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

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

D.O. Payette honoured for 'untiring efforts' when he retired as Chapleau Fire Chief in 1946

When D.O. Payette retired as Chapleau Fire Chief in 1946, he received a letter which honoured him for his "untiring efforts" and years of service to the volunteer fire brigade.

As I write, most of British Columbia where I now live is in a "state of emergency" as a result of wildfires which have resulted in evacuation alerts, and evacuations of some communities. At various times in its history, Chapleau has faced a similar situation, as well as serious fires within the community.

Although the letter of thanks was directed to Mr. Payette, it struck me that its message applies to men and women like him, full-time and part-time who are first responders to this day. We owe all of them a debt of gratitude.

For example, the letter noted, in paying tribute to Mr. Payette that "To give time when convenient is easy; but fire does not strike when it is convenient. Whether night or day, you answered the call that you might not only be a good fireman, but help to save the lives and property of others".

It added: "That is the true spirit of human interest is the welfare of others and we are sure that all the people whose homes and lives of their loved ones you helped to protect will always remember the active part which you played on their behalf."

Mr. Payette had joined the fire department when it was officially formed in 1910, and was named Chief in 1935.

"Through your ambition, conscientious service and aptitude to learn the essentials of a successful fireman you were named Chief in 1935.

"You were not like the little boy who told the teacher he was content to stay at the bottom of the class. Through untiring efforts you arrived at the top and we firemen who were guided, disciplined and taught by you, will always show the result in executing our duties as volunteer firemen."

The letter noted that through Mr. Payette's direction and initiative the Chapleau brigade had won awards of merit during the annual Fire Prevention Week. The Office of the Fire Marshal was also pleased, as were insurance companies.

It also acknowledged that Mr. Payette's great contribution was made  while he was also busy with his own business. At the time he was president of Smith and Chapple Ltd.

"The municipal council, the entire population appreciate how unsparingly you gave of your time to the Fire company while already busy with your own business, your family obligations and your other offices."

Three chiefs Ad Andrews, George Collinson, Mr Payette

George Collinson succeeded Mr. Payette as Fire Chief. The letter was signed by Reeve Frank Edwards, members of council, members of the fire brigade and other citizens. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

---

MM

"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.

Chapleau's 'beautiful summer resort' scene of surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brownlee in 1931

Mulligan's Bay, "Chapleau's beautiful summer resort" was the scene of "most enjoyable" Surprise Party on Wednesday August 26, 1931, to honour Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brownlee, according to the Chapleau Post.

The occasion was an "At Home" to all the campers at Mulligan's Bay hosted by Mrs. Merrick and sons Herb and George, to honour Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee, who had decided t o sell their summer home on Brownlee Island.

The Chapleau Post reported that it was being sold to Mr. and Mrs. William Card "that they might enjoy to the full, with their family, the beauty, grandeur and refreshing vigour that only such a life can give." It became known as Card Island.

The Brownlees seemed to be the first to open and the last to close their cottage and all were welcome on their island, the report said.

The party was held at the Merrick's "Log Cabin" which is still in their family and used yearly by Merrick Goldstein. Growing up in Chapleau, I spent wonderful times at the Log Cabin with the Goldstein family.

Mrs. Merrick had invited Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee for tea that day and "not a whisper" was heard until the "Log Cabin" was set up for the party, and the guests started to arrive.

A little later, lanterns were lighted among the trees and "with the moon peeping out of the clouds made a charming background for the happy faces that were to visit and enjoy a few hours together".

The orchestra was Alf Comte and his son along with Herb Lucas . (Mr. Comte took over Mr. Brownlee's barber shop when he retired in 1931, the same year he sold the island. Mr. Lucas worked in it for many years.)

The guests "tripped the light fantastic" until the wee small hours" at which time D.O. Payette "called the company to order" and a presentation was made to Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee. J.B. Dexter read a letter to them.

It read in part: " It was with great surprise and sincere regret that we, the campers of Mulligan's Bay and surrounding district heard that you had disposed of your beautiful island and summer home. It is hard to realize that you are not to remain members of our little community for you are the pioneer campers in this neighbourhood and have always been an inspiration to others who have followed your example."

The letter noted that at one time the Brownlee yacht was the only gasoline powered boat, and "you sure were kind-hearted and generous in taking people...  down the lake or to the island for a picnic."

