100 YEARS AGO Thursday, August 19, 1909

• George Duke, of Mono Mills, engaged John Murray, a recent arrival from Ireland, as a farm laborer some time ago. On July 30, Murray took his departure without saying goodbye and the next day Mr. Duke discovered that a valuable horse and its saddle and bridle had also disappeared. The information was given to High Constable Hughes, who communicated with the authorities in surrounding towns and villages and received word from Inglewood that a man and horse answering his description had passed through the place. Mr. Duke and his brother James decided to pursue the thief and the chase took them through Caledon, Chinguacousy and Trafalgar townships. The brothers slept in a farmhouse and the next morning found Murray sitting at breakfast in a nearby farmhouse. After some conversation they persuaded to give up the house and accompany them back to Orangeville. Tying the stolen horse behind their rig, the three men got into the buggy and headed home through Brampton. Everything went well until they reached the foot of Caledon Mountain where they stopped for a drink of water. Murray jumped out of the buggy and suddenly drew a revolver, declaring he would not go any further. The Dukes tried to persuade him to go with them quietly but were unsuccessful and on their arrival in Orangeville a warrant was issued for the escapee's arrest. It is thought he may have gone to Toronto where it is said some relatives reside.

• During the storms on Monday the barn of W. H. Jessop in Mono was struck by lightning and considerable damage done. Whitfield and Fred Jessop, who were in the barn looking out through a window, received a shock that rendered them unconscious. It is not known how long they lay there before Fred regained consciousness sufficiently to give the alarm. Dr. White, who was summoned, says the young men will suffer no serious effects from their experience.

• Governor Bowles, of the Orangeville gaol, accompanied the Orangeville Citizens' Band on an excursion to Hamilton last week. While there, Mr. Bowles visited the Asylum for the Insane for the purpose of seeing George Stewart, the author of the terrible Spanhouse tragedy. Stewart is closely guarded and the Governor had to obtain an order from the medical superintendent before he was permitted to see him. Stewart recognized the Governor and conversed with him quite freely. Governor Bowles also saw Mrs. Johnston, of Mulmur and her daughter Ada, who were taken to the asylum from the Orangeville gaol a couple of months ago. Ada is acting as a dining-room girl and so far has given the attendants very little trouble. Her mother, on the other hand, has proved one of the most troublesome inmates they have had to deal with for years.

• A decision of importance to municipalities was handed out by the Court of Appeal at Toronto. In effect, it holds that no traction engine can go on a bridge without laying plank and if one does so, any damage will be chargeable to the engine's owner. In the case in question, the Goodison Thresher Co. brought an action against the Township of McNabb for damage to an engine, which was under eight tons in weight, by the collapse of a bridge. No plank was laid but the plaintiff contended this was unnecessary. The court held, however, that without laying plank such an engine has no right on a bridge and must suffer the consequences.

75 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 23, 1934

• In Magistrate Hugh Faulkner's court yesterday, Tom Harshaw pleaded guilty to keeping liquor for sale. Police Chief Albert McNeil raided the Harshaw home on Friday last and found eight cases of beer and a quantity of whisky. The Magistrate sentenced him to two months in jail.

• If plans presented to Ontario's Minister of Highways are adopted the province's highways will no longer be designated as "the Kings Highways." Instead, the historic designations of the main thoroughfares would be revived. For example, Highway 2 between London and Walkerville will be known as Tecumseh Road in honour of the great Indian chieftain who fought his last battles along the line it follows.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 19, 1959

• A public meeting of ratepayers from six Dufferin municipalities Monday night resulted in the unanimous passage of a resolution asking Dufferin County Council to decide on the site for the proposed county Home for the Aged.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 22, 1984

• Although it is behind schedule, Orangeville's expanded sewage treatment plant should be in operation sometime in October, says engineer Bob Willcox.

• Perrin Beatty, MP for Wellington Dufferin-Simcoe, says policies of the present Liberal government "have destroyed the dreams and ambitions of a whole generation of young Canadians."