Click on photos to enlargeAn annual event at Port McNicoll public school is the tea put on by the grades 7 and 8 home economics pupils for their mothers and grandmothers. Held last Wednesday afternoon, the event drew a large attendance again this year. Some of the girls of Mrs. W. Moriarty’s class are seen above at the close of the reception. 

Wife of the chairman of Port McNicoll public school board, Mrs. Ray Belanger is being served by two young ladies of Mrs. W. Moriarty’s home economics class at the annual tea held in the school Wednesday for the mothers and grandmothers of the girls in the class. Serving are Lorraine Bell left, and Faye Cameron. 

Winners of the Atkinson Marine goalie awards received their trophies at the hockey banquet which climaxed Midland’s Little NHL season Monday night. Left to right are Lloyd Graham (Junior “B”), Greg Somers (AHL “A”), Jürgen Baumann (AHL “B”), Bill Silvey (NHL “A”), Ted Black (NHL “B”), and Laurie Thomas (Junior “A”). 

Named “Most Valuable” players in their sections of Midland’s Little NHL, these lads received the Robin Hood trophies at the hockey banquet in Parkside Inn Monday night. Left to right are Ernie Boast (junior “A”), Mike Robitaille (AHL “B”), Jon Pettersen (AHL ”A”), Mike Borsa (NHL “B”), Ed Zablotny (NHL “A”), and Gord Paul (junior “B”). 

Presentation of trophies was one of the highlights as Midland’s Little NHL wound up the season at a banquet Monday. Captains of the winners in the various sections are, left to right, Mike Robitalle (AHL “B”), Ed Zablotny (NHL “B”), Jon Pettersen (AHL “A”), Larry French (NHL “A”), Tommy Borsa (junior “A”), and Tommy Sweeting (junior “B’). 

Donated by William Wilcox in memory of his son, the Kelvin Wilcox Trophy was presented to Windsor Bulldogs, winners of the Police-Legion sponsored senior OHA section of Midland’s Little NHL at the hockey banquet Monday night. Left to right are, Billy Reay, former Toronto Maple Leaf coach, Mr. Wilcox, Cpl. Ernie Bates, Larry Cripps (captain), John Hanley, Billy Girard, Dennis Marsell, Fred Burgie, Ronald Contois, Ricky Manson and Const Ross Willett. Absent were Charles Ward and Randy Green. 

Pomp and pageantry came to Midland Saturday night as the Lieutenant-Governor of Ontario, Hon. Keiller Mackay, officiated at a recognition ceremony for some 50 new Queen’s Scouts. Preceded by his aide de camps, His Honor is seen entering MPDHS auditorium with Mrs. Arthur Ferguson, wife of the regional, commissioner for Scouts. Behind them are Mrs. Mackay and Commissioner Ferguson, followed by Mayor Charles Stevenson and Mrs. Stevenson of Midland. 

This was a solemn moment for these young girls as they took the “Guide’s Oath” administered by Mrs. J. E. Lawlor, district commissioner, in a ceremony at St. Mark’s parish house May 6. New members of 1^st Midland Company Girl Guides (St. Mark’s) are, left to right, Sheryl Lattimore, Mary Louise Parker, Laurie Young and Karen Greisbach. 

Twenty new girl guides were enrolled in the 1^st Midland Company (St. Mark’s) last Wednesday in a ceremony in the parish house. Above, District Commissioner Mrs. J. E. Lawlor pins Girl Guide badge on the tie of Joanne Ambrose. 

Among the best catches of the day as the trout season opened May 1 were these two rainbows caught by Midland’s Bev Day. The big one topped five pounds and the smaller one was a pleasing 2 ½. A number of good catches were reported throughout the district. 

Rain which eventually drove hundreds of participants in the family rosary parade and rally in Midland Sunday scurrying for shelter hadn’t hit as yet when the two pictures above were taken as the parade formed near St. Margaret’s Church. Top: On the float, all from St. Ann’s Parish, Penetang, are left to right Shirley King, Marcel Moreau, Iber Cadeau, and Michael Murphy. , Lower: Perkinsfield and Penetang children make up the personnel on this float. Included are Lorraine Lacroix, Exilda Moreau, Gerry Parent, Lucille Lesperance, Irene Robitaille, Gilbert Moreau, Robert Brunelle, Lorraine Ducaire and Gerald Jones.  

These are “spit and polish days” at Midland – Penetang District High School as the cadet corps prepares for its annual inspection Thursday. Members of the colour party are giving the colours an airing under the watchful eyes of the quarter-masters staff. Left to right are S/Sgt. R. Blair, Sgt. P. Smith, S/Sgt. J. Vincent and W.O. 2 J. Rankin of the QM staff; and color party members Sgt. J. Quinlan, Lieut. G. Crowe, Sgt. S. Campbell, Lieut. R. Attridge, and Sgt. J. Brodeur. 

Much of the success of any army group depends on the efficiency of its NCO’s, and high school cadet corps are no exception. Above, Major W. C. Setterington, chief instructor of the MPDHS corps, makes sure this group of corporals knows its assignments for Thursday’s annual inspection. Corporals are, left to right, front row, L. Anderson, P. King, P. Bellehumeur, W. Puddicombe, G. Ronald; back row, R. Irvine, H. Charlebois, J. Quesnelle, N. Zoschke, B. Small. 

Officers of the battalion headquarters staff of Midland – Penetang District High School cadet corps are seen above during a lull in training for Thursday’s annual inspection. Left to right are Cadet Major Hartmut Bezner, Cadet Major P. McDonald, Cadet Major J. Parker, 2 I/C; Cadet Lieut.-Col. K. MacEachern, commanding officer; Cadet Major Wayne Morrison, adjutant; Cadet Major R. Scott, and Cadet Major M. Reynolds.

