THE SOLDIER'S TEST

Aylmer Express Newspaper Article
January 21, 1915

Most Terrifying Position Is Silence Under Fire.

Everyone of us must have wondered how he would feel in battle for the first time. We may get some idea of how the average man feels in such circumstances from a study of the psychology of battle, just published in Italy. Lieutenant-Colonel Mangiarotti, of the 77th Infantry, carefully examined more than 2,000 soldiers who first faced fire in the recent war between Italy and Turkey, and he summarized their statements in the Rivista Militare. He questioned them one by one.

Out of 2,000 men, 1,700 confessed that their most trying moment in the whole campaign was when they first heard hostile bullets whistle about their ears. But almost all of them said they were much less frightened than they expected to be, and that the scare diminished with each battle.

The average soldier finds the most terrifying position to be that of standing motionless in the front rank, exposed to the enemy’s fire without being able to reply. The order to advance or to charge with fixed bayonets is then received as a release from agony. Movement, even into greater peril, distracts the mind and greatly reduces the mental anguish.

Soldiers are seriously affected by the trembling of their superiors. An officer who shakes in his shoes is a coward in the eyes of the rank and file, although the men know that many military heroes – Henry IV, Turenne, and Frederick the Great, for instance- trembled on going into a fight.

Colonel Mangiarotti says that officers must understand this feeling. This is especially true for lieutenants, for this inquiry reveals the fact that in battle all officers from captains upward are non-existent so far as the common soldiers are concerned. They keep their eyes on their lieutenants exclusively. This was brought out when Col. Mangiarotti asked the men what sentiment animated them when the bullets were falling all around them- was it love of country, religion, or their oath of fidelity to their king? “I went ahead,” they replied, almost unanimously, “because my lieutenant went ahead.”

It seems that once the battle is on and the first feeling of terror has vanished soldiers feel as if set free. The fever of combat takes possession of them and they think about nothing else. – Johannesburg Sunday Times.

THE WAR

Aylmer Express Newspaper Article
January 21, 1915

Tuesday night Britain had her first experience of a Zeppelin raid, which was not particularly pleasant and created a small loss of life and considerable damage to property. The towns visited were Yarmouth, which had 50,000 inhabitants, five of whom were killed… A raid was also made on Sandringham, where King George and the Queen had left only a few hours before, thereby escaping the peril. The raid took place about 9 o’clock, and the night was very dark. It is figured out that there were three Zeppelins, and a report not official, says that one of the airships was shot down.

Fifty-eight Canadians have died since arriving in England, only two of whom were killed in action. Most of the fatalities were from pneumonia or meningitis.

Although it is not officially announced, all the Canadians of the first contingent are now supposed to have been landed in France. Many stories are told of the Princess Pats, one of them being that 200 of them made a brilliant charge driving the Germans out of their trenches but that only 88 of them returned alive.

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Sue's note: 

I can validate the first two news items, the bombing of Yarmouth and the non-combatant's deaths, but the reporting of the Princess Pats charge may be erroneous. 

As evidenced in PPCLI War Diaries 1914 and 1915 provided to the internet public on a terrific site 'The Matrix,' the Patricia Pats crossed the English Channel on December 21, 1914 and took over the trenches at Dickiebush, France, on January 6, 1915. 

Early on the morning of January 8, during heavy enemy shelling, Lance Corporal Norman Fry and Lance Corporal Henry George Bellinger of PPCLI became the first Canadian soldiers to be killed in action in World War I. The next day Captain Newton died of his wounds. 

On January 10, they hunted a sniper from a tower. On January 11, more shelling then were relieved and marched to billets. On January 12, they had a day of rest. On January 14, they marched into Belgium. On January 15, there was more shelling and more marching. On January 16, they were in the trenches of St Eloi, Belgium. 

Over the next few days, until the Aylmer Express report, they were marching or billeting. This newspaper report appears to have been incorrect. Regardless, Canadians on the home front were proud.

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Joke January 21, 1915

Aylmer Express Newspaper

PAID IN FULL

Miss Pinkerton (daughter of a rich manufacturer) – Pardon me, miss, but I have not the honor of your acquaintance!

Miss Lowton (who does not intend to be put down in that style) – I thought you had at one time, but never mind! Perhaps if my father owned a big glue factory like your father’s I’d be stuck up too!

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BRITISH SIGNALLERS BEST

Aylmer Express Newspaper Article
January 14, 1915

Germans Depend Altogether on Telegraph and Telephone.

Much of the hardest and most dangerous work of the British army is done by the flag signallers of the Army Signal Service. They have often to stand in the fighting line, wagging their flags or working their flash mirrors, while the German riflemen mass their fire against the men who are directing the movements of guns, infantry, and horsemen.

The German army does not use our methods of signalling. The Germans rely on field telephones and wireless apparatus, kept mainly behind the battlefront. The British troops are just as good as the Germans in this kind of safe flagging, but they find that one flagwagger in the firing-line is often worth a dozen telegraph and telephone clerks a safe distance away. A good deal of the remarkable success of the British in France and Flanders is due to the splendid work of their unmatchable signallers. Even if half a company becomes detached from the army in the course of an action, it is usually able to ‘talk’ to the main body over a distance of two or three miles.

A squadron of scouting cavalry and half of a battalion of advancing infantry cannot, in the rush and heat of a critical action, take a mile of wire and an electrical apparatus with them. But even in a charge, one man can run a flag, and if the charge is brought up suddenly by an entrenched host of the enemy, the flag man can at once signal for help. If he hasn’t brought flags with him, he can tie a handkerchief on his rifle. He can ask the gunners to rake the trench with shrapnel, and give them the range and tell them if they hit or miss; or he can ask for support to be hurried up to strengthen the charging column.

