Hide Article Text (OCR)
10The Western Canadian, Manitou, Manitoba - Tuesday, July 14, 2009Altamont 125th(Continued from Page 6) University of Winnipeg have been studying bats in the Altamont area. Four different species of bats have been found. The area is a suitable habitat for hibernating little brown bats and migratory tree roosting bats. Female little brown bats have been raising their pups in the Altamont Community Centre andCurling Rink.In the evening, much visiting continued, with the Altamont Orchestra entertaining in the hall, and Longitude Latitude playing at the rink, and a spectacular fireworks display at dark.Sunday morning began with an interfaith church service at the hall. During the service, Belva Wilson spoke about the history of Altamont and gave a few interesting facts,'^Township 5 Range 8 is thecrest of the Pembina hills, and known to the earliest settlers as Pembina Mountain, It is rolling hilly land cut by deep ravines and was originally heavy wooded. These conditions turned away many settlers, who found more easily cleared land north and south of the mountain.There is a story about a family who thought they were the only ones for miles around. And then one morning they heard a rooster crow. That was when they realized they had neighbours.In 1878 the first wave ofsettlers arrived, mainly from Ontario. Some names from that first wave were Swain, Hughes, Jordan, Messner,Graham, Snowdon, Mussell. Donald and Wilfred Graham still farm the original Graham homestead.In 1882 the railway arrived. Now settlers were able to bring carloads of effects, including farm animals and machinery. Some names from the second wave include Hol-liston, Wilson, Bourrier, and Andrews.Between 1890 and 1900 another wave arrived. Notable among them were Mailman, Morreau, Stockford, and Lyle. In the earliest years Emerson was the nearest point of supply for food and mail. The men walked the round trip of 140 - 150 miles and carried their purchases home on their backs.The main source of ready cash in the early years before grain and stock began to pay was cord wood. Thousands of cords were drawn by oxen and piled south of the track to await shipment. Alex Fraser and Ed Hc4liston were two of the earliest wood shippers.And there were at least 5sawmills in the district.The first building in town was a log house built by Henry Mussel for his mother Charlotte and her grandchildren Henry and Jane Maloney. Jane Maloney later became Mrs. R. W. Madill, grandmother of Catherine, Doreen, Ruth and June.In the first half of the 20th century, Altamont wets a bustling settlement of 250 people. Businesses included, at various times, three grain elevators, two general stores, bake shop, hardware, barber shop, blacksmith, bank, restaurant.post office, garages, livery stables, machine dealer, resident station agent, boarding houses, and of course the famous Altamont Hotel.What about some of the characters who were known and loved:- Birdy Fraser, whose curling career began with the Altamont club in 1925, and ended in 1959 when a brokenhip caused her retirement at age 83.• Olive Stockford, who shared her love and knowledge of music with anyone who cared to learn. How many romances and marriages began by dancing to the music of the Altamont Orchestral- George Holliston, famousfor preferring to play his fiddle at house parties, rather than staying at home working.- Dune Hamilton, caretaker of the school who won the love and respect of many children by fixing their accidents before the principal found them.There were three church congregations in town until1925. Now we have two sharing a single building, serving a small congregation. In theyears after World War II,remembrance services were held in the Orange Hall to accommodate everyone.I must mention the photographs on the wall in the community hall of our citizens who have reached the centuryin earth years. With special mention of Mary Scales, who at 110 was the oldest person in Manitoba when she died. This year we were finally able to add a gentleman, Stan Gillis, who still resides in his house in Carman.Nothing stays the same, and we go on toward the future, but hopefully we'll never forget the pioneers who made all this possible.The remainder of the day was spent visiting over brunch at the hall, beer gardens in the rink and some pick-up baseball. Volunteers can be proud of the hospitality th^ showed the many visitors who attended Altamont’s 125th over the weekend.ALTAMONTBetty FriesenOur sincere sympathy goes out to Mary Simpson and her family on the recent death of Winston, her husband, their father and grandfather. He will be sadly missed by so many people!Mai^aret Thompson spent several days over the June 26 weekend in Winnipeg and attended the wedding of her grandson Kevin and Ciystal Nelson.George and Betty Friesen also attended the wedding in Winnipeg.Belated birthday greetings go out to Brittney Fortier who celebrated her 11th birthday on Monday.Spending several days with Jim and Ruby Simpson at the end of June were his nephew Jim Simpson and niece Thel-$310.00, Diane Demare $85.00. Bat Poop” Contest: Dale Friesen $125.00.Camping at the campground were Ron and Donna Lowry, Russ and Barb Hami • ton, J. J. and Barb Dufault, Norman Andrews and his friend, the Harry Lyles, Keith and Norma Scott, Larry and Doreen Lyle.Camping at Alex and Irene Grenier’s were Diane and Murray Wilson, Trevor and friend Lisa, Kristin, Andrea and friend Matt of Vancouver, Yvette, Richard, Dylan, Shelby and Katrina Guenette, Denise and Derek Acres and kids, Kayla, Cody and Justin, all of Winnipeg.The Gilbert Labossiere family of St. Claude camped beside the Hotel, and also visiting at Monique and Emile’sderful holiday with their cousin Tavish.Spending some time with Don McEwan last week were nephew Vic and Linda Warner from Abbotsford, B.C., niece Nancy and Earl Lowe from Carman, and DianeMcEwan from Priddis, AB.There was a family reunion supper on Sunday night at Don’s, and present were Melissa and Harley Doerkson and son Hunter from Darling-ford, Kyle and Jose and son Joey, Diane, Les and Barband Grant.It was great to see a 4-gen-eration McEwan family serving the pork on a bun supper on Saturday night.Spending the weekend with Kyle and Jose McEwanwas her sister Debbie Zomer of Winnipeg.
Newspaper Details
Manitou Western Canadian
Manitou, Manitoba, CA
Tue, Jul 14, 2009
Page 9
Full Page
Clipped by
Stan M.
CA 12 Jul 2018
Other Publications Near Manitou, Manitoba
Manitou Advance
Manitou Western Canadian
