Louis Cyr, Canada’s Strongman Once Competed Here
By Howard M. Brown
The Carleton Place Herald, May 29, 1958
What were some of the differences between life in Ontario towns of sixty to seventy years ago and today? Glimpses of a town of 4,000 people at work and at play, as mirrored in advertisements in Carleton Place’s two newspapers of that time, the Central Canadian and the Herald, offer one of the answers. A few of these advertising announcements have been culled and condensed for their following second publication. They tell of some of the typical minor scenes and local events of an enthusiastic, hard working and lively period of national development, sometimes recalled as the booming ‘80’s and the gay 90’s.
New Publishers
We have fitted out our office with an entirely new stock of job and advertising types, in addition to what was good of the old plant which we purchased. Heretofore the Herald has been conducted by a gentleman endowed with more than ordinary knowledge and ability, a man residing in this county the greater part of his life. We come as comparative strangers to resume his position. As formerly, the Herald will give its support to the Liberal Party in everything that is for the benefit of the country and in accordance with the principles of morality and justice.
Allen Bros. & Kibbee, Publishers and Proprietors. July 18, 1883.
Engineering Works
Central Canada Machine Works, Carleton Place. Saw Mill Machinery, Engines, Waterwheels, Grist Mill Machinery, Shafting, Gearing, Pulleys, Hangers. All lof the above are our specialties. We also make custom Cards, Pickers, etc., Drop Hammers, Presses, etc., Stump Screw Machines always on hand. Good Circular and Drag Saws made to order. Also Repairing and Castings of all kinds in Iron and Brass.
Graham, Lawson & Co. – July 1883.
World Champion Oarsman
Fourth Annual Regatta of the Carleton Boating Club. Mississippi Lake Regatta Grounds, Thursday, Sept. 6, 1883. Edward Hanlan, the Champion Oarsman of the World, will give an exhibition. Lee, Plaisted, Hosmer and other notted oarsmen will take part in the professional race. $800 in prizes. Baseball match. Prescott Oddfellows Band, 28 strong. Grand Evening Concert in the Drill Hall.
Shouting Soprano
The Jubilee Singers of Tennesee University under the auspices of the Carleton Place Mechanics’ Institute, in one of their Weird and Thrilling Concerts. Plantation Melodies in the true Southern Style. Miss Piollie Johnson, The Great Shouting Soprano. Admission 25c, 35c, children 15c. Tickets at MacLean’s Book Store.
September 1883.
Food Costs
The Summit Store is the Spot. Your choice for #1.00: 6 cans Salmon, 6 cans Lobster, 8 boxes Sardines, 11 lbs Prunes, 12 lbs. new Valencia Raisins, 13 lbs. Bright Sugar, 4 lbs. choice Japan Tea. Five dozen Labrador Herring for $1.00, or $3.00 per half barrel. Also Fresh Halibut, Mess Pork, Fresh Herring, Tommy-Cods, etc. Early Rose Potatoes. Green Apples – Glassware and Crockery, Boots and Shoes.
Eli Hutchings. – May 1884.
Gillies Grove
Zion Church Sunday School will hold its annual picnic Saturday, August 15, 1884 in Gillies’ Grove, just below the factory.
Stoves Supplied
Carleton Place Foundry. Come and examine our stock. Diamond ‘G’ Coal or Wood. Show Room at the Foundry.
Dave Findlay. – October, 1884.
Bucksin Mitts
Prepare for Winter. First class handmade Buckskin Moccasins and Mitts.
James Presley, opposite Methodist Church. – December 1884.
Newman’s Hall
New Public Hall opened by Mr. Robert McDiarmid. One of the best in this part of the country. Auditorium rearranged to accommodate 500 people. The stage scenery, painted by Sosman & Landis, Chicago, provides four scenes, the ‘woods’, ‘parlor’, ‘kitchen’, and ‘street’. The drop curtain presents a view of placid waters, rugged mountain rocks and ancient castle.
February 1885.
Shooting Gallery
Mr. Bush, proprietor of the Shooting Gallery under Victoria Hall, has taken out a licence for his business. He has good rifles and air guns.
May 1885.
Roller Flour
Now in operation. One of the best and most complete mills in this country. Price of Roller Flour, Bran, Shorts, etc. reduced. Graham Flour, Cracked Wheat, Oat Meal, Corn Flour, Brose Meal, Buckwheat Flour, etc., also manufactured. Liberal discounts to the Trade. Custom grinding as usual.
Horace Brown. – February, 1886.
Bedroom Suites
Furniture – A good handsome Bedroom Suite, five pieces for $16.00. Undertaking, Open Day and Night.
Five Dollar Suit
Golden Lion Stores. Every man should see our Five Dollar Suit. – Dress Goods – Carpets – Spring Leaf Japan Tea, 25c per pound.
W. & D. McDiarmid, near Post Office. – May, 1887.
Hand Loom Weaving
Weaving. The undersigned desires to inform the citizens of Ramsay, Huntley, and Beckwith that he is prepared to do all kinds of Country and Custom Work. A call from old customers solicited, as I intend to do all the work myself.
