Hen Threatens Precious Potential Crop
Written By Alice Gibb This is one of those quirky stories you discover when reading old newspapers on scratchy microfilm. In 1938, writer W.H. Johnston told the intriguing tale of…
Ask Alice: CN Freight Train Jack-Knifed Off Track
Written By Alice Gibb The Jack Van Hoorn family was enjoying supper on April 28, 1958, when they were startled by the sounds of a tremendous crash. Two derailed CN…
A Boy Forced To Do A Man’s Job
Written By Alice Gibb In July 1924, someone broke into John McColl’s garage in Lobo and stole the sum of $32.39. Although $32.39 may seem paltry by today’s standards, in…
City Kids Enjoyed Sample of Country Living
Written By Alice Gibb In 1944, among the heart-breaking reports from the battlefields of Europe and the Pacific, comes an inspiring tale about an Ilderton-area couple who gave city children…
London Township Cat a Dedicated Radio Listener
Written By Alice Gibb Most cats gain their time in the limelight by being rescued from a tree or else from traveling long distances following a move. But in 1937,…
No Fire Brigade to Save Komoka Mill
Written By Alice Gibb When Mrs. S.J. Scoyns of Komoka spotted a glow through her front window at 5 a.m. on a winter’s morning in 1947, she could guess the…
West Williams Wanted Three-Day per Week Ban on Cars
Written By Alice Gibb When the “horseless carriage” appeared on the scene in theearly 1900s, it wasn’t greeted with enthusiasm by all rural residents. For one thing, the early cars…
Beards, Babies & Beauty Part of Centennial Celebrations
Written By Alice Gibb When London Township residents celebrated Canada’s centennial on the July 1st weekend in 1967, babies, beards and beauty highlighted the festivities. The event was the official…
Salesman Too Proud to Ask for Help
Written By Alice Gibb The following is one of those quirky stories that researchers happen upon when browsing through old newspapers. It relates the odd tale of William Ellwood, 68,…
Ask Alice: Lucan Robberies Only Tip Of The Iceberg
Written By Alice Gibb One November 5, 1926, William Martin went into work early. At 5 a.m., he entered the offices of Lucan Milling Company, a firm he co-owned with…