100 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 18, 1907

+ One of the most terrible disasters in the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway occurred at noon on Wednesday of last week 22 miles west of Chapleau, resulting in the loss of 15 lives and injuring more or less seriously about 30 others. The wrecked train was the westbound Imperial Limited, which had left Montreal at 9:40 a.m. Tuesday. It was composed of 11 coaches, five of which were colonist cars, carrying immigrants who had arrived from England a few hours previously. The train was running at a little over 20 miles an hour and was rounding a curve when beneath the baggage car a rail broke. The car left the rails and was torn away from the engine and mail car, plunging down an embankment into a small, ice-covered lake. It was followed by two immigrant cars, which were crashed into by a firstclass coach at the bottom of the embankment. The immigrant cars were crowded with people who were cooking dinner. The cars caught fire from coal-fired ranges provided in the colonial coaches, live embers igniting the woodwork. The fire spread rapidly, making rescue difficult. Despite the rescuers' efforts, nine adults and six children were roasted to death. The injured were taken to Fort William on Thursday but only two are believed to be in any danger.

+ At a meeting of the Canadian Lacrosse Association on Thursday of last week, the following is a grouping of the teams: Intermediate District No. 7, Aberdeens of Markdale, Thistles of Dundalk, Dauntless of Shelburne and Maple Leafs of Owen Sound; Junior District No. 5, Aberdeen II of Markdale, Dauntless II of Shelburne, Thistle II of Dundalk and Alerts of Owen Sound.

+ Says the ORANGEVILLE POST: Dr. Lewis, MPP,, does really appear to be after the Huron & Ontario railway people with a short stick, and developments within the last week would indicate that his criticism is not unwarranted. The committee appointed at the public meeting of citizens and the Industrial Committee of the town council came to terms on a draft agreement with the representatives of the railway company, but on Saturday the draft was returned to Clerk Hughson in an emasculated and almost unrecognizable form by the company's solicitor. Dr. Lewis intimated at the Beck meeting on Thursday evening that the Huron & Ontario Railway people were trying to sell their charter to Mackenzie & Mann and the emasculated agreement is a strong corroboration of the doctor's declaration. One thing is certain, and that is that the town should not be put to the expense of voting on a bylaw before a tangible conclusion is reached. It is of no moment to the town what sort of second railway we get here, steam or electric, but the people should know where they are at before $100 or so of their money is spent in the submission of a bonus by-law. Why not stir the G.T.R. people up and see what they will do?

75 YEARS AGO Thursday, April 21, 1932

+ Under provisions of a School Law Act amendment passed at the recent session of the Legislature, Premier Henry, as Minister of Education, has procured authority for any rural township council to set aside the whole or any portion of the township as one township school area. In the past, such power has been limited to townships contiguous to a city or town.

+ On Wednesday of last week, County Judge Robb sentenced William Holt to three years in Kingston Penitentiary, with deportation at the end of the term, for assaulting Emanuel Dobson of Redickville on the night of March 19. On a charge of stealing $9 from his victim he was given a concurrent one-year sentence.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, April 17, 1957

+ At its meeting last week, Shelburne Council approved the purchase of four signs reading: Speed limit 30 m.p.h radar controlled." The council also approved a motion giving tentative approval to the Centre Dufferin District High School board to proceed with the erection of three additional rooms at a cost of $50,000, with the municipality assuming its portion of the cost according to the County equivalent assessment.

+ Walter Little, who has been successfully developing a commercial peat supply from marshlands in Amaranth Township, has extended his operations to the United States, in his project designed to prove that the Luther Marsh has almost unlimited commercial possibilities.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, April 21, 1982

+ The board of the Wellington- Dufferin-Guelph Health Unit has unanimously passed a motion condemning the current rotating walkouts by Ontario doctors in support of the Ontario Medical Association's dispute with the provincial government.

+ Shelburne Kinsmen Club has launched a fund-raising campaign to purchase a new tanker truck for the Shelburne Fire Department.