By Paul Baldwin – Feb 2021
Paul Baldwin’s index of the St. Thomas Reporter, a 4 page paper edited by Charles Burke in the 1880s. The site displays 19 issues from Vol. 1 #3 January 30, 1880 to July 9, 1880 giving us a glimpse of activity in St. Thomas, Elgin and the broader community and a few tidbits of valuable political, social and architectural information.
Vol. 1 #3 January 30, 1880
page
1. *new opera house proposed; Alfred Ware preparing plans
*construction of brick block for Messrs. Risdon on the old market square
*proposal for an exhibition building by East Elgin Fair Association
2. *Prospectus of St. Thomas Reporter “Independent in Everything: Neutral in Nothing”
Vol.1 #5 February 13, 1880
1. *Aylmer is to have another paper
*re: David Marshall and horses
*re: Ancient Order of United Workmen
Vol. 1 #6 February 20, 1880
1. *report of the Council meeting of February 17, 1880
*meeting of the Ancient Order of United Workmen
*Southern Counties Agricultural Association: that a building 150/160 x 60 according to plans by Alfred Ware be advertised for tender immediately
2. *auction for farm and goods of DuncanZavitz
3. *a description of Hungry Ireland
Vol. 1 # 7 February 27, 1880
1. *bowling at Excelsior Alley in the East End; curling
4. *tender call for half mile track and fencing for Southern Counties Agricultural Association
Vol. 1 #8 March 5, 1880
4. *Town Council is asked for the remission of taxes “her house having been occupied by Rev. Ellmore Harris at the time.”
*Opera House concert for the benefit of Irish relief
Vol. 1 #9 March 12, 1880
1. *dedicated of the new Masonic Hall in the McLarty Block
3. *tender call by Alfred Ware, Town Engineer
Vol. 1 #10 March 19, 1880
1. * new addition toKaokafactory 18×44 (2 storeys) completed by Miller & Reath
*dedication of Masonic Hall
*letter to the editor by Patrick Burke re: Printing Committee
4. *editorial re: Printing Committee
*editorial re success of Kaoka
Vol. 1 #11 March 26, 1880
4. * gathering of fire companies from East and West
Vol. 1 #12 April 2, 1880
Vol. 1 #13 April 9, 1880
1. * “Mr. T. W. Crothers, the candidate who was defeated by Dr.Cascaden, has announced his intention of ‘hanging out his shingle’ in this town.”
*annual meeting of St. Thomas Cricket Club
Vol. 1 #15 April 23, 1880
Vol. 1 #16 April 30, 1880
1. *Wm.Bromwellintends to erect 3 brick stores to be known as the Jackson Block. The United Workmen will have their hall over the stores
* Directors of the SCAA have leased the half-mile track to Mr. George Penwarden
4. *poem re: St. Thomas Cricketers
*editorial re: The old St. Thomas newspapers
Vol. 1 #17 May 7, 1880
1. *meeting to organize the Lacrosse Club
2. *ad for Risdon Bros. Hardware opposite the Market, H. Brown’s old stand
* in report to Town Council, $75 is allotted to the Ladies’ Home
Vol. 1 #19 May 21, 1880
1. *W. H. Church is to build D. & O.Boughner’shotel on William St.
*meeting of Horticultural Society
Vol. 1 #20 May 28, 1880
1. *Judge David Hughes chairs Montreal convention of Reform English Church
*new bank being built in East End opp. Beaver Block by H. Comfort and J. Wilcox
* report of a cricket match
2. *full page circus ad
Vol. 1 #21 June 4, 1880
1. *Grangers’ Pic-nic
Vol. 1 #22 June 11, 1880
1. * steeple of R. C. Church struck by lightning
Vol. 1 #24 June 23, 1880
1. *East End Molson Bank opened
*baseball at Yarmouth Centre
*Presbyterians decide to build a new church
4. *infant daughter of Rev. M. Fraser dies
Vol. 1 #25 July 9, 1880
1. *Alfred Ware travels to Woodstock to arrange for the construction of its waterworks.