as he was twice married. We all know his son and grandson who are in business, while a grandson is Fire Chief and another grandson is a successful vendor of frozen water. Most all of the Reids have served as Firemen, Bob and John, Walter and George, George's son Walter Jr. and a cousin George. One wonders what our Fire Brigade would be like without the Reids.

John worked for the Bishops most of his life and was also Caretaker of the High School for years. He too left a family, a daughter and several grandchildren. Walter, who is still with us, has been a useful man. He has served on the School Board, been a D. R. O. at elections, and he found time to serve eleven years as Councilor. He has been a Fisherman, and a Gardener. He worked in Crysler's Grocery Store for years as a youth and he was long a member of the Fire Brigade. On the whole, he was a worthwhile member of the Community and still is although he has retired from public life.

George, who is also still with us, is best known as a Painter and Decorator, which calling he has followed most successfully for many years. I remember him, however, when he and I wore a red coat in No. 1 Company of the old 19th Regiment. He held the rank of Colour Sergeant. He served a long time with the Fire Brigade and was a Councilor for two years. He also served a term on the Hydro Commission. He has three fine sons; the oldest, Walter is with him in business while Clifford is a successful Dentist. Albert succeeded me as Town Clerk and all the boys are successful in their various avocations. Their one sister Lizzie taught in Sunday school for a long time. The other sister, Eva, married Frank Clench and has been listed with the great majority for many years. Certainly this family has been a potent force in Niagara affairs for a very long time and certainly is worth our consideration.

[From January 19th, 1952:]
In these reminiscences, I have mentioned families that have gone from our midst and I have tried to give as fair a picture of them as I could. I would remind my readers that they are culled from my memory and I daresay may have made mistakes. I have in mind, however, a family many members of which are now still with us. I refer to the Reids. This is quite a big subject for there was a large family and I do not expect to mention them all personally. The first one of the family that I remember was Bob Reid, Senior. When I first knew of him, he used to be fishing seine with Terry Elliott at the foot of King Street and at Fort Mississaugua. One day, Jack Bolton had some gillnets set nearby and Bob and Bill Campbell sent Jimmy Hutchinson out in his scow to pick up the nets. While Jimmy was industriously pulling the net into his scow, Jack and his henchman, Bill Thornton arrived on the scene and there were fireworks. Poor old Jimmy, when he saw Jack approaching, he got rattled and dumped the whole thing out in a bundle. As we were not far away, we heard some decidedly unparliamentary language. This tickled the gang on the shore, but poor Jack felt anything but joyful as he painfully untangled his gear. Bob raised quite a family, his oldest son being Bob Reid Jr.

When I first knew the second Bob, he was fishing in partnership with Bob Taylor and they were commonly known as "the Bobbies." For some years, he was employed at the Lakeview Hotel and then became Chief Constable of the Town of Niagara, in succession to William Curtis. He held this position until 1912. It is too bad that he had not left us some account of his experiences. You must know that he had a multiplicity of duties. He was Health Inspector a good part of his time, Wood Inspector, and Truant Officer. He saw to the building and mending of sidewalks. He was Fire Chief and caretaker of the Town Hall. Doug Secord had a favorite saying, "I'm a man of many moods and tenses," and I think we might apply this to Bob Reid Jr. for in his time, he must have had many different experiences. Bob was not a big man, but he was wiry and handy with his fists and once he laid hands on a delinquent, the same was a dead duck. I remember Bob being mixed up in a free for all scrap with some excursionists from Toronto the Good. This was before he was Chief and he gave a good account of himself in that same battle. I remember too, another occasion when he had to arrest a Toronto man. This man was wanted in connection with a disastrous bank failure. He had escaped to Lewiston but came to Niagara on Sunday to visit friends at the Queen's Royal Hotel. It was not then legal to serve papers on Sunday, but after he had spent several pleasant weekends, criminal charges had been laid. There were no Provincial Police then and the warrant for the arrest was sent to our Bob. When the boat from Lewiston docked at Niagara, the culprit walked off as bold as brass and into the hands of Chief Reid. As a large fleet of yachts was in Port, Mr. Man looked for help to the yacht crews to get him out of the toils. The whole gang of fishermen were on hand and you can bet there was a lively time. Suffice it is to say that Ontario's Ancient Capital utterly routed the forces of its present capital and Bob took his prisoner in triumph to the Town Hoosegow. Next day, Toronto Police arrived and took the prisoner aboard the Chicora. Awaiting the ship's arrival, was a large and angry mob but the ship was stopped in the Gap at Toronto and the man was taken ashore in a rowboat and thus escaped the mob. I believe that on trial, he was acquitted.

I was going to breakfast one morning quite early. I was living in a house on Regent Street then and going up Regent, I saw at the corner of Prideaux, the Chief coming along Prideaux with a prisoner. I wondered where he had got him so early but went on up the street. Mrs. Bob Burns was living in Ed Sherlock's home and was sweeping the leaves off the sidewalk. She looked up and smiled and said, "Good morning, " and then in a startled voice, "Oh look," I looked and there were Bob and his prisoner down in the dust in the middle of the road. As I looked, Bob got up and had his man by the collar. He called to me "Come here Joe." Of course I went. He told me to take hold of the prisoner, so I got a firm grip on his collar and left arm while Bob had him by the other arm and we marched him to the Town lockup. I remained with Bob while he searched the prisoner, finding a revolver and a box of cartridges and a few trinkets. The man had been found in what was lately the Grant-Suttie house by the caretaker, Jack Nisbet.

The man had evidently got into the wine in the Butler's Pantry and gone to sleep. He fled with his shoes in his hands and was sitting down lacing his shoes when our Chief came upon him. He had an iron drift bolt with him, which Bob was carrying when I first saw them. The man was tried and convicted and received two and a half years in Kingston Pen, while I received a dollar and a half for my little morning's adventure. The same man made an effort to escape from the train on route to Kingston. He was allowed to go to the men's lavatory and his guard caught him half way out of the window.

Bob Reid Jr. resigned in 1912, to take the position of Caretaker of the Government property, which position he held until his death. He returned a few years before his death to become Fire Chief, retaining his Government position. With his death, was ended a most useful career. He left behind him, sons and grandsons to be useful citizens. His eldest son, usually known as Dicky, was for a time, Manager of the Hotel formerly run by Jim Walsh and which occupied the building where Bob Howse has his business. He later on became an employee of the Canadian Canners and has continued with them as Manager of their Fonthill factory these many years. Dicky was always an ingenious fellow. As a Forward on our first Hockey Team, he devised the long stick now generally in use.

When I first knew about Hockey, the boys used to go out in the bush and cut sapling to make their sticks, which were only the length of an ordinary walking cane. Later on Dick Reid played in Goal and conceived the idea of a wider blade for the Goalie's stick. I don't believe I mentioned Charlie Bishop and Alec Doritty as members of that Hockey Team. That particular Team among them conceived the idea of the goal net now also in common use. That first net was made from part of an old seine that we had stowed away in our Boathouse. I remember quite well that among the party who did this was my brother Fred Masters who was playing Goal, Charlie Bishop, Jack Hartley and Alec Doritty. Dicky Reid carried his inventive genius into his coming career as he has a number of invention and improvements to his credit. His brother Hedley Reid also played hockey and also was an important employee of the Canners in the course of his career, managing several of their factories. Another brother, Fred Reid is serving in the regular Army and has been with them for a number of years. A grandson of Bob Reid's is now Chief of our Fire Brigade while his brother is a Captain in the same organization. Altogether, the family has been a decided asset to their hometown.

John Reid, Bob's next brother, worked for the Bishops for a long term of years and also was caretaker of our schools for a long time.

Walter Reid, the next brother, is the only one of the boys left with us. He too has lived a useful life. He worked as a youth for Henry Crysler and later married his daughter. Later in life, he was a fisherman, painter and gardener. He served on the School Board and put in eleven years in Council. Before becoming a Councilor, he acted as D. H. O. at elections. He also was a member of the Fire Brigade as were all the boys. I may claim some credit for suggesting his name to fill a vacancy in Council in 1920. I was then Chairman of the Water Committee and asked to have him on my committee. He has surely made a good contribution to the Public life of this old Town.

George Reid, the youngest of the brothers has not so long departed this life. He is best remembered as a Painter and Decorator. I have known him as Colour Sergeant of No. 1 Company of the old 19th Regiment. I might remark here, that all the Reid brothers served in the Militia and all served as Fireman. George also had one of the first picture theatres in the Town, situated in the long building opposite the Town Hall, afterwards moving his business to the present building down the street, which he bought after Mrs. Norris gave up business. He left three sons, one of who is carrying on the Painting business, one is a successful Dentist, and the third succeeded me as Town Clerk and Treasurer. Taken altogether, I think I am safe in saying that the Reid Family has done "true and laudable service."

[From November 5th, 1953:]
The Reids are well known to most of us. All were Firemen. In fact, Bob was Chief for almost a lifetime. Bob, John, Walter and George, all served in the Militia. Bob was Police Chief for longer than most of us could remember. John was Caretaker of the High School for many years. Walter served in many ways, as Fireman, Special Police, besides putting in eleven years in Council. George was a busy man, but managed two years in Council. Altogether, as a family, they gave a lot of service to the Community.

THE RICHARDSONS
The next family I have on my list is that of the Richardsons. I remember Ned Richardson when I was a small kid going to School. He was a lame man and went about on crutches. He was a Tailor by trade. His son Billy was a Carpenter and a good one. He was a man who was very outspoken in his opinions and once in a while, he offered himself for Council successfully, serving three terms of one year each. He had two sons, Ed and Will. Ed was a Veteran of the First Great War. He was a painter and worked with the Reids for years and passed away a few years ago, leaving behind him his widow, who was a daughter of Eddie Patterson. Both Ed and Will were members of the Fire Brigade for years. Will married Edith Reid, a daughter of Bob and they have a son and a daughter, of whom we shall speak later. Will was a Carpenter and was in charge of all the building at Niagara Camp during the recent War. He was foreman in charge of all the building and repair work all through the War and proved to be thoroughly able and competent at the job. As I remember him, he served on the School Board and on the Hydro Commission. He was quite prominent in Church matters and was altogether a man of sense and decision. His only son Billy is a very useful citizen. He is in the Coal Business and seems to be making a success of it. He served with the Navy during the recent War and since coming back, is making himself useful in hospital and church matters and bids fair to be one of our best citizens.

THE ANDERSONS
I am thinking of the Andersons. There have been many families of that name in our Town. Of course, we oldsters remember our old Doctor, Hedley L. Anderson. For many years, he doctored us all and made a darned good job of it. Of course, medical science had made changes in the treatment and prevention of diseases which are all to the good. But the old doctor with his horse and rig was indefatigable in his devotion to his flock. Please don't think I am criticizing our young doctors. Not by a long chalk. The Rigg boys are a credit to their profession and to their Town. But old Dr. Anderson was an institution. I remember being told of an incident in the doctor's career that was typical of him.

He was coming from his home to the drug store one evening, when he saw, sitting on the edge of the wooden sidewalk, a man who sat with drooping head and shoulders. He seemed to be in distress and the doctor, on seeing him, went to him and laying his hand on his shoulder asked him what was the matter. The man said he was sick, whereupon the doctor gave him a once over and finding him to be seriously ill, he procured a livery rig and took him off to the St. Catharines Hospital for treatment. It was like the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

Then there was Nelson Anderson who was our Hydro Superintendent not so many years ago. I worked with Nels for three years while I was in the Hydro Shop and found him to be a good man to work with. He came here when Hydro was in its infancy and we have much to thank him for in the fine system we now enjoy. He took a great interest in the affairs of St. Andrews Church and was altogether a good citizen and a decided asset to our Town.

None of these Anderson families were related to one another. There was Ed Anderson who was Division Court Bailiff and Assessor for years. I remember one time, Ed made a seizure of goods at the Oban, when Mrs. Norris was running it. She had opened a house at Youngstown and was operating her theatre here at the same time and used to travel back and forth with us on the Ferry. One morning she came down with several parcels in her arms. She laid them in the boat and said she wanted to go back up Town for something. So she called Tommy May and departed in his flivver. Hardly had she got out of sight, when Ed Anderson arrived. He came to the boat and asked if those were Mrs. Norris' parcels. He said, "You needn't take them any further. I'll take them. So presently, the lady arrived with some more parcels that Ed removed from her arms and departed with the whole lot. They had apparently been taken surreptitiously from the Oban and were under seizure. The lady, of course, was very irate and practically accused me of sending for Anderson, which of course I had not done. He had apparently trailed her down to the Landing.

Then there were the Weir Andersons who used to summer in one of the Warren Cottages, just above Paradise Grove on the riverbank. The Scott Andersons lived in the house on Victoria Street that now belongs to John Tobe. And now I find three other Anderson families living in our midst, so it is apparent that the clan will be represented in our Town for upwards of some time. I am kind of interested in the Andersons as my maternal grandmother was Mary Anderson and came from Glasgow.

THE KIRBY FAMILY
Many of the families I am reminiscing about have cropped up in the course of these articles and perhaps I may be forgiven if I mention them again. For instance, the Kirby family. The original William Kirby was a man who made his mark in this Town. He published one of our early newspapers and did a lot in compiling historical data for our delectation. His book "Le Chien D'Or" and his "Canadian Idylls" are outstanding examples of literary effort. He was Collector of Customs when I was old enough to know of him. He was a familiar sight on our streets. He was a man of great influence in public affairs. The Public Library was one of his interests and he served it in many capacities for a long time. He was President of the Board for thirty years. All in all, he certainly deserves honourable mention in anything we may write. His grandson William is with us. He served part of one year in Council resigning and receiving an appointment as Division Court Clerk. I might have mentioned the original William Kirby served eleven years in Council, six of them as Reeve. The third William Kirby is with us in the Insurance business. He served in the Armed Forces in the recent War having the rank of Major. Altogether a valuable family and one worthy of our regard.

WILLIAM KIRBY
As I remember, William Kirby was Collector for many years and had his office in the Town building in the room now dubbed "The Mayor's Office." I never had occasion to set foot in this "holy of holies" until Mr. Kirby had been retired. I suppose that Mr. Kirby must have been a busy man and a man of varied talents. He was a writer of note and had been for quite a long time, in the newspaper business with his Niagara Mail. His books, Le Chien D'or, Annals of Niagara and Canadian Idylls are classics and have been widely read.

But what of his life as a citizen of our Town? I remember him as a tall, grim appearing man. I have many times seen him with a grey shawl about his shoulders, girt about the waist with a sash, as was quite a common fashion in those days. He busied himself in many ways for the betterment of the Town and he made various trips to the national capital on business for the Town. And he served in Council for eleven years, three of them as councilor, one as Deputy Reeve, and seven as Reeve. His last year was 1870. I suppose it must have been after that that he became Collector of Customs. He found time to make himself useful in other ways. From 1852 to 1856, he was Secretary of the Public Library Board, Vice-President in 1857 and 1872 and for thirty years from 1873 to 1902 inclusive, he was President. He must have had something about him that appealed to and impressed people, or he could not have held these positions year after year. I cannot remember ever having had speech with him, but he was a man of position and importance. As to his appearance, take a look at his picture as it hangs in the Library, an institution that owed so much to him.

[From April 19th, 1952:]
Among the men of Niagara deserving of more than a passing mention is the late William Kirby. He played a very prominent roll in Niagara's affairs from the time that he came to Canada about 1839. He seems to have given the country a once over before settling in our Town, but once settled here, he sprang into the forefront of affairs. He busied himself in various ways before embarking on a newspaper career. When I was a boy, he was Collector of Customs. When he was first appointed to that office, it was a very important one, as the Town was then the center of shipping and merchandising for the whole district. One must remember that until the Welland Canal was built, St. Catharines was only a crossroads settlement, sometimes known as "Shipman's Gore."

Mr. Kirby was the mainspring of the movement to keep the County Seat in Niagara, travelling all over the County and to Ottawa and Toronto, making innumerable speeches. I daresay he used every resource of the tongue and pen, but all to no avail. Beamsville at that time was also making claim to be the County Seat, as it is geographically nearer the center of the County than either Niagara or St. Catharines. But St. Catharines carried the day by offering a free Courthouse. The title of the County Courthouse is still in the City. Later on, it was found necessary to add a wing to it and the County pays a rental to the City for that wing, which, of course the City built.

I had the fact of the City's ownership brought home to me in a peculiar way. When Art Welstead was Chairman of the Building Committee of County Council, he was discussing the improvement of the lighting of the Judge's Chambers with Judge Campbell, and they walked outside to look the building over on the James Street side. The Judge was horrified to discover an emblem of a BULL over the basement entrance. That was infra dig on the wall of the Judge's Rooms and must be removed forthwith. I believe that at one time, the said basement was used as a Market, hence the emblem. Art came to me, as I was Warden that year, and we arranged to have the emblem re-cut as a Beaver on a Log and the work was begun. However, Herb Cummings who was then Assistant City Solicitor, came by and saw the work being done, whereupon he hied him away to Mayor Elson and we received a peremptory note from the Mayor to cease work on the property of the City. So the work ceased and at a joint meeting of Committees of City and County Councils, at which I presided, we thrashed the matter out at some length. The City men were adamant in their stand and insisted that we replace the emblem as it had been. I had the pleasure of telling them what we thought of them, so there is no bull and no beaver, just a mutilated bit of stonework.

