By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.

Perhaps the greatest difficulty to face was that of securing a teacher. I do not think there were any trustees to make a selection. It was left to those who were willing to give so much a term for his support. Most likely all applicants knew something of the three R's and that was about the highest grade taught. The bible was used by at least two of the teachers. Although the building was poorly put together without a foundation, and resting on cedar blocks, open beneath we did not suffer much from the cold, stacks of wood being provided and lots of stokers to put it in the stove. The sweeping and dusting was done by the pupils, time about.

Before I get to the teachers let me relate the following: One day at noon recess several of us were sitting on the benches, among others Bill Munson, the hero of many an incident, and one of the Walbridge boys from Clarke, whom I cannot name, who stuttered badly. Taking a knife out of his pocket he held it in his hand and said to Bill, "I have a good mind to st st st st-stick you," making a feint to do so. Miscalculating the distance, he struck him on the side and inflicted a slight wound. The injured youth gave a howl and started for the street.

W. P. Drewry, who then kept the hotel next door, seeing the commotion, came over, took him into his front room and hastily sent for Dr. Lowe, the principal medico, who soon made his appearance. He at once bared the arm of the prostrate chap and bled him for all he was worth. They then took William home carefully and tenderly, all of course very anxious about him. He recovered but there was a great deal more danger from the effects of the surgeon's knife than from the accidental injry. Poor Walbridge had the worse time of the two, for he had a heavy doctor's bill to pay.

If a systematic statement could be given as to the fate of all the boys and girls who gained what little smattering of knowledge they did obtain within those walls, what a commentary it would be on the uncertain issue of human ambitions, revealing in many a life of disappointment and sorrow and an early death. Only a few have survived the stress, and they too must soon finish the journey. How deeply should the evanescent nature of earthly things impress itself on every human mind and heart, and lead to a belief in a future state of reward and punishment. The only possible satisfaction obtainable here is that which springs from a good conscience towards God and man, and faith in the certainty of a life beyond the grave. This is the only rational solution of the mystery of life. If there is nothing to look forward to in the future it is not worth the fight. You do meet occasionally, persons who would like to live it over again, but they are rare.

Among the teachers before my recollection there was a Mr. Blackburn, who was realted to the well-known family of that name in Clarke, and Charles Lister who is still living and has spent the best part of his life in the church of Christ, as teacher and preacher, was among the very first in Bowmanville to become a convert to that form of belief and he helped to organize the present existing congregation. He was present at the last annual convention that was held in Bowmanville. He is eighty-six years of age and in full possession of all his faculties. John Scott, the father of J. W. Scott, who has had a successful career in Listowl and is now one of its most influential citizens, was employed for a time. He was a peculiar combination, but a good scholar and painstaking teacher. I am under the impression he was of French extraction. Let me rapidly relate what I know about him. He married a sister of the late Ira P. Wilson, who owned the farm now rented by T. O. Bragg east of Bowmanville, Mr. Scott came into the ownership of the fifty acres upon which Mr. John Bussell once lived and which is now owned by Mr. R. A. Bragg. The original house is still standing in which I believe he started a small store. He was about as well fitted for that calling as a child of ten. The business flourished as long as the capital lasted, and then the farm as well was literally eaten up. It was sold to the late Dr. Galbraith, who was a peculiar man, modest even to shyness. I remember being sent for him in an urgent case. He invariably rode on horseback with the old fashioned saddle bags. I was at the same time mounted on a steed. He would not come with me, not wishing to attract attention. It was some time after I got home before he arrived. As a medical man he got his profession in Scotland and was a number one physician. He had all he could do to attend his numerous calls and many a hard worked and poorly paid pioneer received kind medical attention free of charge; and even those who were better able to pay escaped with a small fee. He was a brother-in-law of Mrs. Daniel Galbraith, Queen Street, Bowmanville.

At the time Scott worshipped at the shrine of Bacchus. He gave up the use of liquor, however, and set to work to retrieve his fortunes. The corner fifty acres at Courtice became his and there he spent the rest of his days. He had a small office on the south west corner. He wrote a fine legible hand, and did a large amount of Conveyancing. Many a Deed and Will he drafted. I do not think he had any legal training but in some way he had learned how to do the work of a Notary Public. He was a coroner, commissioner for taking affidavits, and Township clerk. In some things as simple as a child, he was on the whole a wise, useful citizen.

