Big Rock in Louis Dube Peace Park plays important role in memories of growing up in Chapleau

The Big Rock. Photo by Adelaida Duffney

The "Big Rock" located in the Louis Dube Peace Park  was anything we put our mind to making it out to be when we were kids growing up in Chapleau. Over 65 years later, to me at least, when I am reminded of it, the Big Rock still plays an important role in my memories.

Recently, Adelaida Duffney, posted some Peace Park photos, and noted the Big Rock drawing it to my attention. 

Thanks Adelaida for the photos. 

Adelaida at Louis Dube Peace Park

I think my lifetime friend Harry 'Butch' Pellow who died in December 2016, summed up the importance of the rock to us in an article he wrote about it a few years ago: "It was a dry gulch, a mountain top, a cliff, a destination, a point of arrival and a lookout.  In fact it would be anything we put our mind to making it out to be.

Butch at CHS reunion 2012

"In the early mornings as the sun rose low from the east with dew on the grass it had a crystalline appearance that quickly faded as the shadows shortened, and by evening it was dark and foreboding.  We hid from passersby and calls to dinner from whatever origin in the east of downtown and from the river to lower town. "

Big Rock some years ago

It was our place to play for hours on end, and when I have been back in Chapleau, it is a place I visit, sitting on the rock quietly reflecting on my childhood years. We never actually had time to play there again except from the mothballs of memory. 

Butch and I circa 1948 heading to Big Rock

Over the years it has evolved into the peace park and in 2015 was renamed the Louis Dube Peace Park, in honour of Mr. Dube who spent countless hours caring for the park. What a wonderful contribution to Chapleau it is, a place of great beauty along the Nebskwashi River, and all involved in caring for it deserve utmost congratulations.

Mr Dube at renaming of park

Never did it enter my mind that my favourite place to play with my friends as a child would become a major Chapleau tourist attraction.

One thing leading to another, as it usually does, I visited the Township of Chapleau web site and right away noted the comment, "Chapleau is a place where anyone can become lost in their passion."

Adelaida

Let me give you a personal example. When I was home for the launch of 'The Chapleau Boys Go To War' in 2015 which I co-authored with my cousin Michael McMullen, I wanted to visit the Big Rock and Peace Park, as part of a back lane and back yard tour of the community --- my side of the tracks only. We lived on Grey Street, where the big tree in the yard was blown over just recently. That tree is a story for another day.

The "other side of the tracks" is too where my grandparents Lil (Mulligan) and Harry Morris lived.

Adelaida Duffney photo

My plan was to walk, but another lifetime friend Ken Schroeder decided to come along and suggested we drive so off we went up and down lanes and streets. Ken has a better memory of who lived where but it was a wonderful journey and we ended up at the peace park having shared memories of growing up including many laughs about good times.

I agree with Reynolds Price, the American writer that "the sound of story" is essential in our lives. Indeed it is. My thanks to Louis Dube, and all those who lovingly care for the peace park (what an appropriate name) and to Adelaida Duffney for sharing her photos reminding me how important the sound of story is!   My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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Education considered important to early Chapleau citizens with beginnings in tents after 1885

first school

Schooling for the children of Chapleau was considered so important to its early citizens after 1885 that the first classes were held in a tent, then moved to the vestry of the first Roman Catholic Church, and then back into a tent beside the present Trinity United Church.

The Roman Catholic Church was located where Collins store is today at Birch and Lorne streets. The second Roman Catholic church was built where it is today -- but the present church replaced one destroyed by fire in 1918.

A writer in the Richard Brownlee Papers noted about schooling in the second tent "It was a very pretty spot and the tent nestled among the big pine trees. Great fun was had when the pine cones dropped on the roof making a drumming noise. There were twelve rough hewn seats in the school.

"Another feature of this school was the big stove in the middle, and those who sat near it roasted, while those away froze."

Nonetheless, by May 1891, the first public school with 19 pupils opened in a building on Pine Street beside the St. John's Church rectory. Apparently the lumber to build the one room school was provided by Austin's store.

By 1893 enrolment had increased to 100 pupils (Wow!) and another room had to be added, Double seats were installed. In those days one teacher would teach every level.  

An article about this school noted that "On the teacher's desk, the old handbell rested, and last but by no means least, the water pail and a little tin cup stood on chair in the corner."

By the time I attended Chapleau Public School starting in the 1940s, in a different building of course, the water pail and tin cup were long gone but not the handbell. To tthis day I remember J.M. Shoup, the long time principal and Grade Eight teacher walking around the playground at  recess with the handbell. When he rang it we scurried into line to return to class.