But to get back to Mr. Kirby. He was very busy when our men were away at the time of the Fenian Raid in 1866, in seeing that the Town men were supplied with food. Another of Mr. Kirby's activities was in connection with our Public Library, he being an active member for well over fifty years, the last thirty years of which, he was President. I have a copy of an address that he gave in 1898 that being the fiftieth anniversary of the Library as it was then constituted. I find also, that he was a very active man in Church matters. I remember seeing him when I was a boy, coming into Church with his wife and son John. He was a regular attendant.

Then too, he was Magistrate and tried all the minor cases that came before him. Grave, sedate and dignified, he looked and acted the part and while by many, he was not liked, he was respected. Altogether he was a good citizen and worthy of a place in our "Book of Remembrance."

THE AIKINS FAMILY
I suppose most of us remember Jimmy Aikins who was with us for many years. He served twelve years in Council, four of them as Mayor, and three of them as Reeve, being County Warden in 1914. For many years, he was wharfinger for the Steamship Company and was known far and wide. His son James Aikins is now our Assessor and Justice of the Peace. He too served at the Wharf for some years.

THE BROWN FAMILY
A family, which has served this Town for half a century, is that of the Browns. It is true that there have been several families of that name living in our midst from time to time, but the one to which I now refer is that of James Brown, our first Waterworks Engineer. Of course, I have known the Browns all my life. I first remember James as an Engineer on the old Steamer City of Toronto. He afterwards served in the same capacity on Lake Steamers, until our Town Fathers wanted an Engineer for the newly installed pumping plant at the Dock. This was in the spring of 1891 and Mr. Brown proved to be a most efficient man at his job and continued in it until age and infirmity compelled his retirement. During his term in the position the pay was small and the job a twenty-four hour a day one. Later on, after the Electric Light Plant was installed, Will McMillan was its engineer for some years, until he gave it up to be succeeded by Mr. Brown, who carried on both jobs, with the assistance of his son John. Mr. Brown was a man with a keen sense of humour and being endowed with a large measure of shrewd common sense and a fund of mechanical knowledge, he proved to be a most valuable man for the Town. His son John was his assistant for a long time and finally succeeded him in the position. He too, has proved to be the right man in the right place. He studied to make himself efficient and has always been assiduous in the performance of his duties. Besides his job at the Waterworks, he has served as a member of the Fire Brigade and was on the School Board for years and also has been one of the most prominent Masons. I suppose I knew John better than most people as we were deskmates at High School for a time and later chummed together for years. John used to be called Danger Brown by his contemporaries for some reason unknown to me. Jack Abbott used to call him Johnny Smart. Nickname or no nickname, John has been a fine citizen and worthy of a place in the history of our Town. As he helped his father from the beginning of our Waterworks System, who could better fill the place he now holds as Superintendent of our Waterworks. Who could one find with the intimate knowledge of the many houses and other services connected with the system that our Mr. Brown possesses? So, here is a family that has given us good service for nearly sixty years and should receive the thanks of the Community for faithful service.

THE GREENE FAMILY
Two members of the Greene family have been prominent in our public life, Joe and Mike Greene. I speak of them in this familiar way, as it is how they were known. These two men were cousins and not much alike. Joe, as I first remember him, lived on the farm where the Winery is now located. He always seems to have been a man of prominence and influence. He stood out in Township public affairs. Later on, he came into Town affairs. He married Mary Hunter, one of our School Teachers whose home was on Mary Street where Harry Matthews lives now. Mary died, however and after a time Joe married again, his widow now living in the house that Joe built alongside the old house. Joe got into Town life and spent nine years in public office. He was Councilor for two years, then County Commissioner for two years and then Reeve for five years. He was Warden of Lincoln County in 1907; he also served on the Board of the Public Library for many years. He was a man known for his good, plain common sense. He was never in a hurry to form Judgments and was altogether a very valuable man, highly regarded by all who knew him.

His cousin Mike Greene was also known far and wide, as he was in the Livery business for many years. He first took over the Dan Waters stable on Regent Street and lived in the now deserted house across the street. He was in partnership with his brother-in-law Bob Cumpson for a long time and they had the Donelly business as well as the Waters business. Later Bob sold out to Mike and the Waters stable was closed up. Mike served five years as a Councilor. He was rather a blunt spoken fellow but a good citizen, steady and industrious and an asset to his Town.

THE MILLOY FAMILY
I was down at the Wharf recently and I couldn't help thinking of a family now all gone from here, the Milloys. I suppose only a few old-timers still remember the family, but in my young days, they were important people in our community life.

I do not remember Captain Duncan Milloy personally as he had passed away too soon for me to know him, but I knew his two sons and his daughter, as well as his widow. Captain Duncan Milloy seems to have owned the Steamer Zimmerman that burned at the Wharf before my day. The Steamer, City of Toronto, was built to replace her, and when Capt. Milloy died, his son William took command and carried on for a number of years until the family fortunes were at low ebb. The boat was a good one and many Niagara men had employment on her. To mention a few, there were Jack and Joe Raynor, Jim Brown, Jim McMillan, Cort Secord, Jack Doritty. Secord was Mate and Doritty was Steward. When I first knew the family, they owned all the land bounded by Collingwood, Ricardo and King Streets, except the present basket factory, as well as the land bounded by Ricardo, Nelson, Byron and Melville Streets. But Bill, as the head of the family, was not a successful manager and in the course of time, all the property slipped out of their hands. The family, however, served eleven years altogether in Council. Captain Duncan Milloy served two years, Capt. Bill three years, two of them as Mayor, and Capt. Colin six years.

THE ROUSSEAU FAMILY
Another family around the Dock was that of the Rousseaus who owned the Lake View House. The original John Rousseau died when I was a small boy and his was the first Masonic funeral that I ever saw and I was duly impressed by the sight. Johnny was a small man, dark and dapper, with a waxed mustache. My Uncle Alec Keith used to invariably refer to him as "Little Dandycock." Johnny was a session clerk at the Parliament Buildings in Toronto for many years. He did serve one year in Council however, hence is entitled to be remembered by us.

THE LONGHURST FAMILY
The Longhurst Family comes to my mind. Bill Longhurst had a Butcher Shop where the shoe repair business is now, but he lived up the River Road. His son George was one of my classmates at Public School for a time and he has left a daughter Helen who lives in Town. When I first knew Jim Longhurst, he was Foreman of Jerry Devoe's apple evaporator at the Dock. He lived at first on coming to Town, in rooms in the street end of the building that housed the plant, where the basket factory now is, afterwards buying and occupying the house on Melville Street, now the home of Mrs. Steve Sherlock. Later on, he ran a food business on Ricardo Street. Still later, he started and Coal and Wood business at the corner of King and John Streets and he moved to the White Inn. Unfortunately he was killed by a Boiler explosion in his place of business. He served six years in Council. He was a nice man to know, kindly and genial and altogether a very good citizens. Another of his occupations was as Engineer of the Electric Light Plant in the Niagara Assembly grounds, commonly known as Chautauqua.

THE ELLISON FAMILY
The Ellisons were quite a prominent family in Niagara not so many years ago. There were three brothers, Henry and George and John. When first remember Henry and George, I used to see them in the Band. They both blew bass horns. They were Masons, but good all around mechanics. Henry built himself the place where the Canadian Legion now is located and George built the Powell house opposite on Wellington Street. Henry told me once that he made all the cabinetwork for the organ in St. Mark's Church. John was the one I knew best. He was in the Church Choir when I joined it. He had a good voice and was a very nice man to know. John Ellison was for many years one of our best known builders. He was the builder of Dr. Wettlauffer's house and the large wing on what used to be the Gooderham house. This was built for a man named Birge of Buffalo who owned the property at the time. John has two daughters still with us in the persons of Mrs. Fred Masters and Mrs. John Brown.

THE BEST FAMILY
Although I have mentioned the Best Family in previous articles, it would not be out of place to again mention them as a family. Bob Best, the first, was a rather smallish man and had a large family. The family was Butchers and had a large slaughterhouse behind their home on Ricardo Street, now occupied by the Shipleys. I was taking a walk in the neighbourhood lately and I noticed that the old slaughterhouse has just been demolished, thus removing another old landmark of Niagara's past. The first of the Bests with whom I came in personal contact, were Frank and Percy Best, the two youngest of the boys. Frank was my Sunday school Teacher for a time and Percy (Butch) was a classmate at Public School. There are none of the family left here now. Will, the oldest son, was very prominent in public life in Welland where he made his home. Several others located in Chicago. As far as I know, the only one left alive is Percy, who lives in New York State. Old Bob Best served eleven years in Council, while Fred served nearly 22 years, dying in 1912 while in his sixth year as Mayor. That is a pretty long record of service either for a family or an individual. Fred was a shrewd, careful man, never in a hurry to give voice to his opinions. Fred married Jenny Follett and left two daughters on one son Bobby who died in the Army in Camp at Toronto. Gladys, the younger daughter was a Clerk in the post office here and later in Toronto where she passed away a few years ago. The other daughter Cassie is in Toronto. One of Old Bob's daughters was Mrs. Manning, who taught in St. Mark's Sunday School for many years and was Travelling Inspector for "Our Western Home, " for years until she retired. She had one daughter Milly who was another of my classmates. She qualified as a Teacher but gave that up when she married Charlie Brown. She was a member of the choir for years and was also a teacher in Sunday school. If service to a Community is worthy of commendation, then this family certainly has earned a place in a community roll of honour.

[From August 2nd - October 18th, 1951:]
I could not overlook the Best family for they were important in business and public affairs for a long time, and have now passed on. The first of them that appeared was Old Bob, as he was familiarly known. He was a rather short man and well along in years as I remember him. The Bests were always in the Butcher business. When I speak of the Butcher business, I mean just that. They went out in the country and bought the animals as they needed them and then killed and dressed them. Bob Best lived in the large house near the waterworks. Behind the house was the slaughter house, lately torn down by the Shipleys. They had a large pigpen about where the waterworks building now stands. Bob Best put in eleven years in Council between the years 1868 and 1885. He was a canny old fellow. He had a large family, the last of whom to live in Town being Fanny. One of the sons, Frank taught me in Sunday school, but later went to Chicago to live and there he died and is buried in St. Mark's Cemetery, along with most of the family. A daughter of Bob Best, Mrs. Manning taught for many years in Sunday school and at the Old Western Home under Miss Rye. She was the Travelling Inspector for the home for many years. Her daughter, Milly was a schoolmate of mine; she married Charlie Brown and has a daughter Mary. Milly was a very useful person, a Schoolteacher by profession. She taught Sunday school and sang in the Choir. She was Secretary of the Board of Education and was a member of the Library Board for a long time.

Fred Best was one of Bob's sons and followed him in the business. He also followed him in public service. If he had lived out his last year in Council, he would have served twenty-two years altogether. He was Mayor from 1897 to 1901, being in that important office when King George and Queen Mary visited our Town as Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York. He was again elected Mayor in 19l2, but died in office. Fred had the reputation of being one of the shrewder men we had in Council. Physically, his was not an impressive figure, as he was rather short of stature and inclined to be bow-legged. But he had a nice smile, a pleasing manner and was popular with the female sex, as well as the male. Altogether the Best family is deserving of a place in our book of memories.

THE DORITTY FAMILY
Another family that has gone from our midst is that of the Dorittys. When I was a small boy, the old couple lived in the house on the corner of King and Platoff Streets, now owned and occupied by the Bishops. We used to be sent there for drinking water for the School, when the school pump was out of order, which was often. There were two sons, Jack and Jim. Jack Doritty was a Painter. He was for some years, Captain of No. 1 Company of the 19th Regiment while my father was 1st Lieutenant. They retired about the same time. Jack finally moved to Buffalo and died there. He had two sons, Harry and Alec. Harry Doritty was a classmate of mine in Public School. He died while quite young. Alec served in the 19th with me, and later was on the Police Force in Buffalo and died a few years ago. They were both nice boys.

Jim Doritty was a Carpenter, but also served as Assessor for a long time. He had a family of three boys and four girls. The boys got away from here quite early, except Joe the youngest, who managed the Telephone Office here for a long time, finally moving to Toronto, where he still lives. Charlie the oldest son lives in Buffalo and is a frequent visitor to his old home Town. Charlie Butler married Annie Doritty and she passed away not so long ago. The other girls all married and moved away. This family was our neighbours for years and we boys played together and were always good friends. There were Charlie and Fred and Joe in their family and Joe and Charlie and Fred in ours. Many good times we had together. The only relic of the family now living here is Annie's husband. Charlie served two years in Council and I found him to be a good chap. I daresay he will read this and I shall hear from him. Nevertheless I have always found him to be a good head. There is nothing mean or underhand about him. If he has a fault, it is that he is sometimes a bit free in his criticisms of some of our people, although I must say that I find myself quite in accord with his views in many cases.

THE MORSON FAMILY
I suppose that not many now here remember the Morsons. The old Doctor of that name was an old man when I was small and had retired from the practice of medicine. He was a small man but there was nothing small about his flow of language on occasion. He had a son Monty Morson who was Police Court Judge in Toronto for many years. He was known far and wide for his breezy way of conducting his Court and he was famed for his gift of tongue, as was his father before him. The Morsons lived in the house now known as "The White Inn," the home of Fred Beattie. Jay Doyle so named the place when he owned it.

THE CLENCH FAMILY
Another family that was prominent in earlier days was that of the Clenches. Ralfe Clench was one of the early settlers in our Town, and was one of the most prominent of its citizens for many years. There were Clenches here for a long time, but there have been none for many years. I personally remember Barney, the last of the family to live in the old home on Prideaux Street. Since Barney's decease, the house has changed ownership many times and has been remodeled. When I was a boy, Barney dwelt there and had a redheaded son Frank. Frank was a fisherman for some years after his father died and then went railroading. He married Eva Reid, a sister of Walter and George. Another Clench was my half-sister Fanny, who was the daughter of my mother and Richard Clench, a brother of Barney and my mother's first husband. Another brother, Johnson was County Court Clerk for years in St. Catharines and a fine man he was. He was a great help to me when I entered County Council and he was renowned for his knowledge of Court procedure and municipal affairs. Another brother, Garland, was Jail Turnkey for years and while not as wise or as brilliant as his brother Johnson, he was a good man at his job. Barney, by the way, served ten years in Council, two of them as Mayor. Frank was a member of the Fire Brigade for years until he moved away from Town.

[From August 2nd - October 18th, 1951:]
A family that has long since gone from our Town is that of the Clenches. They were one of the earliest families to settle in our midst, Ralfe Clench coming in from the States with our other people who shook the dust of the country below the border off their feet to live under the Union Jack. Ralfe Clench was the first Clerk of the Peace for this district and that office remained in the family for about one hundred and thirty years. The last Clench to occupy that office was Johnson of that ilk, who passed away in 1923. Ralfe, his grandfather appears in that office as early as 1793. I knew and admired Johnson Clench. He was respected by all that came in contact with him. I also remember his Uncle, F. A. B. Clench, or Barney, as he was familiarly known. He preceded Johnson in that office, but when I knew him, he was living in the old family home on Johnson Street.

My interest in the Clench family is all the greater, because my mother's first husband was Richard Clench, a brother of Johnson. They had one daughter Fanny, who lived with us of course, but sometimes put in some time with Uncle Barney. This same Barney was a bluff old fellow who believed in calling a spade a spade. He served ten years in Council, three of them as Mayor. He had a son Frank who married Eva Reid. Frank was a fisherman for a time, but later went railroading. He died in Buffalo, as did his wife, they being buried in St. Mark's. They left one daughter who lives in Buffalo. The Clench family was military from the beginning of their residence in Canada. Ralfe, the first Johnson, and Barney all held the rank of Colonel. We find the later Johnson Clench among the list of the Niagara Company in Fenian Raid times with the rank of Lieutenant. When I was in the County Council, I found Johnson Clench a real friend, as he was always kind and helpful to members of Council and to me in particular. He paid me the compliment of saying that I was the best first year man he had known in fifty years of service as Clerk. You would travel a long way to find a finer family than the Clench clan.

