Ontario Provincial Police take over Chapleau policing in 1967 with Ron Lewis in charge of detachment

Ron Lewis

The Ontario Provincial Police took over policing of Chapleau on March 20, 1967 with Corporal Ron Lewis in charge of the detachment.

Since 1885 when the community was established, law enforcement had been more or less a local responsibility, according to Vince Crichton in 'Pioneering in Northern Ontario' but "authentic data" on early law enforcement was lost because no information had been kept.

But the police force evolved with a succession of chiefs and constables until 1967 when the Chief Jim Collings and two constables resigned. 

When the township council was sorting it all out, the provincial police covered the municipality as well as the large area for which it already had responsibility.

Corporal Lewis told the newspaper that he and his officers were quite prepared to give whatever assistance might be needed.

Councillor Olive M. Card, chair of the police committee also  told the Chapleau Sentinel that the provincial police would provide assistance.

In fact, Mrs. Card and Reeve Terry Way-White placed an advertisement in the Sentinel. It read: "To allay all fear and rumours to the contrary, the Municipality of Chapleau will at all times have adequate police protection."

The police committee met with OPP Superintendent Sam Whitehouse to discuss the situation, and as a result, a motion was presented to council on March 20 that the Ontario Provincial Police be police for Chapleau immediately.

The motion passed.

Very soon thereafter, four additional provincial police officers arrived on a permanent basis with Corporal Lewis in charge. 

He had arrived in Chapleau in 1955 and was promoted to corporal in 1966. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1971 and transferred to Dowling.

Since 1957 when the new OPP headquarters was opened just off Highway 101, the municipality had used the jail there, and for a short time, there was also a courtroom there. The jail had been  housed in the basement of the old fire hall on Pine Street. 

Vince Crichton noted that the first resident provincial police officer arrived in Chapleau about 1912 and for many years it was a one officer detachment until John Craig joined Ron Lewis in 1957.

When I was growing up in Chapleau, the township police did not even have a vehicle until about 1952 when Joe Shilliday arrived as chief. They would call upon the OPP officer when a ride was needed, or take a cab.

In 1971, when Ron Lewis was transferred, he and his wife Pearl were honoured by Trinity United Church. Ron was recognized as a 'main cog" in the construction and administration of the Christian Education Wing, while Pearl was active in the United Church Women. Rev. Murray Arnill made presentation on behalf of the congregation.

In 2018, the OPP have been responsible for Chapleau policing over 51 years now. Time flies!!! My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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Charles Reid set example "of good citizenship and daily living" in Chapleau

The "railway town" of Chapleau lost "one of its best loved and highly respected citizens" when Charles Reid died in 1958 , according to his obituary in the Sudbury Star..

Mr. Reid, born in Eganville ON, had lived in Chapleau since 1889, and at the time of his death was one of the community's oldest residents.

"To young and old alike he set an example of good citizenship and daily living", the article noted. To many he was simply called "Charlie" or "Uncle Charlie".

Mr. Reid began his career with the Canadian Pacific Railway in Cartier but then moved to Chapleau as a fireman on the "old woodburners". There was no enclosed cab in those days, and all they had to protect them during the cold winters was a canvas cover.

Sometimes when "out on the road" it took several days to cover a division.

Mr. Reid graduated to engineer  and during his half century of service with the CPR saw gradual improvement  in working conditions as well as well as changeover to coal burning engines.

In 1904 he married Mary Blanche Pellow and in due course they built a house on Birch Street beside the red brick house which was the Vince Crichton Sr family home at Birch and Aberdeen streets.

The article noted that he was "a man of simple tastes" with a "beautiful flower and vegetable garden."

Fond  of hunting and fishing, he was known as  a "crack shot" during deer hunting season. He also enjoyed blueberry picking.

With his close friend Walter Leigh, for many years he went out to cut wood for the winter.

Ina Robinson, Mr. Reid, Mr Leigh 1940 Carnival

In 1940, in the early years of the Chapleau Winter Carnival, and in fact the last one until well after the end of World War II, with Mr. Leigh he was active on the committee. Ina Robinson, who later married Frank Coulter was the Carnival Queen.

As an aside, Mr. Leigh, a very good skater, performed with the figure skaters.

Mr. Reid was a member of Trinity United Church and for his consistent and devoted service was presented with an honourary membership on the official board of the church.

He was also a member of IOOF Missanabie Lodge and was awarded a Veteran Life Membership.

"Charlie" or "Uncle Charlie", as he was known to so many was a vital part of Chapleau life for many years. In the interests of full disclosure, although I knew him well, passing his home daily, I always called him Mr. Reid. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Patrick and Annie Downey reflected pioneer spirit raising family plus involvement with church and community

Settling in Chapleau just before the beginning of the 20th century, Patrick 'Paddy' and his wife Annie Downey reflected the pioneer spirit of those times as they became involved with the church and community as well as raising their family.

Born in Sheenboro, Quebec, Mr. Downey started working for the Canadian Pacific Railway in its early years returning home from Chapleau in 1897 to marry Annie Catherine Mears. For the first few months in Chapleau, they lived with Tom and Catherine Downey, a cousin.

They first lived in a house near Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church where five of their eight children were born, but then bought large house on Lorne located  across from the YMCA, where the liquor store is today.

In an article about the Downey family written for the centennial of Sacred Heart Church, the writer who is one of the family but not identified noted that "Both Annie and Paddy were hard working energetic people who were happy to be living in a country where freedom and opportunity were available to all."

To supplement Mr. Downey's income from the CPR and to pay for their new house, they rented four bedrooms, usually to teachers. Apparently teachere were "sent" to Mrs. Downey. Renting rooms with board was a pretty common practice even the 1940s-50s when I was growing up in Chapleau. 

The artice writer noted, "Imagine the washing that entailed with no electricity and water heated by a tank near the cook stove adding that it was a "horrendous" job with family and boarders ---"scrubbing, cooking, sewing, patching..."

Much of the work fell to many wives of many railroaders who would be out on the road for long periods of time in those days.

However, the boys would go with their father to get the wood supply sometimes putting it in a boom to float down river, haul it home, saw it, pile it outside to dry, throw it in the basement, pile again...

No gym was needed, the article notes.

Despite challenges they were always secure and well cared for.

"Both parents had the pioneer spirit and became very involved with church and comunity,"

At first all children attended the public school but in due course there was a need for a separate school and Mrs. Downey and other women met with Bishop Scollard to pursue it. By 1910 it had been provided.  

Mrs. Downey was also active in the Catholic Women's League and was very involved in the selection of plays and casts for the very popular St. Patrick's Day celebrations. Mr, Downey was also active in the church.

After Chapleau High School opened in 1922, Mr. Downey served several terms as a board member, and was very active in its early years.

During the Great Depression, Mr. Downey served on the municipal council which was a great challenge with many out of work.

Another great Chapleau pioneer family. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

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