Chapleau's 'beautiful summer resort' scene of surprise party for Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brownlee in 1931

Mulligan's Bay, "Chapleau's beautiful summer resort" was the scene of "most enjoyable" Surprise Party on Wednesday August 26, 1931, to honour Mr. and Mrs. Richard Brownlee, according to the Chapleau Post.

The occasion was an "At Home" to all the campers at Mulligan's Bay hosted by Mrs. Merrick and sons Herb and George, to honour Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee, who had decided t o sell their summer home on Brownlee Island.

The Chapleau Post reported that it was being sold to Mr. and Mrs. William Card "that they might enjoy to the full, with their family, the beauty, grandeur and refreshing vigour that only such a life can give." It became known as Card Island.

The Brownlees seemed to be the first to open and the last to close their cottage and all were welcome on their island, the report said.

The party was held at the Merrick's "Log Cabin" which is still in their family and used yearly by Merrick Goldstein. Growing up in Chapleau, I spent wonderful times at the Log Cabin with the Goldstein family.

Mrs. Merrick had invited Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee for tea that day and "not a whisper" was heard until the "Log Cabin" was set up for the party, and the guests started to arrive.

A little later, lanterns were lighted among the trees and "with the moon peeping out of the clouds made a charming background for the happy faces that were to visit and enjoy a few hours together".

The orchestra was Alf Comte and his son along with Herb Lucas . (Mr. Comte took over Mr. Brownlee's barber shop when he retired in 1931, the same year he sold the island. Mr. Lucas worked in it for many years.)

The guests "tripped the light fantastic" until the wee small hours" at which time D.O. Payette "called the company to order" and a presentation was made to Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee. J.B. Dexter read a letter to them.

It read in part: " It was with great surprise and sincere regret that we, the campers of Mulligan's Bay and surrounding district heard that you had disposed of your beautiful island and summer home. It is hard to realize that you are not to remain members of our little community for you are the pioneer campers in this neighbourhood and have always been an inspiration to others who have followed your example."

The letter noted that at one time the Brownlee yacht was the only gasoline powered boat, and "you sure were kind-hearted and generous in taking people...  down the lake or to the island for a picnic."

They also put out flags and markers in the bay . lights on the island and a gramophone with a very loud speaker played  music "the source of much pleasure to your neighbours..."

"To you then as pioneers, is the credit due for the pleasure we enjoy at our summer homes.." A gift was then presented to them. The letter was signed by Mr. Payette and Mr. Dexter on behalf of all the campers.

Mr. Brownlee arrived in Chapleau on February 4, 1886, and two days later, established a barber shop in a tent on the site where the Lady Minto Hospital would be located in 1914, at the corner of Elm and Queen Streets. 

Within a short time, he had relocated to Birch Street, in a lean-to attached to the T.A. Austin store. Later he bought the Brownlee Block.

In 1887, he married and he brought his wife Ellen to Chapleau. She was one of the few women there at the time. Both were 19.  Mrs. Brownlee died in 1936, and in 1938 he married Marie Jeanne Leclerc.

Richard Brownlee died at age 83 on August 8, 1951, and his funeral, conducted by Rev. E Roy Haddon, was held at St. John's Anglican Church.

My most sincere thanks to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin, for lending me the Richard Brownlee papers. It was also great to have a visit with you when I was home. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Alfred 'Alf' Comte with the landmark crooked tree in front of his barber shop saw main street change to busy thoroughfare with music also very much part of his life in Chapleau

When Alfred 'Alf' Comte retired in 1961, he was not just remembered for his barber shop on Chapleau's main street, but also for the music that was very much a part of his life.

Arriving in Chapleau in 1911, at the age of 17 from Thouars, France, Mr. Comte became the Chapleau boys' best friend from childhood up, first working in Richard Brownlee's barber shop, then taking it over from him. He decided to stay: "It was young, it was colourful, it was growing," he said of Chapleau.

"Over the years he made a host of friends," Margaret Costello wrote in her Sudbury Star column, marking Mr. Comte's retirement. "Among the very young, when he first clipped hair from the heads of tiny tots, and turned them in real boys, and from there on men of all ages."

