1910 sees 99 Year Lease and US invasion The January 10th Inaugural meeting of town council saw the Mayor elect Williams with Councillors Osborne, Floyd, McGregor, Russell and Noden taking over town business. On May 18th, a 99 year lease between the Government of Canada and Town of Fort Frances was signed. The lease included 60 acres at a cost of one dollar per acre per year. Some of the major points in the lease are: the various bands of Indians were entitled to hold their meetings and camp at Pither's Point and would have the right during the continuance of the lease to camp and sell wares free of charge within the land leased; no spiritous liquors, ale, beer or any intoxicating beverages whatsoever would be allowed in the area; except under seperate liscence from the Superintendent General of Indian Affairs the timber would not be allowed to be cut. Any wood or timber standing or lying upon the said land could not be taken except for dead or fallen timber. In October of 1910, a Canadian/US boundary dispute saw the Commercial Club of International Falls holding a special meeting to take over Fort Frances businesses. The city Marshall was given instruction to cross the river with an armful of American flags and to place them on the custom house, post office, leading businesses and official buildings of what the Americans had decided to call North International Falls. To quell the invasion, Canadians found an early survey that showed a straight line boundary 14 miles south of International Falls. When this was brought to the attention of the Americans, they apparently changed their minds about hoisting flags on Canadian soil. Other important town issues included sanitation and clean up. The Chairman of the Board of Works was instructed to build a closet on the Town Park for the use of the campers and the public. The Board of works was also instructed to have the piping at the outlet of the sewer repaired so that the discharge be carried well out into the current. The Chief of Police was instructed to enforce the by-law regarding the throwing of waste paper on the streets and lanes and the Board of Works were instructed to at once gather up the refuse such as waster paper and other inflammable material from off the streets and have the same burned. 1911-Industry Arrives indicating Future Prosperity The 1911 Council Minutes see the January 9 Inaugural meeting with Mayor McKenzie, Councilors Octave Jalbert, Albert Edgar Carter, John C. Scott, John W. Walker, John O. Meyer and Samuel M. Noden appointed. A by-law to fix the assessment of the Shevlin Clark Company Limited had received the consent of two-thirds of the Electors of Fort Frances entitled to vote thereon. The Shevlin Clark Co Ltd was also given permission to block the Colonization Road as laid out at present pending adjustment of course. Mill No. 1 of the Company was built in the spring of 1911 and was one of the most complete and modern sawmills on the continent. Built at an approximate cost of $450,000 it covered ten acres of land and was laid out in compact and complete form. A daily capacity of 400,000 feet in 20 hours and 400 hundred men were employed with a minimum payroll of $25, 000 a month. By November of 1912, a second mill was being built with completion anticipated in the spring of 1913. The Shevlin Clarke company arrived in Fort Frances after devastating fires in 1910 at Rainy River and Baudette destroyed the plant and timber stands there. Mr. Jas A. Mathieu, was vice-president and general manager and Thos Shevlin the millionaire lumberman of Minneapolis the president. Thus began JA Mathieu's long domination of the lumber industry in the area. By 1942, the Shevlin Clarke Company had processed over one billion six hundred feet of lumber, employed 1,500 men and paid 12 million in wages. The Depression, the decline in the lumber market and the higher costs of getting at retreating lumber stands all contributed to the company's demise on April 18th of 1942. While the plant occupied much of the bank of the Rainy River, the lumber piles of the company created a large tract in the east end of Fort Frances. It seems in 1911 that the Council was under scrutiny. A charge had been made that certain officers and members of the Town of Fort Frances have been found guilty of malfeasance in office. The illegal diversion of sinking funds, concerns that council entered into contracts with the municipality, that members of council where receiving a rake off from contractors, that payments were made illegally to mayors, that materials or fittings the property of the town were wrongfully and illegally appropriated and that taxes remained uncollected by reason of improper conduct or malfeasance were addressed in a report by Judge Fitch. It was stated "That while this Council does not wish to impute any criminal responsibility to any member of past Councils, they feel that they should be vindicated as before the ratepayers as not being responsible for the present financial situation, and desire that the causes thereof be given full publicity therefore that the Judge Fitch's report be published in the Fort Frances Times." The 1911 proposal of Mr. AE Mantle of the Canadian Northern Land Company would have been an interesting development for the community. Requesting 30 acres of the Town Park property at Pither's Point for the purpose of building a large summer hotel it was proposed by Messrs. McKenzie and Mann & Co to erect a large summer hotel upon certain lands now held by the Town of Fort Frances under lease from the Crown as park property and to expend upon the said summer hotel and in improvement to the said property $200,000.1912- Police matters and cows at large concerns of council 1912 Council Minutes show that a the January 9th Inaugural meeting , Mayor McKenzie and councillors Osborne, Mills, Phair, Cassaday, Damm and Anderson were set to handle the town's affairs. The Police were to be reinforced (the town paying for the same to the extent of two uniforms each year) placed on regular beats and instructed to round up as vagrants, the crooks who are doing up the lumberjacks. A warning was to be made to all parties that there must be no driving over sidewalks, except on regular crossings- that the road commissioner and policemen be notified to watch all infringements and prosecute the parties doing the same. John Mosher was appointed as inspector for new sidewalks and a special policeman at a salary of $65 per month. A notice was made that no further dumping of garbage, and that all such garbage must be burned in the yards where it is gathered, and the police were notified to enforce this regulation strictly until such time as other arrangements are made for the disposal of garbage. A complaint was made of a house of ill repute and the Council asked that the police commission at once take steps to cause its removal and have the inmates arrested. The complaint regarded a shack containing, two women, three men and two pigs. A By-law was set that cattle not run at large. The May 9th notes and comments in the Fort Frances Times states "it is hoped the cow by-law will be strictly enforced by the town authorities during this season as nothing is more annoying to residents who desire to keep their places in order and to see the streets clean and free from broken planks, than to have cows and horses running at large. These animals should not be permitted on the streets in the residential portion of the town either at large or tethered to stakes. The latter plan has been freely adopted, much to the annoyance of those who have young trees planted or who happen to take a tumble while crossing over some chain or rope fastened to a peg or tree with a cow at the other end." Complaints have been made by visitors and tourists in regard to the petty annoyances to which they are constantly subjected by undue enforcement of customs laws by the officials. It was felt that the officials be instructed to show the tourists every courtesy and consideration and that unless they are flagrantly violating the customs regulations with regard to clearance of pleasure boats and bringing in articles for personal comfort, that they be not interfered with unduly; that we regard this step necessary if we wish to encourage American tourists who contemplate building summer cottages on the islands they have purchased on the Canadian side. Plans of Immigration and Customs Office were filed by the International Bridge and Terminal Co. and by July 11th the Fort Frances Times reported on the construction nearing completion and that soon "foot passengers can cross over at any hour, day or night." On May 30 headlines in the Times read "First Sod of the Big Paper Mill was Turned on Victoria Day"…"Friday the 24th was a great day in the history of Fort Frances, as on that day Mayor McKenzie turned the first sod of the big paper mill which the Ontario & Minnesota Paper Co. are under agreement to build and complete within the next fourteen months...for years the Town of Fort Frances had been fighting the Power Co. for an agreement whereby on-half of the power would be utilized on the Canadian side.1913- Fort Frances Most Admirably Situated "Fort Frances Most Admirably Situated" reads the April 15th, 1913 Special Edition of the Fort Frances Times. "Men at Fort Frances You Should Know" included H.A. Tibbetts, Esquire, L. Christie, O Jalbert, Fred C. Rogers. "The Leading Business Houses" were, The Wells Hardware Company, J. Carter and Son, Watson & Lloyd, the Johnson Hardware Company, E. H. Zimmerman, Electrical; W.G. Breckon and Fort Frances Hotels included the Fort Frances, The Monarch and the Palace. The Inaugural Meeting of Council in 1913 saw Mayor McKenzie and Councilors Osborne, Cassaday, Stethem, Habkirk, Jalbert and Wright in the seat of power. Issues of the year included- the town water cart delivering at least twice a week if requested; undertaking to straighten the roadway on Third St. opposite Catholic cemetery; an application by John Gagne to put in lavatory for the Immigration office at the Ferry; Building plans for the Corona Lumber Co.; Opening up the road through the Township of McIrvine as a continuation of Second St. to allow another access to eastern part of town and the lake. Children take note that a revised curfew by-law increased the age limit of children with the object of preventing as much as possible the present undesirable conditions of young people running at large in the town at nights. By-law No. 331 was set regarding the presence of children on the streets and in public places after o'clock. The Police Commission asked to instruct the police to allow Mr. W. Bishop to ride his bicycle on the sidewalk-as