PIVOTAL EVENTS


Timeline... 1900 - 1910


The World

1901: Queen Victoria dies, Jan. 22. Edward the VII reigns.
1901: Marconi sends the first radio signal across the Atlantic.
1903: Ford Motor Co. established to manufacture automobiles


Canada

May 15, 1909: an Earthquake is felt across the prairies.



Manitoba


1901: Manitoba’s first Hydro-electric plant opens on the Little Saskatchewan River northwest of Brandon.  
1906: Manitoba farmers organize the “Grain Growers’ Grain Company” with shares available at $25. For any farmer wanting to join.

1908: Manitoba Government Telephones takes over the telephone service.


Hartney and the R.M. of Cameron

1650


1900: The Canadian Northern Railway line from Morris reaches Hartney
1902: Construction of A.E. Hill Co. Store and Lewis Building
1905: Hartney incorporated as a town - The first Mayor is Dr. F. Woodhull.
1906: Town Hall Constructed
Hartney in 1900 – 1909


1900

Railway line from Elgin, reaches Hartney – eventually linking to Grande Clairiere and Virden. The first agent is Mr. Donald


 
The town deals with the question of a site for fair.
The establishment of a Creamery is discussed.
Alex Mains, with his brother, starts a planing mill, which soon became a sash and door factory, and eventually (1904) The Hartney Manufacturing Company.

ca 1900 – 3 more elevators are  built.

In December the Hartney District Businessman’s Association is formed to enhance urban needs versus farmer’s needs.
A Stage coach between Hartney and Meglund runs two days a week; and between Hartney and West Hall on Fridays.

1901

Dr. Woodhull sells the Hartney Star to Walpole Murdoch. Mr. Murdoch was a community booster and observer of local scene; expressed modern views and reported controversial issues. The Star enumerated the buildings and businesses in the town

Blacksmith Victor Duchesneu sets up shop and begins manufacturing and selling carriages and wagons.

Isabey pool room opened.
Small pox outbreak is spread to Hartney with the arrival of a Harvest Train bringing workers from the east.
Geo. Mitchell, Mayor to 08
Bell Telephone line started to connect Morden, Napinka , Hartney, Souris, Brandon
Canadian Northern takes over Northern Pacific branch line.

 

Hartney in 1901

 

Influential Hartney Women….



Margaret Woodhull

Margaret apprenticed with her brother and in 1901 became the first woman graduate in pharmacy in Manitoba. She took over the pharmacy in Hartney in 1920 – lived there until her death.



    Tena Hopkins

Miss Tena Hopkins operated the Hopkins Boarding House, 112 Spencer  for nearly forty years beginning around 1901.


1902

Construction of A.E. Hill Co. Store  and Lewis Building

The Lewis Building is ready to accommodate the Hartney Star
A permanent rink is built
Innes & Frank Hill take over the Flour Mill it becomes part of Canadian Consolidated Flour Mills
William Kirkland – takes over Sackville’s brick operation
Farmer’s Elevator which grew out of ther dissatisfaction with the costs of grain marketing, established in Hartney.
O’Briens return to operate the hotel – change the name back to “Avondale”.
Farm wages discussed at the Farmers’ Institute - $200/year with board and lodging is the going rate.
William Langland wins a diploma at Paris World Fair for his wheat.
 
Building Hartney

 

Crawford Building 2009    



W.B. Crawford
    


Lewis and A.E. Hill Buildings, 2009




1903

Edward Briggs elected as Conservative M.L.A. for the Deloraine Constituency in 1903.

Fred Alamas purchases the Hopkins Store from Mr. Hamelin and converts it to a 30 – room hotel – with a Liquor License – but a local vote overturned that license.
Drs. Lyall and Bigelow arrive

1904  

First telephone installed in the Alma Hotel
Telephone Toll Office established in Woodhulls Pharmacy
Mr Dickson opens a furniture store
Alex Mains reorganizes his sash and door factory as joint stock co.
Syd Fyson opens a Meat & Stock Marketing operation
In May a petition for incorporation of  Hartney as a town circulates

As of 1904 there are 51 business in Hartney, plus 8 elevators
J.M. Fee assumes postmaster duties (until  1912)


1905

Hartney incorporated as a town.
The first Mayor,  Dr. F. Woodhull is elected by acclamation.
CNR extended to Virden, through Grande Clairiere.
B.J. Hales becomes principal of Hartney School.
A Canoe Club is organized.
Professor Racine’s  begins music lessons and  leads a variety of activities in the community
A by law is passed for 5% debentures to raise $7000 for town hall & fire protection
September: plans for town hall submitted
Fire destroyes Finkleman & Shapiro’s Blue Store and Hall in Novemeber
John Scott elected mayor in December.
“The Diamond”, a crossing of CN/CP tracks, is situated on the outskirts.
A.W. “Connie” Riddell is the CPR  station agent – also popular leader in the realm of sports.
Eaton’s in Winnipeg is a major mail-order shopping service.
Isabey’s “democrat” equipped with an engine, becomes the community’s first “car”.
 

1906  

By- law passed to contract A. Vaughan to build town hall for $9, 895. Work commences.
Formal agreement to purchase fire engine from Watrous Engine Works.
Telephones installed throughout town
February: “Best Ever” Prizes go to local farmers – WJ Keeler, WA Magwood, W. Laughland , SF Long for wheat; Laughland for Spring rye and brome grass.
Hartney School enlarged.
Walpole Mundoch builds one-storey brick printing press building.
October: The new Town Hall is opened serves as fire hall, civic offices, meeting place and  many other uses
William Avenue extended through  land purchases as the town expands.
Board walks built.
Formation of Park along CPR. Planners consult with the Brandon Experimental Farm
Dr. Irwin arrives  (stays until 1910).
The Hartney Star predicts that: “Men will not use automated vehicles”
Grain Grower’s Grain Co. established in Hartney.
 
Public Buildings


 
1908  

The first factory-built automobile purchased by W.E. Crawford. (Ford)
Others soon follow - more autos on roads
Main’s Stock dispersed and he retains only lumber sales.
Board walls replaced with concrete in main streets.
Street lamps installed.
A Local By-law requires business (except dray & harness) to close @ 7:00 , except for Saturday when they are allowed to open until midnight. (This by-law led to the YMCA).
Also a by-law for pit closets and a town scavenger.
Dr. Tolmie arrives.

1909

A.E.  Crawford elected mayor.
Several stores burned.
Bandstand erected.
Oswald Shore uses car to sell farm implements.
Road signs allowed by town.
A car trip to Winnipeg is big news – Edward Briggs and J.J. Sheppard, with Ed’s sons, Joel and Delmar, leave at 9:00 in morning and arrive in the city at 7:00 that evening.