However, music was very much "part of the scheme of things" Mrs. Costello wrote, "and he played the violin well, so well in fact, that he taught others" as well as playing in a popular local orchestra.

Although at first he did not speak English, he soon met D.O. Payette, who became his interpreter as well as his first best friend in the new country. A bit later they formed Payette's Orchestra, and were in great demand for all kinds of functions at churches, concerts, dances and benefits.

While working at Mr. Brownlee's shop, he met Herb Lucas, who worked with him for 32 years, and also played in the orchestra. Other early members were Tommy Rose and J.N. Burns.

Blanche Vaillancourt came to Chapleau to visit with her sister Rose Sauve, met Mr. Comte, and in 1914 they were married.

At a retirement stag held for him, Mr. Comte recalled the early main street scene in Chapleau when in front of the barber shop grew a crooked tree, adding that it was a landmark from coast to coast.

Mrs. Costello wrote: "Passengers on trains during the wait at Chapleau divisional point who hankered for a supply of short snorts to continue their journey, were directed to the liquor store, next to the barber shop with the comment, 'You can't miss it. It's right by the crooked tree.'"

The Crooked Tree (www.chapleau.com)

Mr. Comte recalled that in those early days the only traffic marks along main street were wagon wheel ruts. Over the years, looking out the big picture window of the barber shop he saw main street change into a busy thoroughfare with new enterprises to meet new changes and the demands of Chapleau's growing population.


At the head table with Mr. Comte were some of his old friends including Mr. Payette, George O'Hearn, Hiram Paul, Ben Vezina, J.N. Burns, James Encil, Thomas McKee, John Reid, Chapleau Reeve D.J. 'Jim' Broomhead who also played a mean sax in the orchestra, and sons Raoul and Gerard Comte, and his grandson Lawrence.

At this point, I extend my thanks to Lawrence, who we called by the nickname 'Ton' for providing me with information on his grandfather. I decided to reach out to some others to share their memories of Mr. Comte, and here are some of the replies I received. Thanks to all.

Harry "Butch" Pellow
"I recall many instances when I was directed to the barber in anticipation of such things as special school events, choir and church proceedings and other such activities requiring neatness of and
presentation of countenance. As I recall I would often arrive in the barber shop after school ... maybe way after school... sweaty and in my woolen breeches covered in snow and damp- (and smelly too) and told to sit on the ice cream parlour chairs against the wall to await my turn in the chair. I recall waiting sometimes for a the big very long time while more recent arrives in the shop (adults) would precede me.

"Only later did I appreciate that the snow covered clothes, sweaty and smelly breeches and a restless young boy were the last thing wanted before the shop closed for the evening. I and you will recall the big picture window, the dark snow covered streets and that the barber shop was the last place you would want to be when you could otherwise be playing hockey on Aberdeen Street.

"Do you recall the glass case against the inside wall of the shop, the mirrored back wall, the linoleum floor covering water soaked and spotted by the snow that was tracked in, the wire backed, ice cream parlour cane seating, the picture of the dogs playing poker, and the long calendar with a rural scene of somewhere none of us had ever been?

"Do you recall the aroma of the after shave and the smelly stuff they sprinkled on your hair; and do you recall that you always preferred Mr. Comte to do your hair after he set you up on the board he suspended between the arms of his chair and mostly because he would put you at ease with his quiet, personal conversation, and very personal and friendly questions about yourself and your family.

"Sweet memories for me for sure. And he never forgot my name."

Ian Macdonald"Just fond recollections of the very pleasant distinguished man in the third chair. My recollection was he was a great and sympathetic listener."

Charlie Purich
"Ritual to get a haircut there. There were usually two barbers and back then you would request who you wanted. (And wait for that barber.) Mr Comte specialized in brush-cuts and he had this special goo he would add after the cut was done. Kept your brushcut on end for at least a few days.

"Also recall the board they would place across the seat for young patrons. Can't recall too many conversations between the patrons or barbers because the shop was a sombre place--you went there for a haircut or shave- period. Not too many smiles--just business!

"The shave was a hot towel affair and then out came the straight razor. Glad I didn't have whiskers back then!

"Back then you could get a haircut, have a milk shake at the Model Grill, get a mickey at the LCBO and play a game of pool upstaris at the pool hall, all in the same hour!!!"

