The first 14 years of the
twentieth century was a period of consolidaŽtion in Argyle's history.
Farm wealth accumulated, most of the buildings now in use were erected
during or before this period. A large percentŽage of the acreage now
under cultiŽvation was brought under the plow. Progress was an
established fact, the last of the hand fed threshers had disappeared.
During this period Argyle saw the western half of her territory
established as a separate municipality namely Strathcona in 1907. Yet
along social lines the story of the Telephone for instance is full of
interest. In 1906 the Bell Telephone Company had
constructed a trunk line from Glenboro to
Baldur connecting up many of the farmers
along the line. We also find a privŽate line constructed by
Curtis between his stores in Baldur and Greenway, using the
Canadian Northern Telegraph poles for this purpose. A
.W. Playfair appeared before the Council on March 12,1907 and
requested permission to construct a line between his farm
and residence in Baldur. Permission was granted provided the
poles were high enough to prevent traffic accidents. We even find an
enterprising person by the name of C.
Drummond-Hay, requesting as early as November 14,
1905 the right to erect poles on the road allowances and streets in
Argyle for the double purpose of stringing eiŽther telephone wires or
electric light wires. Permission was granted; but
neither Mr. Playfair or Mr. DrumŽmond-Hay acted upon
their requests. The rest of the story is a tale of batŽtle,
between demanding ratepayers and a council out of
tune with the trend of the times. On Oct. 6th, 1906, the Council passed
a resolution which stated "that to build and operate a Telephone System
would not be in the best interests of the
municipality". And again on May 21st, 1907 they
passed another resolution. "That we take
no action in the matŽter of telephones".
Democracy and public opinion however, won the day, for on September
17th of 1907 the same Council voted as follows "That the
Municipal Telephone By-Law be submitted to the ratepayers
at the next Municipal election." Election day
was on December 17th, 1907, afŽter a ratepayers meeting in the
Victoria Hall on June 9th 1908 the CounŽcil got to
work, issued debentures for $10,000
and awarded the contract for construction to Playfair
Bros. Thus the telephone came to rural Argyle. On December
20th, 1910, we find these same ratepayers voting: by
a majority of 90 to sell the municipal system to the Provincial
Governemnt, a deal which was completed in the early months of 1911.
During these fourteen years Argyle was served by four more Reeves, Jas.
Dale 1902-04, Jas. Strang 1905 and 06, Walter Mabon 1907 and 08, Jas.
Strang 1909 and Christian Johnson 1910 to 1918. In 1914 came the World
War of 1914-18.
The war years were lean in history if only the dry records of Council
minutes were considered. They are rich however, in personal history for
most families living Argyle. The citizens of the municipality did their
full share in the struggle, many of her best sons making the supreme
sacrifice on the fields of France. This does not mean the Council were
inacŽtive, the business of the Municipality was carried on as usual. We
also find that as arly as January 5th, 1915, they were donating $100 to
the Red Cross and $250 to the Belgian Relief Fund, donations that were
increased as the war dragged on. In a national emergency Reeve Chris
Johnson and his Council proved themselves real leaders. When appeals
were made for war loan subscriptions, the Reeve and Councillors lead
the canvass, and let it not be forgotten that during years of deep
financial stress, they guided the ship of state safely. The end
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of the war in 1918 coincided with the
retirement of Christian Johnson from the office of Reeve. This son of
Iceland had held the highest office in the municipality for ten years
always with dignity and courage. His successor was James S. Conibear
then Councillor for Ward 4.
J. S. Conibear was Reeve for a period of four years from 1919 to 1922.
The post war depression, the collapse of farm values and
the great task of reestablishing half a million men into business,
industry and agriculture, after service in the army. The
municipal Council in Argyle assumed their share of this burden. War is
a great evil; it also is a promoter of material progress
especially along scientific and mechanical lines. This can be
traced in the history of Argyle. We find that following the war came a
great advance in automotive transportation - with the automobile
came a demand for better roads than were ever thought of by the
pioneer. It was to cope with this demand that we find the Council of
Argyle on the 31st day of March in 1920 passing reŽsolution which
resulted in the purchase of the first power grading machinery to be
found in these parts. J. S. Conibear retired from
office in 1922, he was the last of the pioneer Reeves, for his
successor Edmund L. Embury, while born in Ontario, was only
a boy when he arrived in Argyle in 1890. He is in reality a product of
Manitoba and definitely belongs to the second generation.
Edmund L. Embury was Reeve of Argyle from 1923 to 1933, a period of
eleven years - longer than anyone else has held this high office. They
were eleven changeful years. They changed
from the post war depression of 1923 to height of
farm prosperity in 1928; they saw the collapse of 1929 and the undreamt
of economic depression of the thirties , They were years which
brought much lavish spending on the part of the individuals, and in
some instances, on the part of governments But this was not true of
Argyle, her government during these eleven years was safe, sound and
conservative, with the result that the municipality was able to weather
the storm of depression. Able to keep her schools open, able to deal
with the ever increasing burden of unemployment, direct reŽlief and the
heavy cost of hospitalization. Able to advance seed grain to her needy
farmers with almost a minimum of effort. These; years were not without
progress. In 1926, the council, after using the private office of John
Harrower for many years as its headquarters, built a new Municipal
office and Council Chamber on First Street in the Village of Baldur. We
find that five miles of gravel road was built between Baldur and
Belmont under the Provincial Good Roads scheme. The grade being erected
in 1929 and the gravelling done in 1930. We also find that the first
tractor was dispensed with and new caterpillar purchased, while an
elevator Grader was added to the road building machinery. It is
interesting to note that Argvle maintained her traditional temperance
position by defeating a By-Law which sought to establish a Beer Parlor
in Baldur during 1928. The year 1929 brought the Provincial Hydro to
the village of Baldur, and to some of the farms beŽtween Glenboro and
Baldur.
In January 1933 John Harrower retired from the office of Secretary
-Treasurer after 44 years of service. December of the same year saw the
retirement of E. L. Embury as Reeve. The last four years under
discussion saw a vast increase in municipal work. Reeves and
Councillors could no longer meet the requirements of office by building
roads and bridges or dealing with school affairs. Direct Relief,
unemployment, grasshopper plagues and various Provincial and Dominion
government schemes for the assistance
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