IX - CELEBRATING QUEEN STREET
Articles collected from December 30th, 1954 - March 24th, 1955

QUEEN STREET BUSINESSES
GROCERS
In writing about our river and its changes, it brings home to me many changes in our Town besides those on the riverfront. I was thinking about the different businesses in our Town. For one thing, there were in my early days, quite a number of Grocer shops on our Main Street. There were Clement's, Follett's, Crysler's, Jack Bishop's, Woodington's, Dave McMillan's and McClelland's. Of these, only one remains, McClellands, although the Bishop business is carried on by Peter, but not on our main street.

BUTCHER SHOPS
Then there were Butcher shops. Bishop's, Bill Longhurst's, McClelland's, Fred Best's, and Sando's. The last named were in the Harry Steele Store, but at another time, occupied the rear part of the Family Store. Fred Best was in a store that was burned in the big fire, next to Pete Marino's and afterwards in the back shop of the Reid store. His last location was in where the Club 19 is now located. I should like to point out that Grocery stores carried hardware, but not meats and Butcher shops did not sell groceries or canned goods. Now both groceries and butcher shops sell about everything but real estate. We had no fruit stores in my early days; now we have a fruit store that sells groceries, while all the groceries sell fruit and vegetables.

DRUG STORES
We had only one Drug store, Paffard's which is now Field's and dates back almost to when Adam was a baby. Later on, we had three or four. Bert St. John was in the Stewart building where Bill Zoeger now is and later on in where the Government Liquor Store now is. Bill Campbell bought his business and later moved to the store where Jack Bates now sells drugs and medicines and anything else you could want, including reading matter. Then the MacQuillen's of St. Catharines had a store here for a time, in where the Club 19 now is.

CANDY SHOPS
Our main street had one Candy shop, that of Henry Evans or Andy Evans, as we knew him. That is the little shop where Mrs. Clara Parker resided. She was a granddaughter. Later on Mrs. Swift started up where Bill McKenzie has his shop, later build the present Home Bakery store. She was the pioneer in the making and selling of ice cream. Then Mrs. Mara Murphy opened up in a little shop that stood where the theatre now stands, later moving to Mrs. Swift's old stand in the McKenzie's building. We had two little candy shops on Ricardo Street, one that of Mrs. Wilson on the lot now owned by Jack Redhead and the other Mrs. Jim Young in the house now owned by the Quinns.

SCHOOL SUPPLIES
We used to buy our school supplies from either Geo. A. Clement or Wm. Senior. Clement apparently had gone out of the grocery business and Senior had a store across the street that was burned in the big fire. Now, you can get reading matter and school supplies at Connolly's, Paget's, Bates' and Bill Zoeger sells school supplies and about a million other things in his emporium. We didn't have such a business as his in my day. The groceries carried a line of hardware and what we knew as crockery or dinnerware. There were practically no canned goods such as bulk so largely on our store shelves. Many things that are now packaged then were sold in bulk, such as tea, sugar, salt, pepper, cornmeal, oatmeal and crackers. I think I can see the row of large tea caddies that adorned our grocers' shelves with different labels adorning their outsides. You bought a pound of tea, but only the grocer knew what you were actually getting.

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COBBLERS
We always had a Cobbler or two, usually on the main street. Charlie and Dick Briggs had a wee shop which Bill Greaves took down. Then I remember a Geordie Watts had a shop at one time in the Harry Steele building. Frank Ascher had a shop for a time in the Club 19 store, while of late years we have had a succession of cobblers in Mike Schnabel's shop. Now we have Papetti's business in where Bill Longhurst had his Butcher shop.

CLOCK SHOPS
The first Clock tinker that I remember was an old chap named Webster who had a little shop known as the "Hole in the Wall," and he too was burned out in the big fire. Then Phil Librock came along. At first, he boarded at the American Hotel and did an itinerant business, but as his business grew, he secured the Clement store and there he did business until his death, being succeeded by his son Gerald, who carried on and enlarged the business until ill health compelled his retirement. Then Tom Ferguson opened up in the Club 19 store, later on going into partnership with Bert St. John in the Zoeger store. They then moved to the Liquor store building. When they broke up, Ferguson sold out to Jim Connolly and St. John to Will Campbell. Both Connolly and Librock added to their original business until both have gradually but completely changed. Both now do a business in gifts, stationary, tobacco supplies and both are a distinct asset to the Town and quite different to anything done in my early days.

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HOTELS
Another change that has come about in our Town is that of Hotels. I have known of no less than nine of them in my time and now the number is greatly diminished. In the center of the Town, there were four at one time and two that had been hotels. Four of these buildings have been removed. Where the Doyle Hotel stood at the corner of Picton and Davy Streets, there is now but a vacant lot. Jimmy Doyle was known all over the country and he had a clientele of boarders that would not stay anywhere else. One the site of Ernie Kemsley's building there was a frame hotel known as "The Whitewings. Bill Long kept it before he built the one on the corner of Picton and King Streets. The last person that I remember as keeping hotel there was Mrs. Mary Sherlock. Pat O'Neil bought it later on and he had a large picture theatre on the site during the First Great War, afterwards removing it and replacing it with the present building. On the corner of Market and King Streets, there used to be an old frame structure known as" The Pacific, "and in my early days, it was occupied by Billy Diamond and used as a boarding house, although it had been an hotel. After Billy's time, it was divided into three apartments, the corner one of which was the place of business of Alf Armstrong, Plumber and Tinsmith. When the N. S. and T. Railway came along in 1913, they arranged with the Town which owned the land, to compensate the owners of the buildings and remove them to make way for a Station. Armstrong's part was moved to Prideaux Street, where it is now the home of George Corus. Addison's part, that facing on Market Street was moved to the part of Market Street, west of the Courthouse, and is now a dwelling house formerly owned by Mrs. John Bolton. The Walsh Hotel on Queen Street has vanished as a hotel, but it now houses Bob Howse as a Grocery, also a Poolroom and a Shoe Repair shop. The old "Centre House" stood on the corner of Queen and Victoria Streets and used to be occupied by Biddy Mayo who kept boarders there. After her decease, it was used for various businesses, but was finally taken down. The two hotels at the Dock are still in business, but the Queen's Royal and the two at Chautauqua have long since been removed, one of them "The Hotel Chautauqua," or as it was later called, the "Strathcona", by fire.

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LIVERY STABLES
There used to be what were called Livery Stables in Town. I remember that of Bill Donelly on King Street, about where John Tiffin's house now stands. After Donelly gave up the business, Bert Currie acquired it and moved the stable to the site of Greene's stable. He later sold out to Bob Cumpson. Dan Waters had a livery stable on Regent Street, just where Walter Summers' house is now. Mike Greene bought that business when Dan Waters passed away and he and Bob Cumpson formed a partnership. Later on, Greene bought Cumpson out and Bob took up the Longhurst coal business. Steve Sherlock ultimately bought the Waters' property and used it for various purposes. Steve established a livery business on Ricardo Street and he pioneered the motor car livery business. His first two cars were Reos and his drivers were Frank Currie and Ed Keith.

Tommy May, after he left the American Army, came here to live, having married a Niagara girl, and he set up a livery business on Queen Street. Quite a number of men did a bus or stage business. Greene, Sherlock, May, Bob Allen, Jim Brady, Dave Coleman, Jim Humphries and Jack Abbott were among these. There was a regular stage run between Niagara and St. Catharines for many years. Among the drivers on that run, I remember Jack Abbott, Bob Allen and Jim Cumpson. Tommy May for years made a regular run to and from Chautauqua. These men, too, picked up a bit of money plying between Paradise Grove and Town when there were picnics at the Grove and there were many of these in the summer.

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PLUMBING AND TINSMITHS
There has been much change in the Plumbing and Tinsmith businesses. When I was young, there was no aluminum ware and no granite or enamelware. Iron pots and kettles were the common things and some copper or brass could be seen. Washtubs were either wooden or tin. There was no plumbing so there were no plumbers. I remember William Turner, the first Tinsmith that I remember. He, at one time, had a shop where the Fry Store is now; he afterwards moved to the shop now the abode of John Bolton, and his last. Harry Wilson worked for him in the Fry store. I remember going there one night with John McKeown, mate of the Corona, on the night after she was burned to have Harry make a long galvanized iron pump. Having watched Harry making the pump, we went to the waterfront and embarked for the American shore above the Youngstown wharf. There lay the hulk of the Steamer and four of us pumped all night to keep her from sinking.