• [The Free Press front page of May 13^th is missing from the microfilm. We will examine the original paper in the museum archives to see if it was an oversight by the people who originally photographed our Midland-Penetang newspapers or was it never in the collection.  The museum is always attempting to add to the Free Press collection, many editions and many years are missing.]
• County Herald headline of May 8, 1959; Employment Scene Good, Future Prospects Bright. Ranks of unemployed have been depleted considerably and prospects for future work look bright, district National Employment Services officials believe. Employment in the construction industry is good and local industry is employing as many if not more than they did this time a year ago it was stated.
• Midland Junior Chamber of Commerce last night commenced plans for its seventh annual fireworks display to be held in Little Lake Park, Midland, May 18. Jaycee President Bill Bennett said the “Jaycees will really light up the sky over the lake that night” Bennett explained that very few residents realize this is a non-profit venture, paid for by the donations collected at the entrance to the park each year. He said although, receipts have been good, approximately $50 was raised in this manner last year. This was about $200 short of the actual cost of the 1958 display. If it were not for the assistance from the town of Midland and Midland service clubs, who help underwrite the loss, the Midland Jaycees could not carry on each year, President Bennett He said the club itself does not have the funds to cover the additional expense.
• Two young, members of RCSCC “Huron” Midland, spent an anxious few hours adrift on Georgian Bay yesterday afternoon before they were finally rescued by a provincial police boat. Michael Moreau and Ron Belanger, both about 16, set out around 8 a.m. for a sail in one of the sea cadet corps dinghies. They took their lunches with them, intending to spend the day afloat. By mid-afternoon, the wind freshened considerably and the seas got rougher. The two inexperienced sailors decided to let the sail down and drift with the wind about 2.30 p.m. Tom Scott an employee at the CSL Town House elevator, had seen the boys’ sailing around Midland harbor on several occasions during the day. When he again spied the dinghy with the sail down, he feared the craft might have capsized and contacted the police.
• Long distance charges between Midland and Penetanguishene telephones will be eliminated early next year H. A. Kilroy local Bell Telephone manager announced today. He said the change is being made to keep pace with the steady growth in the community of interest between Midland and Penetanguishene. This growth is reflected in the long-distance calling between the two communities.
• TEN YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – Midland council was considering asking the Canadian Home Underwriters Association for an inspection of the municipality with a view to lowering fire insurance rates. Council’s action stemmed from a recommendation made by Fire Chief Peter Grigg. * * * More than 400 North Simcoe’ citizens attended the official opening of Bausch and Lomb’s new lens manufacturing plant, in Midland. * * * C. L. Chittick of Barrie was elected president of Simcoe County Children’s Aid Society at the May 10 meeting of the society’s board of directors. He succeeded G. S. McConkey. * * * Elmer Wood, youthful deputy-reeve of Orillia Township won the Simcoe East Progressive – Conservative nomination at a riding convention in Coldwater. His opponent, A. “Affie” Thompson, was nosed out by only 10 votes. The nomination assured a three-way fight in the federal vote. * * * New addition to the Canada Steamship Lines fleet, the S.S. Coverdale was nearing her launching stage at Midland shipyard. The new bulk carrier was 640 feet long. * * * At a special meeting in Vasey May 13, plans were discussed for the construction of a community hall for the village. The dinner meeting was sponsored by the Vasey Women’s Institute. It was suggested that the proposed building be erected in a corner of the athletic field. * * * Midland had the youngest airman in Canada in possession of a commercial pilot’s licence. He was Bert Barbour of Toronto and he was flying out of Midland for Georgian Bay Airways. * * * Members of the Masonic Order from lodges in the Lindsay to Meaford area were present when Rt. Worshipful Brother J. J. Robins, district deputy grand master of Georgian District, paid his official visit to Caledonian Lodge, Midland. It was reported to have been one of the largest Masonic gatherings in Midland in some years.
• A native of Midland and a member of one of the town’s oldest families, Howard Chew is now the sole proprietor of Royal Oak -Lodge on Yonge Street, West. In 1956 Mr. Chew and Elmer Portwood of Philadelphia purchased the tourist and guest home from W. Sterrett. Now Mr. Portwood has returned to Philadelphia and has sold his interest in the business to Mr. Chew.
• Penetang has lost one of its most active new residents. Kenneth Macdonald, manager of the Bank of Nova Scotia, established here in June 1956, has been moved. Mr. Macdonald was notified on May 6 that he was being transferred to the managership of the bank’s branch in Haileybury. It is the only bank in the Northern Ontario town, which is the district town for the District of Temiskaming. Since his arrival in Penetang, Mr. Macdonald has taken a keen interest in community activities and has been closely connected with many civic groups.
• When the royal yacht “Britannia” enters the St. Lawrence River this summer for the official opening of the Seaway, it will be the first time that the vessel has been in fresh water in the 100,000 miles she has logged in many of the world’s sea lanes since she was launched in 1953. After the opening at Montreal June 26, “Britannia”, escorted by Royal Canadian Navy warships and Royal Canadian Mounted Police patrol boats, it will carry the Queen through the St. Lawrence and the Great Lakes on the first stage of the 44-day royal tour. Hundreds of pleasure craft will swarm about the ship in mass excursions organized by yacht clubs along the route. The United States is to send a force of 28 warships to the opening. They may also join the “Britannia” on the trip up the river. The “Britannia” visited Canada once before. She picked up Prince Philip in 1954 after he attended the British Empire Games at Vancouver.
• Members of St. Margaret’s and St. Ann’s Teen Town Clubs last Sunday night danced to the music of Jack Beauchamp and his band. The orchestra consisted of Mrs. Beauchamp at the piano, Jack on saxophone, Guy Johnstone, drums, George Johnstone, trumpet and Moris Dusome, guitar. During the social Harvey Boyd and Marian Lavigne won prizes for the spot dance. The presidents of both clubs thanked each other for their hospitality.
• William C. Lennox, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Lennox of Midland, received a $50 award for standing first among students in his year at Waterloo College. Bill was the top man of six students who received honors in promotional exams for the winter term in the co-operative engineering course at the University of Waterloo. All six gained honor marks in their first year. 

Looking further back to the Midland Free Press,  May 10, 1939, and the Midland town council report. 

