Chapleau 'boom years' underway as Canadian Pacific Railway shops undergo change to accommodate diesel power in 1950

Reeve B W. Zufelt

Work was being "pushed forward rapidly" on the changeover at the Canadian Pacific Railway shops at Chapleau to accommodate diesel power which would soon be operating out of Chapleau, according to a Chapleau Post article in April 1950.

But what has been referred to as "Chapleau's Boom Years" were well underway as  the community celebrated  its 50th anniversary as a municipality in 1951.

For example, on the municipal scene a sewage plant and system had  been completed and the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena was officially opened in February 1951. Some streets had been paved.

Highway 129 between Chapleau and Thessalon was officially opened in 1949, and following the forest fire of 1948 lumber companies arrived on the scene.

At one point, it was expected that Chapleau would be on the main route of the Trans Canada Highway, and Reeve B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt appeared in The Globe and Mail pointing out the route. It didn't happen.

Arthur Grout of Smith and Chapple Ltd. expanded with a new building on the "other side" of Main Street, while Charles W. Collins built on the corner of Birch and Lorne Streets right across from the "new" post office. Other new businesses were established.

Back to the CPR. In 1949 the first diesel powered passenger train arrived in Chapleau to be greeted with much excitement. Like almost every school kid in town, I was there!

Meanwhile, the changes at the shops at a cost of an expected $250,000 was scheduled for completion by the summer of 1950.

"The shops are a beehive of industry as construction crews tear down walls and build new ones," the Chapleau Post reported in April 1950.

The article added that three power shovels were on the job moving rubble made by the smashing down of walls, unloading gravel for new cement and excavating. 

It also  predicted that upon completion the Chapleau shops would be the diesel base between North Bay and the Lakehead. It was for a time.

Also, it noted that citizens who had complained for years of the smoke nuisance from the shops practically in the middle of town would no longer have anything to complain about once diesel replaced steam power. As an aside, those were the days when most washing was hung outside on a line to dry with the constant threat that soot would arrive dirtying it before it dried.

The CPR provided steam heat for the lobby and dressing rooms for the new Chapleau Memorial Arena which resulted in great savings to the municipality. 

See names below

In the 1950s there was a great deal of optimism in Chapleau about its future on many fronts. Improvements were made in many areas of community life for sure, but in due course, changes came in CPR operations, and  the Trans Canada highway never did go through the community for example.

After living through the Great Depression and World War II, perhaps J.M. 'Jack' Shoup, a veteran of World War I and II, longtime principal of Chapleau Public School, first chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee summed up the community's attitude. Everyone had a "duty to serve and participate" to make the community a better place to live, work and play. 

And they did. I have just touched the surface of those "boom years" but growing up during them, it was awesome!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photo 

Sod turning for sewage system:From left to right: Dr. David Lougheed, A.J. Grout, Cecil Smith, Foreman for Construction Company, Walter Steed,.R. Thrush, B. Zufelt (reeve), Ernest Lepine, Max Brunette, J.M. Shoup, Richard Brownlee, Dr. G.E. Young, Geo. Fife, Ovide Payette, Charles Collins. The two girls in the back are Carol Ann (babe) Chambers, Joan Kemp. 

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Smith and Chapple hold 'very interesting event' as guests march into Town Hall basement led by Reeve Frank Edwards

The guests at a very interesting event "marched" into the basement of the Town Hall led by Reeve Frank Edwards in February, 1945, according to a story in the Chapleau Post.

The Post reported that "upwards of a hundred guests" attended as Smith and Chapple Ltd. entertained their staff and other guests at a dinner and party.

The event marked an anniversary of the takeover of Smith and Chapple by D.O. Payette and Arthur Grout in 1930 and the program stated "that they have finally been able to clear off their indebtedness to the previous owner."

The guests enjoyed a "splendid" turkey dinner"  with Mr. Payette proposing the Toast to the King (George V) and the singing of the National Anthem which at the time was 'God Save the King'.

In his comments Mr. Payette said that as president of the firm he was greatly honoured to have the guests present to mark "another milestone in the life of the firm", paying off the indebtedness.

