by George Fleming
A few years ago, Bob Jones, a former student at Ivanhoe Public School, more recently of Madoc, provided me with several copies of the school paper the Echoes, particularly those issued in the spring of 1938 under the direction of teacher Miss Marion Mutton who came to Ivanhoe in 1934 from the Cedar School at Queensboro. the publication is, in itself, a testament to Miss Mutton’s high standards and the contribution she made to the school and the community.
The Echoes, financed in part by subscription, was generally published weekly, running up to eight pages. A notice in the fourth issue (February 4) reveals there were at least 50 subscribers; the rate is not revealed. thirty subscribers were in arrears at that time and there were fears of bankruptcy. Defaulters were urged to pay, with a better quality of print being promised. A new hectograph had been secured.
The masthead read: “Editor – Bob Jones; Printer – Jack Fleming; Advertising – Elmer Davidson; Locals and Personals – George Fleming; Sports – Robert Reid; Comics, Jokes and Riddles, etc. – Malcolm MacMillan; Market and Weather Report – Gordon Reid; School Activities – Gwen Reid; Current Events – Madeline Reid; School History – James Davidson. The rest of the pupils act as reporters.”
The Locals and Personals covered Ivanhoe, West Huntingdon and the Reid Settlement and sometimes consumed two pages. They reflected the high degree of social interaction in the community. In those days neighbours frequently visited neighbours and family relationships were close; church and community groups were active in bringing people together. In those days a visit to Belleville was newsworthy. These items were interspersed with humour. One read, “Miss Mary Clements, Mrs. F. Palmer, Mrs. C. Mitts and Mrs. T.E. Fleming spend their time skating instead of working.” Another, “Mr. Albert Clements finds it difficult to walk on ice and retain a perpendicular position. he was seen on Monday morning going up a grade on all fours. His language wasn’t fit to print.” “Miss Annie Fleming (Fleming’s Store) needs to take a lesson in spelling as she nearly ordered lion meat instead of loin meat for Mr. Lovibond.”
This paper would never have survived on advertising. Specials at Fleming’s Store appeared only once: “Kings Choice Tomato Soup @ 3 cans for 25 cents; Oranges @ 30 cents a dozen; 3 bars of Many Flowers Soap @ 13 cents and Good Humor Breakfast Food @ 23 cents.”
Sports news included the results of games between the Ivanhoe Junior Boys and West Huntingdon, sleigh riding and tobogganing. The February 18 issue reported, “The Junior Ivanhoe Hockey team is improving. west Huntingdon boys visited and played on Mr. Cooney’s pond. the score was 5 – 4 in favour of West Huntingdon.”
Out-of-town news included a report datlined Tahoe City, California, February 17, providing details of a storm that dumped 20 feet of snow in that area.
Two substantial articles headed “FORMER AMBASSADOR SEES BOLDER STROKES BY HITLER” and “CHAMBERLAIN STATES LEAGUE OF NATIONS JUST A DELUSION” represented international coverage. biographical sketches of such persons as George Frederick Handel and Wolfgang Mozart appeared from time to time, as did weather and market reports. Eggs were shown at 21 cents a dozen for Grade A-Large; Butter No.1 @ 32 cents; roosters (dressed) — cents and Old Turkeys @ 18 cents, compared to Young Birds @ 22 cents.
It is necessary to read the Echoes to appreciate its depth and variety of coverage. Its publisher, Miss Mutton, Editor Bob Jones, the staff and pupils are to be complimented—truly the forerunner of The Community Press. Had it survived the years, Conrad Black would have scooped it up.
Article originally printed in The Community Press, Hastings and Northumberland Counties’ largest weekly newspaper and reprinted in Reflections and Echoes, December 1999 (precursor of Quinte Kin).
Bob. Jones was my uncle my mothers younger brother. I have some copies of the Echoes. His father ,my grandfather Arthur Jones was a trustee at the school. I have a picture of him standing in the door way of the school with the students.