BEARDMORE-LAKE NIPIGON EXTRACTS 5

May Daily Times in Beardmore - based on reports in the Fort William Daily Times-Journal in 1938

Wed 4 May EASTER PROGRAM – The Sunday school held a successful program under the direction of their [Sunday school] teachers. Dr. N.H. Sutton read the Easter message; superintendent J.C. Dean conducted the service. Home and School Club met to make paper flowers to be sold on Mother’s Day. Beardmore Women’s Institute held its monthly meeting. The sick committee reported making two visitations. Mrs. A. Fummerton replaced Mrs. H. Gustafson as treasurer. A committee recommended spending on a bubbler fountain for the school. Dr. MacDonald of Kingston has arrived to replace Dr. Kunkle. D. Rukvin has opened a grocery store in front of Allard’s house. Dr. N.H. Sutton is busy inoculating the children of Empire and Beardmore against diphtheria.

Tue 10 May FISHING FLEET DELAYED – “Heavy ice fields in Lake Nipigon have kept the MacDiarmid fishing fleet tied to the dock.” Ten tugs are ready to sail, comprising three steamboats, two diesel motor boats, and five gas boats.  During the past four years, annual catches average 500 tons of whitefish, lake trout, pickerel, and siscoes, shipped to Eastern markets. The fishermen’s own company puts 50 pounds in a box packed in ice and shipped in refrigerator cars. About 3,000 tons of ice are stored in the winter. Founded in 1917, MacDiarmid has about 150 people, with 21 children in school. Most of the population arrives in spring for the fishing season. During the winter many winter fish or work in woods operations.

Wed 11 May BARRISTER ARRIVES – “Gordon T. McMichael, barrister of Geraldton, has opened an office in F.A. Ross’s office and will be in town Mondays and Tuesdays.” “On Friday evening the Home and School club held a gay dance at the school . . . Three pupils of Mrs. M. Hall gave a smart dance routine . . . Mrs. Hall also gave a tap dance.” Favors, hats, and balloons were given out to the large crowd. Seventy dollars was cleared on the dance and the raffle of a chesterfield cushion. Home and School Club held a tag day on Saturday. “The little school girls were the taggers and they were dressed colorfully in red, white and blue crepe paper costumes and carried decorated boxes . . . Boxers of flowers were sold at Davidson’s hotel and Erechook’s pool room.” Total take: $28.

Mon 16 May CHAMBER ELECTION – Beardmore Chamber of Commerce election result: Pres., Beryl Mitchell; VP, Art Hanson; Sec.-Treas., Mr. Cummings; Executive, A. Salem, A. Chadwell, E. Robinson, J.D. Baby. The garbage contract was awarded to Wm. Stevens. A committee was struck to raise funds to fix the roads.

Mon 16 May BUSH FIRES – “Three small bush fires during the week-end have been extinguished, forestry officials said. The fires were at the mouth of Sucker creek on the Black Sturgeon river, between Empire and Beardmore, and at Ripple. Airplane strength of the branch was brought up to summer level Saturday with the arrival of two more machines at Port Arthur and one at Orient Bay.”

Tue 17 May HIKE TO THE LAKE – A group of young people got a lift in Bob Gardner’s car to Leitch mine and then hiked three miles to Lake Nipigon. “Mr. Coons, lawyer, and Mr. Downs of Toronto are in town in connection with the installing of a telephone system in Beardmore. C.E. Nugent plans to enlarge his drug store and the addition will be the headquarters of the new phone system. A new election of the Home and School Club replaced members leaving: Treas., Mrs. M. Powers; Sec., Helen McKinnon. “It was decided to give a parcel of clothes to a needy child.” A girls’ softball team has been organized with H. McKinnon as captain, and it accepted an invitation to go to Jellicoe to play. Practices every night at 7 p.m.

Wed May 18 FISHING AT NEZAH – “Walter B. Bell and A.E. Cummings of the Imperial Bank spent Saturday and Sunday at Nezah on a fishing trip.” Sunday school on Sunday had 41 present. “Several new houses are being built in town and also two stores. Prospects look very good for a busy summer.” “The huge piles of pulpwood which have been piled close to the C.N.R. tracks all winter are now being loaded into box cars to be shipped west.” “Mrs. (Dr.) MacDonald and daughter of Kingston have arrived in Beardmore. Mrs. Dixon, wife of the new manager of Leitch Gold Mine has arrived at the mine from Toronto.”

Fri 27 May BAKE SALE – The Home and School Club held a bake sale and tea at Davidson’s Hotel. Twenty-five dollars was realized. “Teacup and card reading was also an additional feature.” Arbor Day was observed at the school and the grounds cleared and much improved. A men’s softball team has been organized with B. Mitchell as captain. Practices held every other night. Both the girls’ and the men’s teams, accompanied by locals, made the trip to Jellicoe “to take in the celebration there”*. Jellicoe teams won, 5-4 for men, 15-13 for “ladies”. “Dr. W.S. Elliott has opened a dental office at the Dodd’s residence. Fire practice was held on Thursday.”

[Note* > The Jellicoe Red Cross hospital celebrated May 24^th (Victoria Day) with ball games and field events, ending with a dance in the schoolhouse. The seven-bed facility, including nurses’ living quarters, was equipped by local donations and served Jellicoe and Beardmore.]

Photo 1 – Macdiarmid village in 1934, a popular jumping off base for prospectors leaving for the country around Sturgeon River. Toronto Star Archives photo.

Photo 2 –Nugent’s Drug Store in Beardmore. Note the News Stand. In a matter of a day or two, the CNR could deliver news spanning the country. Ken Johnson collection photo.

Photo 3 – Red Cross Hospital in Jellicoe, a picturesque derelict building snapped by Brian Hussey on June 10, 2019.