WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The lives of people past were ravaged by nail holes and yellowed with age, but their stories can still be read.
Aug. 26, 1897 – Who says that Cobden is not booming. Two new stores will be opened here next month.
Only on Thursday last, Mr. Thos. H. Bennett, of Queen’s Line, Ross, was working at his harvest in his usual good health, when all of a sudden he became ill, he was hastily convened to his residence, and a messenger was despatched to Cobden for a Doctor. He rallied from that attack and ate a hearty supper that evening with his family, consisting of a wife, one son and one daughter. Subsequently he was seized with another attack and gradually sank until death relieved his sufferings on Sunday morning about three o’clock.
Paula Hoelke found the Aug. 26, 1897 issue of The Cobden Sun while renovating her Bromley Street home in Cobden. It is No. 5, Vol. III.
But, it wasn’t the only paper, there were several others, including the Toronto News, Chicago Ledger and it’s believed the Pembroke Observer. They are all dated 1896-1897.
She noted the papers are readable, but have yellowed with age and have holes where the nails were.
“The papers were nailed in the wall to be used for insulation,” Ms. Hoelke said.
This isn’t the first unique find in the house. About five years ago while working in the attic located at the front of the home, Girl Guide attendance books, songs and badges were found. They were sent to the Guide’s museum in Toronto.
August 26, 1897 – On Thursday afternoon last Mr. Wm. Gibson, of Ross, accompanied by his two sons, had quite an exciting experience with a bear near their own farm. It seems that for the past two years quite a number of sheep in that particular locality have been killed, and it was supposed that it was a bear that was doing it. But all attempts to capture him were in vain until the day mentioned when he was noticed by some boys prowling around near the main road. The alarm was given and Mr. Gibson and his two sons proceeded to the spot armed with guns and axes. Just when the excitement was at its highest pitches, Messrs David Humphries and Isadore Fortier of Cobden came along and joined in the chase, armed with a pitchfork and pocket knife. The bear when killed weighed between five and six hundred lbs. and measured six feet.
Other finds found during the renovations include a Dec. 19, 1924 Cobden Public School Concert program, a receipt dated Nov. 26 for a one-year subscription to the Cobden Sun for $1.50 and a membership to the National Geographic Society.
Ms. Hoelke isn’t sure what to do with the items, noting they have no value.
“If someone wants them to display, fine,” she said.
Ms. Hoelke has owned the red-brick home for 25 years and decided it was time to update the wiring and make some changes.
She believes at one time the home was owned by her mother’s teachers, Eunice Anderson, her sister and their father (names not known). She said one of them had a bulldog and no one would go near it. She laughed recalling the story people would cross the street so they didn’t have to go near it.
August 26, 1897 – Headlines: White people in Africa – They may keep fairly healthy if they live properly; A Happy Girl; Telegraphy without wires – Italian Boy sent a message from London to Paris on Thin Air.
Uncle Billy’s Wisdom: Bobby asked Uncle Billy what noise was. What did Uncle Billy tell him? He told him noise was any old kind of racket—except the kind we like to make ourselves.
Notice to Farmers and others: All sizes of TILE reduced in price. Best quality from 2 in. up to 7 ½ in, price from $9.00 per M up. Also, HARD AND SOFT BRICK, Good as the best made cheap for cash. James Johnston, Bricklayer, Forester’s Falls.
While the home’s inside is being renovated, other changes include going from using fuses to breakers and from two meters to one.
Ms. Hoelke said VAC Renfrew is doing the wiring, while she and her sons, Nick and Rob Lanoix, are doing the renovations. She received a grant for the re-wiring from the provincial government after applying through the County of Renfrew.
Editor’s Note: In looking at the history of The Cobden Sun on the Internet, it reads, By Oct. 2, 1876…the community started to expand…Main Street began to take shape: The Cobden Sun, the Bank of Ottawa, blacksmith shops, a bakery, a general store, a mill, a surgeon and a jewelry store were all located in the community. The Cobden Sun, along with other buildings, businesses and historical records, were destroyed by fire in 1913. Five years later the paper was resurrected and was published until November 2013.
