125 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 9, 1885

• At its meeting on Friday evening last Shelburne Council discussed the question of protection from fire, when it was unanimously conceded that a fire engine without an efficient supply of water would be useless. The reeve suggested that if a large tank were set in the ground a sufficient supply of rainwater could be had from the roof of his large block on the south side of Main Street. The proposition was favourably entertained by the council and it is highly probably that a an experimental tank will be put in during the next month.

• A report from Regina, NWT, on Monday, said that Louis Riel was charged that day before the stipendiary magistrate. The indictment is a formidable document.

• During the week ending June 30th 1264 tons of freight were shipped from Shelburne’s CPR station, representing a business of $1083.83. The number of cars loaded at Shelburne, Melancthon and Crombie’s stations, was 91. The receipt of freight at Shelburne has been light, amounting to only 65 tons and a business of $199.45.

• On Thursday night of last week, the fire alarm bell sounded in Orangeville and it was soon discovered that the sawmill of Mr. O. Jull was in flames. There was a good deal of delay in bringing the hose to play on the fire, and the mill was soon destroyed. Says the Orangeville ADVERTISER: “There is no doubt but this was the work of the incendiary. Mr. Jull is an earnest supporter of the Scott Act, and we learn that threats were made against him by some of the Liquor Party. The loss of Mr. Jull is serious, as there was no insurance, but such acts of persecution will only make the friends of the Act more determined to punish the lawbreakers.”

• Messrs. Lawlor & Fair purpose erecting and fitting up public bathrooms in the rear of the store at present occupied by Mr. Stinson on Shelburne’s Main street, possession of which they obtain Monday next. There will be apartments for both ladies and gentlemen and the rules of cleanliness and decorum will be strictly observed. A public bath is an institution greatly needed in Shelburne, owing to there being no conveniently bathing places in the vicinity, and it is to be hoped that the enterprise will be duly encouraged.

• On Thursday last, Constable Canning conveyed Robert Cameron and Robert Dodds to Orangeville jail for refusing to pay poll tax. Cameron and Dodds claimed exemption on the ground that they were members of volunteer companies, but failed to show certificates of their memberships. Their term of sentence was 10 days but they were released on Saturday by Mr. John B. Dodds paying all claims against them. It seems both endeavoured to get certificates but owing to the absence of their captains were unable to do so.

100 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 7, 1910

• Hoteliers R. A. Jelly and J. A. Jelly, of Shelburne, charged with having liquor in a storehouse in Shelburne, were tried before Police Magistrate George Rutherford on Thursday last. G. M. Vance and Crown Attorney McKay appeared for the prosecution and Mr. Tucker, of Owen Sound, for the defendants. The charge against J. A. Jelly was dismissed when it became evident from the evidence that the liquor was not for sale and no sale had been proven. The case against R. A. Jelly was adjourned for a week.

• Grand Valley school trustees have let the contracts for an addition to the Public School. The original plans provided for a hallway through the new part by extending the present north and south walls, a distance of 15 feet. This has been done away with to get the building up within the appropriation.

• A new bread bill, passed recently by the Legislature, came into effect last Friday. Under the new Act the weight of a loaf is standardized at “28 ounces or 48 ounces avoirdupois.”

75 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 11, 1935

• Twenty Dufferin County crippled children will be examined by Dr. R.M. Wansbrough, of the Surgical staff of the Hospital for Sick Children, at a clinic to be held at Lord Dufferin Hospital, Orangeville, 9 a.m. this Saturday.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 6, 1960

• The United Co-Operatives of Ontario have announced plans to form a new company to build apartments for older citizens in Shelburne, Orangeville and Dundalk and five other Ontario communities.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 10, 1985

• The Town of Orangeville plans to sell the controversial Orange Lawrence Mill. The Orangeville Heritage Foundation had raised $13000 in donations and services and a $20,000 grant from the Ontario Heritage Corporation, but sought the $10,000 allocated for demolition to be put toward grading around the old mill, which the Town purchased in the fall of 1977.