The work of the flag signaller is very simple. He takes a flag in each hand and strikes various attitudes, right flag held high up, left flag held straight down, right flag held sideways, left flat struck up, and so on. Each movement stands for a letter of the alphabet. This is known as the semaphore system. But a message can be sent almost as quickly with one flag. This is waved in two ways one a long waggle, the other a short, sharp, flutter. The long waggle represents the dash in the Morse code, the short flutter stands for the dot.

Bombs Were Dropped

Aylmer Express Newspaper
January 14, 1915

Photograph & Caption

Type of Zeppelin Airship from which Bombs were Dropped on Innocent Civilians in the City of Nancy – A Deliberate Planned Murder by the German Government.

RECRUITING for 33rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force

Jan 14, 1915
Aylmer Express Newspaper

1.  Recruiting Officer at 25th Regiment Club Rooms, Talbot Street, St Thomas, Office Hours:- 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.; 2.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.; 7.30 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. from January 11th to January 25th, ‘15

2 Applicants for enlistment will be selected in the following order: -

(a) Unmarried men

(b) Married men without families

(c) Married men with families

Unmarried men who are the sole support of their parents, and unmarried men under 21 years of age, must have the written consent of their parents. Married men must have the written consent of their wives.

3 Men discharge from any previous contingent, for any reason, are not to be accepted.

4  Recruits will receive pay $1.00 and field allowance 10c, total $1.10 per diem, from date of attestation, and in addition a subsistence allowance of 75c per diem until arrival at place of mobilization. Recruits will be retained at recruitment centres until orders for mobilization.

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Article

Drinkers Must Go. OTTAWA, Jan 12. – Orders have gone out by direction of the Minister of Militia to all commanding officers in Canada to the effect that any recruit found under the influence of liquor shall be summarily dismissed form the service. The Minister has decided not to tolerate any marked inebriety in the ranks of the Canadian Force preparing for the front, and hereafter drunken soldiers should no longer be seen on the streets at the mobilization cities.

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Notes & Comments - January 14, 1915

The Kaiser has forbidden his soldiers to play any more football with those horrid Englishmen, as they did on Christmas day. The Germans must have gotten the worse of the game.

FOES ARE DEADLOCKED

Aylmer Express Newspaper Article
January 14, 1915

Little Change Has Occurred Along the Western Front.

French In Alsace Are Face to Face With a Large Force of Germans and Neither Side Claims Any Progress – Artillery Duels Are Going on In the North and Hard Fighting Is Reported near Soissons.

LONDON, Jan. 12.- Little change is observed on the western front. In Alsace the French continue, by sapping and sporadic charges, their attempt to force their way nearer the Rhine, but there has been snow in the Vosges, and it is noticeable that neither side claims any new progress. The Germans threw heavy reinforcements into Alsace after the recent French advance, and apparently they have been able to hold their ground, in view of the failure of the French to consolidate the positions they took after much hard fighting.

With a comparative lull in this quarter and artillery duels predominating near the Belgian coast, fighting of a desperate character has broken out in the centre, notably to the northeast of Soissons, which bids fair, through bombardments, to suffer the fate of Rheims, and further east, in the vicinity of Perthes and Beausejour, from which points the allies have been trying to reach the important railway to the north, the seizure of which would cut one of the German main arteries of communication.

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Article same page …

Real War Begins in May. LONDON, Jan. 12. – The British idea that operations up to the present are only preparatory to big events fits in with a bit of gossip now heard ….

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Earthy Troubles

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home 1905, Part: 10

Oct 9, 1905 from Mary to Fred, “Tom has just been over and he and Frank both got weighed. Ward and Murray brought the scales in the sitting room. Tom weighs 114 and Frank 149. Quite a jump from 174.

Oct 10, 1905 from Frank in Bayham to Fred & Claude probably in Manitoba, “Poor Tom got home last night and the poor fellow is so weak he can hardly walk. I wouldn’t trade places with him for anything as I hope to be O.K. in a year while I fear that before that length of time Tom will be out of any earthly troubles.”

Oct 15, 1905 Mary in Bayham to Fred in Fairfax, Manitoba, “Last week quite a number came back from the North west so now I am beginning to think it is getting about time for my dear boy to turn up too, but for pity’s sake don’t get under the train like poor Frank.

The Dr seems quite encouraged about his feet now. He dresses them every other day and says he thinks they are healing all right and Frank thinks so too. The left one is doing fine, is closing in and getting quite a lot smaller and the Dr thinks he will be able to let it down some in about a week and he says the right one is looking ever so much more healthy and natural and he believes it will come all right yet. I tell you that cheers Frank up for the poor boy came home fully expecting to have his foot off and if he had stayed there that is just what would have happened for they told him he would have to have another operation. When he came away they had not been dressed from Thursday till Tuesday. They said it was better not to disturb them too much as it only irritated them but Dr Riddell treats them quite differently and they are doing ever so much better. It may be because he is our Dr but it does seem to me if he could have had the treatment of them from the start they would have been better now than they are. It just does me good to take his meals in to him he has such a good appetite and enjoys everything so much. His left foot does’nt pain him any now but his right one does some most of the t8ime not very hard as a rule but just aches and some time s it jumps for a little while. They say it is the muscles contracting.

My but Frank does enjoy having them come in. I heard them saying a little while ago that they were going to have a football match Thanksgiving and they were going to have Frank for referee. I don’t know how they will make that work without they take him chair and all in a democrat and then it depends on the day. The boys are just going away and I hear Frank saying “come up again boys, by jove, I like to have you come in.”

Pa went to town the other day and rented a wheel chair for him so nice days he wheels himself around the yard. Saturday he went over to Mr Smith’s alone and out to the barn and back and around the yard and when he got tired we took his upholstered chair out and he sat in that till the Dr came about 4.30. He went out about 10.30.

