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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2092Ross Johnson , writing under the name of "Traveller," was a travelling salesman for the Whitby Chronicle. He wrote a series of articles for the Chronicle about his sojourns in Pickering Township. Traveller, Whitby Chronicle 12 December 1884 ALTONA All about Altona—‘Traveller’ taken for a medicine man by a vinegary virago—Men, Mennonites and mills—‘Traveller’ burns the mid-night oil. Whitby, Dec 9th—Last letter left me hurrying along on the town line between Pickering and Uxbridge on the way to Altona. When at a considerable distance therefrom (I will not say how far as I do not wish to locate the exact position) I met with the first rebuff experienced in my travels. It was getting towards evening, and a drifting snow storm had set in which proved anything but agreeable, especially with the wind in my face. Thinking it wise to take shelter a while, I called at a house by the wayside, when after repeated knocking the door was opened about three or four inches and a female face of doubtful age, not the most inviting ever beheld, peered out at me and demanded my business there. Putting on my blandest smile I replied ‘May I come in awhile.’ ‘Can't come in here’ came the answer sharp and shrill. ‘You might at least show common courtesy to a stranger, I only wish to stay a few minutes till the storm blows over,’ was my apologetic reply. ‘No room here, house full already,’ was hissed out from between the thin lips and the door closed with a bang, leaving Traveller to face the storm as best he could. Learned afterwards that the ‘house full already’ was all a sham as I expected at the time. Too much vinegar in the atmosphere to allow of a houseful. Don’t think a baby could live there without having fits. Hold on, this is too severe. I take half of it back again. The fact is, I had on an old rubber overcoat, buttoned up to the chin, one hand supported an umbrella, and in the other was my constant travelling companion, my satchel which make up probably gave me the appearance of a perambulating medicine man. Alas the medicine man of this particular type, however worthy of honour, does not in this country and age receive the homage paid him in less civilized communities. Civilization you see does not necessarily mean civility. The treatment of a medicine man in the wigwams of the untutored Indians would have been much less rude than that accorded me as above stated; but let us not forget that the circumstances are different. Might enlarge on this head but will pass on. Had a good laugh all to myself as I pursued my solitary way. Found no such difficulty at my next calling place, as I was not only kindly received but invited to remain to ten, which I gladly did. Making a fresh start I pushed on westward and finally reached the Altona Hotel kept by Mr. Andrew Brown. Tired enough was I, as the roads were getting heavy. Andrew keeps a quiet comfortable house and does his best to make his guests feel at home. He professed to be a law-abiding citizen, and is therefore unlikely to give the License Inspector much trouble. He has been 20 years in business here and elsewhere, and is very fond of gardening. Mr. Thos. Monkhouse (brother of the much respected Reeve of Pickering) is the Post-Master and mercantile man of the place, and keeps a fine variety of goods embracing all lines needed in a country store. He is evidently doing an excellent business here. The business was established in 1850 by his brother Joseph, who carried it on for 15 years, since which time it has been conducted by Thomas. Can any mercantile house in the township show a longer record? Of church buildings there are two, both brick. The first, or oldest, is a small building owned by the Mennonites, of which body I understand Mr. Samuel Hoover is the present minister. This church has been in existence here for many years. The other building is much larger, and was as I learned erected on union principles about 25 years ago, and is still so held, the Reformed Mennonites owning the largest share. A Union Sunday School is held here of which Mr. D. Barkey is the worthy superintendent. The village school is also brick and was built in 1858, the old school house having been built in 1834 when the school section was first formed. Mr. Jas. E. Forfar is the present highly esteemed teacher. I am told that five out of six of his pupils who tried passed successfully the intermediate examination. Just come over with me and have a look through the ‘Altona Mills’ close by on the south side. Here we are, and here too is Mr. Abram Reesor the occupant, busy making repairs in the mill-race. Building frame, three and a half stories, water power, old process, machinery complete, mill been running about 20 years, capacity about 40 bbls. a day. Three run of stones, business chiefly gristing and chopping at present, but intention is to do more extensive business by and by. You have our best wishes Mr. Reesor for the success both of yourself and your mill. Then close by is Mr. Flavius Reesor, also a miller, and thresher as well. His mill is a cider mill, and there is no lack of grists this season. He also runs a steam thresher, termed ‘Sawyer’s Grain Saver.’ These Reesors work into each other’s hands you see. The one threshes the grain and the other grinds it. Now, although through with the ‘Altona Mills,’ I am not through with the mills of Altona. There is quite a difference between a horse chestnut and a chestnut horse. We will now take a run down further south and see the Altona woolen mills. A fine stream of water is the propelling power by which the machinery is kept in motion. But water-power and the best machinery would not accomplish much without brain-power, and that finds its embodiment in Mr. Thos. Waterhouse, the wide-awake Englishman who runs this establishment. The late partnership between him and Mr. Farlane, has been dissolved and Mr. Waterhouse has the business in his own hands. Went all through the mill, but having already described two other woolen mills I will save myself and readers the infliction of a third attempt in that line. Mr. Waterhouse manufactures yarns, flannels, sheetings, horse- blankets (in which he challenges anything in the trade),blankets, tweeds &c. &c. The machinery is very complete, and the work turned out of excellent quality. Traveller would gladly have purchased tweed for a good suit had he seen his way clear for getting it home. There is a large amount of local trade done in addition to heavy shipments to Toronto and Montreal. There, I must shut off steam for the present as the old clock has struck the noon of night, and I must be up and off in the morning.