WALKING THROUGH THE STREETS PART FOUR - THE RIVER END OF WESTERN WARD [INSTALLMENTS 33 - 44]
Articles collected from July 21st, 1949 - October 13th, 1949  

GOVERNMENT RESERVE - QUEEN'S ROYAL HOTEL - JUDGE WATTS - ANSELL PROPERTY
So we go down to the river end of the western ward. The waterfront part of this ward was not included in the original numbered part of the Town, but was Military Ground. The part lying between the end of Victoria Street and the end of Gate Streets was part of the Government Reserve and was secured from the Government of the day by Captain Dick, the original owner of the Queen's Royal Hotel. The first building erected on this part of the former hotel grounds, stood near where the Golf Club is now situated. It was built to serve as a meeting place for a religious gathering that came here annually, a sort of Bible conference, to which came people from all over the Continent. After this ceased to be, the building was used as a dance pavilion for the hotel guests, being moved later to just across the end of Victoria Street. After the hotel was scrapped, Judge Watts turned it into a residence. Judge Watts was Police Court Judge at Niagara Falls, New York. His family came from our Town originally, they having moved to Lockport, N.Y. when I was a kid. They were shoemakers, the Judge's mother being a sister of Charlie Briggs. After the Judge died, his family sold the property to Charles Ansell. Mr. Ansell removed the house and has not yet replaced it.

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McGAW - WINNETT; SCHMON - CROY; CARMICHAEL PROPERTIES
Then, the next buildings to be erected were two cottages, one of them owned by Tom McGaw, the other by Henry Winnett. These were the two partners who owned the hotel for years. The one now owned by A. A. Schmon became the property of the eldest of the Winnett girls, now Mrs. Barnard. The other belonged to the McGaws. It was purchased by Peter Croy of Niagara Falls, N.Y. a druggist. He remodeled the house at considerable expense, but becoming a victim of the current depression, he lost the place to the mortgagees, who sold it to H.J. Carmichael, the present owner.

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THE GOLF CLUBHOUSE
The present Golf Clubhouse was originally situated at the end of the breakwater and housed a steam pump which supplied river water to the Hotel. After the Town's Waterworks were installed, the pump house was shifted to its present site and used by the guests of the hotel as a clubhouse. Of course, it has been added to and is now the property of the Niagara Golf Club, they having purchased it from the proprietors of the hotel.

THE TOWN EASEMENT TO THE GOLF CLUB
It may interest my readers to know that the Town, as owner of the hotel property, has what is known as an easement or right of way through the Schmon and Carmichael properties. This gives you and me the right to walk through these properties whether the owners object or not. There used to be a gravel walk along the top of the riverbank from the hotel to the common at Gate Street. When the hotel proprietors deeded the lots away, they reserved the easement referred to so that the hotel guests should have access to the golf links through the grounds. As the Town now owns the site of the hotel, of course, this easement now belongs to the people.

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THE ROYAL NIAGARA GOLF CLUB
I should also like to observe here that the present Golf Club is not the original Royal Niagara Golf Club. This club had its Clubhouse in the headquarters building at the Military Camp Ground. The present Club was formed by the Hotel Company for its guests at a much later date. The old Club finally folded up and the modern one carried on. This Club has what is known as "A License of Occupation" from the government that is terminable at short notice, which means that if and when the Park's Commission takes a notion to improve the Common, the Golf Club would be left without a course.

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THE GOODWIN - RODGERS PROPERTY
The first of the properties we have now to consider is Lot 9, the site of a Cottage now the home of Doug Rodgers. When I first knew about this property, it was the home of an old couple named Goodwin. In the course of time, these good people passed on. Mrs. Goodwin lived on after her husband and the family had gone, she left the house to St. Mark's Church and its contents to Mrs. O'Melia. Sam Campbell bought the property from the Church and members of that family lived there until they in turn passed away. Various people occupied it from time to time, until the present owner acquired it. Douglas is a Veteran of the First War and has served five years in Council. While I was serving as Clerk, I regarded Doug Rodgers as one of the best Councilors I have known.

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NATIVE WINE
There was a funny incident in connection with the removal of the contents of this house after Mrs. Goodwin died. Ned O'Melia enlisted the services of a bunch of his fellow fishermen to assist in the operation. Among the contents of the cellar were found two kegs filled with native wine, a beverage quite outside the experience of a simple fisherman. Quite innocently, they partook freely of the beverage with rather disastrous results. If you could have seen the gang navigating down the middle of Queen Street heading for Doyle's Hotel, it would have been a sight. Wide as is that spacious thoroughfare, they needed it all, for the going was heavy and the seas high.

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THE BALL - ANDERSON PROPERTY
Next door is a house that was the home of Miss Minnie Ball for a long time and here too later lived Nelson Anderson, who was for a long time in charge of our Electric Utility. I had the privilege of working with him for three years and found him a very fine fellow to work with.

THE WINTHROP - SAWN - LEPAN PROPERTY
Next door is the home of Mrs. Winthrop, a very nice lady. I came to know here husband Farbrace very well. He was a nice man to know, but was a bit absent minded at times. Various people have lived in this house. The first I remember was Miss Katie Sawn, who was a well-known musician in her day. Here too lived Col. A. D. LePan who was Commandant of the Polish Army Camp.

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CHARLIE CURRIE HOUSE
On the corner of Prideaux Street is a new house built by Charlie Currie. Charlie built or rebuilt a large number of houses in our Town. You find them all over the burg. He was slow and painstaking, but had good taste in his planning and building.

