Doug Greig recognized importance of community's cultural history and passing it on to future generations

For almost eight years now, I have been writing a weekly column about the life and times of Chapleau, and although many people have provided research assistance, Doug Greig is surely at the top of my list.

Some years ago, Doug took over providing content for chapleaupubliclibrary.com the successor to a site established by Hugh Kuttner, taking it to the next level as an incredible resource for all of us interested in the history of Chapleau.

The site itself recognizes Doug's enormous contribution in "meticulously digitizing more than 54,000 pages" about Chapleau.

Since learning that Doug had died on March 6. 2017 in a car accident, I have visited the site often, reflecting on the passion Doug had for the community in ensuring that its story will remain alive for generations to come.

I had my first chat with Doug at the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012, when he was a member of the committee, and also sitting on the municipal council. He served several terms on council.

Ever since, Doug has responded to any requests for assistance that I needed as I wrote my columns.  I have also accessed information from the web site.

In 2015, when I was home for the launch of "The Chapleau Boys Go To War" which I co-authored with my cousin Michael McMullen, I was chatting with Doug again, and asked if some time he could provide me with  digitized copies of The Chapleau Post and Chapleau Sentinel.

Hours later, before I left town, Doug delivered them to me.

Doug was also of great assistance to Michael and I when we were working on our book. We noted that he provided "incredible research support. Doug seemed to be available 24/7 in responding to requests."

He was also a staunch supporter of the Chapleau Centennial Museum.

Another significant contribution he made to Chapleau's history were his very complete histories of J.E. Martel and Sons Lumber Ltd, A and L Lafreniere Lumber Ltd. and Sheppard and Morse Ltd. all available in Chapleau Trails, edited and published by Dr. William R. Pellow.

I extend my most sincere sympathy to his wife Anne, his family and friends, who have lost one of the community's most passionate citizens ever! However, his legacy will assuredy include his efforts to make its history available to future generations. 

I asked Ian Macdonald if he would contribute his thoughts about working with Doug, and I extend my thanks to him for responding so quickly. Ian attended Chapleau Public and Chapleau High schools, and has a continuing interest in Chapleau and area. He is Professor Emeritus and retired head of the department of architecture at the University of Manitoba.

 Here is Ian:

"Doug Greig recognized the importance of recording the cultural history of the community and the importance of passing those expressions of living from generation to generation.

"Doug’s passion clearly was developing chapleaupubliclibrary.com into the website of choice for anyone seeking any information on the history of Chapleau. This multi layered website provides both information and insight in to the life and times of the community from before the time it was established in 1885 to the present day.

"Doug understood the challenge of posterity and the importance of accuracy. Many of our e-mail exchanges over an article or a photograph were directed at establishing the correct date and proper identification of individuals to make the context of the image as informative as possible.

"Doug also understood that overlaying items of information with personal bias or speculative interpretation of events would ultimately render information useless.  He had excellent editorial instincts but, at the same time, resisted the urge to be judgemental and avoided any personal editorials other than “this might be of interest”.

"During the time I was exploring something for publication, he would continually forward items from the archives that he thought might be relevant or of interest. My most recent exchange of information related to an article that Mike McMullen and I did on the hauling of supplies from Chapleau to the crews building the Canadian Northern Railway at Elsas in 1912. I’m afraid that I’ll always associate that particular story as my last collaboration with Doug.

"I only met Doug in person briefly at the Library in Chapleau on three or four occasions when I happened to be in town. We got to know each other over time through the e-mail exchange of images, articles or archiving protocol.

 "I felt his loss, however, as deeply as if he were a family member as did many colleagues of mine who still research and write about the community. Chapleau has lost an important citizen and highly respected community advocate."

Thanks Ian... My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau High School Friends Facebook Group indicates great interest in reunion to celebrate 100th anniversary of the school in 2022

CHS Field Day. Dr Karl Hackstetter walking off field on right

When Janice (Corston)  Whitely started a "Chapleau High School Friends" group on Facebook, she was not intending to launch a movement towards a reunion to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chapleau High School in 2022.

But it happened in short order, as the group passed 2,000 members by Friday March 3 within a couple of weeks. It was still growing as I wrote this column.

In the interests of full disclosure though, I was invited to join and found myself inviting Facebook friends to become members too -- and like Janice, with no thought of a reunion, at least in the beginning.

I chatted with Janice, the daughter of Irene and Charles Corston, about what happened.

She advised that what was "so funny about this" was that she did not intentionally start the group with a thought of a reunion.

"I don't know how it really got started. The fact that it has reached 2,000 people is quite amazing. My take on it is, it must be meant to be.

