1940- Fur Trader, Business Man and Community Leader laid to Rest The Fort Frances Times of March 7, 1940 reports that Herb Williams revered old timer was laid to rest. "Fort Frances in his passing lost one of it's most colourful characters, pioneer fur trader, Hudson's Bay Company post factor, business man, benefactor of many who knew him, a willing and capable civic administrator." It was noted he died in "typically characteristic setting- playing chess". Williams arrived in northwestern Ontario in 1882 at Rat Portage. After entering the employment of the Hudson Bay Company he served in Fort Frances for a short period in 1885, returning again in 1894 to serve as factor for the company. Records of the Hudson Bay Company comment on Herbert's disposition which was noted as sanguin, (cheerful: confident; optimistic). The HBC didn't necessarily look upon this as a positive quality. In 1895, the commissioner's report remarks that "your remarks regarding Mr. H. Williams as being somewhat too sanguine are noted, and your especial attention to him and the affairs of his Post is there-fore needed. It is to be regretted that in recommending him as you did for the charge of Fort Frances, this phase of his character was not mentioned." Serving as pro-temp editor with the Fort Frances Times in 1934, Herbert wrote and published a series of articles relating to his life in Lac La Pluie in the 1880's. Herbert resigned from the Hudson Bay Company in 1896 to start in business for himself as the H. Williams and Company Limited. The general store sold groceries, hardware, dry goods, house furnishings, boots and shoes. Mr. Williams not only sold retail, but also ran a wholesale business, supplying the camps with tons of provisions. It was a noted story that an order of 150 cases of tomatoes, 2 1/2 tons of pork and some 30 or 40 sacks of sugar was referred to as a small order. Herbert continued in business until the 1905 fire when he retired with the firm re-organizing as Watson and Lloyd. He built the Williams Block on the corner of Front and Church were Watson and Lloyd and the Bank of Commerce operated for a period of time. In 1955, this block was torn down to make way for a customs facility. Herb Williams was mayor of Fort Frances during an active era of growth, the power dam development and paper mill construction. Elected to council in 1906, he served four succeeding years as the Mayor and again served in the year 1917-18. During his tenure in office the major part of the waterworks was put in and laying of sewers was started. It was even said he used his own personal note, raising twenty thousand dollars to complete the project when the town's credit ran out. In 1925, Herb Williams was noted for giving "a very considerable portion of his time, energy and thought, to the promotion of the best interests of Fort Frances. During his regime, the famous 200 hp donation to the town was obtained from the power company. At the time dam construction behind schedule and Mr. Williams, being a good trader, saw the opportunity of getting something substantial in consideration for agreeing to extend the time. 1941-LaVerendrye Honoured in Hospital Opening On June 5, 1941, the 50-Bed LaVerendrye Hospital opened its doors to the public. It was noted that "LaVerendrye Hospital stands as an imposing monument to the early French-Canadian explorer, Pierre Gautier de Varennes, Sieur de La Verendrye, as symbol of the faith which the Sisters of Charity, Order of Grey Nuns, has in the future of our town. " The three storey building off Victoria Avenue was constructed for $150,000. The first floor rotunda featured terraza flooring in an intricate design with two small visitor parlours and included the private wards and semi-private wards. The second floor included public wards and a children's ward. The third floor was living quarters for ten Nursing Sisters and the surgical and treatment wing. A chapel faced Victoria Avenue in the centre of the building. The ground floor included the service area and quarters for nurses and maids as well as the kitchen and dining area and laundry facilities. The rates for public wards were $1.75 a day for semi-private wards $3.00 per day and private wards from $4-$5 a day. On July 1, 1975, management of the hospital passed from the Sisters of Charity, Order of Grey Nuns of Montreal to a non-profit charitable organization. Community losses in 1941 included Captain J.R. Townshend. The former Fort Frances High School principal was on a leave of absence with the 17th Medium Battery of the Royal Canadian Artillery. "The realism of war struck close to the hearts of the people of Fort Frances" when Townshend was reported missing on May 8. Today we honour him with the naming of the Townshend Theater. Dr. Russel Edgar Hartry also succumbed in 1941. At the age of 53, he has been a physician in Fort Frances for 17 years. In 1924, Hartry became associated with Dr. McKenzie and later started his own practice. His home, Hartry Hall stood on the corner of Second and Portage. He created a showplace at what later became the home of J.A. Mathieu and stands today as the Mental Health Association facility. The death of Louis Hamel