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[4 ONE HUNDRED YEARS AGO By Col. Frank Chappell, V.D. Skea's Corners [Oshawa], 1850 Above is shown the artist's conception based on documentary evidence of what is now King and Simcoe Streets, Oshawa. ago. The above sketch portrays the "four corners" looking south on Simcoe Street 100 years Munro's Hotel is on the right, Edward Skea's store is on the left. Oshawa Enters Second Century The story of the first council meeting. . The wheel has turned full circle. A century now marks the progress of our community. It is just one hundred years since the forbears of this proud ¢éity of Oshawa first ac- cepted. responsibility for its official life as a municipality. First Civic Administration It was in the month of January, in the year eighteen hundred and fifty, during the reign of Her Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria and long before the federation of provindes within this - Dominion, that the first municipal elections were held in this community. Not, be it remembered under con- .itions similar to those of this day. Indeed, many years were to pass before voting by secret ballot be- came regular procedure. In those days a list of citizens possessing cer- tain gyalifications as to property or residence was prepared. On days set apart for voting--and sometimes an election took several days--each voter reported to a returning officer stating clearly for whom he desir- ed to vote. Each vote was then openly recorded in a book. Today, with modern Ideas of freedom, such method of open bal- lot would seem to be embarrassing and impractical, to say the least. It savours somewhat of the "ja" and "nein" of nazi Germany, or Balkan States under Russian influence. Yet, it was one of those early steps in democracy. Actually, it appears that most of the people so entitled, did vote. Sometimes there is reason to -be- lieve that a far greater per centage of citizens availed themselves of the privilege than is the case in these days of a secret ballot. Per- haps folks were then more argu- mentative and bluntly definite in expressing their views, But we must get back to the re- sults of that first election held in Oshawa, one hundred years ag Unfortunately, we have nothing show precisely on what date or where the votes were recorded. We do have however, an accurate re- cord of the first meeting of the mu- nicipal council of the Village of Oshawa, held soon after the elec- tion. It wes held in Munro's Hotel This was the most central and most convenient place for such an as- sembly. Munro's Hotel stood at the crossroads, or "Four Corners" of what is now Simcoe and King Streets. Located slightly back from the road, it was on the property now occupied by Burns' Shoe Store. To make our mental picture more complete, let us recall that just across the street to the East where Bassett's Jewelry and the Laura Sec- ord shops stand, was the store of Ed- ward Skea. This general store with its gaudy checkered siding was the one from whichr an earlier name had once identified our little com-. munity as "Skea's Corners", It. is quite possible that voting during the election took place in Munro's Hotel! In those days there was nothing unseemly, in such practice. Accessibility and con- venience were first desiderata. However, it was in this hostelry, on the evening of Saturday, the 26th day, of January, 1850, at the hour of 71% o'clock (eie) that the first Village Council meeting was held. Just imagihe holding a busi- pess meeting on a Saturday 'eve- ning in these days. While not sbe- cifically stated in the minutes of the meeting, we do know for cer- tain that it was a Saturday for a little research has shown that Septuagesima Sunday was on Jan- uary 27th, that year; ergo, Saturday was the 26th, Old Time Conditions From early sketches, Munro's Hotel appears fairly roomy. Imagin- ation can then take hold and show us some sort of back-parlour or large sitting room. We like to think of it as having a wide, open fire- place. It is then in fancy that we feel the glow and see the flickering light given by a fire of birch, oak and even walnut logs. The room was further lighted with candles, for new-fangled coal oil lamps were only just coming into use. In such surroundings then, the first little group of civic fathers met a century ago. They met to deliberate the affairs of a. small community of a couple of hundred louses and work places which sus- tained the interests of less than 2,000 peqple. As a community on the banks of a narrow winding creek, it was a mere fly-speck on any map. But it was destined to grow into a thriving, prosperous city, well and favourably known far beyond the wildest imagination of those quiet, rural folk. The Village Council as elected consisted of five members. They were J. B. Warren, T. N. Gibbs, Si- las B. Fairbanks, Patrick Wall and Robert Moscrip. After . taking an oath of office, their first duty was to elect from their number a Reeve, who would be the presiding officer. Then followed, by who knows what debate, the selection of various mu- nicipal officers. Some "Thumbnail" Sketches Before reading of their