This building renovated became CHS

"I'm sure many people are interested and would attend. Chapleau was a special place and remains strong in our memories. Solid friendships helped us navigate through were formed there. I am grateful that some of those friendships are still a very important part of my life."

So, although Janice didn't plan to start a movement towards a reunion, she added that the "momentum to make it happen seems strong" given the interest in the Facebook group.

"As in previous reunions I am sure many would love another opportunity to tread those paths and spend time with family and friends who helped create some special memories," she added.

Although the response to the group has been amazing, and great interest has been expressed in having a 100th anniversary reunion five years from now, it is far from a done deal by any means.

1181 CHS Cadet Corps circa 1926. A E 'Gus' Evans on left

Graham Bertrand, who chaired the last reunion on the occasion of the school's 90th anniversary in 2012, and has been involved in all major Chapleau celebrations, and other major events for more than 40 years, and I had a chat about the possibility.

Although Graham is interested, he pointed out that to make it happen will require "old and new blood" who would sit on a committee and make a commitment for five years.

"It took over three years to get the last one done so commitment is a big part of it. Once involved, you can't stop now in the midst of the planning."

The girls of CHS circa 1926

He added that the support of the municipal council would also be required for an undertaking of this magnitude.

Graham noted that to have 2,000 names already is a big plus.

 Graham would not commit to serving as Chair. commenting that "maybe there is someone that wants to chair. I have no problem working with new blood."

But he is interested as always, and "can't self appoint myself," Graham said from Florida where he is on vacation, and was expecting nine family members to join him.

Graham at opening of 2012 reunion. MJ behind him

However, upon his return to Chapleau, further discussions will take place.  Graham says "Keep Smiling!"

Since the group was formed, and interest grew, I have received messages from folks pointing out that not everyone is on Facebook so plans would have to be made to reach beyond social media. Although I use social media, most of my Chapleau friends from my growing up years there are not using it.

In 1994, I taught my first new media course, Writing for New (Social) Media at College of the Rockies, a year before we launched our graduate program in New Media Communications.

Over the past couple of weeks, since Janice invited me to join the Chapleau High School Friends group, I have seen a great example of its positive use, as the membership grew, bringing people together who may not have been in touch for many years -- in fact in my case almost 50 years.Wow!

Let me conclude with a short anecdote about the Chapleau High School Boys Volleyball team who won a championship in the 1979-80 school year. I posted a photo of the team on the group, and in no time at all, many of the players had responded --- they were having a virtual reunion, kidding each other and chatting like they were back at CHS -- including where were their orange jackets!

The Volleyball champs. Names Below

The photo "brings back great memories. Still grateful... Best experience ever," one player commented. One of their fans commented: "A wonderful bunch of guys .. the source of a lot of laughter in my teens..." and much more, all in great fun.

I have included a photo of the volleyball team, and also some from the school's early years. Thanks Janice for the group, and all the best to Graham and those who will work make the 100th anniversary reunion happen. As Graham reminds us, "Keep Smiling". 

Stay tuned for more news. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

THE 1979-80 CHS TEAM --Volleyball champs: Back row from left Steve Cavalier, Dan Morin, Dan Tebbutt, Don Swanson, Rob Serrre, Brad Gilbert, Steve Millson. Front from left Tim Morin, Billy Hong, Larry Martel

Supplies from Chapleau for Construction of the Canadian Northern Railway 1912 and 1913

CPR staging area at Rossport (McKay's Harbour) 1884 CP Corp Archives

NOTE: Here is another article by Ian Macdonald and Mike McMullen on activities from the early history of Chapleau and area. Thanks Ian and Mike.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

 by Ian Macdonald and Mike McMullen       

 The routes of Canada’s major transcontinental railways were largely determined by how easily roadbed construction activity could be supplied with materials and equipment.  Sir Sandford Fleming, who was Engineer in Chief for the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1877, recommended to the Government at that time that the most favourable conditions for railroad construction through Northern Ontario were north of the height of land.

These recommendations were subsequently rejected by the government in favour of a route for the CPR along the north shore of Lake Superior where construction activity could be more easily supplied with materials and equipment by lakes streamers and sailing vessels to various construction staging points along the north shore of Superior such as Mazokama (Kama), Rossport (McKay’s Harbour), Heron Bay and Michipicoten... see photo above

 This was coupled with the decision to construct the roadbed east of Lake Superior along the height of land largely between White River and Cartier. Tracklayers under the direction of Harry Abbot progressed west from Biscotasing to Girdwood which was 39 miles east of White River between October 1884 and April 1885 at an approximate rate of ¾ mile per day. Tracklayers were supplied by work trains following behind which was the standard way of building railways in the roadless world of late 19th century Northern Ontario.

