N.F.S. People Visit Fonthill Nurseries
[Welland Tribune, 6 July 1900]
On Feb. 29th June, the directors of the Niagara Falls South Horticultural Society held a very pleasant excursion and picnic to the Morris, Stone & Wellington nurseries of seven or eight hundred acres, well-stocked.
The morning looked very threatening, with darkening clouds to the west, when some of the fair sex wished us to return home, yet the majority put confidence in their weather prophet, who said before starting that the day would be fair and cool, yet we found out before long on our way that this same prophet had his water-proof, well rolled up from view, with him. With the exception of the strong wind, which blew the dust into our faces going up, there was nothing to mar the trip. Mr. Depew, Mrs. James Wilson, and Mrs. Dr. Lions, with their spanking pacers, led the way. Next came the large covered four-seated wagon, in which was seated Mrs. Abel Land, Mrs. Canon Bull, Mrs. George Piper, Mr. McGuire, and Mrs. Abel Land, with his field glass, composed of two vials, tied with red, white and blue ribbons, and a small Union Jack; the vials were filled with bilious pills, in case of any emergency, and Dr. Lions carried the other medicines, such a balm of Gilead, mint sauce, peppermint drops &c. The next rig carried Dr. Lions, our genial president; Mr. Robertson, secretary; Mr. Geo. Piper, florist of the village, and Mr. R. Cameron, four jolly good fellows, and their old fashioned steeds were hopping from one side of the road and under every cherry tree they met after they passed the Black Horse. The next rig came up and passed us by while our worthy president was in the top of a large cherry tree, looking for water. It was thought he was looking for Lake Ontario, This rig contained Mr. and Mrs. John Gallinger and Miss Spence.
Two hours of pleasant driving brought us to the beautiful and extensive Fonthill nurseries.
The proprietor, Mr. Morris, who welcomed us, made every provision for our pleasure and comfort-providing tables, seats and hot water, while the ladies set the tablecloths and flowers. We unstrapped our well packed hampers of things good for the inner man. It was not long before we set to work with our spades and it was astonishing how fast the vast heap of hard boiled eggs disappeared, the other good things on the tables I will only attempt to name as I did not know the half of them, nor how to eat them. I am not sure if we had all this in rotation or not-first we had young duck and green peas, frogs legs, cold tongue and beans, sandwiches of beef, salmon and ham, apple pie and Goudy cheese, roast chicken, strawberry short cake (and my, it was good) tarts and biscuits of every sort, coconut cakes, lemon pies and sponge cakes of every size and quality, bananas, lemons and cherries, tea and coffee. I have not mentioned the pickles and catsups.
There was nothing to mar the pleasure of the day, but the breaking of the teapot, which was serious to the ladies, and the stealing by some petty thief of the most important hamper. A rest and a smoke followed, when Miss Williams made her appearance on the croquet lawn, and the play was gone into by some of the party with a vim not often equaled. The rest of us disappeared through the nurseries among the trees and scrubs, of which there is a large assortment of fruit, ornamental trees and shrubs, herbaceous and greenhouse plants. Conspicuous among the ornamental stock we noticed the following:-Lilacs in sixty varieties, double and single bloom, chianathus virginicus, or white fringe, also rhus purpura, or purple fringe, tree boxwood, tree paeonies, and any quantity of the herbaceous paeonies, a beautiful and hardy variety of euonius radicans variegata. Here also is a grand assortment of junipers, such as the following: Juniperus elegantissima, juniperus virginica variegate, juniperus virginica plumosa aurea, juniperus smithi, juniperus sinensis pendula, juniperus virginicus schotti, juniperus, or saven, juniperus japonica aurea. We noticed also the following beautiful varieties of thuyas: Thuya occidentalis marreana aurea, thuya lobbi variegata aurea, thuya vervaeneana, thuya sempre aprea, thuya occidentalis spiralis. The above named trees are certainly choice for any lawn and an object of beauty for any person to look at on their own property. The gloxinias, in the green houses, are alone worth going the distance to see; they are simply superb.
Mr. Morris led us to the rose nursery, and I must say that I never saw so many roses before in one place-the number of acres were mentioned, but I have forgotten how many. When we reached the grounds, each person was presented with a twelve-quart basket and told to help themselves and keep up the baskets. It is needless to say that all had done so and had rose buds to their heart’ content. This ended the rose game, a red-letter day to the directors of this society, and we started on our homeward journey, to stop on the way only one, to water the animals and finish the strawberry shortcake ourselves.