[From April 30th, 1953:]
A man who deserves honourable mention in anything of a reminiscent nature was Ralfe Clench. Here was a man who spent practically his whole life in public service. He must have been a man of outstanding ability and many talents. He was born in Schenectady, New York and while yet in his teens, joined the army at the outbreak of the War of the American Revolution. He served a year in the 8th Regiment and later joined Butler's Rangers and served six years in that famous Regiment. He must have been well known to the authorities for he was appointed to fill all kinds of useful positions. He was Clerk of the Peace which office was held by members of the Clench family for well over one hundred years. His military training was put to good use, for later on he commanded a regiment of militia. He also served several terms as a Member of Parliament as well as being a Judge. He was a man of good family, his wife being a granddaughter of Sir William Johnson and Molly Brant. The Clench family was always Niagara people at heart and I remember several of them very well indeed. My mother's first husband was Richard Clench, who died young leaving a daughter Fanny, who of course, lived with us. I know Barney Clench who was the last of the family to live in the old home on Johnson Street. He, too, served as Clerk of the Peace and Registrar of the Surrogate Court and was followed by Johnson Clench, who died a few years ago. I was very fond of Johnson Clench who was very kind to me while I was serving in the County Council. He had served in the old Lincoln Regiment and at the time of the Fenian Raids, he was a First Lieutenant in the Niagara Company of that Regiment. His sister Carrie married a Bixby in St. Catharines and I had many a friendly chat with her in the store on St. Paul Street. A brother Garland was Turnkey in the Gaol for years and quite often had the job of taking convicted prisoners to Kingston.

I remember once being called on by Bob Reid to help take a burglar to the local lockup. This fellow, whose name was Misener, had been seen by Jack Nisbet, the Caretaker in the Drope House on Queen Street. He was captured by our Chief and I happened along just as he was putting up a scrap and trying to escape. However, he was duly tried and sentenced to two and a half years in Kingston. Garly Clench took him there, but nearly lost him while on the train. He had been allowed to go to the toilet and having been gone a rather long time, Garly went in to investigate and found his prisoner half way through a window. He told me about it long afterwards. I know of no family that has served the people better than the Clench family. They were and are honoured and respected not only in Niagara, but also in the whole district.

Some of the family went to the States. One of them, whom I used to hear my mother address as Nan, lived in St. Louis, her husband being a Railroad man. Crysler married a girl of the family, but the marriage was not a success and she too went to St. Louis where she became a practicing Dentist.

At the time the old Clench house in Niagara was sold, the lawyers had a field day digging up traces of other members of the family of whom I had never heard. I suppose that is the way lawyers make a living, but they cause ordinary people like you and me a lot of headaches. Frank Clench was a son of Barney and he married Eva Reid, a sister of Walter Reid. He went railroading and lost an arm at his job. None of the name now lives in Town, although a daughter of Frank's visits the Reids occasionally from her home in Buffalo.

THE WINTERBOTTOM FAMILY
At one time, the Winterbottom family was well known in our Town. Many will remember Miss Augusta, or Gussie as we usually called her. She taught school for so long that she seemed like an institution. She taught my mother in the Masonic Hall, or rather the Stone Barracks as it was then called. She certainly was a fine woman and not afraid of work. She was a tireless worker and besides her School teaching, she gave many years' service to St. Mark's in Sunday school and Choir. And she was for a long time, Librarian of our Public Library. I reckon that she and Miss Carnochan were the most useful women that our old Town has known. William B. Winterbottom served ten years in Council in the period from 1856 to 1871 and was followed by William S. Winterbottom who served two years as Councilor and part of a year as Mayor. He moved away from Town and was succeeded in the office of Mayor by T. M. Rowland. This idea of public service seems to run in families.

THE DAVIDSON FAMILY
The name of Davidson comes to mind. Alex Davidson was the First Mayor of the Town in 1850. I might remark here, that this Town's incorporation as a Town, dated from March 29th, 1845, the specific Act being known as 8th Victoria, Chapter 62. Until 1850, it was governed by a Board of Police, the first President of the Board being Richard Miller. John Simpson was President in 1846 - 1848. Also, Davidson was President in 1849 and Mayor in 1850.

In that year, a general Act of Incorporation, known as "The Baldwin Act," was passed, when the head of a Town Council became a Mayor. Until 1858, Mayor and Reeve were elected from among the members of the Council by the members of Council. F. A. B. Clench was the Mayor elected directly by the voters in 1858. The Reeves continued to be elected from and by the Council until 1867. For a number of years, the inaugural meeting of Council was in May. However, Alex Davidson was the Carpenter who built our Town Hall. I have seen a statement of materials used in the building, compiled and submitted by him amounting to some 6000 lbs. John Thornton was the Mason on the job. Two sons of the Davidson clan were Walter and Bob, both Carpenters. Walt was the Carpenter who built the house on King Street for S. B. Howley now owned by Mrs. Stevenson, and also the Rowley Block, now owned by the Imperial Bank. Bob passed away not so long ago. I remember him as beating the drum for the Salvation Army when they were active here. A sister of Bob was the wife of W. J. Campbell and there are two sons of this couple here, Will and Herb, besides grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

GENERAL NELLES
Every time I look out of my windows and see the new hospital in course of erection, I think of General Nelles. He and his good wife did so much for the present hospital. He it was who had the question of a hospital as a memorial to our boys who gave their lives in the First Great War. The people preferred the Clock Tower, but Gen. Nelles did not give up the idea of a Hospital. The late Dr. Rigg too did much to aid the hospital idea, along with a band of devoted women who have done so much to make the Institution a success. Gen. Nelles was Mayor for two years and a good Mayor he was. The Nelles family was no newcomers to our Town as the General served with the permanent force in this district from the beginning of his Military career. One son gave his life during the First Great War and his other son commanded our Naval forces during the Second War. Certainly, as a family, they deserve our remembrance. The General was Chairman of the Hospital Board for a long time and was followed in that office by Jim MacPhee, Dr. Rigg and your humble servant.

THE RYAN FAMILY
I wonder how many recall when the Ryans kept a Grocery Store in the shop now occupied by Art Daley. William Ryan was a thoroughly good man and taught in the Methodist Sunday school for many years. He served in the Post Office when Bob Warren was the Postmaster. His wife too was prominent in the various women's organizations. His son Gordon was one of the nicest boys I ever knew. He was a Clerk in the Bank when the First War broke out. He and Linc Quinn enlisted together in the Band of the 92nd Highlanders, but Gordon Ryan died in Camp in Toronto and is buried in St. Mark's Cemetery.

THE HEALEY FAMILY
The Healeys were originally a Township Family but Joe was appointed Postmaster after Bob Warren passed away and they moved into Town. They bought the old Henry Paffard house that stood on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets. Joe was a fine fellow and dearly liked a joke. John, his brother, owned property on Simcoe Street, while Mary, the sister, owned property on Johnson Street. The other brother had a shoe store where Steele's Barbershop is now. They have all passed on and were good people and good citizens.

THE CLOCKENBURG FAMILY
I remember John Clockenburg as a very military looking man, erect and soldierly, sporting a mustache and side-whiskers. I remember seeing him marching with the old No. 1 Company, decked out in scarlet coat and wearing the scarlet sash of a Sergeant. He had the Fenian Raid and Long Service medals, sharing that honour with my Dad and Jimmy Hartley. I remember John telling me of having been in the Danish Army when war broke out between Denmark and Prussia. He said they were paraded before King Christian, who addressed them and said that any man who did not wish to fight against Prussia might step out. You see they belonged to Schleswig-Holstein, which was in dispute. John said, "Ve all stepped out. Ve couldn't fight against de Fadderland." And the old King cried like a child. John Clockenburg was for a long time, Caretaker of the Fire Hall. John never had any money, but he raised a large family and was a decent, law-abiding citizen. A good many will remember his son John, who was a well-known Carpenter about Town and served as Sanitary Inspector for some years. The Clockenburgs are all gone, most of them being buried in St. Mark's Churchyard.

JOE MUSSEN
Joe Mussen passed away not so long ago, and should be remembered by most of us who have dwelt here for any length of time. I suppose the Clock Tower is a memoriam of him to many of us, as he was chiefly responsible for its being built.

I knew Mr. Mussen very well, as I sat two years with him in Council, when he was Mayor and I was Reeve. He resigned during his last term and I finished the year as both Mayor and Reeve. He and I did not always agree, but all in all, we got on pretty well. In many respects, he was a good Mayor, but he was prone to want his own way and to resent anyone differing from him. As a citizen, I found him to be kindly and honest. He and General Nelles did not agree about a fitting memorial for our fallen heroes of the First Great War. However, that is all over and both have passed away, leaving no one of their names to dwell in our midst. Mr. Mussen served as Churchwarden of St. Mark's Church, a position that I shared with him for some years. I would say this about him, that he was a firm believer in the proverb, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might", and quite lived up to his belief.

THE COX FAMILY
When I was at the recent ceremony at Fort George, I was thinking of Bob Cox who passed away not long ago. The Cox family is one of the original ones of the district. There used to be a frame building on the corner of Gage and Victoria Streets which at one time was a Sawmill. The corner, when I was a lad about Town, was known as "The Sawmill Corner." I remember Alpheus Cox, who used to make all the oak fenders for the boats of the Niagara Navigation Co. He had a son Douglas who lived in Town and who worked in the planing mill for a man named Keyes. He later moved to Hamilton. Bob Cox was a cousin and was a letter carrier in Toronto until he was retired and came to live in Niagara. Bob Cox was no stranger however, as he was Q. M. Sergeant of the Governor-General's Bodyguard and used to come to Camp. He and I became good friends and we used to chat together. He told me once, that his grandfather was one of a gun crew when the Town was taken by the Yankees and was one of the last to leave Fort George. Their gun was placed outside the Fort and they were busy firing on the Americans who were coming along Queen Street. When the enemy got too close, the crew spiked their gun and retreated up the River Road. There is none of the family here now.

THE THORNTON FAMILY
A family that was prominent in the building trade at one time was that of the Thorntons. The first of the name came from Norwich in England, where he and his wife were both born. He was a Mason. One of his jobs was on the Town Building. He also built the Public School. He built the Hotel at the Wharf for a Charles Oscar Benedict, who was connected with the Harbour and Dock Company. He raised a large family, several of whom were Masons like himself. The oldest son John was the one I knew best, as I married his eldest daughter. John was a Veteran of the Fenian Raid and for some years was Sexton of St. Mark's. Two of his brothers, Bob and Jim, went to Chicago. Dave went to Toronto and Ab went to the northwest. All of the original family is gone, but there are quite a few grandchildren still in our midst. Two of John's sons, Hedley and Stuart, served in the First Great War.

[From January 14th, 1954:]
Another family that had more than one talent was that of the Thorntons. The first of these, John by name, came from Yorkshire, England and he and his wife raised a large family, some of whom were Carpenters and some were Masons. The first John Thornton was a Mason in the building of our Town Hall, then the Courthouse for the United Counties of Lincoln, Welland and Haldimand. He was here in what may be called the industrial age of the Town, when the Railway came with its buildings and factories at the Dock. He built a big, tall chimney for one of the buildings. I could almost take you to the very spot where it stood. Another tall chimney in the flats along Lockhart Street was his work. He also built the brick hotel at the Dock for a man named Charles Oscar Benedict, who was connected with the Railway. His oldest son, John, my father-in-law, was a fine Mason too and some of the old pictures of the Town show a tall chimney at the Waterworks that he built. One brother Bill was both Mason and Carpenter and was handy at both callings. Jim, another brother was a Carpenter. He went away to Chicago. Albert, another of the family, worked a lot with John as a Mason and he ultimately went to the northwest.

W. D. Caskey was a good man and a Carpenter. He was quite a talented musician and many a pleasant evening we spent at his home with the Glee Club. He was also Director of a Choral Society that flourished for some time and of which I was President. He was also able to make himself useful in many ways. In his latter years, he served as Librarian of our Public Library.

Another good Carpenter, who was also musical, was Tom Gobert. He put in quite a number of years in Church Choir and Glee Club. He sat in Council for seven years and made a good sane and solid member of that body.

I have three carpenters on my list who are still with us, so I better be careful what I say about them; they are Jim Bishop, Jim Laughton and D. McDonell. They are all good men at their job and I have known them all for years and they all served in Council, Jim Bishop for seven years, Laughton for two and McDonell for eight years.

Another group of Carpenters I might mention and who have all passed on are John Clockenburg, Ed Bradley, Frank Hindle and Jim McCarthy. All of them could do a good job. I mustn't forget Tom McCartan, whom I meet occasionally on the street. He too can meet you with a smile and has a large fund of jokes at his command at all times.

When I was a boy, living with my family on Ricardo Street, we had as a next door neighbour, Charlie Smith, a Mason one of the best-known men of his day. I have known five generation of that family, Charlie's father, his son Charlie, the Barber, Eddie who is still with us and his son Leslie Smith. His daughter, that is Charlie's daughter Sarah, still lives in the same old place, although it has been somewhat altered.

A family of Masons that has been going for many years is that of the Elliotts. Bill Elliott was Sexton of St. Andrew's Church and lived in the old house for years. I well remember the first time I donned a red uniform. It was to parade at the funeral of Bill's son (usually known as Ducky). We slow marched down Mississaugua Street to Queen and up Simcoe to the Church. It was springtime and the roads were seas of mud. The coffin was carried shoulder high. I was fortunate to escape that duty, for they selected eight men of equal height of which group, my brother Fred was one. I think I see Capt. Colin Milloy marching beside us, and the amount of clay that he was carrying firmly attached to his boots.

Bill's son John, an extra tall fellow, followed his father in the same calling. I remember John beating the big drum in the old band. His son Jim is with us and is a good Mason and an all around good man, musical too, singing in St. Andrew's Choir since Adam was a baby. I didn't mention that Ducky Elliott also sang in the choir. He stuttered in his speech, but could sing like an angel.

Ed Anderson was a Mason who lived here for some years. He was Town Assessor for several years. I have been writing of these workmen, most of who have had their day and cease to be. As is natural, others are coming along to take their place and I have no doubt will give a good account of them, as did those boys of an earlier day.

THE SECORD FAMILY
The Secord Family should need no introduction to the people of Niagara. They had a farm where the rifle range is now situated, but when I first remember them, they were living in Town. There were three girls in the family, one of who is still with us in the person of Mrs. Major. The other two were Mrs. Redhead and Mrs. Ben Nash. The Nashes went to B. C. years ago, but Mrs. Major and Mrs. Redhead were very active and useful members of the various women's societies of St. Mark's Church. I remember one of the boys Cort Secord as mate of the Steamer, City of Toronto. He died a long time ago, leaving a son and a daughter. The son is a Railway man and lives in Leamington. His daughter married Charlie Ball and died while quite young. Carl was captain of one of the large ships plying between Buffalo and Chicago. There is still a large steamer called after him. Douglas was the one I knew best. To know Doug was to like him. He was a kindly whimsical fellow. There was at one time, a Niagara Dramatic Association, of which Doug was a member. This led to a theatrical career for Doug. He married into the profession, and spent many years with a dramatic troupe which toured the Province. Before embarking on a theatrical career, Doug was a member of No. 1 Company of the 19th Regiment, holding the rank of Second Lieutenant.

THE CURTIS FAMILY
Bill Curtis comes to my mind. He was our Chief Constable before Bob Reid. I remember him as a smallish man with a very stern air. He played in the Band for years. On one occasion, while band practice was underway, Bill seemed to be getting in an extra note, which mixed things up. When Professor McKie examined his music, he spied a flyspeck on the sheet. Whereupon Bill exclaimed, "Well, I swear I've been playing fly dirt all night." Bill had two sons, both of whom I knew very well. Whit, the elder was a most likeable fellow, with a keen sense of humor. He taught Sunday school for quite a while. Most of his adult life, he spent as a Painter and Decorator, besides his calling as an Undertaker. He left two sons and a daughter.

Edwin, the elder has followed his father in the Undertaking Business, he being with Butler and Son in St. Catharines. Fred is our Barber. He has the distinction of being one of the first Boy Scouts in our Town. He is still very much interested in the movement. He is quite musical and plays the piano and was in St. Mark's Choir for quite a while. Will, the younger of the brothers, went railroading and lost a leg. He had three nice sons, who were in turn Secretary and Librarian of the Sunday school, besides singing in the Choir. Wilfred also chimed the bells for me. Altogether they were quite a useful family and a credit to their town, and worthy of an honourable mention in these short and simple annals.

PADDY LYNCH
We must not overlook Paddy Lynch. Paddy was quite a wit. He was a Harnessmaker and served as a Fireman for many hears, holding the office of Assistant Chief. He had a shop next to where Mike Schnable is now located.

WILLIAM TURNER
I wonder how many would remember William Turner. He, in his latter days, had a Tinshop where Mrs. Bolton now lives. He was a rather short, tubby man and was for quite a while, sexton at St. Mark's. I remember his rather peculiar voice in the responses, his seat being by the vestry door. Turner had a wife who was bigger than he was and who was known in vulgar parlance as "the husband tamer." Turner was Sexton when the first chimes were installed and as we lived on Ricardo Street, we used to get them dinned into our ears. Poor Turner never played a tune, just a run down the scale. Mrs. Turner used to play occasionally.