CAMPBELL - PORTER - APPLEFORD - CAUGHILL PROPERTY
Next on Prideaux Street is a house, now the home of Lal Caughill, but which was for years, the home of Bill Campbell. This Bill was not Herb's father but a cousin. He, like his cousin, was a Blacksmith, but when I knew him best, he was fishing with my dad. He served his apprenticeship with the Platts on Johnson Street. He had quite a family, one son still living in Buffalo. He had one daughter May, who married George Slingerland and moved to St. Catharines.

I remember one quiet summer evening, Doc Lockwood and I were taking a quiet walk in this neighborhood, when we sat down on the grass and were quietly chatting when we observed May and Ellie Kearins strolling round and round the block. We knew they were waiting for their two swains to appear and when they were out of sight, we secured a piece of clothesline from a nearby yard and tied it between a tree and the fence about a foot high. We then retired to the shade to await developments. Our two ladies did not reappear, but while we waited, someone else came up Prideaux Street. We heard them talking, but couldn't see who they were. We heard them saying "Goodnight" and a girl who lived down the street a bit, hustled along Prideaux St. towards her home. Well, she hit our trap at a half trot and down she went to the accompaniment of some forcible language on her part and of course, we didn't conceal our laughter. I believe she skinned both shins. We are reminded of the old couplet, "For many a shaft at random sent, Finds mark the archer never meant." After Bill Campbell died, John Porter bought the house and remodeled it. After a time, he sold to Bob Appleford and Bob's widow sold to Lal Caughill.

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THE LEMON PROPERTY
Next are two new houses that have been built in recent years. The first is the home of the Lemons. Mrs. Lemon is a daughter of Walter Reid Jr., who is a grandson of the first Bob Reid, whom I best remember as a Member of Elliott's Dragnet Crew at the beach. Old Bob as he was called to distinguish him from his son Bob, who was our Chief Constable for so many years, was a smallish man who loved an argument. The family lived for a long time in a house that stood about where Mrs. Rigg's house now stands, but which faced on Prideaux Street. This house, if I remember aright, was moved to Gate Street where it is now the home of Mrs. H. H. Harris, Charlie Currie being the one who bought and moved it. At another time, they lived in a house that stood on the Hannah Servos lot, now owned by Mrs. Ivan Wright. Here Walter Reid Sr. was born.

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THE RAYNOR RESIDENCE
On the corner of Gate Street, is the Raynor residence. Here lived Jack Raynor and his family. Jack was my Dad's pal from boyhood, both being born in the Army Barracks at Gibraltar within about six months of each other. Natives of Gibraltar were usually known in Army Circles as "Rock Scorpions." They also passed on about six months apart. Jack's daughter Mrs. Bert McClelland now lives here, as do her daughter and son-in-law, our Chief Constable and his good wife. My family and the Raynors were always good friends, my sister Lizzie being named after Mrs. Raynor who was her Godmother. Jack was a veteran of the Fenian Raids and I well remember him as Color Sergeant of Number 1 Company of the old 19th Battalion. While my Dad was Sergeant Major of the Battalion, Jack had quite a varied career, as Soldier, Sailor and Fisherman. He was for a time in the American Navy, during the Civil War and was wounded at the siege of Vicksburg, on the Mississippi and for which he afterwards received a pension from the American Government. I well remember helping my Dad to convey Jack and Dr. Warren across the river through the ice on several occasions when he was seeking his pension. Jack always took a sort of fatherly interest in me and his advice was of considerable value in shaping my career.

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BEALE - HUTTY PROPERTY
On the corner of Front and Gate Streets is a cottage, which in its present outward appearance, always makes me think of a shabby woman who has donned a fur coat. As I remember it, it seemed to be a sort of down-at-heels, Patchwork house. Here lived for some years, Captain Percy Beale, a rather eccentric individual. I remember meeting him at the wharf one hot day in summer. Across the front of his linen coat, he tied a broad white ribbon, thereon was inscribed in letters visible to the naked eye "Yes, it is a hot day." He had a skiff that he named "Man of Kent." and in which he loved to row about the river. He and his wife rest in St. Mark's Graveyard. His wife, who outlived him, willed the property to her sister, Miss Hutty, and there she and her brother James lived for many years. James too has joined the company in St. Mark's, while Helena is spending her declining years in a rest home.

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THE KIRBY HOUSE
Then we come to the Kirby house, for years the home of the author of "Le Chien D'Or," and other works of just repute. I am quoting from his Memorial Tablet in St. Mark's. Mr. Kirby was a man of outstanding prominence. Originally a newspaperman, he showed great interest in all kinds of public business and organizations. He seems to have been in office in the Library Board for fifty-one years and continuously as President for thirty years. When I first remember him, he was Collector of Customs, being succeeded by John Sands who was promoted to that office on the retirement of Mr. Kirby. He was also an active member of the Historical Society and of St. Mark's Church, which church he attended regularly. He was a familiar figure on our streets, garbed in a gray shawl and his waist girt about by a sash. This was not an unheard of costume in those days.

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KIRBY - MILLER - MASTERS PROPERTY
After Mr. and Mrs. Kirby passed on, the Misses Miller occupied the place for a time and after them, we lived there for four years. John Kirby, son of William owned the place when we lived there and after his death in Toronto, his wife came here to live. The property is now in other hands.

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THE HOSTETTER - RUMSEY - HARVEY PROPERTY
Next door is the home of the James Harveys. Various families have lived here in my time, among them the Hostetters and the Rumseys, but Jim Harvey has been there a long time. Jim was for a long time, a travelling salesman for a large fur company in whose employ he roamed all over the country.