With the coming of the Waterworks came the Plumbers and the plumbing. I mentioned in my last article Alf Armstrong. Alf was a very loquacious fellow and usually known as "Windy," and his place of business was known as "The Cave of the Winds." He was a good workman however, and ultimately moved to Toronto, which he evidently thought was a wider field for his work. He had a family of boys and a girl or two. Three of the boys served during the First Great War and so did one daughter. I knew them all and numbered them among my friends. Another good mechanic, who followed much the same line of Tinsmithing and Plumbing, was Sam Crawford. He lived and had a shop at the place that stood on Picton Street, just west of Mrs. Clara Parker's place. Sam was a machinist really but he wasn't any too fond of work, but when he did work, you could depend on his work being good. He too took his departure to Toronto. Another who plied the same calling was a man named Haines, who did business for a while in what is now the Home Bakery. He went to St. Catharines from here. He had been in the Army during the First War and did not stay here very long.

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ELECTRICIANS
Another change in work came about with the Electric Light. This brought W. S. James and McKenzie and Nolan. James didn't linger here very long and McKenzie and Nolan succeeded him, doing business at first in the Bank Building were Dove and Rothwell are now. Art Nolan, Mac's partner, left here and went to Fort Erie, but Mac is still going strong in the building that he acquired on leaving the Rowley Block. Then for a time, we had Bradley and Watt, who had worked for McKenzie. They did business in one of the small stores near Bob Howse's. Tim Watt left here and is now in Toronto. But Joe Bradley is still with us and going strong. We have also the Lee Bros., Harry and John, good workmen too. All these men do plumbing and electric work, and I consider that the town is well served in their various lines.

EAVESTROUGHS
How many of my readers have ever seen the old style wooden eavestroughs. They were quite common when I was young. Anybody could make them. It was simply a case of nailing long pine boards together lengthwise in a "V" shape and smearing them with a bit of pitch. They were supported by wooden brackets. Galvanized iron had not then appeared and tin rusted too soon.

BLACKSMITHS
I remember when we had several Blacksmith shops in Town. There used to be one on Regent Street in the old stone building that is now just an eyesore. It was Monro's. Steve Sherwood worked there as long as I could remember. Tom Monro, one of the family, also did work there when he felt like it. He was a good workman, too, but preferred to work outside rather than in the shop. Some, at least, will remember Campbell's shop on Queen Street, where the theatre now stands. William Campbell was not only a good workman but also a good and useful citizen. I sat with him on the High School Board and on the Town Council. He was prominent in St. Andrew's Church circles and was always keenly interested in public affairs. Another plant of note, was Platt's on Johnson Street. This was originally a Carriage Factory, Blacksmithing being part of their activities. At one time, they had four or five apprentices besides finished workmen. Another William Campbell was apprenticed there. He was a relative of the other Campbells and lived on Prideaux Street, in the house where the Caughill's live now. Jim Coleman was one of the last Blacksmiths who worked at Platts. He later on moved the business to Queen Street and had his shop just where Jim Elliott recently built a dwelling. Jim was a good man and served the Town and the United Church in various ways. Bill Gollop took over his business and later moved it across the street to the rear of his home. Oliver Taylor was another of our good Blacksmiths. The last place where he had his shop was on the lane to the rear of his dwelling on Platoff Street. Oliver was a good man at his calling but was not strong physically and did not stick closely to his Forge. He served for a time as Ontario Policeman on the Dock and at another time was Fishery Overseer.

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NEWSPAPERS
I was asked a question about Local Papers the other night. There have been just the two, the Times and the Advance in my time. The former was started by Pickwell Brothers in the Zoeger Store, late moving to the Marino Store. Rev. J. S. Clarke bought the paper and moved it to the store now occupied by the Hydro. Jim Skelton followed Mr. Clarke and lastly, Hiram Mosher wound it up. He was just a Printer and moved the Plant to the Stewart Building. He finally gave up and the plant lay idle until Harrison and Millar built the present Harrison building. They moved the machinery there and brought E. H. Brennan to run the Advance for them. He took it over and moved to the Zoeger Store and from there to Ernie Kemsley's building where it was acquired by the Young's and moved to its present location.

Of course, you understand that in my former article, I have not said all that could be said about Newspapers in our Town. There have been only the two that I have already mentioned in my time, but there were others which purported to publish Local News, the first of these being the Youngstown News. This was edited and managed by William Smith, a Niagara man. He was a Fenian Raid Veteran and knew the Town and its people like a book. He often indulged in a bit of leg pulling at the expense of some of his old cronies, and many a quiet chuckle he indulged in when he succeeded in stirring up a bit of talk. He had quite a circulation here and he called the edition that came over here The Niagara News. Then there was Bill Newton, who conducted a column in the Niagara Falls Review. He was an excitable young man and took himself very seriously. Billy Smith used to take a delight in stirring him up. He would refer to him as William McNoodle Dewton, which was a slight alteration in his actual cognomen. Newton ultimately gave up and took himself and his talents to New York, where he did very well at Newspaper work. He returned to his native town years afterwards and lived alone in the old Family house on Queen Street, the house in which Allan Harrison now resides. Then we have had columns in three different St. Catharines papers, the Star, the Journal and the Standard, the first two of which are now defunct. I have done some writing for all three, my sister Mrs. Ascher having represented the Standard for many years, and I frequently reported various gathering for her.

Perhaps, many of my readers do not quite appreciate the value of a local paper, but I feel that it is a most valuable asset to a Town. In it you can air your views on mostly any subject which may interest you and your fellow citizens. As long as you do not get scandalous or mischievous or even obscene, I am sure the local editors will give you space. It is a pretty nice thing to be able to record the names of your visitors and to see the reports of the doings of the various bodies that are active in our midst. Why a well run and well patronized local paper is just like chatting with a group of friends. Of course, one does not look for world news in a small town weekly paper, but it's a darned nice thing to read about your friends and their doings. It is a pleasure even to read the advertisements in your hometown paper.

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CHILD VANDALISM
Having said these nice things, I wish to say something that is not so nice. I think parents and schoolteachers should have their attention called to some things which school children do on their way along our streets and paths. Not many years ago, there were very few children of school age in our part of town. Now there is quite a parade of them and we notice their actions as they pass along. Just lately, some of them have taken to scribbling with chalk on fences and sidewalks. And some of their scribbling is positively indecent. For instance, there appeared on the sidewalk, a statement in large chalk letters that a certain girl named was behaving in an indecent was with the son of a prominent business man. Also, some obscene things have appeared on fences nearby. One might well ask what kind of parents have these children and how comes it that they be allowed unlimited access to supplies of chalk?

Now, I like children, but I must admit that some of them are being allowed too much liberty and a lack of discipline. Just recently, the Masonic fraternity went to a lot of expense decorating their hall. A window shutter that had been damaged had been replaced and now I see in passing that busy fingers have again damaged the shutter. Some of the slats have been removed and others damaged. There may have been other similar happenings in other parts of the Town, but that is beyond my vision. Just recently, the Caretaker of St. Mark's graveyard told me of seeing two boys deliberately pull up newly made signs in the graveyard put their for the guidance of visitors. When he called to them, they took to their heels and as they went out of the gate, they made dirty signs telling him what he could do. I should strongly advise closing up the gateway on Ricardo Street, as it never was meant to furnish a highway for all kinds of riff raff. It is high time that parents and teachers of school age children woke up to the filth that seems to be seeping into the young of our Town.

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ELECTION FEVER
Just now, we are into the season of Municipal stock taking when the various holders of office for 1954 are looked over by the people whose affairs they have been managing. It is now that some men who have ambitions towards leadership in their communities become friendly towards all and have malice towards none, except of course, the fellow who beat them out last year and whose scalp they are out to get this time, darn their buttons. Having been through the mill a good many times, I can understand and sympathize with both victor and vanquished in any election contest. To put oneself in the position of just the man on the street, the fellow who pays the piper is something else, when he may ask himself if he is satisfied if any one member of his Council has done or been anything worthwhile. Taking it all in all, most of the men who occupy the seats of the mighty, do the best they can for you and me.

It is the duty and the privilege of you, Mr. or Mrs. Voter, to pass judgement on them, but should they deserve your encomiums, give them a pat on the back but for goodness sake, don't hit them too hard. And don't expect any man or woman that you put into office to work miracles. And when you come to judge a man's record, there are several things to take into consideration. For instance, what kind of crowd did he have to work with? I well remember my first year in Council. Frankly, I wasn't wanted. I was not consulted about what was going to come up at a meeting, except once, when they needed my vote. A first year man, as a rule, doesn't rate very highly. That goes particularly for County Council. These County bodies consist of men who are the most experienced in their local communities and consequently they collectively represent the brains of the County. And County business is entirely different from that of a local Council. I found that these fellows who form the County Council can size up a newcomer pretty quickly.

