Articles: 1870's

1870

Submitted by AM Benson
Paper dated April 23, 1870
Frontenac Election
Meeting on Wolfe Island
Defense of Kiel!
On Thursday evening a meeting of the friends of Mr Jas Cartwright was held at the Township Hall, Wolfe Island. Mr C. spoke for well nigh three hours, enlarging greatly on the extravagance of the present administration. After the close of his address, Mr H. S. McDonald arose to speak on behalf of Mr Kirkpatrick, but was rudely interrupted by Mr Allen, of Alwington, who spoke most violently against Mr McDonald’s right to speak. However, the gentlemanly Annexationist was at length overruled, and Mr McDonald and Mr Lawrence Herchmer replied to the address of Mr Cartwright, amid frequent interruptions from a number of boys and rowdies, who amused themselves by throwing mud at Mr Kirkpatrick’s delegates. Mr Allen then addressed the meeting, and told them, among other things, that if he had chanced to be at Red River, he would have shouldered his rifle, and taken part with the rebels and half breeds! Mr Calvin then spoke amid constant interruptions from Mr Allen, who at times got excessively excited and warm. At the instigation of Mr Henry Allen, the heir of Alwington, Mr F C Draper, one of Mr Kirkpatrick’s friends, was refused a hearing. At midnight Mr McDonald proposed three cheers for the Queen, and the meeting broke up.
Another Account
On Thursday night the Town Hall at Wolfe Island was the scene of a noisy meeting, called in the interest of Mr Cartwright. The audience was chiefly composed of boys and non-voters, who manifested their approbation or otherwise during the evening, by stamping, whistling, groaning, shouting, and throwing mud-balls, indiscriminately a round the room. Mr O”Brien was selected as Chairman, and failed utterly in his feeble efforts to preserve order, or anything like order. Mr Cartwright lectured the assembly for nearly three hours, and on taking his seat, the meeting was about to be addressed by Messrs, McDonald and Herchmer in Mr Kirkpatrick’s interest, but Annexation Allen suddenly jumped to his feet, and incited the mob to prevent them or any other friends of Mr Kirkpatrick, then present, from getting a hearing, and the consequence was that no one was allowed to answer or attempt to answer Mr Cartwright’s arguments. The meeting broke up consequently at about 1 am without any result having been arrived at, and not even was a vote of confidence in Mr C offered to the meeting. This style of packing a meeting is hardly in conformity with Mr Cartwright’s earnest avowals and protestations, that he wished for nothing but fair play all round, and we feel satisfied that the will be indebted to his friend, of well known Annexation proclivities, for the odium which now attaches to his cause, on account of this shirking a fair stand-up fight, even at his own meeting. Verily he hath touched pitch and become defiled.

1871

From AM Benson
Kingston Whig Standard
Feb 17, 1871
Kingston and Pembroke Rail Way -The Township meetings - A well attended meeting was held on Thursday evening at the Union School House north side of Howe Island. Mr Peter Graham, Reeve of Pittsburgh, occupied the chair and addressed the meeting in favour of the road. The meeting was ably addressed by Mr C F Gildersleeve and Mr Samuel Woods.
Mr Henry Wilmot, of Pittsburgh, and Mr Thompson, of Howe Island, very ably advocated the claims of the road, and forcibly argued the advantages, which would result to the land holders of the vicinity by its construction.
Mr L S Baxter, of Wolfe Island, very clearly demonstrated the advantages of the road, and among other facts, pointed out a great want felt by the farmer of Pittsburgh and vicinity, which would be supplied by the road - that of coarse pine lumber suitable for the construction of barns and outbuildings. This material, he claimed could be brought to market, and sold for from five to six dollars per M feet, the price of the article, rough logs at present was mere waste from want of a reasonably cheap transit to market. He thought that this description of lumber could be brought to the Kingston market for something like one dollar per M feet, which would allow a sufficient margin of profit to the presumed parties. Farmers were unable to pay the prevailing high prices for, pine lumber for the erection of outbuildings, and many of them were consequently driven to saw their timber into boards for that purpose.
The audience appeared to be much interested in the railway scheme, and at the conclusion of the meeting indulged in conversation for a length of time upon the subject, in which the speakers, Mr Beaupre, who went with the delegies from Kingston, and other gentlemen took part. The meeting was unanimous in favour of the grant of $150,000.