GRANTS-IN-AID
At the regular meeting Monday night, Midland Town Council received confirmation of the basis of the federal and provincial grants-in-aid for relief, 74.07 percent for the first quarter of the year, and 80 percent thereafter provided the total costs do not exceed $130,200.
GRANT PERMIT
Application for permission to operate a dry cleaning plant in the former Taylor showrooms, Dominion Ave. E., from James Mackay, was passed.
AMEND BY-LAW
By-law 1181, Sec. 28 was amended to provide a taxi stand for Chas. Stewart on Dominion Ave. East.
MUST GIVE RECEIPTS
A by-law was passed requiring vendors of cordwood or firewood within the Town to furnish written or printed receipts, stating the name and address of the vendor, the number of cords, and sale price. This does not apply, however, to kindling, mill waste or mill cuttings.
ACCEPT OFFER
Council accepted an offer of $300, provided suitable payments could be arranged, from William Crawford for the property at 294 Dominion Ave. on the understanding that the premises would be completely overhauled and repaired.
TENDER ACCEPTED
Tender of T. Calhoun of $50.00 for the barn on 203 Third St. was accepted.
SELL HOUSE FOR $750
A considerable discussion arose on the sale of the property and house at 378 Hugel Ave. W., known as the Trilsbeck house to H. A. Humphries for $750 cash. It is a housing commission building, and over $2,300 is still owing to the Town on it. Capt. Ed. Burke pointed out that for an expenditure of $250 the house could be put in a first-class state, rent at $18 per month and eventually liquidate the whole amount outstanding against the property. “At the $1,000 valuation, you would be getting 10 per cent on your money in addition to paying, full taxes,” he declared. Mayor Mackie objected, saying that the Town was not in the real estate business. Mr. Humphries’ offer was finally accepted, 3-2, with Aldermen Burke and Argue dissenting.
GRANT PERMISSION
Permission was given the Horticultural Society to beautify the Rest Room lot.
DRIVE AGAINST DUMPING
A determined drive will be made against persons dumping scrap or garbage on vacant properties around town. It was pointed out that one irresponsible individual had gone so far as to dump a load of scrap in the Town Park.
BETTER DEAL
Tenders were considered for the steel in the old malleable iron building, the highest bid being $1,077, but it was decided to leave the matter with Capt. Ed Burke to attempt to make a better deal at a private sale.
 
Also,
New dry cleaning establishment, May 10, 1939.
In an advertisement carried elsewhere in this issue, James MacKay of Toronto, laundry and dry-cleaning machinery engineer, announces the lease for four years with an option to purchase of the former Taylor Garage showrooms on Dominion Ave. E., Midland. Workmen have been busy since Friday installing a modern cleaning and laundering plant which features machinery of the latest type. The building has been redecorated in a smart green and white motif, and plans call for a start of operation later this week. Blue and grey have been chosen for the firm’s truck. James McKay, born near Glasgow in Scotland, owns the firm, to be known as the French Dry
Cleaners and Launderers, which will be managed by his brothers. “This firm has absolutely no connection with the former Marvo Cleaners,” commented Mr. McKay. Many specialty cleaning jobs will be featured by the new concern, and agencies opened in neighbouring communities.

 We have found a couple of original photos from last weeks post to update the “cut & paste” photos used then.The music goes round and round at Midland Y’s Men’s Club’s 13th annual music festival, this week, and where it comes out is up to the judges. Several lads who took part in the instrumental competitions Monday study a score. Left to right are Neil Craig, Paul Davidson, Harry DeVries, Dave Bissette, and Jerry Hamilton.

Catherine Richardson earned the flowers being presented to her by Ruth Davidson at MPDHS auditorium Friday night on behalf of the Y’s Men’s Club. As in many previous years, Mrs. Richardson was the accompanist for literally hundreds of young singers and instrumentalists at the 13th annual music festival last week.

The big sign pretty well tells the story as Ed (left) and Bill Jeffery survey the plans for their new hardware store to be erected at Dominion Ave. and First Street. They hope to have the new store open for business by mid-July. 

Maybe the secret of being a good trout fisherman is to smoke a pipe and look contented, like Hugh McGillicuddy, left, and John Power. But then almost anybody would look happy with the catch (20 speckles ranging from nine inches to 1.5 lbs.) these two “old cronies” landed on opening day May 1. Hugh was a former YMCA staffer in Midland. 

Seems like just about everybody was “in the chips” at the banquet for Midland Ontario AHL champions at Parkside Inn Monday night. Wearing new jackets and holding pen sets presented by Midland Lions Club are, left to right, Doug French, Keith Bath, and Bobby Clayton. They’re admiring the world’s champion hockey trophy held by ex-Toronto Leaf coach Billy Reay. Billy served as general manager of the Belleville MacFarlands when they won the title at Prague in March. 

“It’s a bit too small around the waist,” admits Midland’s “Mr. Hockey”, George S. Dudley, as he tried on John Swan’s new jacket at the hockey banquet in Parkside Inn Monday. John, left, Dennis Abbott and Wayne Holden were presented with the jackets by the town for winning the Ontario AHL championship at Welland last month. 

 