HARRY WILSON
Harry Wilson worked for Turner and after Turner's death, took over his shop. His last location was in the Store now occupied by Gus Chambers. Harry was quite a wag. He had one of the old-fashioned self-feeder coal stoves at the back end of the shop. Those stoves had mica doors all around them. Harry put some red tissue paper over the mica and he put a coal-oil lamp inside, which when lighted shone with a pleasant glow. I think I see Harry grin to himself when someone went over and warmed his hands or thought he did. Harry put in four years as Town Councilor. He died up north while serving as a Fire Ranger and is buried in St. Mark's Cemetery. Mrs. Grace Riddell and Mrs. Ed Richardson are nieces of Harry.

CANDY EVANS
Another man who did business in a modest way was Candy Evans. Mrs. Clara Parker is a granddaughter and lives in the house where he did business. His wee shop was a rendezvous for the school children when they had a cent to spend. You could buy something with a cent in those days. He was a nice quiet man and was very kind to children.

THE DONELLY FAMILY
Bill Donelly kept a Livery Stable. He lived in the house now owned by Mrs. Joe Burns and the Stable stood in the same lot, facing on King Street. He was usually known as Senator Donelly. He was quite a sporting man and kept good horses. He chewed tobacco. He was a handsome man and he served seven years in Council. He had two sons and three daughters. One of the sons, Will was my deskmate at Public and High School and his nickname was Boosey. Donelly finally closed out the business and bought a farm on the St. Catharines Road on which he built a rather odd looking house with a flat roof. His family went to Colorado.

W. H. J. EVANS
W. H. J. Evans was prominent here for some years, coming here from Toronto to start a coal business. Before his coming, hardly anybody in town burnt coal. A cord of good hard wood could be bought for three or three and a half dollars, delivered. Nearly every farmer had a piece of bush and when the first snow of winter came, a farmer just loaded a sleigh and came to Town. There was a small bin holding about two carloads alongside the tracks at the Dock and that used to fill the needs of the Community. One did not get up of a winter morning to a nice warm house. With a good box stove, you could soon get a heat on. Many a frosty morning I turned out to light the fires, for I was the oldest boy. However, Evans used that small bin when he first started business and he had his office in the Lake View. Prior to his taking over the business, Dan Servos used to take orders in the rear part of what is now Connolly's store. Jimmy Secord had the Division Court Office in there too. Evans used to give each customer a coal scuttle with "Use Evans" Coal." stenciled on it. As his business increased, he built new bins near the railroad turntable and worked up quite a thriving business. He spent six years in Town Council and four as County Commissioner, being Warden in his last year, 1900. It was largely through his influence that the Waterworks and the First Electric Light were installed in 189l and 1893 respectively. He was a Dublin Irishman, with all the Irish strong likes and dislikes. He was a Fenian Raid Veteran, serving with the Queen's Own Rifles.

EDWARD MORGAN EVANS
Another Evans was Edward Morgan Evans, a London Englishman. He was a young man and attended High School when W. F. Seymour was Principal. Seymour was very musical and was Choirmaster of St. Andrews. He organized an orchestra of which Tom Ferguson and Bert St. John were members with Seymour and his wife, son and daughter, and others. He also had a male quartet, consisting of Evans, 1st Tenor, Seymour 2nd Tenor, Chas. Masters 1st Bass and Fred Masters, 2nd Bass. Evans was Sexton of St. Mark's for a time and sang tenor in the Choir. He was a Sergeant in the 2nd Dragoons and went to London with the contingent that went over to the Coronation of King Edward the Seventh. On his return, he closed up house and went back to London to take over the business of an aunt, where he has remained.

JOSEPH EVANS
Another Evans was Joseph who was Caretaker of Our Western Home and lived in what is now the Constable home. He was a Welshman so there we have a trio of Irishman, Englishman and Welshman.

W. H. J. Evans used to drive a mustang pony to and from his home, which was at the "Wilderness." He was Caretaker of the Camp buildings for a time. Altogether, he was a very busy man. Three of his daughters sang in St. Mark's Choir.

ARCHIE HAINES
Speaking of choirs brings to my mind a fellow choirmaster in the person of Archie Haines. He served ten years in Council and in my opinion was one of the best councilors of my time. He was not always popular with his fellow members of Council, but I found his judgment sound. He was progressive but not radical. He has put in a long spell as Choirmaster of St. Andrews. He organized the Community Singsong during the late War and under his leadership, it has proved to be very popular. Altogether, he has proved to be a useful citizen and one whose place it would be hard to fill. His brothers John and Charlie are veterans of the First Great War and are both good citizens. As a family, they are a decided asset to the Town.

PAT HENNEGAN
I suppose not many would remember Pat Hennegan. When I was a youth, Pat was Division Court Bailiff and was also Truant Officer, neither of them desirable offices to hold. Needless to say, Pat was Irish. He had a very loud voice. He boarded at Long's Hotel for a long time. I succeeded him as Bailiff. Pat has a son living in the Township. Another Hennegan was Leo who served one year in Council. He was a nephew of Pat and a very nice fellow he was. He had a sort of wholesale business on a modest scale. His first place of business in Town was in where the Club 19 is now situated and he afterwards built a place on his own lot at Victoria and Johnson Streets.

TOM BURK
I never knew Tom Burk personally, but he was a well-known man and had been active in a good many ways. He bought the old Methodist Church, which formerly stood where the United Church Cemetery is now. The building he moved to the corner of Gate and Prideaux Streets and there he had a Pork Factory. He was also interested in the Tannery at the Dock. As I remember him, he owned the Beach were Bert Taylor is now and there he had a Coal and Lumber business. We lived on Ricardo Street and I remember watching from our back windows while they unloaded a Schooner, lumber laden. They rafted the lumber ashore over the sand bar to the beach, where the usual piles of fragrant pine lumber were soon erected. I also saw them unload cars of coal, which was sent sliding down the railway bank into piles. But, Tom Burk passed on and his businesses died with him. Jack Bolton bought the beach and built the house, wherein he lived until he too went to the great beyond. Tom Burk had a son Tom, who was one of our crowd during the summers which he spent here. He usually stayed with the Sherwoods. Mrs. Burk and Mrs. Sherwood were sisters. Tom was a very nice, quiet fellow. He married Bessie Hartley, daughter of Jimmy Hartley. There are no Burks, no Cryslers and no Hartleys with us any more. You will notice the spelling of the name Burk. It is correct as I put it. The same goes for the name Bolton. I knew Ned Bolton and his sons Jack and Charlie and Ned Jr., and they all spelled the name as I have put it.

It used to be long ago, that plenty of people could not read and write. I have heard my father tell that quite a number of men from here were engaged in the work of building the brick walls around Fort Niagara during the American Civil War. The first time they drew pay, some of the men could not sign their name to the pay sheet, among them Charlie Bolton. The officer looked at him pretty hard and suggested that he had better learn to sign his name. So he got my dad to show him how to sign his name. Of course, when I knew him in later years, he had overcome that particular lack in his education. There was no compulsory school attendance even when I was a boy and plenty of boys got little or no schooling.

TOMMY MAY
We have reminisced heretofore about families and it might be interesting to mention a few individuals. One that I have in mind was a very well-known man about Town for a good many years. He was best known as a Taxi man, but I knew him from 1886 and I was probably one of the first in Niagara to make his acquaintance. He was then Sergeant May of the 11th U.S. Infantry. There are some incidents in his career before he came to Niagara to live that I would like to tell you about. Tommy May had bought a boat from Dan Sherlock and this he used to ferry himself across. One morning, after he had spent the night on our side, the River was nearly full of running ice. Tommy made an effort to get through it, but on nearing the other shore, he found the ice so tightly packed that he got stuck before he could make the Fort wharf and he had to work out of the ice. He came rowing up past the wharf on our side. I happened to be standing beside the train talking to Conductor Paddy Miles when he was passing, bound upstream and I said to him that he had better give up the attempt to cross. "I'll cross the bloomin' river if it takes me the doggoned dye." said he. "Let him go, let him go. Another dern fool." said Mr. Miles. And he went up stream a mile or so and met the same fate. And he made a third attempt. This time he got so close to the Fort Wharf that some soldiers tried to throw him a rope but their attempt failed. And Tommy was carried by the current out into the Lake, where he drifted tuckered completely out. Some soldiers embarked in a boat from the Fort and went out after him and they couldn't get back. So, along some time in the afternoon, the Niagara fishermen took a boat belonging to Charlie Currie and went to the rescue. There were ten or twelve of them in the party with plenty of oars and pikepoles.

They had quite a job getting to the two boats. Tommy's hands were blistered and he was all in, but would not admit he was licked. "What did ye come out here for. I'm all right. Well, our men gathered the two boats "as a hen gathereth her chickens," and slowly and painfully made their way to the U.S. Shore below the Fort. There was a roadway up which they dragged their boat, placed it on a wagon, and took it up to Youngstown, whence they made their way once more through the ice to our side. The men were tired and the boat had a hole in her, but otherwise everything was hunky dory. A job well done without thanks or reward. All those men have passed away, and their deed should not be forgotten. One must remember that there was no Life Saving Service then.

THE WARREN FAMILY
I wonder how many remember the Warren family. One of our outstanding men when I was a boy, was Bob Warren, the Postmaster. He was a tall, rather austere appearing man, a man of very strong character. For some reason unknown to me, he was estranged from his family. Besides his duties as Postmaster, he was Superintendent of the Methodist Sunday school. I remember him very well in that position, as for a time, I attended that Sunday school. At that time, Our Sunday school was held in the forenoon so I took in the Methodist one in the afternoon. It was being held in what was called the Temperance Hall, the third story of the Stewart building on Queen Street. Mr. Stewart removed the top story when he became the owner of it. Could it be that he didn't like the odor of sanctity that must have lingered about the place. You must know that later on the Salvation Army occupied the premises for several years. There were two sisters named Richardson, who laboured here in that Army. Bob Davidson used to beat the drum for them, but they ultimately gave Niagara up as a bad job. We got quite used to their militant songs, some of which I can still hear. But to get back to our Mr. Warren. He was very much interested in promoting a Canadian Chautauqua. His family then owned the McIntyre farm adjoining Paradise Grove. Mr. Warren and his fellows in the movement, tried for years to secure the Grove from the Dominion Government with the idea of combining it with the Warren Farm to get sufficient land for their project. They were at last compelled to give up that idea and they then turned their attention to the other side of the Town. They were able to purchase two farms, the Crooks farm and the Oliver farm. The first of these lay almost entirely within the Town, the other just over the One Mile Creek. They surrounded the land with an eight-foot board fence. This fence ran from the Lakeshore at Queen and Tenth Streets, along the latter street to the limit of their land and ending at the Lakeshore at the other side of their property. I believe there is still a fence between it and the adjoining land, now the Rifle Range.

They were quite ambitious in their plans. They built two hotels, a huge open-air amphitheater, and a wharf cut into the lake. They twice dredged the One Mile Pond to make a small port, which the lake finally spoiled. They had a railroad train running into their grounds from the spur at John Street. In fact, this spur was put in for their convenience. This train used to meet the Toronto boats at the Dock. The first public gathering held there was an auction, whereat they sold lots. The people came over on the morning boat and were rowed out to the grounds from Redhead's boathouse. I had the Peake family as my share of the crowd. At the sale, quite a number of lots were sold. The first house built was Mr. Warren's and it is and was near the road which was built, just on the high ground south of the road and just beyond the creek. Wharf, railway, amphitheater and hotels have all gone. The large hotel was first called Hotel Chautauqua and later named the Strathcona. It was burned down one fine summer day when it was peopled by a houseful of guests, but fortunately no one was injured, although their belongings were lost. The other small hotel stood in the woods near the western boundary and was kept for years by a Mrs. Duckworth. It was ultimately taken down. It was known as The Lakeside. I attended quite a number of the concerts, which were held during the summer seasons. There was an electric light plant in the grounds too, of which the late James Longhurst was Engineer. Altogether, it was one ambitious enterprise, but its semi-religious atmosphere did not seem to have the appeal that it was hoped to have and gradually it died away with its planners. It was a worthwhile project and Bob Warren ought to be remembered for the good that he strove to do for Niagara and for Canada.

THE LARKIN FAMILY
There are now none of the Larkin family in Town. The Larkins, the Connolleys and the Taylors lived in the bunch of houses that stood in the vicinity of Harrison's building. The Usher house is the only one of them now remaining. There were twin brothers, Charlie Larkin and I think the other was named Barney. I never could tell the one from the other. When I knew them, they both worked on farms outside of Youngstown and only occasionally came over on the Ferry. Charlie was killed by lightning in the farmyard where he was employed. On one of Barney's visits to Town, he told Albert Davey what good shooting there was on the American side. Albert, like many of the men of that day, liked shooting and did not mind a tramp to procure some game. So, when he had a holiday from McClelland's store, he crossed the noble River Niagara and set forth for a day's sport. Well, he walked and walked until he was weary and nary a bird came forth to be executed and our would-be Nimrod returned to the place whence he came, hungry, tired and plumb disgusted. The first time Larkin showed up, Albert reproved him sternly for misleading him. With a shrug of his shoulders, the culprit said, sheepishly, "I meant to tell ya the truth, Albert, but I told ya a loy."

DOCK AREA RESIDENTS
THE SMITH FAMILY
Since these are Neighbourhood Notes, I thought it would not be out of place to reminisce a bit about a neighbourhood and neighbours that I knew in my very early days. The first place that I came to know about was a small house on Ricardo Street owned by Walter J. Meneilley of Toronto, and to whom my parents paid three dollars per month rent. I wasn't born there but my three brothers were. About the first neighbours that I came to know were the Smiths. The passing away of my childhood friend, Miss Sarah Smith brought this to my mind. There was quite a group of boys and girls there who played together and grew up together. Charlie Smith and his sisters Martha and Sarah were alongside of us and other the other side were three houses: first was that of Mrs. Murphy, whose son Eddie was one of us. Next were the Blacks, Theresa and Johnny, next in the house now the Bradley's were the four Eares girls, Florrie, Minnie, Lizzie and Emmy. A little further down the street were the Balls, Lyddie and Ida.

Now about the Smiths. Charlie Smith, Sr. was an Englishman, I think from Yorkshire. He and my Dad were friends of long standing. They used to cut each other's hair, a custom then common among friends. I remember my father telling me that when the Niagara Company was returning from Phillipsburg, where they had been stationed, as they were crossing the Lake from Toronto, Charlie Smith and his bride, Mary Jane were aboard, having just been married in Toronto. That would be in 1865. Our men had been sent to Phillipsburg to help put a stop to raids being made by Southern sympathizers across Lake Champlain, into the United States. Charlie Smith Sr. was a Mason, as I knew him. A sister of his married Stephen Todd, while another married John Bissell, several of whose descendants are living here. Martha Smith married Bob Fenn and they went to Chicago, where Martha still lives. Sarah never married but lived with the old folks and after they had passed away, she continued to occupy the old home. Charlie Smith Jr. was my first pal and we passed our early years as such. Charlie married a daughter of Ted Bissell and she died while quite young, leaving Charlie with a small son and an infant daughter. To Sarah fell the care of young Eddie, while the girl was brought up by her grandparents, the Bissells. My friendship with the Smith family is only a fond memory now, as the passing of Sarah marked the going of the very last of that crowd of kids who played together.

THE MURPHY - MILLS FAMILY
Eddie Murphy was the son of Edward Murphy, an American soldier, who was drowned while crossing to Fort Niagara one night. He was the Fort Baker. He was Mrs. Murphy's second husband, and she had three other sons by the first husband: Jimmy, John and Will Mills. Jimmy Mills went to the Falls, while the other two were Fishermen and members of our Fire Brigade. Both of the boys died while still quite young, just thirty days apart. Eddie went away from here and died long ago. Jimmy left a family at the Falls.

THE BLACK - EARES FAMILY
The Black Family left here while the children were young. Mrs. Black and Mrs. Eares were sisters, and their mother, Mrs. Marshall lived with the Blacks. Joe Eares, next door, was an old soldier and in his later years, was known for his strawberries. He was quite proud of being called Strawberry Joe. He had got his plants from England and they produced the nicest strawberries I ever tasted. His four girls married, three of them going away from Town. Florrie Eares married Bob Fuller and they moved to Brantford. Lizzie Eares married a man named Skelton, while Minnie married Ed. Bradley. She left two boys, one of whom being our well-known Plumber and Electrician. Somehow, they got the name Eares twisted to Ayers, but the former spelling is what the family was known by. Emmy Eares, the youngest girl, married a man who was here when the Waterworks was being installed. I can't recall his name.

THE BALL FAMILY
Of the Ball Family, Charlie Ball and his wife Maria were my Godparents. Maria was a Bissell, an aunt of Henry and John Lee. They had three daughters and one son. Will Ball married Minnie Patterson and they had quite a large family, several of whom are living here still, among them Will, Fred and Mrs. Simpkin. Delilah Ball married Ted Moore and went to Toronto. Lydia Ball married Will Melmer and they too moved to Toronto, after living here for some time. Ida Ball married Will McMillan, another of my childhood cronies. They left quite a family when they passed on, among them Jim and Charlie McMillan and Mrs. Walter M. Reid.