Then too, voters and taxpayers have their duty to perform. They should keep a watchful eye on the people whom they put in office. If they see anything that needs doing, they should speak their piece and no man worth his salt will resent criticism. After all, it is the people who do things who are objects of criticism.

We are looking forward to a year when Niagara will really be on the Map. All the world will have an eye on us and it behooves us to put on our best bib and tucker and look our best. So, if any of my readers feel like helping to make the Town look its best, why not look about you and see if you can find anything that needs doing or mending. If you do, let the Council know in whatever way you think will be the most effective to get those things done.

I remember that one day while I was Clerk, a man came in who was full of complaints and he proceeded to enter them into the Complaint Book that I always kept handy. I suppose most of us could find something to complain about if we cared to do so. It is not a bad sign when people complain. It shows that they are interested and you must remember that public business is not the business of Council or Police alone, but is yours and mine as well. I could find a few little things in my own part of the town if I really wanted to. For instance, nearly everyone in this part of the Town uses the short cut through the Park. I can remember when Joe Bottomley was in Council and he it was who had the path laid out and graveled. Nearby, the Picton Street end and down in the hollow are two spots that are muddy and going down the hill is a rut that may give somebody a spill. At the end on Davy Street, there is a hollow that is always a mudhole in wet weather. And yes, before I forget it, near the two white posts that adorn that end of the path, a stone protrudes from the surface, directly in the middle of it. And I have stubbed my toe on the darn thing about forty-eleven times and more than once I have said "gosh", or a word to that effect.

That will do for a start, although I might just hint that a few yards of earth or stone would nicely fill up the ruts at the place where Davy Street leaves Picton. Some of the members of Council are well known to me and I assure all of these gentleman that nothing that I have written has any personal application and I am sure that they are big enough to not mind such mild criticism as I have implied. I only want to help make our Town a good Town, a better Town, in fact the best of all Towns, the TOWN OF NIAGARA.

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FIELD'S DRUG STORE
I suppose that all Towns change from time to time, not only in its buildings and streets and people, but also in the way things are done. Take the matter of shopping and storekeeping. Suppose we take a walk down our Main Street and cast an eye over our stores and the goods they sell and the diversity of their wares. Take Field's Drug Store. As I first remember the business as Henry Paffard ran it, it was very different. There were rows of large globular containers with inscriptions displayed on them that were undecipherable to the uninitiated. I suppose they were in Latin, but why label them at all when nobody could read them. These have disappeared and been replaced by about a million different patent medicines. Then there are all kinds of smoking mixtures, a lavish display of candies and to a mere male, a bewildering multiplicity of female aids to beauty.

There are cards of many kinds and one thing that Henry Paffard sold occasionally was whiskey. Strictly medicinally, of course. He also sold cigars, the very best, of course. Cigarettes were almost unheard of and safety razors had not come into being. All in all, this is a pretty complete emporium.

THE TELEPHONE OFFICE
Let's take a look next door. The Telephone Office has come into being in my time. I remember when Joe Doritty had it in a little shop that stood where the Zoeger building is now and he ran it all alone too. And after the present office was built, he ran it alone for a long time. Now, you find its exterior sealed with a blind and no peeping Tom may peer in at the imposing row of female pulchritude that is to be found therein. A mere male may be pardoned if he feels on entering the semi-sacred precincts as though he "ought to put off his shoes from off his feet." I won't go any further along that line, for fear of being greeted by a frown instead of a smile from the queen bee of that hive of industry. This is a decided and most useful change in our way of life in this Town and is remarkably well run.

THE TONSORIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Quite a contrast in outward appearance, is the Tonsorial Establishment next door. There you may see the populace being trimmed by Monsieur Curtis, whose smiling face and his efficient activities are open to the view of "you that pass by." This building was erected by Walter Campbell for Louis Frank, who was then the only Tonsorial operative in the Town.

There Louis Frank operated his business until his decease, a quiet, dignified man, respected and respectable. Of course, you must realize that this business has changed. In Mr. Frank's day, women did not patronize beauty shops and barber shops as they do now. Women's hair was her crown, dressed in various fashions, but none of them dreamed of bobbing their hair and aping men's styles in hair dressing and hair removing. Barber business consisted chiefly in shaving men's faces and trimming their locks when they got too long. We kids never entered a barbershop. Our dads did our hair trimming and did another chore of trimming on us when they deemed us deserving of a trimming.

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RESTAURANTS
Next we come to a restaurant, a usage for this building for many years and by different people. In my young days, it was the residence of the Sherlock family and Charlie Sherlock and his wife opened a restaurant there during the First World War. Since then it has housed Armstrong's Plumbing business, Dempster's Bakery, Frank Thomas' Bakery, while Vern Davey, Mary Spence, Lee Shuk and several others have done a restaurant business in it. At one time, it was the residence of James Harvey, who preceded Henry Paffard in the drug business and for whom Mr. Paffard worked before taking over the business, later removing it to the corner, which had been the law office of E. C. Campbell, later County Judge. Marino's store was the drug store.

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES STORES
The next building too, has seen many kinds of business. When I first remember it Mrs. Mary Sherlock had a store where she sold vegetables, some fruit, and fish. Then, after the big fire, she rented to the Rosses for their Barber Shop. After Mr. Frank moved out, it had various uses. The Pickwell brothers had their Niagara Times plant in there. I remember Frank Riley who had a fruit store in there during the First War. Then DaConza had it and if I am correct, Pete Marino came here to work for him, later on taking over the business. Peter Marino and his wife have made a success of it and deserve a lot of credit for it. They have modernized the interior and from a dingy, dimly lit and shabby interior, they have made a nice, bright place of it. To be sure, they do not confine themselves to fruit alone, but you cannot blame them, because everybody else carries whatever commodity they think they can sell at a profit.

The lot alongside of the Marino store, after the big fire had cleared it of buildings, came under the ownership of Mrs. Mary Sherlock and remained vacant until during the First Great War when some temporary erections were put on it. Among these who used it were Art Inskeep, Charlie Hall, Charlie Curry and Harry Irvine. One of these buildings remained on it for some time and housed a shoemaker's business. But it was ultimately removed and the lot remained vacant until the later War came on, when Arthur Coyne came along and purchased part of it and erected the present small building to house a Drug Store. Coyne had the Field Store during the First War and then moved to St. Catharines. He finally gave it up as a Drug Store and it has since been used as a Lunch Room. This is quite a popular place and seems to fill a want. I remember a time when there wasn't a restaurant or a lunchroom in St. Catharines. To be sure, there were hotels and they served good meals but nothing was available between the regular meal hours. When we had the Niagara Rifle Association, we went to Power Glen to shoot a match and we arrived from there about three o'clock in the afternoon hungry as a hunter and we hunted for a snack. Nothing doing until suppertime, so we had to do without a meal till we arrived home. These were the horse and buggy days.

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THE BANK BUILDING
The Bank building has seen some changes too, since S. H. Rowley had it built. It stood idle quite a lot, but it was occupied by various enterprises from time to time. William Miller's Tailoring business and Peter Healey's Shoe Emporium occupied the western store for a time. Ultimately, Billy Miller went to Brantford and Pete Healey bought the store at the corner. The other store was occupied by W. S. James. I think that must have been when the Hydro came to town. McKenzie and Nolan succeeded him and later moved to the present location along the street. Then Joe Healey moved the Post Office from the Town Building, where it remained until the present Post Office was built. The next building has seen some changes too, for it was once the dwelling of H. C. Campbell, a lawyer who became County Judge. It then stood on King Street where Mrs. Stevenson's house is now. In fact, I have seen a picture of it as it stood close to the street, up against what is now the garage in the rear of Fields' store. So it must have moved twice, for I remember it as it stood just about on the site of the Stevenson house.

In my early school days, two elderly ladies named Campbell lived in it. By the way, if you want to see what Judge E. M. Campbell looked like, visit the Public Library, where a picture of him adorns the wall. He was very prominent in Library matters, having been President of the Board from 1850 to 1860. After Mr. Rowley bought it, he moved it to its present site and made a store of it. Its first tenant after its removal was a Robert Rogers, a tailor who for years had been in the employ of T. M. Rowland and then of Robert Burns.

I think Robert Bishop came next; he had a fish store and office in it. George Goff had a Grocery store in it and later William Ryan took over that business. Jim Stewart moved his Butcher shop from across the street to it, and here he was succeeded by Art Daley, its present owner and occupant. Now, it is supposed to be a Butcher Shop, but here you can buy your groceries too and canned goods also.

Next to it, there used to be a small frame shop, also put to various uses. I remember John Sando selling stationary and newspapers there. This was the first home of the Bell Telephone Company with Joe Doritty as the lone operator. Later on, Herb Walsh had the Telegraph Office there and in the early days of the First Great War, George Reid bought it, tore it down and erected the present building as a Picture Theatre. After he acquired the present theatre, it was a Paint Shop, and afterwards a fruit store, George Greenwood being its last occupant.

