Few traffic woes in 1915

[Rick (Admin)]

HISTORY: Few traffic woes in 1915

By Karen Bachmann, The Daily Press-freelance





TIMMINS - Most old newspapers had a section called “Items of Interest.” The Porcupine Advance was no exception to that rule!

Little did the editors know that these small, gossipy notes would help us find out about what life was like in the Porcupine Camp.

While some are chatty, others are definitely there to make a not-so-subtle point about some of the town’s finer folk. Others are blatant pieces of advertising for certain businesses.

And these snippets of local chitchat were near and dear to the readers of the Advance. When the paper encountered technical problems and was forced to not print the items section, the editorial office was flooded with complaints. An even larger section for the feature was laid out for the next issue of the paper.

But enough from me — I present to you some of my favourite “items of interest” from 1915 — and I have copied them from the Porcupine Advance because the language and phrases used are reflective of the times and certainly help create that early 20th century atmosphere:

In the “catty” category: “Now the election for a councilor for Tisdale is over it would be interesting to hear by phonograph record, if that were possible, some of the speeches and other remarks at the mass meeting last Saturday night. But even a phonograph couldn’t have included in its delivery the real feeling behind some of the comments and opinions.”

A bit of an aside: An election was needed to fill a vacancy on the Tisdale Town Council. Initially, four men presented themselves as candidates: W. Whyte, Sylvester Kennedy, G.L. Bissonnette and T.A. Strain. Mr. Whyte dropped out, followed by Mr. Strain.

The election took place soon after with the following results: Kennedy 98 votes, Bissonnette, 59 votes. Kennedy was declared the winner with a majority of the votes).

In the “wink-wink” category: “Everybody in South Porcupine is asking how Paddy Gallagher manages to keep his jocular spirit in spite of counter persuasions. It is whispered that Captain McAllister of the McIntyre, celebrated his birthday last week. The said celebration took in South Porcupine, Schumacher and Timmins. Woe betide the Captain when Paddy brings his action for being ‘persuaded’ to stay out all night.”

In the rumour category: “A project is under way to inaugurate a race track here and so far as can be learned, Messrs. Dalton and Reamsbottom are following up the suggestion to see what can be done in the way of raising finances from local residents. As one stated to the Advance, it ought to be a good venture if carried out on the right lines but so far, what the proposed lines are, have not been gathered by our representative. Probably, if it is deemed worthwhile, more information and something to go upon may be announced next week.”

Free advertising: “There is an excellent display of Nippon china ware at the store of M.J. Roche, and ladies who are interested in this kind of home decoration should certainly not miss such an opportunity of securing something out of the ordinary. Mr. Bushfield will, with his usual courtesy, explain anything in Japanese — ware, not talk — necessary.”

Handy info: “It may be astonishing to many people interested in the Porcupine Camp but residing out of it to learn that there are no less than 22 automobiles in the district in daily use.

“Of these, according to the figures obtained from a reliable source, there are 13 in Timmins and nine in South Porcupine. At Timmins, 10 of these are Fords and one each of Russell, Case and Overland, while at South Porcupine there are five Fords and the remainder, one each of McLaughlin, Overland, Cadillac and National”. (Not bad for 1915!)

A bit of local advocacy: “A convenience which would not cost a great deal to bring into effect but which would be greatly appreciated is the naming of the various streets in town. How many people, it has been asked, could tell right off if questioned, where he or she resides in Timmins? It was amusing to hear some instances quoted at the Retail Merchants’ meeting the other night. Some suggested that all streets and avenues be numbered and then the houses themselves numbered. Perhaps the Town Council will take up the matter even if only to discuss the pros and cons.”

Finally, gossip/true story: “What must be considered one of the most marvelous escapes from either very serious injuries or probably instant death was that in which a well known South End musician was the main actor in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Following upon a ‘festive’ occasion it is stated that he was on the roof of the firehall and not knowing that a gap existed between the building and the Town Hall [?], walked right off the fire hall into blank space. He must have experienced a sudden drop of 30 or 40 feet but strange to say suffered no broken limbs although his hands and face were badly cut.”

Well, they do say the Lord looks after fools, drunks and little children!


— Karen Bachmann is the director/curator of the Timmins Museum and a local author.


www.timminspress.com/2013/07/26/history-few-traffic-woes-in-1915