Walter Leigh 'honoured and respected' Chapleau citizen started railroading on wood burning locomotives

Ina Robinson, Charles Reid. Mr Leigh

When Walter Leigh first started railroading, "those were the days" of wood burning locomotives and a round trip between divisional points on some occasions took about a week, according to an article by Margaret "Maggie " Costello in the Sudbury Star.

Maggie was paying tribute to one of Chapleau's "long familiar figure, honoured and respected" during the 60 years he had lived in the community.

Born in Toronto in 1868, he began railroading as a fireman in 1887 in southern Ontario, moving to Chapleau in 1900. Mr. Leigh died at age 93 in 1963. He worked up to engineer retiring in 1935.

Maggie wrote that in his early days of railroading before locomotives were converted to coal, it took about three loads of coal in the tender to move  a train between divisional points, adding it sometimes took a week to make round trip.

She described Mr. Leigh as "small in stature, large in outlook, with rugged constitution from the day he established his home here he became active and constructive member of the community -- with a large circle of friends widened to include just about everyone."

He enjoyed the outdoors "and the wealth of pleasure and education it had to offer in all seasons. He was an ardent fisherman and expert paddler."

Mr. Leigh was an "expert skater" as well and in fact won a fancy skating award in one of Chapleau's early winter carnivals.

Rose House, 1912 on corner, Leigh house 1908

In 1908 when Chapleau was still centred close to the railway station and yards, he "ventured far afield" according to Maggie, when he built the first house on Pine Street on the river side of the street. The "new" St. John's Anglican Church was down the street from him.

Some of his friends felt he was moving far out into the bush... but he told them all his children could snowshoe. Imagine, in 1908, the river side of Pine Street was in the bush.  (See photo)

In due course, Mr. Leigh found the "perfect spot" for a camp at Mulligan's Bay, bought the lot and built one.

Mr. Leigh was an active member of St. John's Anglican Church, serving  on the advisory board for many years.

names below

Mr. and Mrs. Leigh had four children: Alvin, Frank, Elmore and Olive. His son Frank became an Anglican minister, and served as Rector of St. John's in the 1950s while his father was still alive. Frank also served in the Canadian armed forces in both World War I and II, while Elmore served in World War II, and was very active in Branch 5 of the Royal Canadian Legion after his return home.

Into his 90s Mr. Leigh still walked everywhere even on the coldest days and was known for never wearing gloves. He always had a lively interest in everything and everybody.

My thanks to Anne (Zufelt) McGoldrick for her assistance. Anne knew Mr. Leigh well especially when she was a child living on Pine Street. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

photo info

CPR retirees at a reunion banquet. Likely early 1950s. Back row left to right:7) Joe Lepine, 8) F.J. (Shorty) Morris, 9) Arthur Whybray, 10) Jim Encil, 11) Clarence Darby, 12) William Brazel 13) IvorErickson, 14) John N. Burns, 15) W.H. (Scotty) Thomson, 16) Fred Hands, 17) William Card, 18) Joe Delaney, 19) George Young.

Front row left to right:1) Charles Reid, 2) Ed Murphy, 3) Ed Woodard, 4)  Walter Leigh, 5) James Q. Stanley, 6) William Somers, 6a) Robert Nixon

Ina Robinson was crowned Queen of the 1940 Chapleau Winter Caarnival shown with pioneer Charles Reid, and Walter Leigh on right. Mr Leigh skated at the carnival. Ina later married Frank Coulter.