it is impossible for him to look after the town's work and walk, and that Mr. Bishop's fine be rebated. A request was made for a raise in remuneration for the Police Magistrate to $1500 due to an increase in work, and that being the most efficient in Canada, if proper remuneration not given that the Police Magistrate will probably resign. The office in the Scott Building on Scott St, adjoining Gledhill's Jewelry store, was requested by the Police Commission for Police headquarters. The Bylaw for naming of streets and numbering of houses recommended that Scott Street remain Scott Street and the streets north be called First St. North, Second St. North etc; that the Street South be called First Street South, Second St. South Etc; that the Enger-Nord Realty Company be asked to suggest another name for First St. North; that Portage Ave remain as is and the streets east be called First Ave. East, Second Ave East etc; that Enger-Nord be asked to suggest names for blind streets now called Third Ave west etc.; that Front St remain as it is now and the houses thereon numbered east and west of Portage; that the houses on each block be numbered 100 to each block. The application to construct and operate a municipal telephone system was made with an offer to the present company of $5,000 for their plant. The report of the Telephone Co requested that the County Clerk and Registrar be notified to vacate the office occupied by him in the Town Hall as the office was required by the Town for a telephone exchange. Rates were set at $20 per year for residence phone and $35 for business phone. HA Sands was appointed Superintendent of telephone system at $100 per month.1914- Street Signs and Opening of the Mill top the news The Council Minutes of 1915 continue our count down through history with the Inaugural meeting of January 12 appointing Mayor Christie, and Councilors Wright, Shaw, Gorman, Gledhill, Habkirk, Dear. Important issues considered by council included directing that the Town engineer be instructed to estimate the number of street name signs and to superintend the placing of the same. Tenders were called for the painting of sign boards, showing the names of the streets and the placing of the same on the corners. The Town engineer was to order up to 500 street signs, if necessary. The unnamed streets in the Enger-Nord Addition were to be named as follows- McKenzie, Christie, Smith & Phair. The opening of the mill was headlined as "An Unqualified Success" in the May 28th Fort Frances Times. "Over one thousand Attend Towns Biggest Social Event...Monday evening was a notable event in the history of Fort Frances, the occasion being the celebration of the opening of the big new pulp and paper mills. The large finishing room on the second floor, where the ball was held, was handsomely decorated and fitted up for the occasion; also, the third floor, where refreshments were served. A carload of evergreens were used and this large room with the aid of electric lights in Japanese lanterns was made a veritable fairyland...The decorations...were personally looked after by Mrs. E.W. Backus, wife of the president of the company... Mayor and Mrs. Christie, on behalf of the town, were important factors in the celebration, as they realized that such an industry means much for Fort Frances...The glorious dresses of the ladies and the dress suits of a large number of the gentlemen made a most inspiring picture. The attendance, which is estimated at over 1,500, was a record one in the history of our town and district. In fact, we question whether a larger attendance or a more magnificent affair ever took place west of the city of Toronto. It certainly opened the eyes of these who were present from outside cities– as one visitor remarked. "I never saw anywhere a better or more prosperous representation of people than you have at this ball." A Minneapolis visitor said that …"You Fort Frances people certainly know how to entertain." The mill was started in 1912 and by continuous work winter and summer has just been completed at the cost of $1,500,000. Employment will be given to some 300 men with a payroll of $200,000 per annum. It will run continuously the year round and will require some 50,000 cords of spruce wood to make 125 tons of news print per day...if the newest thing in paper machinery counts for anything, then Fort Frances can boast of the most up-to-date mill on the continent. A loan of $15,000 to assist the public school board in the construction of the public school was authorized. An invitation of the public school board to attend the opening of the New School on Friday October 23, 1914 was received. Dorothy Redford writes in a Museum Corner article that " The Robert Moore School was officially opened with children marching there from the Scott Street School. The school was named after a much-loved local doctor and horticulturist, Dr. Robert Moore. Continuation classes were held in the four rooms on the second floor with public school classes on the main floor and a basement recreation room. Additions were made to the central building in 1922, 1926 and 1973. 