Articles: 1940's

1940

Submitted by AM Benson
Kingston Whig Standard
June 26, 1940 page 11
Play Presented at Wolfe Island
Wolfe Island June 26, 1940 - The young people of St Andrews United church presented a splendid play in the parish hall under the direction of Mrs Henry Davis. Those taking part were Rev. and Mrs R. Young, Miss Lillie Woodman, Miss Elsie Davis, Lawson Orser, Herbert Armstrong and Allen Prouse. Rev. R. Young acted as chairman.
Miss Nora Browne and her two daughters, Misses Agnes and Gertrude Browne, New York City are spending the holidays at their summer home. Mrs Anna Berry, Stanleyville, is visiting Mr and Mrs Timothy O'Shea. Mrs Thomas Allum has returned home after visiting friends in Avon and Rochester, NY. Mr and Mrs John Carr-Harris, Quebec City, are spending the summer at their cottage. Mr and Mrs Thomas Dee, Prescott, former Island residents, have again taken up residence on the Island. Hugh Horne, Avon NY is spending a few days on the Island. Mrs Kate Adair is the guest of her daughter, Mrs Harold Boyle, Watertown NY. Mr and Mrs Clarence Duffy, Watertown, NY are visiting the latter's parents, Mr and Mrs Edward Payne. Mr and Mrs Sam Payne, Watertown NY have returned home after visiting relatives on the Island. Mr and Mrs Norman Greenwood have left on a trip through the States. Miss Lena Davis underwent a successful operation in the Kingston General Hospital.
Mr and Mrs William Briceland and their family have returned to Syracuse, NY after attending the funeral of Mrs Briceland's father D J McDonald. Miss Rose O'Reilly who recently graduated from Peterborough Normal School is spending the summer with her parents, Mr and Mrs James O'Reilly.

1945

Submitted by AM Benson
Transcribed by Dean Snider
Kingston Whig Standard
Sept 27, 1945
Show Held On Island Proves Good
AMHERST ISLAND, Sept 27-- A successful show was staged in Victoria Hall Saturday evening by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Karnden? of Deseronto. The performers, better known as Uncle Frank and Aunt Alice, entertained the audience for two hours.
One of the features of the evening was a contest for the best singer under 4 years of age. Two contestants took part, Mary Adams and Donald Fleming, the former winning first prize. The show was presented under the auspices of the guild of the Anglican churches.
Personals
Donald McGinn, Harry Filson, and Neil McGinn have gone to help harvest the crops on the prairies.
Miss Edna Glenn, Odessa, spent the weekend at her home here.
Mrs. W.J. McKee, Kingston, is spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Glenn.
Mr. and Mrs. Earle Sherry and son John, St Louis, MO, are guests of Mrs. S.G. Sutherland, "Camp St. Louis".
Miss Doris McDonald, Collins Bay, spent the weekend with here parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.C. McDonald.
Ms. Rhoda H. Marshall, Rockcliffe, was the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R. J. Marshall, for a few days.
Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Drumgoole and daughter, Ruth, spent the weekend in Kingston.
LAC Stuart Kilpatrick, Trenton, spent the weekend with his father James Kilpatrick.
Miss Margaret Neilson, Kingston, was a weekend guest of Mrs. A.E. Wemp Sqdn. Ldr. Chester Tugwell, who has spent a month’s leave with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Irvine Tugwell, has left for the RCAF station at Rockcliffe.
Weekend Visitors
The following from Kingston spent the weekend at their homes here: Misses Glenna Morran, Madlyn Kilpatrick, Helen McMaster, Jean Wemp, Ruth Glenn and Mr. Edward Wilkinson.
The annual Harvest Thanksgiving service was observed in St. Albans Anglican Church on Sunday. The service was conducted by Rev. H.C. Secker. The church was appropriately decorated for the occasion.
Rally Day services were held in Trinity United Church, conducted by C.W. Trill, and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, conducted by Rev. R.K. Earls

Submitted by AM Benson
Transcribed by Dean Snider
Kingston Whig Standard
October 4, 1945
Amherst Island AYPA Honors Veterans
Friday evening the members of the Anglican Young People's Association of Amherst Island, gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Irvine Henderson in honor of three boys, who have returned from overseas; they are James Eves, Chester Tugwell, and Ralph Wemp. All are former members of the association.
The program consisted of community singing, contests by Lucille Henderson, a reading by Beatrice Reid; duet by Misses Doris McDonald and Dorothy Corke and piano selections by Doris McDonald.
During the evening an address of welcome was read to the boys by Dorothy Corke and Robert Brown, president, presented each boy with a smoker stand and a package of 50 cigarets, for which the recipients gratefully expressed their appreciation.
At the close of the evening the members joined in singing "For they are Jolly good Fellows."
A vote of thanks was moved to Mr. and Mrs. Henderson for their kind hospitality, and the evening closed with the National Anthem.
Mrs. Henderson, assisted by members, served dainty refreshments.

