February 1st, 1965

The new flag of Canada is raised this month at Town Hall. It was reportedly a very simple ceremony where the Red ensign was lowered and the Maple Leaf was raised while the observers sang ‘O Canada.’

February 2nd, 1963

After sixty two years of serenading the town with it’s chimes, the bell in the old Post Office tower is finally turned off. This was done because the town had decided to construct a new Post Office, and presumably there was noone to occupying the old building to ensure the bell was functioning properly.

February 3rd, 1902

The Strathroy Senior Women’s Institute is organized. It began after a course in butter-making and dairying. Within the first years, it’s members rose to nearly one hundred, who would travel by horse and buggy to nearby towns and centres to help set up Women’s Institute branches. In 1914, also in February, the Women’s Institute sponsored a ward in the newly built Strathroy Hospital. In their 1919-20 year, a motion was carried in the organization to use their influence to ensure the placement of a woman on the school board of the town within the year.

February 4th, 1950

There was a string of young boys running away from home this week. On this day in particular, Lyle McCandless left his home in the afternoon and wasn’t found again until four days later when he was picked up by the provincial police at two in the morning. The other two runaways were Robert Gordon Cox and Lyle Brown, both fourteen years old. They left together on the 29th of January, with Lyle Brown returning home four days later on the 2nd. He claims it was because of a dispute between the two boys that he decided to return. They were only sixteen miles from Barrie when this occurred. Brown says that Cox is now using the name of ‘Joe Stacey.’

February 5th, 1951

Tonight was the annual A.Y.P.A. drama festival. This year is important for our town because it was a group from St. John the Evangelist church who stole three awards from the rival towns, including Kerwood, Warwick, Adelaide and Muncey. The play was called ‘Rumors Wanted’ and earned director, Mrs. H.J. Pickard, the E.J. Wright award for best play. Mrs. Cecil Keck won best actress, and her brother, Charley Seed, won best actor. Both are residents of Strathroy.

February 6th, 1941

Two interesting short articles appeared on the front page of the Age Dispatch on this day. The first is the story of William McDonald’s cat, Tommy. On the corner of Albert and Victoria streets, the ‘large, coal-black Manx cat,’ Tommy, will ring the doorbell when he wants into the home. William claims not to know how the cat learned to pull the bell, but says he gets a ‘kick’ out of it. He also says that it is very inconvenient at times, as the cat is prone to wander away all day and arrive home at any hour of the night or morning. As well, if he is put out of the back door, he may choose to immediately travel around the house and ring the bell at the front door.
The second story involves a report of there being four wolves spotted in the vicinity of Strathroy. Hunters organized a party to locate the ‘marauders’ but had no success. They did mention, however, that they spotted a herd of deer which numbered about a dozen.

February 7th, 1973

Merchants in Strathroy have banded together this week to put together a history making sales event called ‘Bargain World.’ It would be the largest market event in Strathroy to date, where each merchant will bring their goods to a central location and sell at reduced rates. Each merchant who will participate has posted a ‘Bargain World’ poster in their store which gives an idea of which items will be found at the market. Other advertisements generally describe the function of ‘Bargain World’ as well as ensure the prospective customers that none of the merchants ‘are attempting to dispose of distress merchandise.’

February 8th, 1921

The Howard Lodge of Strathroy, No. 58, I.O.O.F. has presented the fifty year veteran jewel to a long standing member of the Lodge. William Oldham Sr. joined the Strathroy Lodge on April 7th, 1870, and had reputedly taken a very active interest in Oddfellowism. The jewel itself is said to be quite the object, beautifully crafted, suitably engraved, with the number fifty being inset in pearls. He jewel was presented to Oldham by Thomas H. Lucas and two other officers of the Lodge in Sarnia, where Oldham resides.

February 9th, 1899

A special treat for the many Scotch subscribers, boasts the Age. To promote a ‘great Scotch comedian’s’ performance in Montreal, an excerpt from his best loved song is printed today:

I’m Tugal McTugal, a native o’Syke.
The son o’ my faither an’ mither, hooch ay!
The lowlanders think that I’m simple and raw,
But Tugal’s no jist quite sae heilan, haw naw,
As soon as I put my foot doon in this toen,
They looked me richt up and looked me richt doon,
An’ then a big constable shook hauns wi’ me,
I shook hauns wi’ him in return and says he:

Oh! Heilan Rory, did she come free Tobernory?
Can she say “Hooch ay” “Cummer-rachum-choo!”
Will she row me in the heather, when we a’ were boys together?
Singing “Oh! Cummer-ree, Cummer-roo.”

February 10th, 1961

It was announced this month that Strathroy would be introduced to dial telephoning service, provided by Bell Telephone. Though it took over a year to perform the changeover and cost over 400,000 dollars, in the end Strathroy was provided with local and long-distance services. Since the mid-fifties, Bell had been running an intensive advertising campaign in Strathroy which showed how a telephone system would be useful for the average person. They frequently involved mothers worrying about the location of their daughters.

February 11th, 1964

At a special council meeting today, it was decided to approve a Tripod Construction tender for a new library building. The tender was for $81,913, and construction was expected to be finished in three months time. Tripod got the tender because it was the lowest of eight quotes given. The land which the library will be built upon had already been purchased by the town, and thus the cost of the land can be subtracted from the cost of the building. The town also took advantage of the winter government financing and accepted $9000 dollars worth of grants. Also the government will forgive one quarter of two thirds owed back to them, thus reducing the actual cost of the building to $64,834. In summation, the town got a great deal on this new building.

February 12th, 1895

The Strathroy Dairy School opened this week. The opening ceremonies were attended by Hon. John Dryden, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. George W. Ross, Minister of Education, and Dr. Mills of the Ontario Agricultural College. They were said to have given exceptional speeches at the ceremony. The way the school works is that it offers ‘a few weeks course in the several classes’ offered to young boys and girls. The government at Toronto recognized that Canada was an agricultural nation and thus, with participation with the experimental farm at Guelph, will teach the sons and daughters of farmers the properties of milk and the methods used to make the best cheese and butter. The school is said to be the farmer’s equivalent to the ‘Normal school of the teaching profession.’

February 13th, 1941

There was a bit of a quirky story in the Age Dispatch today. It was entitled ‘Feed The birds.’ It begins by relating how Swedish folks will hang a sheaf of grain out for the wild birds. It is stated that it is a custom which should be more widely adopted. The author, Ernest H.A. Home, says that many wild birds will die each winter due to starvation, although he does state that Canadian birds are usually better off because of our very productive fields. He continues on to recount his experience feeding birds with crumbs, oatmeal, suet and table scraps, as well as a handful of wheat every so often. He speaks also of the various birds who visit him regularly, including a blue jay which he delicately anthropomorphizes. The story ends on a bit of a sad note, after he speaks of how domesticated these birds become during winter, he mentions that there is another type of bird these regular feedings attract, and that is the hawk. With a hypocritical tone, Home says that the hawk incident will not affect the daily feedings because he belives in the law of ‘Nature, red in tooth and claw.’

February 14th, 1950

It is a shame when there is an unexpected obstruction on Valentine’ Day. On this particular year, despite missing the worst of the sleet and wind, Strathroy had a six hour break in Hydro during the morning. If that wasn’t bad enough, communications with the outside world, excepting mail, was cut off for a whole two days! There were only two Bell long-distance lines in operation, but they could only reach Watford and Coldstream. Resident lovers had to go old fashion to celebrate romance, while others would have to brave the snowstorm in order to get in touch with their beaus.

