Smith and Chapple hold 'very interesting event' as guests march into Town Hall basement led by Reeve Frank Edwards

The guests at a very interesting event "marched" into the basement of the Town Hall led by Reeve Frank Edwards in February, 1945, according to a story in the Chapleau Post.

The Post reported that "upwards of a hundred guests" attended as Smith and Chapple Ltd. entertained their staff and other guests at a dinner and party.

The event marked an anniversary of the takeover of Smith and Chapple by D.O. Payette and Arthur Grout in 1930 and the program stated "that they have finally been able to clear off their indebtedness to the previous owner."

The guests enjoyed a "splendid" turkey dinner"  with Mr. Payette proposing the Toast to the King (George V) and the singing of the National Anthem which at the time was 'God Save the King'.

In his comments Mr. Payette said that as president of the firm he was greatly honoured to have the guests present to mark "another milestone in the life of the firm", paying off the indebtedness.

Mr Payette

He added that since Mr. Grout and he had taken over the firm "they had carried on largely through the assistance of the Royal Bank, also noting that they always endeavoured to give the customer that they could. 

Mr Grout

He also announced that Mrs. A.J. Grout and Earle Sootheran had been appointed to the directorate of the firm.

Mr. Sootheran proposed a toast to "our good friends" the Canadian Pacific Railway with A.A. Dumphy, the Superintendent replying that this occasion was a real milestone in the history of Smith and Chapple.

Mr. Dumphy recognized that the Great Depression had been tough but he had never seen a store the calibre of Smith and Chapple.

He added that the CPR would build a power house for $300,000 and that its monthly payroll was over $100,000 a month.

Arthur Simpson, publisher and editor of the Chapleau Post, in proposing a toast to "Our Community" congratulated the firm on its remarkable growth commenting that Mr. Grout "dreamed Smith and Chapple from the rising of the sun until the going down of the same. "

Mr. Simpson also paid tribute Reeve Frank Edwards and those who served t he town during the Great Depression. They could not be overlooked, he said.

"The town is full of honest to goodness good people who never fall down on anything worthwhile,."

In reply Reeve Frank Edwards paid tribute to the work of Mr. Payette as Fire Chief, a position he held along with being president of Smith and Chapple. As a result of Mr. Payette's efforts, insurance rates had dropped considerably.

He also paid tribute to Mr. Grout's business ability and he was pleased to add his best wishes for the continued success of the business.

Tbe toast to "Our Future" was proposed by Len Beeston, a department manager.

Moving pictures shot by Mr. Grout of a Winter Carnival were shown as part of the entertainment. Mrs. Lauretta Veit and Miss Thelma Midkiff sang duets.

"Afterwards bingo was played and just after midnight the guests formed a ring and sang Auld Lang Syne, closing an event which will be long remembered by those present."

My thanks once again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for kindly loaning me the Richard Brownlee papers.  My email is mj.morris@live.ca