James McFeeters, who came to Darlington at a very early date, also taught for some time after he came into the country. He emigrated from the county of Tyrone, Ireland. Few figured afterwards more largely in the affairs of Darlington and Bowmanville than he. It did not take him long to seek a more rapid means of advancing his interests than that of school teaching. I do not forget my first experience in book-buying. Mr. McFeeters had opened a small place on the west corner of the Haines Estate. Among the things offered for sale were some toy books. I managed to raise the funds and invested in one. They cost a penny each. He waited on me himself. That was indeed the day of small things. He was not the kind of person to rest on his oars; soon he began to spread his sails to the passing breeze and cruised on to a large and profitable trade. We find him in the course of time occupying extensive premises on the site of the present Mason Company Departmental Store. His personal popularity alone would have given him a large business. No one could have been better liked, and deservedly so. He went into milling at Tyrone and dealt largely in all kinds of grain. He took an active interest in public matters, ran once for West Durham in the interests of the Conservative Party, and was the first Mayor of Bowmanville. Like every one else he had great hopes that this would become a large city and invested largely in real estate. His vessel struck the rocks in the disasterous times that followed the completion of the Grand Trunk Railway and became almost a total wreck. After the storm some little was saved, but he gave up the fight and he and Mrs. McFeeters lived in comparative retirement enjoying to the end the love and respect of all. He was most intelligent, a good speaker, and wrote well on any subject to which he gave his attention. It is a real pleasure for me to recall him. I had a great deal to do with him and met him often, finding him always the same, kind and considerate.

The first teacher to whom I went was John Dyer Bone, the maternal grandfather of the present John D. and W. H. Hoar. In appearance and physique he resembled the latter, so it is needless to say, that being correct, that he was fine looking. He came from Plymouth, Devonshire, England, and was bred to the dry-goods business. He brought with him quite a valuable stock for sale. Being qualified, he became the teacher. He was a good penman and for a while taught "the young idea how to shot."

He was pleasant and patient with the pupils, gentlemanly in his deportment, and at the same time a strict disciplinarian. Some of the older boys were rough. One day when he was on the rostrum a stone, and a good sized one at that, came crashing through the window, knocking off the inkstand right under his nose. If ever a man was startled ti was he. It caused consternation among the pupil's. School was dismissed and a search made for the perpetrator but it was a case of "non est." Repetitions of the same thing followed until several pains of glass came to grief. After giving up his position, he went on the farm now belonging to W. H. Hoar and tried a rural occupation. He taught also at Providence. He was an earnest Christian and was on the roll of Methodist local preachers. Our next teacher wasDavid Fairweather, from Brechin, Scotland. He was a protégé of Mr. Bowman's and had come out to this country to better his position. Having taught in the old land, his arrival here as an experienced teacher was hailed with expectation. For some years he had charge. He was a good teacher and won the affection and esteem of the scholars. One of his daughters, Mrs. David Keith of Oshawa, took up the same profession, and for years taught in the Central School. She was both energetic and successful.

Jeremiah O'Leary had a long career in Bowmanville and Darlington. I am perhaps mixed up in the order of events, for my memory of happenings in those school days is not reliable. Whether he taught first in the old place or in the building he put up on church St., I am not sure. The latter has been transmogrified and is now the artistic residence of Levi A. W. Cole, Esq.. At any rate, I went to him in both places. He was just a splendid hand to impart knowledge and properly guide the studies of the young under his care. He ruled though with a rod of iron. One of his maxims repeatedly quoted and practically carried out was - "If a bird can sing and won't sing, it must be made to sing." Many a direful song was sung by the unfortunates who came without having mastered the music he had given them to learn. He had an oak ruler with which he exacted implicit obedience to his commands, and woe betide the delinquent who failed in submission! He was a great, strong specimen of the race, with firm-set mouth, indicating a resolute will. On the other hand, he was just as kind when he thought the pupils were trying to do their best.

To show how fair Dominic L'Leary was in disputes among the pupil's, I will give an instance. Hardy Drewry had a scuffle with a boy named Cutler, on the play ground and used the latter pretty roughly. Complaint was made and by agreement of all the matter was left to arbitration. I was chosen on behalf of Cutler. After examining the bruises the complainant had sustained and inquiring into the cause of the quarrel we decided that the assailant was in fault and should have so many blows on the hand with the famous oak instrument of torture. O'Leary after we gave in our decision, called to him - he was then a man grown and invited him politely t face the music. This he declined to do, and taking his books, he left for good. He went to California and died a year ago, in Los Angeles.

Next - Bowmanville and Darlington History Part 16

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