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THE WORDON BLOCK

The next building used to be known as "The Wordon Block," having at one time been owned by a man of that name who had a sort of department store in it. I believe it had once been a hotel called "The Victoria." The building itself has undergone some changes, as it had a third story. As I first remember it, this upper story was called "The Temperance Hall," and was at one time used by the Methodist Church, while the present Grace Church was being refitted, after being acquired from the Canadian Presbyterian Church. Afterwards it was used for various purposes, the Salvation Army using it for quite a long time. Two Salvation lassies named Richardson carried on the work for some time, but finally withdrew. I do not know what was the reason for their leaving us, whether they concluded that we were already saved or were beyond redemption, or just were not of much account anyway. However, more about this next week.

This Worden Block has seen many changes in business. On its ground floor, Tom Blain had a Dry Goods Store in the Bates' store. After he was appointed County Gaoler he gave up business, then Taits of St. Catharines had it for some time. Will Campbell moved his Drug Store into it from the present Liquor Store Building and after he was done there, Jack Bates opened a similar business, and still does. But if you take a peek into his doorway, you will find many articles that do not appertain to health, beauty or medicine. Like most of our merchants, he is not averse to selling anything that will bring him in a profit and who can blame him. The center store has had quite a variety of occupants. Tom Holahan had a Shoe Repair Shop there as I first remember it and he and his family lived upstairs over it. Harry Wilson had a Tinshop there and a man named Jordan had a Junk Shop in it. Several times it has housed Eating Establishments. Bill Harrison owned the building at one time and had a flour and food business in the building. Hiram Mosher had the Printing Plant from the Times upstairs there and a Photographer named Pratt had a studio in the same apartment.

During the First Wold War, I remember a tailor being in there and another tailor whose name I do not remember followed him. Now it has another line that was started by Reg Stewart and passed along to Gus Chambers. This is a little different from the Grocery shops that we are used to, in that it is self-serve. I am not just sure about the occupants of the remaining Store, but twice it had a Printery in it. The Times started up her and Ed. Brennan moved the Advance in there from the Harrison building down the street. Bert St. John began his Drug Store in there and was joined in it by Tom Ferguson with his Watchmaking and Jewelry. And now, Bill Zoeger sells mostly anything under the sun but food and machinery. I beg his pardon, he sells candy. It is a good business and seems to be popular.

When Jim Stewart acquired this building, he went at it roughshod. In the first place, he took the whole darn top off it and he mauled the inside of the remaining upstairs so that it doesn't seem like the same place. Mind you, I'm not finding fault with it or him, because he has made a pretty nice place out of it and his occupants seem satisfied, so why should he care what we say about it.

The place next has had some changes too. I seem to remember a Mrs. Gurvine having a business there, but whether it was groceries or candies I am not sure. Then Geordie Watts had a Shoe Repair Shop there, and he went to the other side of the street. Our first Chinese Laundry was here, run by Sam Kee. Jim Withers had a Barbershop here and after him, Miss Iona Billings had it. Then Charlie Smith's Barber Shop was here. Now it has Harry Steele in the same line and O'Flynn's Real Estate Business. I have often wondered what business it had housed that used a hoisting apparatus over the front entrance. You may have noticed the projection from under the roof. It must have been for something heavy.

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TAILORING
Just across the street is Greaves building, but they didn't make jam in it when I was a lad. Tom Rowland, Dry Goods and Tailoring occupied it. In those days, it was not as simple to get a good suit of clothes as it is now. Of course, you could get cheap worling pants and overalls, but for good clothes you had to go to a good tailor. And Rowland and Bob Burns after him, kept a staff of five or six employees in the Tailoring alone upstairs, while several more worked downstairs in the shop. There is one lady still living in Town who worked for Burns, who had the business after Rowland moved to Toronto. Burns carried it on for quite a long time and then moved to Brantford. After him came Fred Rowland, a son of the former owner who carried on until his father passed on, when he too moved to Toronto. Then came Bill Inksater and after him, H. W. Clark. All these men were useful citizens, both the Rowlands, Inksaters and Clark serving in Council, while Bob Burns, a member of a musical family, was a very useful man in all kinds of musical organizations. Then came the Greaves family and they must have caught the infection from the building for our Lord Mayor is serving as did his father, in Council, but they make jam, not clothing.

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CHARLIE BRIGGS' COBBLERSHOP
Just alongside of the Greaves building, where they have erected a Garage, there used to be a small frame building that in former years housed the Cobblershop of Charlie Briggs or Waxy, as he was known to the habitues of his shop. Charlie was an industrious chap, a likeable fellow and straight as they make them. For some years, his brother Dick was with him in the shop. Dick had lived in the western States and was a first class workman, his familiar cognomen being Sycamore Dick. Dick was one of the Town Assessors and at the time of his death, he was Secretary of the Fire Brigade. He was knocked down by a horse in 1915 and killed while crossing the street in front of the Fire Hall. Brother Charlie carried on the shop until he became too old and finally passed on. He was very generous to his Church and many of the improvements to Grace Church were largely helped by his contributions.

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THE McKENZIE BUILDING
When I first knew the McKenzie Building, it housed the Bakery of Ned Patterson. When I was young and Ned Patterson baked for the Town, not many people bought bread. Nearly every housewife baked for her family. I have to smile sometimes when I see the Bread Truck passing along our streets. I once counted 16 different outfits going along Queen Street. Billy Patterson used to make a daily round with a small one-horse outfit. He used to start out about four P.M. and be all finished by six. After Ned passed on, his son Eddie carried on for some years and finally closed up and moved to engage in other pursuits. It was here that Mrs. Swift began the making and selling of Ice Cream. After she built the present Home Bakery Shop, a Mrs. Murphy moved in and carried on in the ice cream business for a time. Jim MacPhee had his bakery in there and Bill McKenzie has been here for a long time. Bill has about the only honest to goodness hardware business in the place although he keeps pretty busy with his plumbing and wiring.

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CAMPBELL'S DAIRY AND WILLIAM TURNER, TINSMITH
Campbell's Dairy is a new business and building and while it is useful and a busy place, there is nothing reminiscent about it. The next place deserves some mention however, although not now used in a business way. But I remember William Turner doing a Tinsmith business in it. During the First War, different enterprises were here and it was in this shop that Fred Curtis spent his apprenticeship as a Barber.

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QUEEN ST. TO VICTORIA ST.
The rest of the block, from here to Victoria Street, has changed very much in my time. The Mulholland Store and adjoining dwelling have been built. This business as I remember it, was begun by the Misses Petley. As I first remember those ladies, they had what was called a Millinery Store in the building that stood on the site of the Bank building. They were burned out there in the big fire and afterwards did their business in a shop that stood where Tranter's place is now located. The first Mrs. Mulholland inherited the business from them and she and her son Tom, built it up and Joe has improved on their improvements so that now it is a credit to him and to the people of the Town. Tranter's shop is new, replacing the old one that formerly occupied the site.

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THE THEATRE BUILDING
The Theatre building was erected by Mrs. Norris during the First World War. Owing to financial difficulties, she had to give it up and moved elsewhere. George Reid then bought it and moved his picture business into it, but he gave up the business with the ending of the silent pictures. On its site, there used to be two business places, the first of which was a small shop, where Bob Kearins had a Bakery. After he gave up the business, Mrs. Mara Murphy sold ice cream and candy there. And later, Bert Currie had it and also a man named Crosby.

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CAMPBELL'S BLACKSMITH SHOP
Next door stood Campbell's Blacksmith Shop. How the kids liked to watch the sparks fly and it was heaven just to be allowed to pump the bellows. The horses shod there must have been numbered in the thousands. The house next door formerly stood on the corner of Simcoe and Queen Streets and was the residence of H. A. Garrett, after whose death the Mussens bought the property and sold the house to Mr. Campbell, who moved it to his present site. Mr. Campbell was the father of the present owner and was a prominent man. I sat on the High School Board with him and also in Town Council; he served for many years as an elder of St. Andrew's Church and was altogether a very useful citizen.

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THE CENTRE HOUSE
Across Victoria Street, on the corner, there used to be a rambling frame building called "The Centre House." It had been a tavern and in my early days, it was occupied by an old lady known as Biddy Mayo. In the early days of our Town, there do not seem to have been hotels, but taverns. I remember seeing in old Town records where the Town Council granted licenses to keepers of Taverns and Recesses. I do not know what constituted a "recess," (a quiet and secluded spot) but I suppose it was a place of public refreshment as were the Taverns. At any rate, Biddy Mayo had no license in my time, but she did a bit of entertaining. After she passed away, the old place was used for various purposes for a time. McClelland's stored ice in it for several years, but it was finally torn down. Jim Coleman bought the property and built his house on it and had his Blacksmith Shop just where Jim Elliott has lately built a neat cottage.