David McMillan on Mr. Lucas
"Right off the top of my head I remember his chair was the one closet to the window and when he was in the process of giving you a haircut he'd forever be waving as people walked by on the sidewalk. I was also fascinated by the shaving procedure .. the head over the sink, the towel wrapped around the face and the straight razor that he periodically used to hone its edge."

Merrick Goldstein

"One Sunday my dad (J.G. 'Jiggs' Goldstein) decided to give me a haircut cause mom had been given a pair of little hand clippers. I dont remember how old I was but old enough to realize what a poor job he had done. I waited on the step of the barber shop before school til Mr. Comte opened up and told him what had happened. As I recall , Mr. Comte in a very polite manner suggested that my father should not quit his job at Collins Store."

Dr W.R. "Bill" Pellow

"The barber shop had changed drastically by the time I was going there for my monthly haircut. Different from the pioneering days when I was a boy going not to Brownlee's barber shop but to Comte's barber shop. . In the early days when Mr. Comte would have just arrived in Chapleau the barber shop was the transitional shop that was frequently used by the lumberjacks.

"My Dad relayed the stories that the lumberjack would arrive in town after a full winter in the bush and head directly to Smith and Chapples and buy "birds eye" Mackinaw pants , new knee length
boots and socks and new shirt head to the barber shop where he had a hair cut, a steam towel hot shave and shampoo and in the back room there was a tub where he could bathe. He cut the bottom 12 inches off his pants and was supplied brown paper to wrap his old clothes in and he changed into a clean shaven respectful citizen.This package of old dirty clothes were burnt in a barrel in the back yard. Then he headed next door and remained in the bar and stayed drunk, until he was broke. Then headed back to the lumber camp to sign on for another season. A
small sad circle of frivolity and waste. Truth or fiction.

"As a young boy I always wanted Mr. Comte to cut my hair. He was a gentile man and always of even temperament. His chair was the furthest from the front door. Herb Lucas 's chair was next to the window where he could wrap on the window with his comb with one hand and keep on cutting with the other. Then there were two more chairs that were manned by the "transient " barbers.

"Mr. Comte had a muscle ball on his right forearm that was created by hours of using the scissors with his arms elevated. He always cut your hair as you wished, or as directed from afar by your parents.

"During the war years he could be found each Friday in the basement of the town hall playing his violin accompanied by Mrs. Stancil (Pelllow) Rose on piano and Jim Broomhead on sax. The music was music of a generation past but a delight to dance to. An orchestra to dance to even a three piece orchestra was a treat for any Chapleau teenager.

"It is amazing how one small statured man can bring back memories of a life time ago, memories of deportment, dignity, grace and talent." My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Men O' the Northof 227th Battalion head off to World War I from Chapleau while local Red Cross Society supports effort and community holds reception for soldiers when war ends

Members of Chapleau Platoon, 227th Battalion at station

Recruiting for the 227th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I was underway in Chapleau in May 1916 after its commanding officer Lieut-Col. C.H. LeP. Jones had paid a visit to the community.

At the same time the Chapleau branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society was active, and after the war ended the community held a Reception to Returned Soldiers.

Immediately after the visit the Chapleau Citizens Recruiting Committee was formed and by August, 62 volunteers had signed up to join the 120 Chapleau persons who were already in the forces. Quite an achievement for a small, isolated community of about 2,500 people although some of the volunteers came from nearby communities like Missanabie and White River.

In Snapshots Of Chapleau,'s Past on www.chapleau.com George Evans noted that on Saturday, August 12, 1916, the First Chapleau Platoon of the 227th Battalion of the Sudbury, Manitoulin, and Algoma Overseas Battalion paraded from the YMCA building on Lorne Street, down Birch Street, over the tracks, to the railway station.

George added: "As described in Vincent Crichton’s Pioneering in Northern Ontario, it was 'a red letter day.' The Town Band led the way and the whole town turned out to support the 'Men O’ the North' as they set out to do battle with 'the Hun' in fields of northeastern France. Six officers, fifty-three enlisted men, a bandsman and two buglers marched in full gear to the cheers of the patriotic people of Chapleau..."

Some would not return.

