More Gleanings From The Mercury Files

Author: Unknown

Publication Date: 1966

Edited: 2021 

 

April 4th, 1889:

The Goodeve Family originated in Wimborne Minster, Dorset, England.

 

May 30th, 1889:

Pressed brick, made at Milton, used for the Brampton Post Office, cost $20 per 1,000 as against $55 for brick imported from the United States.

 

July 4th, 1889:

Edward Johnson, then a pupil at Miss MacLean’s School, gave a solo at the school concert. This may be the first mention of Edward Johnson’s name in the news columns.

 

July 25th, 1889:

Pg. 8 – It may surprise the readers of the [Guelph] Mercury to learn that baseball in Canada had its origin in Puslinch, not at Puslinch Lake, but in the village of Aberfoyle. This little hamlet, situated on Mill Creek, about nine miles from Guelph, had, in the year 1868, the best baseball team in Canada. This club held the reins of power for about one year, but the loss of three of its best players forced the club to retire in favor of the old Guelph Maple Leaf Club. The Maple Leafs held the throne for about ten years, after which the destiny of the club is too well known to be reported. I am reporting this on behalf of my Aberfoyle friends and to give Canada at large to understand where baseball first started. -Aberfoyle Correspondent

August 1st, 1889:

Col. 2 – There is a reference to Mr. J. C. Snell of Edmonton. “Chancellor Nelles’ mother, Mary Hardy (Mrs. William) Nelles, aged 93, died at Simcoe."

 

August 3rd, 1889:

A special edition of the Toronto Globe on Saturday, August 3rd, had two pages about Guelph.

 

August 1889:

G. A. Somerville, formerly assistant master at the Guelph Grammar School, was appointed manager of the Huron and Erie Trust Co., in London.

 

September 5th, 1889:

There arrived in Freelton on Sunday morning a mule and wagon, bringing back home a Mr. Hood, his son-in-law Mr. Cook, and daughter Mrs. Cook, who some time ago had left for Dakota. They had been employed there by a storekeeper who failed in the spring. All they got out of the estate for their labour was the
wagon and two mules. On the first of July they set out for their old home at Freelton, calculating to drive the whole way and subsist on the road on what they could pick up. One of their beasts gave out before they proceeded far, and they sold it for $5. The other proved equal to the occasion and after two month’s steady travel they reached their friends, who had become anxious over their long silence.

 

June 26th, 1890:

Mr. A. Hales, butcher, has added a telephone to meet the increasing demands of his business.