There were others in the Dock Tribe as Jim McMillan used to call us. The Youngs who lived in Quinn's house, the O'Neals who lived on Ball Street, the Todds whose mother was a sister of Charlie Smith, and later on, the Dorittys. The last two families lived in turn in the Luck House that stood in the corner of the Churchyard and which was later moved to Ball Street.

[From October 1st, 1953:]
Among the Ball Family, there was Will, the only son of Charlie Sr. He began fishing early; my first knowledge of him in that capacity was his being the fifth man in the crew of Ball and Masters at the seine fishing. Later on he fished gill nets with his brother-in-law, Harry Patterson. At another time, he had his cousin John Ball with him. Will was a Fireman for a very long term of years and in his latter days, was Caretaker of the Fire Hall. He was a quiet fellow, a likeable one and was altogether a worthwhile citizen. His wife was Minnie Patterson and they had quite a large family, several of whom still live in our midst. Will and Fred and Celia (Mrs. Chas. Simpkin) and Mrs. Boyle. Albert Ball, of whom I have already written, had a large family, several of whom are still with us, as well as grandchildren. Perhaps the best known of them at present is Edward Ball who lately retired from our Police Force. Taking them, all in all, they have proved to be good people, honest and upright. All the Ball boys were fishermen and very good ones at that. Ed is the only one of them who chases the finny tribe at present, as does Goring, a grandson of Albert.

FRANK AND JIMMIE O'NEAL
I read in the Advance, an account of the passing of Frank O'Neal, who was one of our Dock Gang of many years ago. Jimmie and Frank O'Neal were twins and lived in a small house that stood on Ball Street just about opposite to the Woodruff house. They lived with an aunt and Uncle Jimmie O'Brien and Mary. Not many now living will remember the famous Jimmie Tay, as he was known. The boy's mother, Johanna O'Neal was a cook and a good one, but was not at home very much. The boys were full of fun and plagued the life out of their uncle. I remember that one day in the winter, when the hill on Ball Street was pretty icy, the two boys met their uncle at the top of the hill. His arms were laden with parcels, for he had been shopping. But the two scamps met him at the brow of the hill and said they were going to help him down, whereupon they each kicked a foot from under him. While he lay on his back, they each grabbed a foot and hauled him down the hill, through the gate, and whammed his posterior against the doorstep. Jimmie in the meantime protested loudly to the dam brats to leave him be, which they ultimately did, decamping in haste to escape the wrath to come. On another occasion they made up an effigy of St. Patrick for the Saint's day and placed it in the chimney of the cottage now owned by the Logan family. We kids thoroughly enjoyed the spectacle of Uncle Jimmie endeavoring to dislodge the Saint from his perch with a long pole. He was busily cursing all of us Protestant pumps for the foul deed, while his own two were busy sympathizing with him. Of course, all of us kids knew who had committed the act and were not a bit averse to keeping our mouths shut when it suited us. It was all in fun, for I never knew the boys to do anything bad or wrong. And so Frankie is gone, nearly the last of the old gang. He was part of the Town's old life that is gone forever.

SOME EARLY NIAGARA FAMILIES
THE DICKSON FAMILY
I was thinking a few days ago, about some of the people who did things in our Town in days gone by. Most of us are prone to forget the men and women who lived and laboured in our Community before we ourselves appeared on the scene. I was looking over some old clippings and I came across the name of Dickson and I looked about to see if I could find anything about the family. They do seem to have been worthwhile citizens and a family about which we should know more. I usually consult Miss Carnochan's history and I invariably find something about people. I wish I had had an idea of doing something in the publicity line while she was alive, for while she was not always right, she had done a whale of a lot of research and came up with much information about people of our locality.

Honourable Robert Dickson appears to have been one of our early settlers and to have been a very important man. He fought for King and Country, as did other members of the family. I find, according to Miss Carnochan, a Robert Dickson was a Lieutenant of a Troop of Cavalry and a William Dickson as Cornet.

William Dickson built the first brick house in Niagara, which house still stands and is now owned by the Rands of Buffalo. This particular member of the family originally owned all of that part of the Town that used to be known as Irishtown, later known by the more euphonious title of High Park. I have seen some of the deeds conveying lots to purchasers.

The Dickson's were devoted members of St. Mark's Church. I have made mention elsewhere of the bells donated by Walter and Geale Dickson and I believe that it was a very generous donation made by Geale Dickson that made possible the purchase of the fine organ. I remember that Canon Garrett once told me that whenever the finances of the Church were at low ebb, the Dicksons could always be depended upon to help out. I very well remember Geale Dickson and his brother Robert. Geale always kept fine horses and carriages. The last place I remember him living in was the house on the River Road, later owned by Mr. Jackson of Buffalo. Geale moved to England and returned to Niagara an old man and he died some years ago. Robert Dickson was in charge of St. Mark's Choir when I joined it in 1893 and his eldest daughter was a member. Robert had a very fine voice and he was quite an asset to St. Mark's. He and his brother Geale were fine big men and were very much alike, I believe they were twins. They had a fine erect military bearing and were good sports. It seems to me they were pioneers in the game of golf in this neighbourhood. They played on the Fort George Common and had an 18-hole course. Of course, the common was no parlor course, but one must remember that in those days, the cattle roamed over it and kept the grass cropped short. It was here that the first Golf Club was formed, with its headquarters in the Camp Compound and it later had the term Royal added to its title. This Club was succeeded by that formed by the Queen's Royal Hotel. They moved the old Pumphouse from the water's edge to its present site, where it has been added to from time to time.

The Robert Dickson family moved away and for many years, the family has been only a memory. However, one of Robert's daughters has returned to her old hometown in the person of Mrs. Watson and I can assure her that to us old timers, she is very welcome.

I remember another of the family, Mrs. Senator Dickson, who lived in the house on the corner of Johnson and Regent Streets, afterwards the home of the Redheads. We used to have a society at St. Mark's called "The King's Daughters and Sons", and one of our duties was to visit the sick and the shut-ins. It fell to my lot to call on the aged Mrs. Dickson in company with some of the female members of the Society and we were always treated to some spiced tongue.

[From July 6th - August 10th, 1950:]
Not many of our present population knew the Dicksons, but when I was young, they were very important people in our Town. Of course, I never knew them well personally, except that Robert was Choirmaster of St. Mark's when I first entered that branch of Church work. Some years previous to that time, I was one of a class of boys whom he was training for Choir work. We used to meet at Paffard's house. Some of the boys were Bill Wilkinson, Will and Allan Anderson, Jack Hartley, Wilfred Lemon, my brother Charlie and myself. Robert and his twin brother Geale had both served in the Army and were well set up, fine looking men.

In their younger days, they were as much alike as two peas. Geale, after living in England for many years, came back here to spend his last days in his old home Town. Now we have with us, one of Robert's daughters in the person of Mrs. Watson. This was a family that did much good in our Town in their day. They did much to support their church, St. Marks. The first six bells in the Church Tower were donated by Walter and Geale Dickson in memory of their wives. So, when you hear the bells, think of the Dickson family. It gave me great pleasure to chime them for fourteen years, until I was forced to give up on account of my health. It also give me much pleasure to remind the people of St. Marks and the Town people generally of the debt we owe to the Dickson family for this fine contribution to their Church and their Community.

THE GEALE FAMILY
Another old family was the Geales. Captain Geale was a very soldierly man, he having served in the Army. I have my Grandfather's Army Book and I find entries in it signed by J. B. Geale. That was in the Royal Canadian Rifle Regiment. The Captain seems to have been a publicly minded man as he served six years in Town Council. The Captain had a very fine voice and I remember hearing his sing in concert in the Town Hall. His three daughters all taught in St. Mark's Sunday school. They have all gone away. The Captain was in charge of the Government property here for some time before he died.

THE SEACORD FAMILY
It is interesting to study the old records and to realize the delays and difficulties that beset those in authority in getting things done. For instance, Sergeant Brass was given the job of building Saw and Grist Mills and into this comes the Seacord family. According to an old Map of Niagara Township, Peter Seacord had Lots 90, 91, and 92 at the rear end of the Township near the mountain. Stephen had Lots 47, 48 and 49, while David had Lot 50. Peter, by the way, claimed to be the first settler in the District. John Seacord had land down along the Lakefront, just west of the Two Mile Pond. In fact, when I was a boy, this was still known as the Seacord Farm. I have been using the form of spelling of the name given on the old Map. Mrs. Florence Major's father was, I believe, Johnny Seacord and I suppose that she would be a lineal descendant of the original John Seacord. At any rate, we find Sgt. Brass offering to build a Saw Mill and a Grist Mill for the sum of 500 pounds, York currency and an additional 50 pounds if built at the head of the creek. I have no doubt that there was a much greater flow of water then than is now the case. A good deal of correspondence ensued after this offer. The Mills were to be operated by Peter and James Seacord. It was finally decided that the government would pay for the building and equipping of the Mills, the Seacords to be paid for their labour, and they were to operate the Mills and were to be allowed a share of the income from the same. It seems that none of the settlers of that day were given an outright deed or title to their lands, but were regarded as tenants of the Crown. This of course, was changed later on. When I was a boy, a Dr. Pine or Pyne owned the Seacord Farm at the Two Mile Creek. It seems to me that he was in the Provincial Government. It was finally acquired by the Military authorities for training purposes. The Mills referred to were finished in 1783.

THE CLAUS FAMILY
A family that was of major importance in those early days was that of the Claus Family. Daniel Claus was the Indian Agent. I should point out here the Colonel Butler was Commissioner of Indian Affairs and so had a general supervision of matters pertaining to all Indians, while Daniel Claus was Indian Agent for the Six Nations Indians.

Daniel Claus' home and where he is said to pay the Government money to the Indians, is the place known as "The Wilderness," but which was known when I was a boy as "Geale's Grove." I remember going there to our Sunday school picnic when I was quite small. The late W. H. J. Evans lived there, and his first wife died there. He later married a member of the Claus family. There are members of the family in the district yet. Mrs. Evans maiden name was Kate Claus and when I was a lad, she was the organist of St. Mark's Church, while her sister Nellie was the leading soprano in the Choir. That was when organ and choir were in the Gallery.

Nellie Claus went to the States and Kate became Mrs. Evans and went to live in the old family home and where she ended her days. They lived on Prideaux Street in the house now owned by the Frank Gordons. The Claus family was what used to be called Pennsylvania Dutch and some of them settled near Jordan. One of the family was in the County Council when I was a member of that body and I have heard people from that neighbourhood pronounce the name as if it were spelled "Clous," which would be the German sound of the name. I remember several members of the Claus family who lived in or near the Town in days gone by. I remember one of the names who lived in the small house at the junction of the Creek Road and the Lake Road. In the old days, the Claus Family were people of great importance. Daniel was very closely associated with Col. Butler in furthering the cause, not only of the Indians, but also of the white settlers. One of Daniel's sons, Colonel William Claus succeeded him as Indian Agent, and we find him playing a major part in the stirring times of the War of 1812, in which he played a soldier's part with distinction. After the War, we find him active in all kinds of public affairs and we may pay a tribute to the Claus family for assisting to make secure the peace and welfare of the people of the Town and Township.

THE COLLECTORS OF CUSTOMS
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL EDWARD H. THOMPSON
Another of the relics of departed greatness from our Town is a Collector of Customs. At one time, we were the channel through which much of the business of the whole district flowed. And here, from the beginning of our history, we had a Collector of Customs, a most useful and important office. As our neighboring towns increased in size and importance, they seemed only too anxious to grab all positions of importance away from Old Niagara. St. Catharines bribed away the County Seat by offering a free Court House and away went courts and officers, lawyers and all the rights and privileges adhering to a County seat. But we retained sufficient importance to sport a Collector of Customs for many years. It is about this and the holders of the office that this article is to be written.

It might not be out of place to say a word about a man who was associated with Mr. William Kirby for years in the Customs service. I speak of Lieutenant Colonel, Edward H. Thompson. He was a very genial man and liked by everybody who knew him. He too was a useful man, as he served for a long time in military matters and when he died he was in command of the 19th Lincoln Regiment. He also served a long time on the Public School Board and I have his signature on my High School Entrance Certificate, he being then Chairman of the Public School Board. He was also interested in Sports and was one of the original members of the old Niagara Curling Club. Poor chap, he died suddenly on Rousseau's wharf on Easter Sunday, 1887. He belonged to the United Workmen and they were en route to Youngstown to attend Divine Service with the Youngstown Lodge. It was just after his having partaken of a hearty meal and they had marched rather quickly to the wharf and it was just too much for his heart. I was dispatched to Youngstown to carry the news to his brother Joseph who lived there. Some years later, the brother died suddenly and I also was given the duty of taking the news to his niece here.

JOHN SANDO
Colonel Thompson was succeeded by John Sando, who later on succeeded Mr. Kirby as Collector. I came to know Mr. Sando very well. He was rather a sober-faced man, not given much to smiling. He once said to me that I mustn't mind his being cranky, as he wasn't feeling well. He made a very good officer, however. In his time, the officers wore no uniforms and had nothing about them to show their authority, except a small badge worn on the vest. Mr. Sando had been a Butcher by trade and before he took on the Customs, he had a Stationary Store in a shop that stood where the Reid building is now. Mr. Sando once grumbled to me that he received no more pay after being promoted to Collector than he had as Landing Waiter. During his term, the Government had become very parsimonious and only kept a man on duty at the Dock during the navigation season.

TOM BURNS
The position was filled for a long time by Tom Burns, an old soldier. Tom was a witty fellow and had a fund of funny yarns. I remember one day, he and I were talking when a stranger approached and asked him if the day was going to be fine. There was an electric light pole near by, which had become hollow with age and a woodpecker had a nest within a hole. Tom's reply to the man's question was, "I'll tell you in a minute." He then walked over to the pole and rapped smartly on it. The woodpecker stuck his head out and looked at Tom, who returned the look for a moment, and then turning to the inquiring stranger said, "Yes, its going to be a fine day for a sail across the Lake, the bird says so." The man gazed at Tom in amazement and went away muttering to himself.

JOE BURNS
At John Sando's decease, Joe Burns, who was Town Clerk at the time, was appointed Collector and he was the last to hold the office here and everything connected with the office was removed to the Falls. Thus another position that had been held by one or another for over a hundred years was taken away from our Old Town.

JOHN HALL
I remember one old gentleman who had been in the Customs before Ned Thompson but had retired. His name was John Hall, and he lived in the house now owned by Lloyd Goberts next to the hotel of Picton Street.

The last occupant of a permanent local job in the Customs service was Eddy O'Melia. During the First Great War while Eddy O'Melia was serving overseas, Harry Garthier was here. Before O'Melia, Herb Walsh was serving and a part time officer was John Brown. George Woodruff also served here for a time. Since then, there has been no permanent officer here, but during the Navigation Season, there are two officers's on duty. I remember that when we were operating the Ferry, we received notice that we would be required to cease operations at November 1st, as the port was being closed for the winter. This did not prevent anyone from crossing, as people could easily get a rowboat and convey themselves across and back without let or hindrance. So after an interval, I wrote to the powers that be to protest about our being deprived of a chance of continuing the use of our franchise for which we had a government license.

There was a train arriving at noon then and one day Joe Burns came to the house and told me that the Collector was down at the Railway Station and wished to see me. Down I went and was duly presented to the Collector, an old gentleman whose name I have forgotten. In the course of the ensuing conversation, I told him that people were crossing the river quite freely, while the Ferry was not allowed to run. "Why, they have no right to do that," said he. "Who's going to stop them", said I, "You've advertised that there is to be no Customs Officer to look after them." He seemed stumped after that and told me that he would consult Mr. Burns and I was dismissed. Later, Eddy O'Melia was appointed.

THOMSON - KINGSMILL FAMILY
Some time ago, Ken Thomson sent me a copy of his family tree and it is a quite remarkable document. T. Kennard Thomson is a graduate of our High School and a very eminent Civil Engineer. He is of Scottish descent, while on his mother's side, he traces away back before Canada had a history. His father was a prominent Lawyer, who was very largely responsible for the building of the Railway into Town. Ken's oldest sister married Nicol Kingsmill, a son of Col. William Kingsmill, who was one of the important people of his day in our Town. I remember Nicol Kingsmill very well, as he spent quite a bit of time at Glencairn, near Queenston, the old family home of the Thomsons. If you are familiar with the interior of St. Mark's Church, you may see on the wall of the east transept, a group of marble tablets in memory of Col. Kingsmill and his sons. During his army Career, Col. Kingsmill was at St. Helena when Napoleon Bonaparte was incarcerated there. He, after coming to Canada, was in command of a Regiment of Lincoln Militia and was Sheriff of Lincoln County. He died in Toronto, May 6th, 1876, and was brought here by Steamer for burial. When the Steamer (I think she was the City of Toronto) arrived off the river mouth, there was so much ice in the River that it was impossible to get in, so a boat was lowered and the body brought ashore at Houle's Hollow, just west of Fort Mississauga. I had the job, once or twice of rowing Nicol Kingsmill and his family, up the river to Glencairn. I remember, in the horse and buggy days, that on one hot Sunday, one of our choir ladies fainted during the service and I had the task of carrying her out of doors and laying her on the grass. Walter Kingsmill, a son of Nicol, seized upon somebody's horse and buggy and went for Dr. Anderson. When the old Doctor arrived, he muttered, "Why don't the old fool stay home." However, we loaded her into the Doctor's rig and away they went. She recovered, although to tell the truth, I thought she was a goner.

