Alexander Clyde Caldwell was born in1893 in the
Hillview District on the S.W. 6-8-27. He started school in the old
original Hillview School. Later when the family moved to the Prairie
Rose District they resided on S.W. 26-7-28 and he attended the Prairie
Rose School.
In 1915, Clyde and his two brothers Charlie and Jack belonged to the
famous Prairie Rose baseball learn that played thirty-one games and
only lost two.
In 1921 he married Sarah Alma McKinnon, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gregor
McKinnon, who had come to Manitoba from Bruce County, Ontario in 1882.
In 1918 she came to the Hillview District where she taught school until
she was married in 1921. Clyde and Alma started farming on S.E. 25-7-28
in the Prairie Rose School District.
The tribute written by the local editor of The Reston Recorder at the
time of his death November 25th, 1971 captures Clyde's character;
“The Reston community has been fortunate in having a man of Clyde
Caldwell's stature living his lifetime in the district, for he was a
man who believed in the district and backed his belief with action. The
Reston Community Hospital is an example of his devotion. He was
chairman of the board during the difficult building period and also for
many years after. Not only was he the chairman but it could be said
that he was also the caretaker, tor when work was needed, he was on the
job, even to the extent of putting on and taking off the storm windows.
The Reston Community Rink too, is another example of his concern for
the betterment of the district. If all his hours of work were added up
on this project they would indeed total a great many. And then there
was such other things as serving as councillor, as a trustee, a
director of the Pool Elevator and so on — without the thought of any
reward.”
In 1942 Clyde was elected councillor for Ward Two. His main ambition
was to build an all weather road, which has been nicknamed Hillview 52.
In 1948 Clyde was appointed from the council as the official board
member to the Virden and District Hospital Board, which was to include
the building of a large hospital in Virden and two smaller ones in
Reston and Elkhorn. Clyde was chairman of the Reston Hospital board for
fourteen years.
All his life Clyde was interested in the rink and curling. The winter
before his death he organized a Monday afternoon senior curling group,
which became the Reston Senior Curling Club under the able leadership
of Foster McDougall. The first event of the annual senior bonspiel has
been given a trophy by the family in memory of Clyde. In 1971, June
8th, Clyde and Alma celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Adapted from Trails Along the Pipestone, page
399, 509
The Prairie Rose Baseball Team
In 1908 the famous Prairie Rose Baseball Team was organized. The
members of the organization were; President — W. H. Donald, Ex- ecutive
— A. Sutton. W, H. McDougal and F. Manning, Manager — S. J, Paul,
Captain — P. M. Munro, Secretary — C. A. Caldwell. Chauffeurs —F. Brady
and his Buick and T. S. Bulloch with his big
Hupmbile. Mascot — Jimmy Donald.
The players were: Pitcher — W. Munro, Catcher —W. McDougal, First
Base—N. Paul, Second Base —S. J. Paul, Third Base—K. Paul, Short
Stop—P. M. Munro, Right Field—C. Caldwell, Left Field—
B. J. Caldwell, Centre Field—C. A. Caldwell.
The Prairie Rose Baseball Team - 1915
Late comers to the community missed something when they did not have
the opportunity of seeing this team in action. The curve that Bill
Munro could pitch with his left hand could trick the most skilled
batters. Each player just suited his position in the infield and
outfield and played with precise co-operation. Jim Donald is of the
opinion that the team could have matched favourably with the teams of
the major leagues of that day. The team practised and played
their home games on the diamond in the pasture of Mr. W. W. Hunter. The
crowning year of the team was 1915 when they played 31 games and lost 5.
Adapted from Trails Along the Pipestone, page 398
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