Chapleau known as 'premier sporting town' in early years but who was the best hockey player in its history!

Chapleau was once known as the "premier sporting town of the north", according to Vince Crichton in Pioneering in Northern Ontario.

The sports played were baseball, hockey , football (soccer) lacrosse, curling and softball. Vince noted that it was "remarkable that a large number of excellent players of all games came from this small community" adding that the Sudbury Star was always lavish in the acknowledgment of the ability of participants from Chapleau

The first athletic field was situated where the YMCA building and annex were on Lorme Street but it had to be moved to Grey Street north when the YMCA was built in 1908. The playing field and athletic park was on the east side of the street adjacent to the Protestant cemetery.It was an excellent location as it extended across what became Connaught Street. It was also conveniently located for people to reach as ir was within walking distance.

In the summer months there was baseball practise on the field every weekday evening. The senior and junior players would be there and paired off to form teams. Often the juniors would play the senior players and attracted a large crowd of spectators.

Despite this happy situation in 1925 the town council despite protests from the players and public divided the portion fronting Grey Street into lots for homes. Council decided to build a field in the golf course area across the river, Apparently it was a poor substitute as there were not many cars in Chapleau at the time and people would not walk there. as a result there was a decline in baseball and football.

As the effects of the Great Depression were being felt in the 1930s some form of sports was needed and the public school board permitted use of the school grounds but in the 1940s the Chapleau High School grounds were made available. It became the place for some great fastball starting after World War II. Lights were later installed. 

The high school field is the one I remember and many of the players were also on local hockey teams in an excellent town league in the winter months. The best of the best hockey players joined the Chapleau Intermediate Huskies and a Juniior team in the later 1940s . They preceded the Chapleau Intermediate A Huskies of the 1970s and the Chapleau Junior B Huskies founded in 1966.

By the 1950s Bob Grinton who had spent much of his youth in Chapleau returned as an official with the Canadian Pacific Railway and came to realize that youth were being excluded from ball teams. He obtained a large parcel of land at the east end of Elgin Street which became a Little League baseball field known as Grinton Park. The Chapleau Recreation Centre was located there in 1978.

Along the way football and lacrosse disappeared from the scene with curling still on the agenda for sports minded citizens. A curling rink was built on Pine Street and moved to the recreation centre. The first two arenas were on Lorne Street with the original replaced with the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena being opened in 1951.. It became the Mrs A.W. Moore Arena as part of the recreation centre in 1978.

So much for background!!!! Over the years I have been asked who was Chapleau's best hockey player. I have left that one alone until now but recently it has been suggested to me again. I have not worked out all the details yet but this week I will include photos of some hockey teams to get you thinking about it. By the way I know my ten favourites.

If you have ideas how we might decide please let me know. My email is mj.morris@live. ca or message me on Facebook

ERRATA Thanks to Margaret Rose (Payette) And Bobby Fortin for sending me correction from column of November 7 . George Tremblay's brother was Noel not Neil as I wrote. Thanks for correction!!!

George Brecken Nicholson "Father of Town of Chapleau" served as first reeve from 1901 to 1913

The Chapleau Post reported that the town had received a "great shock" with the news that the "Father of the Town of Chapleau" had died on January 1, 1935 in Toronto General Hospital after an illness of only a few days.

Mr. Nicholson, the first reeve of Chapleau who served from 1901 when the township was incorporated until 1913, had taken ill on December 26, 1934 and was taken to Toronto by train accompanied by Dr. J.J. Sheahan and his wife Mrs. Nicholson.

George Brecken Nicholson was born at Crapaud, Prince Edward Island on March 17, 1868,  and arrived in Chapleau more than 50 years ago, the newspaper reported. 

He first worked in the construction department of the Canadian Pacific Railway for 17 years. During this time for 10 years General Secretary or General Chairman for the Brotherhood of  Locomotive Firemen and engineers'

"It is worthy to note that the railway paid tribute to his ability by offering him promotions to official positions on no less than three specific occasions but with his mind on a business career he felt compelled to decline," the Post noted.

In 1900 Mr. Nicholson entered into a partnership in the lumber business with J. McN Austin with Mr. Nicholson being the business head. The company continued and in due course became the largest supplier of railway ties in the British Empire.

But he was also very active in the affairs of Chapleau. He was a member of the board of management for the library in the Mechanics Institute. The township offices were also located there until it burned down.

After becoming reeve in 1901, he oversaw the installation of a complete waterworks system, and up to date pumping station with fire hydrants all over town. By 1910 the Chapleau Volunteer Fire Department was established.