• County Herald headline May 1, 1959; Forecast Major Invasion of Tourists in Huronia. Indications of a bumper tourist season for this section of Huronia this year are seen in numerous inquiries for information and requests for accommodation being received by Penetang and Midland Chambers of Commerce. Ken Macdonald, secretary of Penetang chamber, told a directors’ meeting Wednesday night he is being “swamped with letters asking for information on available cottage accommodation”. The secretary said most people sending queries appeared to have families, and they are generally looking for safe beaches. “Not too many of them are even mentioning boating facilities in their letters,” he stated. Mr. Macdonald’s summary of requests received to date was that one and two-week holiday periods seemed to be the rule. Many of the letter’s named specific locations, with all of them being in this area, he said.
• Free Press Herald headline of May 6, 1959; Hardware Firm to Build $100,000 Building. Adding fuel to Midland’s current building boom, the erection of a brand new store, and warehouse for F. W. Jeffery and Sons Ltd, dealers in hardware in Midland for more than 60 years, was made official this week. The estimated cost of the new building, located at Dominion Ave. and First Street, one block west of the present location, is around $100,000. Nap Beauchamp Construction Company, Midland, is the contractor. Names of the successful sub-contractors have not been announced as of yet. The main store portion of the new building will be of one-storey cement block construction, measuring 50 by 100 feet. The warehouse, forming the foot of an “L” at the northwest corner, will be two storeys and will measure 40 by 20 feet. Weir-Cripps and Associates are the architects. The layout of the main store has been planned by the Versa-Flex Company; specialists in the hardware store field. Work got underway the last week of April on clearing a portion of the site of the ancient trees which have sheltered Dominion Ave. for generations. The warehouse is scheduled for completion May 31 and the main store by July 15. Also to be torn down to make way for the outdoor selling area and the parking lot is the old Ingram house, another Midland landmark for several decades. Work on tearing down the huge old home will not start until June. Founded sometime prior to 1900, the firm erected its own building at Dominion Ave. and King Street in 1901. In 1914 the present company of F. W. Jeffery and Sons Ltd., was founded. The sons were the late Edward Jeffery Sr., Todd Jeffery, and the late Fred Jeffery. In 1954 the building was sold to the Jeffery Holding and Development Co. Ltd. Actively heading the firm at present are Mrs. Hazel Jeffery as president and her two sons, William and Edward, as secretary and vice-president, respectively.
• For more than 7000 Grey Nuns throughout the world, including branch communities in Penetanguishene, Midland and Victoria Harbour, Sunday, May 3, will be an important occasion. Their foundress, Mother Marie Marguerite D’Youville, will be beatified at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Representatives of 325 houses, of the Grey Nuns, will attend ceremonies and later special services at the Church of The Canadian Martyrs, Rome. A number of members of the Canadian hierarchy, led by His Eminence Paul Emile Cardinal Leger, archbishop of Montreal, will attend the beatification rites. In Midland, special services will be conducted in St. Margaret’s Church at the 11 a.m. mass Sunday in honor of the new “BEATA?’. At 9 a.m. Monday a special mass will be celebrated for the children of schools taught by the sisters. Marie Marguerite Dufrost Lajamerais D’Youville was born Oct. 15, 1701, at Varrens, 15 miles from Montreal. Widowed while still a young woman, she became the first Canadian to establish a religious community, “The Sisters of Charity”, who became known as the Grey Nuns, because of the color of their religious habit. “Dedicated to serving the poor and the sick in the social field and in education, the Grey Nuns spread rapidly after their establishment in 1738. There are at present over 7,000 living members belonging to this community or branch communities formed since, which owe their beginning to the original Montreal foundation.
• A meeting which filled Craighurst community hall to capacity last week received assurance that action would be taken to have Highway 93 from Craighurst to Crown Hill paved. The road is part of Simcoe East riding served by Lloyd Letherby, MPP. The meeting was called to protest the fact that the stretch of highway, as a graveled road, provided poor service during most of the year.
• Officers for the ensuing year were elected at the April meeting of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, held in the ladies’ parlor of St. Paul’s United Church, with the president Mrs. W. Farquhar, in charge.
• MPDHS Hi-Sterics by David Maheu; Wednesday morning’s assembly was an outstanding one. Contributing to its success was the Glee Club which led off its presentation of negro spirituals and popular songs with a beautiful interpretation of God Save the Queen. During a break in the program, a member of the Students’ Council gave away a free ticket to the prom. The lucky girl was Lenore Faragher. This year’s prom will be called South Sea Serenade. In charge of the main part of the assembly program was Grade I0C. Introduced by MC Don Popple, John Carpenter read a humorous letter which had been given to him by a newly-enlisted soldier. It was signed “Elvis”. His selection was followed by a song presented by guitarist Roy Leclair. A humorous skit, portraying activities in station SLOB, was presented by Harry DeVries, announcer, and Winston “Liberace” Schell who played “Music to eat by”. Winston also filled in as weathercaster following the “newscast”. Guests “interviewed” were a boxer named Slugger and a tennis star, Hazel Condolis. A hit number was the Lloyd Preston Quintet comprised of Lloyd Preston, Milt Budarick, the two French boys and Murray Fagan. Lloyd demonstrated his ability by playing the piano, the violin, and the saxophone. This musical aggregation was followed by the Five Peppers, who sang. “I’ve Had It”; and two of their originals “Whisper Some”, and “What Did I Say, What Did I Do? Lloyd Preston and his band and Harry DeVries, Winston Schell, Kevin Rodgers, Roy Leclair teamed up for the finale.
• BIRTHS –  DAY—To Mr. and Mrs. Charles Day, London, Ontario, at the Victoria Hospital, on Friday; April 24, 1959, a son. JACKSON—To Mr. and Mrs. Edward Jackson, 1 Gervais Drive Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, May 1, 1959, a daughter. RINTOUL — To Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Rintoul, Victoria Harbour, at St. Andrews Hospital, Midland, Saturday, May 2, 1959, a daughter. SILVEY — To Mr. and Mrs. John Silvey, 291 Russell. St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, April 29, 1959, a son. SIMMONDS—To Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Simmonds, 215 Russell St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Wednesday, April 29, 1959, a daughter. WHITE — To Mr. and Mrs. Douglas White, 102 Elizabeth St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Friday, May 1, 1959, a son. YORK — To Mr. and Mrs. Charles York, Vindin St., Midland, at St. Andrews Hospital, Monday, May 4, 1959, a daughter.
• DEATHS – ISAAC N. WOOD A life-long resident of Tay Township, Isaac Nicholas Wood died in Penetang General Hospital April 11 after a lengthy illness. He was in his 85th year. Funeral service was held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Waverley, April 13 with Rev. A. G. Fairhead officiating. Pallbearers were Keith, Lawrence and Neil Wood, Ross Withall, Douglas Brooks and Bill Marcellus. Mr. Wood was a member of the Anglican Church and an honorary member of LOL No. 589 Waverley. His wife, the former Mary A. Thompson, predeceased him in 1956. He is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Spurgeon Brown (Cora) of Elmvale, Mrs. Wm. Withall (Hazel) of Wyevale, and two sons, Percy, and William of Wyebridge. * * * MRS. ALICE SIBBALD Born and educated at Waverley, Mrs. Alice Eleanor Sibbald, who had resided practically all her married life in Midland, died April 20 at St. Andrews Hospital in her 84th year. The funeral service was held April 23, at Nicholls funeral home with Rev. W. L. Morden officiating. Pallbearers were Harold Boyd, Uno Gabrielson, Allan Drinkell, Arlie Sibbald, Reginald Drinkell and Phon Sibbald. Mrs. Sibbald had been associated with many organizations of the United Church. She married the late John Alphonso Sibbald Oct. 4, 1901, at Waverley. Mr. Sibbald predeceased his wife in 1931. She was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Drinkell. A brother and sister predeceased her some years ago.  Sibbald is survived by a brother Walter Drinkell of Waverley and a niece, Miss Zelma Drinkell, and two nephews, Reginald and Allan Drinkell, all of Waverley. Burial was in Waverley United Church Cemetery.
• After ten years in the same location on the east side of Midland’s King Street, Bill’s Barber Shop has recently opened in a new stand almost directly across the street, in the rear portion of the new Midland Sundries store. The new shop, operated by Bill and Eleanor Leitch, has been specially designed to take up as little room as possible but at the same time afford’ its customer’s even better service. There’s a place for everything and everything, is kept strictly in its place. The shop also features new ultra-violet ray sterilizing equipment, where clippers, shears, combs, razors and every item used on the customers are stored while not in use. The very latest of its type, the new sterilizer is the only one of its kind in use in this area. Another new item is the latest in lather service equipment which provides ready-mixed lather for all shaving needs, The new shop is also designed for easy and quick cleaning, with vinyl flooring and plastic tile walls. A barber for 15 years, Mr. Leitch was joined six years ago by his wife Eleanor. Theirs is the only husband-wife operation of its kind in the area so far as is known.
• 25 YEARS AGO THIS WEEK – Two Sixth Street School pupils, Marvin Gilbert and Kenneth Butler, made an important discovery at the Wye River. They uncovered two silver crosses, eight gold rings and several silver ornaments believed to have been owned by early Jesuit missionaries in Huronia. * * * Simcoe County amateur radio operators held an organizational meeting in Coldwater. Mord S. Millard of Coldwater was named the ident of the newly-formed group known as Simcoe County Radio League. Radio operators from Penetang, Midland, Orillia, and Coldwater attended the meeting. * * * In an address in the House of Commons, a Conservative member demanded that industrial profiteers be prosecuted and that some of the legislators and cabinet ministers be eliminated from the public payrolls as a means of lessening taxation. * * * Department of Highways announced that dangerous curves would be removed and the surface paved on Highway 12 between Midland and Orillia. It was estimated that the work would cost between $6,000 and $7,000 per mile. * * * A total of 789,000 bushels of wheat, oats, and corn were brought to Midland elevators in two days by ships which were loaded at the head of the lakes. CSL’s Town House received 344,000 bushels alone. * * * A move by several Midland merchants to have Wednesday half-holidays abolished during July and August was defeated. They were unable to get the support of a majority of their colleagues to have the council amend the bylaw. * * * Gasoline was being offered at one Midland service station for 19 cents a gallon, plus government tax. There was no indication that it was the forerunner of a price war.
• What might have been a major tragedy was narrowly averted at Hillsdale Wednesday when the family home of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Townes was completely destroyed by fire. Inside at the time the fire started were eight of the Townes’ children. The children’s father was in a nearby bush cutting wood. Their mother was away shopping accompanied by Francis, 12, the eldest son. Hero of the near-tragedy was Kenneth, 11, who managed to get a younger brother and six sisters to safety. Barbara, 8, had also helped by snatching Violet, 4 months from her crib as they fled the burning building. The fire apparently started when Kenneth attempted to relight a wood stove in the kitchen, with the aid of coal oil. Sparks leaped from the stove into a can of gasoline used to operate a washing machine. Smoke and embers surrounded the children as they fled the gas-fed flames. A neighbor, Duncan Barr, who happened by at the time, made certain none of the panicky children tried to get back in the house.
• The people of Ontario have two big Jobs to do concerning the advancement of mental health. One is fighting stigma and the other is fighting lethargy. So said Hon, M. B. Dymond, minister of health for Ontario, as he addressed the final meeting of St. Paul’s United Church Men’s Club for this season. Pointing out that one person in 10 in this province will need treatment for mental or emotional disorders at some time or other, Dr. Dymond said that even in 1959 people “still talk in whispers” when they mention mental illness.