Kingston Daily News
October 5, 1871, page 3.
WOLFE ISLAND FERRY
At a Meeting of the Council of the Township of Wolfe Island, held on the 2nd Oct., instant, the following Resolutions were unanimously adopted, viz.:-
1st - Moved by Mr. Watts, seconded by Mr. Baker, and resolved that in the belief of this Council, the Ferry Steamer Gazelle, now plying between Kingston and Wolfe Island, is unseaworthy; and not in accordance with the requirements of law, and the terms of the lease under which said ferry is held.
2nd - Moved by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mr. Irvine, and resolved that in the opinion of this Council, the Government Inspector is censurable, for allowing said boat to run without the Inspection rendered imperative by law having been made.
3rd - Moved by Mr. Irvine, seconded by Mr. Watts, and resolved that in the event of the Lesee of said ferry, not immediately placing on the route a boat suitable to the requirements of the people; this Council do memorialize the Government for a special investigation.
4th - Moved by Mr. Irvine, seconded by Mr. Baker, and resolved that a copy of these resolutions be sent for insertion to the Kingston papers.
Dear Sir, - In reference to the foregoing resolutions, we beg to state that, for several months past, the feeling has seized upon the public mind, that the steamer Gazelle, now plying between Kingston and Wolfe Island unseaworthy, and, so much has this feeling gained ground, that many in the township now refuse to cross in said boat.
We have borne with this state of things through a mistaken sympathy for the Lesee, and in hope that the oft-repeated promise of Messrs. Kinghorn and Hinckley, that in the fall months the Gazelle would be substituted by a boat at least safe, if not comfortable, would be fulfilled. We now realize how futile were our hopes. It was distinctly understood that upon the new steamer Pierrepont being launched, she would immediately be put on the route. We are now told she is too expensive, or in other words too good for the Wolfe Island Ferry, and specially adapted for securing that monopoly which Messrs. K. and H. have long sought, namely the Gananoque and Howe Island Route.
To obviate another "Westfield" catastrophe, the Council find themselves compelled to take such steps as will remedy the evil, and would ask the moral support of the people of Kingston, whose interest in this case is identified with the people of the Island.
T. Dawson, Reeve.
John Irvine, Deputy Reeve.
John Baker,
Wolfe Island, Oct. 5th, 1871 Samuel Watts, Councilors
From Transcriptions of the Kingston News for the WWW by Rick Neilson See Maritime History of the Great Lakes Webpage by Walter Lewis: http://www.hhpl.on.ca/GreatLakes/

1873

Submitted by AM Benson
Kingston Whig Standard
Dec 11, 1873 page 2
Township of Howe Island, Minutes of the council, Howe Island Nov 22nd 1873, The Council met at 2 o'clock pm. All the members were present. The minutes of the last meeting were read and adopted.
Moved by Mr Gonneau, seconded by Mr Cox, that the Reeve is hereby authorized by this Council to take legal steps to have the road open through Robert Gilespie's farm to the foot of the island leading to the ferry landing. Carried.
Capt. Lewis' bill, $7.80, for wire for the ferry scow at the foot of the island, was ordered to be paid.
Moved by Mr. Gonneau, and seconded by Mr Quinn, that the nomination and election for the Township of Howe Island for the year 1874, be held at the School House S. No 2 S.R., and that a by law be passed to confirm the same.- Carried.
Moved by Mr Cox, and seconded by Mr Milton, that By-law No 12 be read three times and passed. - Carried.
Moved by Mr Cox, and seconded by Mr Quinn, that the Assessors be paid $2 each for their services, and Mr Paul Somers be paid $1 for attending at the Court of Appeal. - Carried.
Moved by Mr Gonneau, and seconded by Mr Milton, that the selectors of jurors be paid $1.00 each for their services for 1873, and that the Clerk be paid $1,.00 for acting as Division Registrar. Carried. Moved by Mr Milton, and seconded by Mr Gonneau, that the Council do stand adjourned till the 10th of January, 1874 at one o'clock pm. Carried.

Submitted by AM Benson
Kingston Whig Standard
Dec 10, 1873
The late James Eccles - At a meeting of the Municipal Council at the Township of Wolfe Island, the following remarks were made by the Reeve, Mr Dawson.
Mr Clerk.- Before proceeding to routine business, I desire to place on record and publicly express my deep sorrow at the sad calamity which has robbed the township of one of her most valued officers. I feel, sir, that it has been my privilege to know, as but few have known, the late Mr. James Eccles, and it is a painful pleasure for me to say that during a long political alliance, extending over a period of nine years, his greatest effort has been to serve the interest to which he has been elected; for myself , I can truly say, I have lost my strongest political ally, my warmest personal friend. Memory today, Sir, carries me back to the many hard- fought contests in which we have stood shoulder to shoulder. Memory today, Sir, reminds me of the many signal triumphs which through his untiring exertions we have achieved. It only remains for me to pay this my last tribute, to one whose memory will long live green in my heart and whose public service will I trust be held in grateful remembrance by those whom he so faithfully served. Moved by Mr. Baker, seconded by Mr Fraser, and unanimously resolved, that the Council hereby express their deep sorrow at the sudden death of the late James Eccles, who for over twenty years has held almost uninterruptedly a seat at this Board' and who, as a member of the County Council, has for many years most faithfully served the interests of his constituents.
Moved by Mr. Fraser, seconded by Mr Bullis, and unanimously resolved, that this Council desire to express their sincere sympathy with the family of the deceased in their great bereavement.
Moved by Mr Bullis, seconded by Mr Baker, and unanimously resolved, that a copy of the Reeve's remarks and the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to Mrs Eccles and published in the daily and weekly issues of the British Whig and News. S. Going, Tpn Clerk Wolfe Island Dec 2, 73.

1875

Ottawa Free Press
Thur June 10 1875
Latest From Kingston
Kingston, June 10
The Court of Quarter Seesions opened yesterday..... The voting papers for a representative of the Ontario Medical Council of the Quinte and Cataraqui divisions were counted yesterday by Dr. Sullivan, Returning Officer. The result was the election of Dr. Irving, Of Wolfe Island, who obtained 20 votes. Dr. Tracy, of Belleville, was the next highest. He received 19 votes.

The Islands: Articles: 1870's