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THE OBAN INN AND MILLOY FAMILY
On the other corner of Front and Gate Streets, stands the Oban Inn, as named by Bill Milloy. As I first remember the place, it was the home of Mrs. Duncan Milloy and her children, William, Colin and Effie. This was quite an important family in the business life of the Town. Captain Duncan Milloy seems to have been the first of the name in Town. He lived at one time in the White Inn on King Street. He was a sailor and sailed the Steamer, "The City of Toronto," but had passed on before my recollections. He and his two sons all served in Council, Captain Milloy for two years, Bill for three, and Colin for six. I first remember Bill who was sailing the family Steamer. He was a rather portly man with a rather smug expression of countenance. Jovial and rather easy going, he seems to have pretty well spoiled the family fortunes. In due course, Bill married and went to live in the brick house in the hollow between Byron and Ricardo Streets. Family squabbles led to Bill's being ousted from the management of the business, with Colin taking over. Bill, whose wife had gone away, was by this time, back at home with his mother. They added the present top story to the house and dubbed it "Oban Inn" after the old hometown of the family in Scotland. Here, Bill ran a boarding house until his death, after which event, it became the property of his sister Effie, who had married Arthur Harvey.

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THE MILLOY FAMILY - THE OBAN INN - HOLMWOOD PROPERTY
The family misfortunes had not ceased, for it was lost to the mortgagees who sold it to the Holmwoods, who ran the place very successfully until Mr. Holmwood died, since which time it has again been sold. But to return to the Milloy's, Colin did not run the Wharf very long, the Niagara Navigation Company taking it over under a mortgage. Colin was the Captain of No. 1 Company of the 19th and made a fine looking soldier. I served under him. He married and moved to Welland. Colin was a nice fellow, not brilliant, but a good useful citizen, serving six years in Council. As I remember, Colin had a son who served in the First World War. Bill left no family, but Effie had a son and two daughters, none of them living in Niagara.

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CORNELLA - SHERLOCK - DERBYSHIRES - COTTAGE HOSPITAL - SALVATION ARMY - CANADIAN LEGION - MURPHY PROPERTY
The next house on Gate Street was named "Cornella." Here Charlie Sherlock and his wife kept boarders at one time, as did the Derbyshires at a later date. Here too, was the first home of our Cottage Hospital. Here the Canadian Legion had their domicile for a time and the Salvation Army had it during the late War. So you see, this frame building has been put to many uses. Steve Sherlock owned it after his mother died and he sold it to F. J. Murphy of St. Catharines.

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LOWE - SERVOS - SECORD - ALLEN - DERBYSHIRE - LAILEY
Next was the Servos domain. This place had two houses on it, both since demolished. As far as I can trace, it was the home of Dr. Lowe, who was the father of Mrs. Hannah Servos. Hannah's husband was John D. Servos, a son of Col. Peter and Aunt Mary Servos. I remember Peter very well as he was another of my Dad's friends and quite often used to go fishing with us in the bass season. He was sojourning with Dan Servos, a cousin, who lived next to Doyle's Hotel on Picton Street. I do not remember the Servos family living in the old house, as they were in the house across the way. I do remember Jimmy Secord living in one half of the house, and Dick Allen lived in one half for a time. I had the duty of selling the property for taxes a few years ago and O. J. Derbyshire, who owned the next place on Prideaux St. bought it from the Town and he sold it to Chuck Lailey, except the part of the lot next to the Cornella.

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MR. McBRIDE AND THE FIRST AUTOMOBILE IN NIAGARA
On this part is a house which formerly stood on Simcoe Street. But which Mr. Derbyshire purchased and moved to its present site. As everybody knows, the former owner has made life a burden for everybody connected with the property ever since in efforts to upset the tax sale. The house, which Derbyshire placed on the Lot, was originally built for H. H. McBride, who was auditor for the Niagara Navigation Co. Mr. McBride was the proud possessor of the first automobile in these parts. It was a sight for sore eyes, to see his air of pride as he steered the article off the gangway of the boat. If any of you have seen the exhibit of old style cars at the Toronto Fair, you must have seen its counterpart. It has a long tiller, high wheels, hard tires, no windshield and it was enough to scare horses into conniption fits as it chugged and rattled and bumped over the earth roads of the day.

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THE DERBYSHIRE - WESTON PROPERTIES
The next two houses on Prideaux Street were owned by the Derbyshires. The first, a very neat cottage, was built by Jim McCarthy for the Derbyshires. The other and larger one was originally the summer home of the Westons, a Toronto family.

THE BROWN - BISHOP WHITE PROPERTIES
The next two small cottages were for a long time, owned by the Browns, another Toronto family, who have since disposed of the property. One of them was owned later by Bishop White, who is well known here. The Bishop spent many years in China and was Bishop of Honen until his retirement. After the War, he returned to his old field in China for a time, but is now back in Canada. His wife was formerly a Miss Masters and they are a very nice, friendly pair of persons.

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RIGG - DUCKWORTH - McBRIDE - HARRIS PROPERTIES
On the corner of Simcoe Street is the home of Mrs. Rigg, whose husband was for many years our M. O. H. and practicing physician. Dr. Rigg was always very much interested in our Cottage Hospital. His interest was shared by others and by a fine women's organization. It has become an invaluable part of our community life. Mrs. Rigg bought her place from the Duckworths who had had a family summer home there since the house was built. The cottage, which formerly stood on this site, was sold by Mr. McBride and is now situated on Simcoe Street and is the home of Mrs. H. H. Harris. Charlie Currie moved the place and remodeled it into a very attractive cottage.

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ORR - ERNST PROPERTY
The next house on Simcoe Street is new and belongs to a Mr. Ernst. The George Orr house now stands on Gate Street.

THE WILKINSON - FOY - PETMAN - ERNST PROPERTY
The next property was formerly all one, being comprised of Lots 14, l5, and l6, with only one house on it, which stood facing on Front Street. The family I best remember as living there were the Russell Wilkinsons. Mrs. Wilkinson, who is still with us, is a daughter of Fred Paffard, whom I remember very well. Wilkie was one of the nicest men I have known, and a very gifted man. His handwriting in the Town Records is about the most consistently good that I have encountered. He was Town Clerk and Treasurer for six years and also served as Churchwarden of St. Mark's for some years. He was a jovial, humorous fellow with very nice manners, in short a gentleman, kindly and courteous. After the family moved to New York, John Foy bought the place. John was Manager of the Niagara Navigation Company and made his summer home here until his death, when the property was divided among his daughters. R. O. Petman, who married one of the girls, built and still occupies the house facing on Simcoe Street. The old house was taken down and a new one built a little further from the Oban. This was owned and occupied by two of the daughters: Miss Emily and Mrs. Eddie Foy. On Miss Emily's death, the house was divided and Emily's part was moved nearer to the Oban, to a spot about where the old house stood. This has now been acquired by another Mr. Ernst.

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PRESBYTERIAN - METHODIST CHURCH
On the Westerly corner of Prideaux and Gate Streets is a house with a unique bit of history. It was the Methodist Church and stood where the small cemetery is. At one time, there were two Presbyterian Churches in Town. The present United Church was that of the Canadian Presbyterian Church. On the amalgamation of the two, this church was sold to the Methodists. In the Town Office are records from both of the Presbyterian bodies of that time.

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BURK - LOWES - SERVOS - WRIGHT PROPERTY
Tom Burk bought the Methodist building and moved it to its present site and in it he set up what was known as a Pork Factory. Later on, the Lowes took over the building under a mortgage so I am informed. In my time, Mrs. Hannah Servos lived in it, and after her death, it was bought by Mrs. Ivan Wright who is its present possessor. Mrs. Servos' husband was John D., a son of Col. Peter and Aunt Mary. Walter Reid tells me that he was born in a small stone house that formerly stood on this property.

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THE KUSTES PROPERTY
Next, on Gate Street, is a frame house built by John Kustes of Toronto and used as a summer. Home. It is now owned by his son William.

THE NASH - WILLETT PROPERTY
Next is another frame house, now occupied by George Willett. For a time, there was a Private Hospital there, during the First World War, kept by a Mrs. Nash.

THE ROGERS BLOCK
On the corner of Gate and Queen Streets, there used to be a brick building, known as the "Rogers Block." It was quite a large building with a large hall upstairs. Here for years, the Band met. I once had the pleasure of taking a course of lessons on a Tenor Horn from a Sgt. Roberts who was Bandmaster for a time. Roberts, who had been a Band Sergeant at Fort Niagara, came here to live on leaving the Army. He lived in the Curtis house on Victoria Street. He also taught St. Mark's Choir for three months, afterwards moving away. In this hall, at one time, there was a roller skating rink, there being a fad for that sport at the time. In a large room on the ground floor, the Christian Endeavour Society of St. Andrew's Church held its meetings for a long time. The building was taken down a long time ago and is now forgotten except by a few of us antediluvians.

See The Rogers Block

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THE BLAKE HOUSE
Next door is a substantial dwelling, once the home of John Blake, who was one of the important businessmen of the Town. The particular business in which he participated in my early days was the Tannery at the Dock. He was an enthusiastic angler and kept a small boat in which he pursued the finny tribe during the summers. Those were the days when one used a substantial hickory rod and when one so armed and furnished with a large can of juicy, succulent dew worms, angled for the wily bass or perch with varying success. Here still dwells two estimable women, John's daughters, Miss Gertrude Blake and Mrs. Harrison, both very fine persons and like the Dorcas of old, "filled with good works." We've already met Bill, husband of Annie Blake. I have to be careful of what I say about Bill, as he still dwells among us, and no doubt will scan this and just wonder what that man Masters has to say about him. However, Bill isn't a bad scout and it is not a new thing to see himself in print.

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NEWTON - HARRISON PROPERTY
Next door is a brick house, once the home of the Newtons. I well remember Mrs. Newton, a tall, thin woman, daughter of Sheriff MacDougall of Auld Lang Syne. She had two sons, like the man in the song, Clarence and William. I never knew Clarence personally, as he never lived in the Town in my day, being a prosperous businessman in New York, but Bill lived here at times. He was a tall, bony fellow with a rather erratic manner, very excitable. He was at various times, a newspaperman and a pain in the neck for his mother. At one time, he had a paper of his own called "The Echo", which did not last long. As I remember, it was printed at the Falls. There was a keen rivalry between Bill Newton and Billy Smith who ran the Youngstown News. Billy Smith was a Niagara man and he printed a Niagara edition of his paper, a weekly and which had quite a circulation on our side of the border. Billy used to print some of the darndest yarns about William MacNoodle Dewton and Bill Newton, of course, couldn't do anything about it. Poor Newton went off his trolley in later life and Bill Harrison bought the property.

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DR. ANDERSON
The next house is now the Hospital, but was for many years, the home of Dr. Anderson, one of the outstanding men of his day. The Doctor had not long been practicing in Niagara when I arrived, but he served this Community and served it well for a generation. He may not have been as up to date as the new crop of practitioners, but he was good. I remember Dr. Willie Greenwood, who spent a year in our Town with Dr. Anderson, telling me that he had searched Dr. Anderson's books for thirty years back. He found that Dr. Anderson had had an average of eleven cases of typhoid fever a year and that of them he had only lost three cases, a truly remarkable record. In each of these cases, there were other complications. Of course, under modern conditions, typhoid is almost unknown now in our Town but it used to be quite common. The Doctor was a kindly man and a useful citizen. He would never accept any remuneration for his services as M. O. R. which office he filled for many years. He also found time to serve three terms in Council, one of them as Mayor. He was Churchwarden of St. Mark's Church for a time, a splendid type of man and one only too rare. We have other doctors now and good ones too they are, but they will have to go some to beat Dr. Anderson's record.