2, Trailblazers: CPR tracklayers west of Sudbury (1884) CP Corp Archives

Eventually, Fleming’s original 1877 recommendations to build north of the height of land were finally adopted by the Canadian Northern Railway (CNoR) when the company began construction of a new 617 mile rail line in 1911 between Capreol and Port Arthur. The line would be located approximately 60 miles north of Chapleau.  Speed of construction was of paramount concern for CNoR who rejected the traditional method of roadbed construction used by the CPR in 1884-85 as being too slow.   see photo 2 above

It was determined that the only way to meet construction deadline challenges was to haul supplies north from the CPR at a series of construction staging points along the line, which would be stockpiled with supplies and equipment during the winter of 1911-12. These supplies would subsequently support the army of men and horses engaged in the real construction operations beginning in the spring of 1912 which progressed east and west from each construction staging area. Completion of the line was scheduled for January 1, 1914. 

3. Rail Bridge: CN bridge over Nemegosenda River near Elsas. (1953) ian Macdonald

 One of these construction staging areas was where the CNoR line crossed the Nemegosenda River near Elsas.  The possibility of supplying the work forces at this location from Chapleau emerged as an appealing opportunity for Chapleau merchants and other Chapleau businessmen to consider. The challenge was how to do it.  See photo 3 above

In 1962, The Chapleau Sentinel carried an article written by Charles Austin, youngest brother of James McNiece Austin, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Smith and Chapple Limited in 1937. Included was a description of the effort to develop the supply network from Chapleau to Elsas for the CNoR work crews. It was led by business partners James McNiece Austin and George Nicholson despite the fact that they were not at that time directly involved in the transportation of retail supplies and materials. 

4. Description of supply route (2011) Ian Macdonald

 The concept of the network was that supplies would be moved from Chapleau north on the Kebesquashing River to the Robinson Lake portage (18 mile rapids). They would then be transported by horse and wagon over a new 11 mile tote road constructed from this location east to the southern tip of Nemegosenda Lake. They were then moved north up the lake to where another three mile tote road had been built to bypass rapids on the Nemegosenda River about fourteen miles north of the northern tip of Nemegosenda Lake.   See 4 above

Motor boats were then used to convey supplies from this point north on the Nemegosenda to the construction camps near Elsas. Charles Austin wrote that over 100 teams of horses were worked at one time during the winter months.

An article in a 1965 issue of the Chapleau Sentinel describes how this challenging supply problem was dealt with from an operational point of view. In 1912 and 1913, Edgar Pellow was contracted to haul freight, mail and other supplies to the contractors, James Stewart and Son and Courtney and Conmee, who had contracted to cut the right of ways and lay rails in the vicinity of the present hamlet of Elsas during the spring, summer and fall seasons. Tom Godfrey and Harry Pellow freighted the goods by motor boat and scow from Chapleau to Robinson Lake Portage. (18 mile rapids).

Charlie Leon and Sev Martin hauled the goods over the 11 miles of road from the Chapleau River to Nemegosenda Lake with horse drawn wagons. Bill Newsome then took charge and hauled the freight by boat from the landing on the afore mentioned Lake which was just about opposite where the Nemegosenda River empties into the Lake north to the rapids on the Nemegosenda River where a three mile tote road had been cut around them.

On this tote road, Mr. John Blackburn was in charge, assisted by his son Peter, a well known retired Chapeau railroad conductor. From there, motor boats took the supplies on the last leg of the trip to the construction crews. A stop over place was established with a cookhouse at the end of the eleven mile road on Nemegosenda Lake. This was in charge of Mrs. LaCasse who with her young son and daughter looked after the place during the first year.

The last spike of the Canadian Northern line between Capreol and Port Arthur was driven by CNoR President, Sir William Mackenzie, on January 1, 1914 at Little White Otter River approximately 60 miles north of White River on the CPR.

The concept of supplying and stockpiling supplies from the south proved to be successful for CNoR inasmuch as 617 miles of railroad had been built in less than two years. Sir Sandford Fleming’s early recommendations about the route also proved correct and resulted in the lowest graded railroad on the continent with a grade of four-tenths of one percent with an almost perfect alignment. 

See video taken from the cab of an eastbound CN locomotive crossing the steel truss bridge over the Nemegosenda River. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBG9ecEKF68
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBG9ecEKF68

The heavily indebted railway was nationalized by the Canadian Government on September 6, 1918 and eventually merged into the Canadian National Railway System in 1923.