NAMES MENTIONED IN PASSING
Here are some Atikokan names extracted from news items which aren't about Atikokan.
. . . . The interior work is all in mahogany, with ceilings of apple green, while both electric and oil lamps are provided. Upon its arrival at Nipigon the car will go into immediate service. It will be in charge of Miss Mary Sanderson, who at present is charge nurse at Atikokan. The car will be moved free of charge by the railways and the cost of its upkeep will be borne by the Red Cross Society. —The Windsor Star, Friday, June 9, 1933, Pg 24. (via newspapers.com).
. . . . The editor congratulates the following boys and girls whose birthdays have occurred this week. . . . . January 17 – Kathleen Sanders, Atikokan, Ont., 2 years. —The Star-Phoenix, January 20, 1934, Pg 23. (via newspapers.com).
. . . . Darcy Pelletier of Atikokan mentioned in several newspaper regarding his escape from death in a freight train derailment. —The Montreal Gazette (and others), August 3, 1937. (via newspapers.com).
. . . . The Atikokan Hotel was among 22 hotels in Ontario which lost their liquor licenses. —The Windsor Star, April 1, 1938, Pg 3. (via newspapers.com).
. . . . Mrs. George Sohm, of Atikokan, Ont., is visiting her mother, Mrs. Johnson. —The Sault Daily Star, December 1, 1939, Pg 5. (via newspapers.com).
. . . . Mr. and Mrs. Morson Fotheringham will arrive next week-end from their home at Steep Rock Mines, near Atikokan, to spend Christmas week with Mr. Fotheringham's mother, Mrs. M.E. Fotheringham, and his aunt, Miss Martha Dickinson, of Ouelette avenue. Mrs. Fotheringham's father, Mr. John Turnbull, whom she is visiting in Toronto for the coming week, will be with them here. —The Windsor Star, December 15, 1939, Pg 27. (via newspapers.com).
News Item
W.H. Elliott, M.P., Rainy River, has laid protests of Atikokan residents against the extension of the boundaries of Quetico Park before the Ontario Department of Lands and Forests.
—Brantford Expositor, Monday, Jan. 25, 1932, Pg 3. (via newspapers.com).
Trade In Canada
To the Editor of The Star-Phoenix.
Sir: The following appeared in the Fort William Times Journal, dated Toronto, Jan. 22:
"Premier George S. Henry, last night told members of the Ontario Retail Lumberman's Association, in annual session here, that his government had followed the policy in its public works, of using Ontario lumber wherever possible, and failing this, lumber imported from Great Britain."
Now, sir, belonging to Ontario, I wonder what our brothers in the other equally important provinces must think, upon reading such an unjust statement. I also wonder how it makes the other premiers feel, and what they would like to do to this gentleman.
If this is the attitude of our government officials why all this "Canada First" bally-hoo? What is the use of trying to instill Canada for Canadians into our coming generation, only to have our leaders ignore the very principle upon which a national union of all parts of our great dominion are built?
Being a Canadian I feel this should be brought to notice. Why cannot we have a little Dominion loyalty, as well as empire loyalty.
G.B. CULLEN, Atikokan, Ont.
—The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Saturday, February 6, 1932, Pg 5. (via newspapers.com).
Local News Item
John Klepah, of Sifton, is making a three months visit to his parents' home at Atikokan, Ont.
—Dauphin Herald and Press, Dauphin, Man., Thursday, May 5, 1932, Pg 2. (via Findmypast.com).
Social & Personal
Sifton
John Klypak arrived from Atikokan, Ont., on Wednesday night and is visiting his parental home here.
—Dauphin Herald and Press, Dauphin, Man., Thursday, April 26, 1934, Pg 7. (via Findmypast.com).
The Local Round
Mr. and Mrs. Link, of Atikokan, Ont., who will reside in Dauphin in the future, are at present the guests of Mr. and Mrs. W.J. McPhee. Mr. Link is third trick operator at the station.
—Dauphin Herald and Press, Dauphin, Man., Thursday, October 6, 1932, Pg 4. (via Findmypast.com).
Trailed By Wolves
The unusually rigorous weather of the past few days has been driving packs of wolves, roaming through district bush, closer to the homes of settlers, says a report from Port Arthur.
Mark Whitehead, of Sapawee, was trailed by several wolves while returning on foot from Atikokan, a 14-mile trek along the C.N.R. through rugged country. He made the walk in the dark and sensed the presence of a pack through the periodic howls from both sides of the tracks. He saw several of the animals plainly in the moonlight.
—The Sault Daily Star, (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.), Saturday, February 18, 1933, Pg 9. (via newspapers.com).
Deer, Pursued By Wolves, Runs Thru Atikokan, Ont.
Atikokan, Ont., April 17.—(CP)—Pursued by a pack of five timber wolves, a deer ran through Atikokan, mounted the station platform, and finally disappeared in a park alongside the village. The wolves stopped at the edge of the village. In the race with the wolves, the deer was twice brought down but managed to escape each time.
—The Sault Daily Star, (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.), Monday, April 17, 1933, Pg 3. (via newspapers.com).
Warm Appreciation For Red Cross Work
Graphic Description of Atikokan Outpost by Nurse in Charge
If Brantford people were in any doubt as to the great good that their assistance is giving in the interest of Red Cross work in outpost hospitals, they would be more than assured by the letter of warm appreciation which was presented at the May meeting of the local Red Cross branch, held yesterday afternoon at the Board of Trade rooms, presided over by Mr. R.E. Gunther. The letter from Miss M.I. Anderson, nurse in charge at Atikokan outpost notes that she "had received the plaque that now hangs over one of the beds, making it known to all the support Brantford is giving us. The people of this community appreciate your help in this way more than you can ever know. They realize that it would be impossible for the Red Cross to carry on with this work without the help they received from the various branches such as yours. So let me express to you, on behalf ot the people of Atikokan and community, our appreciation of the co-operation you are giving us in order that the work may be carried on.
"Antikokan, as you no doubt know, a railroad divisional point situated about 140 miles from Port Arthur. It is the only place of any size between Port Arthur and Fort Frances, which is about 90 miles west. There is no outlying district away from the railroad to amount to anything – just the people who are in some way connected with the railroad. The population is about 300 in Atikokan alone, where the outpost is situated. We make school visits to the smaller places along the line about twice a year. The object of these visits is to examine the children and advise any corrective work that might need to be done, also advise the mothers regarding the general health rules for children of all ages."
"The work in the town itself consists of general public health teaching, infants' clinic and bedside nursing, when there is any illness. In view of the fact that there is no doctor nearer than Fort Frances, we do not have as many patients in hospital as they have in some centres, as the people have to go to one of the cities to see a doctor, unless it is emergency.
"However, in spite of the fact our little hospital has not as many patients as some of the others, we feel the need of it is just as great for the people live such long distances from medical aid. Many times it has been used for emergency work and it provides a place to give first aid and care for a patient until such time that they can be taken on a train where they can be placed under a doctor's care."
A report was also read concerning the establishment of a home for small pensioners in Toronto, etc. . . . .
—The Expositor (Brantford, Ont.) Friday, May 19, 1933, Pg 8. (via newspapers.com).