THE CREED FAMILY
These reminiscences of mine should not be confined to the male sex when considering people or families. I was thinking of a family, a humble family, but one worthy of being kept green in our memories because of one member of that family who must have left a memorable impression on the minds and lives of many of our young people. I speak of the Creed Family, the most notable of them being Catherine or Kate as she was usually called. The father of the family was Obadiah or Obey. When I first knew him, he was one of No. 1 Company in the old 19th Regiment, with the rank of Corporal. I believe he had served in the 100th Regiment. When I knew him, he was lame and walked with a cane. I very well remember him as coming into Public School Hall with his cane grasped firmly in one and with the other, he was equally firmly grasping the ear of his son Charlie who had been playing hooky. While he was palavering with Mr. Cork, the School Principal, Charlie managed to wriggle free and decamped from that dangerous neighbourhood in high gear. Obadiah was, for a long time, Caretaker of the High School and he took a fatherly interest in us boys. Mrs. Creed was an active member of the Salvation Army when they were in Niagara. Charlie, the only son, usually was known as Obey. Boys seemed to inherit names and nick names from their father. Charlie was a classmate of mine at Public School, but he never attended regularly enough to be burdened with much education. He was a happy-go-lucky, carefree chap. He did some railroading and quite a bit of sailing, but never had any money and was not much help in supporting his old mother. Mrs. Creed used to do a bit of nursing, as we had no trained nurses in those days. I remember that while we were living next door to them on Johnson Street, Kate was alone in the house on a Saturday night, her mother being out nursing. Mr. Charlie arrived home after Kate and had gone upstairs to bed; he managed to get in through a window at the back of the house. Poor Kate thought it was a burglar and she put in a sleepless night. Her mother arrived home in the morning and learned of Kate's harrowing experience. I was sitting out in our yard reading and Charlie was also reading. He had a chair tilted back against the house and was the picture of solid comfort when, without warning, out came his mother with a broomstick. She walloped her dear son over the head, knocking him off his chair and proceeding to follow up the attack with a shower of blows. "Ye dirty loafer, I'll teach ye to scare the life out of people."

Now, we come to Kate, who became a schoolteacher and one of the best. A very gifted woman she was and taught in our school for many years and later going to St. Catharines. Kate taught Sunday school in St. Andrew's besides her day school work. She was a valuable worker in the Public Library and in the Historical Society. She had a good knowledge of our Town and its early days and early people. She suggested to me that I do a paper on the Dock part of the Town, while she would do one of the upper part. We did that and our papers were duly read at the meeting of the Society and it was intended to publish them in pamphlet form for the Society. For some reason, this was not done and some years later, Miss Creed and I had the misfortune to be hospitalized at the same time. We had several talks when we were convalescing and she suggested to me that we revise our respective papers and have them published. She, however, passed away before anything was done, while my paper appeared in the columns of the Advance some time later. I have no way of knowing what became of hers. She sent me some notes of items about which she wished to consult me. I think it was a loss to the Community that she was taken away as people of her caliber are too scarce. She deserves to be kept in memory for the person that she was and for the life that she lived. It is a pleasure for me to be able to pay this small tribute to her memory. Long may that memory live with those who knew her and who benefited from her teaching and example.

THE ALLENS AND BILL CAMPBELL
I thought I should like to say a little about a class of men who don't get much publicity, the FISHERMEN. Now, I don't mean the blokes who wear a pair of duck pants and a sporty cap and who swank about with a forty-dollar rod and a reel, and a combination of know-it-all air and an air of superiority. I mean the real Fishermen who ply our lakes for a livelihood and who use common-sense boats and equipment. The little excitement that we heard of a while ago started me on the way of something about fishermen. I got to thinking of the men who plied their calling while I was around the lake and river and so far I have dug up a list of seventy-one names and I thought that some of our people would like to know about them. Many families were found in the ranks of the fishermen.

When I was a boy, the chief men about the beach were the Allens, Bob and Dick, who had a shanty on the beach, next to ours and who also had a ground on the lakeshore for dragnet fishing. Dick was the first to quit and go into storekeeping. I might say here that the fishermen were all located on the end of King Street when I first had my knowledge of the Beach and the Town cleared them all off the street (please note that Mr. Mayor), whereupon they moved up the Beach. After Dick Allen retired from the fishing, Bob Allen carried on for some time with Bill Campbell for a helper. There never was a question of wages as the pay was based on the catch. In gillnetting, the crew consisted of two, who each got a quarter of the catch, the boat a quarter and the nets a quarter. Sometimes the one man or both owned the whole outfit and in some cases, someone else owned the outfit and the crew fished on shares. Bob Allen finally gave up and for years he drove the stage between Niagara and St. Catharines. The Bill Campbell I speak of lived in the house Lal. Caughill has now on Prideaux Street. He fished at various times with Big Jim Cantwell and with my father. He was a Blacksmith by trade and he was an apprentice at Platts on Johnson Street as a youth.

[From November 5th, 1953:]
I thought I should like to say a little more about some of the Fishermen, more as families who have served the community in past years. The first family that comes to my notice in this connection is that of the Allens. There were three brothers, Dick, Bob and Tom, and they were all musical and played in the Town Band for years. In fact, Dick was Bandmaster for some years. Tom was a good cornetist and also had a good voice. He sang in St. Mark's Choir for some years. Dick and Bob had families who were also musical. Dick's daughters, three of them, were in the Choir as were Bob's one son and two daughters. So, musically the Allens have done some good in our Town. Dick, besides being a successful merchant, was a kindly, goodhearted man whom it was a pleasure to know.

JIM CANTWELL
Jim Cantwell was always known as Big Jim. He was a big awkward man, strong as a horse, Irish as the pigs an uncouth, unlettered son of the Emerald Isle. Jim owned the property now owned by the Wrights at the Beach. Jim had a game leg, having been hurt while laying tracks when the old Great Western Railway was being built. His wife, Kate was a very outspoken woman with a rather strident voice. I remember that when I was a Census Enumerator, in 1901, I arrived at her door in a downpour of rain. She had shutters on her door. I knocked, whereupon she peered through the slats and demanded to know what I wanted. "I'm taking the Census Ma'am," was my reply. "Well, ye can't take me." After some palaver, she admitted me to see the old man. So I didn't dare ask any questions about Kate, but I got an earful, nevertheless. She would have made a great orator. Poor Jim couldn't get a word in the conversation, till he blew up and bawled, "For God's sake, Woman, lave me sshpake." I finally escaped with a whole hide and got some information from the Elliott girls next door.

CHARLIE AND ALBERT BALL
The first coppers I ever earned were from Charlie Ball, for turning a reel for him. Charlie and Albert Ball were brothers and always fished together. They were about the nicest pair of fishermen I ever knew. Charlie was always known as "The Captain." He sailed the boat and was a good-natured, steady sort of man. He had one or two point about him that caused him to stand out in my memory. He was my Godfather and his wife was my Godmother. In his later years, he was caretaker of the Methodist Church. He had one son, Will, who was also a fisherman.

Albert Ball, Charlie's brother and partner, was a very outstanding man. At one time, he taught Sunday school in the Methodist Church. Neither of his brothers drank and neither of them used bad language. They were partners with my father and my uncle in the dragnet fishing. I don't know of any two men in my long life that I respected as I did those two. Albert had a large family, three of whom are still living with us, Charlie and Ed and Mrs. Laughton, besides a lot of grandchildren. In what was commonly regarded as a rough class of men, these two surely stand out as men of a good influence.

BOBBY REID AND BOBBY TAYLOR
One of the early teams that I remember were "The Bobbies," that is Bobby Reid and Bobby Taylor. They had a red skiff and did not fish here for very long after I came on the scene. Bob Reid quit fishing to become Bartender at the Lake View House, which position he did not keep very long, as he was appointed Chief Constable of the Town, which position he ably filled for many years. He is too well remembered by many people to need a great deal of mention by me, as I am devoting this article to Fishermen. Bob Taylor moved away at this time and went to Oak Orchard, down the American shore, where he continued to pursue the finny tribe.

JACK RAYNOR
Another man whom I came to know well was Jack Raynor. He and my Dad had been buddies from boyhood. They were both soldier's sons, born in the Army Barracks in Gibraltar. Both were schooner sailors and later fishermen. Both served for years in the Militia. Jack's last rank was Colour Sergeant of No. 1 Company. He did considerable work as a County Constable and was a veteran of the American Civil War. He was at the Fenian Raid campaign. Besides being sailor, soldier and fisherman, he was a very useful citizen and one whom I will always remember with pleasure and respect. Jack had two sons and a daughter (still living here), the son having passed away. Young Johnny, as he was called, fished with his father and after his father had quit the fishing, he moved away.

[From April 19th, 1952:]
Among the many old timers I have known there is a man whom I know very well indeed. In fact he seemed to me as almost a second father, as he and my father were lifelong pals. I speak of John Raynor, father of Mrs. Mary McClelland, who by the way, will be celebrating her 80th birthday on April 8th. John Raynor and my father were both born in Army Barracks at Gibraltar and both came to Canada with their Father's Regiments about 1840. They soldiered together, sailed together and fished together. I wish to speak though, particularly about Mr. Raynor. He served in the U.S. Navy during the War between North and South and received a bullet wound at the siege of Vicksburg on the Mississippi and for which he, late in life, received a pension from the U. S. Government.

That service didn't finish his career, however, for he was a member of our No. 1 Company and took part in the expedition to Philipsburg on Lake Champlain after the St. Albans' Raid. He turned out too for the Fenian Raid and served for many years after that in the same Company and Regiment. When I first was taken by my father to the Town Hall to watch the men drill, Jack Raynor was Colour-Sergeant of the Company, while my father was Battalion Sergeant-Major.

Between whiles, Mr. Raynor was a sailor, both fresh and salt water, I remember him when I was a small kid as a Wheelsman on the old Steamer Southern Belle, plying between Niagara and Toronto. Later on, he took to the net fishing, which he followed for many years. He was a County Constable for a long time and, taking it all in all, he was a useful citizen. He married Elizabeth Skinner of Youngstown and they had a family of two boys and one girl. The boys moved away from Town but the girl is still with us. She is the widow of Bert McClelland who passed away many years ago. She has a family of two, Mrs. L. A. Warner who lives with her and her son Bert, who is in charge of the Queenston Park. Soldiering runs in the blood for Bert is a veteran of both the recent wars. Nolan Raynor, the second of Jack's sons, served overseas in the first Great War, while John the older son was a member of the militia for some years. He was also a member of our Town Fire Brigade before moving away. Relations between our families were always most cordial, Mr. and Mrs. Raynor being my sister's Godparents. Mr. Raynor and my father were born about six months apart and died with about the same interval between. Mr. Raynor was born first and my father being the first to go to the Great Beyond.

CHARLIE AND JACK BOLTON
The Bolton brothers come to my mind, Charlie and Jack. At one time, they lived in a house that stood in the Fort George enclosure at the foot of the hill, near the spring. They ran the Ferry to Youngstown and were the last to do so from what was always referred to in my time as "The Old Ferry." Both men married early in life, their wives being sisters named Brown. I came to know Charlie and his wife very well in later years, and his son Fred and daughter Maria (Rise) were schoolmates of mine. Charlie was tall and rather spare in build, while Jack was of a portly type. Nearly all the fishermen came to be known by a nickname. Charlie was called "Da Bolton," getting that appellation from a grandson, Charlie Whitten, the son of Charlie's elder daughter Daisy. The kid always called his granddad "Doo Da", and the name attached itself to the Granddad. Fred Bolton was a mischievous lad when he went to school, but became quite a good citizen with the years. He fished for a time with Big Jim Cantwell, but after he married, he went to Toronto, where he was with the Eaton Store. You may remember seeing a man with a mop of white hair, in attendance at the foot of the escalator on the ground floor. That was his job for years and I always made it a point whenever I visited the store, to have a word with Fred. No one who saw his dignified demeanor would have believed he could have been the bane of Gussie Winterbottom's life when he was her pupil. Jack's wife died while fairly young and later in life, Jack married again and after that event, the brothers dissolved their partnership and each went his own way. Jack built the house on the Beach where Bert Taylor now lives. I remember Bill Thornton and Steve Todd working on the building. Jack had a Boat Livery and Bathing Houses on the beach, besides his gillnet establishment. He had a hauling ground just in front of where the rifle butts are now located. He had a lot of different men helping him at different times, among them Dan Sherlock, Fred Bolton, Tom Robertson, Tom Sherwood, Jimmy Tay, Ned O'Melia, and Bob Hallion. Jack had a son and daughter by his second wife. John, the son, is still with us and while he was a youngster when his father died, he too became a fisherman, as did his son Johnny for a time.

THE MASTERS FAMILY [From February 28th, 1952]
I have written of those families who collectively have given many years of service to our Town, mostly in Council. Perhaps I may be pardoned if I refer to my own family, who served in various capacities from 1879 to 1952. My father was a member of the old Public School Board for twenty-five years. When he passed away, I served out his last term. He was Chairman for several years. I served seven years on the High School Board and ten years in Council, eight of them as Reeve and part of my last year as Mayor. I suppose I am the only one who was Mayor and Reeve at the same time. I served as Assessor from 1924 to 1928, Secretary-Treasurer of the Hydro Commission from 1926 to 1929 and Town Clerk and Treasurer until my retirement on account of illness at the end of 1944. I served eleven years on the County Board of Criminal Audit and fourteen years on the Mother's Allowance Board. I was for about 38 years a member of the Public Library Board, ten of them as President and about the same time as Secretary. I put in about thirty years as a member of the Board of the Bible Society. I was Sunday school Superintendent of St. Mark's for forty years and was a member of the Choir for fifty years, twenty-seven of those years as Choirmaster. I also served for many years on the Hospital Board and was Chairman of it when illness compelled my retirement, after serving from 1922 to 1944. My brother has been a member of the Board of Education for years past, only retiring at the end of 1951.

I shall probably be recalling various individuals to your memory from time to time, who have said or done something noteworthy. I should welcome any help in recalling the past for your edification.

THE MASTERS AND KEITH FAMILIES
Coming to my own family, when first I remember my father, he was a sailor and we didn't see much of him while aboard ship, but while I was small, he quit sailing and settled down at home to fish. As I first knew his fishing experience, he had my Uncle Johnny Keith as a partner. Johnny Keith was my mother's youngest brother and until he married, he spent most of his days with us. My dad had five sons, one of them Will by his first wife. Unlike the rest of us, Will never fished or sailed. He worked as a youth for various farmers up the River Road and afterwards went railroading and died in Buffalo while still a young man. All of us boys were brought up around the River and Lake. At first, Charlie and I were known as "The Skeeter Crew." We were not very hefty on a pair of oars, but we managed between us to do a man's work. After my Dad took over the Ferry, Charlie and I bought our own Boat and continued as partners until he left to go to Wycliffe College. Then I had Fred and lastly, Arthur. The family, I think, made some contribution of the life of the Community. My Dad served on the School Board for 25 years and was its Chairman for several years. Arthur later served on the Board of Education for a long time and was Chairman. Fred was Master of the Masonic Lodge. Charlie became a Clergyman. I served on the School Board and the Town Council, 18 years in all, before becoming Town Clerk and Treasurer. All four of us put in many years in St. Mark's Choir, my spell being 50 years, 27 of them as Choirmaster. I only put in 40 years as Sunday School Superintendent. All in all, I feel that we did our bit for the Community.

The Keith family comes next to my mind. They were my mother's people. Her father was a Tavern Keeper. My mother married when young to Richard Clench, a brother of the late Johnson Clench, who was County Clerk for many years. Mother had three brothers, the middle one of whom went to Beamsville when I was small. John, the youngest, lived with us until he married. Alec, the oldest, lost his wife and when I knew him, he was leading a lonely kind of existence. He had two sons, Will and Jim. Jim went to the States and I never knew him well, but Will lived and died here. He learned bread baking with the Pattersons, but most of his life was put in fishing. For a long time, he was a partner with Wingy Mills. Most of the fishermen sported a cognomen other than their given name.