1915- Street Signs and Opening of the Mill top the news The Council Minutes of 1915 continue our count down through history with the Inaugural meeting of January 12 appointing Mayor Christie, and Councilors Wright, Shaw, Gorman, Gledhill, Habkirk, Dear. Important issues considered by council included directing that the Town engineer be instructed to estimate the number of street name signs and to superintend the placing of the same. Tenders were called for the painting of sign boards, showing the names of the streets and the placing of the same on the corners. The Town engineer was to order up to 500 street signs, if necessary. The unnamed streets in the Enger-Nord Addition were to be named as follows- McKenzie, Christie, Smith & Phair. The opening of the mill was headlined as "An Unqualified Success" in the May 28th Fort Frances Times. "Over one thousand Attend Towns Biggest Social Event...Monday evening was a notable event in the history of Fort Frances, the occasion being the celebration of the opening of the big new pulp and paper mills. The large finishing room on the second floor, where the ball was held, was handsomely decorated and fitted up for the occasion; also, the third floor, where refreshments were served. A carload of evergreens were used and this large room with the aid of electric lights in Japanese lanterns was made a veritable fairyland...The decorations...were personally looked after by Mrs. E.W. Backus, wife of the president of the company... Mayor and Mrs. Christie, on behalf of the town, were important factors in the celebration, as they realized that such an industry means much for Fort Frances...The glorious dresses of the ladies and the dress suits of a large number of the gentlemen made a most inspiring picture. The attendance, which is estimated at over 1,500, was a record one in the history of our town and district. In fact, we question whether a larger attendance or a more magnificent affair ever took place west of the city of Toronto. It certainly opened the eyes of these who were present from outside cities– as one visitor remarked. "I never saw anywhere a better or more prosperous representation of people than you have at this ball." A Minneapolis visitor said that …"You Fort Frances people certainly know how to entertain." The mill was started in 1912 and by continuous work winter and summer has just been completed at the cost of $1,500,000. Employment will be given to some 300 men with a payroll of $200,000 per annum. It will run continuously the year round and will require some 50,000 cords of spruce wood to make 125 tons of news print per day...if the newest thing in paper machinery counts for anything, then Fort Frances can boast of the most up-to-date mill on the continent. A loan of $15,000 to assist the public school board in the construction of the public school was authorized. An invitation of the public school board to attend the opening of the New School on Friday October 23, 1914 was received. Dorothy Redford writes in a Museum Corner article that " The Robert Moore School was officially opened with children marching there from the Scott Street School. The school was named after a much-loved local doctor and horticulturist, Dr. Robert Moore. Continuation classes were held in the four rooms on the second floor with public school classes on the main floor and a basement recreation room. Additions were made to the central building in 1922, 1926 and 1973. Grand Balls, Schools, Industry & Growth- One Hundred Years! One Hundred Ideas! One Hundred Volunteers! 2003-A year for Celebrating Community- let's make it one to remember. Contact coordinator, Marla Simpson at 274-7891.1916 Council Minutes Appoint Officers and Opera House Rates Turning to the Council Minutes to continue our count down through history, you can see a glimpse of town concerns and developments. Municipal elections were held annually at the end of the year and 1916 saw the inaugural meeting held on January 10th saw the Mayor-elect Robert Moore and Councilors elect Albert E. Dear, John P. Wright, William Floyd and John Habkirk sworn in with Benjamin A. Reeves previously sworn in. Appointed committees included the Board of Works: Finance, Printing & License; Fire, Water and Light; and Court of Revision. Salaries included Dr. H.W. Johnson $ 200 per annum as the Medical Officer of Health and Indigent Doctor; John Mosher $30 per month as the Sanitary officer and weed inspector; F.H. Warner 10% of collection as the Collector of Poll Tax; J.W. Walker $115 per month as the Clerk; John Dunley $100 per month as the Treasurer; Washington Bishop $100 per month as Road Commissioner and Superintendent of Waterworks and Sewers; Omar Viger $30 per month as auditor; W. H. Elliot $300 per annum as Assessor; F.H. Warner $200 per year as Collector; Harry Selman $75 per month as Engineer of pumping station with free house, light and water; H. A. Sands $62.50 as the Town Electrician; Chas. Smeeth $65 per month as the Caretaker of the Incinerator; A.G. Murray $50 per month as the Town Solicitor; Robert Readman $25 per month as the Fire Chief, $50 per month as the caretaker of the Town Hall; Norman McDonald $75 per month as the fire brigade teamster. Dr. Johnston was granted leave of absence from his duties as Medical Officer of Health to serve overseas. Dr. Hugh W. Johnston had completed a thee year apprenticeship in pharmacy in Midland in 1902. In 1907, he graduated from the university of Toronto Medical school. In 1909 he was urged to locate in Fort Frances were a physician was badly needed. He served the