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MacBAIN PROPERTY
The MacBains own the next house. They have been coming to our Town for many years. I can remember their private car parked on the siding at the Dock many years ago, while Mac spent his days fishing while his good wife kept house in the car. Fine people and a good sample of the best of our summer people. Several people have occupied this house in times past, most of them what might be termed transients.

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PAFFARD - CROOKS - BERGE - SILVERTHORN -GOODERHAM
A large house stands by itself nearby, on a lot that I remember was apparently carved out of the Mississaugua Reserve. The first occupant of this domain was the late Fred Paffard, a brother of Henry and the father of Mrs. Russell Wilkinson, who is still in our midst with several of her progeny. I used to see Mr. Paffard around the Town but he died many years ago. He was a wholesale Druggist as I remember. After his death, the property changed hands several times. This lot has no number as other lots in the Town Plan have. One must remember that the land about Fort Mississaugua was once the property of one James Crooks. When the Government, after the War of 18l2, desired to build a fort to defend the mouth of the river, they exchanged the four blocks bounded by King, Picton, Wellington and Castlereagh Streets for the Crooks land. The original Town Plan was laid out by the Army Engineers, therefore, did not include the Lot we are discussing, so it was given no number. A Mr. H. K. Berge of Buffalo owned the place for a time and built the large wing next to Simcoe Street. Then W. K. Silverthorn owned it. Then it was purchased by Mrs. Robert Gooderham of Toronto and after he death it passed to Mrs. Grant-Suttie, her daughter who has since passed away. Col. Grant-Suttie has lately died too. The Gooderham family did many good deeds while summering here. Mrs. Gooderham built the Nurses' Home at the Hospital and Mrs. Mitchell, her daughter furnished it. These ladies were always generous contributors to St. Mark's Church of which they were regular attendants while they were here.

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KEARINS HOUSE
In this block, bounded by Victoria, Queen, Gate and Prideaux Streets, there are 18 buildings and twelve of these have sprung up in late years. Only two of the houses on the Victoria Street side of the block were there in my early days. These are the Kearins House and the Curtis House. In the first of these dwelt Martin Kearins who had a bakery on the site of the Brock Theatre. This house has changed hands a number of times since the new house was built alongside of it.

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CURTIS - GRIMSTEAD PROPERTY
The Curtis house was for many years the home of Whittaker Curtis. There he conducted his Undertaking Business. Whit was the elder son of William and Fanny Curtis, about whom we shall reminisce later on. Whit left two sons, one of who is our tonsorial artist, the other is in the same business as his father, only in St. Catharines. Dwelling in this place now is the portly form of Fat Grimstead. Now I didn't coin this name so don't blame me for using it. Russell, to give him his real patronymic, is a handy fellow and will tackle anything in the contracting line. He sports a grin a mile wide and no matter how mad he makes you, that darn grin of his gets your goat.

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THE PETLEY PROPERTY
There used to be a small house alongside the Curtis house, that was the home of the Petleys. These ladies were dressmakers and milliners. As I first remember them, they were in a building on Queen Street and were burned out in the big fire. After that, they were in a store that stood where Tranter's Barber Shop now stands. Mrs. Mulholland took over the business, being a relative and she and her son Tom made a success of the business, finally building the new place which is very successfully conducted by Tom's widow and his son Joe. They have an establishment that is a credit to the Town. A new house has now replaced the old Petley house.

The corner lot, now owned by Jim Elliott, was formerly occupied by an old Hostelry known as "The Centre House", where dwelt Biddy Mayo. Later, after Biddy had departed this life, McClellands stored ice there. The building was finally taken down and Jim Coleman bought the lot and built the house. Jim came up here to work as a Blacksmith for Willard Platt on Johnson St. Jim set up for himself and built a shop on the lot, facing on Queen Street, next to the Harrison property. Jim was a rather straitlaced fellow when he came here, but he was honest and upright and a good workman. He married Florrie Currie and they had two sons, the elder of whom is Imperial Bank Manager at Jordan.

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THE CONNOLLY AND MAY HOUSES
In the area where Harrison's store now stands, there used to be quite a collection of small houses. This bunch and the houses across the street used to be known as "The Ward." The Connolly house and the May house are the remnants of this collection. I don't suppose many of my readers remember an old song "McSorley's Twins." I remember Albert Clockenburg singing a parody on this song, which went as follows:

We had a club over where the Club 19 is now, the original Pastime Club, and one night Clocky was singing this ditty with the window open. I came downstairs and there was Jim Matthews listening. He wanted to know who was that darn fool singing. I remember Johnny Connolly, a smallish man, mending wooden side- walks and cleaning ditches for the Corporation. He and Joe Eares did this work for years. Jack Thompson lived at one time in the Tommy May house. Tommy married Julia Thompson. After Tommy left the U.S. Army, he came here to live and went into the Livery business, first with horses, later with cars. Tommy, for some years, did quite a bus business to the Chautauqua Grounds. Tommy served nine years in Council. He was a man who always spoke his piece, no matter who he offended. I never knew Tommy to do a mean thing to anybody.

Tommy May made enemies by his plain speaking, but he never was bitter. I suppose I knew Tommy longer than anyone else in Town, as we used to ferry him across the river while he was stationed at Fort Niagara.

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JOHN SANDO PROPERTY
The vacant lot on the corner was for a long time, the home of John Sando. John was a butcher originally, at one time having a shop in the rear part of the Woodington Building, now occupied by "The Family Store." He later had a stationery store on the site of Reid's Paint Shop. In 1887, he was appointed to the Customs, succeeding Col. E. H. Thompson. He was a Collector after the retirement of William Kirby from that office. Sando, in turn, was succeeded by Joe Burns, the last to hold that office here. After Sando's death, his family moved to Buffalo and after a time the house was taken down.