It really looked pitiful to see those two boys Saturday. Tom sitting in a rocking chair just inside the door with consumption and Frank on that chair just outside perfectly helpless but still far far better off than Tom. He walked over here twice since he came home but could’nt do it now to save his life if he just gets up to walk across the floor they have to take hold of his arm.

(Monday morning) Got breakfast ready and they were not in so ran over to see how Tom got through the night. He put in a very hard night had such a fearful pain in his right side. His mother came over Saturday about noon and I have never seen her so downhearted as she was there. He had vomited everything up that day so I gave her a slice of boiled ham and some celery and alittle fresh butter for him and in about half an hour she came back clear built up for he ate that and kept it down and she thought he had taken a change for the better and was going to get better right away. So she came over and got the wheel chair and brought him over here but I tell you the Dr don’t think much of having Frank near him he is so afraid of that disease but I would’nt have any of them know it for anything.”

Oct 29, 1906 Fred, in Fairfax, Manitoba to Frank in Bayham, Ontario “Claude got a letter from his father the other day and he said that Tom might not be alive by the time he got the letter. Is he that bad, it does not seem possible. I do hope he is not."

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Sue's Note: Tom did pass away and Frank went on to an below knee amputation. 

And now back to the 'present' - January, 1915.

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Warm Embrace of Home

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home 1905, Part: 9

Oct 9, 1905 from Mary to Fred, probably in Fairfax, Manitoba, “Ever since Frank came home I have been trying to get a chance to write to you but there has been so much going on and so many in that I really could not get time. It is now a quarter to ten but I am going to write anyway. They didn’t get home till Friday as the boat was late but Frank stood the trip just fine. Pa bought a very comfortable upholstered chair in Port Arthur for him and brought him all the way in that only of course at night he would be in his berth. They could raise and lower the back so he could sit up or lie down. Pa said he knew he never could bring him comfortable any other way and then when they got on the train they came in the baggage car. 

Poor boy it would have done your heart good to see how pleased he was to get home. Yesterday there were just forty three people here to see him and today about a dozen. Yesterday there were grandma and Everett, uncle William and aunt Lizzie. Mr and Mrs Mahlou Lyons, Dr and Mrs Kennedy and Elwyn, Georgie Johnson, Mrs Mahlou Matthews. Mrs Johnson, Mr and Mrs Leonard Auger, Mr and Mrs Rutherford, and Jean and Walter and Mrs Fred Rutherford, Mr and Mrs Andrews, Leon Dancey, Maynard Carter, Ed Moor, and nearly every boy in the neighborhood and I forgot but shouldn’t have, John Will Cascadden who brought two large watermelons. He said one was Frank’s and the other mine.

Frank eats and sleeps well and don’t you say one word about it to Claude or anyone but they are not real sure that right foot is doing just right. They told him at the Hospital two or three weeks ago that they thought he would have to have another operation so that was why he was so anxious to get home and I think he was homesick too. He said he made up his mind if it had to be done it would not be there if he could possibly get home. You see the flaps that is the skin they draw over the wound to heal all died so it leaves it all bare and they told him at the Hospital the bone was bare but we had Riddell and Kingston both here this morning and they encouraged us quite a little. They said the bone seemed to be covering some and the wound had started to draw together a little in the natural way and they advised him to leave it alone for two or three weeks and see what nature would do perhaps it might be all right and if not they would operate on it then. If they do they think they will have to take a V shaped piece out of the top of the instep and then let the sides draw together but I dont hope they won’t have to do any m ore operating for poor dear he has suffered so much now but he is so patient and cheerful. He thought himself if he had to have another operation he would have the foot off for he is afraid if he has any more off it would weaken the ankle so it would never be of any use to him and perhaps they wouldn’t get enough the second time and if there is any more we want sure work of it. The Drs there said they tried to save too much. We thought by what we could see and hear that Kingston was more built up on it than Riddell although he seemed quite hopeful too. If anything more has to be done we are going to send for Vi she told us before she went and has written since for us to be sure and let her know if she was needed for anything and she would come right away. (Tuesday morning).

Poor Tom came home last night and everyone thinks to die. It was nearly dark where he came but weak as he was he would come over and see Frank a few minutes. When he came in he was so short of breath that he couldn’t speak more than two or three words at a time. The Drs told him it has gone to his lungs so he says it is all up with him. We think our trouble is hard but Smith’s is a great deal harder for we expect Frank to be getting better but Tom will be getting worse.

Oh Fred I just wishes you could have seen and heard Tom where he came in last night. He shook hands and put the other hand on my shoulder and said “Oh Mrs Benner you are a good woman, Oh you are a good woman, I don’t know what I ever could have done if it hadn’t been for you.” I told him I didn’t do very much only just a tiny little bit of it. But I was so glad the neighbours sent him that purse. He only stayed a few minutes last night but said he would try and come over again today.”

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Now Don't Snicker

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home 1905, Part: 8

Oct 1, 1905 from Mary to Fred in Fairfaix, Manitoba

“Now say don’t you start to read this till you have a day off for it will take you a day hard work.

Thursday night (the day pa went) we got four letters and last night two and he (Frank) gets ours in piles just the same. In every one of those letters he begs for pa to hurry up he wants to come home so badly. He says pa can’t be too quick but he can be too long. In one he said, 'I will not wait any longer than next week, so there.' Isn’t that savage. Poor boy he is so homesick he even wanted us to send him a telegram when pa started. Said if he was’nt there this week he was going to start alone for he could’nt stand it any longer also that they used him well but he would be used well home too. I did’nt send the telegram for knew he should have two of our letters telling him when by the time we got his. So I suppose the poor boy is as happy as he can be under the circumstances to-night. 

The Dr and nurse both told him that he might just as well be home as there now and they thought it would be all right if some person was with him to look after him and keep his foot up for fear of bleeding. But he is going to be helpless longer than I expected for the Dr told him he thought by Christmas he would be able to use the one foot and a crutch, so you see that is a long time yet but he said in time it would be all right, so that is quite a lot to look forward to. They have been doing some skin grafting lately, taking it off his arm. 