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HARRISON'S BUSINESS BLOCK
Harrison's Business Block is a comparatively modern one and was formerly the site of the dwelling places. Now it is one of the busiest places in the neighbourhood. There you can buy anything in the building line, besides all kinds of hardware.

THE CONNOLLY HOUSE
Next door, the old Connolly home has been transformed into a series of business places. If Tommy, John, Crookie or King could come back, they wouldn't know the old place. Here you find Jim Usher in his den, dealing in Real Estate and Insurance. Here you can find law or photographs or you can buy yourself rich from Simpson-Sears.

TOMMY MAY'S HOUSE
And right next door, Tommy May's house has become a warehouse for antiques. I remember when Tommy first came there. The house had been the home of Jack Thompson and his family and Tommy married Julia, a daughter. Tommy started out with a team and a rig that in those days was called a bus or stage. For years, he plied between Town and Chautauqua and then he got himself a flivver and built himself quite a business. He was a well known man and served nine years in Town Council.

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JOHN SANDO'S HOUSE
Next door there was a house that I best remember as the home of John Sando. The Sandos were Butchers and I remember them doing business in the Harry Steel store. John served in the Customs in his latter years.

Across Gate Street on the corner there was a substantial brick building known as the Rogers Block. This building had about the first metal roof in the Town and this roof was clearly visible from the Lake and made quite a mark for setting nightlines and nets. I do not remember any regular business carried on in it in my time. The Christian Endeavour of St. Andrew's Church used to meet in it on the ground floor. And our Town Band had the hall upstairs. At one time, there was a roller skating rink in the same hall. Roller skating at one time, was all the rage. A man from Youngstown ran the rink, but like a great many other things, it "had its day and ceased to be." The building was finally taken down and its site is vacant.

ST. VINCENT'S PRESBYTERY
Not many changes have been made on the remainder of this side of the street so let us being on the other side near Wellington Street. But first, about the Presbytery of St. Vincent Church. I well remember when this was built. The one that preceded it was sold to Miss Janet Carnochan and moved to Platoff Street. She lived in it until her home on Castlereagh Street was built.

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THE SEPARATE SCHOOL
And, by the way, the Separate School on Davy Street nearby was closed while I was attending Public School. Miss Carnochan, in her History places, the year of its closing as in 1871, while Mrs. Phelps in her recent article in the Standard places it in 1876. I don't like to differ from these ladies, but you can take it from me that they are both wrong. In my 7th year, that is 1878, I was sent to school and we dock kids used a lane that was in between my house and the churchyard, along Davy Street to our School. And I may tell you that we had to run the gauntlet of a barrage of stones from the boys of the other school. My first teacher was Miss Bella Flannigan who later married John Carnochan. When the Catholic School was closed, I was shifted to another room, where I was taught by Miss Bella Blain, who began her career as a Teacher in our School at that time. It should be easy to check the Public School records as to the date of her employment, which should prove to be after the summer holidays in 1878. The complete staff of the school would thus be found to be Mr. George Cork, Miss Augusta Winterbottom, Miss Bella Flannigan and Miss Bella Blain.

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BUSINESSES ON SOUTH SIDE OF QUEEN STREET
On the lot where there is now a Service Station, Tom Hart built a large structure during the First War, where various entertainments were furnished for the Troops in Camp. When the war was over, the building was taken down and re-erected on Facer Street in St. Catharines. The lot then was allowed to become in arrears for Town Taxes and was taken over by the Town, as nobody wanted to buy it. However, Ed Keith did buy it and started a filling station on it, which has been enlarged by the present owner.

THE MOFFATT HOUSE
The large apartment building known as the Berge Apartments was formerly the Moffatt House, kept by a lady of that name, but in my time it formed part of the Doyle Hotel. I have been told that the late James Doyle started his hotel career by working for Mrs. Moffatt for the princely salary of four dollars a month. He later owned the whole of the Doyle Hotel, which was well known for its good fare and homelike atmosphere. However, after his decease, after being run by various parties, it was finally taken down and its place knows it no more. Its busy corner now has nothing but grass and shrubs, and where once rang the tinkle of glasses and jovial laughter silence reigns, except for the passing of the noisy modern traffic.

On the John Reid corner across the way, there were several temporary businesses during the First War and these were discontinued after the War.

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HENRY EVANS CANDY SHOP
Then we come to what was once the Candy Shop of Henry Evans. To us kids, he was known as Candy Evans and it was there that we spent our coppers. He was a genial old gentleman, liked and respected by young and old.

SAM CRAWFORD, PLUMBER AND TINSMITH
Just alongside of his place there used to be a frame store and dwelling, since removed, whose last tenant was Sam Crawford, Plumber and Tinsmith. Sam was a happy-go-lucky chap who never worried about money. A first class workman, he was too, later going from here to Toronto.

THE WHITEWINGS HOTEL
On the site of Ernie Kemsley's building, there was a frame hotel known as The Whitewings, and it was kept by Bill Long, before he built the one on the corner. His mother, Mrs. Henry Long kept it for a time after she was burnt out of the Lake View House. The last one I remember as running it was Mrs. Mary Sherlock. Pat O'Neil built a large picture theatre on its site during the First War, afterwards taking it down and putting up the present building. This was used by the United Workmen as a lodge room for some time. Ed Brennan moved his Niagara Advance into it afterwards, disposing of the business to the Youngs, who later on moved to their present site.

As I remember the house now occupied by Mrs. Gordon it was divided into three separate dwellings, each with an outer door opening onto a porch that extended the whole length of the front.

The site of the Hotel on the corner was an open cellar way bestrewn with stones and rubble from Barr's building, which had been burned before my time. Bill Long built the Hotel and it had a far-flung reputation as a decently kept place of refreshment with the best of meals. Long did not encourage loafers about his establishment and being the well known and respected citizen that he was, endeavored to keep himself and his hotel deserving of its reputation. After Mr. Long retired, Pat O'Neil bought the place and ran it successfully until his death. He built the large addition on the rear of the place. It has been owned and run by various people and has changed its name. In Long's time, it was known as Long's Hotel. Pat O'Neil called it "The Niagara House," and now it is known as "The Prince of Wales." I think it was Wilfred Brownlee who so named it.

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THE CONNOLLY BUILDING
Across the way is the Connolly Building. I remember it very well as a plain dwelling house, owned and occupied by George A. Clement. In the rear part of it, James B. Secord had an office. He was Division Court Clerk and dealt in Real Estate and Insurance. He also took orders for coal and wood. I was looking at a picture of it just the other day as it was before being altered.

The late Rev. J. C. Clarke had his Niagara Times in the western part of the building. Jim Skelton, who succeeded him, gave up the newspaper business and Hiram Mosher who acquired the plant, moved it elsewhere. Jim Connolly has made extensive alterations in the business as his activities expanded. For a long time, he had a restaurant in the western part of the building but now the Local Hydro occupies it for their office and show room. Mr. Connolly's business is very popular with summer people and local people alike and deservedly so.

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THE CLEMENT, FIREHALL, LIBROCK, AND FOLLETT STORES
In Squire Clement's day, he owned the Connolly building and the lot adjoining, including the store thereon now the store of the Pagets. Now there is the Town Firehall built in 1911 and paid for by the Firemen. The store, after Mr. Clement's passing was purchased by Phil Librock, where he set up his Watchmaking and Jewelry business in a very modest way. Next door was the Follett Store. The building itself has not changed much although its occupants have. Mrs. Follett, Fred Best, her son-in-law, Dick Allen, Allen and Matthews and H. Reid and Son have been the successive operators of this business. The somewhat dingy interior has very much changed. Gone is the row of tea caddies, the cracker barrel, the molasses barrel and sundry similar containers. This building stands out above its neighbours, in that it has a third story, which was used for years as a Lodge Room by the United Workmen.

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THE CRYSLER STORE
The Crysler store next, has received modern windows and since the death of Henry Crysler has become the property of the Doyle Family. It has been occupied by St. John and Ferguson, Druggists and Jewelers, by William Campbell who succeeded St. John in the Drug business; Lee Shuk had his restaurant there and was followed by the Government Liquor store. Now it is kept nicely painted, but you who happen to be those who do not patronize such a place, will not see much of its interior as it is kept as closely walled as a Moslem maiden. One who is of the uninitiated may wonder why a legitimate business such as this and the beer parlors should shroud their premises in such secrecy. One could almost conclude that either the operators of these places or their customers were ashamed of being seen within. The old Town Hall has not changed much except that it does not contain the Post Office, the Customs Office or the Bank.