They also put out flags and markers in the bay . lights on the island and a gramophone with a very loud speaker played  music "the source of much pleasure to your neighbours..."

"To you then as pioneers, is the credit due for the pleasure we enjoy at our summer homes.." A gift was then presented to them. The letter was signed by Mr. Payette and Mr. Dexter on behalf of all the campers.

Mr. Brownlee arrived in Chapleau on February 4, 1886, and two days later, established a barber shop in a tent on the site where the Lady Minto Hospital would be located in 1914, at the corner of Elm and Queen Streets. 

Within a short time, he had relocated to Birch Street, in a lean-to attached to the T.A. Austin store. Later he bought the Brownlee Block.

In 1887, he married and he brought his wife Ellen to Chapleau. She was one of the few women there at the time. Both were 19.  Mrs. Brownlee died in 1936, and in 1938 he married Marie Jeanne Leclerc.

Richard Brownlee died at age 83 on August 8, 1951, and his funeral, conducted by Rev. E Roy Haddon, was held at St. John's Anglican Church.

My most sincere thanks to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin, for lending me the Richard Brownlee papers. It was also great to have a visit with you when I was home. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Andy Anderson worked at Smith and Chapple 35 years recalled Christmas as "busiest time" of year

Lindsay Anderson, best known simply as "Andy" who worked at Smith and Chapple Ltd. for 35 years recalled that "the busiest time of the year" was at Christmas.

In a 1987 interview with the Chapleau Sentinel as the store, one of Chapleau's historic businesses closed its doors, Andy said, it was the time when "the big shipment of bikes and trikes and electric trains and all sorts of dolls for the girls would come in. We used to get them especially for Christmas but later on we started to order toys all year round."

NOTE: CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE!!!

Andy started working at Smith and Chapple in 1947 and during the 1950s particularly, after Smith and Chapple expanded across the street from its main store at Birch and Young streets, the Christmas draws hosted by Arthur Grout, the store president, were a highlight of the holiday season.

Numbers were placed throughout the store and if you happened to be standing at one, you would win a prize.

In the Sentinel story, Bill Payette, who had joined the store in 1941, paid tribute to Andy. Bill's father, D.O. Payette, had retired as president of the company in 1949.

Bill said: "Andy carried on loyally for 35 years in the hardware department until he retired in 1982. Thank you Andy for being such a super guy."

All these years later, I am sure those of us who know Andy would second Bill's motion. Andy was a super guy. And I would just add that for years Andy sat on the board of St. John's Anglican Church, and was there on Sunday morning greeting parishioners as they arrived for services.

No matter the weather, citizens bundled up and headed uptown or overtown or across town, to the downtown, and the draws, serenaded along the way by music from the giant Christmas display at Dr. G.E. Young's clinic and building.

The  main store, for newcomers to Chapleau, is where Village Shops is now located. Collins Home Hardware occupies the expansion building.

Some time ago now Andre Renaud reminded me of the toy display downstairs at Smith and Chapple.  "I used to like going downstairs at Smith and Chapple's and look at the toy display..Also the train display they had there every Christmas.Nice place to duck into on the way to school when it was real cold..Warm up for a few minutes and keep going the rest of the way..LOL"

Andre attended the old Chapleau High School on Pine Street, and believe me it was real cold once you turned the corner onto Young Street and headed towards the river. No school buses or snow days back then!

 Ian Macdonald, now retired as professor and head of the department of architecture at the University of Manitoba, at one time had a connection to the Smith and Chapple train display, was also to provide details.

"My Dad looked after the Smith and Chapple hardware department including "toyland", Ian wrote. ". It was set up in the lower level at the east end of the building under the Grocery department. The toyland display always included two electric train layouts. One was an American Flyer and the other was a Lionel. 

"I had the nonsalaried assignment to oversee the operation of both of them which I gladly did. It was the only job I ever had at Smith and Chapple aside from occasionally delivering flyers."

Charlie Purich commented: "I used to love the train display in "Toyland" in the basement floor of S and C. at Christmas.Andy was always there.That place was magical.

  
According to Vince Crichton in his book 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario', T.A. Austin laid the foundation for the location of Smith and Chapple circa 1887. By 1914 it became known as Smith and Chapple Ltd. In 1930, Mr. Payette and Mr, Grout took over the store but did not change the name.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca