125 YEARS AGO Thursday, October 30, 1884

• The ballot to be used for voting in Dufferin today on the Scott Act requires those desirous of voting to make a mark in the form of an X after the words — "For the Petition" for those who wish to vote for the temperance Act and "Against the Petition" for those who wish to vote against the Act.

• The Ladies' Act Society of the Shelburne Methodist Church gave a tea-meeting and entertainment in the town hall Monday night. Owing to the rainy weather and the muddy condition of the roads, the attendance was not very good. Tea was served in the Council Chamber, after which an entertainment was given in the hall, presided over by Dr. Norton. The choir, assisted by several singers from the other churches, rendered some choruses in good style, readings were given by the chairman and Mr. R. Slack; two solos were given by Mrs. Foy and one by Mr. Skelton, and the King Family also gave a couple of songs, all of which were highly appreciated. Addresses suitable to the occasion were delivered by Revs. Straith and Hughan. A large quantity of eatables having been left, a social was held last night at the residence of Mr. R. L. Mortimer.

100 YEARS AGO Thursday, October 28, 1909

• A head-on collision between the southbound passenger train from Teeswater and the northbound passenger train from Toronto took place about 7 p.m. Wednesday of last week, north of Melville Junction. The Bruce and Credit Valley trains proceed on the same rails between Orangeville and Melville Junction. The up-train crew believed the other train had passed and they had the right of way. The train had not got up much speed when it crashed into the southbound train and crews of both engines jumped. Had the Toronto train reached the curve a few yards to the north the loss of life might have been considerable. As it was, the engineers saw the danger in time to apply the emergency brakes and none of the passenger cars was derailed. Several passengers suggested the conditions which led to the collision should be the subject of a rigid inquiry. It appears the only means of communication between Melville Junction and Orangeville is by a telephone in the little house that serves as a station.

• Messrs. T. Huxtable, of Horning's Mills and F. H. Silk, of Shelburne, were in Dundalk a few days ago and as a result of a brief interview with the Reeve and members of the Village Council, submitted an offer on behalf of the Dufferin Light And Power Co. for the purchase of Dundalk Electric Lighting Appliances outside of the power house. They are offering $2,000 for poles, wiring, transformers and meters, as well as offering consumers light at the present rate of 10 cents per kilowatt with no meter rental.

• The adjourned hearing of James Duffin of Mulmur, on a serious charge made by one Butterbaugh was held before Police Magistrate George Rutherford Tuesday. The evidence taken included that of a medical man who had made an examination of the complainant girl. Duffin was committed for trail at the Spring Assizes and taken to Orangeville Tuesday night. The County judge has since allowed him out on bail — himself at $2,000 and two sureties at $1,000 each.

75 YEARS AGO Wednesday, November 1, 1934

• This is the week of the community effort by Shelburne-area residents to supply a carload of relief supplies for the West, which is in desperate need again. In large sections, drought, grasshoppers, hail and frost have done their deadly work. In many areas this is the sixth season such a situation has developed.

• The musical festival held in Orangeville last Friday, in connection with the Dufferin County Teachers Convention and Peel Teachers Institute, attracted keen interest and brought an unexpectedly large number of entries. In all, 30 schools furnished no less than 394 entries. Most of the competitions took place in the Orangeville Public School and Orangeville Opera House.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, October 28, 1959

• At a special meeting of Dufferin County Council Tuesday of last week, the decision of the committee charged with selecting a site for the Home for the Aged was reversed, and by a 7-6 vote Shelburne was selected as the location. The committee had recommended a site in Orangeville.

• Close to 100 representatives of high school boards attended a meeting of the Associated High School Boards of Ontario at Centre Dufferin District High School on Saturday.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, October 31, 1984

• The Ontario Fire Marshal's office moved in last week and started removing materials from the Broadway property of Howard McMillan.

• Dr. David Whitehead of London has been appointed as a factfinder in contract disputes between Dufferin County Board of Education and its elementary and secondary school teachers.