Andrew Dunlop, Weaver. Near George Tait’s Gardens, 12th Line Beckwith. – July 1888.
Sailing Yacht
For Sale. Small Sailing Yacht, nearly new, 22 ft. long, 5½ ft. beam, built of cedar, quarter-decked. Patent folding steel centerboard, and carry 90 ft. of sail, mainsail and two jibs.
James Winthrop, Lake Avenue. – July, 1889.
Retail Trade
The undersigned has reopened his Meat Business. Hours 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., every lawful day, except Tuesday and Saturday mornings, when he will visit Appleton and Ashton with choice supplies, and Friday afternoons when the shop will be closed. Fifteen pounds of roasts, steaks and stewing for $1.00 cash.
Augustus Lavallee. – August, 1889.
Blacksmith Work
The undersigned are prepared to do every kind of Blacksmith work – Mill and Factory work – River Driving Tools – Waggons, Sleighs and Cutters made to order. Quarry Men’s Tools, Mason Tools, Agricultural Implements and Machinery repaired. Horse shoeing a Specialty.
T. & W. Glover. Alex Hunter’s Old Stand, Mill Street near Grist Mill. – March 1890.
Louis Cyr, Strong Man
In the Drill Shed, Louis Cyr, the Strong Man. His holding against a team of the Canada Lumber Co’s horses will be repeated at tonight’s performance. Concluding feat a lift of fifteen heavy citizens upon a 200 pound platform.
May 1892.
Kickapoo Indians
Free! The Kickapoo Indian Medicine Co. will open in Victoria Hall on November 30, 1892 for two weeks. Indian War Dances, Buffalo Dances. Also Ventriloquists, Banjo Players, Comedians, Contortionists, Wire Walkers and high class wonder working.
Meat Prices
Central Meat Market. In future I intend to carry on a strictly cash business. Beef prices per pound – steaks and roasts 10c, boiling 5 to 6 c, corned beef 7 to 8c. Ten cents a pound for cutlets, leg, loin or chops of pork, veal, mutton and lamb.
E. J. Griffith, proprietor. Shop next to the Bridge. – October, 1891.
Incandescent Lighting
Commercial and meter rates for lighting. The first supply of lamps furnished free. Renewal lamps free on return of burnt out lamps. Prompt attention to orders for wiring.
Carleton Place Electric Light Co., J. M. Brown, Manager. May, 1893.
Canoe Meet
First Annual Meet of the Ottawa Valley Canoe Association to be held at Lake Park, Carleton Place, Wednesday, August 16th, 1893. Single and Tandem Races, half mile and mile, with turn. Tilting, Smoking and Upset Races. Grand evening Boat Illumination and Citizens’ Band. The Steamer Carleton will leave Town Dock at 1:30, 2:30, 7 and 8. Usual fares of 15 cents includes the sports.
S. J. McLaren, president; W. J. Welsh, vice-pres.; Colin McIntosh, secretary. Committee Robert Patterson, A. E. Cram, Robert Sibbett.
Winter Lumber Trade, 1895
The Canada Lumber Co. desires to intimate that its Water Mill is in running order. Custom Sawing at satisfactory prices.
Custom Sawing at our Saw Mill on the river bank, beside the Machine Shop of John Gillies & Co. Logs Wanted. Shingle Sawing done as usual at our Planing Mill near C.P.R. Freight Sheds. – A. Nichols & Son
Planing Mill and Sash Factory – Furniture and school desks a specialty. Mill on river bank. – Moffatt & Co.
Arklan Saw Mills. Now prepared to do Custom Sawing. Also hashing of grain.
Andrew Hawley, Sr.
All grades Rough Lumber constantly in stock. Also joist, scantling, plank, lath. B.C. Red Cedar shingles, $2.75 per M. Yard at Caldwell’s Old Piling Grounds. – Nathan D. McCallum.
Steamboat Schedule
Steamer ‘Carleton”. This week’s time bill to Lake Park. Boat will run from Caldwell’s Dock as follows:
Tuesday – 7:30 p.m. Citizen’s Band and Hop; Wednesday-9:30 a.m., 1 and 2 p.m. St. James Sunday School Picnic; Thursday-9:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Baptist Sunday School Picnic; Friday and Saturday – 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., and to Innisville.
August, 1896.
Uncle Tom’s Cabin
Under the personal direction of John F. Stowe, nephew of the celebrated authoress Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin will appear in the Town Hall, Carleton Place, September 19, 1896. Company of 40. Novel features include the blowing up of the battleship ‘Maine’.
Wool Wanted
The undersigned are prepared to purchase any quantity of Good Clean Wool. A full line of Fine and Coarse Tweeds, Blankets, Flannels and Yarns, always in stock. Custom work as formerly.
Carleton Place Woollen Mills, McDonald & Brown. – June, 1900.
Three Ring Circus
Lemen Brothers World Monster Shows and Three Ring Circus, at Carleton Place, Friday, August 10, 1900. – Roman Hippodrome – Five Continent Menagerie – Rajah bigger than the famous Jumbo – 100 Exalted Circus Champions – Parade at 10 a.m. – High Dive at 10:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Carleton Place Local History 