Submitted by AM Benson
Transcribed by Dean Snider
Kingston Whig Standard
OCTOBER 19, 1945
PHOTO click here
ORGANIZATION PLANS
ORGANIZATION PLANS for the 9th Victory Load rural sales in the Southern Division of Frontenac County were made at an enthusiatic meeting held at Kingston, Unit Chairman T.A. Mcginnis pointed out that this would be the only Victory Loan in a twelve- month period and he urged salesmen to stress this point when selling bonds. Present at the meeting were: Left to right (standing), G.R. McPhee, Victory Loan Headquarters; W.J. Holsgrove, Westbrooke; R. Foley, Howe Island; Wm. Shurtleff, Mt. Chesney; Tim O'Shea, Wolfe Island; Thos. Dixon, Sunbury; Ben. Ruttan, Battersea; F. Thompson, Brewers Mills; Bruce Ballantyne, Pittsburg Township; A. Smith, Collins Bay; N.D. Young, Victory Loan Headquarters. Left to right (sitting), E.d. Goulding, victory Loan Headquarters; Sam Jamieson, Perth Road; David Rankin, Kingston; T.A. McGinnis, Kingston; Col. A.H. Fair, Hemlock Park; Brodie Ness, Lamoine Point; Colin McLean, Pittsburg Township.

Submitted by AM Benson
1945?
Christ Church Guild
The annual meeting of the Women’s Guild of Christ Church, Wolfe Island was held at the home of Mrs. Howard Niles.
The business opened with Mrs. Richard Holliday reading the 1944 report. Mrs. C.G. Gillespie resigned as president and Mrs. E. Woodman was elected in her place. Mrs. H. Niles was elected vice-president; Mrs. R. Holliday as secretary-treasurer; and Miss Helen Holliday press reporter. The hostess, assisted by her daughter, Miss Jean Niles, served tea.

Submitted by AM Benson
1945
Bishop Lyons Confirms Class
Rt. Rev. John Lyons, bishop of Ontario, conferred the rite of confirmation upon three candidates Sunday on Wolfe Island. In the morning the service took place in Christ’s Anglican Church at 10:30 with Bishop Lyons officiating at the administering of the Sacrament. S.T. Lilley, lay reader, assisted in the service.
In his address to the candidates, Bishop Lyons noted the significance and importance of the sacrament of confirmation. Special music was provided by the choir with Mrs. Robert Horne presiding at the organ. Those confirmed were Edward A. Hill, Byron R. Irvine, and William H. Irvine.

Submitted by AM Benson
Island Resident Has 80th Birthday
1945
Mrs. Richard J. Holliday, Wolfe Island, entertained at a family party, Monday, June 11, in honor of her husband, Mr. Richard J. Holliday, who that day celebrated his 80th birthday. Mr. Holliday was born on Wolfe Island and has always lived there. The guests present were their daughters, Mrs. James Kenney, Chaumont, N.Y.; Mrs. Kenneth MacLean, Gananoque, and Mrs. Howard Niles and Mrs. Frank Fawcett, Wolfe Island, with their husbands and families; and also their son and daughter Leon and Helen at home. Also present were their niece and nephew, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Topliss and family, Kingston; Mrs. Holliday’s sister, Mrs. R. Pyke, Kingston; and her brother, Mr. William Ranous; also two friends, Mrs. R. Bustard, and Mrs. Ona Schell, Clayton, N.Y. Mr. Holliday received a number of gifts for which he expressed his thanks and appreciation.

Submitted by AM Benson
Plane Down at Island to Be Salvaged
It was learned this morning that the Harvard trainer plane from the Norman Rogers Airdrome, which made a forced landing on the south shore of Wolfe Island last week will be salvaged immediately.
The extent of the damage could not be determined until this afternoon when mechanics from the airport made a trip to Wolfe Island aboard the ferry steamer Wolfe Islander.
The student pilot, who was in charge of the plane told the authorities he did not think that the aircraft had been damaged to any extent as he thought he made a good landing on a pasture field.
Planes from the airport made several trips over Wolfe Island in recent days but it was thought unwise to try and make a landing on account of the roughness of the ground.

From Toronto Star “Pages of the Past:
Friday, September 21, 1945
Classified
Cook, for 3 or 4 farm help in home, with modern conveniences. $35 monthly. Please state phone, address. Pyke Farms, Wolfe Is. Ont.

