Dave Lamont purchased the carriage making shop of
George Lea in 1904.
He built a new two storey brick building and established a blacksmith
shop – with the upper floor used to build buggy wheels and make
repairs. He also did wood working there. The blacksmith shop functioned
into the 1930’s but Mr. Lamont soon branched out and moved withy the
times.
In 1904 he build a 15 foot boat for W. R. Brockington. In1906 the
Melita paper recorded that,” Mr. Lamont’s boat was launched Friday and
made her maiden trip up the river.”
In 1918 he established Lamont’s Garage, which sold Willys Overland
Cars, Fords, and later became a GM franchise. This business became Cobb
Motors in 1945.
Mr. Lamont was very active in the community. In 1904 he was the
overseer of the Gun Club. He Organized the Auto Club in 1913. In 1926
he was a charter member of the Melita Old Timers Association, formed
with the purpose of collecting and preserving historical records and
leaving the same with the secretary-treasurer of the town. To qualify
as a member one had to have resided here for 25 years and pay a fee of
500.
Each president was responsible for compiling history over a specific
period of time. Mr. Lamont’s entry began thus:
Adapted from Our First Century, page 283, 301
Melita Old Timers Association
This association was formed in 1926 with the purpose of collecting and
preserving historical records and leaving the same with the
secretary-treasurer of the town. To qualify as a member one had to have
resided here for 25 years and pay a fee of 500.
The first officers were: President — J. Duncan; Vice-President—A. B.
Estlin; Secretary-Treasurer—W. J. Graham and Executive: Messrs. D.
Lamont, George Stewart, John Crerar and W. F. Thomas.
Each president was responsible for compiling history over a specific
period of time. The last meeting recorded in the New Era was 1946.
These annals finally surfaced late in 1982 and excerpts were a valuable
addition to “Our First Century”. The complete documents were placed in
the Melita Museum.
Annals 1904-1906 by Dave Lamont
On September 10, 1903 the Melita district suffered a severe loss in the
death of Dr. A. M. Livingston who was one of the district builders.
Many of you will remember the blizzard we had on September 12th that
year which was one of the worst storms probably ever experienced in
September. Nearly all the crop was out and in some places the stocks
were covered with snow.
Considerable discussion arose at this time about dividing the
Municipality of Arthur into three separate municipalities, which was
done later, the new municipalities being named Arthur, Albert and
Edward.
On July 16, the Town Council appointed a committee to look after the
matter of lighting and ever since that time this subject has been a big
issue.
Annals 1907-1910 by Robert Love
The first car owned in town was purchased bv H.H. Richards the manager
of the Northern Bank, and it wasn't a Ford either,
Dave Lamont constructed a motor-boat and having had a shipment of
gasoline brought in, was prepared to make moonlight excursions to
Sourisford and Napinka.
Even in 1908 our young people were not at all behind the times as they
staged a debate on the question of the advisability of shortening
ladies' skirts.
In June of 1909 three autos were purchased by three townsmen. In
purchasing one of these I found that a set price was placed upon the
bare car, with additional charges for windshield, lamps, speedometer
and collapsible top.
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