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BISHOP AND SHERLOCK BUILDINGS
The buildings next have made many changes in their usage. Steve Sherlock bought both of them some years ago when nobody seemed to have any use for them or at least was not interested sufficiently to invest any money in them. As I first remember the one next to the Town Hall, Jack Bishop had his grocery and butcher business there. The Butcher Shop used to be at the rear of the Grocery part. Afterwards, the Butcher Shop was moved next door. After Jack Bishop's passing, Peter Bishop took over the business, later moving to his present place on King Street. Bob Chapman had the Butcher business for a time, as did Vern Davey. Later Jim Stewart took it on and moved over to the present Daly Store. The first store housed a variety of businesses since Peter Bishop moved out. Dr. Buell Avery owned the property for a time and he had an Undertaking Parlour there, operated by J. M. Roleson, who later went to Ottawa. After that, Bert Currie had a Poolroom there and lived upstairs. Then George Thomas ran the Poolroom for quite a while. I remember a Poolroom being run upstairs by Frank Bishop, a brother of Jack. A Bakery firm from Niagara Falls had a branch in the store but closed it up when the last War came along. The Niagara Advance moved in from their former location on Picton Street.

The next building was Walsh's Hotel in my young days. The small shop where the shoe repair business is was Bill Longhurst's Butcher Shop, and the next one was the Bar room of the Hotel. The rest of the building was the Hotel proper. A man named Kozar opened a business before the late War broke out and he sold out to the Eddie Carnochans and departed soon after he came as he was under suspicion of being a German sympathizer. Different people ran the Hotel after the Walshs'. Pat O'Neil had it for a time and Dick Reid ran it for him. Charlie Smith had his barber business in one of the small stores for a time before moving across the street to the Harry Steele store. I remember when they had the front of this building cleaned off for repainting. I saw the name of Long emerge from the covering of old paint. I do not know whether this would be Mrs. H. Long, who was in the Lake View House when I was young. She was the mother of Bill Long. She also had a place across the street at one time, near the Marino store.

I should like to say here that these remarks of mine are not to be taken as history, because I may make mistakes; they are more in the nature of a friendly chat and I only hope that people like them.

On the next corner is a substantial brick building that has also seen some changes. I first remember it as the place of business of Harry Woodington. Here he had a general store, while next door where Easton's Order Office is, was the Liquor Store. Harry died suddenly in the basement of the store and after his death, his wife Margery carried on the store, but disposed of the liquor business. Later on she married Joe Bottomley, a commercial traveler. Mr. Bottomley served three years in Council, 1907 to 1909. It was he who laid out the gravel path through the Park. He died while on a trip to England. Jim MacPhee had his Bakery in there before he acquired the premises where the Home Bakery is now.

Miss Iona Billing had her Shoe Business there, after moving from the Harry Steele place across the street. Lionel Magder bought her business and still carried on as "The Family Store." There was at one time, another store building alongside of this building. It was a Dry Goods store and was run by George Woodington, a brother of Harry. It was burned down and George moved to Winnipeg. The Eatons Office has occupied the small store for a considerable time, but I don't recall who had it before them.

The two small stores next to where Mike Schnabel is now, were built during the First Great War and have had a variety of businesses in them. Jack Schmidt was the Tailor before Schnabel in that store and Mike has been with us for a long time now. Both were masters of their craft and I hope to see Mike around for a long time. Several shoe repairmen were in one of these stores. Bob Burtwell, Bullock and Chivers among them.

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LYNCH'S HARNESS SHOP AND ARMSTRONG'S TINSMITH SHOP
There was a building between Schnabels and the Home Bakery where Paddy Lynch had his harness shop. Paddy was a well-known and popular fellow, liked by everyone. He was Assistant Chief of the Fire Brigade for many years. After his passing, Alf Armstrong had his Tinshop there before he left to move to Toronto. After MacPhee bought the property, the building was moved to Market Street and is now the home of Dave Carson. Tommy May did some nice repairing in it for a time.

SWIFT'S ICE CREAM PARLOUR
The Home Bakery Store was built by Walter Campbell, a brother of Herb, for Swift and there she set up her Ice Cream Business, having moved from the McKenzie store across the street. After the Swifts passed away, some people named Bates had the business for a time. After them, a man named Haines had a Plumbing Business there for a time before MacPhee bought the place. He built the Bakery proper at the rear and bought the land for a rear entrance from Regent Street.

THE SLINGERLAND, WALKER, INSKEEP PROPERTY
The land beyond the Bakery was vacant in my young days, until you came to the Henry Paffard house on the corner of Victoria Street. Mel Slingerland came to Town and built a car repair shop and the house in which the present Mel Slingerland lives. Later on the place became the property of Frank Walker of Virgil. Art Inskeep took it on and ran it for quite a while till Art Wilson loomed on the Town's horizon and outbid Art Inskeep who moved out.

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HENRY PAFFARD
Henry Paffard was quite an amateur gardener and took a pride in his garden, where he grew figs and other things not usually found hereabouts. But like everybody will in time, Mr. Paffard grew old and retired from business.

More than that, he sold his property and went west to live with a daughter. What a transformation has taken place in the house and garden he prized so highly. Two ladies, Mrs. Boehme and Mrs. Cheney bought the property and lived there for some years. They moved the Fred Greaves house from its place where it nestled against the bigger house to its present position. Joe Healey bought the property next and there he and his sister and brother lived until he too passed away. The Stittlers owned it for a time, but finally sold it and the British-American Oil Company came on the scene. The house was moved off and the present structure replaced it with Art Inskeep in charge, and once more Art Wilson replaced Art Inskeep. The next change came when Greaves built their concrete structure between Fred Greaves' house and the Wilson menage. So the whole aspect of that block has changed.

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McCLELLAND'S
The next block has not changed so much. The McClelland store is still there, but the Butcher shop on the west side has been added to it. This part of the business was formerly carried on in the rear part of the main store. The interior of this business has been altered and modernized. When I first knew the place, its interior was dingy and poorly lighted. Now it has become an attractive place, so much so, that it has drawn those light-fingered gentry whom nobody wants.

THE POST OFFICE
Next, our Dominion Government built a compact brick structure and placed the home of Her Majesty's Mail therein. A good building, with all modern conveniences and more central than the old site, but a lot further for us from the dock to walk.

THE HINDLE -GOLLOP PROPERTY
Bill Gollop has the house next door, once the home of Sam Hindle and his family. Bill has his Blacksmith shop behind his house.

THE MATTHEWS - CURTIS PROPERTY
The frame house next door was the home of Jim Matthews and his large family, but Jim has gone and his family dispersed. Fred Curtis performed tonsorially in part of it for some time and various families occupied it.

THE GARRETT - GILROY - STEVENS PROPERTY
The brick house next, lately the home of Fred Garrett, has been the abode of a lot of people. When I was young, a family named Gilroy lived there. Alfred Stevens and his mother lived there for quite a while, and Johnny Courtney had it.

THE GIBSON - LANSING - McCONKEY PROPERTY
The corner lot next was vacant for a long time. There had been, at one time, a large business block on it, but it was burnt long before my time. A man named Gibson finally bought it and built the present pretentious house on it.

After he was gone, Watts Lansing bought the property and made some changes and additions to the home. Mr. Lansing had a very fine garden that was much admired. After his decease, Lew McConkey had it and used it as a rooming and lodging house. Most of us remember Mr. McConkey as he served five years as Mayor, besides making himself useful in many other ways. He succeeded me as Head of the Cottage Hospital Board when I was forced to retire due to ill health. He received a good appointment in Oshawa and is making good there.

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THE GARRETT BLOCK
Most of the next block belonged at one time to H. A. Garrett. The house on the corner is now owned by Dr. Bennett of Buffalo. This house formerly stood further over on the lot, but Mr. Garrett moved it to its present site and added to it. The rear part of it was once a school and stood on the corner of Miss Ball's lot at Johnson and Gate Streets.

The next house was built for the Goodwin Bernards by Ed Lee. They inhabited it for a good many years and it was finally sold, Dr. Bannister being the present owner and occupant. H. A. Garrett's house stood on the next corner, close to the street and after his passing the Mussens bought the house and sold it to W. J. Campbell, who moved it to its present site. Joe Mussen was quite a man. He served as Mayor during the years 1921 until the fall of 1923 when he resigned, succeeded by me for the balance of his term.

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OUR MAIN STREET
In our last chat on our Main Street, I was referring to Mr. Mussen. He was a very outstanding man in many ways, but was not always easy to get on with. He was the center of quite a controversy about a War Memorial. Several such things were talked of after the first Great War and after a Public Meeting was held to discuss the matter, it was decided to submit two plans to a vote of the people, the one for a Clock Tower, the other for a Hospital. The vote was taken and the Clock Tower and Mr. Mussen won. General Nelles had sponsored the idea of a hospital and although his idea did not carry, he and other proceeded with plans for a hospital.

I may mention here that the funds for the Memorial were the proceeds of a sale of Victory Bonds, while the Hospital was financed by private means. The Ladies Hospital Auxiliary did nobly in canvassing for funds and by other efforts on their own in that behalf.

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CRYSLER - MacBAIN HOUSE
Just across the street from the Mussen house are two buildings, one on either side of Simcoe Street. The one now known as the MacBain House, was at one time the home of R. M. Crysler, who had a store on the corner where McConkey Manor stands. Afterwards, Lawyer C. L. Hall had it. As I remember it, a Buffalo man, Page M. Baker lived in it before D. R. MacBain had it.

THE RICHARDSON - LOCKHART HOUSE
The other one, surrounded by an acre of ground seems to have passed through many hands. It was outside the limits of the Town as originally laid out and consequently has no lot number. The first name we find connected with it was that of Charles Richardson, a Lawyer and later James Lockhart, a prominent merchant had it. The first person that I personally remember as living there was Fred Paffard, who I have understood was a Wholesale Druggist. He was a brother of Henry Paffard, our oft time Mayor and Mrs. Billups who is still with us, is Fred Paffard's daughter. A number of Americans have since owned it. I remember a man named Birge and he it was, who added the wing on the Simcoe Street side. Afterwards, A. K. Silverthorn, a lumber merchant of Buffalo had it. He, with several others in the same line, was put out of business by some activities of the American Government and he had to sell out here. Mrs. Robert Gooderham bought it and it is still in the hands of a branch of her family.

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THE LANSING - STRATHY - THOMAS PROPERTY
The remaining houses on our Main Street all face the Mississaugua Common and Lake Ontario. The first house we come to is that of Mr. L. W. DeGraff of Buffalo.

I think it was built by Watts Lansing, but the first people I remember as living it was a family named Strathy of Toronto, a Banker. One man who owned it for quite a long time was E. R. Thomas of Buffalo. Mr. Thomas was a rather short and very fussy man. His business was the manufacture of motor cars and engines. He had one of the first cars to be used about our streets, a red one, powered by one of his own engines.

He was also fond of the water and owned a couple of motor boats, one of them a large yacht, with which he used to entertain parties of guests. He seems to have lost control of his business, and he finally took himself away down to Florida. After him General Ryerson, a Toronto man, had the place and after his passing, the present owner acquired the property. I might remark here that from here to the end of the street, there were no houses when I was young, except an abandoned one near the Lake end of the street.

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THE LANSING - WESTON PROPERTY
In the next block, between Mississaugua and Sixth Streets, Watts Lansing built the house [now the Weston house] and lived there until he sold it and moved to the one that we have known as McConkey Manor. Later there was another house in the same block on the Mississaugua Street side, which was owned and occupied by different people, but the Weston people finally acquired it and removed the house.

THE RUSSELL - WETTLAUFFER PROPERTY
In the next block, the first house built was for Mrs. Russell of Toronto. It is now owned by Dr. Wettlauffer of Buffalo, who has been a summer resident for many years. A well-remembered owner and occupant before him was Gus Leischman, also a Buffalo man. Gus was a big, stout man, fond of sport such as fishing and lawn bowling. He was quite a popular fellow and very public-spirited, and many regretted his leaving the Town. The worthy Dr. Wettlauffer has since built another house on this lot for his son.

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THE HOSPITAL LOT
The next four acre lot was held by the Government as a possible site for a hospital, and was known for years as "The Hospital Lot," but it was finally decided to sell it and it was sold in six strips, extending from Queen Street to Johnson St.

THE GODSON PROPERTY
The Godsons' of Toronto bought the first two of these lots, which extended from Queen to Johnson Streets. One of the brothers Godson, Lionel by name, was a noted authority on gardening and was President of a province-wide organization. His garden was a sight for sore eyes. Lionel has passed away but another very important member of the family is still alive, in the person of Judge Godson, who has been Mining Commissioner for Ontario these many years.

THE MILLAR - JOHN MORGAN PROPERTY
The next two lots were purchased by Melville Millar and the houses on the lots were built by him. He was in the Lumber Business with W. Harrison and later moved to Toronto where he became prominent in Golfing circles. There is an annual trophy match with his name attached to it, he having begun it. In the course of time, John Morgan bought the one and his family still own it, his daughter Miss Olive occupying it.

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THE HUNTER - MORGAN - SALT PROPERTY
The next four-acre lot was built upon by the late Charles Hunter and his garden too had quite a name. I remember Mr. Hunter and his good wife very well. When I was young and about the water a frequent sight in the summertime was Mr. Hunter and his wife in a comfortable canoe. The lady was ensconced in the bow and the gentleman in the stern, wielding a double-ended paddle and trailing a line or two, both of them the picture of quiet contentment. After the passing of Mr. Hunter, the property was purchased by John Morgan and he being a retired agriculturist, kept up the good garden. I remember meeting him up town one day and he had a quart berry box filled with figs, freshly gathered in his garden. I was treated to a sample of them and they were delicious. The late Mr. Salt purchased the property from Mr. Morgan and his family still owns it.

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THE PENNEY - STOCKWELL - HEGELHEIMER PROPERTY
The next half block is now owned by Charles Penney, a Buffalo Lawyer, who has spent his summers with us for a long time. If my memory serves me aright, Col. Stockwell built the house and the next one now seems to be owned by Mr. Hegelheimer, a comparative newcomer to our midst.

And so we come to the end of our Main Street. It is interesting to me to think back about our street and its people. At one time, we would find the street muddy or dusty, according to the season and we would not see the array of motor vehicles that cling to its curbs like monster spiders. You must know that the changes have not all been in its buildings. Its very fabric has been altered. Gone are the dust, the mud, and the tie-posts that were a feature of our storefronts, the wooden sidewalks, and the raised crossings. It used to be that a pedestrian could leisurely stroll across the road without worrying about whether he was going to make it all in one piece. Now you have to take a careful survey up and down and round about, before venturing on the perilous adventure of crossing, no not the bar, but the Queen's Highway. My, how we have progressed.

And then, what a difference in the people one sees on our streets. Now it is quite a common thing to pass a group on the street, conversing in a tongue that is strange to us. And the garb of the people one meets. It used to be that there was a certain similarity in the garb of the men and women one met. Our women were dressed much more quietly, both in style and colouring than is now the case. Now, it would seem to us oldsters that the louder the ensemble or bewailing about it, just commenting on the changes that have come about.

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HORSE RACES
Another thing that we don't see on our street anymore is the impromptu horse races that were common, especially in the winter when there was snow on the ground. You must know that our neighbourhood was known for its good horses. Not only were there many good teams of workhorses, but quite a number of men in and around the Town had good driving horses of which they were justly proud. About the last of them that I remember were Bill Long, Pete Healey, Sam James and many others. Nor do we see, at the end of the day, a number of bovines wending their way homewards. All these things are relics of a day gone by. I suppose most of us consider that our street has changed for the better, but if a bevy of the oldsters could foregather on our street corners, they would not altogether agree with us.

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OUR TOWN
I sometimes wonder what our people thing about our Town. It used to be the fashion when I was young, to bewail the quietness and dullness of our small community. We boys used to be told that if we wanted to get anywhere, we would need to go to the States. We would never get anywhere in Canada, and as for Niagara, it was too dead for anything. Now, what do you really think of our Town? I like to think of it as a friendly place, one where when you go out, you meet friendly people. And don't forget that to be received as friendly, you must show yourself friendly. I like to think that when I meet people, even if I don't actually know them, that they are neighbours.

I spent some time in Bowmanville some years ago and it seemed to me so nice that everyone you met on the street greeted you. It made one feel good, just to get a smile and a "Good Day" from people even if you never saw them before. I have spent a considerable amount of time in Toronto and just the reverse was the case. Nobody greeted you. Everybody just bustled along as if you didn't exist. When I meet people, I just cannot help looking at them. That's what eyes are for. But even here, you do meet people who either glance at one without any interest whatsoever, or avert their gaze elsewhere. I must confess that I like people, even if I don't know them personally. Of course, lots of our younger fry haven't time to notice old folks.

But to get back to our Town. There is much about it of which we can justly be proud. Although it has been overshadowed by larger places, we have a place of our own and a charm that they can't take away from us. We are largely elbowed out of the picture by Niagara Falls and St. Catharines, both of which places have grown through no particular merit of their own, but just through something that was not of their creating. The great Falls made that Town, simply because it was near a spot that was a tourist attraction. Clifton used to be its name, but that wasn't grand enough for them, so they took our name.

