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A Short History of Sidney and District by MRS. C. WILLIAMS To the men and women of vision and courage, who proughed the first sod and built the first, homes that wer e hig. cattle after, might have a better life, this story is dedicated The Sidney of 1878, when the first rash of settlers began to invade the west, was a beautiful part of the country. Sometimes called “Little Plain,” it had a great variety of soil and scenery. Stretches of prairie were criss-crossed by creeks and wooded ravines, and dotted with lakes. To the west and south were sand hills, carpeted with grass and creeping cedar, and guarded by clumps of tall straight spruce. The first settlers looked over the Big Plain, but came back where there was more shelter, wood at the door, and hay meadows ready to be cut. There was food for the taking fish, wild, ducks, geese and prairie chicken, even elk nor bear, if you were fond of steaks The lakes came to be named Victoria (north-west), Wick ware’s (to the east), Moose (south-east), Killarney (four miles south and west) and Jackson's Lake, the only one we still have today, which empties into Squirrel Creek. ‘There were no wood ticks or potato beetles, but plenty of lice on the camping grounds. It is said all the grey backs,” with H.B. brand ed on the left front shoulder, belonged to the Hudson Bay Co., but there were plenty of common ones too. Mosquitoes and black flies were such a trial, that the early settlers were truly glad when winter came, so the pests were de stroyed. The first settler to take up a homestead in this area was Duncan Johnson, who filed on 21-11-12, in 1878 and also turned Sod: that year. In the spring of #79, he brought his wife and family from Forest, Ont., arriving here May 10. The school district of Forest ville was named after their Ontario home. They came by rail through St. Paul, Minne sota, to Winnipeg,and by team and wagon from there. Winnipeg was a sea of mud, and son Dugald got stuck try ing to cross Main Street. A policeman came to his rescue, and carried him across, but much to his disgust, his’ high boots were left in the mud. Dugald Johnson states that this was the first and last time he ever was in the arms of the law. ‘Their first mail was received at Three Creeks, a stopping house southwest of where Austin is now. It was situated on the Red River Trail, and was operated by John McKin non. There was a toll bridge used to cross the creeks. The next homesteaders were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bebb and family, who came from Mitchell, Ont., in 1880. They came by train to St. Boniface, then by boat up the Assiniboine river as far as Old High Bluff. From there it was a drive by team and wagon, up the Red River Trail, to a spot one mile west of Sidney, which at that time was tight on the boundary between Manitoba and the North West Territories. There, to one side of that old trail,they built their log house and claimed land. Their house too, became a sloping house for weary trav ellers. To the south is a large hill, which was named Armour’s Point, after a C P.R. surveyor. In later years it became known as the “Big Hill,” by the young folk who hiked up there for a picnic spot. Other settlers of that year were: R. Tucker, J. G. Chaster, and F. Pollard. Fred Rose berry and his wife arrived to go farther south to become Arizona’s first settlers. This was the year the Johnsons harvested ‘their first WaneaneaL Ree Te sp 1881, the CPR survey ors came through here. When they came to the Babb house they found it to be sitting on the proposed route. Mr. Babb had a talk with the engineer and asked him to change the fie fae jal cine ma ys and world, inven ice just to leave a tittle, standing on the The railway Construction supplies came up the Assini boine by boat, and were haul ed overland to Sidney. Sam Babb worked as a clerk, checking freight at the river The work was completed by late fall and trains began to go through as far as Brandon. Mrs. McIntyre (with two children) and Adela Babb were the first women to come to Sidney by train. They had to sit on nail kegs on the flat cars. Before this time, the settlers made a trip to Port tage each spring and fall for supplies.The round trip might take from one week to three, depending on the con dition of the roads, which at times were almost impassable. In 1882, the Marquis of Lorne made an official trip west, naming stations as he went. Sidney and Austin were named after Sidney Aus tin, a correspondent for the London Graphic. A rumour persists that the Marquis drove a golden spike in the track at the point where the CPR crossed the Red