Team Cracks Ice Though Test Made
Fort William, Dec. 15.—A team owned by A.B. Evans broke through the ice on Sapawe Lake while plowing to the road over which a Diamond Drilling outfit was to be transported to the Heyhurst claims. One horse died shortly after immersion, and the other was rescued with difficulty. The ice had been tested within a few feet of the scene of the accident, but because of the heavy snowfall is unusually variable in thickness.
—The Sault Daily Star, (Sault Ste Marie, Ont.), Friday, December 15, 1933, Pg 3. (via newspapers.com).
Brantford Red Cross Branch Supports Outpost Hospitals
The following was extracted from a much longer article.
Atikokan outpost hospital was established in 1930. Miss M. Weaver is in charge. Bed capacity, adult 2, infants 1. Children examined and inspected 738, cases visited 449, out-patients 309, home visits 1283, number treated 93.
Atikokan has reason to feel gratified with its past year's work. Residents of this district, previously on the railway payroll, have been paid off and are on reduced wages but the branch in addition to the maintenance of the outpost hospital gave considerable unemployment relief and maintained a live interest in the work of the nurse in the schools and districts adjacent to Atikokan. The Brantford Red Cross branch contributes $300 towards the maintenance of one bed in this hospital.
—The Expositor, (Brantford, Ont.), Saturday, February 17, 1934, Pg 8. (via newspapers.com).
Trees Stripped Bare Of Foliage By Insect Plague
Large Areas of Wooded Country in Ontario Present Spectral Appearance of Mid-Winter
[Canadian Press Despatch]
Fort William, June 13.—The wooded country along the Canadian National railways Fort Frances line, between Shebandowan and Atikokan, Tuesday night, had the spectral appearance of mid-winter, as poplar, aspen and cottonwood trees, stripped of their foliage by green caterpillars, raised bare branches to the weather.
For miles both north and south of the track these insects have penetrated, according to prospectors and others who have come out of the woods, and it is believed the invasion may extend even to the Head of the Lakes.
The caterpillars are reported to be so thick in the infested area that they cover railway tracks as they swing their offensive from side to side over the right-of-way.
Trains have been delayed several hours owing to the crushed bodies of caterpillars making the rails so slippery that locomotive driving wheels revolved without gripping. Most difficulty is experienced after trains have come to a full stop and then attempted to get up speed.
The caterpillars apparently attack no trees except those of the poplar variety. They are said to be the species known as Acronycia Populi, or dagger moth, the larvae of which select poplars as their prey.
The plague has occurred in isolated places in this area before, but never has such wholesale destruction of foliage been caused as is taking place at present.
No permanent damage to the trees is anticipated and naturalists claim that "secondary" buds, which grow at the base of each leaf will come out after the caterpillars have turned into butterflies and the woods will again assume their natural color.
—The Winnipeg Free Press, Wednesday, June 13, 1934, Pg. 1. (via Findmypast.com).
Caterpillars in Canada
Ft. William, Ont.—Armies of caterpillars which have stripped trees and foliage along the Fort William line of the Canadian National Railways, near Atikokan and Shebandowan, are advancing rapidly on settlements at the Head-of-the-Lakes. Railway locomotives are still reporting difficulty in gaining traction in sections where the tracks are covered with worms. Gasoline speeders used by section hands have been put out of commission in some sections, and in others men have had to carry them past hordes of caterpillars before they could find a place where the wheels would grip the track.
—Troy (Missouri) Free Press, June 22, 1934. Plus others. (via Findmypast.com).
Drowning of John W. Chapman
Following is a report of the drowning of John Wesley Chapman, appearing in the Daily Times-journal, Fort William, July 14:
"Flung into the waters of the Atikokan river when the canoe in which he was riding alone, overturned near the Atikokan iron mine yesterday afternoon, John Wesley Chapman, 33, lost his life when he was unable to swim to shore.
"Although Chapman, whose home address is 12 Dease street, was brought to shore shortly after he went under, efforts at resuscitation by friends failed to revive him.
"Chapman was employed as cook at A.B. Evans' camp at Sapawa Lake, 120 miles west of the city. In company with friends he was attending a picnic when the tragedy occurred. Mr. Chapman was paddling about in the river just below the falls when suddenly he lost control of the craft and it turned over, throwing him into the waters. Mr. Chapman was unable to swim and sank quickly.
"Friends on the shore witnessed the accident but were unable to reach him in time. Immediately one of the party dived down and brought the man to the surface and to shore.
"The late John Chapman had been a resident of the city for the past four years. He had been out of work for a lengthy period and this spring he had an opportunity to go to Sapawa Lake.
"Chapman was born in Eastern Ontario but came west when a boy. He lived in the west practically all his life until coming to Fort William.
"He is survived by his young widow and two children, Robert, 3, and Gracie, one year old. He is survived also by his mother and step-father, Mr. and Mrs. W. Attridge, Rapid City, Man., and four sisters, Mrs. H. Henry, of Rapid City; Mrs. S. Gardner, Transcona, Man.; Mrs. H. Tebbe, Woodridge, Man., and Mrs. Mae Blanchard, Wingham, Ont. Two brothers paid the supreme sacrifice in the Great War."
We understand that the above report errs in one respect. Deceased had with him a companion who succeeded in grabbing him in the water but was unable to save him.
The funeral was held at Fort William July 17 and was largely attended. Mrs. S. Gardner attended but Mrs. Attridge was prostrated with grief and unable to travel. Many beautiful floral tributes were placed on the casket.
Card of Thanks
Will friends and neighbors please accept my sincere thanks and appreciation of the kindness and sympathy shown me since my sad bereavement through the loss of my only son by drowning.
Mrs. Wm. Attridge.
—Rapid City (Manitoba) Reporter, Thursday, Aug. 2, 1934, Pg. 4. (via Findmypast.com).
Start Steam Plant at Central Canada
Most of the heavier pieces of mining and milling machinery are now installed at the Central Canada Mines, in the Sapawe Lake district, according to a progress report just issued. The steam plant was put into operation a week ago, and a successful test was carried out on the main milling equipment. Recent cores secured from the last two holes drilled on the main vein system gave assays of $7, $9.80 and $16.80 per ton, in addition to lower value over substantial widths.
—The Nugget (North Bay, Ont.), Friday, Aug. 10, 1934, Pg. 5. (via newspapers.com).
Veteran Prospector Dead
Fort William, October 22.—A victim of heart attack Tom S. Campbell, a veteran prospector and mining man of this district, died suddenly over the week-end near his shack at Sapawe Station. About 65 years of age, Campbell was well known throughout the mining fields of Ontario, having been one of the pioneers in the Manitou gold fields in the nineties.
—The Montreal Gazette, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 1934, Pg. 15. (via newspapers.com).
Uses Axe To Enter School
Manitoba Principal Breaks Barricade Set Up By Striking Pupils
Port Arthur, Jan. 30.—Senior pupils of the Atikokan Public School went on strike one day last week after some trouble with the principal, O.A. Bangs, and for two days more refused to attend classes, it was learned yesterday.
It is reported that before the arrival of the principal at the school, the senior pupils assembled in their room, barricaded the door, stuffed the keyhole with a lead pencil, then piled moveable furniture against the door. When the principal demanded admittance, they refused to listen to him and it is said he was compelled to force his way in with an axe when he discovered several of the larger pupils leaping from the windows.
He questioned the ringleaders and ordered them to take punishment. When they refused, he is said to have told them to remain away from the school until he had the opportunity to take the matter up with the school board. Subsequently an emergency meeting of the trustees was held when the principal made an explanation of his action. The trustees are reported to have agreed that the principal was entirely within his rights in doing as he did and decided not to interfere in the matter.
—The Border Cities Star, Windsor, Ont., Wednesday, Jan. 30, 1935, Pg 19. (via ink.ourontario.ca).
Social & Personal
Mr. A.H. Parkes left Saturday morning to take over his new duties at Atikokan, Ont. Mrs. Parkes and son will stay here for a few weeks yet.
—The Swan River (Manitoba) Star and Valley Times, Thursday, March 7, 1935, Pg. 4. (via Findmypast.com).
Poet Lang of Atikokan
The spirit of the far north moves itself aright in a paper-bound, blue-tinted collection of verse, "Rhymes of a Proper Roughneck," by C.D. Lang (Jackson Trade Publishing Co., Winnipeg). Although I have a profound affection for poets of the Shelley-Keats order, I count myself a friend of Robert Service and of all sourdough singers. I am happy, therefore, to put my academic hand into the calloused fist of Poet Lang and repeat to him the lines of a humble poet, slightly altered —
C.D., you are quite a guy
To goad the language into verse.
Here, take this laurel garland now
And stick it on your noble brow.
Mr. Lang supplies us with a few autobiographical hints, but inasmuch as he sings the glories of Atikokan, a divisional town on the C.N.R. between Fort Frances and Fort William, I presume that he is well-known in that vicinity. He devotes one of his prosily printed poems to Atikokan, beginning it thus:
"We sing a lay, without a blush, of Atikokan in the bush. We could not love thee any more, O beauteous town by Scheider's store. So we have busted into song to let the gaping gang along, along the whole blamed C.N.R., get wise to what we have and are."
Internal evidence in other poems, however, proves that Atikokan Lang is at home in higher latitudes than the Rainy River section. He has hunted the bull moose in the sub-Arctic; he has watched the grain ships steaming away from the port of Churchill; he has paddled his green canoe "north of Nowhere and Beyond." Can we not say of him what he has sung of Spike Struce of Mine Centre:
He has hunted in the brules
For the cariboo an deer,
Caught the trout in shoals an schools
Usin not an hook an spear.
He has searched for yellow gold
Where the green an purple schists
Beckon to the brave and bold:
Strivin thro the morning mists,
Shootin wolves or mushin dogs,
Loggin pine, and cedar poles;
Running rapids, rollin logs.
I am divided in mind as to which poem in thie rugged collection I like best. "Higher Adventure" is a most humorous production, "The Happy Isles" a glorious comparison of the Canadian north with the sun-drenched beaches of New Guinea, but take it all in all, I think the first prize ought to be given to "Joe's Pancakes." Echoes of Longfellow and Tennyson are to be heard in the brave tones of this epicurian ballad of the north, but the poet of Atikokan has celebrated with an originality all his own the super-pancakes made by Joe Miller of Atakokan, Rainy Lake. With rich colors he describes a breakfast on the shore on an autumn morning, as the first batch of pancakes leaves the pan:
Life is real, life is earnest, earth assumes a rosy shade.
Life is new mown hay and violets, as the golden pancakes fade.
Incense of the burning poplar, tang of fragrant pine,
Wondrous rapture of the pancake in the maple syrup brine!
Men, my brothers, fellow roughnecks, sitting there upon the rock,
All the cares of all the ages missle swiftly out of stock.
The wild ducks streaming over pause sudden in their flight,
To sniff the rich aroma and gurgle with delight.
Such were the feats of Pancakes by rock and beach of sand—
One ate those Super-Pancakes and saw the Promised Land.
And this is how you'll know it, if that happy spot you reach:
Syrup flowing in the streams, Joseph's Pancakes on the beach.
Ivanhoe.
—The Winnipeg Evening Tribune, Wednesday, May 29, 1935, Pg. 13. (via Findmypast.com).
Invasion of Caterpillars Stops Freight Trains
Fort William, Ontario, June 18.—UPI—Railway schedules in the head-of-the-lakes division were disrupted today by an invasion of army worm caterpillars. The worms, swarming over the tracks, made them so greasy that wheels of freight engines were unable to gain traction. Four trains between here and Atikokan yesterday were stopped. Trainmen were forced to cut the trains into small sections and take them piecemeal into sidings.
—The Indianapolis Star, Wednesday, June 19, 1935, Pg. 11. (via newspapers.com).
Bird Sanctuary In Old Foundry
Costly Industrial Plants Now Rusting on Port Arthur Water Front
Port Arthur, Ont., July 4.—Birds along the Port Arthur waterfront have a $5,000,000 home. They nest in a property now gone to wrack and ruin which once constituted the Canadian National railway coal docks and the Atikokan Iron Plant.
The Atikokan Iron company was formed 20 years ago. The big plant was built to extract commercial iron from low grade ores of the Atikokan range. But after a few years operation it was found the industry could not pay. The plant was closed. The coal dock continued to prosper for a time and then degenerated from a busy centre of industry into the bird sanctuary it is today.
In the ghostlike buildings birds rear their families and teach the young to fly where once sweating puddlers toiiled over molten "pigs." Blackbirds and starlings flit through the chasms of long-disused machinery once worth a fortune.
Great steam condensers and 20-foot drive-wheels are rusting away in the old iron works. For a time part of the building was used as a dog pound, but no use is being made of the structure now.
On the former coal dock unloading cranes are now a mass of twisted steel. Overhead trestles have been torn away and coal cars have dropped to the ground. Electric trolleys that travelled the 1,300-foot length of the docks are rotting away near the water-edge.
Roofs of the two massive sheds where 200,000 tons of hard coal once were stored have collapsed.
—The Brandon (Manitoba) Daily Sun, Thursday, July 4, 1935. Pg. 9. (indexed as Pg. 16) (via Findmypast.com).
Social Item
Tuesday afternoon Miss Geraldine Harmeling of Atikokan, Ont., Canada, who is visiting her grandfather at Vashon, was honor guest at a luncheon given by Mrs. Elmer Harmeling. Bridge followed luncheon.
—The Tacoma Sunday Ledger, Sunday, October 6, 1935. Pg. 8-B. (indexed as Pg. 20) (via newspapers.com).
Deaths and Funerals
There was a large attendance of friends, relatives, members of the I.O.O.F. and the L.O.L. and also former business associates from the C.P.R. stores department, at the funeral, Monday morning, of Edward Sproule, 80, who died Friday at Atikokan, Ont. Rev. S.J. Parsons, of Rosedale United church, conducted a service at the A.B. Gardiner Funeral home, following which burial was made in Brookside cemetery. The body was brought to Winnipeg, Sunday, from Atikokan, where Mr. Sproule had resided for the past 19 years. Previously he had lived at Cranbrook, B.C., and Winnipeg.
—Winnipeg Free Press, Wednesday, November 27, 1935. Pg. 2. (via Findmypast.com).
Fort William Home Turned Into Shambles Following Festive Christmas Party
Woman Found Dead on Verandah With Throat Slit From Ear to Ear and Husband Behind Locked Door in Bedroom With Wound in Throat – Man, Who Had Just Returned From Atikokan, Held by Police Pending Inquest – Police Find Children's Toys Round Christmas Tree and Household Furniture Broken and Scattered.
[Special Despatch to the Free Press]
Fort William, Ont., Dec. 28.—Police, called to the home of Dominic Priamo, an Italian living in the east end, found a scene of horror Christmas night.
Earlier in the evening the neighbors report the home was the centre of a festive Christmas party, but the police found Mrs. Priamo, 34, pretty and popular, dead on the verandah with her throat slit from ear to ear and her husband behind a locked door in the bedroom with a wound in his throat.
He is being held by police awaiting the outcome of a coroner's inquest.
Children Find Body
Children playing in the street noticed the woman's body lying near the front door and the police were notified. They found that the woman had been dead for some time, and in addition to the knife wound in her throat found another wound in her leg, the knife having penetrated to the bone.
They entered the house and broke down the bedroom door before locating her husband. Evidence was found that a drinking party had preceded the slaying. Priamo was drunk, according to the police, and bleeding from the wound in his throat. A fifteen-in. bread knife and a razor lay near him. It was the bread knife, the police say, which was used to kill Mrs. Priamo.
Home Turned Into Shambles.
The little home had been transferred into a shambles. The kitchen stove, furniture and household furnishings were broken and strewn about. In one corner of the living room stood a Christmas tree with the toys for the couple's three children piled at its base. Blood was spattered about. Police say that the woman, apparently mortally wounded, grasped the tablecloth, and wrapping it about her throat to stay the flow of blood, staggered out on to the verandah.
The couple were well known in the east end of the city, where they had lived for fifteen years. The husband had returned from Atikokan, where he was working, to spend Christmas with his family.
The three children were away from home attending a Christmas party.
Police records show that the murder is the first to occur within the city limits in the past 15 years.
—Manitoba Free Press, Winnipeg, Monday December 27, 1935. Pg. 1 & 3. (via Findmypast.com).
Indian Trapper Is Shot
Police Investigate Killing at Sapawe Lake
Fort William, July 20.—CP—Police were in Sapawe Lake, 50 miles west of here, tonight investigating the death of Frank Lesage, Indian trapper.
Authorities said the trapper's stepson, Glenn Lesage, had informed a mining man in the district that he had shot the elder man to protect his mother and four children in the family when the stepfather had threatened to kill them.
Lesage was said to have sent a telegram from Blalock, near Sapawe, last night to Ontario provincial police district headquarters here telling of the shooting. Constables were sent to the scene from here and from Fort Frances, Ont. They arrived there today and no report of their investigations was forthcoming.
Four mining men who visited the Lesage cabin told police they had seen the trapper's body. He had been shot through the chest. It was to one of the miners that young Lesage was reported to have stated he shot his stepfather.
The miner said Lesage related he had fired when the older man began clubbing his wife with the butt end of a rifle and threatened to kill her and the children.
After the shooting, Mrs. Lesage and the child fled to the woods. Glenn went to inform the police.
—The Gazette (Montreal), Tuesday, July 21, 1936, Pg. 7. (via newspapers.com).
Weddings
KLEPEK-KRUPA
The wedding of Anne, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P. Grupa, of Valley River, Man., to Mr. J.R. Klepek, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roman Klepek, of Sifton, Man., took place Saturday, July 18, at the Greek Catholic church, Valley River. Mrs. and Mrs. Klepek will make their home at Atikokan, Ont.
—Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, July 25, 1936, Pg. 9. (via Findmypast.com).
Indian Youth Acquitted On Murder Count
[Special to The Winnipeg Tribune]
Ft. Frances, Ont., Oct. 22—Glen Lesage, Indian youth of Sapawe Lake, on trial for the murder of his step-father, Frank Lesage, was acquitted by a jury in the court house here late Wednesday night. The jury was out for three hours.
During the trial young Lesage took the stand to testify that he shot his step-father in the kitchen of their Sapawe Lake cabin last July 19, while the elderly Indian was clubbing the boy's mother with a .22-calibre rifle.
Evidence throughout the trial showed the slain man was a tyrant in the home, and throughout their married life Mrs. Lesage was the victim of his brutality, which finally drove Glen, her son by a previous marriage, to end it with a bullet from a 30-30 Winchester hunting rifle.
—Winnipeg Tribune, Thursday, October 22, 1936, Pg. 1. (via Findmypast.com).
McCLINTOCK-STOKES
Atikokan, Ont.—The home of Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Stokes was the scene of a pretty wedding, Nov. 24, when their only daughter, Lily Eva, formerly of Winnipeg and Brandon, became the bride of Mr. William Norwell McClintock, of Toronto, a graduate of the University of Alberta. Rev. J.E. Jones, of Fort Frances, Ont., officiated.
The bride entered with her father, preceded by Miss Grace Rogers, of Edmonton, Alta., her bridesmaid, to the strains of Mendelssohn's "Wedding March." The bride wore a gleaming white satin gown, fashioned on princess lines with the new swing fullness toward the back and the regal collar framing her face. Her veil was floor length, made in coronet fashion and caught with orange blossoms. She carried American Beauty roses.
The bridesmaid wore a tea rose satin gown with fitted bodice, full swing skirt and waist length cape with rows of tucks and long white gloves. She carried Talisman roses.
In a decorated sleigh drawn by seven huskies, the bride and bridegroom were drawn to the community hall, where the reception was held, attended by 74 guests. The dinner was provided by the Women's Institute and the bridal couple were guests of the community at a dance. Later the newly-weds proceeded by dog team to the Elizabeth gold mines, where they will reside.
—Winnipeg Free Press, Saturday, December 5, 1936, Pg. 14. (via Findmypast.com).
Herons Remove Muskrat Traps
Marsh Birds Stumble Into Snares and Carry Them off in Flight
Sapawe, Ont., April 27—Mysterious losses of muskrat traps in nearby marshes were explained today when trackmen working on the Canadian National Railway iron spur section hearing a celestial tinkling, looked upward to see a great blue heron flying overhead with a trap and chain dangling from its outstretched legs. It was the second incident of its kind in the past few weeks. Evidently the big marsh birds had stumbled into traps set for muskrats.
—The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, Wednesday, April 27, 1938, Pg 1. (via newspapers.com).
Student Supply Minister
James Carder, who has been attending the University of Toronto, studying theology, spent a few days with his parents at his home on the ninth concession before leaving for Atikokan, near Fort Frances, Rainy River District, where he has been appointed by the Board of Home Missions of the United Church as a student supply for the summer months.
—The Amherstburg Echo, Essex County, Ont., Friday, June 17, 1938, Pg 6. (via ink.ourontario.ca).
NOTE: See Memoirs of Rev. James Carder on this website.
Social Notice.
Mrs. M.E. Fotheringham's and Miss Martha Dickinson's at home on the 25th [of December] for the former's son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Morson Fotheringham, of Atikokan, who are here for the holidays. [Item from a full page of reviews of social events of 1938.]
—The Windsor Star, Saturday, December 31, 1938, Pg. 13. (via newspapers.com).
Social Notice.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Moss, of Sapawe, Ont., who have spent the holiday season with Mrs. Moss' mother, Mrs. Jerry Robinson, in Winnipeg, left there by plane on Sunday morning for Montreal, having been called here by the illness of their daughter, Miss Peggy Moss.
—The Montreal Star, Friday, January 13, 1939, Pg. 21. (via newspapers.com).
Ontario Finds Hematite
Of interest to the Upper Peninsula is the recent find of high grade hematite iron ore at Atikokan, Northern Ontario, 140 miles west of Port Arthur, where diamond drilling has disclosed the presence of 100,000,000 tons of something which Canada badly needs.
The find was made through the deductions of J.G. Cross, Port Arthur mining engineer. Diligently studying all available mineral reports, he correlated them in the light of his own examination of the ground and the geology of the district generally. He concluded that the goods were likely to be found in commercial quantities beneath Steep Rock Lake. Backed by Joseph Errington of Toronto, he drilled the area, and found a large and rich iron formation, consisting of ore that is as nearly pure as any, and in quantities sufficient to permit mining on a fairly extensive scale for at least 50 years.
Plans for developing the area are slowly developing, and the coming enterprise bids fair to mean much to the Twin Cities of Port Arthur and Fort William on the north shore of Lake Superior, to the Canadian National railway, and to Northern Ontario generally. These communities have been hard hit by business depression over the last few years, and they have a right to feel happy over the promising approach of better times. Probably some of the output, when the mine gets under way, will find a path to the Algoma Steel company's plant in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, which up to now has been buying its iron ore on the Gogebic range. However this will make little difference in the long run, since the Algoma mills are getting ready to beneficate and use their own low grade deposits at Wawa, Ontario.
Thus old Lake Superior continues to yield up the mineral riches along its far flung shores. Probably ten generations will not suffice to see the end of the vast wealth dug out of the ancient Laurentian hills which fringe the mighty lake, and which have yielded such vast store of iron, copper, gold and other desirable helps to mankind.
—Escabana (Mich.) Daily Press, March 15, 1939, Pg. 4. (via Findmypast.com).
Mine Site Unseen
Geophysics, science of the doodlebug, scores a triumph in the realm of Canadian mining
By Frederick Edwards
This extensive article is about the new science of geophysics – mineral exploration by measuring electrical resistance or by mapping sound waves. Steep Rock Lake is used as the primary example. Names mentioned: Brant, Britton, Clark, McDonald.
Read the complete article in Maclean's Magazine
—Maclean's Magazine, August 15 1939. (via Maclean's Magazine Archives).
STEEP ROCK
IRON MINES, LIMITED
CAPITALIZATION — 5,000,000 SHARES — NO PAR VALUE
OFFICERS and DIRECTORS
President—JOSEPH ERRINGTON Vice-President—JULIAN G. CROSS
Director—DONALD M. HOGARTH Director—CHARLES D. KAEDING
Director—RUSSELL D. BRADSHAW
Secretary-Treasurer—G. G. BLACKSTOCK
PROPERTY
THE property of Steep Rock Iron Mines, Limited, covers a large area of some fifteen miles taking in the contact of the iron bearing formation located a short distance north of Atikokan on the Canadian National Railway, 135 miles west of Fort William, Ont. Geographically the hematite deposit is as favorably situated as any of the principal iron mines of the United States.
DEVELOPMENT
SATISFACTORY progress is being made with the sinking of a three compartment shaft which is now 600 ft. below the collar. The first crosscut will be from the 800 ft. level which will be run in a north easterly direction to the orebody. At a point about 1400 ft. from the shaft a diamond drilling station will be cut and drilling proceeded with ahead of the crosscut.
An operating plan has been prepared and will be put into operation as soon as information is available from the present crosscut and programme of diamond drilling.
Construction of all permanent buildings and surface work has been completed.
TONNAGE
TONNAGE indicated by extensive diamond drilling is estimated at 100,000,000 tons of high grade ore in the first 1000 ft. of ore depth. The orebody appears to have a length of 4000 ft. with a width of 150 to 300 ft. Scientific tests show the ores require no benefication and can be shipped as mined. The indicated grade of 56% to 60% with low phosphorous content should command a ready market.
South and east of the main orebody, other drill holes have also cut high grade ore. Further geophysical work and diamond drilling is now being carried out in this area. None of the ore indicated in this area is included in the above estimates. It is recognized that years of development will probably be required to locate and establish the full size of the ore deposits.
HEAD OFFICE
25 KING ST. WEST — TORONTO, ONTARIO
—The Financial Post, Saturday, February 24, 1940, Pg. 12. (via newspapers.com).
Social Note
En Route to Ottawa.
Miss Eileen Chandler, who has been spending the past few weeks in Winnipeg with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Watson, and with Miss Ruth Taylor, is now visiting Mr. and Mrs. Charles Parsons in Sapawe, Ont. She will visit Mrs. Douglas Macintosh in Toronto prior to returning to Ottawa.
—The Ottawa Journal, Friday, March 8, 1940, Pg. 8. (via newspapers.com).
C.N.R. Reports Transfers For Stores Branch
Various changes in the stores department of the western region of the C.N.R. were announced Thursday by S.E. Kellow, general storekeeper at Winnipeg.
P.F. Padbert, formerly storekeeper at Sioux Lookout, Ont., has been appointed chief clerk, district stores, Edmonton, his position at Sioux Lookout being taken by A.L. Gould who has been transferred from Calgary.
Succeeding Mr. Gould is C. Vettergreen, transferred from Atikokan. A.E. Golding succeeds Mr. Webber at Redditt.
—The Edmonton Bulletin, Thursday, May 9, 1940, Pg. 16. (via newspapers.com).
Fishing for Iron – To Win Canada's War
Two of the four photos used to illustrate this feature can be seen on this website, by clicking here.
By James Montagnes
Any day now they'll be bringing up the first load of iron ore from below the bottom of Canada's Steep Rock Lake, reputedly this country's largest and richest iron ore field yet discovered.
For the last several winters, men have been exploring the frozen region of Ontario's M-shaped Steep Rock Lake, 135 miles west of Lake Superior's Port Arthur and 30 miles north of the Minnesota border.
Now shafts are being sunk deep beneath the lake's clay bed. And it is expected that, before the end of the year, 750,000 tons of ore – a third of Canada's ore imports from the United States and Newfoundland last year – will have been taken out.
Canada needs that iron ore now – needs it worse than she has since the last war. There are cannon to be made quickly. And rifles, tanks, ammunition, ships – all the materials of war. During the last war Canada imported eight million tons of iron ore.
It was always hurry on that lake ice last winter and the winter before. No dawdling, no time for discussing the weather.
Out on that ice-covered lake the men were fishing – not for fish but for a bigger prize. They were fishing for new industries, new cities. They were hunting for iron ore, for enough iron ore to cut Canada's imports of that product in half. For enough iron ore to help with the war against Germany.
The country around Steep Rock Lake is a continuation of that American iron ore belt of northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. The men on the ice were proving the existence of the ore far below the bottom of the lake – a feat made possible only in recent years with the development of electrical methods of prospecting. And because the iron ore was below the lake bottom, they could find that ore only when they could stand right over it, in winter.
Despite all the Dominion's recently discovered mineral wealth (Canada leads the world as a producer of nickel, is a main source of gold, platinum, redium, oil, copper, silver and uranium), the nation has had to bring in iron ore at the rate of more than two million tons a year in recent years. Most of that ore has come from the mines of Minnesota and from Newfoundland.
The iron ore at Steep Rock Lake is, in technical language, 61 per cent. hematite ore, or in plain words, very rich, much better grade than that now taken out of the mines in Minnesota. It will be ready for the blast furnaces as it comes out of the ground.
As the ice cleared out of the lake, work was started to take the ore from under the lake. The first shaft from the surface was sunk last summer and work was continued during the winter until the shaft was 800 feet below the surface of the lake. Down that shaft, drillers and muckers went in cages, taking out rock and clay and building at the 800-foot level a large room, big enough not only for the mine elevator, but large enough to begin from this point tunnels under the lake to the ore bodies.
The first ore will start coming out of the mine around the middle of summer, according to production plans. It will come out at the rate of 2000 tons a day, will be hoisted to the surface, dumped into railway cars, run on a four-mile spur railway to the small settlement of Atikokan, from where the main railway line will carry it 130 miles to Port Arthur. Here lake ore-carriers will load to take the first test shipments to the blast furnaces at Cleveland, Hamilton, Ont., and Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.
From 1923 until recently, Canada produced no iron ore. During the last war, mines north of Lake Superior and in Nova Scotia produced a little ore, but it was not a profitable venture and was abandoned several years later. In 1939 one steel corporation begain work on former properties north of Sault Ste. Marie. Modern methods made the developments worth while, and the Ontario Provincial Government partly subsidized the venture. From this plant 300,000 tons of treated iron ore are now available each year.
When in 1931 mining men once more became interested in old reports of government geologists, they found allusions to iron ore signs near Steep Rock Lake. They also found that some 40 years ago mining men had begun to explore the possibilites of mining that lake, but could not economically locate the ore bodies, though there were ample signs of iron ore about.
So mining men interested in finding if there were commercially large enough quantities of iron ore under or about Steep Rock Lake went to the University of Toronto, and there Dr. Arthur Brant of the physics department developed a special electrical magnetic measuring device.
So vast are the possibilities of this new iron ore field that engineers are considering damming the lake and diverting its water. It is calculated this would cost $2,000,000, or only 1 cent a ton on the ore located in the first arm of the lake.
United States steel interests are keeping a watchful eye on the new Canadian field, not only because of its high iron content, but because the Canadian ore will be available to United States companies at a 10 per cent. discount, the official rate of the Canadian dollar in relation to the United States dollar.
—The Vancouver Daily Province (Saturday Magazine), May 18, 1940, Pg. 1. (via newspapers.com).
Treasure in Iron
There's iron at Steep Rock – and there may even be enough of it to provide Canada with her own supply of the world's most used and useful metal
By Arthur Lowe
This article describes the on-going efforts required to reach the orebody below Steep Rock Lake. Surnames mentioned: Brant, Cross, Errington, Fotheringham.
Read the complete article in Maclean's Magazine
—Maclean's Magazine, June 1 1940. (via Maclean's Magazine Archives).
Carriers at Brandon
CARRIERS AT BRANDON: The Tribune carrier salesmen pictured above are on a holiday trip to the Brandon Fair, as guests of The Tribune. The trip is a reward for their work in a recent contest. The boys were welcomed by Mayor Fred. H. Young, of Brandon. The picture shows: Front row — Len Ryan, Ninga; John Harder, Plum Coulee; Edwin Younger, Goodlands; Bill McCullough, Whitemouth; George Carville, Waskada; Jack Richmond, Mather. Second row — Frank Dixon, Arcola; Elmer Pontius, Carlyle; John Zuefle, Atikokan; Mike Gretchen, Rosenfeld; John Walylolowa, Verigin; Russell Feaviour, Cupar; Lloyd Treble, Crystal City; Garth Clark, Crandall. Third Row — Don Bruyere, Letellier; Henry Loewen, Morden; Roger Reid, Hamiota; Bernard Muller, Eriksdale; John Tangolis, Fort William; Ellwin Thornton, Manor. Fourth Row — Jess Stothard, Brandon, (representative); Bruno Schimnowski, Esterhazy; Sid Lawrence, Deloraine; Jim Henderson, Brandon; Gordon Pettitt, Ninette; Norman Good, Kenora. Standing — Sam Sigesmund, country circulator; Mayor Young, Harry C. Raine, W.J. Byron, traveling representatives.
—The Winnipeg Tribune, Thursday, July 4, 1940. Pg. 5. (via Findmypast.com).
Steep Rock Iron Mines Sending Men to Atikokan
A report from Atikokan is that men are being taken on there by Steep Rock Iron Mines, limited, for what is apparently preliminary work, including road construction, on the diversion of lake waters to facilitate open pit mining of the large ore bodies. These reports lack official confirmation. The work, as understood to be planned, could be carried on efficiently through the winter, in fact better in some respects than in the summer, since the frozen ground which can be dug easily with modern equipment, holds water that might otherwise be troublesome. It is expected that some official announcement regarding financing plans will be made shortly, and also on other plans which the company has had under negotiation for some time.
—The Winnipeg Free Press, Monday, November 17, 1941. Pg. 14. (via Findmypast.com).
Negotiations Ended
Steep Rock Refuses C.-C. Iron's Financing Offer
Toronto, July 16.—(CP)—Negotiations between Steep Rock Iron Mines Limited, Antikokan, Ont., Rainy River District, and the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, in regard to financing and development of Steep Rock deposits, have been terminated, Steep Rock announced today.
D.M. Hogarth, president of Steep Rock, in a letter to shareholders advises the revised proposals submitted by Cleveland-Cliffs were not considered commensurate with the value of the property.
Directors assured shareholders the exploration program confirmed information previously in possession of the company. Directors will pursue contacts already made with Canadian and United States interests, both mining and financial.
—The Montreal Gazette, Friday, July 17, 1942, Pg. 12. (via newspapers.com).
Drama In Iron
Steep Rock: The fantastic mine where engineers manhandle lakes, rivers and forests on the trail of ore deposits for war’s blast furnaces
By J.H. Gray
This article deals with some of the technical issues involved in developing Steep Rock, and also details many of the financial gymnastics required to obtain the money to fund everything. Surnames mentioned: Bartley, Blackstock, Brown, Crago, Cross, Eaton, Errington, Fitzgerald, Fotheringham, Hancock, Harrison, Hogarth, McIntyre, Moore, Roberts.
Read the complete article in Maclean's Magazine
—Maclean's Magazine, September 1 1943. (via Maclean's Magazine Archives).
"THE BIGGEST DRAINAGE JOB OF IT'S KIND IN HISTORY"
Workmen Push Nature Around to Mine Iron Ore in Ontario Lake Bed
By George L. Peterson
Atikokan, Ont.
Determined engineers and 700 husky workmen are pushing nature around in this rocky, lake-filled wildernes, but they are finding it expensive, laborious business.
They are spending upwards of $9,000,000 to get at iron ore in the bottom of Steep Rock lake, six miles north of here. Before the lake can be drained, however, a number of other things have to be done.
Seine river runs through Marmion lake, Steep Rock lake, and on to join Antikokan river. To keep Steep Rock dry after it has been pumped out, Seine river must be shunted away. This could be done by opening a channel to Raft lake and then on to neighboring Finlayson lake, and damming the inlet to Steep Rock. The catch was that the level of Raft and Finlayson was 35 feet above that of Marmion. In this region, lakes caught in rock basins vary as much as 100 feet in their water levels.
Well, the first job was to lower the level of Finlayson. That could have been done by blasting a channel at the southern end of the lake, but the rush of billions of gallons of water might have raised havoc with the country below. Instead, a tunnel was cut.
Now a canal is being excavated down to the tunnel which slowly lowered the level of Finlayson.
One of the paradoxes of the drainage plan is that the tunnel empties the Finlayson water into the west arm of Steep Rock. However, the Seine river carries it away. Where this west arm connects with the rest of Steep Rock there is a rocky island. Dams are being built from the island to the shore on either side, so that the west arm of the lake becomes a part of the river channel and the other portion can be drained separately.
The lowering of Finlayson's level gives some idea of what beautiful Steep Rock lake will look like after it is drained. Both lakes are wooded and rockbound. Where the water has gone down, Finlayson is left with a stark rim of bare stone and tree skeletons. Steep Rock will be even more unpleasant, for at the bottom is 40 feet of muck. Raft lake, which was emptied by pumping its water over a hill into Marmion, is now dry and muck several feet deep would quicklly swallow any trespasser.
From Raft lake, two channels are being blasted out of solid rock. One will connect with Marmion, the other with Finlayson. The cut to Finlayson was started with a seven-foot square tunnel. From this tunnel radiating openings were drilled. Blasted with dynamite, the rock is blown lopse in six foot slices. A power shovel tosses the debris into great trucks which cost $18,000 each.
The Raft lake channels are the only part of the work behind schedule, but they should be open soon after Nov. 1. Then the power dam at the upper end of Steep Rock will be closed. The hydro-electric plant is owned by the Ontario & Minnesota Paper company (with headquarters in Minneapolis) and supplies power for their Fort Frances mill. To compensate them, and also to take care of the mine, power is being brought from Port Arthur, 125 miles away, by the Ontario Hydro-Electric Power commission.
After the plant is shut down, part of the channel between Marmion and Steep Rock will be filled in, and the Seine river will begin flowing another way.
Fourteen giant pumps will start lowering Steep Rock when all the dams are ready. Waiting to be removed are 120,000,000,000 gallons of water – biggest drainage scheme of its kind in history. Draining the lake which filled the open pit Mountain Iron mine in northern Minnesota involved 1,500,000,000 gallons.
Steep Rock will go down more than six inches a day. By the middle of next summer, when the level is down 75 feet, shovels will go to work removing the overburden on one body of ore. By August Steep Rock Mines, Ltd., hope to have the first ore on its way. Its camp is ready now, and 75 men are doing preliminary work.
This seems like a lot of bother for iron ore, but mining men, a number of capitalists and the RFC are convinced that the scheme is practical. RFC is putting up $5,500,000. Cyrus Eaton of Cleveland raised a couple of million and Canadian interests are providing a similar sum. The Canadian National railroad will build a spur to the mines from Antikokan and also construct ore docks at Port Arthur.
How ore from a lake bottom was discovered is an old story. Half a century ago float ore of good quality was found along the shores of Steep Rock lake. When exporation in the vicinity revealed no promising deposits, it was inferred that the ore came from the lake bottom. In 1938, test holes drilled through the ice substantiated the belief in rich iron beds. Last winter drilling crews made hundreds of tests and definitely located three beds. These are labeled A, B and C on the map.
The B ore body will be mined first, because it is the shallowest. Test holes showed that more than 14,000,000 tons of ore can be taken from it by open pit mining. In addition, several million tons are available for underground mining. The A body contains perhaps 10,000,000 tons subject to open pit mining. Underground possibilities have not been calculated. The C body, with 230 feet of water above its overburden, is expected to boost the total, but it is largely uncharged.
Engineers feel certain of finding something between 20 and 40 million tons of ore, and less scientific enthusiasts talk of huge additional discoveries when the lake is drained.
The map of the Steep Rock Lake project is omitted here.
Against the 90,000,000 tons which upper lake ports shipped last year, the Steep Rock total is not impressive. But the ore runs up to 64 per cent in iron, contains little of objectional qualities and is a very hard hematite. Minnesota ore is softer and less suited, without additions, to best grades of steel.
* * *
Norman S. Bateman, consulting engineer in charge of the drainage project, dreads the winter ahead. "Weather got down to 65 below last winter," he recalls. "We didn't even have roads then. Hauled our stuff on the ice. In the spring we were held up for weeks until we could use boats. In June we finished our roads and since then we have been hopping."
Bateman is a sturdy Canadian who has spent most of the past 25 years on some of the biggest engineering jobs in the United States. He came here from the Shipsaw hydro-electric project in eastern Canada. His wife in a Tennesseean. His oldest child is a pilot in the RCAF. His daughter is applying for American citizenship. His youngest son, a native of the United States, is at school in Port Arthur.
"Economically," Bateman says, "Canada and the United States should be almost one. Tariffs only harm both. This Steep Rock job shows how we can continue working together."
—The Minneapolis Star, Wed., Sept. 29, 1943, Pg. 18. (via newspapers.com).
News Item.
Atikokan Ont.—Mammoth blasts of dynamite recently opened the way for the mining of millions of tons of hematite, iron ore deposits buried for centuries under the waters of Steep Rock Lake.
The two blasts – one of four tons and the other 14 tons of dynamite – altered nature's drainage system in this part of northwestern Ontario by forging the last link in a chain of diversion projects through which the waters of the Seine River system will bypass Steep Rock. The remaining water now is being pumped from the lake preparatory to mining operations.
—The Louisville (Colorado) Times, Feb. 24, 1944, Pg. 8. (via Findmypast.com).
Atikokan Names From Official World War Two Casualty Lists: 1942 - 1945
This is a compilation of casualties and prisoners of war, of men giving Atikokan as their, or their next of kin's residence, found in various Canadian newspapers using newspapers.com. Names were taken from official military casualty lists published in newspapers throughout the country.
- Cullen, Sidney Herman, PO, G.B. Cullen (father), Atikokan, Ont. "Previously Missing On Active Service, Now For Official Purposes Presumed Dead". (Published Feb. 23, 1945).
- Davey, Rupert Henry, Flt.-Sgt., R68649. T.T. Stites (stepfather), Atikokan, Ont. First reported "Missing on Active Service After Air Operations"; later reported "Killed on Active Service". (Published Nov. 9, 1942).
- Francis, Arthur Herbert, Sgt., H37717. "Severely Wounded". Mrs. Esther A. Francis, Atikokan, Ont. (Published Oct. 2, 1944).
- Goodwin, Morris Wesley, Pte., H10962. "Killed in Action". Mrs. Pearl Margaret Goodwin (mother), Atikokan, Ont. (Published Aug. 30, 1944).
- Jonassen, S., Pte., Atikokan, Ont. "Wounded". (Published March 8, 1945).
- Labossiere, R.L., Pte., Atikoken, Ont. "Returning Prisoner of War". (Published July 4, 1945).
- Spillchuck, William, Pte., H46579. "Wounded". Mrs. Mary Spillchuck (mother), Atikokan, Ont. (Published Sept. 19, 1944).
- Zuefle, E.C., Gnr, Antikokan, Ont. "Seriously Ill". (Published Aug. 26, 1944).
Lost Prospector Is Sought In Vain
Fort Frances, Sept. 8—An intensive search by Provincial Police at Fort Frances and Atikokan since Aug. 1 has failed to solve the mystery of the disappearance of Thomas Rawn, 82, old-time prospector of Atikokan, who was last seen July 23.
Police here reported that they were advised of Rawn's disappearance July 31 by Bert Davidson of Atikokan. A patrol left here at 3.10 a.m. Aug. 1 for Sapawe, 15 miles east of Atikokan, north of which point Rawn was last seen. Searches, using large parties of men, were carried on Aug. 1, 2, 5 and 12, and last Sunday another large search party, headed by Constable Len Savage of the Atikokan Provincial Police, went out unsuccessfully.
Rawn was headed for his claims north of Sapawe to make some date changes on them. He was given a truck ride to within 200 feet of the trail through the bush leading to his claims.
It is thought he either lost the trail, met with an accident or had a heart attack, as he was known to have a weak heart. Police say the thickness of the bush makes searching extremely difficult.
—The Sun Times, (Owen Sound, Ontario), Saturday, Sept. 8, 1945, Pg. 9. (via newspapers.com).
Ethelbert News Items:
Mr. and Mrs. N. Kachkowski and little son of Antikokan Ont., left for their home Saturday after attending the funeral of their mother, the late Mrs. J. Dzamar, who passed away early last week following a brief illness.
—The Dauphin (Manitoba) Herald & Press, Thursday, May 23, 1946, Pg. 10. (via Findmypast.com).
Last Rites Held For Jacob Frizzley
Jacob Frizzley, well known resident of Rossendale, died Saturday at his home in Atikokan, Ontario. He was 77 years of age.
He came to Canada from Syria over 50 years ago, and had farmed in the Rossendale district until his retirement to Portage in 1939. For the past two years he had lived in Ontario.
Surviving besides his widow are three sons, Reuben of Rossendale; Joseph of Treherne and George of Atikokan; four daughters, Mrs. P. Young, Winnipeg; Mrs. M. Yasinski, Atikoken; Mrs. G. Tait, Salisbury, N.B.; Mrs. H. Simpson, Portage. There are six grandchildren and one brother David, who resides in McCord, Sask.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday at 2 p.m. from McKillops' funeral chapel, with Rev. P.C. Bays officiating. Burial was made in the family plot in Rossendale cemetery.
Pallbearers were Wm. Love, J. Fisher, A. Watson, A. Ferguson, A. Henry, A. Culbert.
Bearers of the many beautiful floral tributes were Jas. Watson, John Nichol, Edward Pearce, Russell Love.
—The Manitoba Leader, (Portage La Prairie, Manitoba), Thursday, July 1, 1948, Pg. 23. (via Findmypast.com).
Untitled
Atikokan, Ont.—(CP)—Some residents think this town has now officially "arrived." The first holdup in Atikokan's history was attempted recently. A masked man flourishing a gun tried to hold up Frank Kaskie, who turned on the gunman and frightened him off.
—The Vancouver Sun, Tuesday, May 9, 1950, Pg. 3. (via newspapers.com).
BARBER SHOP FOR QUICK SALE
in Atikoken. Party leaving town. Write John Welchuk, Atikoken, Ont.
—The Winnipeg Tribune, Wed., July 5, 1950, Pg. 27. (via Findmypast.com).
Ethelbert News Item:
Clayton Goodwin of Antikokan, Ont., paid a brief visit to renew acquaintances in town. On his return trip he was accompanied by Mrs. Goodwin who had spent the past week visiting here.
—The Dauphin (Manitoba) Herald & Press, Thursday, August 10, 1950, Pg. 11. (via Findmypast.com).
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:
In Canada's Great New Mining Town, Atikoken, Ont. – Cafe, seats 75 persons. Latest and best equipment. Rapidly growing iron ore and mining centre. T.O. $250 day. Bargain price $20,000 plus stock $5,000.
—The Winnipeg Tribune, Mon., August 14, 1950, Pg. 25. (via Findmypast.com).
Atikokan May Get Mercy Train; Town Isolated
Montreal—(CP)—Frank H. Hall, chairman of the negotiating committee of 15 international railway brotherhoods whose 94,000 members are on strike, said Tuesday night, Atikokan, Ont., may get its mercy train.
Atikokan is a Northwestern Ontario iron-mining town, 100 miles west of the lakehead, which became isolated following the general walkout. It has no roads nor airport and the railways provided its only outside communication. The last train that shuttled foodstuffs into Atikokan arrived Saturday.
The Fort William Chamber of Commerce has urged the dispatch of a mercy train with food and other necessities to the remote town. It announced that it was sending telegrams to Prime Minister St. Laurent, Donald Gordon, president of the Canadian National Railways, and Mr. Hall.
Mr. Hall said he had not yet received any official notice of the request. He said nothing would be done pending arrival of the telegram.
However, he added, the train most likely would be let through.
"The matter will have to be handled through the regular union and company channels and it will be expedited because it is an emergency."
—The Expositor (Brantford, Ont.), Wed., August 23, 1950, Pg. 1. (via newspapers.com).
Relief Train Starts Trip
Port Arthur, (CP)—A relief train carrying 40 tons of foodstuffs and other emergency supplies moved out of Port Arthur Saturday for Atikokan and other isolated communities west of the Lakehead.
The striking rail unions authorized operation of the special. Atikokan and other places along the C.N.R.'s southern line have no highway access to the outside and no regular air facilities.
Pickets closely supervised the loading to see no unessential goods were included. They refused to allow shipment of grapes or cantaloupes and banned items such as facial tissue.
The train was made up of five boxcars and five refrigerator cars. One of the latter held more than 800 gallons of fresh milk.
The train crew and yard crew were selected on seniority. The engineer, fireman and conductor have an average of 40 years' service.
Two union representatives, W. Meko and Jack Newsham, went along to supervise the operation for the strikers.
—The Edmonton Journal, Sat., August 26, 1950, Pg. 1. (via newspapers.com).
Iron Mine Becoming Tourist Attraction
Port Arthur—(CP)—A big hole in northwestern Ontario may become a tourist attraction.
It is the Steep Rock iron mine at Atikokan midway between the lakehead and Fort Frances.
Right now tourists would have to come by train to see it, because Atikokan has no highway connections with the outside. The Atikokan mine is 500 feet deep, two miles wide and three miles long. Steep Rock Iron Mines, Ltd., produces about 1,000,000 tons of ore a year and began operations in 1937, draining off parts of Steep Rock Lake and diverting the Seine river which flows into the lake. Shipments of ore began in 1944.
From the crater rim visitors can see the tiny figures of 900 men at work on the crater floor. High trucks are loaded by mechanical shovels, biting into the hill sides of iron. Then over the road network on the mine floor the trucks speed the ore-bearing rock in a constant stream to the huge crusher.
In Minnesota, the "big hole" of the Hibbing mine draws thousands of visitors every year and tourists watch the mine operations from a special lookout platform. Atikokan is hoping that some day it will have a similar arrangement to bring in tourist dollars.
—The North Bay Nugget, Wed., October 11, 1950, Pg. 4. (via newspapers.com).