in February was the loss of a veteran who "saw this district spring from infancy, saw its mining and woods developments, saw Fort Frances spring from a forest of trees to a thriving town." Originally working for the Hudson Bay Company, in 1892 he was employed by George Stinson and in 1895, he organized the firm of L. Hamel and Company. In 1896, he moved to old Mine Centre, erecting a large home and the post office there. In Fort Frances, he owned much of Second Street. He moved his Mine Center business with the railway to the new location and later sold to Ed Bliss. In the community, town affairs included the securing of a dog catcher. With a pay of $2 per animal impounded, the dog catcher was to "provide a pound sufficiently removed from the residential district so that barking dogs would not disturb or annoy residents." 49 Light Bulbs were illuminating the Town's V for Victory sign. Placed on the fire tower of town hall it stood 12 feet high and nine feet across. The waters of Rainy Lake were receding after reaching a near record high. It was the highest since 1916, and parks board crew were installing plank breakwaters and the five-mile dock was described as an island. Council announced the construction of over on-half mile of cement walks to replace wooden side walks. 1942 In 1942, the War was effecting the community. Headlines warned of shortages and the establishment of quotas on certain goods. "Dealers, Salesmen Hit by Car Decree" warned there would be few 1942 model cars on the streets of fort Frances as a result of the government's decree that the production of automobiles would be brought to a halt at the end of March or first part of April. In January the announcement was made that gas ration books would be distributed in March. Automobile drivers would be allotted 300 to 390 gallons of gasoline a year, enough to drive approximately 5,400 miles. Ration booklets would contain cards to permit purchases in five gallon units. The ration books cost $1 each. Gas rationing also effected the use of boats. For those with commercially operated boats, purchase cards were available through the Department of Game and Fisheries. Apparently it was noted those with pleasure boats were making application for guide's liscences, with the hope that it would put them in a position to obtain larger quantities of gasoline. 1942 headlines called for men to enlist. In April, the 49th Field Battery was seeking recruits. Mobilized at Kenora the 49th comprised Kenora's 16th Medium Battery. Prospective recruits were being interviewed at the local Armory on Nelson Street. In May, the Canadian Forestry Corps was recruiting additional men. A cook was wanted for immediate duty and officers were anxious to secure three pipers and two drummers for the Forestry Corps Pipe Band. Men from 30 to 49 were able to apply for positions as clerks, stenographers, bush and sawmill superintendents, sawyers, riggers, millwrights, edgermen, scalers, cruisers, motor mechanics, diesel operators and mechanics, electricians, plumbers, blacksmiths, sawfilers, cooks and shoemakers. In June, the 17th Med. Battery at Fort Frances was to be mobilized into an active army unit. Those not eligible for the active army were welcomed and required to serve in the reserve army. The 17th Medium Battery would be mobilized into the 115th Field Battery of the 8th division. The death of John East, recalled the building of much of Fort Frances. Back in 1906, John came to Fort Frances as a foreman in charge of laying sidewalks and sewers. In 1918 he organized the John East Company and carried on a general contracting business for 36 years. The community grew under his guidance with the pavements and best homes representing his skill and honest building ability. Appropriately, the service was held at the Knox United Church, one of the last of the more imposing structures erected by the builder in Fort Frances. He was referred to as an old timer who came as a big strong young man with an alert mind and an eagerness to do things. He wore little of the polish of society but underneath that somewhat gruff exterior, he carried a heart of gold.1943- 1943 saw the loss of two prominent Pioneer Citizens, Dr. Reeves and Mr. WG. Breckon. Dr. Benjamin Arthur Reeves had arrived in 1902 to set up the first dentist practice in Fort Frances. He also operated branch offices in Emo and Rainy River. Serving on council and the Board of Education, Dr. Reeves was a noted community member. In 1925, Dr. Reeves graduated from the Ontario College of Optometry and was one of only two men in Canada who were both dentists and optometrists. The loss of Mr. W.G. Breckon on March 2nd of 1934 saw the loss of the longest continuous resident in Fort Frances at the time. Mr. Breckon arrived in the district in 1894 and started a bakery and confectionery store. Mr. Breckon's first soft drink emporium was in a tent on the corner of Front and Mowat. With the coming of cold weather he moved into permanent quarters in the Alberton Hotel building. A branch store was even opened at Mine Centre in 1897. After loosing his store in the 1905 fire, he relocated at 252 Scott Street where he remained until 1934. Town