I don’t know what the poor fellow will l have to go through next. Dr Beck was going away on a trip so he settled up with him a few days ago and his bill was $50.00. That includes all his Dr bill while he is there. Dr Beck hires another in his place, and his hospital fees will be $1.00 per day so that will bring it up to 80 or $85 and I think he is getting off very well, no more than we expected and hardly as much.

I was so glad you wrote to Tom. Ward and I wrote a couple of weeks ago and we each got a lovely long letter. He said the Dr said he was too weak to travel then but he is some better now and says he is coming home soon. I guess his uncle is just a pretty tough place for a sick boy or a well one either by the letters he writes home and what they say. He says he thinks his Aunt is getting tired of him now for she is very careless about him now. He has no comfortable place to sleep and nothing else comfortable and no nourishing food like he should have. 

His father sent him the check for $41.85 and I guess he had quite a time to get it. After they had asked him all sorts of questions they asked him if there was any person in Holland who could identify him and he told them no person but his uncle, and his father had told him whatever he did not to let them know about the money for it would be just like them to get it away from him, if they could, so I don’t know how he made out but he got it some way, I know by the letter he wrote Vi and me last night. He wrote a lovely letter thanking us. He said he felt very uncomfortable before as he only had $3.00 left but he felt so much better now for he had money to help himself with.

Now Fred I have woke up in the night for the last two or three nights and thought about you and those colts. Now do be careful. I know you are a good hand with horses but lots of people who were good hands with horses have been killed with them. Now don’t snicker and just be careless but mind what I tell you.”

Oct 1, 1905 Fred in Fairfaix, Manitoba to Ward, in Bayham, Ontario, “I am very sorry about Tom. We have written to him twice and got two letters but I had no idea he was so bad till I got mother’s letter. I have been looking for a job for him ever since but would not find an easy one. If I had knew about it in time he could have got the job of waterboy with the machine. He could have done that alright, all they have to do is draw four tanks of water a day and buck straw to the engine that is the only snap about the machine.”

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Homeward Bound

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home, 1905, Part 7

Sept 28, 1905 Mary to Fred in Fairfaix, Manitoba

"Have just taken pa to the station. Started for Pt Arthur to-day. Is going to London to stay over night and takes the boat (Monarch) to-morrow about 3 PM. They will leave Pt Arthur Tuesday morning and if all goes well will get here Thursday afternoon. Pa expects to get there about 4 PM Sunday… Says he is doing as well as the Dr expected but cannot touch either foot to the floor. Was so pleased to get your letter. Will write soon. Mother"

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Sept 30, 1905 Tom Smith, Holland Manitoba to Guy Loop, Souris, Manitoba

“Very pleased to receive your letter & card yesterday. I am glad you are getting on alright I had no idea you would be going back so soon. I shall be very pleased to wait until Wednesday for you if you will come along then, I want to get away from here, and get home as soon as I possibly can. The Dr says I ought to go home.

Mrs Benner wrote to me, and said that I could come home anytime if I got a Dr’s certifacate stating that I was sick and unable to work, for the reduced fare, she had been to Mr Monteith in Aylmer, he said if there was any bother he would see it was alright, but I had got my ticket signed for the 3rd Oct so I thought I would wait, it will soon be here, then I should’nt have any trouble, providing I can get my ticket alright at Holland.

I think I shall, my trouble now is I have’nt got my box yet and I don’t look like getting it before I go back, it makes it very inconvenient for me but I shall have to mange, I wish you would please look around Souris, and see if it is there, it is a black box with lots of white rope around it, and J. Smith painted on the lid.

Thank you very much for offering to lend me money to get home, I have got enough to get home and a little to spare, Mrs Benner & Mr Benner’s sister were so kind as to get up a subscription for me around my home, they collected 41 dollars 85 cents. That was just a nice sum for me, and helped me out fine, so my parents have not had to send me my fare.

I had a letter from Frank the beginning of the week, he was getting on very well, but getting alittle homesick, he said it. I did’nt write for a few days, I had better send his letter to Bayham, that sounds as though he was going home soon, whether he has gone now or not I don’t know. I have not heard from the other boys since I wrote your last, so I don’t know how they are coming along. I am feeling rather better now, I think I shall be strong enough to travel by Wed., do come along Wed if you possibly can, drop me a card and let me know, I should be so pleased with your company home, it is not very nice travelling all that distance alone. I shall send this letter by the noon train, so it will be in Souris by 4 o’clock, I hope you get it to night (Saturday) Now I must close, from, Your Sincere Friend, Tom Smith"

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Appreciation

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home, 1905, Part: 6

Sept 26, 1905 from Frank in Port Arthur to the "Folks” in Bayham, Ontario, “I was more sorry than I can tell to hear of Tom’s bad luck. He wrote very down-heartedly and expressed a great desire to get back home. ‘I didn’t think when I came out here that I would be obliged to send home for money to get back with but that is what it looks like.’ That sounded pretty tough especially when Tom had so great expectations of regaining his lost health. I can imagine Tom’s feelings when he gets the check his friends sent him. If it’s his first experience along that line I know what he will feel like.

(Sue’s Note: In Frank’s letter home dated Sept 4, 1905 he writes, “Just think that train load of fellows, to all of whom I was a total stranger except probably a ½ dozen, took up a subscription after leaving Port Arthur and succeeded in getting $88 (I think) for me. I can only say “God bless them” and it is a prayer not an exclamation.” The money was given to Frank’s travelling companions who passed it along to Fred in Winnipeg. Fred then rushed to Port Arthur to check on Frank.

"Tom is going to start home not later than October 3rd and he said he hoped I was going about that time. He does not know that I am going by boat and that I hope to be home before that. I suppose Tom is very “blue” for he said that he could go for a little walk but that it completely faged him out. A rest is what he needs and he can best get that at home.”

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Sept 27, 1905 from Tom in Holland, Manitoba to Mary in Bayham,

“Dear Mrs Benner & Miss Benner (Vi):

I now write to acknowledge safe arrival of check, which was sent by Father. Please accept my warmest thanks. It was very kind of you indeed to think of me in that way, I shall always be greatfull to you, and I am sure my parents will too. I had written for my homeward fare, but now they will be relieved of that strain, my funds were nearly exhausted, and I have my Doctors bill to pay, I was feeling very uncomfortable, but now I feel more at rest, as I have money to go on with.

The people around there must be very kind, to subscribe so large amount. I wish I could thank them all who gave something.

The Doctor says I am improving, but it is very slowly, I am out of doors all day, so I get lots of fresh air. I still have bad nights my cough troubles me, as soon as I lie down. I think I shall have to take to sleeping stood up, see if that will overcome the trouble…

Please remember me to all friends. I hope you are all in the best of health, once more thanking you very much for your great kindness to me. I will close, Yours sincerely, Tom Smith

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Home Planning and Fred's West

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home 1905, Part: 5

Sept 25, 1905 from Frank in Port Arthur to “Folks” in Bayham, Ontario, ‘P.S. Just had a letter from Tom Smith. He says he is feeling some better and is coming home not later than October 3. I feel very sorry for him F.A.B.’

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Sept 25, 1905 Mary, in Bayham to “My dear Frank” in Port Arthur,“... Pa went to town this morning to see about the boat. He could’nt get the Huronic so is coming on the Monarch. The Huronic left Sarnia to-day and not again till Oct 4th so you see you would have to wait quite a while and we thought you would rather come on the Monarch than wait so long. Everett said it was very nice and comfortable… Pa is going to take his fur overcoat for you to wear on the boat and I going to try and get a ship rug to wrap around your feet when he is in London. Vi says it is just what you will need for your trip home and this winter too. It is like a big wool shawl and so warm and light. It will very likely be cool on the boat.”

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Sept 26, 1905 Fred in Fairfaix, Manitoba to Father in Bayham, “It rained here yesterday it made the wheat to soft to threash so we have nothing to do but we will get to work to-morrow. We have the gang of men here now every machine furnish their own men. They have what they call a caboose a small building on wheels and this is where the men sleep. I am glad we do not have to sleep in there they are packed in like a lot of hogs and they are not much cleaner. There are men in there from nearly all over the world. As far as my pocket book is concerned I have lots of money. Frank let me have some. You do not need much money in this country I have not spent any yet. Poor Tom Smith is having a hard time we have had two letters from him I am going to write to him now.”

Wheat Fields, Canada, circa 1905, Benner Photographs

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The Poor Fagged Fellow and Automobile Fever

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home 1905, Part: 4

Sept 21, 1905 Tom Smith, Holland, Manitoba to Guy Loop, Souris, Manitoba

“You will think I am never going to write to you, it is over a week now since I left Souris, I have been pretty bad since I came to Holland, I landed in Holland about 4 o’clock, it cost me a doller ninty from Souris to Holland, don’t you think that a lot, the day after I got here I went & saw the Dr, he said I had got chronic Bronchitis Asthma & infazema the last named caused by the Bronchitis with coughing so much and stooping my back had cause my lungs to expand he said I was not in a fit state when I came to undertake the hard work here.

The next day I was in bed all day also the next, so the Dr came to see me he said I had got a little Pleurisy but I must get up so I did and went out doors. I felt much better out doors breathing the fresh air, I have been down to the Dr again to day, he examined me and said my condition is better than when he first saw me, but I don’t feel much better myself, I feel so awfully weak, if I go for a short walk, it fags me out. I thought if I had a short rest, I would get a light job, to try and earn enough to get home with, but the Dr says I shall not be fit for anything this fall, and I must never in my life do any hard work, it made me feel that I was no good any more, I have had to send home for money to get back with, I never thought of that when I came out, the Dr says I am to weak to travel yet. 

I hope I shall be stronger before the third. There was a P.C. from Frank for me the night we were together in Souris, but I did’nt get it until next morning I was mad, he is suffering a lot. I bet it hurts him, for quite a while yet.

I also had a letter from Fred & Claude on Tuesday. They have got a very good place, and are getting on fine, they sleep together & work to gether, are getting 2 ½ a day. Fred was driving a stook team, he said he loaded one load in the morning & lay on the load until noon, did’nt get a chance to unload the engine was not working very well, they started threshing as soon as they were through stooking. I wish they had had a little stacking to do they would have found it harder I think.

Well I think I have told you all my news, I hope you are getting on alright with your painting & making lots of money. Mrs Benner was kind enough to write to me to day I was very pleased with her letter, I wish Frank was able to go back when I am, it would be nice to have some one to go back with, but we should be a fine pair of harvesters, landing back in Aylmer, shouldn’t we, Frank’s mother did’nt come to see him they found out that they had some very kind friends in Port Arthur, so that made it better for Frank did’nt it, now I must close, hope you make your fortune before you leave Souris. Believe me to remain your Friend, T.Smith”

Sept 21, 1905 from Mary in Bayham to Frank in Port Arthur,“We got a fine purse for Tom. $41.85. We took it to the bank to-day and explained to them what it was and who it was for and they made out a draft payable at either Holland or Winnipeg and at par so it won’t cost him anything to get it. I thought I was very kind of them to do so. Pa just came back from Smith’s. Took the check over and said they were very very thankful indeed. Mr Smith is just writing to Tom and sending it.”

Sept 22, 1905 from Frank in Port Arthur to Fred in Fairfax, Manitoba, “Say Fred do you know that Tom Smith is not better and has had to give up his job. I think he is coming back home and I also think he is coming back to die. Poor fellow, he hasn’t had a letter from anyone yet and I don’t know how it is for I wrote to him about two weeks ago. I wrote again yesterday but Tom’s is not the only one of my letters that has gone astray.”

Sept 24, 1905 from Mary in Bayham to Frank in Port Arthur, “The poor fellow must be in a pretty bad shape for he said the Dr told him he must never try to do another real hard day’s work in his life, and he advised him to come home. Said he also had a little touch of pleuracy. I do hope he will get that check all right.

Jack Smith and John Irwin Lindsay were here to dinner to-day and just went away a short time ago. He wanted to get to Springfield in time to catch the 5.35 train for St Thomas and was going to walk from there to Glanworth about six miles.

We had to laugh at Jack. He said he got the automobile fever pretty badly last Spring and nothing would do but he must have one so he got it and such a time as he is having. He and another fellow came down Friday to the Springfield Fair and then started to go to Aylmer but only got as far as the 8th concession when something went wrong with it and they had to get it towed into town and he has it there now getting fixed. He says they are really the worst thing to balk that ever was made for you can just coax and hammar and blow to your hearts content, and then you can get out and walk.

You would have laughed to heard him tell that. He never said one word to Pa or Ward about it but just before they went away he came in the house to bid Hetty and I goodbye and told us in such a funny sheepish way that we just roared. I suppose he thought they would laugh and poke fun at him so he never mentioned it.

But he said if the thing don’t object he is coming down this Fall and give us all a ride so there is a treat for you, that is if you don’t have to walk back.

Pa went out to town yesterday to see about the boat, and Jack Trim gave him a guide which he got this summer when he took his trip up there, and he supposed that would tell all about it but he does’nt quite understand it so is going out again in the morning so as to be sure of no mistake. He would like to be there Sunday and Monday if he could and go with you over to John’s for a visit. I think they could take you so it would’nt hurt you any. I am so anxious for you to come home I can hardly wait for the time to go by till you can come.”

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Letters from Pa and Mother

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home, 1905, Part: 3

Sept 17, 1905 Pa in Bayham to Frank in Port Arthur, “… Well Frank I hope your are improving very fast for I know it must be tiresome to lay in bed so much of your time but never mind and cheer up for I know better times are coming for your accident is not going to interfear with intended profession. I was talking with Dr Marlett the other day and he expressed his sorrow from the bottom of his heart. I belive yet he said it might prove a blessing in the end for it might make you more considerate in after years while attending some poor fellow in similar circumstances to yourself.

…Now my boy as I feel like taking a trip this fall and was thinking as soon as it was safe for you to come home and you would not mind, I would come to Port Arthur and come home with you. I think I could be of some servise as well as company. If you think the propsition is a good one write as soon as the Doctor thinks it will be safe for you but do not risk anything for it would be unpleasant if anything should happen on the way home.

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Sept 18, 1905 from Mary, Mother in Bayham to “My dear Fred”, in Fairfax, Manitoba, “It was only Saturday I wrote to you but I guess I did’nt tell you of anything but Tom and I don’t know as there is much news but I know you want a home letter anyway.

Well Vi and I went as far as Wheaton’s Saturday and did’nt have stop to all the places either did’nt have time and got $26.40 and besides quite a number said they did’nt have the money but would give something the first of the week when they got their cheese check and Vi and Edna Cascadden have gone west of the corner this afternoon. They gave of promised every place we went but one and that was Leon Dancey’s but he was very nice about it. He has had pretty hard time himself and is’nt through with it yet. He says his foot hurts him yet every step he takes.

Well Fred we got a letter from Frank Friday night and I know by the run of it he is getting homesick. Said he could’nt touch either foot to the floor yet and probably coul’nt for quite a while but if he could get away he was coming home soon anyway of cource that touched us I tell you so pa wrote yesterday and told him to be patient a little longer and just as soon as the Dr thought it was safe he would go there and bring him home.

Vi has just got back and they were not refused one place. They have now $35.85 and there are a few places yet, feel quite sure it will come to $40.

Gipsy Scott's lost a little child three years old to-day with diptheria. Vi says it will be a wonder if it is not spread around the neighborhood."

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Sept 20, 1905 from Mary in Bayham to “My dear Frank” in Port Arthur, “…Vi and Edna Cascadden went west of Wheaton’s yesterday afternoon with their missionary work and succeeded in bringing it up to 35.85 and they have a few more yet to see. They think they can make it close to $40. Pa told his (Sue’s Note: Tom’s) father about it this morning and they wrote and told him his friends were going to send him a present and not to leave there till it came. You see those who had’nt paid were to leave it at the factory so I suppose it will all be there now.

Leon Dancey was the only one in the whole lot who refused and there was’nt another one asked who has had so much done for them. The people up the street are quite disgusted thought he could at least have given a few cents.

Gipsy Scott had a little child die yesterday with diptheria… Vi says it will just be a wonder if others don’t have it.

Smith’s had another letter from Tom last night. He is at his uncles in bed or was when he wrote. The Dr said he had asthma, bronchitis, and influenza said he would never be real well but very likely would be so he could do light work. They have written for him to come home. Said his uncle and aunt were real kind to him so he will be allright for a few days.”

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The Subscription

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home, 1905, Part: 2

Sept 16, 1905 from Mary, Mother in Bayham to Frank in Port Arthur, “Just received your splendid letter last night and I tell you what it relieved my mind a lot to know you were all right and had such a good place but Fred, Smith’s had a letter from Tom this morning and the poor fellow is sick and has had to give up his place. He only worked seven or eight days. They put him stooking at first and he stood that very well and then pitching but that was too much for him. He has an Uncle out there at Holland if you know where that is and he said he was going there and surely they would keep him for a little while till he felt better. He said he went through Holland on his way from Winnipeg to Souris and a man showed him the house where his Uncle lived but some way they don’t seem very anxious to have him there I guess they don’t think very much of his Aunt. And to cap all the poor fellow has been all alone and has never had a word from anyone although they have written. He said, “I feel quite alone.” poor fellow my heart just aches for him I tell you it makes me think of my own dear boys and you know how plucky his poor mother was when he went away but to-day she is nearly wild.

