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STONEWALL ARBUS/TEULON TIMES 3at the return toWolf CrossingifBy Lome Reimer It was a hot Saturday and the old Model T kicked up a cool breeze and a lot of dust on the trail from Grosse Isle to Grassmere. As the family rounded the corner of the farm gate, they could see a number of relatives had already arrived.There were 125 of them to be exact and they came to celebrate during the recent Civic Holiday Weekend the return of the Moore/ family to their original farm at Wolf Crossing Grassmere now owned by Douglas and Betty Moore. They are all descendents of Stephen David and Emma Jane Dean Moore who first .settled on the farm with their nihe ch)ldfen 99 years ago. The first of the family arrived in Stonewall in 1882*In April of 1883, Stephen, great grandson of a British American officer who left lor Nova Scotia after ' the American .Revolutionand Emma Jane Moore, a first cousin to poet Bliss Carman and apublished poet herself, arrived inStonewall from Nova Scotia with six of their children. After reuniting with their three oldest children who had spent the winterwith Emma's two brothers,owners of a Stonewall General Store, they proceeded southwest of Stonewall and set up residence at their newly purchased farm.Just before they arrived at the homestead, Emma Jane noticed a wolf crossing the road. This inspired the poet to call the farm,‘ ‘Wolf Crossing'5. It stayed in the family for 64 years until 1947 when grandson Willis Moore sold it in order to move his famiy to another farm in the area.It was the life-long dream ofgreat-grandson Douglas Moore tpreturn someday toWolf Crossing and in April, 1971, he and his family purchased four acres of the original homestead. Eventuallythe Moores built a new home exactly where the old family log cabin built in 1874 once stood.Now in 1982, a hundred years after the Moore family first' arrived in the Stonewall area, the stage was set for the descendents of Stephen and Emma Jane Moore to make their return to Wolf Crossing. The majority of the family are still in the Stonewall area but family members arrived for the three day event from as far away as Vancouver, Pont Glare,Quebec, and Thompson.The ModelT driver** by Walter and Francis Holm, their two sons Wayne and Ross Gathers, and grandmother Mary Tam, wasn't the only living §yipbpl/pm tije past. There was/also i an old Democrat brought by \ Don andLinda Suwala and a 1929 Model TCase Tractor brought oVer by Jim Sheldon after winning: first prize at the Austin Fair. The Democrat and Model T car also appeared recently in the Stonewall Fair parade.There were hundreds of pieces of memorabilia artifacts from the Moore’s family history on display including a letter from Queen Victoria thanking Emma Wolf Crossing who demonstrate a deep appreciation for the phst, Over the years, Waiter Holm and his sons Jerry Holm (nottoWc*^ and Ross (right) Cathers have worked On restoring many antique and classic cars. They hold a special pnde for the working Mode! T*s. Omndmother Mary Tam of take Frandsand mother Frances Holm is also shown in thepicture.Jaiie for a poem she wrote commemorating her on her Diamond Jubilee.:The return to Wolf Crossing began on Friday night with a bonfire aiid get-together, but the main events took place Saturday. Askit provided some backgroundon the original couple and then the various families and branches formally introduced themselves.A dinner was served that night at the Grosse Isle Hall and an outdoor church service was held atWolf Crossing Sunday morning. The oldest living descendent is Francis Cheshire, 90 and the oldest one who attended the weekend was Laura Fisher (Moore) born in 1897, the eldest child of the eldest child of theoriginal couple.Douglas and Betty Moore agreed that all the help from everybody made the organizing relatively easy. They said there were a lot of renewed acquaintances and now plans are to make it an annual event with a different host each year.Some year they would like to attend a reunion at Moore Hall in Pennsylvania, the family seat.South InterlakeLtdPRESENTS%J- «■This poem published in 1911 by Emma Jane Mooret a first cousinof poet Bliss Carman shows the irony that farming wasn lt so simple in the old days either.The Old Farmer to his Wife Well! wifie dear, the times have changed since our bright wedding day;-Then we were with a flail content, but now that doesn’t pay.Instead of flails, we utilize, the mighty power of steam,And sitting at our ease, we reap, and drive, our gallant team. Once you, and I, had simple tastes, I dressed, in hodden gray,And you with two gowns were quite smart, a work, and better day.A simple ’kerchief, crowned your head, while 1, a “Tam” did wear;And thought myself, a happy man, no debts, had we to fear. Our little ones, barefooted then, did run about the farm,Quite happy, in their innocence, unknowing, aught of harm.But now, alas! it all is changed, the “good old times” have fl-ed. _ -So much expense, there is, that lto meet our bills quite dread.Our little ones have now grownup, know not the good old way;Are dressed in silks and satins rare, and not, in “hoddengray.”While you and I, dear wife, you know, must dress to suit thetimes;And now, I'm sorry love, to say, spend dollars and not dimes. We work, as little as we can, andspend our money fast;But you and 1, dear wife, will have enough, while life shall last. Well! Dear, I ’spose it must be right, the good old times havefled;And soon, we’ll have a long, long, rest within our narrow bed.wm * •■sV•/VWs*./■ ’: iIptFONE YiARpm#,111mmAmmmi.BEG.SAVINGSCHOOSEONEANDSAVEDAILY SAVINGSAll deposits are guaranteed by the Credit Union Stabilization FundCALL YOUR LOCAL BRANCH TODAYTeulon 886-2881 Stonewall 467-5575RATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE 90 DAY CERTIFICATES 14.50 %180 DAY CERTIFICATES 15.00 %
Newspaper Details
Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times
Stonewall, Manitoba, CA
Wed, Aug 11, 1982
Page 16
Full Page
Clipped by
Cheryl W.
CA 11 Jan 2021
Other Publications Near Stonewall, Manitoba
Interlake Spectator
Stonewall Argus
Stonewall Argus and Teulon Times
Stonewall Interlake Spectator