business iscussions however, suppose we nsider the type of 'men who sat within that room, either around a table, or with feet stretched out towards that glowing fire. Thinking backwards we are prone to add some of the years of history to their actual ages at that time. Especially after using the term "civic fathers" our minds picture these men as slow speaking, elderly persons, clothed with the dignity of years and ex- perience. While from that angle we may be disillusioned, it is certainly of more than passing interest to ob- serve the ages of some of this group: It should also be remember- ed that such ages are noted by de- duction from reasonably reliable information elsewhere available. John B. Warren appears to be the eldest. Be-whiskered, but with cleanshaven upper lip and chin, he was barely in his forties. The sever- ity of his large nose, broad fore- head and rather straight-lined mouth was relieved by the pleasant glint behind gray Irish eyes. He was a man of many parts having been at various times farmer, miller, tan- ner, merchant and later, banker, Thomas Nicholson Gibbs, was born in Quebec province, of English parents, As he took his seat at the Council, he was not yet 29 years old. As merchant, miller and poli- ticlan<to-be, he. had 2 keen ming and faculty of shrewd appraisal. Speaking French and English with equal ease, he appears fo have been Vv appointed Village Clerk. » THE DAILY TIMES-GAZ Combining The Oshawa Times and Whitby Gagette and Chronicle OSHAWA. WHITBY VOL. 9--No. 5 PAGE THIRTEEN OSHAWA-WHITBY, SATURDAY, JANUARY 7, 1950 population. Village of Oshawa in 1850 Several diversified industrial activities, of various size and capacity, absorbed the energy of Oshawa's early Prior to and during the period of incorporation as a * Village, we find from old gazeteers and directories that there were two tanneries, two flour mills, one woollen mill, one distillery, one brewery, two foundries, two cooperages, blacksmith shops, cart, vehicle and harness shops, as well as woodworking, or stiw the building arrangements were made. a few purely domestic concerns for local consumption such as soap, candle and brush makers. . mills, fram which most of There were also alert and willing to accept a part in the responsibility of public serv- ice, Silas B. Fairbanks, was a young lawyer just -turned 30 a few days before the meeting. Dark complex- joned, with a heavy dragoon mous- tache and side burns that added years to his appearance, he was very deliberate and as became his legal mind, positive, if ponderous in action. Patrick Wall, In his late thirties carried on the business of a cooper, He lived in a white frame house on the Southeast corner of Simcoe and Colborne Street, a large space now covered By the McCall-Fron- tenac gas station. His cooperage was located on the same site where he carried on a brisk business mak- ing all kinds of barrels and kegs, employing some ten or twelve men. Robert Moscrip, the fifth member of the Village Council at this in- augural meeting, is the one mem- ber of whom little information can be gleaned at this late date. We do know that he was a metal founder and had a foundry down near the creek. We also have grounds for believing that many years later a son carried on the business of tailor in a store on King Street, just West of the Dominion Bank. Thus it would hardly appear that Mr. Mos- crip was other than a young man in 1850. Business of First Meeting These then were the first coun- cillors of the first Village Council, of the newly constituted Village of Oshawa, one hundred years ago. They were young men, vigorous per- sonalities and as a group comprised as democratic an organization as can be well imagined. Merchants, politicians, manufacturers and bank- ers-to-be, were each there as it were in embryo. Young, dctive and with a full sense of responsibility to the community in which they lived. To complete our mental picture, possibly all we need do is imagine them clad in the dress of the period. Long frock coats. with broad lapels, or the Prince Albert, with cutaway tails; bright double breasted waistcoats of vel- vet, with raised dots or flowers, and striped trousers, tightly strapped under the boots. So there they sit in that com- fortable back room, one or two at a table, one or two with feet stretch- ed towards the fire and the meet- ing is called to order. We copy and present the minutes of that first meeting precisely as recorded in the original minute book. Copied From The Record Munro's Hotel, 26th January 1850, 7% o'clock p.m. Present, Mr. Thomas N. Gibbs, Jno. B. Warren Esq. Mr. 