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THE MOORE - CURRIE PROPERTY
Around the corner on Gate Street is a frame house, now the home of Frank Currie. The first person that I remember living here was a "Braid Scot." named Tam Moore. Tam was an uncle of Joe Sherwood. Tam kept a goat, which, if reports then extant were to be believed, was of an odorous variety. I remember a song the school kids used to sing about this goat. It went as follows:

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THE HALL PROPERTY
The rest of the houses on this street as far as Prideaux are comparatively new. A little might be said about the people however. Bert Hall lives next door. The Halls came here in 19l5. Charlie and his son have been associated with the McClelland Store so long that everybody knows them. Good citizens, clean and upright. None better and good friends of mine, if that be any recommendation.

CHARLIE SAGE PROPERTY
Next are the Wise Men "The Sages." Charlie Sage was a carriage painter and worked for Willard Platt for years, before moving to Detroit. In his early years here, Charlie had quite a reputation as a storyteller. It is related of him that at one time, a man came to work at Platt's who seemed to be much interested in Charlie's yarns. He was often noticed making notes of these stories in a small book that he carried, whereat Charlie felt a bit flattered until one day, after one of Charlie's tales, this chap looked up from his book in which he had been figuring and asked Charlie how old he was. "Well," said Charlie, "I don't know as it's any of your business." "Well," said the other man, "I've been keeping track of your stories and you've been so many years here and so many there, and I figure you're over two hundred years old." Let us draw a veil over the picture. Charlie was a good sport, though and a good musician. He played a cornet in the band and after Professor McKie passed on, Charlie ran the Band until he left town. He was missed when he left. It seems to me that Dick Allen ran the band for a time, but as the old fellows dropped out, no one came along to take their places.

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NOLAN - RING - MATTHEWSON - BILLING - NELLES
Next door, there used to be a frame house, the home of a man named Nolan, who for a long time drove the mails from the Steamboat Landing to the Post Office. After his time, Mary Ring and her mother lived there. Then Fred Matthewson, a Buffalo man, bought the lot and the house was sold to Bobbie Orr, who moved it to his lot and Sixth Streets, where it now stands, occupied by the McKenzies. Matthewson built the present house, now the residence of Miss Billing.

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GENERAL NELLES
General Nelles bought the house and made his home there until his death. I don't suppose it is necessary to say much about Gen. Nelles, his passing being comparatively recent, but we cannot pass him by without mention. His military record speaks for itself, but as a resident and citizen, we must give him some mention, as he was such a prominent person. He was Mayor in 1929 and 1930, and I found him a good man to work with. He was always gentlemanly and courteous, yet firm in his judgements. He and his good wife, along with the late Dr. Rigg, were largely responsible for our Hospital, the General serving as President of the Board for a long term. He was also President of the Golf Club for some time. So you see that he was a useful citizen and a very nice man to know.

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COLONEL SINGER
After the General died, Col. Singer lived here until he moved away. I had known Bill Singer from boyhood, when he used often to come to Town from their farm in the Township. Bill was a great sport, his chief amusements being Dog Trials, Clay Pigeons and Rifle Shooting. He served five years as Mayor altogether and in my judgement, was a good Mayor. He was Mayor at the time of the Royal Visit in 1939. I saw a good deal of him off and on for many years and I must say I liked him and while, like the rest of us, he had his faults, he also had many good qualities.

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PURKIS - LAUGHTON - HEWSON PROPERTY
Jim Laughtons house, next door, was the home of Mrs. Purkis, but Jim has lived there for a long time. You all know Jim Laughton, Carpenter and a good Carpenter at that, one of the best. Jim served two one-year terms in Council. The only thing I found fault with in Jim as a Councilor was that he was too Scotch. I fancy he has outgrown a lot of that, however. Now he has sold his house to Fred Hewson and is building elsewhere. And Mr. Hewson likes our Town so well, he plans to stay with us, which is welcome news to everyone who has come to know him. So while we lose him as Banker, we get him as a permanent citizen, which is all to the good.

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BALL - SMITH PROPERTY
On the corner is a large frame house, built for a worthy lady, one of the daughters of the late John W. Ball. After she passed on, Col. F. W. Smith bought the house and made his home there until he returned to the United States. The Colonel was a retired officer of the United States Army. For a time, he was in the Real Estate business and had an office in what is now the Stewart Building. He was a quiet, reserved sort of man, but quite likeable when you got to know him. The property has now changed hands.

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THE DAVEY - McCLELLAND FAMILIES
There used to be a sort of old-world square on this corner, with a number of small frame houses facing on the Interior of the square. One of the houses was built over the entrance to the square. The only one of the houses of this group now remaining, is the home of Al Davey. Al is the oldest son of the late Albert Davey. The Davey family was quite a family. One of Albert's sisters was married to Jack Bishop and another to Bill McClelland. Everybody knows these two families, prominent in Niagara's public life for so many years. Albert worked at different times for both of his brothers-in-law. Later on, he served as Provincial Policeman at the Dock. I remember that while he filled that position, there was a very officious purser on the Chippewa. The water was low and passengers landing at the Dock had quite a step down off the gangplank. This Purser was hustling passengers off the plank, grabbing some of them by the arm. He grabbed a Mrs. Knox and gave her a yank and she nearly landed on her face. Her husband, following, gave Mr. Purser a lusty wallop, whereupon he demanded of Mr. Davey that he be arrested. The Boat, however, had to leave, leaving Major Knox and Detective Davey facing each other on the Dock. The Major demanded of Mr. Davey, "What about it?" "Well," came the rejoinder, "I think you ought to be arrested." "Why", demanded the Major. "Because you didn't hit him twice as hard." And that was that. The present Albert worked for years at painting and decorating, and served in the Ontario Liquor Store until retired. Al served two years as Councilor. He is a quiet, decent fellow, well liked by all who known him. When the Niagara Rifle Association was in existence, Al was a member of the Team with me, he being a better than the average rifle shot.

