100 YEARS AGO Thursday, March 18, 1909

• Says Shelburne FREE PRESS editor R. L. Mortimer in The Notebook: Social and municipal life in Orangeville seem to be on the decline, if not already at the foot of the hill. They have bad women, bad men, and bad boys, and so bad that the press is a unit in exposing the state of affairs. If the general standard were up to what it should be, no one would dare to risk the public censure and disgrace which should stamp such misdemeanors as obtain each year. And some citizens are certainly helping the matter along, especially where the boys are concerned. And why? Orangeville's school principal has been attacked. The schoolmaster, more than anyone else, is, in the eyes of the boys, both legislative and executive authority in all matters of discipline. The boys must be taught that the master is right, absolutely right. Orangeville has made the boys suspicious of the schoolmaster and consequently of his moral and social code and urchins are reported as a nuisance about the depot, public stairways and such places, day and night, weekdays and Sundays. Orangeville cannot afford to continue the pace. True, a certain element started out on a moral reform expedition but they exhibited such an evident lack of Christian charity and a vindictiveness that they have put themselves out of business. Orangeville wants half a dozen citizens of unimpeachable type who could afford financially and morally to take hard knocks — for they will get them — and Orangeville is not the only place that could entertain fewer moral cowards. They are too many of us afraid of the knocks. Just as in ages past there are few of us who want to be crucified. That's what it all comes to.

• Armour Gray, a resident of East Broadway, was arrested by Chief Speers on a charge of insanity. Gray, who is 54 years of age, formerly resided in Caledon but has resided in Orangeville for several years. The Orangeville SUN says that for quite a while "Gray has acted queerly and it is thought he has suicidal tendencies and was regarded as dangerous." Police Magistrate Pattullo has committed him to an asylum for the insane, Drs. Carson and Kyle having certified as to his insanity.

• George Ernest Stewart, having been in jail for over a month, was quietly removed to the Hamilton insane asylum on last Thursday's evening train. The maniac murderer has become quite easy to control of late and has been allowed in the jail corridor. Heavily manacled, he was taken by Provincial Officer Sinsor, accompanied by the prisoner's father and Governor Bowles, who seemed to have him under control.

• A meeting of Shelburne citizens will be held in the town hall Friday to reorganize the fire brigade. Chief J. D. Madill having gone west, it will be necessary to appoint a new chief and there is other important business to transact.

75 YEARS AGO Wednesday, March 22, 1934

• Political minds were slightly dented in the Legislature on March 16, when George Shields, Conservative member for Woodbine, raised his voice in support of a bill sponsored by T. K. Slack, Progressive member for Dufferin, which sought an amendment to the Game and Fisheries Act to prohibit hunters from encroaching on private farm property without the permission of the owner in writing. The measure also sought to do away with the necessity of property owners posting signs that hunting and shooting is prohibited. Mr. Slack declared that many hunters were prone to trespass on farm property in search of sport and often endangered human lives. But the bill failed to get second reading when other Conservatives criticized it.

• The Shelburne FREE PRESS AND ECONOMIST has launched a contest which invites readers to pick the 12 best-known men living in Dufferin.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, March 18, 1959

• Another snow storm has blocked area highways and stranded hundreds in Shelburne overnight Sunday. Although highways 10 and 24 were still blocked at noon Monday, highway 89 had been reopened despite the fact the storm was still raging.

• John Root, MPP, has disclosed that tenders have been called for paving the development road between Shelburne and Jessopville and between Signet and Conn, a total of 15 miles.

• Orangeville expects to have dial telephone service in about two years. The first step is to be construction of a modern exchange building.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, March 21, 1984

• Dufferin County Council has passed a $5.7 million operating budget that provides a 4.8% decrease in the county levy. Orangeville Reeve Arnold Patterson, chairman of the General Government Services Committee, said the decrease is partially a result of unexpended funds last year in the Dufferin Oaks and social services budgets.

• The first Orangeville Karate Challenge Championships are to be held May 26.