 Looking further back;

CHARLES HARTMAN’S reflects on his 37 years in the hardware business in Midland as told to Herbert Cranston and published in the Midland Free Press Wednesday, May 3rd, 1939.

     Fifty years is a long time in any man’s life. It was fifty years ago, on Monday, May 1, 1889, that Charlie Hartman entered the hardware business. Thirty-seven years of that fifty have been spent in Midland. This town has a no more deservedly popular citizen than the said Charlie, who all this week has been receiving the congratulations of his friends. W. D. ‘ Bill ’ Ross, who has kept store next door to him for the past fourteen years, says that there is not a whiter man in all Simcoe County. “If Charlie Hartman gives you his word that’s all you need,” says Bill. And no higher tribute could be paid to any man.

    It was on September 5th, 1870, that the stork left a third boy baby at the farm home of John W. Hartman, eight miles southwest of Meaford, in St. Vincent township. The little lad was christened Charles Edward. All four boys born to John Hartman and his wife, Susan Machell, are still living. Joseph, the oldest, is farming in St. Vincent township. Frank is in the hardware business in Thornbury, and William, better known as “Bill,” who for many years was a partner with Charlie, now is Midland’s deputy reeve. Charlie Hartman loves to tell tales of his boyhood. He attended a country school in S. S. 11, St. Vincent, until he was sixteen years of age and like other boys, he played “hookey” when the weather was too fine to be indoors. He remembers one teacher by the name of Frizell, who used a rung from a maple chair in place of a strap. “When he got through you didn’t want anymore,” said Charlie, as he reminiscently looked at his hands which had tasted that chair rung many times.

NEARLY SMOTHERED

    “He was a bad actor, that Frizell.” continued Mr. Hartman. There was a big cupboard in the schoolroom in which we used to put our lunches. One day we had an exam in geography and there were three of us who didn’t know the answers. As punishment, he shoved us into the cupboard, locked the door, and went home to supper. There was so little space that we could not move. When Frizell got to his farm boarding place he gleefully told the farmer what he had done. “You will smother them said the farmer.’ Let them smother.’ said Frizell. The farmer ran to the school and let us out, and just in time. We could not stand up and collapsed on the floor,  in fifteen or twenty minutes more we might have been dead.” “The boys make much trouble for the teachers”, continued Charlie. “We did have a lot of fun however. There were two gangs, the “uproads” and the “downroads”, depending upon which way we came to school, and when winter came we had many a snow fight, which usually ended in a fist encounter.

MEAN TRICK

    “I must tell you about a mean trick some of us played on a farmer neighbor, old Richard Belshaw, who was so lazy he wouldn’t cut his lambs’ tails off at the proper time when they were very small, but let them grow until they were quite big. One day a bunch of us decided to teach him a lesson. On the way home, we cornered two or three of the Iambs and cut off their tails. Next day Mr. Frizell asked the boys who went north to stay in after school. We knew what was coming, and we declared we knew nothing about what had happened. So Frizell went to see another chap who had been with us but was not at school that day. He did not know what we had said, and as he was not coming back to school, he told the truth. The next night we got a whaling that I shall never forget. Of course, it was the wrong thing to do. The lambs might have bled to death, or their tails might have been infected as the weather was warm. But we were not thinking about the lambs. We were just playing a prank on old Belshaw.”