military from July 1916 to June 1919. He returned to practice in Fort Frances until 1921 and passed away in 1961. The museum has a collection of photographs and medical diaries from Dr. Johnston's time in Fort Frances. Interestingly the 1916 Physicians Memorandum reveals a daily schedule of four to eight patients paying an average of $1-$2. The Memorandum being a "Year Book together with a miscellaneous jumble of facts and suggestions of interest and assistance to the physician "as the days fly by" The promote the therapeutic properties of "Pepto-Mangan" a standard preparation of iron and manganese, in organic combination that creates new red cells, rebuilds those partially destroyed; increases hemoglobin percentage in anemia, chlorosis and other forms of blood devitalization.... Applications for "Healthy colour of face ". "To sustain and Maintain Vitality", "to Build up, Brace up and Tone up." are included. A note on "Castor Oil de Luxe" provides this hint." Put into a tumbler about two ounces of strong lemonade, using nearly half a lemon. Pour in the desired quantity of castor oil. Just as you are ready to five it stir in about one-quarter teaspoonful of baking soda. It will foam to the top of the glass. Have the patient drink it while it is effervescing. Even the oiliness of the dose is not detected..." Rent of Opera House was set with the hall not be used for athletic purposes, nor for marching or physical drill, nor for dances- other than those already permitted as the construction of the building for such purposes is questioned. When the opera house is used for basketball in order to cover light and care taking expense, the following charges shall be made- Gentlemen's Clubs or Organizations $2 per occasion, Ladies Clubs or Organizations $1 per occasion.1917- Sale of Paper leads to Sporadic History. In February of 1917, it was noted in the International Press and Border Budget, that "Editor Osborne sells Times." Perhaps this is a clue to the now sporadic inventory of Fort Frances Times now available to document the period of time prior to 1918. Ah... the challenge of counting down one hundred years of history continues... Mr. Osborne provides a look at early life in the area in his autobiography. In January of 1896, Mr. Osborne purchased the newspaper being produced at Rainy Lake City located on an island on the Minnesota side of Rainy Lake. Osborne describes "To get to Rainy Lake City (a typical mining camp), I had to go to Winnipeg, on to St. Paul, thence to Duluth and Tower in Minnesota, and from Tower by team over ice and snow 150 miles destination. This was some trip in those early days and I was tired, cold and hungry when I reached my destination." Life on Black Bay of Rainy Lake had it's challenges and Osborne notes "I put in the balance of the winter in there but as spring advanced the little town ran short of provisions and we lived for three weeks on cornmeal and jack fish. About this time the ice began to break up in the Rainy Lake, so I took a canoe to Fort Frances, 14 miles distant, across and down the lake to get food. Here we also found a scarcity of provisions, so we waited for the boat from Rat Portage, 150 miles away. The boat finally did arrive and when they unloaded the freight it consisted of one bag of flour and a couple hundred barrels of beer. With a little more corn meal, a dozen eggs and few canned goods, my companion and I paddled our canoe back to Rainy Lake City." "Towards the first of June, seeing that the little American Mine was closed down and people going away", Osborne found himself moving the paper and plant by barge to Koochiching (later International Falls). Establishing his newspaper as the Rainy Lake Herald he found a home in Fort Frances, as none were available in Koochiching. He brought his family from Rat Portage on the Edna Brydges and traveled back and forth between Koochiching and Fort Frances across the Rainy River each day be canoe and in winter by canoe and on the ice. In 1897, the promise of the railway coming to Fort Frances lured Osborne to move the paper and plant to Fort Frances establishing the Fort Frances Times and adding "and Rainy Lake Herald" for good measure. In 1911, a fire caused by lightning destroyed the $25,000 plant. Osborne rebuilt at 288 Scott Street in 1912 and included the Bazaar, Book and Stationary Store. By 1916, a breakdown in health lead to an end of his newspaper career at Fort Frances. A syndicate of five local business men purchased the Times in 1917 and established the plant at 109-111 Church Street. Mr. Osborne also served as the second mayor of the town and for eight years was an active member of the town council. He was captain with the 141st Bull Moose battalion during World War I. Mr. J.A. Osborne was noted for having been rated one of the greatest community boosters. Recalling his role with council, he assisted in securing an agreement with the Province and E.W. Backus for timber limits for the proposed paper mill and power agreements. He notes the building of the $25,000 town hall, lobbying to include the fire department, which was later called "Osborne's white elephant." He advocated for the telephone and electric service and sidewalks. The establishment of the Fort Frances Times by JA Osborne marks one of our century old businesses in Fort Frances. 