125 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 30, 1885

• When a train carrying troops returning from the Riel Rebellion passed through Shelburne shortly after dinner last Sunday, a large number of citizens were at the station to welcome them. The train stopped for a few minutes, and thus all had an opportunity of seeing men from Toronto’s pet regiment, the Queen’s Own. Some of the boys, before the train left, asked the girls standing nearby if they had a kiss for them and one of the girls heroically replied, “Yes, come on.” Unfortunately, the osculatory exercises were indefinitely postponed by the train at once moving out for Toronto. Our readers have doubtless become tired of reading about the rebellion and the movement of the troops, and we shall let it suffice to say that all the volunteers have arrived home. Of the Toronto reception The WORLD said: “Toronto never saw anything like it before. The whole city turned out to receive her soldier sons. Having hung out their dumb but eloquent welcome in the shape of all manner of decorations, the people then gave vent to their feelings in the wildest of applause and cheers, while on all sides were waved handkerchiefs, flags and every other flutterable article, indicative of enthusiasm.”

• There will be a Union Sunday School excursion to the Forks of the Credit on Wednesday, August 5, when a good time is expected. The place being well suited for such parties, having every accommodation necessary, those wishing to give their children a pleasant day will do well to take advantage of the trip, as the fare is reasonable — 50 and 25 cents return. The train will start from Dundalk at 9:30 a.m. and will take in all stations from there to Crombies, leaving Shelburne at 9:55 a.m.

• Crops are generally promising well. A drive by the way of Horning’s Mills and Redickville to Honeywood will convince anyone (unless he is a chronic grumbler) of this assertion. Quite a number of farmers are through haying and many more will be through in a few days. Fall wheat is well advanced and spring crops are looking well.

100 YEARS AGO Thursday, July 28, 1910

• Last week, the Dufferin Light and Power Co., who now light Shelburne with electricity and do part of the lighting of Orangeville from the power developed at the Huxtable Mill at Horning’s Mills, started work on the big dam at the proposed main power site about two concessions east of Horning’s Mills. The new dam will, when completed, be 56 feet high and contain about 56,000 cubic yards of earth and will flood 68 acres. The work will be carried on under the supervision of T. R. Huxtable, with Pete Edwards, of Orangeville, as superintendent of construction. Mr. Edwards was the contractor who built the spur railway line from the Orangeville cement works to the marl beds in Caledon. He is sometimes called “lovely weather Pete,” because he has the habit, no matter what the weather amy be, of assuring his men it is “lovely weather” for doing a good day’s work. In addition to the building of the dam, the work will necessitate the changing of the River Road from the north to the south side of the Pine River for some distance. About 20 teams and 100 men will be required in the operation and the company expects to have the work completed and the full power switched on by December 1. Contracts have already been let for the necessary turbines, flumes, electrical machinery, etc.

• Moses Segal and William Leviosy appeared before Police Magistrate George Rutherford Monday, charged with the theft of a stove from Samuel Greer. The two men had purchased all the old iron about the old Watt Milling Co. but it was claimed that they had exceeded the bargain by entering the house and taking a stove belonging to Mr. Greer which he valued at $26. They were committed to trial in County Court.

75 YEARS AGO Wednesday, August 1, 1935

• Over 1,000 Junior Farmers, Junior Institute members and their friends attended an impressive devotional service held at Log Cabin Lodge, Woodside, Hockley Road, Sunday afternoon, under the auspices of the Dufferin Junior Farmers and Junior Institutes. The service, which commenced at 2:30 p.m., was in charge of Mr. Harold McGhee, president of the J.F.A.

50 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 27, 1960

• A Quebec fiddler, Joseph Lariviere, will be among those appearing at the 10th anniversary Canadian Open Old Time Fiddlers’ Contest, in Shelburne Friday and Saturday of next week.

25 YEARS AGO Wednesday, July 31, 1985

• Orangeville Councillor David Tilson has decried the town’s loss of one representative at the Dufferin County Board of Education. Based on assessment revisions, the town will have three, rather than the current four, trustees after next November’s municipal elections.