     At seventeen Charlie Hartman decided the time had come to prepare himself for his life’s work. He went to Owen Sound and tended business college for months, getting a training bookkeeping. He boarded with an uncle, a carpenter, who secured a job for him with T. I. Thompson, a hardware merchant. So when his course was over young Charles began his apprenticeship. “I was general kickabout” said he. “The first year I got $2, the second $4 and the third $5. I worked under an oral agreement and the hours were 7 a.m. till 9 or 10 o’clock every night in the week, but I did not complain. I was tickled to death to get a job. Father and mother, of course, helped me, for I could not pay my board on $2 per week.

WENT TO BUFFALO

    “I liked it in Owen Sound. There were a lot of lovely people there and I got along fine. At the end of the three years, Mr. Thompson claimed he had not guaranteed me any advance, although I certainly expected to receive a clerk’s pay when my apprenticeship was up. So I quit. Times were just as bad as they are today, If not worse, and there nothing to be had. I took a trip to Buffalo to see if I could get a job, but I could not find one in my trade. Finally, I got a chance at carriage and wagon painting. I stuck it out for three months and then decided to go back to Canada. Mother was anxious for me to come home and had got a job for me in a Meaford hardware store. The morning I left Buffalo was very hot, and as the train passed through fields of Ontario clover I thought I had never seen anything lovelier, nor had fresh air ever seemed so refreshing. I swore I would never go back to a city to live. It was while working for William Butchart that young Charles Hartman met the young woman who was to be his wife. She was Margaret Edwards, daughter of Albert Edwards, proprietor of Meaford’s grist mill. Charlie lived in the Edwards’ home during his four years in Meaford and got a chance to become well acquainted with the lady of his choice. He did not marry her, however, until he had purchased the hardware business of Thomas Carscadden at Thornbury, and set up in business for himself. ”I wasn’t going to make a fool of myself and marry before I was in a position to take care of a wife like so many young fellows do today,” he said.

CAME TO MIDLAND

    After five years in Thornbury Charles Hartman came to Midland and in partnership with his brother William bought out the hardware establishment owned by William Peters. It was a little old frame building and occupied the same site as the present Hartman store. When he purchased the property a few years later Mr. Hartman tore down the old Peters building and erected the present store in 1913. “Bill and I never had a partnership agreement,” said Charlie. “He had had no previous hardware training. He came direct from the farm, but we shared everything on a fifty-fifty basis. He was with me for eighteen years and we always got along splendidly together. The partnership was dissolved on his initiative. He never cared much for the business, and he saw the boys coming along. In half an hour we settled all the details as to dissolution. In 1933 my two sons Albert and Wells became my partners. Each of us now owns a third. My other boy Ainsley also worked in the store, but as yet he has no partnership interest in the business. Those boys pull together wonderfully. “Some of your clerks have been with you a long time, have they not?” l asked. “Oh yes. Bill Stephens, who drives and delivers, has been with us for 21 years, and Mrs. Norman Chew has been bookkeeper off and on for nearly 25 years. Watson Battrick has been with us for twelve years.”

MANY CHANGES

    “You have seen many changes in the hardware business in the past fifty years?” I suggested. Indeed and I have. There has been a great improvement in the finishing of goods, such as stoves and kitchen utensils. Old barn framing tools, blacksmith tools, lumbermen’s tools, and most of the heavy hardware has disappeared. Vises, anvils, and machinists’ tools have little sale. Not nearly as many lanterns are sold as in the old days. The old cut nails have gone. We never see them now. All nails are wire, and they are better nails. They should be for they are dearer. We used to buy a keg of nails for 31.90 which today costs us 3.50 “We did the greatest volume of business in the years 1915 to 1929. Those were the days when the lumber yards, the shipyards, and the elevators were flourishing. There was a lot of building in those days. Today there is practically none. “The greatest change is, however, in the hearts of the people. When things were going well and there was lots of work people seemed to be happy and contented. When things went bad in 1930 and men started going on relief it was terrible. So many people who had saved a little, were soon drained of all they had. Some nearly went crazy when they found themselves dependent upon public aid. It used to be that if people kept you waiting a while before they paid their bills they would say they were sorry. Today, however, they make you wait and they never apologize. If you ask them for money they get angry and ask how you can expect them to pay when they have no work. It is the most regrettable change I have seen. “Credit is consequently not as good as it used to be and we do not give as much. The people have spoiled their own credit. If they are not as honest it is because of conditions and not all their fault. They have to scheme more to get along. The younger generations are more careless than their fathers.”

PUBLIC SERVICE

    Charles Hartman was brought up as a Methodist but became an Anglican after he married. He was churchwarden of St. Mark’s for some years, and on the Y.M.C.A. Board of Management while it was being built. He served as a member of the town council for four years, the last in 1913, and it is his boast that in those days the debt of the town was only $350.000 as compared to $1,500.00 of today. All payments on principal and interest were up to date. “No members of the council, not even the mayor, got any money then,” he said. The mayors I served under were Richard Horrell, J. H. Craig and John McDowell. The way I got into the council was this, there were some people trying to pass a law which would bring liquor into the town, I was asked to stand as an opponent of liquor and I was elected. I still believe Midland is far better off without booze, and that the people would vote against it if they wore asked to do so today. It is close enough in Penetang.” Mr. Hartman served on the school board for three years but was never chairman. “I never wanted any high position,” said he. “I don’t mind helping, but those jobs are a lot of worry. People are after you all the time. I never enjoyed feeling important.”

BUSINESS HIS HOBBY

   “What is your chief hobby?” I asked of Mr. Hartman. “Staying with my business. I like it. I try not to overdo it, but one must be constantly awake to keep up-to-date.” “Don’t you ever go fishing or shooting?” “Oh yes. I am fond of duck shooting, and I used to go out every year when the season came round. I have also done quite a bit of deer hunting, and there is nothing I like better than a motor trip. I have seen quite a bit of eastern America from my automobile.” “How do you feel about the future of Midland?” I shot this final question at Mr. Hartman who has seen the town in alternate boom and depression periods. “That’s hard to answer,” he replied. “This world is in such a topsy turvy state at the present time, and business has been at a standstill for so long that one sometimes wonders if things ever will come right again. However, I’ll say that if things ever become normal again I see no reason why Midland should not forge ahead. We have lost some industries forever, but the tourist trade is steadily increasing in importance. This is a good center. It has many facilities, and it will come out on top yet.”

Nearly an hour was required from the time this concrete structure was raised from its prone to its upright position at the front of St. Mark’s Church. Here workmen bolt and cement it to the foundation. The tower is in memory of Capt. and Mrs. Ed. Burke, the McCartney family and Bob Thomas.