Mr Payette

He added that since Mr. Grout and he had taken over the firm "they had carried on largely through the assistance of the Royal Bank, also noting that they always endeavoured to give the customer that they could. 

Mr Grout

He also announced that Mrs. A.J. Grout and Earle Sootheran had been appointed to the directorate of the firm.

Mr. Sootheran proposed a toast to "our good friends" the Canadian Pacific Railway with A.A. Dumphy, the Superintendent replying that this occasion was a real milestone in the history of Smith and Chapple.

Mr. Dumphy recognized that the Great Depression had been tough but he had never seen a store the calibre of Smith and Chapple.

He added that the CPR would build a power house for $300,000 and that its monthly payroll was over $100,000 a month.

Arthur Simpson, publisher and editor of the Chapleau Post, in proposing a toast to "Our Community" congratulated the firm on its remarkable growth commenting that Mr. Grout "dreamed Smith and Chapple from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same. "

Mr. Simpson also paid tribute Reeve Frank Edwards and those who served t he town during the Great Depression. They could not be overlooked, he said.

"The town is full of honest to goodness good people who never fall down on anything worthwhile,."

In reply Reeve Frank Edwards paid tribute to the work of Mr. Payette as Fire Chief, a position he held along with being president of Smith and Chapple. As a result of Mr. Payette's efforts, insurance rates had dropped considerably.

He also paid tribute to Mr. Grout's business ability and he was pleased to add his best wishes for the continued success of the business.

Tbe toast to "Our Future" was proposed by Len Beeston, a department manager.

Moving pictures shot by Mr. Grout of a Winter Carnival were shown as part of the entertainment. Mrs. Lauretta Veit and Miss Thelma Midkiff sang duets.

"Afterwards bingo was played and just after midnight the guests formed a ring and sang Auld Lang Syne, closing an event which will be long remembered by those present."

My thanks once again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for kindly loaning me the Richard Brownlee papers.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

'Enough publicity may do the trick' Arthur Grout suggests when Chapleau Post got a linotype machine

When Arthur Simpson, editor and publisher of the Chapleau Post got a linotype machine, it prompted Arthur Grout to write a letter to him entitled "Enough publicity may do the trick" referring to the completion of Highway 129.

Mr. Grout wrote that when Mr. Simpson started the newspaper, "Your main idea was to focus attention on Chapleau by publicity so that our claims and hopes for a highway into, and perhaps through Chapleau might be realized."

Writing the letter in the 1940s, Mr. Grout added, "You, and perhaps others had high hopes that when we had accomplished our objectives, that our town would grow, many with businesses would be attracted to the place."

Although the highway was not yet completed the letter noted that "Well -- half your dream has come true. You have the machine installed and running while we are still waiting on our road. But we still have the hope that our highway will be a reality in the very near future."

Always the Chapleau booster, Mr. Grout noted, "This district with its forests, water power storage, timber limits, mineral possibilities, tourist attractions, trapping and hunting areas, has everything and its opportunities are recognized by many. It needs a road to open it upand that can  not be denied much longer."

Mr. Grout revealed that he had been in Blind River where "all the talk is about how much is expected to be done on development work along the Mississaugi. Contracts had been awarded.

Returning to the subject of the newspaper's new linotype machine Mr. Grout encouraged Mr. Simpson, "So get that linotype hot. Tell more and more people about how Chapleau needs the road -- about what it can mean to our young people in new opportunities, and if you make it loud enough and strong enough, we may be able to drive in and out of Chapleau before the linotype has its first birthday."

Well, maybe pretty close, as the first vehicles to travel over Highway 129, did so in bitterly cold weather, and tragedy on January 23 and 24, 1949. The tragedy was that Thomas Godfrey who had been a major supporter of the highway for many years died of a heart  attack while making the first trip by car from Chapleau.

Chapleau had its highway, although many referred to it as a "turkey trail" through the bush. Mr. Simpson had his linotype and in 1950 was able to declare that Chapleau was also going to be on the Trans Canada highway.

The headline blared "WE GOT IT" in three languages on April 24, 1950 in three languages in the only Extra ever published by the newspaper in its history.

