Hooking a hive of bees: Hot off the 1912 press

The Perth Courier, front page, June 14, 1912

Lanark County Court
“The June sitting of the Lanark County Court and quarter sessions opened here on Tuesday afternoon…Pennett vs. Peter Carr: Action brought by Patrick J. Pennett against Peter Carr (both farmers of Bathurst Township) for damages for alleged slander, the date of the offence being 29th June, 1911, when defendant is claimed to have falsely and maliciously made statements to the effect that the plaintiff had “hooked a hive of bees” and two hens. This case drew quite an audience, and was watched with keen interest. It developed a lot of mystery as to an old hive-stealing story that seems to be well-known in the neighbourhood in which the parties live, but which was not permitted to be told in court.

After five witnesses for plaintiff had been examined, counsel for defendant argued that the case should be dismissed as too frivolous to be brought into court. Plaintiff’s counsel contended that his client was entitled to at least “exemplary damages” as a vindication of his character. After taking the matter into consideration over night, His Honour, with great reluctance, as he said, gave judgement in favour of the plaintiff for $100.00 damages, with costs.”

Chaffey’s Lock CNR explosion of 1912: Hot off the press!

Top headlines from The Gananoque Reporter June 8, 1912

Nine Killed: Awful toll of premature explosion on CNR construction
“Nine men killed, five injured and one missing is the present awful toll of an accident which occurred on the Canadian Northern construction line at a point five miles from Chaffey’s Lock at 4:45 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. The men were working on a rock cut, and met death as the result of a premature explosion of black powder used to blast the rock.”

1911 taxes: Town council to adopt drastic measures to collect balances
“…The evening was largely taken up with a discussion of the statement presented by Mr. Eames, Collector of Taxes. The amount of 1911 taxes still outstanding is $314. Of this, $47 is for street watering and $15 for boathouse frontage. (Councillors said) if the parties refuse to pay, distraint upon the chattels should be made. On the other hand, the Collector stated he gave the Council to understand when he was appointed, that he would not act as a bailiff.”

In other news…A letter from Mr. A.A. Walsh of the Gananoque Inn, requested that a cement walk be constructed from the east end of the swing bridge to Stone Street, with an iron railing to protect pedestrians.

Front page news from 100 years ago…

Top stories of the June 7, 1912 edition of The Perth Courier 

Perth gets big new thriving industry
“Perth will have another new industry. For some time, negotiations have been in progress between Henry K. Wampole & Co. of Cincinnati, Ohio to take care of the Canadian business for the Jergens company. The Jergens company is the second largest manufacturer in the United States of high class toilet soaps.. the two companies are coming together to handle the soap, perfume and toilet business in Canada. A new company, with headquarters as Perth, is being incorporated to be known as the Andrew Jergens Co. Limited.”

Tap water is impure on account of swollen condition of river
“Dr. Dwyre, Medical Health Officer, has has a report from Dr. Connell of Kingston, on samples of tap water sent away last Friday. Dr. Connell reported the water to be impure and full of bacteria. This state of affairs has risen through the unprecedented steady and heavy rains, causing the river to rise. Until conditions become normal again, the advice is to boil the water for drinking purposes.”

You could buy… C.A. Farmer & Son was selling cream, fresh each morning. Half pint and pint bottle, 10 cents and 30 cents each. John Hart at The Perth Book Store was selling Colorite, an “entirely new preparation for restoring old straw hats to any colour,” 25 cents per bottle and brush.