Now Fred could’nt you do something for the poor fellow. Is’nt there another team where you are that you could get for him to drive or some light work of some kind even if it was’nt any big pay and write to him and tell him about it so at least he can feel he is with some one he knows. I think he fully expected to be with you but of cource all plans were upset when Frank was hurt.

We are trying to do something in the neighbourhood to help him. Vi headed the list this morning with $5.00 and pa with another 5 and Will Pound with another and Parker and Abell each gave one dollar. This afternoon Vi and I are going to town and will stop at quite a number of places around Summer’s Corners and see what they will do. I am sure they will nearly all do something. Of course I don’t know whether he will be able to do anything or not but see what you can do and show him you are trying to do something for him anyway.

His mother said this morning she wished he was home she thought he would be as well here as he will ever be any place. I thought we had trouble but theirs is worse yet.

Tom’s uncle’s address is Mr Samuel Smith, Holland Manitoba. If you write to him put it in care of his Uncle. Write to him any way whether you can do anything for him or not it will please him. The man’s name where he worked at Souris is Herriot.”

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Sept 17, 1905 from Mary, Mother to “My dear Frank” in Port Arthur, “Poor Tom is having a hard time of it too. I thought our hearts were pretty sore but yesterday morning when Tom’s letter came I made up my mind that their trouble was far far greater than ours for in the course of a few months you will be around again and can go right on with your studying but poor Mrs Smith is completely broken down and it seems so hard when she does give up for you know how plucky she was the morning Tom went away.

I went over yesterday morning and she said she was trying to work but did’nt know what she was doing and I told her I knew exactly how she felt. She said she wished he was home she thought he would be as well here as he would ever be any place. He said it must take a long time for letters to come there as he had’nt had a word from any one since he had been there. He also said he 'stooked', if you know what that is I think it’s something like shacking up, the first few days and he stood that very well and then they put him to pitching but that was too much and he had to give up his place and go to his uncle’s. He wrote as though he did’nt care to go but said it was all he could do and they seem to rather hate to have him go.

Mrs. Smith told Vi yesterday that his Aunt used to drink before they were married. Poor fellow he said 'I feel quite alone.' Said he would try and stay there a few days that surely they would keep him till he felt a little better and he would try and get some light job that he could’nt go in town and board for it would cost quite a lot so yesterday we started out in the neighbourhood to see if we could’nt raise a little to help him.

Vi headed the list with $5 and pa with another 5 and Will Pound with another and Parker and Abell each $1.00. In the afternoon we went west to Wheaton’s and did’nt stop all the places either did’nt have time and got $26.40 all together. We were only refused one place and that was Leon Demcey’s. He said he had had a pretty hard pull himself and was having it yet and I guess he was out a little with the Smith boys anyway something over hireing them last spring but he was very nice about it and besides there were several who said they had’nt the money but would give it the first of the week when the checks were out so I am quite sure they will make it 30 or over this side of the corner we have heard to-day of several boys who said they wanted to give something. Everybody seems to want to help. Vi and Edna Cascadden are going west to-morrow. Tom said he could’nt see as it was going to be any better for him there and he liked it better here anyway and thought he would come home said he did’nt want to stay the winter. So many say they would like to see him go to the sanitarium for a while. Poor fellow instead of going to Manitoba to work he should have been nursed.

I wrote to Fred yesterday and told him to see if there was any light job he could do there and gave him his address so he could write to him anyway. The boys think they have a pretty good place but they have to do their own washing.

Now Frank just as soon as the Dr thinks it safe pa is coming after you we can’t bear to have you undertake that trip alone but my dear boy I can see by your letters you are getting very anxious to get home and we are just as anxious to have you but we don’t want you to run any risk so don’t come till the Dr is real sure you’ll be all right and then let us know and pa will come right away.

We went in to inquire what the rates would be and he can get a return ticket from Aylmer for $34.75 that is by water. I feel anxious about your trunk but if it is’nt there when you need your clothes just get some more they won’t come amiss any way. Will close with lots of love, from Mother.”

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Sept 17, 1905 Murray in Bayham to Fred working the wheat fields of Fairfax, Manitoba “I suppose you heard about Tom’s trouble it is certainly to bad isn’t it his father and mother feel awful bad about it….We are taking up a subscription for Tom and are going to send it to him.”

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Tom and Frank's Story

Two Aylmer Boys Return Home, 1905, Part: 1

Tom and Frank were, at the least neighbours, but more importantly friends. I’m including this story not only to fill in the family history but also to demonstrate the kind but demanding local society of Bayham. Add to that, a strong adhesive sense of personal and neighbourly responsibility. More than your brother’s keeper, an individual was his neighbour’s keeper.

The first mention of Tom was in a letter dated Aug 20, 1905 from Mary, Mother, to Frank, living in Mohawk, Ontario canvassing Brantford selling books door to door. “Mr and Mrs Smith have just gone home have been over for the evening. Tom is quite poorly coughs bad as ever.”

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Aug 31, 1905 from Frank in Port Arthur General Hospital, Northern Ontario to Mary, Mother, in Bayham, Ontario, “I fell and my foot flew against the wheel (Sue’s Note: wheel of the train) which ran over the toes. I didn’t faint or anything else like that and honestly it didn’t hurt very much. See 'Frank' post June 17, 2008

Poor Fred (Sue’s note: Frank’s brother) will be pretty near wild when he hears it because he and Claude & Grinville managed to get a car at Toronto and came on ahead of us. J Cropp, Guy Loop, Tom Smith, and myself stayed together and got along allright until this accident happened. I would not let the other fellows stay although they wanted to very much. Bunch held out fine and this morning Tom felt much better.” The young men were on route to the fields of the west.