1946

Toronto Star
Tuesday, March 19, 1946
4 Drowned 4 Saved In Punt 2 Woodcutters Given Credit
Kingston, March 19 – Four survivors of what is described as the “worst drowning tragedy in the history of Wolfe Island today” said they owed their lives to two woodcutters Wilfred HOGAN and Clayton GURNEY, who rushed from their work in a boat to come to their aid. Four other occupants of a punt lost their lives when it turned over in the icy waters of the St. Lawrence river.
Dead are Howard CUMMINS, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clair CUMMINS, and recently discharged from the U.S. Army; Clarence ADAIR, 50, son of Mrs. Kate ADAIR, and two brothers, George ALARIE, 23, and Gerald ALARIE, 16, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Frank ALARIE.
Just four days ago, CUMMINS was acclaimed as a hero for waking his parents and two the neighbors in two houses as fire broke out.
Saved were Leon McDERMOTT, 29; Jack LACEY, 60; Robert WHITE, 25; and Keith McCREADY, 24.
Saw Only Flailing Arms
“The boat just seemed to sink under us. At first I did not know what was happening,” Leon McDERMOTT said. “When we came to the surface I could not see anything but arms flailing around. I thought at first of Jack LACEY. He is 60 and just got out of the I hospital. I could not find him. Then someone yelled he was under the boat.”
“Just then the boat rolled over and I saw him. I reached for him but the boat started to spin. I dived down and grabbed his shoulders When I came up I found that Mr. WHITE was beginning to lose his grip on the side of the boat.”
“I shoved my way along the side of the boat and got hold of some of his clothing. Both of them were struggling and I was getting very cold. That is about all I remember until another punt came alongside and the people pulled us into the boat,” continued McDERMOTT.
One Was Swimming To Shore
“George ALARIE was swimming to shore. ADIAR was swimming on his back and Howard CUMMINS was just struggling in the water. “I could not see Buck ADIAR and I saw that CUMMINS was in trouble,” said Keith McCREADY.
“When I got to him he ‘guzzled’ me and pulled me under the water. I had to break away from him. Then I pushed a floating cream can from our cargo over to CUMMINS. He grabbed it and seemed to be all right.
“I turned around,” he continued, “and the next time I looked back, he was gone.”
The party of islanders had come to Kingston, a distance of nine miles, Monday, to buy provisions and to collect mail for the 300-odd island inhabitants. Because Kingston harbor ice is treacherous in the spring break-up, the men took a roundabout way. They crossed at Brophy’s Point to make the first trip since the ice became too thin to drive on.
Soon after the alarm was sounded, search parties over 100 strong began dragging open water areas. They have recovered the bodies of George ALARIE, Clarence ADAIR and Howard CUMMINS.
All those saved except Robert WHITE believed first to fall from the boat, are recovering at friends’ homes. White has been ordered to bed for two days to rest his nerves.

Thanks to Eileen Truesdell for sending in this article!
Date: Nov/Dec 1946
Parish of Gananoque Has Completed First Century
Noted Material and Spiritual Development

"Gananoque, Nov.30—The year 1946 has marked the centennial of St. John’s parish here, for it was founded June 19, 1946, with Rev. John R. O’Dowde as the first resident pastor. On that date the first church was dedicated and opened for worship on King Street. Three missions, Brewers Mills, St. John’s Island (now Howe Island) and Jones Falls, were attached to the parish.

SERVED FORTY YEARS
While records do not give a very comprehensive report of the early days of the church, it is a well established fact that the “Holy Mass” was celebrated in the various homes of members of the congregation, until the erection of a church in 1846.

For over 40 years the stone church on King Street served the congregation, but with the growth of the community, it was found to be inadequate to meet the demands and so it was during the pastorate of the late Rev. J.D. O’Gorman that steps were taken for the erection of the present beautiful and commodious structure on Stone Street.

The parish of Gananoque included the district of Lansdowne which was made a mission by the erecting of a church in 1875. The church was situated about three miles from the village and bears the name of “St. Patrick”. In 1893 a new church was built about 100 yards south of the old edifice. It is a fine stone structure with a seating capacity of 250, erected during the pastorate of the late Rev. John O’Gorman. In 1875 the missions of Brewer’s Mills and Jones Falls were taken from Gananoque with the erection of the beautiful St. Barnaby’s Church at the former place by Rev. C.H. Gauthier, P.P. who subsequently became archbishop of the diocese of Kingston.

The present church on Stone Street, bordering on the Gananoque River was built in 1889 during the pastorate of the late rev. John D. O’Gorman and presents an impressive appearance. It is a beautiful work of architecture with a seating capacity of 850. The contract at the time of erection was approximately $48,000, although the same building today, with the cost of labor and materials at it is, would run into figures well over $200,000. It is built of an excellent quality of limestone, quarried at Howe Island. Cut stone predominates the exterior throughout, while the interior clerestorey is supported by eight massive granite pillars. The whole edifice, including a very comfortable and massive presbytery adjacent to the church and built of the same quality of stone present a beautiful and lasting memorial to the strong faith of both the pastor and the congregation.