• County Herald headline of April 24, 1959; New Industrial Water Line Cuts Town Load One-Third. Midland’s raw water pumping system, in full operation since April 15, has brought about a major reduction in the consumption of water from the town’s domestic supply. Alex Macintosh, the chairman, of the Midland Public Utilities Commission, told a joint meeting of the council, chamber of commerce, planning board and the PUC Monday night that the industrial system has cut the drain on the domestic supply by one-third. At the present time, only Midland Industries is using industrial water. Mr. Macintosh felt when other water-using industries were hooked on to the raw water that the drain on the town reservoir would be cut by an even greater amount.
• Free Press Herald headline of April 29, 1959; Penetang Docking Point in New Royal Tour Plan. Royal tour plan for this area, now reportedly receiving serious consideration by tour committee officials at Ottawa, calls for the Royal Yacht Britannia to dock off Penetang Point July 4, with the Queen, Prince Philip and the royal party arriving at Penetang dock aboard a tender from the yacht. It is understood the proposed new schedule would permit the Queen to spend about 20 to 25 minutes in each of the towns of Penetang and Midland before she leaves the latter by train for Orillia. The royal party after a half hour stop in Orillia would then leave by train for Gravenhurst, arriving there shortly after the supper hour, it is reported. This newspaper also understands that Her Majesty would move from Gravenhurst to Torrance by car, rejoining her train there for the trip to Parry Sound. It is understood that on her arrival in Parry Sound, the Queen will tour the town by car, spending about 20 minutes in that center before she embarks on a tender to board the Britannia, awaiting her off Red Rock outside Parry Sound harbor.
• The 1959 navigation season opened in the Bayports today with the arrival of the CSL’s Sir James Dunn at Tiffin Elevator, Midland, at 7.15 a.m., and the same line’s Coverdale at Port McNicoll a short time later.
• Students at Midland-Penetang District High School will have a new sidewalk to serve them on Hugel Ave. west as the result of a decision of Tay Township council. Work on the five-foot-wide sidewalk, now underway, is being supervised by Councillor Laurence Olimer under the federal-provincial winter works program. It is hoped that Midland will complete the sidewalk from the township boundary to Hugel and Eighth Streets in the town.
• Philip Blake of 161 Yonge Street, Midland, is all done “workin’ on de railroad”. Mr. Blake’s employment with the CNR — 22 years in the car department at Midland — officially came to an end yesterday on his 65th birthday. Actually, Mr. Blake worked 27 years on the railway in all, including five with the old Grand Trunk system before it was incorporated into the CNR. Born in Ottawa, Mr. Blake was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Philip Blake, Sr., who brought him to Midland when he was 12 years old. Blake Sr. was a lumber inspector for the old Turner Lumber Co. and later served as a foreman for a number of Midland firms. Upon leaving school, young Phil Blake sailed for a couple of years before deciding his future didn’t lie on the Great Lakes. He then worked for a number of Midland stores before joining the car department of the Grand Trunk in 1920. After five, years with the GTR he quit becoming a policeman at Little Lake Park. He also was employed as a driver-salesman for a bread firm here for a number of years. Mr. Blake joined the CNR as a car helper in December 1937 and was promoted to car man in June 1943. He held that post until his retirement this week.
• Each Wednesday evening at Midland YMCA during the winter, gym classes for married women were held under the direction of Mrs. W. F. Neale and Mrs. John Courtémanché. In the main, the project was organized by former members of Hi-Y girls’ gym classes. At one time during the winter about 30 young women and one grandmother were taking the exercises. Music for the floor work was provided by pianist, Mrs. Laverne Wright. It was a cosmopolitan crowd, for some of the young women originally came from Italy, Belgium, and Germany, while others had home towns in every province from Newfoundland to  Saskatchewan.
• When Hubert Patenaude decided to open an electrical, plumbing and heating store in Penetang, he remembered his own yen for “do-it-yourself” projects, and immediately resolved to give assistance to do-it-yourselfers so far as his own lines of business are concerned. Although Hubert’s business venture is to be known as Patenaude Electric, he is selling plumbing and heating appliances as well. In addition, he will continue his electrical contracting work, along with plumbing and heating.
• Opening day of his new store Thursday is one that will be well remembered by Hubert Patenaude. Along with the usual excitement of the opening day, he had to deal with a serious fire in the building. It caused several hundred dollars damage. Smoke was noticed at the rear of the store about 5 o’clock, and investigation revealed flames licking up the side of the frame addition. Firemen found the fire was burning in the back of the Patenaude store and a shed behind a restaurant next door.
• Tay council has decided to explore opening up the 9th concession south from Highway 12 to permit access to Steve Gratrix’ property, adjacent to the former township dump.
• John Power – Outdoor Diary; Heard some talk about all the camping on Beausoleil Island is prohibited with the exception of the site at the park headquarters. I understand they are dividing this into lots and, if you want to camp on the island, this is where you have to do it. The reasons for these drastic steps? Because they couldn’t control it otherwise. Too much wood was being wasted and too many people getting away without paying, as all the sites couldn’t be patrolled often enough to collect from everyone before they left in the mornings. I was under the impression this wasn’t a money making project but a project to give people the pleasures of camping outdoors.
• OPEN HOUSE, Ontario Hospital, Penetanguishene. The Superintendent and staff cordially invite the public to visit and inspect various facilities during Open House, Wednesday, April 29, from 1.00 to 3.30 p.m.
• St. Margaret’s rectory was the setting for the wedding of Anne Mary Shiels, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilfred Shiels, to Joseph Edward Faragher, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Lorne Faragher. The 2 p.m. ceremony, April 4, was conducted by Rev. F. Voorwerk. The bride, given in marriage by her father, chose a satin brocade dress with long sleeves, bateau, neckline at the front and, a deep scoop at the back ending with a large bow and falling into a bouffant skirt. She wore a matching coronet headpiece with seed pearls, a fingertip veil and carried two mauve orchids, with sprays of stephanotis. The matron of honor, Mrs. Ron Shiels, and bridesmaid, Lenore Faragher, wore matching dresses of cocktail-length white organza embossed with blue forget-me-nots over white taffeta. They had scalloped necklines, scalloped capped sleeves, and pleated cummerbunds ending with bows at the back. They also wore matching headdresses, mittens and shoes and carried sprays of blue and white carnations. Ron Shiels, brother of the bride, was best man and Jim Lemieux was attendant. The reception for 125 guests was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Mrs. Wilfred Shiels, the bride’s mother, received the guests in a sheath dress of beige peau-de-sole, matching accessories of beige contrast, and a corsage of coral baby roses. She was assisted by Mrs. Lorne Faragher, the groom’s mother, who wore a sheath dress of romance blue shirred crepe, matching accessories and a corsage of yellow baby roses. For her wedding trip to the northeastern United States, the bride wore a rose-beige stroller suit, dark brown accessories and her flowers were coral sweetheart roses. Out-of-town guests attended the wedding from Toronto, Barrie, Orillia, Victoria Harbour, Mount St. Louis, Penetang and the surrounding district. They are residing at 148 Robert Street, Midland. (A much loved and respected couple, our condolences to Joe and the Faragher family.)
• The principal of Midland – Penetang District High School since its inception in 1954, Lorne M. Johnston resigned last week to accept a position with the Department of Education. Now a resident secondary school inspector, Mr. Johnston, and his family will make their home in Belleville. He will have 30 high schools and collegiate in his large territory which includes the cities of Belleville and Peterborough, and the counties of Halliburton, Hastings, Lennox-Addington, Northumberland and Durham, Peterborough and Prince Edward.
• Ten Years Ago This Week – Coldwater firemen announced plans to hold professional wrestling bouts in the village skating rink during the summer months. The brigade had approached the rink commission to obtain a rental agreement. * * * One of Midland’s newest business establishments — Canadian Tire Associate Store — was preparing to open its doors to the public. The proprietor was David J. Finch, and store manager, Murray McComb. * * * National Employment Service office in Midland reported there was a drop of 57 percent in the number of persons seeking employment in April. The number of jobless men declined from 572 to 238, and the number of unemployed women dropped from 49 to 29. * * * It was announced that the S.S. City of Cleveland would dock at Midland June 14 with 200 members of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce on board. * * * Temperatures throughout North Simcoe remained warm with a high of 86 being recorded. This thermometer reading was said to have been the highest in a number of years for so early in the season. * * * Huronia Council, Knights of Columbus, received its charter at a ceremony in St. Ann’s Church, Penetang. George Mead was named grand knight of the new council. * *  * A survey of Simcoe County farms revealed that spring seeding was completed on half of the county’s farms. It also noted that fall wheat and winter rye had suffered very little damage from the cold weather. * * * Canada was preparing for a federal election June 27. Enumeration of voters’ lists was to get underway early in May. 