In that first school the girls took turns sweeping and dusting while the boys kept the fire going. Often ink bottles froze and were placed on the stove to thaw out, but on occasion they would blow out and spatter the ceing with ink.

By 1901 when Chapleau was incorporated as a municipality with G. B. Nicholson as its first reeve, the first act of the new council was to pass a motion to float debentures for the construction of a public school.

It was built on Pine Street across the street from the existing school, and by 1922 became Chapleau High School. As an aside, only four years now until the 100th anniversary of CHS.

However, "continuation" classes which were after Grade 8, were held in the new Town Hall when it opened in 1914.

By 1922 a new public school was under construction just down the street beside the Town Hall. CHS took over its site. By 1925 that building had been rebuilt including four new rooms.

Summing up the importance of education, an unidentified writer in the 1920s proclaimed: "Any pupil can obtain the highest standard of education up to first year of university right in Chapleau and let me tell you that this is an advantage not accorded to pupils in many towns the size of Chapleau".

It just struck me that my parents Jim and Muriel (Hunt) Morris, were pupils at the public school  and Chapleau High School as well as the parents of many of my best friends, in these early years. They all did real well! My parents  may have attended the public schools on both sides of Pine Street

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

'A life living indeed!' Memories of Dr George Edward 'Ted' Young by Dr Roy Marquardt

As I reflected this past week or so on nine years of writing Chapleau Moments, it has taken me into the mothballs of my memory about the people, life and times of the community that I have shared with you as well as articles written by others who have captured some "moments".

On my journey, I discovered a wonderful article by Dr. Roy Marquardt about Dr. G.E. 'Ted' Young but before I share some details,  let me tell you about the birth of Chapleau Moments.

I received an email from Mario Lafreniere, the publisher of the Chapleau Express asking if I would like to write a column. I agreed but in all honesty I thought I may have enough material for about six months. Nine years later, on June 18 when the first column appeared I realize I have still just scratched the surface.

Although many people have provided assistance over the years, which I greatly appreciate, at the risk of forgetting someone, I will mention only three: the late Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick and Doug Greig. Both made a most significant contribution to Chapleau history and were so helpful to me with research assistance. The other is Hugh Kutner, who established the Chapleau web site now looked after by the Chapleau Public Library. I would just add in the interests of full disclosure that Anne is my cousin.

I also extend my most sincere thanks to Mario Lafreniere for whom it has been a weekly pleasure to write  a column for his newspaper. Mario has been most co-operative and supportive. Thank you my friend.

Now back to Dr. Marquardt and Dr. Young who died on November 14, 2010 at age 95.

In an article entitled 'A Life Living' Dr. Marquardt explains that he was a physician at Chapleau General Hospital providing emergency and clinical medical services who kept hearing from patients and staff about a retired doctor who was "much beloved and respected in the community."

This doctor was known for "his kindness and dedication towards his patients" doing whatever it took to look after them regardless of the challenge to provide medical care and comfort."

To be sure it was a different era as doctors during this time had limited personal living. Their work was their life. Dr. Young epitomized that era, Dr. Marquardt wrote. He got to know Dr. Young having chats with him on many occasions.  Dr. Marquardt got to know Dr. Young at the Bignucolo Residence which led to the article.

 Dr. Young was born in Chapleau, attended Chapleau Public and High School, then attended Queen's University in Kingston to study medicine. Upon graduation he interned at Columbia University in New York City with no plans to return home and open a practice. He came home for "six months" to replace a doctor, and retired just over 50 years later.

He obviously was very impressed with Dr. Young.  He concludes his article by saying that "I must busy myself with addressing patient care issues brought to my attention by the nursing staff. I immerse myself in my work, inspired by this alert, sharp faced, bespactacled man deep into an intrigue novel."

" A life living indeed!"

I was able to spend about a month visiting with Dr. Young when I returned home for the 100th anniversary of Chapleau's incorporation as a municipality in 2001. I stayed at his apartment. In 2004, Dr. Young came to visit me in Cranbrook as he made one last trip across Canada in his motor home. While here we travelled to Creston to visit the cemetery where members of his family are buried. His mother was from Creston.

photo by Gordon Woods

In selecting Dr. Marquardt's article as I mark nine years of Chapleau Moments, it also let me mention that Dr. Young and my father James E. Morris were both born in Lady Minto Hospital shortly after it opened in 1914. My father was killed on active service in the RCAF on July 16, 1943. We go back a long way.

My most sincere thanks to all who have supported Chapleau Moments since 2009. Most appreciated. I leave you this week with a thought from Tom Brokaw, "It's all storytelling you know. That's what journalism is all about."  A life living for sure!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca