HISTORY OF BOWMANVILLE
Part 16
By Mr. J. B. Fairbairn, P. M.
I am amused by reading in the papers that some unfortunate school-master has been summoned to appear before the authorities for using corporal punishment. Perhaps after trying every other means, in a fit of temper, he has cuffed the ear of some dear little duck, and oh, then what a fuss! I see some in high educational circles are advocating that this mode of enforcing discipline be not under any circumstances resorted to. While I admit that a wise teacher should only take that mode in extreme cases, still the old law of punishment as a deterrent holds good. I see that our judges are resorting to flogging in certain cases as the best remedy, and in the school world when all appeals to higher motives fail, I think there are times when the rod should be used for the sake of both parent and child.
To see how it went in my school days read the following:John B.Drewry, a brother of Hardy's was my own age and an intimate chum at school. He was large and well developed; honorable and generous. He fell under the ban, having failed in his lessons and while being castigated for the offence, he rebelled and in the heat of his passion, called his tormentor "a d__ Catholic". He was grabbed and thrown by main force across the teacher's knees. Then he got "Hail Columbia!" After repeated strokes from the powerful arm of the flagellant, the victim, maddened to fury by the pain and injustice of the proceeding, reached down and caught his leg with his teeth, hanging on till he stopped. He then crawled home and went to bed. The next morning Jack did not appear at breakfast. His mother went to see what was wrong. He said to her, "turn down the sheet and see what a condition I am in". She found him bruised and battered. Being a wise and judicious woman and well knowing if her husband knew of it serious trouble might result, she quietly sent for Dr. Lowe who came and poured oil into his wounds. Young and healthy he was soon out again. He lost all fear after that and got on splendidly. The last time I saw poor jack was when he came o see me in the office. He hauled up his shirt sleeve and said, "Jim, do you remember that?" He carried to the grave a scar across the wrist, a remembrance of the Bowmanville school and its teacher. He had five sons. I think one was for a time on the Globe staff. Mr. O'Leary was the father of the family at Lindsay one of whom is I believe a judge of the County Court in Algoma.
I do not intend to follow up schools under the now existing system. About 1844 Egerton Ryerson one of the greatest men Canada has produced, took up the school question and after investigation into the best methods then employed both in Europe and America, he submitted the result of the inquiry to Parliament. His recommendations were embodied in a bill which, on submission to the House, passed and became the School Law of Ontario. Thus the rapidly growing and important Province of Ontario obtained what is on all hands conceded to be the best public school system in the world. Mr. Ryerson was appointed Chief Superintendent and saw the law brought into practical use. He lived many years afterwards and aided by the best educationalists then employed in the work, succeeded in bringing those primary seats of learning to a high pitch of perfection.
The old order fell away before the rising sun of the new and the once highly prized old building was pulled down. The land was sold to Robert Armour and on it he put up the brick block with archway, part of which is the Bennett House. The proceeds were given to the school authorities to aid in providing other accommodations which the change rendered necessary. How about higher education? That was beyond the reach of all but a favored few. King's College was a close corporation, only those belonging to the Church of England being permitted to enter its gates. An oath was exacted from applicants for admission. Even had it been accessible to all, only a few at that stage of Bowmanville's history had the means to send their sons to Toronto, quite a heavy financial undertaking. Many were anxious that their descendants should be taught the classics and other kindred subjects. The only resource was to private teachers. Again let me give a little personal detail. (I do not like much of the big I, still, to give any fair idea how matters progressed I can hardly avoid it all together.) My grandfather on my mother's side, her people being Huguenots who took refuge in Scotland from the frightful persecutions to which Protestants were subjected in France. The surname was De Vaux. My grandfather, the only son, was educated for the ministry but did not enter the church. He was a fine scholar with high class University standing. His sister married the celebrated Dr. Thomas McCulloch who settled in Pictou, N.S., and whose record is public property in that Province so rich in famous men. Owing to the fearful distress prevailing in Scotland after the close of the war with France, he determined to seek a more hopeful place in which to bring up his family. I have a full account in his own handwriting of the state of the country. It is hard to believe it, yet he knew a man who died of actual starvation. The public mind he says was so excited that fierce riots occurred in different places and some demagogues so inflamed the populace that it looked as if a rebellion against the government would take place.