To those who never were at Fonthill, I would say I am sure they would find there a source of profit and pleasure combined. Yours truly. A. Director
[People’s Press, 8 May 1900]
Frank C. Schleffel has filled a much felt want in town by opening up a well-stocked photographers’ supply house. The front room over A. Griffith’s harness shop has been fitted up for the purpose and it is now filled with a most complete stock of everything required by either professionals or amateurs. All standard grades of plates and papers, prepared solutions, chemicals, trays, graduates, etc., and a large variety of cameras and kodaks now in stock. Mr. Schleffel expects to open the business today in charge of Miss Priscilla Ramey, who will also be book-keeper for Messrs. Schleffel & Sons.
[People’s Press. 15 May 1900]
S.J. Sidey offers for sale his residence on Shotwell Street and the Welland River, in the town of Welland. The house is in first class repair, and has never been occupied by anyone except the owner and the present tenant, Mr. Frost.
The residence is fitted with modern conveniences-warm air furnace, bath and toilet rooms, hot and cold water on both floors, gas and electric light fixtures. There are nine rooms, besides cellar, closets, halls, verandahs, etc. The premises have a first class private sewer and are thoroughly drained.
The lot is about 86 feet by 146 feet, with a 20 foot roadway running along the south side.
The lawn and boulevard are nicely set with thrifty young shade trees, and the place is one of the most healthful and pleasant homes in Welland.
The premises will be sold at a bargain.
Apply personally or by letter to S.J.SIDEY, Port Colborne or J.J. SIDEY, Welland.
Warning to People Boating
[People’s Press, 9 May 1900]
No thoroughfare is allowed over the aqueduct. Wheelmen, conveyances, etc., are turned back by the guard, and travellers may sve time and trouble sometimes by making a note of this. Boating in the Welland river is also restricted in the neighborhood of the aqueduct, as per the subjoined notice, which has been given boat owners:-
Notice and Warning
“Parties boating in the Welland river east of the canal aqueduct are hereby notified and warned that they must not, under any consideration, approach the aqueduct by night, nor must they by day nearer than the nearest boathouse. If a boating party is challnged by the sentry one of the party must answer the challenge by saying who they are and stopping the boat, and obey all directions of the sentry. The sentry has a loaded magazine rifle of long range, and his instructions are to shoot any person disregarding his orders. Parties lending or hiring their boats to others will please warn the parties obtaning their boats of the above instructions. Parties having a grievance or complaint may take the same to the undersigned, or to W.G. Thompson, Superintending Engineer, St. Catharines. The authorities feel that they have the sympathy of the citizens in protecting public property and the superintendent will do anything reasonable to mitigate the inconveniece to citizens of a military guard, but citizens will kindly remember that the sentry must and will do his duty. By order, J. Edward Cohoe, Major, 44th Battalion, Welland, Ont.”
Pelham News
[People’s Press, 4 September 1900]
The frame blacksmith shop and carriage barn of Brown Bros. Company, nurserymen, at their nurseries near Ridgeville, was burned to the ground last Friday evening, together with a quantity of tools, etc. Cause of fire unknown. The building was a good frame one, and was particularly insured; the tools were also insured. Had the wind been in a different direction than it was, in all probability a valuable barn would also have been destroyed. The insurance was with the Waterloo.
[Welland Tribune, 24 August 1900]
Several changes in the teaching staff of Welland public schools will go into effect at the reopening of the schools on Sept. 4th. Jos. McGuire and John Lowe have resigned the positions held by them as teachers. Miss Johnstone has been promoted from the Third Ward school to the position recently held by Mr. McGuire as teacher of junior third book department, and Miss M. wade and Miss C. Buchner have been appointed to the vacancies thus created in the third and fourth ward schools. The principle acted upon by the board of employing residents of the town or immediate vicinity as teachers is a very commendable one.
[Welland Tribune, 24 August 1900]
A large two-storey addition, about 20×30, is being erected to the Welland evaporator by Contractor Ellsworth, to be used as a dryer. The drying ovens did not give good satisfaction last year, and the new building is to do their work. It is constructed on the latest improved plan. The ground floor contains the furnaces, and the heat ascends through the upper floor, which is really a drying rack, being constructed of inch square strips laid a quarter of an inch apart and on which the apples are laid.
MACHINERY SHIPMENTS
The firm of M. Beatty & Sons are doing an exceptionally large business in hoisting engines this year, having already sold many more than were made in any previous year. The number sold to date is twenty-nine. A carload of three was shipped this week to M.P. Davis for the Quebec bridge work. This was the second carload to him, the first having been shipped to Mr. David last week. The week before engines were sent to the Engineering & Contracting Co., Chaudiere Jct., Quebec, and Canadian Rand Drill Co., Quebec.
