W.G. SOMERVILLE’S TWENTIETH ANNIVERSARY

[Welland Telegraph, 16 June 1899]

“Delivery Day” of Massey-Harris Farm Machinery on Friday Last.

              On Friday last the town was filled with wagons, teams and farmers, besides the general routine tend of business. It was the occasion of the 2^nd Massey-Harris delivery, and the 20^th anniversary of Mr. W.G. Somerville’s business with the company. The delivery was made up of three car loads of machinery-binders, mowers and rakes. There were 69 machines comprising Mr. Somerville’s sales for the season, and they were all shipped in together, with the idea of having a grand delivery, which was carried out.

             Starting early Friday morning the teams arrived in bunches and went to the G.T.R. station, where the machines were loaded into the wagons direct from the cars. By noon there were over 50 machines loaded and the teams were distributed around different parts of the town. It certainly gave the place a very business-like appearance, and was evidence that the farmers of Welland county believe in buying Canadian machinery for Canadians.

             At noon all the buyers and their assistants dined at the Welland house as guests of Massey-Harris Co. and the company’s agent. After dinner the whole procession was lined up on North Main street, completely filling the street from the West Main street to the river bridge. Photographer Morden put his camera to work and got splendid photos of the whole street, jammed with wagons and new machinery, a reproduction of which is given above. Owing to the pressure of other business a number of purchasers of new machines were unable to be present, but it is estimated that over 50 wagons were lined up.

             Among those present at the delivery were James H. Henning, general agent of the Massey-Harris Co.; H. Baker of the Toronto office; Robt. Armitage, general salesman; W.J. Wells of the bicycle department; John Bain, manager of the Bain Carriage Works; D. McEwen, travelling salesman of the Canada Carriage Co.; J.L. Henning of the Hamilton Massey-Harris agency; Chas. Trimble of the Dunnville agency, and a former partner of Mr. Somervilles.

             During the day Mr. Somerville did a little business outside the delivery. He sold an elegant two-seated surrey to Mr. W. Augustine, Humberstone, to be used for hack purposes at Port Colborne and vicinity; also five buggies and a democrat wagon.

             Mr. Somerville is to be congratulated on his 20^th anniversary in the good old-town of Welland, and may each succeeding one be indicative of the growth and progress of the town. He has won his reputation by honest, upright business tactics, and that is the business that is sure to last.