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Markhma Fair 1910

1910: The Year Markham Fair Disappeared (?)

(If There Is No Historic Record-Did It Really Happen?)

By T. Rogers Gardham. (Past President 1977).

Historical research is a very organized matter, particularly if one is involved with a series of annual reports as is the case with this series: “The Fair 100 years ago”, which has been appearing annually for well over a decade. In concluding each year’s research one usually quickly looks ahead at what documentation is available for the ensuing year. A regular reader of this history series will recollect that the primary source of Markham Fair history is The Markham Sun and The Markham Economist both of which were founded in the mid 1800’s.

Last year in looking ahead it was noted that for some unknown reason the Markham Economist was not available for the entire year of 1910. Both papers were copied unto film strips in the early 1970’s by the Ontario Archives and copies are readily available at the Markham Museum and Markham Library. Fortunately it appeared however that film for the year 1910 Markham Sun was at hand and thus an opportunity for research. And so in February 2010 research begins.

The annual meeting of Markham Agricultural Society was held at the Town Hall on Friday afternoon January 21st, 1910; as the day was stormy the attendance was not large. The retiring President Mr. Ed Kirk occupied the chair. He referred briefly to the successful work done the past year and the new record established and hoped the Fair might go on smashing records from year to year. The election of officers resulted as follows: President – Dr. James Armstrong; 1st. Vice President – Robert Ormerod, 2nd.VicePresident – W. C. Ormerod. Directors, Markham Township: F. A. Reesor, J. B. Gould, A.G. Gormley, George Tran, Alex Pringle, H. J. Davison, Ed Kirk, Robert Cunningham, Thomas Hargrave, P.H. Reesor. Markham Village: John Isaac, Capt. Adam, James Torrance, James Malcolm, J.J. Thomas, W.J. Harper. Scarboro Township: George Scott, Thomas Maxwell. Pickering Township: A.E. Major, W.B. Milne. Stouffville: William Todd. At the directors meeting following A. Ward Milne was re-appointed Secretary and Capt. Adam, Treasurer.

As we look through the Markham Sun in January through March it appears that the winter has been generally good with the big news of the results of the municipal elections and that the Temperance movement referred to as the “cold water brigade” had won in the “local option” vote with over half of Ontario, including Markham voting against the sale of alcoholic beverages. Most of the local hamlets Unionville, Scarboro, Milliken, Uxbridge, Locust Hill, Armadale, L’Amaroux, Malvern, Agincourt, Ringwood, and Victoria Square, etc, all had their own correspondents and noted a number of community activities including the comings and goings of individuals. On Feb.10 Victoria Square reported “several years since we enjoyed as good sleighing for two months continuously, a very pleasant winter so far.” On Jan.3rd a Temperature of
-11 F was recorded at Milliken. Rabies (Hydrophobia) in almost epidemic proportions was reported across Ontario with dogs required to wear muzzles. One correspondent with less than a liking for dogs suggested harsher means of control.

The playing of checkers was also a popular hobby/entertainment, which amounted almost to a “craze” at times. A report appeared about Newell Banks, something of a phenomenon at the game, who had visited Markham the previous spring and had amazed everyone with his skill. (J.B. Gould, a Fair director was the only one to beat him). This is from the Grand Rapids, Michigan paper “Banks played 21 men at one time, with 21 boards ranged about him in a circle, defeating 17 opponents and tieing four. In the final contest Banks, who is only 21, played with 6 picked experts at one time, with his back to the boards and playing entirely from memory. He won from 4 and tied the remainder. No such checker playing was ever seen here before.” The playing of sports, particularly hockey, with many games held at the Fairgrounds at Hwys. 7 & 48, were equally as ardent in participation and reporting.

Haley’s Comet was reported to be visible in late March, but the best viewing was to come in May. There was a move locally by The Artesian Water Supply Co. to take water from the Whitchurch Hills for supplying North Toronto and adjacent towns which was turned down by a Committee of the Legislature in March after a major hearing. There were 300 deputations heard from Markham, Whitchurch, Stouffville and Scarborough in opposition to granting the license.

In April The Sun had won the tender to publish the new telephone book and reported as follows: Markham Township – 261 (names), Markham Village – 75, Stouffville Village – 92, Scarboro Township – 276, Pickering Township – 231, “ a total of 935 where less than 5 years ago, there were only about 80.” There was also a note that a meeting would be held on April 18th in the Council Chamber at the request of the Reeve to consider a going away gathering for J. O. Herity, owner and editor of The Markham Sun, who was leaving for Belleville, where he and a partner had purchased a newspaper. Assurances had been given in an editorial that he would serve Markham on a part time basis.

The reader will imagine the surprise when the Sun paper filmstrip jumps from April 7, 1910 to April 14, 1911. Yes an entire year is missing and with no Economist record the entire history of the 1910 Markham Fair is lost to us. After the initial panic subsides one begins to look for alternatives. Maybe the Annual Meeting report of 1911, normally held in late January, will tell us enough to reconstruct at least some of the 1910 Fair, but alas copies of the Markham Sun are lost for that period, however we do know that The Markham Economist for 1911 is intact and eureka there is a report for such a meeting on Friday January 20/11 which was reported to be exceptionally well attended. Unfortunately the financial report is very skimpy (a fact noted by the paper’s report “The Financial report was presented by J.B. Gould, Chairman of the financial committee, who read from the financial report, which left much to be desired by way of detail.”

From it we are able to make comparisons with the 1909 statement, which we have from the 1909 report and note the following:

1909

Gate receipts $2 244

Grants $1,000

Prizes $3,394

Closing Bank Bal. $ 678

1910

Gate receipts $1 608

Grants 900

Prizes 3,119

Closing Bank Bal. 10

While the reduced bank balance may be explained by a $500 payment on the mortgage the other reductions probably stemmed from reduced attendance and could have been caused by bad weather. This seems plausible as there was considerable discussion reported on the Fair acquiring weather insurance that was being offered by the Province to cover fairs faced with weather related losses.

It is disappointing for the Fair’s history reporters to be unable to give the usual exciting details of the Fair 100 year’s past, but to write these reports we require archival sources as it is rare to find “living memory” of times that far in the past. Myra Chepack with her refined sleuthing skills, in searching out the archival trails of the Fair’s history, gathers together multiple fragments of history in providing the personal portraits of past presidents. As well, in composing biographical sketches, through personal interviews, on current presidents, Myra is capturing tomorrow’s history.

With this thought in mind we once again appeal to readers to share any piece of information with us that will bridge the gap with the past, maybe an old newspaper, a picture, letters, books, magazine articles and other memorabilia. We truly understand how important these heirlooms are to you and only want them for a short period for scanning into our records, after which they will be returned.

There is an old saying “that we often can’t see the woods for the trees” and often that occurs because we are so familiar with an object or an organization when it comes to historical items. We who are part of Markham Fair must realize that we have a unique history, not only that we have survived since 1844, but that those people who have volunteered for the Fairs for over a century and a half have given us so much of which to be proud. Just think how different your life would have been/would be without Markham Fair and how much we owe to our history. Have another look around the house, in the basement, in the attic and ask Grandma, Granddad, Great-grandma and Great-granddad.

Once again our sincere Thank You to Cathy Molloy, Heather McKeown, Janet Reid and Kimberly, the staff at Markham Museum, which is about to launch a new and improved building to house and display the many irreplaceable archives of Markham and surrounding communities.

How lucky we are to have such dedication. Take the time to go back in time. Visit!