This pair of men was known in beach parlance as "Wingy and Crossy." and they fished for years for the late Robert Bishop, who had several crews working for him. The two Mills boys, Will and John, died when quite young, just 30 days apart. John's other name was Jesse. I should like to put in here that nearly all these younger men were Firemen and at one time, were one half of the entire brigade, thus doing something for their Town. Will Keith went to Midland and worked in the Smelter there for some years, then to Hamilton and later coming back to Niagara to resume the fishing with his own boys as helpers. Ed, his second son was his last helper, until he left to go railroading. The Mills boys lived next door to us on Ricardo Street when I was a boy. John, or Jesse, had as a mate Patsy Moran and they fished for Bob Bishop, in a boat called the J. C. Rykert.

After John's death, Patsy Moran went to Buffalo, where he worked in a hotel for many years. Patsy's mother lived alongside of us on Ball Street, in the house were Don Lauder now lives. She was a small Irish woman and I have seen her outdoors when snow was on the ground with her feet bare. I wonder how she would make out with some of the modern things that women wear for shoes.

[From November 5th, 1953:]
My own family should not be overlooked. My father served in the Militia and had the Long Service Medal, besides serving on the Public School Board for twenty-five years. Two of my brothers, Fred and Art were Firemen. All four of us were in St. Mark's Choir. Charlie went into the Church Ministry and was overseas as a Chaplain during the First Great War. Art served for years on the Board of Education and is now one of the Engineers at the Waterworks. I hope I may be pardoned for mentioning my own service. I was forty years Sunday School Superintendent at St. Mark's besides fifty years service in the Choir, twenty-seven of them as Choirmaster. From 1904 to 1944, I served the Town in various capacities: Public School Board, High School Board, Town Council, Assessor, Hydro Secretary, Town Clerk, and Treasurer. I was Reeve, Mayor, and Warden of the County. I have tried to be of service and hope I have succeeded at least to some extent.

THE KEITH FAMILY
The Keith's were all Fishermen at one time or another. Those who were contemporaries of mine were Will and his four sons. What is outstanding about this family is that all four of the boys enlisted for service in the First Great War. Will and Charlie went over seas and returned safely. Ed was discharged owing to an injury to one of his feet and Garlie served with the Frontier Force and died during the Flu Epidemic. Frank, the youngest of the family was too young for service at that time, but since has been a member of the Provincial Police for years. Will, himself, the Daddy of this crew, served as Town Policeman during the First War. Of course, he was a fireman for years. Young Will has been with a coal company in Toronto for years. Ed is railroading and Charlie has been with the Bell Telephone Company for years. Altogether a quite useful family.

THE TAYLOR FAMILY
A family I have on my list is that of the Taylors. There were five brothers in this family: Bob, Oliver, Will, Jack and Dick. Bob Taylor, the eldest I have already mentioned. Oliver, the next brother attained some prominence in a quiet way.

He was a Blacksmith by trade and a good one, but did not work much at it. He became Master of the Masonic Lodge in 1893. He was for some time, Inspector of Fisheries and also served for a time as Provincial Constable at the Steamship Wharf. He did quite a bit of angling, but was not a fisherman. The next brother, Jack (Dobbie) was a small man and did a lot of angling and trapping, skunks being his favorite prey. I often wish he could come back and capture the pest around our neighbourhood. One is almost afraid to venture outdoors after dark, lest he meet one of the pretty little pets. Pardon me, did I omit a letter or didn't I. Jack had one adventure that nearly cost him his life. He had a new gun, what he called "a pump gun." He used to load his own shells and he must have overdone it, for one morning near the Four Mile Pond, the gun burst. He lost some parts of his fingers and dreadfully tore the side of his face. He didn't loose consciousness however, but though he was bleeding profusely, he started to walk home and got as far as the top of the lake bank this side of the One Mile Creek, when he collapsed. Doc Crysler, taking a morning walk, found him there, gave him what aid he could and sent him off to St. Catharines Hospital, whence he "issued forth anew." Did that slight incident put finis to his shooting career? Not by a long shot.

One day, in the early winter, after a light snowfall, he and my brother Fred toddled off to the Queenston mountain in search of rabbits. Jack was armed with a new hammerless gun, borrowed from one of his brothers. As they were about to start trailing among the underbrush, Fred suggested to Jack that he had better put on the safety. "She's on, all right." said Jack. So they fared forth, Fred in the lead, Jack following. You guessed it. Jack stumbled and bang went the gun, and the shot lifted Fred's cap. Needless to say, Jack led the procession, thenceforth.

I might say here, that the Taylor home was where John Haines lives on King Street. The present house was built by Oliver, replacing an older house that stood close to the street. Oliver did nearly all the work on it himself. The next brother, Will (Jud) was quite a clever fellow with tools. He fished gillnets for some years and he worked for some years with John Redhead at the Boatbuilding. He developed quite a knack for carpentering and moved to Youngstown where he plied that trade for years.

Now we come to Squealer Dick, as some of the boys called him. Dick never had much book education, but he had brains, nevertheless. I suppose he is best known as the first lessee of the Town Park. When he had it, it was called Simcoe Park. Before that, he fished hook and line for years with Jack Redhead and established quite a reputation as a successful guide. He later decided to go into business on his own and for years was very successful. He made a success of the Town Park while he operated it, so he decided to go further afield. He acquired a lease of the Port Dalhousie Beach that he christened Lakeside Park. He did so well at it, that ultimately the N. S. and T. Railway terminated his lease and took it over as a going concern. Altogether, Dick made a bit of money that kept him when ill health came upon him. Not bad, I should say, for a fellow without education. I must tell you of an incident that I happened upon with Dick. Our mail used to arrive rather late in the day and we had no streetlights at that time. I met Dick outside the Post Office, which was then in the Town Hall. He had just received a letter and not being good at reading handwriting, he handed it to me, saying that he was not sure whether it was meant for him or his brother. He couldn't decide whether it was addressed to Mr. D. or to W. D. Herb Walsh had a small shop across the street, just where the Zoeger Building is now and we went over near the window to see by its light. I was not sure either, for the writing was not good, so I suggested that he open it and see how the letter began. "You go ahead and open it," he said, which I did, and read out to him the opening words, which were, "Dear Dick," whereupon I went to hand it over to him, but he said "Go ahead and read it to me." You ought to have seen the grin on his face. It was a proposal of marriage from a girl in Toronto, whom we both knew. Dick never did marry, but you could see his chest expanding. Some girl missed a darn good husband in Dick, for there wasn't a mean streak in him.

[From July 3rd, 1952:]
I have mentioned many businesses along our Main Street but there is one about which I have hitherto said nothing, and that is about our Park as a Business Proposition. The first man to start business in the Park was Dick Taylor. Many of you will remember Dick and the Taylor family. They were quite a family, but anyone who knew Dick as a boy and a young man would never have given him credit for any brains or business ability. I knew him from school days although he never acquired enough education to do him any harm or any good either. He did learn to read after a fashion. He must have had some native ability, however, to carry on business. When first Dick set out to make a living, he puttered about doing any old thing to earn a little money. What dreams and ambitions come to a growing boy. Dick and three others essayed to be counterfeiters. They secured a den in a sort of cave or grotto on the River bank at Paradise Grove, but like many other boyish plans, their proved to be beyond their capacities and had to be abandoned. When first I began to really know Dick, he was fishing and rowing fishing parties at Redhead's boathouse at the Dock, as many of us boys did in those days. He became dissatisfied at not being always given the preference over the rest of us, so he quit Redhead's and went into business for himself. His brother Will, usually known as Jud, had been working with Jack Redhead at the boat building and he built several skiffs for Dick and Dick having some steady clients from Buffalo, managed to do very well. He went to Toronto and bought a number of light skiffs to add to his equipment. He built his Boathouse just above where the Foghorn is now situated, but later on moved to a site between the wharves, where he continued for a long spell. In 1913, he conceived the idea of using our Park as a business site and managed to get a lease from the Town Council. He named the Park "Simcoe Park" as it is still known and there he did a successful business for years. He then got a lease of the Beach at Port Dalhousie and there he did very well and made some money for himself. He gave up Simcoe Park, but kept up his Boathouse, putting different men in charge from time to time. Among those who managed it for him were his brother Jack, Chummy Sherlock, Eddie O'Melia and the Masters brothers. Eventually, he gave it up and removed his building.

His business at Port Dalhousie proved to be so remunerative that the officials of the N. S. and T. Railway cast envious eyes at it and they got rid of Dick on some pretext and the Railway ran it themselves. The last few years Dick was alive, he lived quietly at his home on King Street. Dick had three brothers and a couple of sisters. The oldest brother Bob was a fisherman and when I first became acquainted around the waterfront, he was in partnership with Bob Reid, and they were locally known as "The Bobbies." Bob moved to Oak Orchard, down the Lake. Oliver the next brother was a Blacksmith and a good one. He it was who built the house on King Street where John Haines now lives, but which Dick owned when he died. Oliver was for a time Provincial Policeman at the Dock. The last place where he lived was in the house now owned by the Will Lavelle. Jud, the remaining brother was a Fisherman and was at one time a partner of Charlie Currie, but he spent quite a bit of time at the Boat building and moved to Youngstown where he was a very successful Carpenter. Jud was for a long time, a member of our Fire Brigade. Altogether, they were a quiet, unpretentious family who had a lot of ability of a kind. They, none of them, had opportunities to be learned or great, or wealthy, but were useful citizens. One is reminded of those lines from Gray's Elegy -

THE CURRIE FAMILY
Another family deserving our attention is that of the Curries. The first one I wish to mention is Charlie, who passed away not so long ago. Charlie was a clever fellow in many ways, and I got to know him pretty well when he was around the water. When first I knew him, he was a fisherman and was rowing fishing parties at the Boathouses and he later on was a gill-netter and for a time was in partnership with Jud Taylor. Being handy with tools, he tried his hand at building small boats and became quite good at it. I well remember his building a small sailboat for Archie Billups, which Archie later used as a means of embarking on a voyage of discovery, which voyage ended at St. Louis, Missouri, where he went into business. When Charlie Currie retired from the fishing, he went into carpentering and he bought up quite a number of dilapidated houses and rebuilt them on lots that he purchased for that purpose. His nickname, by the way, was Birdie and he got that from his habit of whistling. He served several years as Town Assessor. Taken altogether, he was quite a smart fellow and a very likeable one. He had a keen sense of humour and he was a very useful citizen.

Another of the Currie family who became a fisherman was Bart. He and his twin brother Bert were as much alike as two peas in a pod when I first knew them. Bart got into the fishing when well along in years. I remember his being along with a Sidney Gogo at Port Dalhousie. Gogo had a small Steamer and one day, out in the lake off Port, we saw them waving furiously for help. We had the steamer Abino and as we were on our way to Port from lifting our nets, we went to their assistance. It was a very still day and they had been so engrossed in pulling their nets that they had allowed their fire to go out. They had neither kindling nor a match to re-light the fire in their boiler and were very glad when we came alongside to give them some burning coals from our Boiler. Another day, there were up the Canal on some errand, when they found that they couldn't get any water in the boiler, so they hurriedly beached the boat at the Canal bank and went to a safe distance and waited for an explosion. After waiting vainly for the blast, they sneaked back and pulled the fire. Incidentally, the same wee steamer sank at her mooring. They secured the help of a Government outfit who raised the wee ship and set her up on the pier, whereupon the whole stern fell off her. That of course, wound up her career. Bart got a boat of his own at Niagara and followed the fishing with the help of his boys, Bart Jr., and Frank and Perry. The last named went overseas during the First World War and left his bones over there. Frank is still with us and is still fishing. A clever fellow is Frank and a useful one. He has been in the choir of Grace Church these many years and is a credit to the Town. The Currie family has been a decided asset to the Community. Too bad there are not more like them.

[From November 5th, 1953:]
Quite a family were the Curries. There were five brothers living in Town when I first knew them. Charlie was the one whom I knew best. He was Assessor for some years and a good workman. Nice to work with. Bart, one of the twins, had a good family. Frank, you know. He has been singing with the Grace Church Choir for these many years. A good useful citizen and one whom everybody respects. One of Bart's sons, Perry, gave his life in the first Great War. Bart has a very clever daughter who is a splendid musician. She was our Organist at St. Mark's during my last years as Choirmaster and was a very pleasant person to work with. Colin, a brother was a good man and while he did not fill any public office, he was a prominent Mason. He too served with the Firemen and left behind him a good reputation for his two sons to be proud of.

TOM ELLIOTT
I don't suppose many here now can remember Tommy Elliott. Probably George or Frank Thomas would remember him, as he was their uncle on their mother's side. He kept the Elliott House and was a respected and well-liked member of the Community. He used to attend St. Mark's when I was a boy and the first Sunday School Picnic that I attended was held in Paradise Grove and we were conveyed from the foot of King Street in rowboats furnished free by Mr. Elliott. About the first rowboat that I ever ventured out in alone was a small skiff lent to me by Mr. Elliott. Golly, was I proud and glad and wasn't I grateful to Mr. Elliott. Poor man, his mind gave way and after a spell at Hamilton, he spent his remaining years in a small bedroom, a helpless, miserable object.

ALBERT DAVEY
Another man who was quite prominent along the waterfront for some years was Albert Davey. He had a hauling ground just at the end of Queen Street and later on was Provincial Constable at the Dock for some years. I came to know him pretty well when he was on duty at the Dock. He was a man with quiet manners, but with a sly twinkle in his eye. He was quite a humourous fellow and dearly loved a joke. When I first knew him, he was either in McClelland's Store or that of Jack Bishop.

JIM McMILLAN
A man who owned a fishing outfit was Windy Jim McMillan. Frank Clench, Fred Perrot, Johnny Raynor and Juby (Bill) Cullen all fished for him at one time or another. All four of them later drifted away from here and ended their days elsewhere. Windy Jim and Albert Davey were together in an adventure that I mentioned before. It was a very severe winter with plenty of ice along the shores of the Lake. The two lads conceived the idea of skating to Toronto along the shore ice. They came to grief off Jordan, however, and Billy Smith, in the Youngstown News writing of the incident came for with this jingle:

WALTER REID
Speaking of the Reid Family, I mustn't overlook Walter. He fished gillnets with Joe Sherwood for quite a while. I remember one morning when we were fishing at Port Dalhousie, I found two sleepers in the hold of the Abino. They proved to be Walter and Joe. It seems that they had been anxious to get an early start for their nets, so they had turned out before daylight and reeled down their nets. After they got through, it seemed to them to be a long time getting daylight, and to their dismay, they found it was not yet twelve midnight. They couldn't get back into the hotel where they were boarding, so took refuge on our boat. Walter was quite a versatile fellow. He served for years with the Cryslers in the Grocery store; he was a house painter with his brother George and later was a very successful gardener. He found time to serve the Town as D. R. O. at Elections. He spent quite a while with the School Board and put in eleven years in Town Council. He has been a very useful citizen. He also was a Fireman for years.

JOE SHERWOOD
I have mentioned Joe Sherwood whom I had known all my life. He was a year younger than I and was a Leap Year Baby, born in 1872. He began fishing when quite a youth and was a steady, industrious fellow. He was another of those fishermen who served for many years as a Fireman. Of course, he had to have a nickname, which was Tooty. I think it was Bert Currie who pinned that name on him. Joe was alleged to be overly fond of Tutti Fruitti Gum. Anyway, he was always known around the Beach as Tooty Sherwood. But, by whatever name he was known, he was a fine, honest, industrious man and a credit to his Town. He had fishing for a time, Tom Robertson, known as Uncle Tom, who also fished with the Boltons for a time.

NED WOOTTEN AND JOHN THORNTON
Two men who fished seines were Ned Wootten and John Thornton. They had hauling grounds near the Four Mile Creek on the lakefront. They gave that up when the whitefish played out.

NED O'MELIA
Ned O'Melia came to Town from the other side of the River a good many years ago. He was a native of Niagara, however, and he brought two sons and a daughter as well as his wife. He fished around here until he left this mortal sphere, working with various men. He was pretty good with a pair of oars. I remember that one Labour Day, races were being rowed on the River. Frank Addison used to think he was pretty good with a pair of oars, and the gang, wanting to give him a race, persuaded Ned to enter against him. To the surprise of most of them, Ned beat Frank quite handily much to Frank's disgust. That night, a lot of them took turns calling Frank on the phone to ask him about the race, till Frank blew up, and threatened to pull the darn phone off the wall if it kept on ringing.

Of Ned's two boys, the younger, Almeron (Pudge) died while a young man. The other son, Eddie is still with us. His name isn't Eddie, by the way. He and Ed Sherlock fished together for years. Eddie went overseas in the First War. He was in the Customs but was retired when the office here was closed. Ed Sherlock became the Town's Chief Constable, which office he held for years, giving it up to go into the hotel business. Since his retirement, he has served seven years in the Council. Dan Sherlock, his father spent his life around the water. He fished gillnets with various men, but his chief interest was Boathouse keeping. He ran the Queen's Royal Boathouse for many years, Charlie Bolton being his partner. So my guess is that the Sherlocks and O'Melias were good citizens.

GEORGE NASH
A man who is worthy of our mention is George Nash. He had been a saltwater sailor and was known as Kanaky. He had sailed in Whalers and could spin many a year about his experiences. He lived in the rooms over the Steamboat office and fished gillnets and nightlines. He was a man of good education, never married. When his health began to fail, he went to British Columbia to live with a brother and died there.