'Silas B. Fair- banks, Mr, Patrick Wall and Mr, Robert Moscrip, who having tak- en the Oaths of Councillors, elect ed Mr. Thomas N. Gibbs as Reeve for the present year. The Council then being organ- 'ized they proceeded to elect a clerk. J. B. Warren Esq. propos- ed, seconded by Mr. Patrick Wall, that Mr. William F. McMaster be Motion being put, was carried. Having sworn and subscribed to his Oath of Office, he was requested by the, Reeve to enter upon the duties of his office. John Burk Esq. Returning Offi- cer, made his return of the coun- eillors elected, to the: clerk. Mr. 8. B. Fairbanks moved, se- conded by Mr. Patrick Wall, that Mr. Peter Dayman be appointed Inspecting Oshawa's First Minute Book City Clerk Feed Hare points out the items of business transactions in the minutes recorded following the first meeting of the Oshawa village council in January, 1850 to Colonel Frank Chappell, V.D., the author of this and many other historical articles which appear periodically in the columns of The Times-Gazette. Col Chappell has and is still rendering a real service to the citizens of Oshawa, both young and old, by his historical writings. --Times-Gazette Staff Photo, Above is shown a photographic reproduction of the first page in the minute book of the village of Oshawa. Written in longhand January 26, --Times-Gazette Staff Photo. Town hall and lock-up at the corner'or Centre and Athol Streets, 1866. It is interesting to note that the new civic administration buildings will be within a few hundred feet of this location. Assessor for the Village of Osh- awa for the present year. (Car- ried). Jno. B. Warren Esq. moved, se- conded by Mr. Patrick Wall, that Mr. Francis Keller be appointed Collector for the Village of Osh- awa for the present year. (Car- ried, Mr. Robert Moscrip only, dissenting having proposed Mr. Donald McBrain for Collector.) Mr. Patrick Wall moved, sec- onded by Mr. Robert. Moscrib, that Mr. Henry Pedlar be. ap- pointed Pound Keeper for the present year for the Village of Oshawa. (Carried) > Mr. 8. B, Fairbanks moved, se- conded by Jno. B. Warren Esq. that the Council do now adjourn until Monday, 4th day of Feb- ruary next, at 7 o'clock, to meet at the same place. (Carried) Subsequent Meetings At the next meeting auditors and treasurer were appointed, also a "numerator" and an Inspector of 'Weights and Measures. The third meeting saw a petition received re- questing a Bylaw, imposing a fine on all persons who leave their hor- ses unfastened on the street. This third meeting also heard the heavy tedious business of reading and adopting a lengthy, (there were fif- ty separate clauses) series of stand- ing rules and regulations .which would govern the conduct of the Council when in session. While no mention is made, it would not be surprising to learn that the dryness 'of such reading was refreshed at in- tervals through the intervention of mine host of Munro's Hotel. However, the Council 'was by now launched on its career of establish- ing lawful municipal government. A 'Seal was adopted. Sad to relate, no vy trace of this is now to be found. As a matter of general interest, we make brief reference to the first ten Bylaws passed during the re- mainder of that inaugural year and also 1851. Bylaw No. 1. To provide a plank sidewalk on "Simcoe Street from King Street to South Oshawa. (Ap- parently, South Oshawa (was then that area below Mill Street). Bylow No. 2. To fix time and com- pletion of Assessors Roll. ' Bylaws Nos. 3, 4, 5, 6 covered cer- tain limitations as to the number of taverns. Bylaw No. 7. To prevent injury or destruction of trees planted or growing for shade or ornament, within the Village of Oshawa, Bylaw No. 8. To fix salaries of certain 'Village officials. Bylaws No. 9, 10 and 11 concerned assessment. Bylaw No. 10 placed the assessment at five pence in the pound for school purposes. Bylaw No. 11, covered the assessment of five pence in the pound for Village purposes. In those days of one hundred years ago the currency of this country was in sterling. Pounds, shillings and pence were still legal tender, However, a simple calcula- tion shows that using the 'mill' rate with which we are more fa- miliar today, the tax-rate in those days of which we write was '41.66 mills on the dollar." Meetings continued to be held in Munro's Hotel until at last it was decided to build a Council Hall. A central location was required and so this building--a very simple structure of frame and boards-- was erected at the southeast corner of Centra and Athol Streets, where is now the fenced lawn of the Rec- tory of St. George's Church. + in the course of time, a "lock-up" and later still accommodation for equipment, For some fifteen years 'or more, this building served its purpose, un- til the property was sold. But now, by a most interesting coincidence, we find after the passage of one hundred years, that within one hundred yards of the original site of that old building, new adminis- trative structures will arise suitable to the needs of a prosperous modern city. , * * * Well, here then have been present- ed a few facts, bolstered by a little research and supported by some imagination. It is an attempt to picture the beginning of Oshawa as a community. Travel was then by horse and buggy or stage coach. Six years were to pass before the steam railroad of the Grand Trunk was constructed. The electric telegraph was still a novelty and telephones not yet dreamed of. With no natural assets beyond the water available. in the creek, it is a wonder that the com- munity grew at all. There would seem to be no justification for its existence. That it did grow is due in large measure to the type of men who