Student Museum ‘Musings’ – Shawn

Maintaining a gentlemanly character was certainly no easy feat for those living in Victorian Oshawa. Of course, one was expected to have discipline and an esteemed manner regardless of the circumstances. Nonetheless even those of high status lost a few battles to their tempers.

Thomas Conant, esq. Author of ‘Life in Canada’ and ‘Upper Canada Sketches’

One such example involved a conflict between the respectable Thomas Conant Esq. and arithmetic teacher, Mr. D. Black in the fall of 1865. Now, the twenty-three-year-old Thomas certainly did not think of himself as an expert lecturer but he found himself quite unsatisfied with the teaching style utilized by Mr. Black to portray the rudiments of figures to his younger sister, Electa. Thomas, not burdened by timidity, made himself plainly understood. However, Mr. Black quickly took offence to these comments, claiming that he would not “submit” to Thomas’ “interference and dictation.”After a few exchanges things appear to have gotten heated quickly.

After being taken aback by Mr. Black’s non-compliance Thomas pressured further, boldly stating that his behavior seemed to imply…

“…that we should shut our eyes and take no interest in the pupil’s under your charge.

I have neither time nor inclination to continue a discussion – but contend that persons having an interest in the pupils have a right to suggest as I have done and demand a gentlemanly answer.

And in a later response Mr. Black, still having none of Thomas’ intervention, replied with:

“You seem offended at the ‘tone’ of my reply to your note of yesterday and characterize it as ungentlemanly. Perhaps it was. If so, I regret it. But you will understand its tone little perhaps when I tell you that the tone of the letter to which I  wrote in reply struck my mind as impertinent and dictatorial.”

It is likely Electa never quite realized the extent of the bold, quoted, and underlined words being exchanged between these two gentlemen over her education. Yet, while the language is quite appalling for these Victorian men I’m sure many can relate to their good intentions. Whether a parent, older sibling, or instructor the method of how to properly up-bring and treat those under out care still exists as a personal and potentially controversial topic. Unfortunately, Helen Lovejoy cannot be everywhere to ensure that “won’t somebody please think of the children?!” rather than their gentlemanliness in many of these times of need.

“Think of the Children!”

How Oshawa Celebrates the Civic Holiday – McLaughlin Day

As the dog days of summer carry on, the long weekend in August comes as a nice break.  The Civic Holiday is known by several names across the country;  British Columbians enjoy British Columbia Day, Saskatchewaners take in Saskatchewan Day, and New Brunswickers celebrate, you guessed it, New Brunswick Day.

Generally, the holiday is known as the Civic Holiday in Ontario, although different regions have their own names for the day, many of them taking the day as an opportunity to recognize important citizens or founders.  Toronto recognizes the day as Simcoe Day, it is Colonel By Day in Ottawa, Joseph Brant Day in Burlington, Peter Robinson Day in Peterborough, and John Galt Day in Guelph.  

RS McLaughlin, from the Oshawa Community Archives

Oshawa is no exception.  We honour one of our favourite citizens every Civic Day, where we proclaim the first Monday of August to be McLaughlin Day after Col. RS McLaughlin.  Sam McLaughlin was an automotive pioneer and philanthropist, and he loved this City as much as the City loved him.

A983.39.1 – button created to celebrate McLaughlin Week

McLaughlin Day was first celebrated in 1983, and Oshawans were encouraged to visit the Robert McLaughlin Gallery, Parkwood, and the Automotive Museum, and even though it rained, ‘spirits were high,’ and the day ended with fireworks in Lakeview Park!  McLaughlin Day was the beginning of a week long celebration known as McLaughlin Celebration Week.

Parkwood National Historic Site

This McLaughlin Day, visit RS McLaughlin’s former home, Parkwood National Historic Site for special basement tours, or come down to the Oshawa Community Museum and regale in the history of the City that Sam so loved.  We are offering tours from 12-4 on Monday, August 5.

“I love the old town and am always glad to do anything towards its improvement.” 
-Col. RS McLaughlin

 

Happy McLaughlin Day!

References:

The Canadian Encyclopedia, “Civic Holiday”, from http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/civic-holiday

Canada Info, “First Monday in August Holiday,” from http://www.craigmarlatt.com/canada/symbols_facts&lists/august_holiday.html

Oshawa This Week, ‘Hats off to McLaughlin Day,’ August 3, 1983

From Exploding Cigars to Whoopie Cushions! Novelty Items

By: Melissa Cole, Oshawa Community Museum Curator

So what does a Joy Buzzer, Whoopee Cushion, chattering teeth and the old “fly in the ice cube” have in common……they are novelty items.  Throughout history people have loved to play practical jokes on each other.  From one of the earliest being the exploding cigar to the Whoopee cushion, which is still funny today.  Novelty items became a lucrative business in the 19^th and still are today.

Recently the museum received a large donation of items that belonged to Gladys Muriel Mowbray (Adelaide McLaughlin’s sister).  This collection contained over 50 items that included a wedding dress, jewellery, shoes, hats and many personal items including a few novelty items that were practical jokes.  At first I thought the one was a tin that resembled others that were already in the collection held at the OCM so I inspected the items further and realized they were novelty items.  This is something that I do not come across often in a donation to a local museum.   I wanted to find out a bit more about the two novelty items that were donated and discover more about the history of practical jokes in general.

The first novelty item is called Adams Salted Mixed Nuts also known as the “snake nut can”.

013.3.12 – an ‘innocent’ can of Adam’s Salted Mixed Nuts

The “snake nut can” is a practical joke device that closely resembles a can of nuts but contains a wire spring covered in cloth or vinyl, some are even printed like snake skin but not this particular one, which  leaps out of the can and startles the unsuspecting victim.  This could have been me….. I was very thankful to the donor who actually informed me of what the tin contained before I proceeded to open the tin of “Salted Mixed Nuts”.  The reason I always open the tins when a donation comes in is because quite often they are filled with little treasures that even the donor may not be aware of.

013.3.12 – not so innocent!

The “snake nut can” was invented by Soren Sorenson Adams, was known as Sam Adams, the king of Professional Pranksters,  of the S.S. Adams Co. circa 1915.  Adams’ wife Emily had been complaining about the jam jar, saying that it wasn’t properly closed or that it was sticky.  Adams was inspired by her nagging, then invented a spring snake – coil of wire wrapped in a cloth skin and compressed the two-foot snake into a little jam jar so that it would jump out when the lid was removed.  The snake jam jar then evolved into the snake nut can.  In 1928, S.S. Adams created the Joy Buzzer, and in later years also sold the squirting nickel and fake plastic ice cubes with bugs in them.  He was considered the industry leader in the field of practical jokes after creating over 650 novelty joke items.    He actively managed his company until the time he passed away in the 1963 at the age of 84.

The second item was a New Shaving Kit – with the headline WHAT EVERY MAN WANTS – NO BRUSH NO LATHER NO ELECTRICTY.

013.3.11 – The New Shaving Kit

Around the edge of the lid are line drawings of assorted razors but inside the box is a fake pocket knife, a few sticks of wood and wood shavings.   It has a 1939 copyright date by H. Fish love & Co. of Chicago. Stamped lightly on the front is; Souvenir of Wichita, Kansas. The back of the box is a mailer label with a place for To and From and it could be mailed anywhere in the U.S.A. for only 3c.  The Howard Fishlove company was known for their fake vomit called “Whoops” the company manufactured 60, 000 units per year.

Practical jokes and novelty items have been making people laugh since the 19^th century I am sure these two novelty items highlighted here have brought back memories for many.   

References:

Demaris, Kirk (2006). Life of The Party: A Visual History of the S.S. Adams Company. Neptune, NJ: S.S. Adams Co.

Newgarden, Mark (2004). Cheap Laffs: The Art of the Novelty Item. New York: Abrams.

Rauscher, William (2002). S.S. Adams: High Priest of Pranks and Merchant of Magic. Oxford, CT: David E. Haversat.

Month That Was – August 1951

Wednesday August 1, 1951

Ontario Spotlight:
Contest First Seats
Bronte (CP) – Ten candidates were nominated last night for the five seats on the council of this Lake Ontario community which finally attained status of a village after more than 100 years of trying. An election will be held Aug. 13.

Lost 50 years
Dundalk (CP) – Fifty years ago, Charles Wale of Hopeville, Ont., lost his gold watch in a field here, Alex Richardson, 12, recently found it and returned it to Mr. Wale, now ever 80. It was in fair condition, considering the length of time it lay in the field. The gold was tarnished and some of the wheels were rusty.

Sparking Lamp
A Canadian sparking lamp was shown at a lecture in Peterborough on life 100 years ago. It was explained that when a young man went to call on his girl friend in those days the girl’s mother lit the lamp. When it burnt out the caller had to leave.

Editorial Notes
Work is being done on the development of aeroplanes to fly five times faster than sound.  How, then, will the fellow in the control tower ever be able to get a message to them.

 

Thursday August 2, 1951

Dies Whiles Signing Will Bequest Ruled Invalid
Sydney, Australia (CP) – An ex-serviceman’s last wish to leave all his possessions, valued at more than $300, to a lifelong woman friend was nullified here when he died in the act of signing the will.

A justice of the peace and other witnesses were present when the man began to sign the document, but collapsed and died after writing his Christian names.

As he has no relatives and no dependents, he is officially assumed to have died intestate. Proceeds of the sale of his real and personal property will be transferred to general revenue.