TOM HOLAHAN AND FRED SPECKMAN
Tom Holahan and Fred Speckman were partners for one season in gillnet fishing. Fred, however, quit after one season and went to the States, but Tom continued until he died suddenly. Tom was a sober, industrious fellow. He and John Bissell were in the concrete business for years. They built the curbs on Queen Street when the street was to be paved.

I have mentioned most of the men who fished in my time. There were some others: Ted and Rans. Bissell, A. L. Wood, Billy Gordon, Uncle John Alford, and Charlie Bishop.

I think I have given a pretty good idea of the place the fishermen occupied in the life of the community.

TOWN CHARACTERS
UNCLE JOHN ALFORD
I seem to be running out of material for my reminiscences, but I thought that a little chat about people of by gone days might be of some interest to my readers. I have received many assurances from people of their appreciation of my tales. When it comes to writing about people, one has to be careful. Did you ever stop to think about people and their oddities? One evening, I discovered one of my daughters and some others of her age, very busy compiling a list of the odd people whom they knew of and it was quite surprising to me that they were able to find so many whom they considered odd. Now, what you or might consider an oddity, would not so appear to the persons themselves. Yet, no two people are exactly alike and while in the main, we are pretty much of a muchness, yet there are bound to be those who differ from the common run. Among the many that I have known, I should like to ruminate about a few of them and I shall try not to be nasty about any of them, especially as they have all passed off the stage.

I passed my boyhood years around "the Dock," as our part of the Town was known. We were variously described as "the Patch Gang", "The Dock Rats", "The Dock Wallopers", etc., and between the Town and us gang, there "was a great gulf fixed." There were from time to time, people who for some reason were noticeable for some peculiarities. There was Uncle John. He seems to have blown in from beyond the pale and lived in a shanty on the Beach, just at the foot of Ball Street. He seemed to have quarreled with his family and chose to live the life of a hermit. He was Watchman at the old Steelworks and Senator Plumb used to come riding on a fine horse to see him. The Senator was a part owner of the Factory. Uncle John used to fish a seine from the Wharf down and many a time we kids helped to pull the net for him. Jimmy Tay worked for him for quite a while. By the way, the old man's name was Alford. He lived there for some years and then he moved out to the Lakeshore, where he lived in a shanty that he built at Whitmore's Lane. There, Jimmy Gordon helped him for a time, until the shanty went up in flames. John escaped but lost his belongings. He then took up his abode in a small boathouse on the Elliott property, but he was not long there, when it too went up in smoke. That finished Uncle John's career as a son turned up and took John away with him.

JIMMY TAY (O'BRIEN)
I mentioned Jimmy Tay. Jimmy was as Irish as they come and in some ways, as green as they make them. He worked for Squire Clement, who had the store Harold Boyle now has. Various tales were about as to Jimmy's greenness, some of them I heard from him. He was a neighbor of ours and lived in a little house on Ball Street. At one time, he lived in part of my house, then owned by Squire Clement, for whom Jimmy worked.

Jimmy came from Limerick and he told me himself that when he arrived at the Dock in Toronto, he thought he had another ocean to cross. So he went up Town and bought twenty loaves of bread and he marched off the boat at Niagara with this big bag of bread on his shoulder. He had crossed the Ocean steerage and in those days, steerage passengers had to furnish a good deal of their grub. Jimmy had a widowed sister Johanna O'Neal, who was cook at Baxter's. The Baxter's lived in the house now occupied by the Faulkners. She had three sons and it was through her the rest of the family came to Canada. Her old mother was there. I used to see her, barefooted, wearing a short skirt, speaking no English. Then there was the sister Moll. Murty, the oldest son of Johanna used to work on the Steamer, City of Toronto, and died quite young. The other boys were twins and full of pranks, and we had many games together. I remember that the twins made up a St. Patrick and stuck him up in the chimney of the house where the Lauders now live. There he was when morning came and when we kids came on the scene, there was Jimmy Tay with a long clothes prop, trying to dislodge him, while his precious nephews guyed him.

Poor Jimmy could neither read nor write and he had the most peculiar way of keeping track of his money when he peddled fish. One never heard him called by his real name, Jimmy O'Brien. I have mentioned him elsewhere and told how he came to be called Jimmy Tay. When he came to Niagara, his first job was with George A. Clement, who kept a grocery store where Harold Boyle is now located. Jimmy heard people getting tea, which is pronounced by the French "tay". Jimmy inquired what this tay was the people were getting. He had never tasted it. Johnny Clement then gave him a half-pound of it to try. A few days afterward, he asked Jimmy how he liked it. "Sure," said Jimmy, "we didn't care much for the tay, but we liked the broth." They had stewed the leaves and tried to eat them like greens. And Jimmy Tay was born and thus he was known till he died.

BARNEY McBRIEN
I suppose that nobody now remembers a family named McBrien that used to live on Mary Street. They had a small house on the site of the house in which the Colbornes now live. The one I remember best was Barney McBrien, a happy-go-lucky sort of chap that never was much good and never did much harm. Barney, of course, drank too much on occasion, but as he never had much money, his libations were not too frequent. Between whiles, he was a pretty good house painter. In fact, the last time I say Barney, he was painting the woodwork on St. Vincent Church. But Barney had one habit for which he was known about Town, and that was starting a row and then running away. I remember that one night, when we had the original pastime club upstairs over where the Club 19 is now, there was a dickens of a noisy row broke out in Walsh's Bar next door. We, of course rushed down to the street to see what was doing, just in time to see the brave Barney pick himself out of the mud (of which we had plenty in those dear dead days) and flee as a bird down the middle of the street. I heard of another time that he started a wholesale row between some American soldiers and some Town men in the Whitewings Hotel, which then stood on the site of Ernie Kemsley's domain, and was then kept by Mrs. Mary Sherlock. I happened to be on duty at the Ferry and got a firsthand account of the event. Black eyes and crimson noses were very apparent on those military countenances. They were loudly promising dire vengeance on someone. From their description of the culprit, I concluded that it was dear Barney, up to his old tricks. On later inquiry, this proved to have been the case.

One night, Ted Bissell was standing on Clement's corner, when a man approached and without a word, punched Ted in the optic and took to his heels. Ted never even got a good look at his wanton assailant, but poor Ted knew only too well who it was. Well, that was Barney, the only one of his kind. In his later days, he lived in a little house on the road near St. Davids, but has now departed this life. Barney had a very nice sister, Kate McBrien, who married an American soldier named Tommy Ellis, who afterwards had a BarberShop in Youngstown.

JIMMY HUTCHINSON
Another notable character around the water, was Jimmy Hutchinson. He was a short, stout Scot, of an aspect all his own. One would have to see him to really be able to describe him. His whole get up had to be seen to be believed. He wore a big straw hat that used to be priced at ten cents. It was secured to his pate by a piece of rope tied down about his ears. His pants were his own manufacture, made of canvas, once white. They were everlasting. When a front or a back part got too hole-y, it was replaced by a new one and it was no novelty to see him sporting a new white front and a new back on opposite legs. His footwear also was unique, as it consisted of rope slippers of which he was also the maker and founder. With a good, stout cane to support him, he cut quite a dash. I remember that when the Chippewa was new, Jimmy in his usual regalia was on the wharf examining the new Steamer along with many others.

I observed a man with a camera taking snaps of Jimmy, evidently thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. Jimmy stepped back to look up at the Indian painted on the paddlebox and in so doing, he came in contact with a short post. Over he went, much to the enjoyment of the man with the camera. Jimmy lived for a long time at the Elliott House, where he did the odd job. He had one particular "bete noir," however and that was the fishery inspector from Hamilton, who on his periodic inspection tours, used to put up at Elliott's. Among Jimmy's other jobs, was tending the garden, which was up on Gate Street, an acre lot. One day when Jimmy was returning from his gardening operation with a garden fork on his shoulder, he met Inspector Kerr on the hill above Elliott's, and Jimmy went at Kerr with the garden fork. Picture it, if you can. Kerr on the ground rolling down hill to escape, which he ultimately did. I was kidding Jimmy about it once and Jimmy retorted, "I hadna me Haeland durrrk wi me, or I'd a furnished im," with a few opprobrious epithets added for good measure. Jimmy then left Elliott's and went to live at Kennedy's. However, some years later, I was reeling up nets one morning when a voice spoke behind me, "Did Kerr no come to see ya, before he went to hell." It was Jimmy in his rope slippers. So that was that. Kerr, by the way, was pronounced Care, which I believe is correct, as it is a Scotch name and Jimmy was a Scot. He came from Leith, on the east coast. He told me that when he was a youth, he worked on a farm and many a cartload of seaweed and fish refuse he hauled from the seashore. When he came to Niagara, he worked as a Ship's Carpenter at a shipyard that was situated about where the fog station now is.

RICHARD WYNN
A man whom I remember very well was Richard Wynn, always known as Bunny. How he got the name, the Lord only knows, but Bunny he was, but woe betide the one whom he heard calling him that. I remember Harry Lockwood, who lived across the street from him, so far forgetting himself as to greet him with "Good evening, Bunny." Bunny promptly whammed him over the head with the heavy cane he carried and poor Harry was knocked flat and sported a sore head from the encounter. Bunny served in the 19th for a long time and when I first knew him, he held the exalted rank of Corporal. One day in Camp, the men were getting ready for a parade and much polishing and pipe-claying was in progress. When I was in the 19th, we had white waist belts, white helmets and white rifle straps. These all had to be scrupulously white for parade. While they were busy, someone asked Jack Flynn for some pipe-clay. "I haven't got much," said Jack, "but Bunny there has lots." Bunny was busy polishing his bayonet, which was fixed on his rifle. On hearing Jack refer to him as Bunny, he lunged at Jack with his fixed bayonet and ripped the collar off Jack's tunic.

During the Spanish-American War Albert Davey, while talking to Bunny one day, conceived the idea of having a little fun with Bunny. So between him and Joe Doritty, who was then in the Telephone Office, they planted the idea in Bunny's mind that he was a Military Expert and as such, he should give the American commanders the benefit of his knowledge and experience. After Bunny had successfully negotiated the campaign in Cuba, he was given a medal by President McKinley, ostensibly by mail from Washington and was worn with pride by Bunny, along with his Fenian Raid medal. This campaign having been concluded, our hero's attention was called to the perilous situation in which the British forces under General Buller were placed. And what more natural than a call for advice to our famous General Wynn, he having attained that exalted rank by virtue of some canoodling with the telephone, an imaginary connection with the Queen in London and frequent wires from Buller direct.

Our conspirators began to run out of yarns with which to ply the General, so they sprang a defeat on him and they had quite a time soothing him down and they finally had to break the cable to South Africa in order to stall for time. I happened to be in McClelland's store one day when Bunny came in and inquired of Mr. Davey whether the cable had been repaired. Albert went to the phone and inquired for the cable office, without, of course, actually getting a connection. He informed Bunny that the Cable Company had not yet been able to make the necessary repairs. "How do you suppose the cable got busted, Albert?" inquired the General. "Well," said Albert, "the bottom of the ocean is much like the land. It has its hill and hollows and there are places where the cable doesn't lie flat on the bottom, but is well clear of the bottom. They have figured that a whale came along and butted into the cable and broke it, but they hope to have it fixed pretty soon." I was in Frank's Barber Shop one day some time later, when Bunny came in. Dick Taylor was there and he said, "Good Day, Corporal." Bunny very curtly informed him that he was a GENERAL, not a Corporal. I assured the General that he ought to be flattered, as Napoleon was proud to be known as "The little Corporal." I thereupon asked the General if he had taken any prisoners lately. "Oh," he replied, "I had two million of them the other day." I asked him what he did with them. "Blew them from the guns," he replied, as if it were an every day occurrence. He said Buller had called him and asked what he should do with them, and on getting the order to blow them up, he said to hold on a minute, "and do you know, I actually heard the guns going off." What he heard was a bunch of Firecrackers in a tin can, arranged by the conspirators. Well, the War in South Africa came to an end and it was thought only fitting that some tangible reward was due the General. Queen Victoria had passed away and King Edward the Seventh was on the throne. The General was to receive an elaborate uniform coat and periodical bulletins were received as to the progress of the construction of the coat, but, alas and alack, the ship bringing it to Canada sank on the voyage and the coat was lost. Of course, Bunny had received several medals already, which mitigated the sorrow at the loss of the uniform. By this time, the conspirators had pretty well filled his breast with fake decorations. In fact, I have seen a picture that Bert St. John took of him with his full regalia, a breast full of medals. Bunny was a Fenian Raid Veteran. I was told by my father that on the march to Fort Erie, poor Bunny got pretty well played out and my father carried his rifle for him, for which Bunny was eternally grateful. When I was quite small, my Dad had a very serious illness and different men came in to sit with him at night. One night Bunny came and I heard Dr. Anderson cautioning him that the patient must not be disturbed, as this night was the critical one. But alas, poor Bunny went to sleep in his chair and in the middle of the night fell out of the chair with a tremendous clatter. He woke everybody up except poor Dad, who slept peacefully through it all. When the Doctor came in the morning, he pronounced Dad well on the way to recovery. Poor Bunny felt very bad over the incident, but no harm was done.

THE McGOWANS
Some characters come to my memory, among them the McGowans. Jim of that ilk, was the Ferryman for years. He was a rather uncouth fellow and the first memory I have of him was that he was keeping company with the cook at Bill Milloy's. Milloy lived at that time in the brick house in the hollow between Ricardo and Byron Streets. Cooky treated Jim to a glass of beer in a very thin glass and poor Jim broke the glass and got some of it in his throat and it gave him trouble for years.

During the time when we were under prohibition, we had plenty of thirsty customers on the Ferry who had to go over to Uncle Sam to wet their whistles. Among my passengers one rough day was a very fine looking young woman. On the return trip, she came with McGowan and she greatly disgusted poor Jim by hugging and kissing him, greatly to the edification of the other passengers. Jim wasn't exactly an Adonis as he had a fishy grey eye, a long neck and a straggly beard. Jim had a brother Paddy. I remember him as driving an old grey horse attached to a wagon surmounted by a big upright tank. He used to haul water from the Fort Wharf to where they were building new barracks. He would back the wagon to the edge of the Wharf at its upstream side. He had a long tin pump and had a board across the tope of the tank on which he stood while operating the tin pump to fill his tank. One day he gave us a laugh. A fly was bothering the horse and it took an unexpected step forward and Paddy did a beautiful dive into the river. I shall not attempt to tell what Paddy said when he emerged from his bath. I don't suppose he thought it funny, for he might have broken his neck for the water was not deep and the bottom was stony; however, he escaped injury.

I used to know as many people over there, as on our own side of the water. I remember one very nice man who was in business there. He was rather small in stature and as usual with many small men, he had a good, big, fine-looking wife. He himself was a quiet, retiring man. One morning, he came across and embarked on the Corona to go to Toronto. When the boat returned in the evening, he was escorted to me at the Ferry Landing, decidedly groggy and I mean groggy, but smiling cheerfully. He had spent the whole day aboard the boat and never saw Toronto. I helped him into the Ferryboat and he said to me, "Well, boy, I've had a darn good boat ride and I've had a darn good drunk, and now I'm going home an' get a darn good settin' out." But he was happy.

There was one little incident about Jim McGowan that I must tell you. Jim hadn't much education. He could read after a fashion but just wasn't too bright. He used to go to Buffalo for medical treatment and on one occasion, he brought home a bottle of medicine. The next morning, the neighbours saw him out in his yard, jumping about in the most ridiculous fashion and they thought he had gone dippy and they went in to see what they could do for the poor fellow. On inquiring the reason for his apparently crazy actions, he showed them his medicine bottle. It bore the old-fashioned directions, "Shake well before using." and of course, he did as directed.

One rough day, on arriving at Youngstown wharf, I found a passenger waiting, a dignified old gentleman. I helped him into the boat and I heard a female voice saying "Ain't you goin' to help me in kid." And there was a handsome young woman, decidedly intoxicated. I duly assisted her and the rough weather was keeping me busy looking after the boat. As we squared away, to cross "the stormy water." I noticed that she had taken her seat on the Windward side where she was likely to get wet from the spray. I suggested to the lady that she move over to the other side. "All right," she said and she stood up to make the move just as a big wave gave the boat a heave and she landed on the dignified gentleman and proceeded to bestow a volley of kisses and he hardly knew what to do about it. However, when her ladyship saw me grinning, she said. "Do you allow kissing in your boat? "If you say anything, I'll kiss you." So, of course, I said nothing. The next day, she came again, but this time, Jim McGowan was the victim. She kissed him all the way across the river, much to his disgust. If you had seen him, you might have questioned her taste. He, like the Ancient Mariner, had "a long gray beard and glittering eye," and moreover, was none too clean. The last I saw of the lady she was being escorted to the Toronto boat by the M. P. and the Town saw her no more.