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THE HOULE - MINIFOLD - PORTER - MALONEY PROPERTY
The next house, now owned by the Maloneys, has seen some changes. It formerly was the home of one of Niagara's forgotten families, the Houles. This name is pronounced as if it were spelled Hooley. The house stood down the street near the Common. Henry Houle moved it to its present site, later selling it to Miss Ann Minifold who was a dressmaker, then she died. John Porter bought the place and remodeled it to its present dimensions.

But about the Houle family: the father was French and there were four sons and a daughter. Albert, the youngest boy, was a classmate of mine at school. One of the older sons was named Antony, and he worked in the Tannery. It was a common occurrence for a bunch of kids to tag along after Antony on the street, chanting "Antony, Antony, you stink of the Tannery." Anybody knows the aroma of a tannery and its employees. Poor Antony wasn't very bright. Albert and Anne were quite clever. Albert was afterwards in the flower business near Toronto.

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RAYNOR - HARRISON - BISSELL - BRADLEY PROPERTY
The next house is now the home of Joe Bradley. Joe is a grandson of Joe Eares, whom we have met near the Dock. This present Joe is evidently named for his grandfather, except they have spelled his name wrongly. At one time, on this lot was a frame house, the abode of Jack Raynor. After he had moved away from the house, it changed hands several times. Bill Harrison bought part of the lot and John Bissell bought the rest of it and built the house. John and his father built a lot of our cement walks.

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BUTCHER - HUGHES PROPERTY
The corner house was once the home of Colonel Butcher. He was a retired regular army officer. He formerly lived at the White Inn. The Colonel entered the Council in 1920 to fill a vacancy and in 192l was elected Reeve, but died in office before the year was out. His widow willed the property to Miss Hughes who was for so long a Nurse and Superintendent of our Hospital. The remaining house in the block was built for the Kearins sisters and is still in the family.

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THE McCLELLAND FAMILY
On the westerly corner of Queen and Victoria Streets is the McClelland Store, one of the oldest businesses in the Niagara District. Members of the McClelland family have had this business for well over 100 years, the business itself dating from 18l5. William McClelland Sr. was one of the best known men of his time. He served 19 years in Council and seemed to be able to get himself elected in office any time he wished to do so. His three sons and a grandson all served in Council, also, the family service covering a period of nearly 60 years. The eldest son Bill served as Councilor, Reeve, and Mayor at different times. The next son, Bert, only served one year, he dying when quite a young man. However, his son Bert Jr., put in two years in Council, while Fred, the youngest of the three brothers, had six years to his credit. They were all good sound businessmen and certainly did their bit in helping to run the business of the Town. I suppose I knew Will better than the rest, as we sat in Council together, he as Mayor and I as Reeve. We were also together a lot musically, as he was a member of the Choir for some years and we also belonged to a Glee Club over which D'Arcy Caskey presided. We used to meet for practice at Caskey's house and had a lot of enjoyment out of our musical efforts.

As we were also members of the Niagara Choral Society, of which Mr. Caskey was musical director, and I was the President. I remember our rendering a trio at a concert in the Town Hall. The title of it was "Don't tickle me, I pray." The words didn't amount to much but Will and I made it up to get a bit of fun out of it. Will was the first tenor, D'Arcy second, while I was bass. That brought D'Arcy between us on the stage. We knew D'Arcy was ticklish, so when we got under way, first one of us and then the other, would give poor D'Arcy a poke and we had him dancing all over the stage, while the audience shrieked with laughter. It was silly, I dare say, but it raised a laugh.

McClelland's did quite a large business in ice. They used the old Centre House across the street for a time as a store for ice. Then they used the building at the slip for a long time, finally building a large icehouse at the rear of the store. They had then an ice pond on Mary Street, but they finally closed up that part of their business. Dummy Clark drove their ice wagon for years, until he passed over. The ice business, that is for ice cut on the ponds and the slip, is over. Now we have artificial ice. The icehouses are all gone except the Best one behind the Fire Hall. This is now used by the Hydro.

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THE LEE PROPERTY
On the site of the McClelland Icehouse, Harry Lee has built a nice new cottage, where he now makes his home. Harry is a son of Jimmy Lee who worked for the Town for many years, dying at his work. Harry is a veteran of the First Great War and is a plumber and has one year's service in Council to his credit.

CLARK - CURRIE - HINDLE PROPERTY
The next house is the home of Vin Hindle, a grandson of Sam Hindle who for many years was in the contracting business with Frank Clark. Charlie Currie lived in this house when he was first married.

THE NISBET - CAMIDGE - LAMOURE PROPERTY
Next door, there once stood an old fashioned frame house that was once the property of the late Charles Camidge. For a long time, Jack Nisbet and his family lived there. When I first remember Jack, he was engaged in driving a pop wagon for his brother-in-law, Jerry Devos. The pop factory was on the site of the Wright house on Delatre Street opposite the spring, the spring water being used in the pop making. Later on, Jack was a Fisherman, along with my father-in-law Jack Thornton. Then for a time, he was Caretaker at the Chautauqua Grounds. He had a nice family and his daughter-in-law and two grandsons are well known to us. Incidentally, he was another of my Dad's cronies and a particular friend of my own. Monty Lamoure now owns the property and has taken down the old house and replaced it with a new one. Monty put in four years in Council and for several years was Provincial Game Warden. He was quite an efficient man in both positions. He has a nice family, losing one son overseas in the recent Great War. I found him to be a very useful citizen and a good man to work with.