This poster, reproduced in the magazine Canada West, may have spurred them forward in their pursuit of riches, adventure, and a new life. (National Archives of Canada C30623) That and 160 acres free with stringent conditions applied.

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Sept, 4 1905 from Frank in Port Arthur to Mother, Father and Brothers, etc, in Bayham, Ontario, “… he didn’t say anything about Tom. As soon as you find Tom’s address sent it to me as I wish to write him. Thurs morning as he bid me goodbye in the ambulance (Sue’s note: at the train) he said he was feeling better and when Fred saw him in Winnipeg. He was also feeling quite frisky.”

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Sept 14, 1905 Frank in Port Arthur to Fred, “Say Fred, is Tom Smith near you. I had a card from him the other day but his address is Box 144 Souris so I imagine he is not very close to you. You should write to Tom as he felt pretty blue about you not staying with him.”

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Aunt Vi and Aunt Hetty

Additional Locals
January 7, 1915
Aylmer Express Newspaper

Jan 7 AE A sleigh load of Aylmer young people went to the St Thomas ice rink on New Year’s night and had a jolly time.

Jan 7 AE Miss Violet Benner, who has been spending the past few months with relatives & friends in Aylmer and vicinity, has returned to her work as professional nurse at Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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Sue’s Note: Vi was Pa’s (Thomas’) sister. The Benner letters reveal her to be caring, involved, and busy. She nursed tuberculosis patients and the poor in their communities of Grand Rapids, Saginaw, and Anna Arbor, Michigan from 1905ish to 1909ish. Letter dated June 28, 1909, “Last year was such an unfortunate one that I rather lost my nerve, but will try & find it again. It seems to me I had enough bad luck last year to last for several.” She moved home soon after.

She’s remembered by my uncle as “MEAN!” but had “beautiful eyes and beautiful skin.” She lived from December 17, 1863 till Dec 18 1962, into her ninety-ninth year! My grandfather, Arthur, moved her at some point from a nursing home into a private home. She’d been kicked out! What a shame she’s remembered as the 'Vi' of her final years. 

Benner Collection, Vi (left), Arthur (center back) with his wife, Cora, my paternal Grandparents. Unknown children.

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I’ve included in this posting a letter Vi sent to Frank, on his return home from Port Arthur to Bayham in 1905, after his mishap under the train west. (See June 17, 2008 “Frank” post.)

1905, Oct 13 

106 So. Union St
Grand Rapids
My dear Frank

Just received a letter from Aunt Hetty tonight telling me how you were.  Am so glad you are home and that the journey was pleasant. How did you like being baggage?

But I am very sorry that short foot is not healing as fast as we would like it to, but do’nt let them make it shorter still, as long as there is no signs of gangrene or something like that. Nature will do wonders when a person is healthy. I do’nt see why they could not do some skin grafting on that also, if all the trouble is, that it does not heal which is bad enough of course, but as long as it is healthy, hang on to the remainder of your foot, Frank. Do’nt let the doctors discourage you.

I hope it does not pain you very much now, so that you do’nt have to take any opiates. You will pardon me for fussing about it I hope Frank but my dear I have seen such bad results from people taking opiates while suffering and all unconsciously get in the way of it that it is a perfect horror to me. So I do hope you can get on now without it.

I do so hope you will soon be lots better under the good care of Dr’s Riddell & Kingston. Wish I were there but know you would be no better off if I were and I have such a nice old maid for a patient and I have found a German class so if I have good luck so I can go pretty regularly I will be able to read German with you next time we meet. The cook in the house where I am now is a German woman & I make her help me also and it is very interesting and I am surprised that I get on as well as I do.

Am sorry Arthur has been sick & glad he is better. Am so sorry for poor Tom Smith*. Did he get the money that was sent him all right. I would like to know. I hope you mother do’nt get sick with all the work and worry. How nice it must be to see so many friends. Did’nt I tell you what a popular nephew I had. You seem to be holding Sunday receptions.

Write to me when you have time and tell me all about yourself. I will be so glad to hear often. This is all the paper I have here so must stop. Love to all, will write again to your Mother & Aunt Hetty. Lovingly, Aunt Vi.

Written across the top of first page – I had to borrow an envelope so you see I am “broke” in earnest.

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Sue’s Note: Hetty, Vi, and Thomas were siblings. Hetty, also, did not marry and lived with Vi on Harvey Street in Aylmer from about 1909 onwards. My Dad, Keith, remembers doing odd jobs for them, raking, cleaning out eaves. Dad remembers Hetty as being “odd, mentally challenged. She was struck by lightening, at a young age, while at the clothes line. Slow after that …” Her health problems included “fits” and liver issues which she treated with caroid and biles salts "for the cure.” As near as I can research, Caroid contained phenolphthalein which was the active ingredient in ExLax. Caroid has been removed from common use because of cancer concerns.

She irritated Aunt Vi, no end, with at least one daily use of the maxim, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Dad and his brother, Uncle Frank (the next generation) were often punished by Aunt Hetty, “To make them good-natured again.” The punishment involved ingesting Epsom salts with water at breakfast, they were not allowed to leave the table until the cocktail was gone. Their next anticipated stop was invariably the bathroom – diarrhea, the consequence of the behaviour adjustment.

In 1908 and 1909, Hetty was thanked on more than one occasion for her financial support of Frank while he studied Medicine at McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec. “Had it not been for Hetty, I would have been unable to continue at college.” It would appear that interest was to be paid on the borrowed money. I’m not sure of the source of Hetty’s income, some land was sold once.

Aunt Hetty, and my father, Keith. Date unknown - ?early thirties.

*Tom Smith story to follow as "Two Aylmer Boys Return Home - 1905"

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