SCHOOL OPENED
During the pastorate of the late Rev. J.P. Kehoe, who was appointed to St. John’s after the death of Father O’Gorman in 1906, deficit f of the church was liquidated and it was during this time that the present beautiful main marble altar, similar to one in the Holy City of Rome was installed in the church. It was also during the pastorate of Father Kehoe that the present Separate School, situated four blocks north of the church on Stone Street, was built in 1921. Up to that time there was no Separate School in Gananoque. The school consists of four large class-rooms, well ventilated, wide corridors, adequate playgrounds and a Lyceum on the north side, with entrance both from the school and the street. The school is under the direction of four Sisters from the House of Providence and has an enrolment of over 150 pupils. The former George Taylor, M.P., property was purchased on Sydenham Street and converted into a Convent to house members of the teaching faculty of St. John’s School as well as a music teacher and housekeeper. Last year extensive improvements were made to the property and it now presents an attractive and striking appearance. The erection of a school and purchasing of a convent, obviously involved considerable expense and it was during the pastorate of Rev. A.J. Hanley, V.F., that the debt was reduced considerably. Three separate schools were established on Howe Island in 1894 by Archbishop Cleary and since that time the children have enjoyed the fruits of his priceless means of learning the elementary principles of their faith.

“STAR OF THE SEA”
The church at Howe Island which bears the name of “The Star of the Sea” was built in 1858 during the pastorate of Rev. J.R. Rossiter. Before this date a small frame structure was erected which served as the church for ten years and prior to that the “Holy Mass” was said in one of the family homes. The present church is a fine stone structure with a seating capacity of 250 and overlooks the high banks of the St. Lawrence River on the south side of the island and presents a picturesque appearance.

During the pastorate of Rev. Louis E. Staley many improvements were undertaken and brought to completion at St. John’s church. The church was repainted, two new alters were installed, a Casavant pipe organ installed as well as a number of beautiful memorial windows to the memory of the parishioners.

On March 28, 1938, the ceremony of the consecrations of the two side altars of St. John’s Church was solemnly performed by His Grace, the late Most Reverend M.J. O’Brien.

A large congregation was present in addition to many priests of the Archdioceses on the occasion. Seldom does a church have the privilege of having such an impressive function. Due to the kind benefactors, Stewart Lee and Mrs. (Dr.) Royal Lee, the favor was granted this beautiful edifice in the gifts of the two side altars in memory of Dr. Royal Lee.

IN 1942 Rev. R.A. Carey, the present pastor succeeded Rev. Louis E. Staley, who was transferred to the parish of St. Francis Xavier, Brockville. In 1945 extensive improvements were made at St. John’s Convent and at the time of writing plans are under way to improve the parihs cemetery on Charles Street North.

MANY PRIESTS
The chronological order of pastors is as follows: Rev. John O’Dowde, June 19, 1846-December 1846;Rev. Alexander McDonald, Dec. 1846-Oct, 1847; Rev. John V. Foley, April 1848-1851; Rev. James R. Rossiter, 1851-March, 1862; Rev. Patrick Dollard, V.G., to Dec. 1862; Rev. Alexander McDonald, Dec. 1862- June 1863; Rev. Patrick Walsh, 1863- Oct. 1865; Rev. Michael O’Connor, Oct 1865-Jan. 1869; Rev. J.J. Howard, July 1869- Oct 1869; Rev. Rev. C.H. Gauthier, Oct. 1869-Dec 1874; Rev. D.J.Casey, Jan. 1874-March 1879; Rev. Thomas P. Kelly, July 1889- Jan. 1883; Rev. William McDonnell, Feb. 1883- Sept. 1886; Rev. John T. Hogan, 1886-Jan 1889; Rev. John D. O’Gorman, 1889- Oct., 1906; Rev. John P. Kehoe, 1906-Dec. 1923; Rev. A. J. Hanley, Jan, 1924- Feb. 1931; Rev. L.E. Staley, Feb. 1931-1942 when Rev. R.A. Carey became pastor of the parish. Rev. F. A. Agnew is at present curate at St. John’s."

1948

Toronto Star
CLASSIFIED:
Thursday, December 2, 1948
Teacher wanted for separate school on Wolfe Island, services to begin Jan 4, 1949. Please state salary expected and also qualifications. Address Howard Stoley , Sec-Tres., Union Separate School Board, Wolfe Island, Ont.

1949

Glen O'Shea, Cecil Foley In Battle of Strikeouts-Baseball article-1949

The Islands: Articles: 1940's