There is to be a great Scout Jamboree here, yet in our own Town Hall entrance, there is a display featuring the Falls. St. Catharines changed from Shipman's Gore to its present cognomen wholly and solely because a ditch was dug for interlake shipping. They took our shipping, they took our County Seat, our Courts, our Lawyers, and now they are breaking their legs to get our Scout Jamboree. So you see, in many ways, we are set in the midst of many and great dangers of being cast aside and forgotten. What a pity it is that they can't pick up our Military Commons and tuck them in their pockets.

Once we were a great shipping Port, but the Welland Canal and the Railways changed all that. Many of you don't know that here was passed the first enactment in the British Empire for the Abolishment of Slavery. Here was the best known haven for escaped slaves from the States. When I was a boy, the southwestern part of the Town was full of freed slaves and their descendants.

Here was the very beginning of building and settlement in this part of Ontario by white people. Do you know that its first buildings still exist, Butler's Barracks? Once they stood nearer the river but were moved back from there after the War of 1812. Colonel Butler was the man who built them out of his own pocket to house his Regiment and some refugees who had no shelter on the east side of the River. To be sure, he was repaid in time by the Government, but we can never repay him for his pioneering work here and hereabouts.

Another man to whom we owe a great deal is Governor Simcoe. It was in his time that our Town was laid out, with its wide, straight streets. We have a street named after him, but isn't it strange that no street has ever been named after Butler, a man who was actually the Father of the place.

Then too, we had the first Fall Fair. This was actually a Provincial Fair and as such, seems to have been shifted to Toronto, as has our status as the Legislative Capital of the Province. This capital shift was also due to what was then considered an advantageous position, as we were too close to our American cousins. And you must remember that they were not very friendly neighbours for many years, nor very comfortable neighbours.

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OUR PIONEERS
Then, too, we had a Library before anybody else. We must have been blessed with men of vision in those early days. They had very little to work with but they did very well with what they had. It is surprising what things you can do with very little, if you only use your wits and have a generous amount of grit in your makeup. The men and women who did things in those early days were people of principle and determination. They had, many of them, left comfortable and pleasant surroundings for much discomfort and privation because they loved their British loyalty. Not theirs to whine and fret about not having a Canadian Flag. And they had a grim determination to make good in their new land. And we who live in a later day can well be proud of those pioneers in our Town and Country. Now I don't suppose that those people were superlatively wise, just folks like you and me. And down the years, we have had people who managed our affairs pretty well with what material things were available. In my time, I remember the men who manned our public bodies. They were not wizards or masterminds, but they did their bit to the best of their judgment and the results of their labours are before our eyes. The Town was not very old when we were burned out by our friends over the way, but the Town was rebuilt over its ashes.

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INDUSTRIES
For a time we had not a few industries, shipyards, car factories, soap works, pop factories, carriage shops, tanneries and various other more or less important activities. Much of this activity has gone elsewhere, but we manage to get along.

TREES
Our Town was not always just as we see it now. I remember when the trees, which shade our streets, were bits of things with wooden boxes to protect them from the cattle that roamed our streets. If those old chaps could come back and see the result of their foresight, they might be forgiven for giving themselves a pat on the back.

ROADS
And when you enjoy the dust free and mud free highways that are to be seen everywhere, you must give somebody the credit for desiring to do something to make our Town better. In my early days, there was only one piece of hard road in and through a part of the Town. It began in front of the Town Hall and followed Queen Street to Simcoe, to Mary, and onto the Stone Road, as it was called. I was once told that the stone used in this road was all broken by hand by an old chap whose name I have forgotten. The first of our modern hard surface roads was built in 1912. It was my first year in Town Council and the N. S. and T. Railway wished to enter the Town by way of King Street. They offered to grade the street from Cottage Street to Front Street, and we got them to give us eight inches of crushed stone on it.

Steve Sherlock was Chairman of the Board of Works and to him should go a good deal of the credit for this concession on the part of the Railway. Council was divided on the matter and I well remember Mayor Randall coming to see me to urge me to vote for it, as my vote would either carry the matter or defeat it. I was a newcomer in Council and some of the older members looked on me as an interloper.

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THE WATERWORKS
For years, we had a very poor system of fire protection and it was not until 1891 that a beginning was made for a supply of water from the River. It was designed and intended mainly as a measure of fire protection. There were plenty of good wells and springs that furnished a supply of water for cooking and drinking; many people used rainwater for washing. And then the men who were at the head of our Town affairs took a vote of the ratepayers on the question of a waterworks system and it carried, so we have our present system. Of course, there have been changes and additions and we now have a pretty fair service, not only for fire protection but also for household use.

STREET NAMES
While I think of it, I want to say something about the naming of our streets. When I was young, nobody ever called a street by a name and yet when Alec. Niven made our Survey in 1910, names were found for most of them. But somehow, they ran out of names and after Mississaugua Street, only numbers were used. I have mentioned that no street was named after Colonel Butler. Now Sixth Street ends almost directly at Butler's Burying Ground. What more appropriate than to change Sixth Street to Butler Street, and I would very much like to see this done.

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OUR NAME
I think I have mentioned the name of our Town. It appears to have been called a number of different names, but it appears that the name Newark was its first official name and this would have been given by Governor Simcoe. You may not know that many of the place names in our part of Ontario were selected by Simcoe. If you look at a map of England, you will find such names as Lincoln, and in Lincoln County you will find such names as Grantham, Louth, Clinton, Grimsby, Gainsborough, and Welland, just to mention a few. However, the name of Niagara was given us in 1798 and we were formerly incorporated under that name by Act of Parliament, that Act being 8th Victoria, Chapter 62, March 29th, 1845, as the Town of Niagara and no Act has ever been passed changing it. It is true that Niagara-on-the-Lake is largely used, but that is only the Post Office designation, to avoid confusion after the Falls had changed its name, but the official name of our Town is still the "TOWN OF NIAGARA."

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SEWERS
Another question that has occupied the attention of our local legislators has been and still is that of sewage. Long ago, a sewer was built along a portion of King Street and for many years it was our only Sewer. One must remember that the surface of King Street has very materially altered since our Town first came into being. Between Prideaux Street and Front, there was a hill and you will notice that the land on each side of the street is quite high. This hill was removed when the Railway filled up their trestle from Ricardo to the Dock. The railway built the brick sewer that I have referred to and a few years ago, a railway engineer was here to inspect the stone culverts at the Wilderness and at Prideaux Street. There was really not much use of building sewers before we had the Waterworks, consequently people had to depend on outdoor toilets, but since the coming of the Waterworks, quite a bit of sewage construction has been done. Sewage for the schools was one of the problems facing our Town Fathers and the Military Authorities also became very much interested and they have done quite a bit, which also benefits the Town at large. The westerly and southerly parts of the Town will have to be taken care of in that respect and a proper settling basin will have to be constructed, which cannot be done for five cents. I anticipate that the Chautauqua territory will be taken into the Town before long as that is its logical destiny. We are hooked up now for water and electric light and certainly in a business way, it is an integral part of the Town. In this connection, not many will now remember that we got our first electric light from Chautauqua, before we installed the Heisler System that preceded our being served by Hydro.

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SIDEWALKS
We don't see wooden sidewalks any more. Of course, in the early days of our Town, lumber was cheap and so was labour and while the wooden walks were a great improvement over walking in the mud or dust of the roads, they left something to be desired in the way of comfort in walking. The four by four scantlings upon which they were laid had a pernicious habit of rotting. Planks would come loose and many a heartfelt imprecation I have heard uttered with deep feeling when an unwary pedestrian tripped, an occurrence which was detrimental to ones shins and clothing, to say nothing of ones feelings. The cost of lumber was soaring and the quality obtainable was deteriorating and concrete began to be used. I remember, however, two or three old men who used to be employed to look about for necessary repairs. They would be furnished with a wheelbarrow, with a supply of planks cut to the required length and a supply of the old fashioned square iron nails and a heavy hammer and they leisurely perambulated about the streets. Time didn't mean much to them and their pay pretty well corresponded with their pace, so everything was lovely. It seems to me that John Thornton laid our first concrete walk on Queen Street. I well remember the first wholesale effort at laying permanent walks. A contract was entered into with Langley and Cook of Niagara Falls and most of our walks were done in 1910 and 1911.

I must say that the quality of the walks laid down in 1911 was much better than those done the previous year. Bob Reid was the overseer of the work the second year, while a professional engineer was boss the first year. Since that time, a block here and there has been done and we get good value for our money, but many of the first walks laid are sadly in need of repair or replacement.

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