He took passage for Quebec in the Earl of Buchananshire and arrived at the end of June 1819. This vessel brought across the stormy Atlantic a precious cargo of living freight. There were on board two families members of which were destined to occupy high and important positions in this the land of their adoption. When I say that Sir John A. MacDonald and family and the Armour family were fellow voyagers I am not far astray, I need not say a word about the former who for so long was premier of the dominion. His name will ever be held in grateful remembrance by any Canadian, without distinction of party who has a spark of patriotism in his breast.
Mr. Samuel Armour first taught a Grammar school in Toronto. Later he entered the English church at whose head was Bishop Strachan, one of the most remarkable men then in Holy orders in Canada. The Bishop appointed him Rector in Cavan and Peterboro, where he labored with great ability and acceptance until the close of his life. His sons were all prominent men: Robert Amour studied law and practised his profession here. He came to Bowmanville in 1857. James Armour was a barrister in Peterboro and he died while still a young man. My brother, T. M. Fairbairn also was a barrister in Peterboro and he married the only daughter. He represented West Peterboro in the Provincial Legislature at the time of his death. William Armour whose widow is still living in town remained in Cavan. John Armour the youngest member of the family was a law student with his brother Robert. The office was over the present workshop of William Fishleigh, engineer, King St., W. It was reached by an outside stairway. Even while studying he displayed glimmerings of future greatness. If the size of a man's head is any true indication of mental power he possessed it.
I know this doctrine is disputed. A recent investigator gives as a result of his efforts in that line of study views quite the opposite to this generally received opinion. Summing up the whole matter by statistical proofs which goes to show that quite a majority in the literary world at least had medium sized brains.
John Armour went to Cobourg and afterwards finished his academic course in Toronto, passing his examinations with flying colors. After being admitted to the bar he opened an office in Cobourg in partnership with another old Bowmanville boy, F. F. Holland, Esquire, at present solicitor for the united counties of Northumberland and Durham and Police Magistrate of Cobourg. After winning his spurs in that town as a leader among his fellow lawyers, he was appointed a Judge of one of the superior courts and while on the Bench was noted for his thorough knowledge of law, and the fair practical views he took, not pressing the legal line too closely, very frequently allowing common sense to guide his decisions. Woe betide the unlucky fledgling or even an experienced pleader who tried to run amuck with him. Like a balloon well inflated not too heavily ballasted he took a flight upward and became Chief Justice of the Queen's Division of the High Court of Justice. His selection by the Dominion Government as one of the representatives of this country at the Alaskan boundary convention was a great tribute indeed paid to his legal attainments and high character. No national question of later years was fraught with greater danger to the peace and well being of Canada. Happily the cloud passed and we are now enjoying the unbroken sunshine of peace with our huge neighbor across the boundary. The inevitable call which none can disregard came to him while in that city and he had to appear before the greater judge to render his account. I am told that he on three different occasions declined knighthood at the hands of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. His principles at this time were highly democratic. During the last few years of his life, he held more modified views as to the value of such honours seeing in them a reward for services rendered the Commonwealth by those on whom they are bestowed. Edward Armour the eldest son of Robert, and Douglas, son of the Justice are both legal lights in the city of Toronto, not lamps but electric lights showing in their professional duties the strain of acumen and ability which so distinguished their predecessors. Our interest did not suffer through the sad demise of the distinguished commissioner as by the universal rule of the great Law giver, another man stepped in and filled the breach. A brilliant son of Ontario, Honorable A. B. Aylesworth, now Postmaster General, was called to take his place and right ably and faithfully he advocated the just claims of his country for proper recognition. The grand reception tendered him on his return to Canada is still fresh in our minds showing that all classes of Canadians fully appreciated his notable services to this his native land.
Mr. Robert Armour had a checkered career, the pawns of fate being played on both sides with varying success. He was hopeful and became possessed of the real estate mania that so widely prevailed over the Province consequent on the building of the Grand Trunk Railway. But the storm of '57 struck his enterprises and he did not recover from its efforts, although like a hero, he stuck to the ship while a plank remained. He was agent for the Bank of Upper Canada, Registrar of West Durham, and intimately connected with the public movements of the day. He was the embodiment of kindness and would go any length to help a friend. If I had been an artist wanting a model for a perfect specimen of the highest type of physical manhood I should have pitched upon him. He knew no fear and his strength was used only to protect the week or see fair play. The part he took in the Rebellion and at Niagara Falls is well known. He had hosts of friends, Miss Armour, Deputy Registrar, and her sister are the only ones of the family left in Bowmanville.
Next - Bowmanville and Darlington History Part 17
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