125 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 14, 1884

• An attempt was made to wreck a southbound passenger train as it approached Shelburne Wednesday morning. Says the Economist: "Some villains had placed two or three cedar poles across the track as short distance above Melancthon Station and the driver, William Childs, did not notice them until he was so close that it was impossible to pull up ere the engine struck them and very fortunately threw them clear of the track without doing any damage to the train. The driver had a bad scare. The perpetrators of such villainous work richly deserve hanging, for had the attempt at wrecking proved successful and the train been thrown from the track, many persons would most assuredly have been killed as the train had a full complement of passengers."

• Freight can now be shipped from Shelburne direct to Montreal via the CPR. The first consignment consisting of a car of cheese was shipped last week. Mr. Belfry received the first consignment direct from Montreal.

100 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 12, 1909

• To meet the demand for farm labourers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, special second class excursions will be run by the CPR from all Ontario stations. The cost of a one-way ticket to Winnipeg is $10 and from Winnipeg to points where labourers contract to work will be carried without charge. After at least one month's work in the harvest field, a ticket back to the Ontario starting point will be issued at $18.

• Says the Hillsburgh Beaver: There is a well-defined rumour that the provincial government will establish its new Central Prison farm at Inglewood. it is understood that the government wants a site where building and road-making material is handy and agricultural possibilities excellent. This happy combination is to be found at Inglewood.

• The Beeton World reports that two men, one from West Virginia, are gathering information on oil and natural gas prospects. A location near Beeton has been selected where the first well will be sunk.

• James and Albert Johnston, of Mulmur, who have been confined in the Dufferin County gaol for some months as persons of unsound mind, were set at liberty Tuesday. Their father, James Johnston, a former school teacher, arrived in Orangeville Monday evening and left for home with the two young men shortly after they were set free.

• The Village of Shelburne is submitting a bylaw to ratepayers to provide for the extension, improvement and repairs of the waterworks system and to raise $6,000 to meet the costs of the proposed improvements. The vote will take place on August 25. If the bylaw carries, the council will erect a steel tower and tank to take the place of the present wooden structure and drill another well to keep up the supply of water.

• John Levens is hard at work in his silver mine on Melancthon's 15 Sideroad. He has secured some fine specimens of native silver but is badly handicapped by foul air in the mine's main shaft.

75 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 16, 1934

• A cyclonic-like storm that lasted about three minutes crossed Highway 11 at Guthrie, north of Barrie, at 4 p.m. Monday, and in its 200-yard swath buildings crashed and branches were ripped from trees. Damage to property was estimated in thousands of dollars, but fortunately no loss of life was reported.

• Shelburne Council has approved a grant of $250 to Shelburne Rink Limited to be used immediately in making repairs so that the skating rink will not become a total loss to the citizens.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 12, 1959

• Ed Gyurki, 21-year-old hospital technician and dance band leader, captured the Open and Canadian titles for the second year in succession at the Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers' Contest, held in Shelburne Arena Friday and Saturday nights. Second in the Open section was 26- year-old Al Cherney, of Wingham, and third was Victor Pasowisty of Toronto. Cherney dethroned six-time winner Sleepy Marlin of Louisville, Kentucky in the Novelty competition.

• Orangeville Rotarians are undertaking a chicken barbecue to offset the cost of replacing the arena's floor.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 15, 1984

• Thousands of fiddle fans jammed Shelburne Arena Saturday night to witness the finals of the 1984 Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers' Contest. Emerging as champion of the contest sponsored by Shelburne Rotary Club and the Canadian Broadcasting System, was Frank Leahy, 23, of Willowdale.

• Orangeville Raceway has a new owner and new management, coowner Ian Hardcastle having taken over the management reins. The Toronto real estate developer acquired it in July 1983 but had left daily operation to co-owner Earl Clements.