Happenings in Midland, March 19, 1903.

– The public library has been closed for the past two weeks, but will probably be open on Saturday.
-The ice on the bay is becoming dangerous and there are notices up warning people against crossing the ice.
-Mr. F. J. McCallum has purchased the fine residence on Dominion street, at the head of First street, from Mr. E. Ganton.
-Some $22,000.00 have been placed in the estimates by the Dominion Parliament for the dock at Midland and for dredging in the harbor. There is great activity about the boats and tugs that are wintering in the harbor. Men are overhauling the craft preparatory to the opening of the season’s work.
-Spring millinery opening commencing March 26 and continuing
the two following days. Everybody welcome. Don’t forget the dates, Mrs. J. A. MacDougall.
-Engineer Smith has made for the fire brigade a very neat and light hose reel which can be easily operated by a few then. This will be an improvement to the fire fighting appliances.
-Messrs. W. H. Hacker & Co. have built eight fine skiffs and canoes during the winter, and have two more on the way now. This firm intends to build several gasoline launches during the spring. The boats they turn out are well made and of good stuff.
-Easter Term—The Easter term in the Central Business College, Stratford, Ont. commences April 1st. Mr. W. J. Elliott, the Principal of the College, will be pleased to mail a beautiful catalogue to all who wish to secure a business or shorthand education.
-Mrs. W. F. Campbell received word last week that her father Mr. A.
Christie, residing near Rogersville, had died on Tuesday. He had been ill for a long time, Mr. Christie had reached the fourscore years. Dr. and Mrs. Campbell left on Wednesday for the bereaved home, returning on Saturday.
-The Women’s Auxiliary, of the Midland and Penetanguishene General and Marine Hospital, intend holding a bazaar and entertainment in aid of the building fund of that deserving charity. The public is earnestly requested to help, and contributions of useful and fancy articles will be most gratefully accepted. The contributors will kindly leave their work at Mrs. Raikes’ house as soon as possible. The sale will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday of Easter week April 14 and 15.
-The By-law to raise the sum of $20,000 for the purpose of purchasing the electric light plant, removing the same, erecting new machinery, buildings, etc. which was voted on by the ratepayers on Friday last, was carried by a majority of 169 votes. It will be seen that very little interest was taken in the matter when out of a possible 600 votes only 208 were cast, the votes being 188 for and 17 against the by law, or 11 to 1. This is an improvement in one respect on the vote taken two years ago on the same thing. The vote then was 102 for and 64 against.
-There was organized here this week a new marine company which will be a decided acquisition. The Midland Palace Scow Co. is the name by which the new concern will be known. The shareholders are prominent businessmen. The purpose of the company is to build and operate palace scows on the Georgian Bay. There is an increasing demand by wealthy tourists for palace scows, or houseboats and good prices are paid for their use during the holiday season. The company will begin at once the construction of a palatial houseboat and will follow it by as many others as the demand warrants.
-The local pastors and Sunday-school workers have decided upon holding a convention of town Sunday school workers during the month of April. Three sessions have been arranged for, to be held on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, April 6, 7 and 8. The sessions will be held in the Baptist, Presbyterian and Methodist churches. The program which has been arranged promises to be interesting and instructive. This is the first convention of the kind ever held in the town, and for that reason, it will be of special interest. All Sunday school workers are invited to attend and take part, though the meetings will doubtless be open to all who are interested.
-What might be called the crowning act in connection with the erection of the new Presbyterian church was performed on Thursday last when the new bell; which was procured through the efforts of the young men of the congregation, was placed in position, and on Sunday morning it pealed forth its sweet tones, reminding the citizens that the hour to assemble for worship had arrived. The bell is an excellent one, has a splendid tone, and is a credit to the church and town. In fact the building in all its aspects is a splendid structure, and the rumor that was current when the contract was awarded, and which originated outside the town, that there were no mechanics in Midland sufficiently capable of doing the work, was groundless because close scrutiny reveals the fact that the masonry, carpenter work and painting deserves equal praise, and each alike has been performed with care and skill.