Schools were closed to celebrate the news, and Reeve B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt appeared in a photo in The Globe and Mail pointing off in the distance to Schreiber.

Politics intervened and Chapleau was never directly on the Trans Canada highway but in the 1960s was linked to Timmins and Wawa.

I had missed the letter to the editor linking the linotype machine to the highway in the Richard Brownlee papers, kindly loaned to me by Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin. It was well done, and I have to disclose that it brought back memories of my own days as an editor at daily newspapers in the days of the linotype machine.

Mr. Grout concluded with a tribute to Mr. Simpson, giving him credit and congatulations on having the courage to invest so much in new equipment for his business. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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D.O. Payette jokingly referred to business partner Arthur Grout having first dime from memorable moment when they took took over Smith and Chapple Ltd. in 930

After being involved in "active business" in Chapleau for 44 years, D.O. Payette decided to retire as president of Smith and Chapple Ltd. on January 28, 1949.

In an article prepared for the Chapleau Post, Mr. Payette begins with a joking reference to his business partner "Art Grout has the first dime Smith and Chapple took in that memorable morning of January 29, 1930, when we took over from V.T. Chapple."

In an article prepared for the Chapleau Post, Mr. Payette begins with a joking reference to his business partner "Art Grout has the first dime Smith and Chapple took in that memorable morning of January 29, 1930, when we took over from V.T. Chapple."

Mr Grout

Apparently that first dime was set on a card bearing an appropriate description and kept by Mr. Grout. I wonder where it is today, some 88 years later!

Mr. Payette became president and Mr. Grout vice president.

Mr Payette

He relates that when they first took over the store business was "good" but as the "grim hand" Great Depression took hold  in Canada, Chapleau did not escape.

Railroad workers with 25 years experience lost their jobs, and the "lumbering industry practically ceased to exist".

The partners needed to find new customers quickly. At about this time, gold claims started to open, and "considerable propserity" was being achieved. They decided to do their best to get  business from this source.

Aircraft were landing at Chapleau on their sway to and from claims.

Mr. Payette relates that one morning when a plane landed on the Kebsquasheshing River at Chapleau, Mr. Grout raced to the waterfront and assisted with the landing, then brought all the passengers to the store. He told them "If we haven't got what you want, we'll get it."

In due course several flight services operated out of Chapleau, and their store started taking deliveries by canoe and  delivering  byplane to the mining camps filling orders from prospectors.

Let me digress for a moment. In 1930 my father Jim Morris was attending Chapleau High School, and would go and help the pilots load and unload planes. My grandfather Harry Morris told me that he was also learning to fly planes, but did not tell my grandmother Lil (Mulligan) Morris. Nonethelesss she knew he was taking flying lessons from the bush pilots. Mothers always know!

Mr. Payette said that despite adversity ''sweating blood, hiding our fears" by 1937 business started to improve.

By the start of World War II in 1939, they were adding a two story building to the east side of the men's wear department to include a meat and grocery department, two apartments, and snack bar. 

Mr. Payette wrote that business was good during the war years, and by 1945 they had paid off Mr. Chapple.

In 1949. he told Mr. Grout that he wanted to retire. Mr. Grout at started at the store at age 14, and noiw would become the owner.

A period of "real expansion" started after Mr. Grout took over as president.

Mr. Payette explained that up until then main street had been essentially one-sided with most businesses on the north side with only the Algoma Dairy at Birch and Young street and the Regent Theatre at Birch and Lorne. In between was a high board fence and behind it were CPR cottages facing the shops.

The new building housed various departments of Smith and Chapple over the years.

In conclusion Mr. Payette pays a trubute to Arthur Grout as "a man of inestimable ability and energy. Our partnership traversed the years with harmony and good fellowship."

Mr. Payette was not only involved with Smith and Chapple over the years, but was very active in community activities. By 1906, he appears in a photo of a Chapleau hockey team and he later managed teams. He also played in the Town Band and was bandmaster. In the 1930s, he was referred to as "the catalyst" behind the founding of Chapleau winter carnivals. 