A Wikipidea entry says thats "The 227th Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Based in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario and Camp Borden, the unit began recruiting in early 1916 on Manitoulin Island and in Algoma . After sailing to England in April 1917, the battalion was absorbed into the 8th Reserve Battalion on April 22, 1917. The 227th Battalion, CEF had one Officer Commanding: Lieut-Col. C. H. LeP. Jones."

Meanwhile, on the home front in Chapleau the local branch of the Canadian Red Cross Society was also very actively involved in the war effort. As I was browsing through Hugh Kuttner's immensely interesting web site, http://www.chapleau.com/
  I was sure that I recognized the handwriting on the minutes of a meeting of the branch in 1917 that had been made available and are on Hugh's site.

Reading the minutes, I realized that Edith Hunt, my grandmother, was the secretary, referred to in the minutes as "Hon. Sec." She had arrived in Chapleau from the United Kingdom just before World War I with her husband George, my grandfather, and their two daughters Elsie, and my mother Muriel.

The minutes were from an executive meeting held on October 22, 1917, in the council room in the Town Hall, which had been opened in 1914, one of the many projects in the early years of Chapleau led by its first reeve G.B. Nicholson, who had retired as head of the municipality after serving from 1901 to 1913 but was in attendance at the meeting.

Mr. Nicholson's only son Lorne, a member of the Chapleau Platoon was one who did not return home from World War I. He was killed on November 4. 1918.

From the minutes I was also surprised to learn that May (Mulligan) McMullen was the president of the Chapleau Red Cross Society at the time. I contacted Michael McMullen, my cousin and our family historian to see if he knew that his grandmother had held this position. It came as a surprise to him too. Michael's grandmother and mine, Lil (Mulligan) Morris were sisters. They were members of the Mulligan family after whom Mulligan's Bay is named.

The first vice president was Father Romeo Gascon, of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Parish and second vice president was Mrs. M.L. Copping, while Mrs. H.B. Pelton was the 'Hon. Treas.', the treasurer.

Wikipedia notes that the Canadian Red Cross was established in the fall of 1896 as an affiliate of the British Red Cross Society (then known as the National Society for Aid to the Sick and Wounded in War). Colonel Dr. George Sterling Ryerson spearheaded the organization's founding; he was earlier responsible for setting up Canada's St. John Ambulance Association in 1895. The Canadian Red Cross Society Act (1909) legally established the Red Cross as the corporate body in Canada responsible for providing volunteer aid in accordance with the Geneva Conventions

The Chapleau branch was busy during World War I assisting with the preparation of packages to be sent to the troops and others being affected by the war. Mrs. Copping was the general supervisor of the effort while Mrs. Cochrane was sewing convenor, Mrs. Ferguson packing convenor and Mrs. White surgical supplies convenor.

On April 21, 1919, Chapleau held a reception for returned soldiers chaired by Reeve J.D. McAdam with T.J. Wolfe as secretary of the organizing committee. It was held in the Town Hall which, with its theatre and downstairs hall, had become a centre of community life.

According to the official program, which is also available on http://www.chapleau.com/
 music for a concert was provided by Comte's Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Alf Comte, who I remember from the many years he operated the barber shop on Birch Street. The orchestra also played for a dance following dinner. As I reflected on growing up in Chapleau, it seemed that major celebrations included a concert, dinner and a dance all held in the Town Hall.

The concert program included a quartet, violin solo, flute solo, vocal solo, a reading and the overture by Comte's Orchestra.

The dinner menu included oysters in shell, roast turkey with cranberry sauce, tomatoes a la mode and a variety of deserts.

I have always been intrigued by the formality of dance programs in years gone by and the one at the reception was no exception. Divided into two parts, it began with the grand march around the hall, followed by two step, waltz, quadrelle, fox trot, barn dance, Paul Jones, one step and fox trot. Part two varied slightly but of course ended with the Home Waltz.

For this column, after discovering information about my grandmother and great aunt's involvements in the Chapleau Red Cross at http://www.chapleau.com/
 , I decided to generally focus on parts of community life connected to World War I primarily from http://www.chapleau.com/
 I extend my most sincere thanks to Hugh and all those who have made the site possible. It is an incredibly valuable resource. My only regret is that it was not available when I was teaching history at Chapleau High School. My email is mj.morris@live.ca