of unemployment and
agriculture were all handled through municipal officers. Your historian
is glad to note that the men in office grew to their task.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian B.
Johnson and wife.
Mr. and Mrs. Christian Johnson served as Reeve of Argyle from 1896 –
1898 and 1910 – 1918. *See correction on Page 18
Walter E. Clark succeeded E. L. Embury as Reeve in 1934 and
continues to fill the office. The financial depression
continued; but the financial stability
outlined in the precedŽing paragraph was further
strengthened until today Argyle is one of the wealthiest
municipalities in the Province with cash reserves
sufficient to weather heavy storms. The past six years have also
witnessed some defiŽnite social progress. In 1936 as a result of a
petition presented to the Council in 1935 the
municipality Argyle became a T. B. Free Area under the
supervision of the Dominion Health of Animals Branch.
In the first test made in 1936, 7982 cattle were tested and
136 reacted, a perŽcentage of 1.7% in the retest of 1938,
8230 cattle were tested with only 17 reactors or 0.2%. The year 1936
also saw a petition presented to the Council requesting the
establishment of a Municipal Doctor area within
Argyle. The By-Law was submitted to the ratepayers in November and
carried. Dr. A. A. Keenberg was appointed municipal physician, assuming
office on January 1st, 1937. He held this office for a little over
three years, being succeeded by Dr. M.P. Yaholnitsky in March
1940.
During the past six years considerable progress has been made in the
building of roads. Many miles of new grade being built, most of it
being gravelled with the co-operation of the Dominion and Provincial
governments as part of the unemployment relief scheme. In order to cope
with the ever-increasing demand for better roads a new tractor and
grader were purchased in 1938 and 1939. These past six years have also
seen the development of a new phase of Municipal work, preventative
medicine among farm animals. The control of and prevention of
encephalomyelitis and Bot flies among horses and warble flies among
cattle are now a part of municipal administration. So the burŽden of
local government increases and the end is not yet.
We realize that this essay only touches the high spots of municipal
history, the writer hopes however that these notes will serve as a
founŽdation for the future historian; and inspire further research in
|
|
the near future. We regret that many
people who have served the municipality as councillors and in other
capacities have not been mentioned. This is not oversight, but an
ommission imposed on us through lack of space. These many servants
rendered high service and we hope sometime in the future to tell their
story. In passing it is interesting to note, that, just as in England
names keep repeating themselves in history; so it is in Argyle. Three
generations of Clark's have served on the council; and two generations
of Christophersons, Conibears, Grahams, Mabons and Youngs. If the
student of history seeks for romance in the story of Argyle's
government, he is not likely to find it. There is romance in Argyle
however, in the life of the early pioneer, in his struggles to settle,
in his long jourŽneys under almost unbelievable difficulties, in the
early stores, sawmills, and other industries that supplied all his
simple needs. If the same student of history seeks for color in the
story of municipal affairs, he will find that missing too. On the other
hand he will find at all times and under all conditions, high purpose
and honesty; and vast amount of stolid common sense.
About This Edition
This reproduction is presented by the Argyle Museum as part of a
series of Heritage Projects, funded by the Heritage Grants Program
This edition contains the complete Text and Advertising copy from the
Original March 14, 1940 Special Historical Edition.
It has been reformatted to fit this size and some display ads have been
moved.
Thanks to the Baldur Gazette – visit them online at:
http://www.baldur-glenborogazette.ca/
About the Baldur Gazette
The first publication took place June 30th, 1898, with Mr. S. R. P.
Cooper as proprietor and editor. Other owners in the early days
were, Mr. P. F. Curtis, Miss Annie Playfair and Mr. Fred
Stevens.
It remains a family-owned business with Offices in the Fowler Block in
Baldur.
|