He also served as fire chief, member and chairman of the high school board, manager of the Chapleau Memorial Arena, member of the Knights of Columbus, choirmaster at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church member of the Chapleau Rotary Club, and he also golfed and curled..

I am an alumnus of Smith and Chapple Ltd. having worked in various departments while attending Chapleau High School and Waterloo Lutheran University now Wilfrid Laurier University. It was a great place to work. My mail is mj.morris@live.ca

"If we haven't got what you want, we''ll get it," Arthur Grout tells mining industry in 1930s

names below

As D.O. Payette was retiring as president of Smith and Chapple Ltd. in 1949, he wrote an article sharing insights into the store's history during the years since 1930 when he and Arthur Grout were partners.

It covers a lot of subjects but given recent news about the potential mining development by Goldcorp which will have an immense  effect on Chapleau, I decided to share Mr. Payette's story on how gold mining and prospecting affected Smith and Chapple in the 1930s.. 

Just as Mr. Payette and Mr. Grout took over the business from V.T. Chapple, the Great Depression hit, and they were looking for business.

It so happened that the Swazey Gold Claims had just been opened not too far from Chapleau. In the 1920s there was considerable prospecting in the area.

"We had to do our best to get business," Mr. Payette wrote.

He pointed out that there were some airplanes flying to and from the claims and many landed on the front river at Chapleau.

"One morning Art Grout saw one of these planes overhead. He quickly got rope, stakes, and an axe and beat it down to the lakeshore to assist in the plane's landing. Passengers were escorted to the store, a tour and sales pitch rendered, and my partner said: 'If we haven't got what you want, we'll get it"'.

Result: The store managed to get a fair amount of business from this source.

As an aside before going any further, my father, Jim Morris, learned to fly planes from these early bush pilots. My grandfather Harry Morris told me my Dad would tell his parents he was going down to assist in unloading and loading planes. Partly true, but he was also going on flights with these early pilots, and learning to fly the planes.

He thought my grandmother, Lil (Mulligan) Morris didn't know, but she did -- Mothers always know!

Back to Mr. Payette. As time passed, Chapleau became a busy place for several flight services, "outstanding among them was Eclipse Airways."

my Dad 1930s

Smith and Chapple also had workers travelling by canoe. taking orders from prospectors with delivery on mahy occasions by plane.

Canoe travel was actually quite common, and other Chapleau merchants , including Edgar Pellow, used it in their business --- a story for another day!

The Kinty Gold Mine opened near Bret Lake about 30 air miles from Chapleau. Mr. Payette and Mr. Grout believed it would be a "prosperous town"  and built a few log cabins on the shore of Bret Lake -- one a store with living quarters for the shopkeeper, one for cooking and dining, and one as sleeping quarters for travellers and prospectors.

Then bad breaks --- the mine decided to establish a townsite some distance from their location. By 1933 the mine closed.

Mr. Payette wrote they were stuck with stock but managed to survive, although for the rest of the depression there were few prospectors still in the area.

He wrote: "We struggled on, cutting expenses, sweating blood, laughing at our own mistakes, hiding our tears until the advent of 1937, and a ray of light appeared."

As World War II began in 1939, the railway and ,lumber industries picked up again, and business was good through the war years.

1949

In 1949 though Mr. Payette decided to retire and Mr. Grout took over as president. The staff photo above was taken at a party near Mr Payette's retirement.

I was delighted to read the article in the Chapleau Express about the meeting that Goldcorp held recently with the municipality, and the planning that is underway for Chapleau to become at least in part a "mining town." My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Names of staff 1) Ad Andrews, 2) Grenville "Bob" Murray  3) Bob Warren, 4) Earle Sootheran, 5) unknown, 6) D.O. Payette, 7) Norm Veit, 8) Joe Shannon, 9) Tom Godfrey Jr., 10) Blanche Payette, 11) Dorothy Bain, 12) Zetta Murray, 13) Viola Nolan, 14) Helen Lapp, 15) Dick Lapp, 16) Gene Bernier, 17) Ted Soucie, 18) Keith (Mac) Macdonald, 19) Fred Matters.