showed initiative, accepted responsibility and took a leading part in its development through those early years. Many of Oshawa's sons have found an outlet for their skill and knowledge in distant fields of en- deavour, In the realms of scholar- ship, the church and industry, news comes at intervals in which we share reflected fame, But as a community, we are for- tunate that during its hundred years of growth so many splendid men have lived here, continuing to share the vicissitudes of 'a struggl- ing town and- proving themselves able and willing to help direct its course, : From many such, we choose at random a few names that should always be well-remembered for civic activities beyond their respective the manually operated fire fighting spheres in industry, church, law, The Act Which Proclaimed Oshawa An Incorporated Village AN ACT TO PROVIDE, BY ONE GENERAL LAW, FOR THE EREC- TION OF MUNICIPAL CORPOR- ATIONS, AND 'THE ESTABLISH- MENTOF REGULATIONS OF POLICE, IN AND FOR THE SEV- ERAL COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS, TOWNSHIPS AND VIL- LAGES IN UPPER-CANADA. 30th May, 1849. WHEREAS it will be of great public benefit and advantage that provision should be made, general law, for the erection of Municipal Corporations and the establishment of Regulations of Po- lice in and for the several Counties, Cities, Towns, Townships and Vil- lages in Upper-Canada; And where- as, with a view to this object, certain Acts of the Parliament of this Prov- ince, and certain others of the Par- liament of the late Province of Upper-Canada, have, by an Act passed during this present Session of Parliament been repealed: Be it therefore enacted by the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legis- lative Council and of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada, constituted and assembled by virtue of and under the authority of an Act passed in the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and intituled, AN ACT TO RE-UNITE THE PROVINCES OF UPPER AND LOWER-CANADA, AND FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That this Act shall commence and have force and effect upon, from and after the first day of January, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hun- NOTE: by one | dred and fifty, and not before; exe cepting always such of its provisions as may require that any thing be done preparatory to the first elece tions to be held under it, which proe visions shall be in force immediately upon, from and after the passing thereof. 1V. INCORPORATED VILLAGES. LII. And be it enacted," That the | inhabitants of every Village in Upper-Canada mentioned in the Schedule to this Act annexed marked A, and intituled, "Incorporated Vile lages,"" and the inhabitants of each and every other Village, Hamlet op place which shall hereafter by Proce lamation under the Great Seal of this Province be erected into an ine corporated Village in the mannep prescribed by this Act, shall be a Body Corporate apart from the Township or Townships in which such Village shall be situate, and as such shall have perpetual succession and a Common Seal, with such powe ers within the limits of such Village as are by this Act conferred upon the inhabitants of the different Townships in Upper-Canada within the limits of such Townships respece tively, and the powers of such Core poration shall be exercised by, through, and in the name of the Municipality of such Village. SCHEDULE A. VILLAGES. . Chippawa r . Galt . Paris . Richmond (in the Count of Carleton) 6. Thorold 1 2 3. Oshawa , 4 5. Above is the title, the pre-amble of certain extracts, including schedule A, from a statute which is known as chapter 81, 12 Victoriae, which means it was based in the 12th year of the reign of Queen Victoria--T. K, Creighton, K.C. politics or medicine. The names of Cowan, McLaughlin, McGill, Grier- '| son, Fowke} Rae, Thornton, Jeff- cott, Conant, Storie, Kaiser and Hoig -- merely to mention an even dozen, each played an important part in some phase of civic ad- vancement during the years follow- ing 1850. And now we have railroads, well- paved streets, telephones, buses, -a good harbour, a splendid airport, a broadcasting station, a daily news- paper, excellent schools, beautiful parks, well-designed factories -- places where: it is a pleasure to work --- all this we have and much more if one wishes to go into dee | tail. All this catering to the needs | of a community, one hundred years later, a community, the population of which will presently exceed 35,» 000. On, a far, far broader basis the opportunity still stands whereby young men of this generation, no matter what their persone | al vocation, may prepare to under= | take some of -the obligations of | civic service. The wheel has turned full circle, A new huiftired years begins. ¥ 0 A To this simple building was added road as it crosses Simcoe Street. 1877--Above is shown a picture taken in 187 : developments may be seen that took place during the period 1848 to 1877. i TRA oe 0 The Next Quarter Century Showed Much Progress 7 from a location just north of.King Street, looking s.uth . . + Note the improved King Streed