River Trail, between Austin and Sidney. Now, Sidney had a name. A railway station was built, Mr. Fox becoming the first agent. The first church ser vices were held in the wai ting room, when a minister came from Carberry. Once ‘ins began to run, the Red iver carts were seen no more. Sidney's first store was on the north side of the track, owned by Pollard and Tucker, with young Tom Tucker as clerk. a nore settlers were coming W. J. Routhley in ‘61, fol owed by Mr. and Mrs. James Routley and family in ’82, also Alf and James Cann, Wesley Down, Duncan McDougall and Family. These settlers went to Arizona where they found the finest of land. In 1883, JR. Cornwall arrived and opened Sidney's first black smith shop. Miles Stephenson took up his homestead south of town, while more Arizona sound men were Thomas Bel and,son, Robert, John Wil iams and Thomas and James Paisley. In 1884, John McElrea be came Sidney's next station agent. He and his wife lived n the Red River valley for no years, but on hearing that Sidney needed a station agent, and could also boast of good water, they decided to move here. The first store had only operated while the railway construction was going on. Mr. McElrea put some shelves moved his stock into a small building south of the station, and though he remained as station agent for some time, he real career of his life, as a merchant of Sidney, had begun. Mr. and Mrs. McElrea also became the proud parents of Sidney's first baby when their son, Allen, was born. Thomas Babb became a rival storekeeper when he started a store in the same building as his post office. Babb's tea became quite pop ular. In 1888, James Paisley came to Sidney as section foreman. Mike Sullivan, later roadmaster, also spent some time here.After them, James Hood began a lifetime as a CPR foreman in Sidney, retiring 48 years later ARIZONA And 1884. Arizona sewers came thick and fast. In that year J. R. Michie and family arrived. In'86, it was Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Sharpley, G. H. and Tom North, all arrived together from boda '89, the the present ceacm, which name has an interest- Ae the sory goes, part of goes, this land was once an island, which was used by a certain tribe of Indians as a place of glee where, then, made all their arrows and other weap ons. All kinds of Indian relics have been found, especially ‘arrowheads, hence the name for the farm. In the year ‘88, John Mc Intyre and Archie took up land, while Charlie McIntyre came in,’89. In ’89 H. Willis so came out from England. The next few years filled up most of the farms. The following settlers moved in and were all established by 1900. Ted Willis, Joe Robin son, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Peck, Tom Peck, Will and Bob Bes witherick, Sam Cheney, Wil liam Rayner, Sam Mathan, Harry Benton, Tom Zachary, Harry Cooper, and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Elliott and family. As soon as there were en ough children to attend, the first school was built and logs were used to build it Members of a baseball team of the '80s whom I have not listed as settlers were Fred Doubt, Kit Parkinson, Char lie Bee, Jack Jeffreys. I am told that this team played very rugged baseball, without using mitts or gloves, padding or masks. Bare hands became used to handling the hard ball, although it seems almost impossible. In days to come, this dis trict was to develop into a prosperous farming area dot ted with comfortable homes. Today, we find some fine stockmen, who own animals that can compete with the ‘best. One lady deserves spec al mention, for she has com peted at Carberry fair, year after year, winning many prizes for her team of drivers, and for her own skill in show manship and driving. She is Mrs. Maude Benton, who now resides in Carberry. ‘Years 1890 to 1900 was a period of construction. In 1890, the first school was built, a frame building, one ile» south’ of the row of maple trees. George Thorn of Regina, can remem ber being vaccinated in this school by a doctor who used little pieces of ebony wood to make the scratch in April, ’91, a terrific bliz zard struck while school was on. Teacher and pupils pre pared to spend the night there for they could see only a wall of whirling snow outside. However, several men with a team and sleigh, battled their way to the school. They put everyone in the sleigh and spread blankets over the top. Then, walking beside the sleigh, holding the blankets down, they managed to inch their way back to town where they delivered the children safely. Another building construct ed in 1890, was McElrea’s store, which is now C. Swan ton’s. ‘The Methodist church (United) was built in 1891, of Sidney brick, and cost about $1,700. Those on the board at the time were: Thomas Babb, John R. Cornwall, Levi Whitelaw, James Routley, Wesley Downs and Samuel Babb. ‘The minister was Rev. C. A. Edwards, and the build ing contract was awarded to John McCartney. Dugald McVicar, the first brickmaker, was seriously ill at this time, but he donated all the brick, and inspired others for their task. Al though he died soon after, he lived to realize his fondest dream — the completion of the church. After 68 years, it is still in use, and looks as if it might continue for some years yet By 1892, Sidney had three elevators,and a boarding house run by Mr. and Mrs. McCartney. In 1897, a brick school was built on the pres ent school grounds. The log school was moved to town and is still in use as a residence. Mr. Babb built the present post office and a home in town, moving from his orig inal log house. Sunday school was held in pres ee Ce convere, i at idee ee see with a straw burner and ex pected his men up at 3 a.m. If they rebelled, they were fired, and away he'd go to Carberry to hire a new gang Yields were sometimes up to 50 bushels per acre, but the price was seldom ‘over 50¢ per bushel! Beef sold for five cents per pound, which wasn't exactly much of an incentive to the livestock in dustry. Sidney's brickyards were operating — McVicar's on the Cann farm, and Davis Bros., on Gordon Mott's. They shipped brick all over the west: in 1895 they sold 200, 300 bricks for the Carberry school. In 1900, Sidney school was divided into two rooms.The first teacher mentioned was Miss Hodgson. cn ° 98, a flour mill was erected, and served the dis trict for over 20 years. Share holders were able to get their grain changed into flour, bran, and shorts, at a cheaper rate. People drew grain here from as far away as Glenboro. George Rogers, T. C. Babb and I. Snyder were all con nected with the business at different times. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Thorn operated “Sidney House,” and had it bricked in '98. Among the newcomers of the '90's were William James and family (sec. 17-11-12), Davies Bros. (sec. 7), Mr. Dawson, Norman Ham, Angus Grant, Billy Brown, Mr. Rob inson, George and W. J Thorn, John and D. W. Alten Horace Giffen (station agent), and Bob Pearr (blacksmith) In the period from 1900- 912, Sidney reached its peak as a busy industrial town. Sidney Brick and Tile began operations in 1909, buying the farm of Sam Babb in 1911 This became a flourishing business, involving expendi tures on machinery and build ings up to $100,000. Brick was supplied for many important buildings: “Brandon schools, Batons Mail Order, Minto Armouries (Winnipeg), Car michael church (Regina), and shipments went to Eastern Canada, the U.S.A., as well as the west. The CPR built a new water tank in ° 03; in 1911 the pumping station was moved from south of town where large wells had been dug, to a point on the creek three miles east. A costly survey was also made to change the line and avoid Sidney's hill, where the railroad climbs 265 feet between Austin and Sid ney. However, as the rise was general, their efforts were useless and the same steep grade is still in use. From that time on, they used a pusher to help trains up this first prairie steppe. In 1911, they laid double track, and built a new station. ‘Telephone construction was going on too. In '03, arms were added to the poles to carry new lines, and we had a phone office by 1906. The first operators were Bertha Stephenson and L. Davis. At first they were situation in a corner of the drug store. In 1907, the gasoline lamps were installed for street light ing, with a new job of lamp lighter created. ‘The businesses were many and varied, and changed hands so ofen, space does not permit listing of names. How ver, there were several gen eral and grocery stores, lumber yard, confectionary, variery, drug store, various inplement agencies, butcher shop, livery and feed store, blacksmith shop, harness shop, barber shop and pool room, real estate office, in surance agency, bank, hard ware store, restaurant, and rioting office. Apparent three papers were The New Era, The Spectator and The Echo. However, two of them must have operated at the same time for Jim Hood had it icalous for. Si two papers, jokingly remarked that it was 1m ideal situation. His twins MoMingi nig Ma 55 pe sine. Pus Epes, Sa age zones
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MacGregor Herald
MacGregor, Manitoba, CA
Thu, May 24, 1962
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Janice W.
CA 06 Jun 2026
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