[People’s Press. 19 June 1900]
The new school building when completed will be a handsome brick structure covering an area of 91 feet 3 in by 53 ft. 9 in., with a projecting entry in centre front 14 by 25 feet. It is situated on a three acre plot of land between Division and Young street, also partially bordering on Hellems avenue. The building faces north and is in line with Cross street, so that a fine view is obtained from that street as well as from the town hall square on Main street. The front of the building is about 200 feet back of and facing the Division line, and a concrete walk, dividing a lawn, with flowers and shrubs, will lead from the street to the entrance. In the rear of the building are ample ply grounds.
The total height of building from the grade line to top of belfry is 72 feet, and to the point of flag pole 88 feet.
An arch of masonry will overhang the front entrance to the building. The porch opens into a vestibule 6×9, from which stairways lead both to basement on the right and main hall on the left. The main halls extend through the centre from front to back, and are 25 feet in width. In the centre of both halls is to placed a drinking fountain, around which the walls form an octagon about 21 feet in width. There is also a rear entrance to the building which leads similarly in to both basement and ground floor. On each floor are four commodious class rooms, each 25 x33 feet. All are well lighted and so arranged that the principal source of light is from the pupil’s left. Convenient cloak rooms for the teacher are provided on either side of the main entrance, and over the entrance, on first floor, is a room 10 ft. 6 in. by 21 ft. 6 in. set aside for the use of the board of trustees. In the basement are two large play rooms, each 24×32 feet, and in the rear of these are the furnaces and modern toilet room. The system of ventilation is most complete, the furnaces being guaranteed to completely change the air of the entire building three times per hour. The flooring to be of maple throughout. The plans and specifications of the structure were drawn by J.E. Ellis, architect, of Toronto, and the contracts have been let to Jacob Lovell (carpenter work); M. Vanderburg (masonry); Pease Furnace Co. (heating). The total cost of the building & c., will be about $14,500, exclusive of the land.
(The unusual shades in the half-tones are due to the fact that they were reproduced from the architect’s colored drawings on rough paper.)
[People’s Press, 24 July 1900]
The above cuts represent the outline of the town hall building about to be erected on the market square, Welland, and for which the contracts have been signed by the successful tenders, Messrs. M. Vanderburg and J.E. Cutler. The contract price was $7020.
The building will be a handsome ornament to the town, and will be situated in the most conspicuous location. The structure will be of brick. The dimensions are 46×60 feet and the height of the tower from the ground line will be 76 feet. The ground and first floors will be furnished throughout in quarter-cut oak, and the basement is clear white pine. The height of ceilings will be: Basement 8 feet 6 in., ground floor 11 ft. and first floor 15 ft.
The front part of the basement is arranged for the night watchman, with a cell on the northwest corner. The balance of the basement 42 ft. 9 in., by 35 ft., is to be open for the convenience of marketers, as a basket room etc.
On entering the ground room there is a spacious hall, from which entrance is had to the treasurer’s office in the front, the clerk’s office on the north side, and the public library and reading room in the rear. The treasurer’s office will be divided into two compartments, 13 ft. 6 in. by 8 ft. 9 in., and 11 ft. 6 in., by 11 ft. 3 in., with a vault over the cell. 19 ft. by 15 ft. 6 in., are the dimensions of the clerk’s office. The library room is 17 ft. 3 in., by 15 ft. and the reading room 17 ft. 3 in., by 24 ft. 6 in.
A balcony extends out over the front room from the first floor. The front portion of the upper room, 42 ft. by 26 ft. 6 in., is to be a council chamber, and the balance for the use of the firemen. The fireman’s apartments will be divided into three parts-one room 13 ft. by 17 ft. 3 in., another 23 ft., 6 in., by 17 ft. 3 in., and a wardrobe between the two. There is a lavatory off the hall between the council chamber and firemen’s room.
The building will be heated by natural gas, and is to be completed by Nov. 1st.
REAL ESTATE
FOR SALE IN TOWN OF WELLAND-the desirable and centrally located premises on the corner of Hellems ave. and Division street, known as the “Guest property.” Two dwellings, shop, barn, etc. A great bargain-small payment, down and monthly payments, if desired. Apply T. MAIN, Welland.
Works Near Marshville Totally Destroyed
HEAVY LOSS
Active Operations Were to Commence on Day of Fire
[People’s Press. 18 September 1900]
The works of the Central Peat Fuel Company, located in the marsh historically known as the “Great Cranberry Marsh,” 2 ½ miles northeast of Marshville and seven miles from Welland, were totally destroyed by fire early last Friday morning. The buildings are nothing but a heap of ashes. Nothing escaped the flames. Most of the machinery is lying in the ashes. All that can now be seen is the big engine, which is warped and cracked by the heat, so that is why it is a total loss. The brick drier and stack, the three presses and the boiler are all so badly burned as to be almost a total loss.
The Works
The buildings burned consisted of the pressing room, 60×80 feet in size; engine room, 30×40 feet; blacksmith shop, 25×25 feet, with an upstairs over part of it.
The Contents
The buildings contained a large amount of new and expensive machinery. The main items are: Three large and ponderous presses, four processing the peat into blocks; a new 200 horse power engine; a complete set of machine shop tools, including steam drills, lathes, etc., etc.; a new 15 horse power engine; two large boilers; and all the other tools, etc., besides shafting, belts and all small machinery.
A Hot Fire
The fire was first noticed about 3.20 a.m. by a young son of Superintendent Simpson, and the alarm was given immediately. It could not have been burning long, as Mr. Simpson had been out on the verandah only a few minutes before, when everything was all right. There was also a night watchman.
When first discovered the flames were confined wholly to the pressing room and had gained little head way, but before the fire-fighting apparatus could be got into working order the entire building was burning fiercely. Mr. Campbell and his men fought the flames heroically but without avail. The tin roof on the building kept the flames confined and the heat soon became unbearable. The fire spread rapidly. The hungry flames lapped up more and more of the buildings, and soon the entire group was a mass of flames and a heavy column of smoke stretched over the country. The fire had now reached a stage when nothing whatever could be done to check it. No one could go near the buildings. The entire country was lighted by the fire, which could be seen for miles. The flames died out entirely about 6 o’clock for lack of more fuel, and nothing was left but ashes.
The fire protection was good but the flames had gained too much headway to make it of any use. Over 200 hundred feet of hose was attached to both of the big engines, with a good water supply; a big tank full of water was on the roof of the main building and water barrels were scattered through the place. But the buildings were dry as tinder, there having been very little rain lately.
Central Peat Fuel Company
The company now operating the peat works is called the Central Peat Fuel Co., and has had possession for about six months. T.F. Simpson is superintendent of the works. Previous to his engagement with the present company he was with the Massey-Harris Co. of Brantford for many years. Mr. Simpson has had considerable experience in the peat business, and since has had the management of the works has largely remodelled them. The present company were determined to make a success of the peat fuel, and their anticipations would seem to have been in the way of being on the eve of realization when this untoward event occurred. Although their plant had not really been running yet, they had pressed and shipped between two and three hundred tons of the fuel. For the past six months Mr. Simpson has been putting gin new machinery and making changes in the plant which he considered necessary and the result is stated to have been that it has been fully demonstrated that the manufacture of peat fuel here would prove a success. A large sum of money has been invested in the works in accomplishing the above results, and this has now gone wholly up in smoke.
A Big Loss
When asked by the press reporter what the loss would be Mr. Simpson said: “The loss to the company will be very heavy. I could give figures which would startle you.” There is some insurance, the amount could not be learned at the works.
Peat was to be Manufactured that Day
Owing to the many changes which the present company has made in the works the past six months in which they have had possession have been used mainly in getting the works in thorough running order. Active operations were to have been started the same day as the fire. The three presses would have a total capacity of thirty tons per day, and it was the intention of the company to install five more presses in the near future, which would have increased the capacity of the works to eighty tons per day. Previous to the fire fifteen men has been employed, and when the proposed increase was made in the plant fully two hundred men would have been employed.
It was very unfortunate that the fire happened when it did-on the first day that he works were to be started running to their full capacity.
The plant had now been put in a most complete condition. The bog owned by the company comprises 5,000 acres, with a layer of peat from three to twenty feet deep. An electric peat digger had been delivered to the company a few weeks ago. This machine is propelled and operated by electrical power generated at the works, and as it travels over the marsh, scoops up the peat from the marsh to the works. An 80 horse power engine runs a dynamo to supply the electricity.
Will They Re-build?
Mr. Simpson says he does not yet know whether the company will rebuild or not, but the possibility is that the work will be started again as soon as possible, but the re-building cannot possibly be completed before next spring.
The fire has given a severe check to the manufacture of peat fuel in this country, but everything is so well adapted at this spot for the manufacturing of the article that the work will undoubtedly be resumed sooner or later.
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