A.A. House, deputy public trustee, explained that a will is not valid unless signed by witnesses in the presence of the executor. Even if the executor lost consciousness while witnesses were signing, the will would not be valid.

 

Friday August 3, 1951

Cow on Rampage
Reading, England (CP) – It wasn’t a bull in a china shop that caused the damage in this Berkshire town. It was a cow in a furniture shop. The animal escaped from a cattle market and did heavy damage to furniture before it was shot.

 

Saturday August 4, 1951

Joke Not Funny To Robber Hubby
Birmingham, Ala. (CP) – A jealous wife tipped police that her husband was a robber, then said it was all a joke.

But by that time the joke had gone too far, Detective C. L. Pierce said Thursday night – the husband had confessed to four holdups.

Pierce said Forrest Ford, 34, a former loan company employee, admitted the holdups.

The trip came in a letter from Mrs. Mable Ford, who later told officers she had written it only as a joke to “get even” with her husband.

Mrs. Ford said she was angry with her husband because he paid too much attention to another woman at party.

 

Thursday August 9, 1951

 

Thursday April 16, 1951

Beat Labor Problem With 21 Children
A stork which for 24 years has been dive-bombing the home of Adelbert Smith, 56, Zurich, Ont. Farmer, paid another visit recently and brought, Mrs. Smith her 21^st child, 19 whom are still living. The 45-year-old mother welcomed the latest arrival, a boy, and declared she is in favour of large families, for “folks who have them will never be lonely.’ Pop pa Smith experiences no farm labor problems, for his thirteen boys have become experts with tractors, and are ideal “handymen.” The happy couple are accustomed to large families as Mr. Smith was one of a family of 14, and his wife had five brothers and sisters.

 

Tuesday August 21, 1951

 

Monday August 27, 1951

What is a Canadian?
We are citizens of Canada, either by birth or by adoption and naturalization. We are citizens of the Commonwealth.

Our skins may be brown, or yellow or black or white, but we are Canadians. Our name may be Podolski, Fraser, Wong, Spermanti, Dubois, Schmidt or Jones. Our forefathers may have come from Glasgow, Prague, Tokyo, from Dublin, Bordeaux, Roterdam or Newcastle. We may be laborer, student, doctor, merchant, or machinist.

Whatever we are, whatever our occupation, whatever our background, if we accept Canada as our country, and with it the democratic way of life, we are Canadians.

We have the right to speak freely, to worship freely, but with these rights we must learn our duties, to speak wisely, to worship wisely, to choose our leaders wisely.

We inherit, along with 14million Canadians a vast continent, abounding in resources and opportunities for a good, healthy and a happy life.

We inherit two great cultures – the Anglo-saxon and the French – and more than thirty others as well. We are creating out of these a new and growing Canadian culture. We are at the dawn of great things, for us and our country. We are the builders of a great and free nation, of a great and free people.

It’s great to be a Canadian.  – Kiwanis International Magazine

Student Museum ‘Musings’ – Emily

Hi there, I’m Emily, one of the summer students working at the museum this summer. I am a fourth year English Literature student at Trent University, hoping to go into Archival or Library Science in post graduate studies. I also volunteered here before this summer.

What I’ve spent most of my summer doing is digitizing a Thomas Henry Correspondence Collection. This collection is what you would get if you took Thomas Henry’s desk and poured it all out. In this collection there are correspondence letters, bill of sales, receipts, and a few essays among others. I finally finished digitizing this collection last week and the final count of items in this collection was 525. By digitizing these papers I spent most of my time scanning, so far this summer. While the collection has 525 items, I ended up scanning 1043 scans. And on an average I probably did about 40 scans per day.

An envelope, addressed to the Rev. Thomas Henry

Among the letters in this collection there are about 40 family letters, which have begun being transcribed, and being the English student that I am, what I find most interesting about the letters that are in this collection is the lack of uniform punctuation, grammar, and spelling throughout the letters. Within one letter a single word could be spelt different three times, and I really find that fascinating because of how structured language has become in today’s world. I feel like the difference between writing today and writing from say 1863 is a very interesting marker in how different things are today. It seems to me that the evolution of language is equally as important when studying history, as studying the evolution of other aspects of our society, as is more commonly looked at and taught in schools.  It seems that both today’s structure of writing and that of 150 years ago have their strengths and weaknesses. And reading these letters on thing that came clear to me is how these letters seem to flow much easier than a letter of today. Whereas in contrast a letter of today do have much more uniform writing, something that the correspondence of this collection more often than not, do not seem to have.

Thomas Henry – this oil painting hangs in the the Henry House Parlour

But overall, what I took away from looking at these correspondence letters is that while it changes frequently, writing is extremely important for communication, and while it can change mediums overtime, which is clear as I write this blog post, it still seems to maintain the same weight and importance for a man like Thomas Henry, as it does today.