1918- Registration and the Flu Epidemic. In June the census saw all Males and Females required to register with the Deputy-registrar. Questions for males and females were different. Of note for women was question no. 13– Can you drive- a. Tractor? b. Motor Car? C. Horse? D. Harness a horse? E. Do plain Cooking?. In 1918 women also obtained voting rights and it was felt about a million and a half new voters would be added to the polls. In July headlines read- Big Raid at Ranier by Public Safety Commission Officers with Moose Meat, Whisky, Beer and Evil Women Gathered In. "In consequence a number of evil doers of both sexes now languish in the jail at International Falls." It was reported that officers are engaged in a clean up of the island resorts in Rainy Lake which have been a menace to sobriety and decency for sometime. The assistance of Dominion Policeman Walker and Ontario Constable Campbell were noted. The August special and regular meeting of town council included a bylaw regulating the keeping of cows and other animals within the town of Fort Frances and advised the police commission that the speed limit of 15 miles per hour is consistently broken and asked that the law be enforced. The 1918 the worldwide influenza epidemic was one of the deadliest of any kind in history. In Fort Frances about 800 people were treated with serum inoculation and over 200 cases of flu with some fatalities were reported. Public notices offered advice on avoiding influenza: "Avoid contact with other people; Avoid chilling of the body or living rooms of temperature below 65 deg or above 72 deg.; Sleep and work in clean, fresh air; Keep your hands clean and Keep them out of your mouth; Avoid expectorating in public places; Keep your feet warm." Nurse Kaine was in charge of the emergency hospital set up in the annex of the Emperor Hotel. The growing number of patients being looked after, proved that the work of the hospital was being recognized and patients were taking advantage of its capabilities to handle patients successfully. The method of treatment was noted as very effective, Nurse Kaine says "they taste it from one dose to the next." By the end of November a ban on public gatherings was lifted. After being closed for over five weeks the public school reopened on Dec 2. The teachers were willing to teach during the Christmas time so that the students would not be handicapped too much at the June examinations. 1919-Peace, Parks and Labour unrest. The 1919 declaration of Peace saw celebration in the community. A banquet for returned men was held in April with an informal dinner at the Emperor Hotel and a masquerade ball at the town hall. It was noted that a hundred hungry heroes rendered ample justice to generous supplies of food. Cigars and cigarettes were handed around to the boys and toasts and speeches were given to those who have returned after having fought and offered their lives for our country. On June 28th at Versailles, the world war was formally ended with the signing of the peace treaty with Germany. In July a parade was held with floats, autos and bikes. Lining up on Third Street the parade proceeded along Front street and over to International falls. A large crowd from Fort Frances accompanied the parade. Returning to Fort Frances, the parade marched through the business section. Following the parade a large attendance at the park witnessed sports such as baseball and novelty and field races as well as military events. On May 12th the Parks board met officially naming Pither's Point Park and made plans to beautify the site. Also named was Central Park The down town park in the court house square was to be developed with Dr. Moore asked to secure trees to plant in a systematic manner. In 1919, a 24x72 pavillion with 8 foot verandah was erected at the Point Park Construction also included a dock extending over 100 feet into the lake. Provincial Grants in 1919 saw the establishment of the fish hatchery. The site selected for the building was just south of the public library. Also forming was the Fort Frances Association of Civics and Commerce. Noted was the slogan " Fort Frances First, Fort Frances last; And Fort Frances for a future date, Start something quick and lets move fast." Progress was also noted when the Prince Albert Hotel opened on the corner of Mowat and Church. Opening on December 4th, Mr. Saville hosted 200 guests and noted that he "hoped to maintain his hotel on a high standard of service and efficiency". The hotel later housed the J. Carter and Son department store and met it's demise in 1986. The labour movement across the country was noted when the paper and saw mill employees went on strike. "That the situation in Fort Frances and International Falls is not merely local but is very noticable in a purview of the labour situation throughout the continent." In Winnipeg, the large labour strike was making National news as the city came to a standstill. The local strike lasted from May 12th with settlement expected on the afternoon of May 22nd. Teachers were also concerned when a special committee report recommended salaries. The report states that "In view of the high cost of living and of the great expense our teachers have in travelling… a schedule of teachers salaries be adopted ranging from $800 minimum to $1,100 maximum." The teacher's petititioned for a salary of at least $1,200.