February 15th, 1948

Strathroy Scouts and Guides observe Boy Scouts/Girl Guides this week. Activities planned include a parents night, an old girl guide reunion and an errand day. The errand day was scheduled to coincide with Good Friday, and was called ‘Good Turn Day.’ On this day, all cubs are supposed to expend their energies in helping out other people in any way possible by going door to door at people’s homes. On this day, a barrel was placed in Goudies Furniture store and will be used to collect food gifts for children overseas. A Valentine’s day party has also been planned for the girl guides, and will conclude with a special service that night. All members of these groups were requested to attend their respective churches in uniform.

February 16th, 1941

There was a parade held in downtown Strathroy on this day to increase the sales of War Savings Certificates, even though the paper states that Strathroy is well on its way to meeting the national mark. The parade was exceptional in that it was performed in a complete blizzard and travelled around downtown in circles before ending at the corners of Frank and Front streets. The parade began with a loud blast from the siren of the fire truck which made up the centerpiece of the display. It was accompanied by the Boy Scouts, who bore placards regarding the campaign, and the Strathroy Musical Society Band. There was also representation from the military by the ‘A’ Company of the Middlesex and Huron Regiment. The firemen looked especially dapper in their brand new caps and slickers. The parade came to a climax when a seven foot tall effigy of Hitler, which had been hanging from the front of the fire truck, was burned int he middle of the intersection. Afterwards, the ‘A’ Company gave a blackout and anti-air demonstration for the town.

February 17th, 1964

Strathroy opens its new Post Office for business. The biggest draw of having a new building, says the Age Dispatch, was that there were many new mailboxes at this location, as opposed to the small number at the old location. It was said that there was always a long waiting list to get a mailbox at the Post Office, and now that problem has been solved. Strathroy did not have a home postal delivery service until 1966.

February 18th, 1923

Printed this week in the Age:

”There’s nothing quite so good
For health as choppin’ wood,
Unless it’s doin’ chores,
For it keeps you outa doors.
Too, getting in the hay
Is the healthiest kind o’ play,
Hoein’ taters strengthens backs
Just as good as pullin’ flax,
An’ draggin’ in the calf
Is a job to make yer laugh,
It gives you pluck and brawn
To rise before the dawn.
An’ then come home at night
Feelin’ tired out, but bright,
I tell you, there’s a charm
In workin’ on a farm.

February 19th, 1985

A special article in the Age Dispatch commemorates the birthday of Nicholas Joseph Royce De Schutter, born today. What is special about this boy is that he was the first baby born in the Strathroy hospital by in-vitro fertilization. After a very visual description of how the proud parents went about the process, Bonnie De Schutter was quoted as saying: “It’s just seems unnatural because people aren’t used to it yet. It’s kindof like hitchhiking. In ten years, it’ll be old hat.” The delivery was said to be normal, without complications of any kind.

February 20th, 1913

Earlier this week, all ‘Strathonians’ celebrated a ‘red letter day, long to be remembered.’ It was the opening of the new Strathroy District Collegiate Institute building, standing isolated atop Quality Hill, overlooking the entire town. The entire week was punctuated by individual inaugurations of all the different aspects of the school, but it was on the Tuesday at 2:30 pm that the entire building was opened to the public. It is said to be the finest structure of its kind in the province, and the final word in construction. Made almost entirely of Georgia pine, it is said to be commodious and will accommodate the academic needs of the town for many years to come. It consists of several classrooms, cloakrooms, teacher’s private rooms, a library, laboratories, and a magnificent gymnasium in the basement. The facilities for heating, lighting and venting are top of the line technologies, and the design is said to be in every way a proper and stimulating environment for any student.

February 21st, 1981

Mayor Loren Gorman announced today that all Strathroy police officers will be supplied with bullet-proof vests. By March 1st, a report of all types of soft body armour will be issued, and a suitable vest will be chosen. He also announced that the province will pay half the cost. The province is also supplying all the provincial police with vests. This is being done in response to the killing of a police officer in Orillia.

February 22nd, 1968

Fred Eagleden is honoured today for working fifty years as a printer at the local newspaper. He claims to have been out of work for only a week since he left school. He dropped out of high school at age fourteen in order to support his family. His father died when he was five and his family was unable to support themselves with three children. He worked for a week at the furniture factory, hoping to head out west with his Uncle. When that didn’t work out, he began work less than a week later at the Age, which was run at that time by the Evans brothers. Over the course of fifty years, he says there were never any major changes in the printing process, and thus was able to continue his work without worry. When he first began working in 1918, he made only five dollars a week, for fifty three hours of work. It was enough though to put his sister through business college, and his brother through high school.

February 23rd, 1879

The Age reports that a Mr. George Gilzean, who lives on the old Carroll farm in Strathroy, has invented and perfected a new electric light. It is said to be simpler and be produced more easily than Edison’s light bulb. Mr. Gilzean says he will attempt to utilize his light on a large scale soon, and claims that his water wheel, which only stands three feet tall and will power the light, will be bright enough to light up all of London. Readers are warned not to be shocked when they wake up in the middle of the night and find Gilzean’s apparatus to have made the night as bright as day.

February 24th, 1946

It is announced this week that Strathroy has accepted a new fire truck. Upon delivery, the fire truck and pumper were taken for a test drive before being accepted from the representative of the La France Company. It is described as being a ‘handsome well-equipped truck with a built in pumper that will pump 600 gallons of water a minute.’ It is also equipped with a sturdy, metal extension ladder that can be quickly run up when required. During the test drive, the ladder was extended up to the roof of the Age Dispatch, using only two thirds its length. It is noted that though the firemen were not familiar with this type of ladder, they had extended it with ease and plan on becoming experts at using it. The old truck will still be used as an auxiliary. And will carry equipment out to calls. The public are told they can come and inspect the new vehicle over the course of the next couple of weeks.

February 25th, 1979

My Family Church holds their first service in Strathroy. Doctrinally, they are similar to Pentecostal and Baptist churches, and they hoped to become affiliated with the Christian and Missionary Alliance. The Alliance was founded nearly a century before by a Presbyterian Pastor as merely a Mission board. It was so popular that it became a denomination in itself. At this time, it had no church and held services for its twenty members at Southdale Public School.

February 26th, 1947

A man missing from Strathroy is thought to have been located in Edmonton, Alberta. Clarence Benstead had left his home on January 28th to travel by train to his place of work in Crumlin. When he didn’t arrive, police began to investigate. The first clue as to his whereabouts came when an unemployment office contacted Benstead’s work, saying a man claiming the same name had applied to them for assistance. Although the man’s identity wasn’t confirmed by this date, it was reported that Benstead’s lunch box was found in a locker at the London C.N.R. station. It was presumably left when Benstead caught a train to Edmonton.

February 27th, 1942

The Lady Howard Rebekah Lodge is founded in Strathroy. It is the ladies equivalent of the Oddfellows club, whose official motto is ‘to care for the sick, educate the orphans and bury the dead.’ Although most of these services are handled by the government these days, the Oddfellows and Ladies are standing by to help in case of an emergency. The group will loan crutches, walkers and hospital beds if it is required, and they will hold memorial service in funeral homes for members, hosting tea afterwards. The lodge is a global organization.

February 28thth, 1929

It was reported today that there has been a marked increase in chicken thievery in Strathroy. It is said that chicken thieving has been prevalent in the past year, and in the past week alone over a hundred chickens were stolen from various farms in Metcalfe Township. Then the thieves turned their attention to Strathroy. In a single night, approximately 120 birds were stolen from six farms. The thefts were said to have been particularly bold, as they took place before midnight, when most households were still awake. High Constable Wharton was contacted immediately. He deduced that there is a chicken thief mastermind at large, who works in collusion with a local talent who knows flocks in the area. He believes that the chickens are transported out of the county by high-powered motor vehicles and sold to a fence. He believes it shouldn’t be hard to locate the thieves, since distinct tracks were left in the snow. All of the chickens stolen were Plymouth Rock fowl, which shows a certain preference by the mastermind thief. Action is being taken by all county officials to catch this menace as soon as possible.