Afew weeks ago Our Past featured some unique descriptions of downtown businesses from The Month, an Oblate publication from 1892. What made them unique was the information included, such as the fact that one storeowner had a long beard and another had recently married.
As promised, here are more examples starting with the undertaker, Mr. Murchie. The lead to this item comes after some medicine and doctor comments: "If you have some doubts about it you are kindly referred to Mr. Murchie, who will leave
no one without a decent burial. He even gives you the choice of your own coffin if he is called in time to hear your last words." Now that really was personal service! The Campbell and Anderson hardware store had much to offer the shopper, so much we learn, that "customers always leave with a sigh that they have not more money to spend."
Prominent photographer S.J. Thompson is described as being a floor above some of the other store front shops."Mr. Thompson, like every artist, handles you rather unceremoniously when he wishes you to take the desired pose!" The reference to the Bank of Montreal includes a very neat play on words which would have been quickly understood by readers in 1892."The Bank of Montreal is solid, no one can doubt it; and what is better still, it is 'Brymn' or brim full of money." The word play is on the name of the prominent and well-liked bank manager, George Brymner. In commenting on the Hotel Douglas, the article makes a very important statement that all business should adhere to: "Advertising brings customers in, but only good first-class work can keep them."
The well-known and highly sought-after architect George Grant, in an upstairs office, was "planning to build up the whole town in the finest brick and stone blocks. Witness the elegant structures he has put up lately."
The cigar factory of Mr. Tietjen was in a new building, presumably by George Grant. The factory made cigars locally with local tobacco leaves and "it supplies the whole Mainland;
yes, and the Island too." A final cigar-linked comment adds "It's a pity all their work goes up in smoke!" The author left Columbia Street to go up Douglas Street (now Eighth Street), to visit a Mr. Ferguson who "is an artist in his line; his bread and pastries are universally relished." After commenting on a long list of downtown establishments he viewed some mills, then went out to Sapperton and offered a wonderful observation on return.
"As we drive back to the city we see the white monuments of the cemetery on the hill, and we are reminded that they were for the most part furnished by S. Hamilton, the proprietor of B.C. Monumental Works."
All items were from The Month of November 1892: a wonderful find; great comments and local colour.