facilities were undergoing construction and renovation in 1943. The new municipal garage was built to house equipment that was kept in several smaller and inadequate buildings. The new building was located on Scott Street and facing east of the town water tower and tank- the present site of Canada Safeway. By 1967, the new public works facility was being constructed in the industrial site. In 1934, the Town Hall was undergoing a renovations to the basement "fire trap". Included were offices for the public health nurse with a small reception area suitable for holding clinics and a small room for a doctor's office. The police office had been transferred to light airy quarters in the basement alongside the fire hall. Included were four rooms with a chief's office and questioning room . 1944 Headlines The November 9th headline of the Fort Frances Times announces the opening of CKFI Radio Station. Ultra modern studios and offices have been constructed on the second floor of the Wells hardware building on Scott Street, where they remain today. A business office was also opened in the Grand Theatre building in International Falls. Originally owned by John Reid Sr, the business became CFOB in 1955 after various changes in ownership. The original transmitter was located at Pither's Point Park near the present site of Vanjura Stadium. With no steel to build the original tower, two 70 foot cedar poles were erected and 120 feet of copper wire strung between giving it the look of a large clothesline. CKFI was located at 1340 on the dial and operated at 250 watts. Programming was provided from 7 am to 11 pm daily, newscasts featuring local and national news were supplied by the British United Press at 8 am, 12:30 pm, 6:30 pm and 10 pm. In June Fort Frances achieved national notoriety as the headlines read of the tragic death of Mrs. Viola Jamieson of Flanders. Called the "Hot Stove Murder", Mrs. Jamieson had received severe burns at the hands of ruffians who entered her home on June 10th. Seeking money, they placed the tiny woman on a stove resulting in thirty percent burns to her arms, legs, back and chest. On June 22nd word had been received that she was improving in hospital, but on July 6th the Times reports on her death. By July 13th, four men had been apprehended by the Provincial Police. The trial began September 26th, with the headline of November 30th reading that the four would hang. The December 7th headline reads that a stay of execution "cheats the gallows of four victims". Later, one man would receive a sentence of life imprisonment and on March 1, 1945 "Trio Paid Penalty on Gallows" was the headline as the widely publicized "Hot Stove" Case was concluded. On October 28th, 1944 a sizable deputation of Fort Frances Citizens attended the Christening of the HMCS Fort Frances built at the Port Arthur Ship Building yard. After commissioning she sailed for Halifax and then Bermuda. The Algerine-class ocean mine sweeper was the district of Rainy River's ship of His Majesty's Canadian Navy. The christening ceremony included the Fort Frances Drum and Bugle Corps and Mrs. BV Holmes offering the ceremonial champagne bottle. It was reported that the bottle bounced back not once but twice- confirming that the ship would not sink easily. The comment was made that Fort Frances must have closed up the whole town for this occasion so large were the numbers in attendance at the auspicious event.1946- Veterans Return 1946 saw the return of Fort Frances Boys from overseas. Noted was the return of the Lake Superior Regiment, "bringing with it many Rainy River District men who, like their fathers before, went into action with their comrades from Fort William and Port Arthur. Historically Fort Frances' link with the Lake Superiors goes back to 1914 when one company of the regiment was stationed here. Originally 31 district men enlisted in the Lake Superiors in 1940. With the war over, news articles noted the adjustment from wartime to peacetime. The Preston Machine Company noted the reconversion from wartime to peacetime production. The Company had been engaged in turning out arresting gears for airplane carriers. Now that the war was over they were "swinging back into a wide variety of peacetime repair work" In August "Men Work(ed) Cheerfully to Erect Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church." The building of the church had been planned seven years earlier, but was put off because of the war. At the war's end when a sufficient number of men returned to Fort Frances to guarantee support, the plans were resumed. True Church raising bee spirit was noted by the ladies who were serving sandwiches and refreshments. Bus Service in Fort Frances commenced on January 11th, 1946. The fare on the 18 passenger bus operated by Clarence Wright and Helen Olson was 10 cents per passenger and 5 cents for public school children. The advertised schedule started at the Monarch Hotel at 7 am and proceeded as far east as the Brewery on the Pither's Point corner and west to Wright Avenue. The fuel situation in Fort Frances had reached a crisis in 1946. By February town officials were forced to control all wood coming into Fort Frances and to superintend its delivery and distributions. Customers could only have six days worth of wood on hand. The town snow plow was actually taken to sites in Stratton to clear roads to secure wood. Heavy snows and lack of road access complicated the situation. The Wartime Prices and Trade Board was asked to release western coal. Four cars of coal were received to alleviate the problem. All home owners who could use coal to heat their homes were being urged to do so. A wind storm in June of 1946 reduced Front Street boat houses to kindling, blew down the boiler stacks at the JA Mathieu sawmill and left telephone poles blocking Scott Street. Citizens learned first hand the "need to open up a second street between the East end and Central portion of town." A move to secure a right-of-way was taken in order to open up Second Street. In March, Scott Street had been designated as the entrance into Fort Frances of the new highway being built from the east. A record number of students enrolled in the public schools in September. The "West Ward" school operated in shifts. Grades 1,2, 3 went to Alexander MacKenzie in the morning and the primary and Grade 4 students went school in the afternoon. By September 16th a new classroom was opened in the basement of the public library for grades 3 and 4 so they could return to full days.1947- Prison Farm, Cemeteries & Fires In 1947, the town agreed to purchase a site for a new cemetery in West McIrvine. Located on a plateau with a beautiful stand of trees, the site stood west of Eric's Lund and east of Biddeson creek. The 14.12 acres was purchased from C.R. Richardson $3,000. Turned over to the Board of Parks management for development approximately one third of the new cemetery was sold to St. Mary's parish for the Roman Catholic Cemetery with the town to construct a road in between to seperate the Catholic and Protestant areas. Plans for the "Prison Farm" were well underway when the Hon. George Dunbar, Minister of Reform Institutions announced in August the "500 Acre District Farm to Accomodate 150 Short-Term Prisoners". The penal institution for north-western Ontario was to be run in conjunction with an experimental farm to benefit agriculturalists of Northern Ontario and was designed to be one of correction rather than punishment. The location somewhere along the Rainy River would facilitate landscaping and provide suitable mental surroundings for corrective work and direction of prisoners. The farm work, reforestation, raising of cattle, hogs and sheep was to be run by a Guelph graduate. The intention was to make the institution profitable with costs of $1.20 to $1.60 per prisoner per day. Initially accomodating 150 prisoners, it would have separate cottages for segregation according to age and criminal record. A new Industrial farm at Neys, east of Schrieber was initially established with the 22 buildings to be dismantled and moved to the Fort Frances site while the permanent buildings were being constructed. In January disaster struck as a Historic Landmark was destroyed. The Orange Hall on Church street was destroyed by fire on New Year's Day. The early residents of Fort Frances recalled many pleasant associations with Fort Frances' first community centre. In November of 1895, the warrant was issued for the Loyal Orange Lodge No. 990. A building was erected at that time with residents of Fort Frances contributing the work and lumber, the best that could be obtained was hewn by hand. At one time or another nearly every religious denomination in town held services here. The municipalities of McIrvine and Alberton and the Town of Fort Frances held meetings there and about 1912, the Orange Hall was used as a classroom. The hall also served as the dance centre of Fort Frances for many years. Ernie Wright who operated a carpenter store on the first floor and was also wiped out by the fire. Community losses also included the deaths of pioneer hotelman, James Paul; prominent business and civic leader- John McVey; staunch town supporter Franklin Warner and pioneer Mrs. J. Walton. Paul had arrived in the area in 1894 and managed and owned the Couchiching and later Fort Frances Hotels. McVey arrived in 1907 and operated a blacksmith shop and livery stable and moving with the times, secured a Model "T" Ford agency. Franklin Heston Warner had presided at the incorporation of the Town of Fort Frances as Town Clerk. Arriving in 1899, he established a real estate and insurance business and also served on the board of education and as court crier. Mrs. Walton arrived on the Dawson route with her father, Joseph Mannery, a foreman on the canal construction. Front Street was also in the news in 1947 as tender for a new Federal Boathouse and riprapping was called. The boathouse was to replace the RCMP, Public Works and Department of Indian Affairs boathouses damaged by tornadoes in 1946, the $10,000 project included another $10,000 for Point Wharf repairs. The riprapping was praised for removing unsightly piers on Armit Ave and sunken barges and boats in the river. Other notable developments in 1947 included the establishment of the Border Concert Association; Bud and Murray's modern Super Service Station on the corner of Portage and Scott and the opening of the Fort Frances Clinic at 221 Scott Street by Dr. Boyle, Solomon and Ayre with the adjacent Clinic Pharmacy operated by Peter Jensen.1948- Annexation Tops News 54 years ago. In 1948, the Annexation of the Township of McIrvine made the headlines. The annexation increased the acreage of Fort Frances from 1048 to 5464. It was noted that this would make Fort Frances 700 acres smaller than Kenora, which was the largest town in acreage in the Province of Ontario at that time. In 1875, the Township of McIrvine contained 8643.73 acres including the Hudson's Bay Government, Pither's and Indian Reserves. The Municipality of McIrvine was incorporated in 1898 with the Village of Fort Frances. In 1947, East McIrvine proposed annexation by Fort Frances. This included the area lying west and north of Shevlin Avenue and south of the CNR track. The cost of education was one reason for the request. When the petition was accepted in August, it was noted that the area included was east of Wright Avenue and as far north as the Indian Reserve. 118 residents signed the petition. The discussion soon led to reports that Fort Frances should annex all of McIrvine, as West McIrvine would find it difficult to function as a separate municipal government. In December voters went to the polls with the question of annexing the Municipality of the Township of McIrvine to be voted on. McIrvine voters cast 116 votes in favour and 21 against. By November of 1948, an order of the Ontario Municipal Board annexing the Township of McIrvine was received with no objections. In April of 1948 the Welcome Arch was Officially opened. Nearly 1,000 Border residents were in attendance to formally dedicate the "Welcome to Canada" sign that once stood on the corner of Church and Front Street at the entrance to the International Bridge. Erected by the Jaycees to welcome the American tourist to Canada it was noted that it had turned out to be Fort Frances' best advertising medium. A record breaking number of visitors stopped to take a photograph in front of the ornate archway and were buying large numbers of post cards featuring the landmark. In 1976, the sign was in a state of poor repair and the plans for expansion on the International bridge resulted in removal of the sign. The loss of W.H. Tenner, pioneer photographer was also noted in 1948. Tenner documented much of the area at the turn of the century. The mural on the Masonic block features many of his early pictures. 1949- Local Legends and Communities In 1949, the Wartime subdivision on Phair Avenue reflected the newest community in Fort Frances. Representatives petitioned the town for a play ground for the 70 children in the one block. Four lots were set aside at the end of the Phair Avenue by the Town. It was understood that the wives would take turns supervising and all children in the community were welcome. By July prized for vegetable and flower gardens were offered in the Wartime house settlements. $25 prizes were offered by the Fort Frances Horticultural Society and the Dominion Bank. The death of Alfred M. "Spike" Struve in September brought back to attention the legend of Spike's famous moose ride on Bad Vermillion Lake. A resident of the district since 1901, Spike had been in Fort Frances since 1925, working as a lumberman, timber contractor, fur buyer, and in the commercial fishing business. The editorial writes that he was a character. Innumerable tales have been told and still will be told of him-many of them having grown in the telling. CD Lang wrote "The Riverman" in honour of Spike in his booklet "Rhymes of a Proper Roughneck"... "He would ride the swimmin moose, Crossin Bad Vermillion Lake. If he hadn't no excuse He just rode for ridins sake... Out on the town, the re-opening of the redecorated Arthur Cafe gave restaurant goers an opportunity to sample Chinese dishes in one of the largest restaurants in Town. Accommodations for 100 diners was provided in the former premises of the Border Cafe. Al's Lunch was also opened by Alan Webb in June. Located in the former Fontana Confectionery, Al specialized in home-baked pie and cakes as well as a complete confectionery and opened until 2 am on the weekend to accommodate the dance and late theatre crowds. The Point Park boasted "A New Look with Many Improvements Added" read the May 26th headline. The bath house, which had stood near the town pump house had been moved to the extreme west end of the park, where the town's tourist cabins once stood. In recent years, swimmers had taken to swimming near the government dock. A new cement sidewalk and riprap, renovations to the pavilion completed the new look. By the end of December Fort Frances was boasting a "Modern New Theatre" when Fred Polenske opened a second theatre in Fort Frances. Since 1918, the Polenske's had been operating a theatre in Fort Frances. The Polenske's felt the increased population in Fort Frances would support the second Fort Theatre that opened with 495 seats. The feature presentation was I Was a Male War Bride starring Cary Grant and Ann Sheridan and admission was 18 and 40 cents.