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THE WORRELL PROPERTY
The small cottage next door, now the home of Mrs. Worrell, was once occupied by Will McClelland. Mrs. Worrell is the widow of William Worrell, who only lived here for a few years. A very nice couple.

THE VAREY - WALKER PROPERTY
The large house on the corner of Johnson Street, as I first remember it, was the home of Eli Varey, who also owned the long tenement next door. Eli had two sons, but I do not remember much about this family. I do remember one son, Charlie spending a summer here in later years accompanied by his wife, a rather portly lady. Charlie had a Tricycle and he had some kind of carriage hitched on behind his tricycle and if you could have seen poor Charlie, puffing up the Dock Hill with his ample spouse in tow, your heart would have bled for him. She seemed to enjoy it though. There were no autos then, of course.

In later years, Joe Walker bought the house and lived there in his declining years. Joe, when I first knew him, was Customs Officer at Queenston. He lived in Town after his retirement. Joe served seven years in Council, thus doing something to make himself useful. His nephew, Frank of Virgil, came into the property and is still the owner. Various tenants have occupied both this house and the three tenement houses next door.

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THE CREED FAMILY
One family that lived in one of these apartments since my boyhood days was the Creeds. Obadiah Creed was an old soldier and as I remember him, he was lame. When I was small, my Dad used to take me up to the Town Hall to watch the Niagara Company at drill and I remember seeing Obey Creed limping around with the rest of the Company. He was Caretaker at the High School for quite a while. He had one son and three daughters. Charlie, the son, usually called Obey, was well known about Town and died not so long ago. Perhaps the best known of the family was Kate, who taught school here and in St. Kitts until her retirement. Kate prided herself on her plain speaking. She was a fine character and a remarkably able schoolteacher. She was very much interested in historical matters and was one of the Curators of the Historical Museum. She and I once collaborated in the preparation of a paper for the Historical Society, which she called "Vanishing Niagara." Before her death, she suggested to me that we revise our respective portions and have them printed in a pamphlet for the Society. I did revise mine and it appeared in the Advance under the title, "Dockography of Niagara." I have been unable to find any trace of her article, so must conclude that some godforsaken wretch burned it up as trash after Kate's demise.

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KELOW - McCARTAN - TAYLOR - THOMAS - HOOD
Among the families that have occupied this building were the George Kelows, the McCartans, the Jud Taylors, the Thomas's, and the Hoods. George Thomas and Al Hood represent these last two families. Both of these men served in the First Great War. Both are quiet respectable fellows and good citizens.

THORNTON PROPERTY
The next house is the home of Mrs. Hedley Thornton, but was for many years part of the Platt property. Hedley Thornton was a Baker, and a veteran of the First War.

THE CURTIS COTTAGE
Next is a modern cottage built by Will Curtis, now the home of his widow, Susie. Will was a railroad man and lost a leg while at his job. They have a nice family, none of them now at home. I knew the boys very well, as they all were members of my Choir and all three in turn served as Secretary of the Sunday school with me. Of course, I have known Mrs. Curtis since she was a small girl, as they were our neighbors when we were all young. She was a Logan, daughter of Billy.

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THE ELLISON - LONGHURST PROPERTY
The next house is now the home of George Longhurst, but as I remember it best, was as the home of John Ellison. John was a member of the Band for years and a member of St. Mark's Choir. A very nice man and a good Carpenter. The Ellison brothers were all good mechanics and fine musicians, all being members of the Band. John's two daughters live in Town, they being Mrs. Fred Masters, and Mrs. John Brown.

THE MacPHEE - BRENNAN HOUSE
Jim MacPhee lived here for some time, later selling to Ed Brennan. Jim married my wife's sister, and had a good bakery business for years. He served ten years in Council, two as Councilor, two as Mayor and six as Reeve, being Warden in 1929. Jim was a good, sensible businessman and a good man in Council. He has been in the employ of the Niagara Parks Commission for some years now and is the resident caretaker of the William Lyon Mackenzie Museum at Queenston.

Ed Brennan came here to manage the Niagara Advance for Harrison and Millar, afterwards taking over the paper and moving the plant to the Stewart Building and then to the building now owned by Ern Kemslie. Brennan served two years as Councilor. He ultimately gave up the paper, the Young's taking over, and Brennan got the Beer Warehouse job. Later, he moved to Leamington.

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THE ROBBINS - CROSS - LONGHURST PROPERTY
The house on Johnson Street became the property of people named Robbins, who later sold to George Longhurst. John Cross lived in the house for a time. The Crosses came to Niagara a long time ago. John's father came here to work in the Axe Factory at the Dock. John lost his life in an automobile accident while on his way to work.

George Longhurst is the son of Bill Longhurst, who used to have a Butcher shop on Queen Street. George's house on the River Road was taken over by the Parks Commission, so George moved into Town, where he is most welcome.

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HARRY JONES
The next house is part of the Curtis property but has a tenant, Harry Jones, a veteran of the First War and who has lived in this house since that world upheaval.

THE CURTIS - McGUIRE PROPERTY
Around the corner on Gate Street is a frame house that I best remember as the home of Bill Curtis and his wife Fanny. Bill was a smallish man, with a beard and was Chief Constable when I was a kid. He, of course, was held in great awe by us kids, although he was really a rather easygoing man. Bill played in the Band for years and as he was currently regarded as somewhat henpecked, his confreres in the Band were surprised on their return from an expedition out of town when Bill said he was going home to show them who was boss. Bill turned up the next day with a pair of discolored optics, so apparently he did what he set out to do, to his sorrow. The Curtis family is still represented in Town by his daughter-in-law, Susie, and his grandson, our tonsorial artist on Queen Street. Bud McGuire has lived in the house for years. Bud is a well-known citizen, quiet and respectable and has a nice family.

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