Alcide Small edges out legendary Bill Bryson in pipe smoking contest at Chapleau Railroad Festival in 'uncompromisingly hot' weather in 1975

G. Evans, E. Gilbert, A. Small, MJM, W. Wilson

Although the weather was described as "uncompromisingly hot" in late June 1975, the Chapleau Railroad Festival reached great heights of interest and participation, according to Alcide Small, the CPR Superintendent from Schreiber.

Alcide, a Chapleau boy, was back in Northern Ontario as Superintendent, and a "lively guest and participant" in the three-day festival, according to the Chapleau Sentinel. 

He officially opened the festival by pitching the first ball over home plate to open the softball tournament. After the opening, he and members of Chapleau council donned Festival Chapleau caps and watched the CPR Office staff play the Carbarns and Sectionmen. Festival Chapleau was a creation of the council and Chapleau Recreation Committee to provide overall support to Chapleau winter and summer festivals. 

The softball tournament provided a lot of good moments for the large crowds of spectators at the field behind the old Chapleau High School on Pine Street with the Office Staff emerging as winners. The consolation winners were the Carbarns and Sectionmen. All received caps.

Alcide, who had been a CPR engineer, took out his pipe for the Pipe Smoking Contest, and edged out Bill Bryson to win. Bill  had a legendary reputation for being able to keep his pipe lit from Chapleau to White River with one match. Alcide won a pipe, donated by none other than the CPR. Perhaps Bill let the Boss win??

The CPR Superintendent commented that he "was very pleased with the turnout for the Spike Driving Contest. The weather was hot and against us but the CPR spirit was still there and it pulled through."

There were 14 entries in the Spike Driving Contest. The competition was close with Hans Freistatter emerging as the winner with Salmi Walli as runnerup. Alcide had donated a handsome plaque bearing a silver spike which he presented to the winner.

The Chapleau Memorial Community Arena was packed on Saturday night for the dance featuring Salt Spring Rainbow who provided fast tempo blue grass music.

Recreation Director Terry Bryson, (Bill's son) said overall he felt the festival was "very successful, even though the weather was so hot."

He extended thanks to the CPR Superintendent and the CPR for their assistance, and also to all the other people who volunteered their time and services.

"It is people like these that help make recreation in Chapleau what it is today", he said. "I feel recreation is involving people and Chapleau citizens play an important role in the progress of recreation activities. Thank you for all your assistance in making the Railroad Festival possible."

Aside from his support and participation in the Railroad Festival, Alcide Small was most helpful to his home town in other ways during his time as CPR Superintendent.

The Chapleau General Hospital was in the works and he arranged for quit claim deeds from the CPR for the land occupied by the Lady Minto Hospital, enabling lots to be sold and the revenue derived contributed to the new hospital fundraising campaign. When the Lady Minto Hospital was built in 1913-1914, the CPR owned the land but made it available for a hospital with the proviso that when no longer used for this purpose, the land would revert to the CPR.

This was common practice of the CPR and the same situation applied to the land where the Chapleau Recreation Centre now stands. At first Alcide helped with the construction of Grinton Park, then the recreation centre by obtaining title to the land by the municipality from the CPR. He also arranged a donation to the recreation centre by the CPR.

While he was superintendent the CPR sent a letter to the municipality advising it that it had 30 days to get off CPR land, which was the old road across the trestle to the Planer area as the railroad wanted to expand its tracks. Impossible of course but not to the CPR officials in Montreal who sent the letter. Alcide stepped in and bought time for the municipality to plan and build the road and bridge which are now there.

Alcide, who had attended Chapleau Public School and Chapleau High School, and had served in Canada's forces in World War II, upon his return home at the end of the war, donated an award to a Grade 8 student. 

CATCHING UP

I am gradually catching up on ideas for Chapleau Moments received when I was home for the high school reunion. However, please email me if I have not been in touch. My email is mj.morris@live.ca