39 years ago
Wellington Advertiser, 1981
About 550 students had to spend the night of Feb. 18 in school or at area homes after heavy fog kept school buses off the roads. Affected were students at three Mount Forest schools (the high school, Mount Forest public and St. Mary’s), along with Kenilworth public and Sacred Heart in Kenilworth, Arthur public, Arthur District High School and St. John’s in Arthur.
81 years ago,
Palmerston Observer, 1939
The Palmerston Fire Brigade, assisted by dozens of volunteer fighters, fought a losing battle in sub-zero weather on Feb. 22, when the house and contents of Provincial Constable T. W. Oldfield were completely destroyed. The total damage of the blaze, the origin of which is not known, was estimated at $7,000. Firemen struggled for six hours to bring the blaze under control, but to no avail. A strong northwest wind fanned the flames, and the temperature, which ranged very slightly over the zero mark, caused firemen’s clothing to become ice-coated, hampering their activities. Extra pressure also resulted in the breakage of two of the hose lines. All afternoon, through the kind efforts of the White Rose service station, buckets of hot coffee were carried to firemen to act as a stimulant to those suffering from exposure. Mr. Oldfield told the Observer that he was at a loss as to the origin of the blaze. He said that he was at home at the time of the outbreak, but did not know the cause. He said that the fire began near the chimney at the back of the house, and spread rapidly through the partitions. The report that the fire originated from a blow torch while frozen pipes were being thawed out, was not confirmed.
85 years ago
Harriston Review, 1935
The Town Bell, which served Palmerston for over 40 years, will be placed on the auction block, according to a motion of town council on Feb. 11. Although the bell has not been used for the past 10 years, being replaced by a siren which is more up-to-date, it has found a resting place adjacent to the Public Utilities Building. Councillors Burns and Auld were appointed a committee to dispose of the bell.
On Jan. 31 councillor George Albert Quinnell died in his 69th year at his home on Main Street West. He was one of Palmerston’s most highly respected citizens. The deceased was a progressive far-mer while living on his father’s homestead on the 2nd Concession of Minto until moving to Palmerston in 1921. For many years Mr. Quinnell refused public office and it was not until this year that he took an official position in public work. He had been in comparatively good health until Sunday evening after his return home from attending service at the Palmerston United Church, of which he was a member. At about 10:45 that evening Mr. Quinnell suffered a paralytic stroke from which he never recovered. Quinnell was the youngest son of Walter and Mrs. Mary Quinnell, pioneers of Minto Township. He was born on his father’s homestead on March 23, 1867.
111 years ago,
Arthur Enterprise, 1909
Miss E. Crabb, who is engaged as a teacher in a school about four miles from Monck, has been forced to discontinue her duties in that capacity owing to the prevalence of scarlet fever in the section. The school will not, probably, be reopened until after Easter.