Cement sidewalks were also constructed.

The Town Hall had been completed by 1914 when Mr. Nicholson retired as reeve, and he had also been a large part of those involved in the construction of Lady Minto Hospital the same year.

"For years he had seen the suffering entailed by long train journeys to obtain the medical care such an institution could provide and with the assistance of a score or more public spirited men and women  carried through with a plan which placed in our midst one of the town's greatest assets, 'Our Hospital', the Post reported.

During World War I he was greatly involved in activities supporting our troops. Just six days before the Armistice in November 1918, he and Mrs. Nicholson received a "staggering blow" when their only son Lorne was killed in action.

The Chapleau Post noted that  this great blow provided the inspiration for one of the generous acts, characteristic of the man, in the erection and gift of the beautiful building known as the Memorial Hall (now the Royal Canadian Legion Hall) erected to the memory of Lorne and his friends. The hall was officially opened in 1920, almost 100 years, and is still a beautiful community landmark.

On a very personal basis, when I was home in 2015 with my cousin Michael McMullen for the launch of our book "The Chapleau Boys Go To War" and we were holding a book signing in the Bisco Room, I quietly went upstairs to the main hall. I pulled back the curtain on the memorial wall and spent a few minutes looking at the photo of my father Flying Officer Jim Morris killed on active service in 1943 in World War II, and the other "friends" of Chapleau whose memory Mr. Nicholson ensured.

Mr. Nicholson also conducted a Bible Class for 25 years at St. John's Anglican Church, and when he was serving as  a Member of Parliament came home from Ottawa to conduct it. He was also involved in the building of St. John's Church opened in 1907 located where it is today, also known now as the Chapleau Hub

His funeral service was held at St John's Church conducted by Rev Harold Hesketh, the Rector. The Post reported that the church was crowded with friends "of all classes and creeds paying last respects to the man who had done so much for their community".

Flags were also flown at Half Mast in the community out of respect for the "Father Of Chapleau"  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Dr J.J. Sheahan referred to as "great soul and great man when memorial plaque unveiled at Lady Minto Hospital in 1963

When the Lady Minto Hospital honoured Dr. John Joseph Sheahan with a memorial plaque and officially opened the new childrens' ward in 1963. Rev. Gaston Lampron of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church  referred to him as a "great soul and great man' adding that the occasion  was a fitting tribute to his memory.

In dedicating the memorial plaque, Rev. J.G.M. Doolan of St. John's Anglican Church mentioned the affection and respect that Dr. Sheahan Was held since his arrival in 1907 in Chapleau until his death in 1942. Mr Doolan added it was in both his personal and professional life.

The memorial plaque was unveiled by Dr. Sheahan's daughter, Evelyn.

C.B. Greenlaw, chair of the hospital board welcomed the dignitaries who were present for the occasion on a day with "clear skies and pleasant temperatures which parallled carrying out the dedication service on the hospital lawns, according to Margaret Costello in the Sudbury Star.

Dignitaries included Evelyn, Dr. Sheahan's daughter;Ray Jessup, president of the Ontario Hospital Association; E.P. Everitt, CPR Superintendent; and Mrs. Lionel Nolan, a personal friend of Dr. Sheahan who had a long association with the hospital.

The Lady Minto Hospital was opened in 1914.Mr. Greenlaw outlined the history of the Lady Minto Hospital from 1914 when it was the only hospital between Sudbury and Fort William (now Thunder Bay.

Mrs Nolan commented that Dr. Sheahan's  "ready smile" won the hearts of young patients who considered him their hero"  

She added that until his death he was not only a physician but " but counsellor, father and friend. He was always available in time of need."

Mr, Everitt of the CPR said that every word he had heard would not bring out all the greatness that Dr. Sheahan possessed. His medical practice through the north country was very difficult and he travelled by dog team and horses and sleigh as his transportation.. As an aside the good people of Chapleau had bought him a Ford  to take him around town.

Dr Sheahan 1940 Carnival King, Ina Robinson, Charles Reid, Walter Leigh

Visits to the new childrens' wing were conducted by Mrs. Frances Burrows, Mrs. William Grinton, Mrs. Ross Pellow, Mrs Richard Avison,and Mrs. J.R. Keddie.

There were already young patients in the new wing which was complete in every detail.

The guests then returned to the hospital lawn for refreshments. Pouring tea was Mrs. Elsie Wilkinson, one of the first matrons at Lady Minto Hospital. Many of us will remember Mrs. Wilkinson as the school nurse.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca